Smarty Pants

(Hanging out in my carrier in the airport, the first time I went to Florida)

Everyone always says how Lincoln has all the brains in this family. Mostly this is because of some silly dog IQ test that Mom tried to give me. If you've never taken the test before, make your Mom and Dad give it to you before reading on so not to spoil the surprise.

The first test question involves showing me a treat, and then showing me this treat as Mom places it under a cup. My attention span did not allow me to remember that the treat went under the cup. I got bored. What can I say?

The second test question involves throwing a blanket over me and timing how long it takes me to get out. Um, hello, it's much more fun to play under the blanket than it is to get out from under it!

By the time the third question rolled around, Mom was getting a little frustrated. So Uncle Travis took over. Supposedly I was supposed to come when he smiled at me. Instead I barked and growled. Uncle Travis has a suspicious looking smile...

Mom gave up. I didn't even get a chance to redeem myself. My Uncle Travis calls us "Pinky" and the "Brain." Yes, it's true that Lincoln can jump on the table and get the good food for us. And yes, it's true that Lincoln drops the food when he hears Mom coming and I'm left gobbling up as much as I can before punishments are dealt out. However, maybe that means only that I'm half of Lincoln's size and therefore, can not leap tall tables as easily as Lincoln. And that I would rather eat as much food as possible and take my punishment. Maybe Lincoln is not smarter, just a suck-up.

The other night I proved everyone wrong about how smart I am. Lincoln and I are going to Florida for a month, the day after Christmas. Lincoln has a fear of carriers. Lincoln has many fears. But this fear of carriers is a problem because if he can't get in a carrier, he can't go to Florida. I love carriers. After trying to persuade Lincoln for half an hour to get in his carrier, everyone gave up and just left it open so he could get used to it. The whole time I was running in and out of his carrier, showing them how I was the good pug. No one seemed to care.

Well Lincoln always steals my toys. He's bigger and nine times out of ten, he wins in tug-of-war or just simply dominating the toy. But being the smart pug that I am, I figured out that if Lincoln gets distracted, I can grab the toy and hide it in the carrier. He won't come in after it. So slowly, I hid all of the toys in the carrier and then went and sat on them. Ha, who is the smart pug now?!

(Lincoln considering going in after me...)