Would you like some cornflakes?

I'm having dog punishing problems. Some days it seems like all I do is punish and punish. Buster is a very obedient dog but he becomes a bit depressed when Josh leaves for work. He sits on the back of the couch for hours watching for Josh's navy blue truck to pull into the driveway. Unfortunately his pining sometimes leads to rebellion. At times he crosses the line and I have to get onto him. And Lizzy... she's just a natural hellion. She's not a bad puppy... just a puppy. Sometimes I have a hard time locking them in the kitchen when they've not been on their best behavior. They're both so cute!! When you act in the least bit displeased with them their big brown eyes widen and they hunker down and pout like their little hearts have been broken.

Earlier this afternoon, when I was talking to my mom on the phone, I heard a great commotion coming from this kitchen where Lizzy was refined for repeatedly committing crimes I will not disclose. I quietly peaked over the child gate to see what she was up to but... she was nowhere in sight. I called for her. There was a pause and even a louder ruckus. The noise seemed to move the length of the kitchen. From one end of the counter to the other. Slightly confused I stepped over the gate. Luckily it was just in time to see Lizzy fall clumsily out of an ajar kitchen cabinet door with a skillet. It clanged loudly on the floor and she ran haphazardly to me, apparently in the belief she was about to be set free.

Now tell me, please, how in the world can I jump in her case for doing something so adorable? It was funny and I found it very difficult not to laugh. Well... She was disciplined anyway and now she's been set free but is sulking in her basket surrounded by her PetSmart dog and all the toys she's nicked from Buster over the last few weeks.

She may even have a fascination for cabinets... I call her my 10 Pound Shadow. She follows me all throughout the house. I can hardly walk from her getting tangled between my feet. A week or so ago when I was cleaning the house and I noticed my shadow was gone. I spent 10 minutes (no exaggeration) searching the house up and down, dreading what she could've possibly torn into. Just as I began to doubt myself (had I let her out?) I heard a low groan (she rarely barks) and a slight rattle on the kitchen cabinet where the dog food was kept. I pulled the handle and there she was staring up at me.

Well... I suppose the kitchen isn't as big of a punishment for her as it is for Buster.