Busy Holidays

Wow, it's been a busy four days. I love Thanksgiving because both my moms are home and we get to go visiting, but man, it's kind of exhausting. Who knew a dog's life could be so full and busy? I'm not complaining, just trying to explain why I'm kind of pooped tonight.

Sometimes, when we go to our friends' house for dinner we share one special moment of the day. I thought, since I'm kind of tired, I'd share some special moments from each day, though holding it down to one moment might be kind of hard.

Thanksgiving Day - You need to know that my Grandma is a great and efficient cook. She makes all sorts of yummy goodies, so when we arrive at their house, my first duty is to run into the kitchen and see what she's up to.

This Thanksgiving all the guests shared the cooking duties so even though Grandma didn't need to make the turkey, she got to make something even better!

Yep, she whipped the cream and man, was that yummy!

But licking the beaters, while an important moment, was only one of the special moments of the day. Another moment was meeting up with Tucker again. Tucker is an 11 year old boy who belongs to our friends Ann and Jan. Tucker LOVES me. I think he's pretty cool, too, but he's like obsessed with me. So even though I got a little tired of him smelling me all the time and constantly staring at me, it was nice to be so wanted.

Which leads me to the next day -- the day after Thanksgiving. Not only did I get turkey in my breakfast and dinner, I also got to play with Tucker at his house. My moms call Tucker the White Shadow because he follows me everywhere! But I don't mind. He's really kind of cool! And cute!



We came back home on Saturday and I thought for sure we'd rest from all the holiday hoopla, but no. First, we went for what was going to be a short walk when we ran into Richard and Ginger. Oh I do love those two. I was hoping we'd play, but Ginger was a bit sore from our romp on Thanksgiving morning so we just went for a walk. Still it was fun.

Mom didn't take any photos, but here's a picture of Ginger and her silly Dad, Richard walking with a bunch of us on a nice summer's day!


Next we met up with our friend Laurie and her new dog, Olive. As much as Tucker loves me, I think I love Olive. She's so cute and when we went on our walk around Seward Park, all I wanted to do was play with her, but we couldn't because we were on leashes. We tired, but it was hard.

And then, to top off a full Saturday, I got to spend the evening with my buddy Monty. We went for a long walk and played some fetch and then Monty stayed for dinner before we took him back home. It's always good to spend time with Monty. No pictures from our time together, but believe me, we have lots and lots of pictures of Monty and me!

Sunday I thought for sure would be a rest day, but once again we went for a nice long walk, then Quillette came over with Jessica and they took me for a walk. And then...yes there is more...we went to our friends' house for dinner and play time. Our friends how two young girls and they love to make me do tricks. I love it too, especially tonight because Gretchen didn't have any dog treats to feed me so she had to use GoldFish! Oh my dog those were good!

So I weaved under legs, jumped over scrunched up little girls, gave lots of high fives, and laid down on command. I am such a good dog and a really good dog when GoldFish are involved.

But now...well, now I am very tired so I shall post this blog and settle into my dog bed for some needed rest. Good thing tomorrow isn't a super busy day!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Weekends

Just a few days ago, this is what Seattle looked like from one of our favorite view parks. It's too early to walk up there today, but I imagine if we took a photo of this same view, Seattle would not be visible. We're socked in at the moment with rain and low hanging clouds.

These are the times I wish I was a dog allowed up on the couch. That's where I'd be at this very moment stretched out with my head on a throw pillow, one eye focused on the window that looks out on all the church-goers covering their heads on their way to the early service. But I am not a dog that is allowed on the couch, and only by invitation am I allowed on the bed. Of course lately, I've nudged my moms for an invitation every night and they have obliged. That's because I know when and how to ask.

See, I can't ask when everyone first goes to bed. That gets me no where. Instead, I wait for everyone to be in those first stages of sleep, an hour or two after they go to bed, and then I sit at the end of the bed, stomp my feet ever so slightly and give a gentle moan. The moan is crucial. It must be a moan that sounds almost like the moan alerting my moms that I need to go out, that I MUST go out or something bad will happen. It can't be that exact moan, but close enough to get their attention.

Then, once they hear me, there is a plaintive look, a look of innocence and love, a look on the verge of begging, but the cute begging look, not the annoying begging look. The other night, I crossed over the line and my request looked too much like begging so I was sent back to my bed. Grumpily, I obeyed, but I learned my lesson -- be subtle, be patient, and most importantly, be politely persistent.

It worked last night and the night before last, but that's partly because it's the weekend and my moms are always a little more willing on the weekends. They know they get to sleep in so even though I dominate the end of the bed and they must sleep in curled up balls, they are willing to endure it because they know they get to sleep in.

Oh, how I love to sleep in. That's why now, though I'm not allowed, I would love to be lounging on the couch while one mom reads the morning paper and the other makes a grocery list.

But I am not allowed on the couch. I have yet to figure out a way to be invited, but given time, I'm certain I'll come up with something.

Me as a puppy -- 6 weeks old.