Food Whores

"Food Whore" is often a name by which my best friend, Monty and I are called. I'm not sure why, though they offer up this photograph of so-called "begging" for food, but hell, it was brie on chewy bread and we'd just hiked a few miles and damn it, we were hungry.

This is the second day of our summer experiences. Since I'm an only child, my moms let me invite a friend to share in the adventures. I picked Monty. I will always pick Monty for, while I have many friends, Monty is my BFF (Best Friend Forever!). Today was a hike and yesterday was like Disneyland for Dogs -- a 40-acre dog park filled with tall grass, intertwining trails, and a deep, slow-moving river. It was nirvana!

Today's hike was cool, too. Lots to smell and a waterfall! I've never seen a waterfall so I waded around underneath it and soaked up the spray.

Here we are posing for food...the treat is held out of the picture and above our heads. I have learned, through my extensive training that looking at the treat will not get it in my mouth. Instead, I must look my mom straight in the eye and wait patiently. Monty hasn't learned that yet, so he's staring at the treat. I tried to elbow him to look at mom, but I haven't yet learned to use my elbows in that way.

After our dirty hike, we went to the lake where we swam and chased each other until eventually we had to lie under a tree in the cool shade because we were worn out.

That's what summer is all about, isn't it? Overeating, playing really hard, and then an afternoon nap.

I'm diggin' it!

Rubin at the zoo

This is my first attempt at uploading a video from my camera. Not sure it will work, but my paws are crossed.

I got a new toy this weekend. It's a plastic ball, but inside lives a zoo. Is there sound on blog? I know not, but if there is, you'll hear the zoo of animals that live inside this ball. For the life of me, I can't get them out no matter how much I jump and bark and toss the damn thing around the yard.

Go figure.

Meanwhile, I've played nursemaid to my Momma Ann who is home with an injured shoulder and a bout of fainting that tossed this house upside down for the whole week. I have a job...stay calm and at her feet while she rests and does some school work (report cards) and drinks lots and lots of fluids (Momma G's instructions).

Don't laugh, it's hard work, so the zoo ball was a nice distraction. And now we're waiting for Monty and his Momma to arrive for a game of fetch at the park.

I am so ready for a game of fetch at the park.

This video is taking forever to upload. Hope it works.

My moms have put the ball away for now. It's locked in some closet. I have yet to master the unlocking of doors though I can nose my way through a cracked one.

Is Monty here yet?

No, it was just the neighbor walking by. Maybe if I give my most forlorn look they'll open that locked door.

I sure hope this video works. I want everyone to see how frustrating this ball of animals can be. Is there sound? Oh yeah, I already asked that.

I guess I'm a little anxious about this. I mean, it's my first real movie debut. Sure, they've shot lots of film of me especially when I was a puppy, but this one is kind of priceless. Well, there are some even more priceless. Like when I played with Monty at the lake or that first snow last winter.

I thought technology was supposed to make our lives better or more efficient. This seems like it's taking a long, long time. Of course, I'm not the most patient pup. I was very patient today with Momma Ann. She was kind of boring, but I was dutiful and attended to her every need. I was also watchful. I didn't want her falling over like she did yesterday. That was spooky.

This video is "processing" or so says the little dialog box. What the hell does that mean?

Oh look, here it is! Enjoy!

Summer!

Can you see the hint of summer light on my face? It has arrived. Not my face, but summer. Yesterday was a teaser, but today was the real deal. 83 degrees last time I checked. It was 40 degrees cooler this time last week. Amazing.

I enjoyed a swim at the lake and then a roll in the new lawn. I played with my favorite toy and then came inside the house to snuggle up with a lamb chewy.

I am adorable, if I do say so myself.





This last picture was taken today (Saturday) when we decided to pull out the pool to officially christen the warm summer weather. I love my pool. I can dig in it for hours and it's so cool on my belly.

I like summer, yes I do!

My Life Under the Desk

While this picture is old (or at least shows me in my younger years), it represents how my days are spent when I am a "working dog" hanging out under my mom's desk at school. It's not all I do, but lets just say, I don't have free rein in the classroom.

I read with students, which is fun, but does require me lying down; I wander around following my mom doing errands, teaching, and visiting the copy machine; and on occasion, I sniff around the room and eventually snuggle up by some student's feet and fall asleep.

But there are times during the day when sleeping under my mom's desk is exactly what I need. No one accidentally steps on my tail, I don't fall victim to dropped goodies -- cookies, candy, or colored pencils -- and frankly, in-line with my innate nature to seek out caves like my wolf ancestors, I get to feel more comfortable with a roof over my head.

It's an exhausting life really, though no one has any sympathy for me since I am surrounded by girls who pet me incessantly or play tug with me when I'm bored or find my ball when I nose it under the file cabinets. Still think about it for a minute: This is my pack and I must stay diligent in protecting them from intruders. Some of the "flock" stray and I must alert the "authorities" that someone is lagging behind or racing ahead. Running in the halls, screaming with delight, and even the occasional argument all need my attention.

And I am attentive. So attentive, in fact, that after a full day at school, I am bushed. Completely. Totally. Bushed.

The Poser

We went to the river this weekend. A long car ride followed by a romp around the cabin smelling all the animal life that had passed since my last visit (a year ago). It was warm and sunny and I felt compelled to pose on the bench by the river. No prompting, no commands, just the desire to be higher up, posing. If you click on the picture you'll see the perfection of this picture is marred by a pine needle on my whiskers!

And then the shot by the river. I was desperately waiting for someone to fetch my blue ball that had dropped over the embankment, through a snow patch and lodged itself next to a rock. I was unable to wiggle it free so by posing stoically by the edge of the river, I knew I'd get someone's attention some time soon. It worked.

Finally today...they ate lunch and I cooled myself on a mound of snow. We'd hiked in the heat and my belly on the chill of white was a perfect way to end a perfect weekend.

If you look closely, you can see my blue ball at my chest between my legs. I never travel without it!

The Games We Play

I know I'm a lucky dog. I have lots and lots of great toys. They're kept in a woven basket in the family room. I ignore them most days, but every once in awhile, a toy calls to me.

And so I dig.

Inevitably, the toy calling is at the bottom of the basket and though its scent is strong, I must work very hard to find it.

I bury my head in the basket, locate the specific toy, and then toss out the ones in the way.

This can take quite awhile and though my moms are intent on watching the NCAA Women's Final Four Basketball game, I dig and sniff and dig and toss until I find the exact toy I want.


Occasionally, I lift my head to take a breath. It's hard work though it may not look like it. My moms aren't really any help. They just sit on the couch, watch the game, and throw out some encouraging words like, "Good dog" or "Keep digging, fella!"

But finding the toy is up to me and me alone. It's Zen in a way. Sole focus, in the now, dogged determination...(a puppy pun that is!)...and eventually, eventually I get to the bottom of that basket to find my nemesis...the toy calling my name.


This time it was a bone, one my best friend Monty had chewed on the night before. His scent was still on it and, in fact, it was his scent that knew my name.

Oh, the games we play.

Humiliation

We played hard. Really hard. We ran, chased each other, swam, fetched, and slid in the water and mud. We were very dirty.

They didn't take any pictures of the fun. Only the humiliation.

Monty went first. I felt for him

Then I went, but no pictures of me. I refused to sign the release form. I bet Monty will refuse the next time.

Don't let the human smiles fool you...