I just got a new dog. I named him Pete. And while he's cute he's also a handful when it comes to chewing up all the furniture.

We have this ottoman in the living room. It’s in pretty good shape, except for the corner Pete chewed. I sewed it together but, well, it’s seen better days.

Pete has decided that the ottoman is his bed. Which is pretty funny since he doesn’t fit on it. He brings all his chewies there to eat. He lays across it and stares at me when we are watching television. And most of the time he sends the ottoman zooming across the wooden floor when he tries to put his paws on it. Weird, huh?

A neighbor happened upon us during an afternoon walk. Pete and I were joined by Lily, Pete’s golden retriever friend from a few doors down. The neighbor was quite familiar with the furry friends. In fact, she called our house “a settlement” for Pete and his pals.

Indeed, our house seems to be the mecca for the neighborhood dogs, at least the ones who are not trapped behind invisible fences. They visit at least twice a day to grab a biscuit or chewy, and to play or lay down on the little rug in front of the fireplace.

Lily is a frequent visitor who likes to snatch Pete’s soft toys in an oral death grip. I literally have to take a biscuit and hold it to her nose for several seconds so she will drop the toy (sometimes she stuffs two toys in her mouth).

Pete has two favorite toys, his baby duck and his baby sheep.

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