Hi! My name is Tucker Umble. I was born February 3, 2007. My mommy likes to tell people I'm her business partner, but when she snuggles and kisses me she calls me her "Little Sweetheart". I like it when mommy calls me that, because sometimes her names for me aren't quite as sweet. Let's just say I haven't been the easiest little guy to raise.

I came to live with mommy and daddy because of another little puppy named Spike. Spike was a little Yorkie just like me, but he was born with a bad heart murmur. Spike was given to mommy and she just loved him. She said he was "god sent". (Haven't heard her say that about me..hmm?) Daddy didn't want Spike at first because they already had a dog, Max, and a cat, Popcorn. But daddy agreed to keep Spike and he even fell in love with the little guy. However, after a few months Spike got very sick and mommy had to drop him off at the doctor. She never saw him again. Mommy says he went to doggy heaven. Mommy and daddy were both very sad.

One day daddy surprised mommy by saying that he would like another little puppy just like Spike. Mommy was shocked. They both agreed they wanted a healthy little puppy this time, so here I am.

Mommy says that I'm a lot different than Spike. I must admit, I am a fun loving kind of a guy. I try to stay on my best behavior while at the shop, but by the time I get home I'm ready to shake, rattle and roll. Mommy has to scold me sometimes, but I'll often see a little smile break out at the corner of her mouth.

However, I must say that there is some friction in our house these days, and unfortunately I seem to be in the middle of it all. First, it seems for most of my life I'm being ushered out the front door. I don't get it. Sometimes I have to go to the potty and sometimes I don't. But there are times when I do have to go and they don't let me out. What's a guy suppose to do? When that happens I feel a floor is as good as grass any day. What's the big deal? I also hate it when mommy goes into the bedroom and closes the door with me outside. It just makes me want to pee right then and there. So I do. Then mommy gets mad when she steps in the puddle on her way out. Once more I'm being ushered to the front door. "But mommy! I don't have to go NOW!" I am really working hard to understand the rules of the house and I think I'm getting better. Mommy agrees.

There's another issue that is making mommy's nerves a little raw these days. Mommy and daddy said that I could sleep with them in their bed at night. After all, I don't take up much space. But being a little guy makes me a tad nervous. They don't understand the feeling of having body parts coming my way at night and never knowing where they might land. A guy could get hurt. I guess I'm in a pretty deep sleep the first half of the night and don't notice when things are heading my way. Fortunately I haven't been hurt yet, but I don't want to take any chances. But by 3AM I'm starting to rouse a bit and when people start tossing and turning, I take a dive for the floor. Since I'm up anyway I decide it's probably a good time to go potty. Now mommy's starting to catch on that when she hears the thump on the floor she better get up. Since she often gets up at 4:00AM anyway I don't see what difference another hour makes? Then Max gets awake and Popcorn also appears from out of nowhere. Now four of us are up, and mommy is mad. Again, we're all heading to the front door. On the way I decide to snatch my squeaky toy. Hey, maybe mommy has time to play a game of throw with me..no.maybe not.

Well, this has been going on for quite some time and there are many nights I find myself in a crate. What I don't understand is why they keep moving the crate from the family room, to the laundry, back to the bedroom, and round and round it goes. Depending where I happen to be on any particular night will depend on how loud I have to yelp to get their attention. Sometimes daddy gets grouchy and then I find myself in a crate in the laundry with the door closed. They're threatening to move me out to the garage. Ouch! I've even been moved in the middle of the night. Can you believe that? If they'd just let me in their bed, I'd be quiet. Don't they understand? We've been through this routine many times now. Sometimes they think it might work to again try to have the ole boy sleep with them. I happily jump in and after a few licks to all exposed body parts, I'm ready to settle in for the night. Then by 3:00AM I'm diving for the floor and moms blowing off more steam. Women! If they'd just explain to me what the problem is, perhaps we could work it out together.

I suppose I shouldn't be airing the family's dirty laundry in this way because I probably do have a pretty good life. I go with mommy to work every day and get to sleep in my own little bed under her desk. Occasionally I schmooze with a few customers and that's kind of nice. I get my head patted and my face kissed and then I return a few kisses of my own. I have my weekends off which is good bonding time for me and daddy. He likes playing with me.

Weekends are also good bonding times for Max, Popcorn, and I, although I'm not so sure they like my kind of bonding. Max can be a real grouch. He's old and likes to sleep a lot. He doesn't like me nipping at him when he's trying to get some shut eye but I'm just wanting him to come and play. After all, exercise would be good for him. So I nip and he growls. Popcorn's not much fun either. She's old too and just isn't the fun-loving kind. Sometimes she and I have a little boxing match, at least that's what mommy calls it. I sure have a lot of fun but I'm not sure that Popcorn likes it. She just hisses and swats...whatever that means! I guess it's her way of playing.

Well, I better close for now. Mommy just asked me to write a few things for the website. She thought it might be nice for everyone to get to know me a bit better. Maybe mommy better not read this. She may not like it that I've been ratting on her. Oh well!

Stop by the shop and pay me a visit. There's never been a face I didn't like.to lick.that is!

OPW Business Partner,
Tucker
(aka Little Sweetheart)