text: Joe Stains: In my absence...
  I am not sure if you guys know but in just TWO weeks Mom and Dad are going on their honeymoon to the Netherlands and Belgium. For the new dogs, Mom and Dad got married this past June. It only took them 8 years of being together before they got married, so its no surprise it took them 5 months to go on the honeymoon after the wedding.
  So they got out the big suitcase...
  Tanner and I are helping them pack. I had to explain to Tanner that a honeymoon is when they go and be all smoochy smoochy like this! We certainly don't want to go if they are doing THAT. However, we will help them pack...
  What do you think they need more, the corn or the keys???? We will be at my Grandparent's house eating LOTS of treats. The only thing is, I will be gone for a WEEK! A WEEK with no blogging, no dog friends, no Twitter, and NO SOPHIE!!!!!!!!!!!!
  Sophie is my girlfriend. I am Sophie's number ONE boyfriend. She has quite a few boyfriends, so being NUMBER ONE is quite a distinction. However, in my absence she will need a new number one... I declare my buddy Wally number one while I am gone.
  Wally, starting November 8th you are officially number one. THE MINUTE I RETURN you will relinquish that status immediately. Take good care of my Sophie!! *sob*
  posted by Joe Stains @ 10/23/2008 06:22:00 PM
  My darling Joe! I hope Wally is up to it. Being the tough dude he is, I'm sure he will rise to the occasion; if not in stature, at least in spirit.
  I will miss you loads and loads.
  wow, i bet your human must be super excited about their europe trip. how you wish they could bring you too.
  Oh lord ... what are we going to do?
  PS - hope your rents have fun!
  Are you mom and dad going to Brussels? If so, nmom and T mom have some chocolate ideas for them. Tmom goes to Brussels all the time just to buy chocolate. She likes the airport too, she's sort of funny that way.
  Joe. Are you sure you can trust him?? Just askin...hope it all goes well.
  You actually smooched Tanner to show him what your mom and dad are gonna do?? Did you brush your teeth after that?
  Tell your pawrents to bring back lots of honey from the moon!
  I hope your parents have lots of fun and you can certainly have a ride on my sled as soon as there is snow but make sure to wear a jacket or two. Minnesota gets pretty cold...
  You are such a thoughtful boyfriend! Sophie is so lucky to have you as her #1 boyfriend cos you sure take good care of her!
  I hope your parents have a great honeymoon (I enjoyed my honeymoon with Baby)..
  I can't think of a better #2...let's just hope he will give her back!!!
  P(ee)S: I sure hope your pawrents bring you lots of cool prezzies back!!!
  Oh, and I'll miss you guys!!!
  Oh Joey & Tanner! We're gonna miss you. Why can't the hoomans take you both along? Then you guys can celebrate with them & not miss out on all the great food & fun they're gonna have. I think that's more of a honeymoon celebration if you ask me! Agree?
  Now that sounds like a great trip! And you'll get to stuff your faces with treats!
  I hope they have a great time. Mummy and NSFF Daddy went to Amsterdam in April and they loved it. We will miss you while you are away.
  PS. Bruge is really beautiful.
  I'd pack the corn & the keys...A week is a long time...I think they need both...
  Make sure your Grandparents give you lots of treats...
  I hope you Mom & Dad have a wonderful time...
  We are sure gonna miss you while you are away...
  We are super happy for your parents but we're sure going to miss you guys! We're glad to hear you'll be getting LOTS of treats at your grandparent's!
  Ohmydog! I feel so honored. I will most definitely take care of our Canadian sweetie. Fortunately, I like to nap a lot so she will probably be totes bored and ready for your return.
  ps. I hope your 'rents have a happy honeymoon! Sounds like a FUN trip.
  OMD!! How are we gonna survive a week without you guys?? I mean sheesh.. do they really NEED a honeymoon?? can they not just smooch lots at home (out of your line of sight of course)
  Mum is shaking her head at me and saying that they not only need a honeymoon but they deserve one..
  ok.. I guess we will muster on without you, i'm not happy though.. now if you had made ME Sophies #1 in your absense that would be a different matter altogether!
  PeeeS Mum says I have to wish your Mom and Dad a VERY Happy Honeymoon.. I do so.. but next time can they arrange a blog secretary for their absence?
  Joe we will miss you. Our boy will miss Tanner Tuesday a ton.
  Dun worry, Joey, You will still be Sophie's #1 boyfriend when you are back.
  Joey....Tell your mom and dad to pack lots of warm stuff. It can be rather chilly in Belgium this time of year, and Azrizonans have skinny blood.
  Also, we will miss you and Tannerer a lot. Who is gonna make muzzer laugh on Tuesday???
  I think our humans have a lot in common. My folks are getting married in August after 8 years of dating and then are doing this "honey moon" thing 5 months after that! What are "honey moons" anyway? They sure sound tasty. And you're telling me that dogs are not invited to the honey and moon feasting?! wTF?! You've got to find a way to get in on that.
  Joe, I will miss you and Tanner while you are at your Grandpa and Grandma's home. You will get lots of lovies there, I bet!
  All good wishes to your Mom and Dad too, for a happy honeymoon and a good trip to and fro!
  Woohoo for a trip to the Netherlands! Your mom and dad are going to love it.
  And of course, your guys are going to love being at your grandparents.
  Ooooo a smoochy honeymoon???? Do you think they lick noses too?
  Maybe you guys should just pack yourselves? I mean, what more do your humans need other than the keys, corn cob, Joe and Tanner?
  How cool is it that you get to go to the G-parents? Wally will be very good to Sophie. We just know that. You parents will have the bestest time and come back with lots of photos. Grammie and Pappy went to Holland once and enjoyed it. We will be looking forward to your return and many new recipes on your mom's cooking blog.
  Hai Joe and Tanner! Yoo is not goin wif mom and dad?? Dat is not fair!! Yoo sure yoo can't sneak in the big case there? It wud be fun if yoo did!
  I miss woo two already -
  Well, one of woo!
  Gee sure hope yer Mom 'n Dad have a great time on their honeymoon...that sounds like pawsome places ta go too.....but yer sure gonna miss 'em while they're gone....'n be good too.....
  OMD! A whole week without you??? This is not going to be easy!
  I am sure your Mom and Dad will have a pawesome honeymoon.
  Wally sure is a good choice!
  It took my parents 10 years to get married!!
  We are gonna miss you guys!!
  Whoa - that's gonna be a LONG time without you. I'm glad you told us early so we can prepare ourselves....
  Do they play baseball in The Netherlands or something! ;-)
  No Joe for a whole week?? Or more?? I don't think I'm gonna be able to handle this, dude...
  Hey Joeys and Tanners,
  You're soo luckys. You're offs to your GPeeps. All that extras foods and lovin' and stuffs.
  I hopes your peeps have a greats honeys. Dads was in Neversland in 1,2 two Julys and reeeallys liked it. Hopes it's not too colds there. (OH! They're on their honeys. No probs.)
  Are your peeps gonna eats lots of Belgium waffles and chocs? ∆≈ is droolin'.
  Belgium and the Netherlands are great!! Tell your mom & dad to check out all the chocolate shops. Belgian chocolate is the BEST!
  It was so thoughtful of you to put together a survival kit for your fans. It will be a lonely two weeks for us...
  Joey, are you sure you want to leave Wally in charge of Miss Sophie? He's quite the player, you know.
  Our mom and dad (and great-sisters) lived in Belgium for three years. Mom said make sure your parents drink a lot of beer, eat a lot of chocolates, and enjoy their trip to the fullest!
  Whatever. We're going to miss you guys!
  The Girl says to tell your Mom and Dad congrats on the wedding and have a great time on the honey moon!
  I say, why not leave a stain of some sort in that big bag, just so they have a piece of you with them? I'm sure they'll miss you ever so much.
  A week of treats and fun at your grandparent's? That sounds fun! Hope you have fun and we'll miss you!