Wags n’ Words

Dog Walking & Pet Care – Seattle, WA

Category Archives: Oshi

December 13, 2010

Seeing the Light…

After days and days of endless rain, it was nice today to see this…

…yep, that’s light as in sunshine. We’ve been under such a cloud of gray and rain that I thought I’d never see the sun again, but here it was! Hallelujah! And as you can see, there were other breakthroughs…I got to walk with both Rosie AND Tyson. Sweet!

"He's a good guy, Rosie. It's fun to be with both of you!"

In fact, the sky was so light and bright, Gretchen had to use a flash. Wow, that hasn’t happened in a long, long time!

But it didn’t last long, ya know? On the last walk of the day, the rain came. You can’t see it here, but we’re being pelted by large drops of rain. “Quick,” I told Gretchen, “Snap the photos and let’s get outta here!”

I know it looks like the sky is bright behind us and technically it was bright to the north. What you can’t see, though, is that to the south (the left of the photo) were big, black clouds pelting us with those raindrops I mentioned.

No one but me seemed to mind. Guess I’m tired of the rain. It can’t last forever, can it?

At least we had some light and sunshine today. Guess I should be thankful for what we got. Okay, I’ll practice gratitude.

Still practicing…

Until tomorrow,

Rubin

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December 10, 2010

Oops…I forgot…

I thought I’d written this blog, but then I looked and realized I’d forgotten. Time is crunched so I need to just so ya’ll the photos from Friday and then get crackin’ on Monday’s blog.

What a disappointment I am…time is just running away from me, just like those damn squirrels and my tail!

I bask in the last bit of sun before the torrential rains begin...

Monty basks, too...

Do you see what's behind us? Yep, heavy, heavy rain clouds!

...but the sky stayed relatively light for Oshi and Perrito...

...and Gemma, too though she's ready for rain!

"What rain? I don't see no stinking rain!"

"Can we run through the puddles if it rains?"

"I think I should go home now. I mean, if it's gonna rain and all!"

But the rain stayed away.

No matter where we went...

...or what we did, still no rain.

We could go swimming and get wet, couldn't we?

"Give it up, Saber. She's not going to let us go swimming."

"Did someone saying swimming? How about chasing waves!"

"Seriously, Saber, get over the idea of swimming. Not gonna happen, dude!"

And still it didn't rain...what luck!

Until tomorrow…

Rubin

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December 8, 2010

How’s That Spelled?

When Gretchen gets frustrated or when things don’t go as she’s planned, she makes this sound. It’s kind of like a release of air from her mouth, but it’s more guttural, rumbling slightly at the back of her throat. She made that sound this morning when she looked outside and the rain was flooding from the dark, dark sky.

“What’s happening?” I asked.

Then she made that sound and I said, “How’s that spelled?”

And then she laughed. “I have no idea! Why do you need to know?”

“Well,” I explained I’d love for that sound to be the title of today’s blog because after looking at the weather, it feels like the best title, don’t ya think?”

She had to agree and after our first walk with Monty — a walk were we all wore our raincoats…all of us and Gretchen left her backpack behind because she knew we wouldn’t be taking any photographs — we were all surprised when the black skies turned blue and the wind replaced the rain.

“Well, would you look at that!” Gretchen said and I did. I looked at those blue skies with the utmost gratitude — NO MORE RAINCOAT!

So the first photos of the day don’t exist because we were all covered in raincoats, rain, and trying to find our way in the darkness of what we all thought would be a long, dreary day. Alas, it didn’t turn out the way. And if I could make the sound I can’t spell, I would…not because I was frustrated, but it’s such a great sound that fits all sorts of occasions. This occasion would relief.

But as luck will have it, no one has a clue how to even begin spelling Gretchen’s sound.

Oshi and Perrito were really happy the rain had stopped. As Gretchen likes to say, it’s really hard on the little guys who get just as wet from the bottom as they do from the top — puddles underneath, rain from above. So they basked in the sunshine and I even think Oshi kind of liked it!

By the time we picked up Gemma, the only sounds we could hear was our hair drying off in the warmth of the sun. Gemma laughed at us (she’d missed the rain) and then sidled up to Monty hoping to get as close as she possibly could.

I just soaked up the warmth of the sun…and once positioned, Monty and Gemma did too.

We picked up Woobie, but Gretchen let us rest at home and warm up a bit while Woobie and Saber when for a walk. By the time they headed back to Woobie’s house, the wind had picked up and was slowly, though with purpose, blowing the blue skies away.

Woobie said, “You know, there’s a cartoon character named Dumbo. He was an elephant who had ears like yours. He could fly.”

“Really?” So Saber decided it was a perfect time to see if his ears could life him off the ground.

No luck, but it makes for a great photo, doesn’t it? One I have to make much bigger than normal!

And the changing sky added to the increased winds made for some beautiful (and goofy) photos as well…check it out!

Monty and I hung out for the afternoon and watched those blue skies we admired all day give way to more darkness and a lot more clouds. As I write, there still isn’t any rain, but it’s coming. I can smell…

…or maybe it’s my raincoat that I smell, still wet from this morning’s swim…I mean, walk.

Until tomorrow,

Rubin

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December 6, 2010

Muted

Winter Solstice is still a little over two weeks away. Today I noticed. There is darkness everywhere. All the colors are muted as if someone’s taken all the life out of them. Gretchen keeps having to reset her camera to either engage the flash or reposition us so we look a little less gray and a bit more cheery. Yet everywhere we look, the trees aren’t as green, the houses not as colorful, and the skies, obviously, not as blue.

It makes me want to take a long nap. But there’s work today so the nap must wait for me to arrive at the end of my day.

And it was a long day, today. Longer than we’ve had in awhile and longer for Gretchen than for me. Still, it was good to get back into the routine again and see all my friends — some of whom have been off on vacation or away on business trips.

I got my own walk this morning — solo, just Gretchen and me — but on our walk we ran into lots of friends. Rosie and Tyson, for instance, and then their neighbors — two little poodles with lots of energy. Since we weren’t officially working, Gretchen didn’t have her camera, but I took a picture with my memory. They all looked good in the dull colors of the morning,

And then we went to work. We picked up Woobie first, so she could hang out with me at the house for a bit. Woobie can make any dull day bright and festive. She’s always so happy to see us when we show up at her front door. She races out, spins around on the porch, and then zooms down the stairs waiting to be leashed up. I can’t help but be happy when I see Woobie!

Gretchen was kind of hoping to have me walk with Rosie and Tyson, but since Woobie came to hang out for awhile, she decided that walking two dogs would be a lot easier than walking four so Woobie and I curled up for a short nap while Gretchen took the siblings for a nice long walk down through the wooded park…

…and then up over the hill where they ran into some bright lights and sparkling colors…

Yep, it’s that time of year!

Next up, she got Gemma who can liven up even the grayest of days. Gemma bounces through the muted colors and brings a ray of sunshine to everyone’s life — including Perrito’s!

Oshi’s — not so much — but even he kind of got into dancing around the tennis courts after watching Gemma and Perrito play chase!

Before Gretchen got Saber, she picked up Woobie and me. While our nap was nice, it was nicer to get out and stretch our legs a bit. If there’s anyone who can brighten up a day, it’s Saber. Of course, we have to watch out for his “brightness” since he doesn’t have very good control of it!

I got to have a nap after we dropped off Woobie and then Saber and Gretchen went off to work at the pool. While I loved hanging out with my friends on this muted day, it was really nice to curl up in my warm bed and take another nap. There’s just something about this time of year that slows me down. Do you all feel the same?

Until tomorrow,

Rubin

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December 3, 2010

Does this collar make me look fat?

I never worry about my weight. Gretchen takes care of it. Gretchen worries about her weight so I said, “Let me feed you!”

She laughed. “That’s exactly what I need. Someone to feed me two homemade meals a day and take me walking for 3 hours a day!”

I’m not sure why humans struggle with their weight so much, but dogs, we could care less. Of course, some of us are fat because we get fed too much, get fed the wrong stuff, and are rarely taken on walks or given any kind of exercise. I guess in that sense, I’m a lucky pup because my moms make my food from scratch, everything they feed me is organic, and as a dog dog walker, I sometimes get more walks than I need!

I sure wish all dogs good could have it so good, but luckily the dogs we walk every day are all part of the same club I belong to — The Well-cared for Club!

Here’s a sample of what they love best about their well-cared for life!

Monty: “I love that I get to play fetch almost every night of the week and that I have a ginormous dog bed where I can stretch out my full body while I sleep!”

Rosie: “I’m fed the best treats ever! And my family loves me more than words! Oh, and my baby brother Tyson is always there for me to lean on!”

Tyson: “Squish, squish, squish…I play fetch…squish, squish…and I run, squish, squish…and I take care of my big sister all the time and yeah, all the stuff Rosie said!”

Gemma: “I am coiffed so I look elegant — hey, what’s that over there? Is that a squirrel? Focus, focus, focus!”

Perrito: “The neighbor’s cat sleeps with me on the couch, I have a human baby who smells good living in my house, and I get to play ‘Look like the clouds!’ when out on a walk.”

Oshi: “Uh, does someone know which way home is. I like my home. I like the warm fireplace. I like my soft and cushy spot on the couch. Which way is it?”

Saber: “Does this collar make me look fat? Oh, what do I love best about my life? My friends and family, of course!”

And now, I sure hope all of you have a well-cared for weekend. I plan on it!

Until Monday,

Rubin

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December 1, 2010

Ala mode

It’s true, I have a fascination with human words. If you read this blog often, you know that I love the word “detritus” but recently, I’ve added another word to the list — ala mode. Most humans use it in this context, “Would you like that ala mode?” when asking if someone wants ice cream with their pie or cake, but really the word means “of the current fashion,” which really makes the ice cream question very interesting..as if ice cream were the current fashion for one’s pie.

Dogs don’t really have fashions. Sure, humans give us fashions though I’ve always found it a bit demeaning to be dressed up in an outfit or worse, in a holiday costume for Halloween or Thanksgiving, but humans seem to enjoy doing that so I won’t judge. I’m just thankful no one at this house makes me where fashions — beyond my raincoat, though I hate that as well.

But fashion goes beyond clothes. For instance, it’s fashionable these days to feed your dog whole food and not that plain, dry kibble you always see advertised on TV. Still, if dogs could purchase their own meals, they wouldn’t be so fashionable — raw meat, chicken necks, maybe some berries from a vine all of which we hunted for ourselves. Not exactly the cutting edge of vogue now is it?

I actually think fashion and therefore the concept of ala mode is so foreign to dogs that that’s why I’m so fascinated by the word. It’s even fun to say — ala mode, ala mode, ala mode. I found myself kind of humming it all day long and then using it in the weirdest ways.

Our first walk was with Monty. It’s kind of the “fashion” that on our first walk with Monty, Gretchen forgoes the photographs so that Monty and I can really concentrate on being together and checking out the neighborhood we’re walking in. I appreciate that she does this, but today I found myself saying to Monty, as we stood sniffing something particularly interesting, “Would you like that ala mode?” Monty just looked at me like I was crazy and then said, “Does that mean a treat from Gretchen’s pocket? If so, yes please!”

After our brunch, I turned to Gretchen and said, “Will you be walking Oshi and Perrito ala mode?”

“What?” she said back with a peculiar look on her face.

“Do Monty and I get to go along?” I clarified.

“Sorry buddy, just the two little guys today.”

Oh well, it was worth asking and using some of my new found vocabulary.

Of course later, when Monty and I headed over to Saber’s house, I was back at it. “Do you think Saber likes ala mode?” I asked Monty.

“Who’s Ala Mode?” he asked. “Is that like Ali Baba?”

Funny, Monty. Very funny.

Saber was clueless too. “Had any ala mode lately?” I asked him as we posed for a photo, but Saber was up to his old tricks — chewing sticks, sniffing toward the backpack in case he could rob it, and watching Monty adjust his position right before he headed over to Gretchen for a treat.

Meanwhile, I decided to make my own ala mode and wander off in search of some pie! Saber lifted his head at the mention of pie!

I suppose being a dog dog walker really is my ala mode — a little something extra special on the side. Very fashionable if you ask me!

Until tomorrow,

Rubin

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November 29, 2010

Misunderstood

Seattle is a very misunderstood city. Everyone who doesn’t live here or has only visited on occasion thinks that when we say it rains that it rains ALL THE TIME. And the weather forecasters don’t help. Like today. They predicted rain — 70% chance — and from early in the morning until I finished work, no rain. Okay yes, it rained CATS and well, more cats starting early in the evening and as my paws float over the keyboard, it’s still raining, but still, everyone thinks that when they say rain, they mean rain rain rain rain rain rain rain when really what it means is gray gray gray.

That as the color of most of today, but thankfully we never got wet (well, except for about 10 drops of rain as we entered the front door at the end of the day). I thought a lot today about being misunderstood. It’s not only cities and weather that is misunderstood, but dogs, too.

I find I’m often misunderstood. For instance, I’m a curly, cute boy and a Labradoodle to boot. Everyone assumes that doodles are friendly and gregarious, that they are full of abundant friendliness so whenever they ask, “Is that a Labradoodle?” I know they’ll come straight at me expecting a gleeful, bouncy greeting.

But that’s not me. I’m a reserved guy and until I get to know you, I hold back. In fact, it takes about five greetings before I’ll actually warm up to you. In some ways this is good. I don’t jump on you, I’m not demanding, nor do I make a nuisance of myself hurling my doodle body in your direction. In some ways, though, it’s frustrating — for the greeters, for my moms, and even for me.

Being shy means that people worry that something is wrong with me. Greeters keep trying and trying to joyously greet me and they take offense when I back away. It’s frustrating for my moms because they have to explain that while I’m friendly, I’m shy and reserved and hold back my friendliness until I get to know people. And it’s frustrating for me because I’m a bit nervous. It gets tiring to be so anxious and nervous, so we’re working on ways to reduce my stress through Chinese herbs and chiropractic and massage treatments. It’s all helping, but still, I’m often misunderstood.

I asked Woobie if she ever felt misunderstood and she said, “People assume I can’t see them, but I can, really, I can. I get kind of frustrated when they keep pulling back my hair and say stuff like, ‘You poor dog’ because I’m not unhappy in the least!”

Oshi says he’s misunderstood because people assume he’s a dog, but “I’m very in touch with my feline side, as you know, Rubin. If people understood that about me they wouldn’t force me to go outside in inclement weather. They’d get me a dog box for inside the house just like my cat friends have a cat box.”

Whatever, Oshi.

For Perrito, he says, “People assume I’m a little dog. I’m not sure why they think that because really, I’m a big dog, a very, very big dog.”

Huh, okay?

“Miss Understood?” Saber asked quizzically. “Who’s she?”

Oh boy. Though I must say, I envy Saber’s ease with people. He’s definitely not reserved when it comes to meeting new people! Nor is he reserved about chomping on sticks despite our efforts to get a photograph!

I suppose in one way or another, we’re all a bit misunderstood. I guess I shouldn’t feel alone, still, I hope people realize that Seattle is more than it’s rain just as I’m more than my lab and poodle-ness!

Until tomorrow (when it’s really supposed to rain!),

Rubin

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November 24, 2010

Gobble, Gobble

It sort of turned into a Monty day. It wasn’t supposed to, but since I had a chiropractic appointment, Monty stepped in as the dog dog walker…well, at least part of the time. I suppose it was only fitting since he is the biggest turkey I know!

Hey, are you talking about me?

Oh, hi Monty. I didn’t realize you were reading over my shoulder.

Yeah, well, I thought maybe you were going to say nice things about me since I helped you out today.

You know I was only teasing, buddy. Your my best friend in all the world and I really truly appreciate your help today.

I should think so. I mean, you got to romp with me in the snow…


…then I went to the vet’s with you and did everything but held your paw.

Wait just one minute…I did well at the vet’s office.

Well, it started out kind of rough. You barked at her.

I was just announcing that she wasn’t the normal vet I usually see.

She was my vet and she’s wonderful!

You could have told me that before I met her.

Dr. Obondo is a great vet and I bet you felt a lot better after your adjustment.

Yeah, I have to admit. She wasn’t Dr. Geisler, but she was really good! But I don’t understand why I have to rest after an adjustment.

I think it’s because she knows you play hard with me and since Saber was on the docket today, it was probably a good thing that I played with him while you let your body relax.

I did relax, but it would have been a lot more fun to play in the snow with you and Saber…and Caesar!

It looks like you got your own adjustment from Caesar’s mom.

Just briefly, but it sure felt good.

Man, I sure wish I was there!

Don’t worry, Rubes, they’ll be another snow day this year I think. Besides you got to go on a walk with Oshi and Perrito.

Don’t get me wrong, I like them and everything, but they don’t enjoy the snow as much as you and I do.

It’s there loss, I guess.

Regardless, thanks for helping me today.

I appreciate the thanks, Rubin. I mean, after all it is Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Enjoy your family time.

We will be!

Rubin and Monty (the big turkey!)

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November 22, 2010

YAHOOOOOOO!

I woke this morning to this…

…there wasn’t enough snow to get excited about, but as the day continued, more snow, colder temperatures, and finally what they’re calling a blizzard! Oh, how I love a good blizzard.

But for most of the day, the snow was intermittent, but still enough to play in. And so we set out on our schedule a tad bit early, picking up Gemma for a romp in the snow! When we got to the field where we like to play, we ran into Caesar and a stray dog in the neighborhood named Baby (he belongs to someone, but he wanders around all the time).

We had a great time as you can see…and I just knew this was the start of a wonderful day!

Of course, next up were Oshi and Perrito and well, they aren’t nearly as excited about the chilly white stuff as I am. But they endured and I did my best to talk up the joys of snow, but as you can see, they were a bit skeptical!

Our final walk of the day was with Saber and I knew (I mean I really, really knew) that he’d feel as giddy as I was at the prospect of playing in the snow. And he did not disappoint! And we ran into Modoc, which always means a good time!

Both of us, though, have some muscle and bone issues, so Gretchen limited our play time…much to our disappointment. Still it was almost as fun to walk in the snow as it was to play in it. Well, almost…

Gretchen had to go work at the pool, but as it turned out, everyone canceled. Of course, by the time she figured all of that out, the snow had turned to blizzard conditions and she was stuck at work until the traffic jams sort of subsided. Luckily, the traffic jams that remained were not on her route home and though it took  her three times as long to get home, she still made it home safe and sound to the warm house and her own bed.

Who knows what Tuesday will have in store of us. I, for one, can hardly wait!

Until tomorrow,

Rubin

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November 19, 2010

Snow, Baby!

Okay, maybe I’m a bit premature, but on our walks today I saw snow in the mountains and I got all giddy. I know, most humans around here don’t get excited about the possibility of the white stuff, but since I don’t drive a car or really have to be anywhere anytime in particular, I find the snow thrilling! So, when I saw snow in the lowlands across the lake, I did a happy dance and crossed my paws that it would arrive closer to our home over the weekend.

Monty likes the snow, too. In the past, when the snow has blessed us, Monty and I have often gone out in it together. We usually head to the park down the road and then race and chase each other until the balls of ice and snow collect on our feet and our moms have to force us to go home and stand in a warm bath.

“Did you see what was in the mountains?” Monty asked me on our morning walk?

“Uh?” was my response because Gretchen had posed us on that crazy park that’s built out over the side of the hill with a slated grate as the “ground.” I do not like the view from up there so I was solely focused on the ground FAR below me. Monty didn’t care.

But when Gretchen moved us into the sun, I closed my eyes, soaked up the warmth and finally responded to his question, “Yep, there is snow in them thar hills. I can hardly wait for it to come down to us!”

“Or for us to drive up to it!” Monty added.

“Good idea!”

Gemma, too, was excited about the possibility of snow. She and Oshi and Perrito got to go play at the tennis courts and while Oshi wasn’t too excited about the growing chilly weather, he was excited about the possibility of snow! Perrito was just excited to chase Gemma!

The snow on the mountains (let’s look at a photo again)…

…didn’t catch Saber’s eye at all. When Gretchen posed us on the hill overlooking the lake and the mountains beyond, Saber hit the deck and started chewing on grass! And if that weren’t enough, Monty joined him! Good grief!! It’s nearly impossible to take a beautiful photograph with the mountains in the background when no one behaves.

In fact, it got kind of comical as Gretchen kept trying to get a photograph of Saber’s full face and Monty kept getting up and sniffing her head. Yep, that’s his ear acting like Saber’s wig. Geez you guys!

But eventually…

Well folks, it’s almost the weekend. Will there be snow in Seattle? Cross your paws!

Rubin

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