Katie Scarlett has put her first issue "to bed" and wanted to share her feature articles.

10 QUICK TIPS FOR TRAINING YOUR OWNER

If you are a Rattie then you should already have your owner well trained.  If you don’t, you need to get busy!  All Ratties know that a good owner is a well trained owner!  This article is not to take the place of an owner training guide, but is just a few of my personal favorite tricks for training my owners.  Good luck and happy training!

K.S.

1. It is best to start training your owner when you are a puppy and at your very cutest.
2. Use the Rattie head tilt and look very pitiful if you are not getting your way.
3. Adding a whimper works well.  Be sure it is a whimper, not a whine.  Whining is not becoming and will just annoy your owner; a whimper will melt their hearts.
4. Use repetition in your training methods.  For example, always beg for treats at dinnertime; always insist on being on the sofa during TV time.
5. When asking for a certain activity, be persistent.  For example, your owner must let you out at your request regardless of whether or not you just went outside.
6. Get in your owner’s face to get the attention you need.  Demand attention!
7. Reward your owner when he/she pleases you with kisses or by showing excitement, as in turning around in circles.
8. Punish your owner when they displease you by pouting.  Refusing kisses, going to your bed and turning your back on your owner works well.
9. In drastic cases, you may refuse food.  This really upsets them.  And, the plus is a missed meal here and there is a good way to keep your figure.
10. If all else fails, pee on the carpet!

GETTING WHAT YOU WANT IN BED

HOW TO WIN YOUR WAY UNDER THE COVERS!

We are assuming you are at least on top of the covers or you are falling down on the job of being a Rattie!  Once on top of the covers, getting under the covers should come very easily to the clever and charming Rat Terrier.  First go up to your mama or daddy and sit by their shoulder and look sweetly at them.  Next, (this works every time for me) reach out with your paw and give them a little nudge.  If they ignore this, repeat a couple of times and add a whimper (remember not a whine, a whimper).  Chances are, you’ll have the covers lifted for you and you can tunnel right under.  If your owner is really stubborn, just curl up near the top of the covers and, after your owner has dozed off, carefully tunnel your way under the covers.  Now this is important.  Once you’ve won your way under the covers, you must look extremely adorable so that your owner will never again be able to deny you access to getting under the covers.

Here are a few of our favorite “under cover” poses.  Practice up in your own bed so you will be ready when the opportunity strikes!

MaintainingElegance  in the Summer Heat

Elegance is really more about attitude than appearance, so maintaining elegance in the summer is simply a matter of maintaining that elegant attitude.  Frankly, you either have it or you don’t, but there are ways to help boost that elegant attitude through the heat of summer.   First and foremost, one must take care of oneself!  A morning swim in a lake, pool or pond or a jog around your yard is a good way to keep your body healthy and those endorphins flowing for a good attitude.  If you don’t have a fenced yard then you must train your owner to take you for morning and/or evening walks.  Exercise is a must for all of us Ratties!  After taking care of your body, you must take care of your spirit.  A nice rest in the afternoon is helpful.  I find cucumber slices on my eyes really refreshing.  It is amazing what a nap in a nice, cool spot will do for you!  After that refreshing nap, you are ready for any entertaining.  Fortunately, since we are Rat Terriers, clothing is optional.  On really hot days, I find minimal or no clothing best.  A simple collar for casual days, or a nice necklace for dressier occasions are really all we need.  Sit back, with a pretty hand fan, a nice mint julep and the shade of the veranda.  Now that is the height of elegance!

THROW A RATTIE GARDEN PARTY

Invite a few friends over and throw an afternoon garden party.  Summer is the perfect time for entertaining.  Find a nice shady spot in the garden, add a few flowers, treats and other refreshments and you’re ready to wow the French poodle next door!  No one can entertain like a Rattie!

Our menu:     Various doggie biscuits

                      Doggie treats with decorative icing

                      Cheese dog food soufflé

Refreshments:  Bowls and bowls of fresh water garnished with            

                        garden mint

My Dear Katie Scarlett,

     I must say that you are, indeed, a lady with unparalled good taste, elegance, and refinement.  Your magazine is sure to be an award winner.  Confidentially, I use some of your tips myself.  I have trained my humans in several areas including walks, treats, and sleeping under the covers.  I can attest to the fact that your tips are right on the money for training our humans.  Congratulations on a job well done.

I remain your most humble servant,

Marley--Lord Dunmore the Duke of Albemarle. 

My Dearest Marley,

Why thank you, dear Marley.  I do believe my entertaining skills would prove to be the envy of any First Lady’s.

K.S.

Tinkerbelle has done a great job of training her owner.  She uses the food thing all the time.  I have to go now.  I'm boiling her some chicken tenderloins, eggs and rice for breakfast.  AND I'm NOT Kidding!

Oh, good for you, Miss Tinkerbelle.  You must keep your appetite up, dear.

K.S.

Oh Auntie Mary Beth, I’m a tomboy too!  There’s nothing wrong with that.  Why I love to squirrel hunt!  Just so long as one knows how and when to act like a lady.

K.S.

 At least Mayfly has a pink collar and leash now! 

Murphy flips through the mag  with semi-interest.  "I only like it for the pictures of all the little hotties."  

Lamenting his missing nads, he then picked up the clicker and turns on "Mythbusters."  Murphy could not be reached for further comment.

Murphy, dear, this magazine is a bit to refined for someone of, shall we say, your juvenile tastes.  Enjoy your cartoons, sweetheart.  

K.S.