Happy Birthday To Me!

(Me with Momma G last week on our ski trip...when I was younger!)

It's been a day. A very long day, which actually started last night when Monty, Buffy, Misty and I played fetch in the big field in the dark, our glow in the dark balls blinking back and forth across the soccer green. That wiped me out. I slept long and hard and dreamt with whimpers and moans.

Then this morning, my one-year birthday morning, and I'm stiff and achy and my stomach hurt. Still, we got up. They had breakfast, I didn't. Too queasy. I think I had a puppy hangover.

We went to work, though and once there, I threw up on the classroom floor.

Twice.

It wasn't looking very good for my birthday.

Oh, and I had a limp in my back left leg. Not sure why, but it hurts and there are times when all I want to do is lick it.

That's when I get sprayed with bitter apple...

...on a queasy stomach. Blech.

But then the students came and the whole school sang me happy birthday and everyone rubbed me and smiled at me until my tail just about wagged itself off.

That wasn't the end of it, though. Everyone -- all 19 students -- came to my house for a birthday celebration of brownies and ice cream. I almost got a brownie when one fell on the floor, but I wasn't quick enough though I did get to lick up the small dribble of ice cream.

I got presents, too. Two rubbery balls -- one blue and one green -- to dog biscuits, a doggie donut with blue frosting (I'm not allowed to eat it until tomorrow), a chewy, and a small rubber chicken to replace the one I ripped up a month ago.

It's been a day. A good day. A very good day.

Off Leash

We spent four days in the Methow Valley in Eastern Washington. It was a long drive there and a long drive home, but in between we skied and ate and slept and skied some more.

First photo: Ann skis behind me while I race up ahead to Gretchen who is snapping photos of my happy face.

Second Photo: In Gretchen's continuous snapping of photos, she got some silly shots of me as a I raced, in my slick black booties, over the snow and skidded to a stop. My moms decided my nickname was Kramer like the guy from Seinfeld because I skated at every turn and stop.











Third Photo: A brief rest on a late afternoon with the setting sun bouncing off Goat Mountain in the background. That night we saw a Lunar Eclipse.

I am still tired today, but it was the best vacation yet!

Snow Dog Part One

We went skiing on Friday. We played hooky. It was a blast. Here I am with Momma Ann. I'm teaching her to cock her head. Next, I'm showing how versatile I am -- I can cock my head either way. And finally, after we got home...I needed a rest. Skiing is hard work.

But there is more to come. We leave Wednesday morning, "bright and early" I was told, for a long drive and then four days of skiing east of the mountains (whatever that means!). I'm looking forward to it though it required new booties and I hate those things.

Today I romped with Monty at the park. He chased me. And yesterday I was chased by 7 dogs at the dog romp in Woodinville. I'm tired so now I'm sleeping next to momma Ann who is tired, too. She's on the couch. I'm not.

It's been a big weekend, now that I think about it. Uncle Paul and Aunt Patti came for a visit and we had a great time going to the public market, playing ball on the steps, and then they let me sleep in their bed. I was sad when they left, but then it was okay as I got to go to the dog romp and be chased and play fetch.

Tonight, it's my last agility class. That's partly why I need to sleep now because agility really takes concentration and effort. Maybe I'll have pictures to show for my next blog.

It's a busy life, but as Becky the trainer said yesterday, "If you want to liven up a party, bring a doodle." That's me...the life of the party!

A Long Time Since Christmas

It's cold out tonight. I'm hoping for snow. I love snow. Even though my moms put booties on my feet.

Each day I get up and go to school with one mom. I trot all the way, no matter which way we head. Sometimes we take the direct route. Other times we head south for a few miles and then north toward school. No matter, each day I end up in a classroom where a classroom full of students greet me, pet me, and toss the ball for me.

I enjoy it, but I also enjoy a good snow day.

Snow days start in this house with the watching of TV. The news, to be exact. And every once in awhile a cheer goes up as my moms are reminded that they don't have to go to work. I cheer too. When they stay home there's more walks, there's more fetch, there's more chance to play in the white stuff.

But tonight, even though it's cold, it isn't that cold. We'll go to school tomorrow. For now, I'll rest in a curled ball on the floor of someone's feet. I'll huff a woof every now and then when I hear the house creak or see a shadow out of the corner of my eye. I'll twitch out an itch and sigh deeply.

I'll be warm and nestled in my bed, dreaming of snow and snow days.