Guest

As a young guest author, we welcome Jason Murray

”Life with Hailey”

by Jason Murray

My family loves animals but the love I have for dogs is out of this world.  We got my dog Hailey three years ago after we had lost our faithful furry friend, Maxie. Hailey was different from the other dogs we owned. She is a yellow Labrador Retriever. Our previous dogs were German Shepherds. Hailey is the love of my life.  Since we got her, my life has changed a lot.  She is just like me, but with fur.  She has lots of energy, is goofy, fun and very loving.  

We love to play catch. I taught her to come back and drop the ball in front of me.  Just when you think she is tired, she will get up and bring the ball back to me again and again.

At the campground, she loves to go in the water with me and play catch, but sometimes she tackles me in the water which makes me laugh. When we are on the boat, she loves to jump off and go swimming in the lake.  

My mom feeds my dog and cat.  Hailey eats uncaged in our kitchen. We have to make sure my dog and cat do not fight over food. Sometimes the cat sneaks in to try and eat some of the dog’s food.  

Hailey’s favorite treat is doggie ice cream.  Sometimes she gets a pup cup at the ice cream shop where we go to get milkshakes.  She loves the vanilla pup cups!  

My mom and I taught Hailey how to sit and she knows how to shake with her right paw.  Once she gets started, she will do it over and over, expecting a treat.   

Hailey sleeps with me in my bed at night.  She dreams like crazy.  I think she is dreaming about jumping up and down because she kicks her legs all night long and makes funny noises.  She also whips her tail while she is dreaming.  She can get very loud and sometimes wakes me up.

Hailey’s tail could be a weapon.  It takes out everything in its path.  So far,  she has not broken anything but she leaves a mess behind her.  

We don’t know why, but she loves to nuzzle the rug lying in front of a door.  She likes to sleep under the rug when we are away.  This can make it hard to open the door to get into the house because the carpet is balled up and blocks the doorway.

Hailey eats, sleeps, plays and then sleeps some more.  She loves people.  If you visit us, she will greet you with lots of kisses.  When she meets you, she will run into the next room for one of her favorite toys and drop it at your feet, hoping you will play with her.  When we leave for a short time, even for just five minutes, she will greet us as if we have been away for ten years.  It is so silly but I love her so much!

Jason Murray is an aspiring dog writer who is 10 years old and in the sixth grade. Jason lives with his Mom, Dad and beloved dog in Andover, Connecticut. 

Hailey