Wags n’ Words

Dog Walking & Pet Care – Seattle, WA

Category Archives: Paige

November 20, 2011

November 20, 2011 7:58 pm / Leave a Comment /

Eat Play Love

I will admit that I have never read nor seen the movie, Eat Pray Love (nor has anyone at this house), but the other day, while racing across an open field barking at crows, I thought to myself, “Why is my life so wonderful?” I realize that the original story was more about someone finding the wonderfulness of life, but the premise — that what makes our lives so wonderful is all around us in the everyday details — is the same in both stories — Elizabeth Gilbert’s and mine.

So I spent this past week gathering those details (de-tails?) and spread them carefully out on the floor to study them yesterday. Yes, the floor was covered with things like car rides along the lake, a new (really really long) bully stick from my Auntie Sheila, all my friends (canine and human), a warm blanket, music, teriyaki chicken from Toshio’s, snuggling, walks, romps, cuddling with Auntie Jessica…I could go on and on and on.

But as I sorted through the many meaningful moments of my life, what I realized was that at the center of it all are three basics and they can, for me, be summarized as Eat Play Love…though technically it should go in this order: Play, Love, Eat.

PLAY: You can be certain that 99% of the time I have a moment where I stop and say to myself, “Hey self, your life is pretty wonderful!”  I am playing. Play includes running along the lake, racing through the woods, chasing after something (a ball, a bird, a squirrel, a cat, A RABBIT), swimming (at the pool or in some body of open water), hiking, kayaking, running an agility course (though I am no longer allowed to do it), or wrestling with my friends. (I know I’ve probably left something out, but you get the idea — if I’m moving and generally off-leash, I am beyond happy!)

Take this week, for instance: I got to play fetch at the park with my friends Paige and Monty (and Monty’s mom Colleen) and that made me hysterically happy…

…then I worked all week (and yes, for me work is a blast!) walking my friends Paige, Monty, Rosie, Tyson, and even Woobie…

…I got to make Woobie happy by helping her get some warm water exercise at Wellsprings K9 (as we all try to help heal her broken toe)…

…and I got to spend some quality time with my new best friend, Zoe, who visited me from Marquette, Michigan! (and I met a new friend, Chester!)

In between this full life of play is all sorts of stuff you don’t get to see — like I hung out at Auntie Jessica’s one day and we went on two wonderful walks together where I pranced and danced at the end of my leash, proud as a peacock to be walking with Jessica and her dog (and my buddy) Quillette; I saw Lulu and we spontaneously went on a walk together; I saw Liliana at Dog Mania for a Spaw Day; and I even got to go visit Dr. Geisler who gave me a much-needed adjustment on my back!

Which leads me to the LOVE part: Most of my play, if not all of it, is with friends (canine and human) that I love and who, in turn, love me.

Paige stayed with us last weekend and for a few days during the week and the more I get to know Paige (and share my life with her) the more I LOVE her (and yes, she loves me, too!).

Zoe, who I’d met years ago, came all the way from Michigan to cuddle with me on the guest bed. Now that’s what I call love!

There are places that I love and that love me back — like Seward Park — where we took Zoe for a walk…

…a ride on the zip line (well, she rode, I just barked at her)…

…and breathing in all the cool, chilly air on a cool, chilly day by the lake!

And again, there are so many places that I love that you don’t always get to see. For instance, I just got back from the Duwammish River Park where Paige and I flushed out rabbits from behind the bushes and chased them all the way across the park.

And I got to share the love, too  (which makes me feel loved as well) sharing one of my favorite places with my dear friend Woobie (Wellsprings K9) where she got to swim (something she loves to do) and get a massage from Auntie Sheila!

EAT: Okay, I’ll be honest. This isn’t one of my most favorite activities in the world but hanging out with Paige for a few days is the best way for any curly man to learn to eat! Man alive, I’ve never seen a dog ATTACK their food like she does. I watched in amazement as she waited patiently (and drooly) on her (actually MY) bed and then when given the signal, leapt across the floor and devoured her meal in 60 seconds or less! (The title of her book would be EAT, PREY, LOVE!)

That was inspirational. So inspirational in fact, I ate like a “real dog” (Gretchen’s words) the whole time she was here.

Of course, eating can be yummy at times especially when I turn my nose up at my bowl of delicious raw food and Gretchen decides to add some freshly cooked chicken or maybe some Havarti cheese to the mix and then, maybe then, I’ll eat it all up.

Though I know eating isn’t one of my favorite things, it’s certainly a necessity and I’m very lucky to have great food (and great moms) who will provide me with the best meals know to Dog!

And friends who give me bully sticks (dog chews) longer than my own body! (Thank you, Paige!)

So yes, the wonder of my life is multitude of things that add up to an equation I can only wish for every dog: EAT, PLAY, LOVE (in any order you prefer) and don’t let a moment of your life slip away into the doldrums! Yep, I’m grabbing life by the curls and never letting go! (And sometimes it’s good to sleep as well…but only if it’s under a big, warm blanket!)

See you soon,

Rubin

 

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Posted in: Monty, Paige, Quillette, Rosie, Rubin's Buddies, Tail Waggin' News, Tyson, Woobie / Tagged: , , , ,

November 13, 2011

November 13, 2011 8:24 am / Leave a Comment /

Quiet Before

I am aging. There’s no other way to say it, but straight out and honestly. I. Am. Aging.

It was inevitable, of course. Can’t stop what’s supposed to happen, but this week my aging opened the front door and I could no longer ignore her (yes, my age is somehow a “her” – no explanation). I think she walked in with the weather, but I can’t be sure. All I know is that she was quiet and then like a sudden hailstorm on a metal roof, she could not be denied.

This is not to say that my life is a storm. On the contrary. My life is more than just one thing. It is a sunny day, a standstill snowstorm, a sweet-smelling Spring shower, a gray stagnant afternoon, a pink cloudless morning…I could go on, but you get the idea. My life is full and unexpected, boring and predictable, sweet and sleepy all at the same time, all the time.

I suppose all of this wonder of my life (and my age) showed up at the front step because I took stock of all the amazing friends, family, and life experiences I have each and every week. Yes, part of this is due to the fact that I am a dog dog walker, but it’s also due to the fact that I’ve been born into this one, brief life and it is my nature to capture the splendor of of every second of every sun that rises, downpour that soaks me, and friend who crosses my path.

And all of this awareness coincided with the most interesting week of weather. Sure, we’ve had weather like this before and sure, we’ve had the wide variety of weather we’ve had this week many times in the past. But somehow the weather extremes highlighted all that is good and beautiful in my life and the storm of my realization crept up on me like the (rain, hail, wind) storm we experienced at the end of the week.

It started slowly. Monday was a cloudy day that ended in sunshine and the shimmering colors of Autumn’s last attempt to hang on. We walked with Rosie and Tyson. Nothing extraordinary unfolded — just a walk with my two friends, treats fed to us at all the right times, and six pairs of keen eyes focused on the possibility of cats and squirrels and a hole in the treat bag.

Still. And still. As in quiet still and an anticipatory still. It cannot be denied. I was content on Monday. Content with Boxers in a garden. Content with gray paint across the sky. Content with splashes of color that took my breath away. Content with the windless possibilities of the day.

And then in the afternoon, an unexpected trip with my friend Paige to the rabbit park only I became the rabbit and Paige remained and will forever be the Huntress of my Heart.

Yes, we played. And we laughed. And we smelled all that was good in the world. And we counted the quiet before, the calm of what was to come.

Tuesday was simply Rosie, but I do not say that with any less passion and contentment. There was sun…

and there was Rosie and there was rosy.

Don’t let her serious photographs fool you. She tells some of the best jokes and when I least expect it, she can cajole me into my clownish behavior with just one jowly punch to my side. It took a long time (relatively speaking) for me to meet Rosie (Gretchen walked her for almost a year before we were introduced), but not our tails (her stub and my plume) beat with the same rhythm of happiness when we greet each other.

Wednesday was Monty and Rosie. Now if that doesn’t make you smile, I’m not certain anything can. The city was outlined in fog but the promise of sunshine melted it all away slowly and surely.

By the afternoon when it was Monty and Paige, the sun on our backs was an invitation to play and play we did. First, we walked at Camp Long and told stories at the amphitheater.

Then we headed over to the baseball field and played an imaginary game of baseball.

I think it was at this point that my age knocked on the door. Or perhaps it was that night when my body twitched and ached from my adventures. I heard Gretchen say to Ann, “I think he’s worn out” but I was too happily exhausted to respond.

Thursday showed up with more sunshine and that eerie feeling that something big was coming. Yes, the calm before the storm itched at our skin. Still, Rosie and I smiled and squinted and did our best to enjoy the moment before us.

Overnight the rain came. Slowly and steadily. I dreamt about washing machines and waves and all things water and Friday stepped into the weather with my head up and my curls down.

Even the sharp-shinned hawk we spotted in the tree tucked its head against the rain (I’ve added a photo of what one really looks like with its head NOT tucked!)

The rain was soft and scattered when we started out in the morning and for that, Rosie and Tyson were grateful. By mid-day, the rain found its voice and roared down on Monty and me like a waterfall. Hard to photograph how soaked we were, but trust me, soaked can’t even begin to explain.

 

Ann had the day off from work on Friday and so while Gretchen headed off to the warm waters of Wellsprings K9 to work, I helped Ann wade through the torrential waters of her teaching requirements — REPORT CARD TIME!

And then the hailstorm hit. Water and rocks– that’s the only way I can explain it. They came down with a vengeance and that’s when I opened the front door to find my age standing on the front porch. It’s hard to explain, but the moment before I opened the door, I knew she’d be there. She wore a tattered coat of experience and wonder and a hat as wide as joy and as full as love.

There was no need to invite her in. She was home and I welcomed her with open paws. I couldn’t be the happy and loved dog I was without her. To not appreciate her presence in my life was to deny every curl on my head. And so we laughed and sang; we sat on the couch together and reminisced. We told stories about things we thought we’d forgotten and held paws remembering the losses and the loves.

She’s here now — my age — and I’m not letting her go. Instead I’m going to wear her like my favorite coat (which if you know my disdain of coats is saying quite a lot). When we picked Gretchen up from work on Saturday afternoon, I introduced my age to Paige who I learned was spending some days (and nights) with us. Saturday night was spent watching movies and curling up with each other under the blankets on the couch and I thought it profound that the names of my friends – Age and Paige – rhymed. And how funny it was that Paige collected all the tennis balls in the house and brought them to us.

The rain fell outside — silently and with purpose — and the three of us fell asleep dreaming of rabbits and baseball, visitors and sunshine, friends, flowers, and those quiet, calm moments before (and after).

Soon,

Rubin

 

 

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Posted in: Monty, Paige, Rosie, Rubin's Buddies, Tail Waggin' News, Tyson / Tagged: , , , ,

November 5, 2011

November 5, 2011 8:30 pm / Leave a Comment /

Wonders of the Week

A lot happens during my week. Some of it you get to read about and some of it you don’t. While I try to describe a wide variety of my weekly experiences there are days and weeks that go by when I wrack my curly head trying to pick through the delectable morsels of my Doodle life. Yes, yes, yes…it’s not all pork belly and marrow bones. There are days when I feel that all I do is wait for action and other days when all I want to do is go to my bed and get some rest.

But I’m not complaining. Not many dogs are as lucky as I am to have such a blessed life. Every day I get to go on some kind of adventure — sometimes just with Gretchen, though most days with one or two or three of my canine friends who I am lucky enough to also call clients. They help put food in my bowl and I hope I help them find joy in strolling through the park, walking down the the lake, or barking at a squirrel or a cat or…

…a partridge.

It was that partridge — spotted on Friday morning, the end of my work week — that is the inspiration for this week’s blog.

We were walking Rosie and Tyson and had just left their house when I heard a sound — like no other sound I’ve ever heard — that made my head snap up and my ears shoot forward.

“What’s that sound?” I asked Rosie and Tyson, but they were so busy smelling the grass and the trees that they didn’t hear it.

“What sound?” asked Rosie.

And then it came again — a sort of warbling whistle, melodic and strange. “That sound!”

Gretchen saw it first, a funny lump on the sidewalk. Startled, it jumped once then flew awkwardly to the lowest branches of a tree. “It looks like a partridge!” Gretchen explained.

“Is that a pear tree?” Tyson asked.

“No,” giggled Gretchen, “But that was a funny joke, Ty!”

“Can we get a picture of it?” I asked Gretchen.

“I’ll try,” she said.

And here’s the part that you have to picture. She has on her backpack (where she keeps her camera, rain gear, extra dog treats, a first aide kit, and some toys in case we stop at a field somewhere to play) — she has three dog leashes in her hand and at the end of those leashes are me — staring up at the partridge not in a pear tree; Tyson — sniffing the base of the tree deciding if he wants to lift his leg; and Rosie, who is, in fact peeing for the fourth time since we left the house…about 200 feet from where we stand.

Without letting go of the leashes, Gretchen slipped her backpack off, removed her camera and pointed into the tree to see if she could get a photograph.

“We need to get closer,” she whispered to me.

“Okay,” but then I realized Rosie was at the end of her leash, her snout buried nostril deep in a pile of racked leaves and Tyson had moved across the sidewalk to lift his leg on the corner of the fence.

“Guys,” I said, “There’s a partridge in the tree. We have to move closer. Rein yourselves in!”

“Aren’t we going for a walk?” asked Rosie,

“I’m being a good boy,” said Tyson, “Isn’t it time for a snack?”

Uncooperative as they were, Gretchen moved us all a bit closer and after about 15 attempts got the photo of the partridge and that’s when it struck me — there are a lot of wonders around me and I better pay close attention.

Of course, it was the end of my work week and I was sad to realize that I’d probably missed a few important wonders Monday through Thursday, but luckily Gretchen had a photographic chronicle of the week. So, when we got back home, I combed through the photos and realized that many of the wonders had been captured. The partridge was, in fact, the punctuation mark at the end of a very wondrous week.

The first thing that struck me was the color of the week. True, it’s Autumn and the leaves are still clinging their orange, yellow, red, and crinkly brown selves to the limbs, but many have also fallen creating these amazing kaleidoscopes of filtered colors.

Yellow…

Pink…

Orange…

Green and blue…

It’s amazing! I never realized how appropriate the name Emerald City is for Seattle!

And then I noticed the light. On Monday, for instance, Rosie and Tyson and I were out on a long walk through the wooded park when Gretchen stopped us on the stairs and snapped this photo. “Sweet,” she said. “The light is amazing!”

I paid no attention at the time, but when we got home and looked at the photo, I too was amazed.

Then later in the week, I walked with Paige and the sunshine of the early part of the week was being pushed out by a gray wind.

The effort it took to get a good photo of us — what with the gray skies rolling in and the gray waters of Puget Sound — was a mighty feat. Coupled with the fact that Paige rarely looks a the camera because she’s always watching for something else to scurry by, I was surprised to find photos of Paige staring right into the camera.

“I know how to behave,” Paige informed me, “I just make the choice not to.”

There are many reasons why I love Paige, but her spunk and boldness are only matched by her sweetness and ability to tell an amazingly funny joke.

Oh and we make a great team — she scents out the squirrels and I use my keen eyesight. Let me tell you, not a single squirrel goes unnoticed on our walks!

Going from beautiful light to gray skies (which later opened up into a full-fledged rainstorm that we luckily avoided!) as well as capturing the beauty of Paige in the camera was only matched by Roux (who we walked the next day) actually staying in place for photographs.

With Roux you get about 10 seconds to take a picture. I’ve learned, as I’ve explained before, that the quicker you behave, the quicker you get your treat and we can be on our way. Roux has yet to fully embrace this fact. But lo and behold, she sat on the picnic table with me for a good 30 seconds…

…and then she was off…sniffing the ground and misbehaving.

Oh Roux! Luckily she comes when called…well, eventually she comes.

We walked Monty twice this week (as usual) and for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what was the wonder of our time together then Gretchen said, “You two have been friends now for almost five years Rubin! Imagine!”

And yep, that’s when I realized that sometimes wonder isn’t captured in a camera. Sometimes wonder is captured in time and there’s not a camera fancy enough to hold every moment of five years as well as what I hold in my heart for Monty…heck, for all my friends and family.

But sometimes…sometimes when you least expect it a partridge lands in your view and “snap” you realize all the wonders of the world are right in front of you.

Have a great weekend (enjoy that extra hour!)

Rubin

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Posted in: Monty, Paige, Rosie, Roux, Rubin's Buddies, Tail Waggin' News, Tyson / Tagged: , , , ,

October 28, 2011

October 29, 2011 7:11 am / Leave a Comment /

Look At This Dog

We got sent this sign via my Facebook account. I know it is difficult to read so I’m going to post the caption here:

Look At This Dog

*Responds to the name Gilligan

*Last seen chilling in my back yard, srsly not giving a sh*#

*Plays by his own rules and apologizes to no man. Or dog.

*Will flip out if offered cheese, especially Kraft slices.

*Borderline obese. Ya know, from Kraft slices.

*Loves rolling in his own filth. But who doesn’t?

*Has a gorgeous, flowing mane, akin to a majestic lion’s.

*Not Lost – just wanted to show you how awesome my dog is.

Yes, I laughed out loud. So did Gretchen. We see Lost Dogs signs all the time and we keep an alert eye open for the missing. We’ve never found anyone and while that makes me sad, when I read this posting, I chuckled so hard my curls bounced. What a great family this dog lives with– to be so loved that they post signs all over telling everyone how lucky they are to live with such a silly, sweet dog.

So it got me to thinking — if I were to post signs of my dog-friends, what would I say? What do I need you to know in eight bullet points or less?

Great idea for a blog, Rubin.

Thanks, Gretchen. I thought so too, but I think I’ll need your help.

Seriously? I think you know your friends better than I do.

Maybe, but do chime in if you feel like I’m way off base or you have something to add.

Okay, will do. Who shall we start with?

Rosie

*Responds to the name Rosie, Rosalicious, Rose-bud, Rosie-Posie, and Wiggle bum

*Last seen poking her brother, Tyson (see below), with her nose, egging him onto play. (I’m not going to use any swear words, okay? Sounds like a plan.)

*Lives to chase cats though she rarely gets an opportunity, though trust me, she’s tried.

*Is so treat driven that she’ll do anything to receive a morsel (except if a cat is involved…then all bets are off).

*She’s built like a tank, but is amazingly flexible. She can bend herself in half in either direction and has a break-dancing spin move that is the envy of the boys in our ‘hood

*Takes 15 minutes to walk 3 blocks partly because she likes to pee on everything, but mostly because her nose is working over time and she knows that every leaf, blade of grass, and tree requires that she catalog its existence.

*Is gold like honey with sprinkles of white around her jowls. And you can’t miss her because she walks like she’s doing a jig.

*Not Lost — In fact, I doubt she would know how to get lost since she’s not only attached to her brother, Tyson, but adores her family so much she’d never leave their sides (well, unless a cat races by then she might have a chance of getting lost).

How’s that?

Perfect! I couldn’t have said it better myself!

Tyson

*Responds to the name Tyson, Ty-Ty, or Chicken Nugget (you know, like Tyson’s chicken nuggets?)

*Last seen with his head in the toy box searching for the hedgehog that squeaks while his sister, Rosie, punches him with her nose.

*Lives to protect his older sister, Rosie. He has often defended her honor and has the scars to prove it.

*While he enjoys normal dog treats and snacks, often stops dead in his tracks to snag a blade of grass and munch on it for whole city blocks.

*The body of a gladiator, you’d never know he’s kind of a nervous fellow. Still, he’s the envy of all the boy dogs I know (including me!)

*A very well-behaved dog on a leash unless his sister sees a cat then he goes into Protection Gladiator and rises up on his hind legs like, well, like a Boxer (I mean, like a human boxer – dukes at the ready!)

*Short-coated, golden like a chicken nugget, with a black, black nose and muzzle and don’t forget about those worried wrinkles etched in his forehead.

*Lost, sometimes, in his own worry, but an amazingly fun-loving guy and goofy as all-get-out if you give him half a chance.

Anything to add?

You’re doing great, Rubin, keep going!

Monty

*Responds to the name Monty, Sir Monce-o-lot, Montague, Montego, and Stinky

*Last seen leaping up and barking at the cars splashing through the mud puddles

*Lives to smell other dog’s heads (yeah, I know, I should be writing “butts” but trust me, this guy has a thing for other dogs and their heads)

*Has a special fondness for anything he finds in my bowl and is not the least bit particular though some foods disagree with him (remember his nickname is Stinky!)

*When recently coiffed, he looks like a show poodle, but that doesn’t last long since he has a fondness for mud puddles. Cutest when he looks like a Muppet and is wearing his pooka shells!

*Has never learned to walk a straight line on a leash. He’d make a great swing dancer since he’s always circling around and spinning in great arcs.

*His black and white spots throw people off. “What kind of dog is that?” they ask and we respond – “He’s not a dog, he’s a curly-coated Holstein Cow!”

*Never lost — he just sometimes looks like he is.

You nailed that one, Rubin. That’s Monty down to the last curl!

Thanks. This is kind of fun!

Paige

*Responds to the name Paige, Pager, Pager-wager, Pokey-nose, and Ms. Betty Page.

*Last seen tearing through the woods on a cold, dark night sniffing out the scent of something very interesting and low to the ground!

*Lives to get her way — even when she can’t, she still tries…and tries…and tries again. And then a few more tries after that.

*Has a special fondness for Chicken Jerky, a Honey Crisp apple, and Gretchen’s socks (ew!)

*Sleek, svelte, and without an ounce of fat on her. A beauty!

*Loves kissing everyone she likes with her wet nose on their noses…or glasses…or ears…(remember, Pokey-nose is her nickname!)

*Has ears that are more expressive than Marcel Marceau’s face…heck, more than his whole body!

*Never lost – she knows exactly where she is and what she’s doing — it’s everyone else who’s confused.

Keep going…you’re on a roll now, buddy!

Woobie

(Who we miss very much — she’s still working on healing that broken toe!)

*Responds to Woobie, Woobster, Woobs, and Woobie Woobie Woobie (said very excitedly!)

*Last seen weeks ago wearing a red cast and still smiling!

*Lives to make everyone happy!

*Is very particular about her treats though will do anything to be rubbed on her belly!

*Distant relative of Cousin It only not creepy in the least!

*Loves diving into the lake and letting her long locks float like seaweed all around her.

*Long, beautiful black and gray hair that flows like a cape and catches the breeze

*Lost? Not in her vocabulary. When you’re with Woobie, you’re found.

Are you a bit smitten with Woobie, Rubin?

Blush.

Roux

*Responds to Roux, Roux-Roux, Roux-ster, Roux-o-licious

*Last seen (and mostly heard) with her tongue out and a wild look in her eye hoping we come by for a walk and a visit.

*Plays without rules, with free abandon like there’s no tomorrow!

*Has been known to dream of licking peanut butter out of the jar instead of just her Kong toy.

*Thunder thighs! Seriously. If she were any taller, you’d swear she was a horse!

*Loves racing around like crazy and then refusing to walk home because she’s too tired.

*Wolfhound is in there for sure, but the other mix (or mixes) are a mystery. She’s a Wolfdle!

*Not lost, just momentarily uncertain of where she is and where she should go next.

Wow Rubin, that was amazing.

Ya think? I mean, I know we haven’t seen Woobie or Roux this week, but I threw them in there because I kind of miss them.

I think they would be honored to be included. But remember, you saw Gemma too!

Oh yeah! She came by for a visit! I know we don’t walk her anymore, but can I make a poster for her?

Of course you can — it’s your blog after all!

Oh and you have photos still…I saw them when you were trying to clean out the photo album. Can I use one!

You bet!

Gemma

*Responds to the name Gemma, Gemster, GEMMA!!!!, and Gem

*Last seen turning her butt into any dog who looks like s/he would want to play (which was me the other night!)

*Believes every rule ever written was to be broken…by her!

*Flips out over ears. Yep, you heard me right. She loves to chomp on ears — mine in particular!

*I’m not saying she’s chunky, but she sure knows how to throw her weight around.

*Loves barking at dogs behind fences — it’s safer than barking at them face to face.

*Is Irish red and like anyone who knows redheads, she’s got a feisty, fiery dog-a-nality to match (but I love her!)

*Lost? You couldn’t lose her even if you tried (though I’d never!) – she’s everywhere at once!

Whew, that made me tired. I think my paws may never recover.

Good job, Rubes! Why don’t you call it a week.

Sounds like a plan! Have a great weekend everyone!

Wait! You need to write one for yourself.

I can’t write my own…you have to write it!

Alrighty…let’s see…

Rubin

*Answers to Rubin, Rubinator, Ruby, Rubes, Rubinations, Rubric, Rubicon, and Mr. Curly Butt

*Last seen chasing a squirrel up a tree

*Has a play drive as strong as his prey drive.

*Has recently acquired an appetite and has learned that all good things come from human pockets.

*Looks big and burly but is fine-boned and delicate (but don’t let anyone know!)

*Loves being off-leash especially if near water or his friends

*Since he has hair he can either look like a curly Muppet (see Monty) or a Meerkat if he’s been to the groomer. He prefers the Muppet look, except when it’s time to get combed out.

*Lost is a state of mind and that’s not a state he wants to visit (yes, he’s a Momma’s Boy)…

HEY! Wait just one minute…

You said I could write it.

Give me back that keyboard.

Have a great weekend everybo…

Woof!

Rubin

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted in: Gemma, Monty, Paige, Rosie, Roux, Rubin's Buddies, Tail Waggin' News, Tyson, Woobie / Tagged: , , , ,

October 23, 2011

October 23, 2011 4:56 pm / Leave a Comment /

Facing Facts

I need to face the fact that I am getting older. I will be 5 years old in February and as I approach that milestone, I am becoming more and more aware of what this means.

For one, I am often asked to be more patient. As a pup, I could let my youth be my excuse for being overly frisky and giving into crazed moments of frolic. My humans would often laugh or chase me around trying control my prepubescent exuberance. And even during puberty, they’d often let my Dennis the Menace behavior be moments of amusement and not cause for parental worry.

But now that I am moving away from my fourth year and into my fifth, I am asked to control my impulses more. For those of you who know me, you are most likely grinning that knowing grin – the one that says, “Uh yeah…Rubin control himself?” I hear ya. Sure, I know how to pose for a photo, but what you don’t see are all the times when I throw myself on the ground, roll around like a crazed maniac, and then bark at the sky just because it’s gray and I want it to be blue, or it’s blue and I want it to be gray. (I know you see some of those photos, but mostly you see me behaving…often more than my compatriots!)

So this past week, I tried to bust loose a bit, to resow my oats and let the frisk out of my bones a little bit more because frankly, I will soon not be as youthful and playful as I am now. So the photo above, is of me and Rosie practicing our youthfulness. We’d been posing for about 2 minutes while Gretchen waited for the exact moment and the exact photo that captured us on this particular day. That’s when I whispered to Rosie, “Make a funny face on the count of three!”

Rosie is always willing to let her frisk out so on the count of three, we made the faces you see above. Let me show you the shot right before, next to those funny faces one more time…

This is why I love Rosie…she is always willing to get silly with me.

Another fact I’ve had to face is that while I’m getting older, so are my friends. In fact, most of my friends are older than I am and while I enjoy their elderly viewpoints and wisdom it means that often, at the end of the day, I’m the only one still standing and ready to keep playing.

Monty is one of my oldest friends though not necessarily just in years. He was one of the first dogs to meet me when I was just a pup and he’s taught me a lot in these four plus years. But one of my oldest (as in age, not time I’ve known her) is my buddy Ginger. Now Ginger gives me a whole new perspective on what it means to grow older. Ginger is 12 and if you ever met her on the street YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW IT!

Ginger is the very definition of youthful exuberance. She is a dog in constant motion. Constant! And when she sees us coming, she goes into overdrive.

Notice the photo to the right — where Monty, Ginger and I are all posing calmly and patiently. Well, if I could show you the whole sequence of photos, you’d see that there is only ONE shot where we all look at the camera (well, I look at the camera all the time) because Monty and Ginger, while still sitting, are looking all over the place.

Especially Ginger who likes to throw her head back and tell us, “Take the darn photo! It’s time to run and play and be obnoxious!”

(Sidenote: In that first photo, they both kind of look like they have headdresses on with those trees in the background, yes?)

Duke is older than I am too, but Duke is the polar opposite of Ginger. He is calm, mild-mannered, and rarely ever gets excited about anything. Duke had to move back to Port Townsend after making an attempt to live in the city, but he came back to visit this week and I took him up to his favorite place in all the world — THE BAKERY!

If you wanna see Mr. Calm get excited, take him to the bakery. This guy LOVES bread (I think it’s the French in him) and he does anything he can to walk past the bakery. In fact, he’s been known to actually stop in the middle of the street, refusing to move, if he thinks we’re going to go in a direction away from the bakery.

At first, I couldn’t figure out his love of baked goods, but then I realized it’s his mom’s fault as Ellen always gives him a taste of what she’s eating. I bet if Gretchen did the same, I’d get a hankering for a croissant or a brioche!

But that’s another thing about getting older — I’m having to watch my waistline.

Yes, I know I’m a svelte boy with fine bones, but now that I have an appetite (thanks to my good food from the Pet Pantry) everyone who feeds me is giving me a bit less because they want to make certain I stay in proper doodle shape.

Luckily, I get lots of exercise. In fact, this week I got some “alone” time with Gretchen and we did what I love to do — went to the lake and walked, romped, fetched, and practiced. Yeah, I know that practicing stuff doesn’t sound like much fun, but in a way, it’s kind of like a game.

Gretchen said it was too cold to go swimming, so we found a stick and played some fetch on the shoreline. Mostly though, I like to just curl up with my stick and gnaw on it! Canine Bliss!

And then we practiced my sit/stay, down/stay from a distance followed by “Come!” I really like the part when I don’t have to stay anymore!

Of course, while exercise is a good thing, sometimes I overdo it. This tends to happen when I hang out with friends younger than me. In a word — Paige. But wow is it ever fun! This week Monty and I both got to hang and romp with Paige and both Monty and I paid for it the next day, but it was worth every sore muscle and achy joint, believe you me!

But don’t let Monty fool ya. He can run and run and run and then, when you think he’s spent, walk him by the lake when it’s wavy. Oh my! He goes crazy wild! Luckily, Gretchen caught him being calm and relaxed right before the waves kicked up on our walk down by the lake!

The passage of time is sort of a double-edged sword. Yes, I can feel the years in my bones, but I can also appreciate the changing seasons. This week the Autumn season glowed and I was very happy to share in the light of the season with all my friends. Time makes you appreciate it more the more time you spend with it. Does that make any sense?

Of course, the changing of this season is bringing about one of the oddest human celebrations I’ve ever experienced — Halloween.

I was reminded again of how odd this holiday is on a walk through the Volunteer Park neighborhood with Monty. Monty wasn’t the least bit worried when we walked by this…but I had to take a second look just to make certain I was safe! Some fears never go away no matter how old you get. There’s a fact I need to face!

Until next time!

Rubin

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Posted in: Monty, Paige, Rosie, Rubin's Buddies, Tail Waggin' News, Tyson / Tagged: , , , ,

September 23, 2011

September 23, 2011 12:28 pm / Leave a Comment /

Autumnal Equinox

Fickle. It’s the only word to explain how odd our weather has been of late. Here it is, the Autumnal Equinox — when summer fades and the chilly winds (and rains) of Autumn bless us with cooler temperatures and clean, fresh air — and despite the calendar recognition of the spinning planet’s relationship to the sun, we are drowning in fickle weather.

Case in point: Last week Gretchen pulled out a sweater. The day was cold. The chill in the air tickled my nose and made me curl up even tighter in my bed. Everyone we talked to said, “Wow, it’s cold!” and people talked about turning on their furnaces for the first time in months. Then, not 24 hours later, it’s 78 degrees and 95% humidity (okay, maybe not that humid, but we’re sensitive here in the PNW and so it felt like 95% humidity).

And it’s stayed like this for the whole week. We go out for a walk and my tongue instantly sags and sweat pours off Gretchen’s forehead and back. It’s hard to breathe, especially at night, and every time we get close to water (the lake, a drinking fountain, a muddy puddle) I pull Gretchen toward it.

What the heck is going on? This is not Autumn? This is not crisp mornings followed by clear, blue skies. This is not cool nights and misty breezes. This is uncomfortable. Muggy. Exhausting. Weird. No one knows how to handle it. Even the flowers and trees are mixed up. Some leaves are turning and while flowers are blooming. The tomatoes are finally ripening, but the basil looks like it’s suffocating.

We all kind of look a bit like we’re suffocating.

I always look forward to the Autumnal Equinox, partly because I like saying it – I like the way it uses all parts of my mouth when I say it out loud – but what I really love is how it means fall is coming — a time when we snuggle closer together and eat warm foods and sleep in because the sun is not calling us out to play. But with this unseasonal mugginess no one is interested in snuggling, warm foods feel claustrophobic, and sleep eludes us all because we’re all unable to really breathe.

While I don’t mean to sound like a complainer, it makes my job as a dog dog walker exhausting. My tongue hasn’t gotten such a workout in a long time — panting these days has become almost aerobic — and for the first time in my life, I’m wishing I could sweat out of my skin. Something has to change.

My friends agree:

Rosie and Tyson, because of their short snouts, really struggle with the breathing in this humidity.

“It’s like breathing through a down pillow,” Tyson complained the other day.

“But look at the Autumn leaves,” observed Rosie, “What’s with that?”

Even dogs I met on the street were disturbed by the fickleness of the weather.

“I’m an old fellow,” said Joey who I met in Fremont. “This muggy weather feels good on my old bones, but it sure tires me out!”

Even when these two strange people tried to run away with me, I was just too hot to go anywhere! Of course, it didn’t help that they tried to move in two separate directions. What clowns!

My week wasn’t normal in terms of my work, either. I got to see Rosie and Tyson like a normally do, but Monty was on vacation with his Mom and Woobie’s foot is still broken. I got to see Roux, which was nice, though her tongue as low as mine in the muggy air. Of course, when I’m hot I like to roll in the grass. Roux worried that I wasn’t doing what I should have been doing and then she tried to kiss me. Ewwww! It’s way too hot for that!!!

But do you see all those downed leaves?

Yes, there are hints that Autumn may push away Summer’s over-stay.

Either that or Roux’s going to chase summer away!

Getting Roux to sit and stay for a photo is quite a challenge. Right when the shutter fires, she leaps up and races toward Gretchen thinking that the treat is a-comin! You gotta love her spirit!

I got to go on a really fun romp with my friend Paige who agrees with me completely:

(Thanks Auntie Sheila for the photos!)

“It’s time,” she said. “Don’t let these flowers fool you. Think pumpkins,” she suggested and so I closed my eyes and did my best to think about all those things I love about Autumn. Gretchen says the forecast calls for cooler temperatures and rain, but I won’t believe until I feel the rain on my curls, the cool air blowing through my ears, and my tongue shrinking back into my mouth a bit more.

Yes, we try to find the beauty in it all, of course — the flowers bursting forth in their last hoo-rah, the anomaly of fall leaves piled up at the park, and eating dinner on the back porch — but I guess I’m kind of a calendar driven dog. Today is the Autumnal Equinox — let’s get Autumnal!

 

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Posted in: Paige, Rosie, Roux, Rubin's Buddies, Tail Waggin' News, Tyson / Tagged: , , , ,

September 16, 2011

September 18, 2011 2:14 pm / Leave a Comment /

In Every Corner

The weather is changing. It was predictable, but there was a part of me that kind of hoped our late summer would hold on a little bit longer. It’s not like it’s completely gone. There is sun. There are blue skies. The rain is minimal — spits and fits every once in awhile. But there’s a distinct difference between the “summer” days and the nights that punctuate them. The days are comfortable and warmish. The nights — not so much. In fact, on some days, the temperature has dropped 30 degrees and that my friends, is a huge difference.

And the air itself is different. When we wake in the morning and the night is creeping off into the distance, it leaves behind a chill that now requires me to crawl onto the bed and curl up as close to a human body as I can. It requires the humans to wear long sleeves and to dig out their fleece from the back of the closet. We have yet to turn on the heat, but this morning, Gretchen made an appointment for the annual cleaning of the furnace.

In every corner, there are hints of summer passing. The cooler temperatures and crisp morning air are just the beginning.

Still, I’m doing my best to wrap my paws around the summer that is left and mostly, I’ve found the best way to maintain my grasp is with my friends. And this week, along with our regular clients, I’ve gotten a chance to spend time with some friends I haven’t seen in awhile.

The week started, in fact, with a walk with Lulu. Her mom was out of town for a few days and that meant that Lulu joined us for morning outings. She was very happy about it. We went on long walks on the ridge and then played in the brown grass of September. Lulu’s smile is my summer.

 

I also got to walk with Paige and on the day we took her out, we hiked up a huge hill so Gretchen could attempt a photograph of the city (one of the famous spots people go to take pictures of Seattle), but the hike up and the warmish afternoon meant Paige and I were panting and not as cooperative as Gretchen would have liked.

When Paige and I hiked back down the big hill, we walked side by side — our bodies bumping together in a friendship full of sunshine!

Then one night this week we had an extra special shot of summer — we spent the night at our friends’ house with their big, big dog Ben. Ben can appear scary, but he’s just a giant goof in a hairy suit and sharp teeth. When we arrived at their house, I got so excited to know we were spending the night (the remodel of our bathroom required us to be out of the house so we didn’t breathe in toxic fumes) that I raced around the big back yard and looked for tennis balls.

Ben LOVES tennis balls and has perhaps half a million buried in the bushes, resting on the deck, and under tables. Sometimes I don’t know what to do with all of them, but Ben told me the best thing to do was just hold them in my mouth and get them good and slobbery. Then, when the humans weren’t looking place them in their laps or onto the table. That was the best way to get everyone’s attention.

Since Ben has a huge pool in his backyard, going to their house reminds me of summer. This year we didn’t get to swim in the pool (it never got warm enough), but just being at their house and around their pool, made me feel all summery again.

And the flowers, of course…still hanging onto blooming…

And I love me some Steven and Doris…

And love always feels like a perfect summer!

 

I didn’t really get to see Woobie — well not close up. Gretchen gave her a massage this week as Woobie is still restricted with a cast on her broken foot. While Woobie got her massage, I waited patiently in the car trying to catch a glimpse of my sunshiny friend, Woobster! She did hobble out to say hello, but we didn’t take any photos. Get well soon, Woobie. I miss you!

I also got to see the “regulars” — Rosie, Tyson, and Monty — and had a special visit with Duke and Roux. Of course, with the latter, we didn’t get very good photographs because both Roux and Duke are more interested in the treats Gretchen has in her pockets than in posing for the photograph.

Still, the comedy of photographing always reminds me of summer!

 

 

And we even got a visit from Jessica and Quillette. Just like old times, when they lived on our block, we went for a big long walk together — three pals together again and that is certainly worth a lot of summer smiles!

Rosie, Tyson, and Monty all agreed that summertime is wonderful and the transition to Autumn requires patience and appreciation, so all through the week we did our best at both — patience and appreciation.

I imagine the transitions will continue for the coming weeks and I’ll do my best to look in every corner for a little warmth and the last of the sunshine both in the beauty around me and in the wags of my friends’ tails.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Rubin

 

 

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Posted in: Duke, Lulu, Monty, Paige, Quillette, Rosie, Roux, Rubin's Buddies, Tail Waggin' News, Tyson / Tagged: , , , ,

July 15, 2011

July 15, 2011 7:02 am / Leave a Comment /

Bad Dog

Summer is like this. Everyone wants a piece of me. The schedule is all thrown off. It’s crazy. First we must go visit these people, then we’re packing our bags and going over here, then I’m left with my Auntie Jessica because my moms are traveling out of town, then we have breakfast at this person’s house only to be followed by dentist appointments and visits to the ophthalmologist to get new prescription — a whirlwind of activity and when I pick my nose up from all the craziness, it’s the middle of July.

Whew.

Double whew.

And now, before another busy day of dog walking and helping Gretchen at the pool, I find myself tossing and turning, unable to sleep — my mind spinning with the detritus of summer. Of course, that’s when it hit me — I haven’t blogged in over two weeks.

What a bad dog I am.

Gretchen says I need to give myself a break. “Summer is always like this,” she says and while I know it’s true, I still feel bad for not keeping up. “It is what it is,” she tells me, “You do what you can.”

I understand all of that but I’m not really sure why life speeds up so much during the summer. Why is it that everyone wants to get together NOW? More importantly, why is that everyone can’t see that I am a creature of habit. I LOVE routine and when it gets interrupted, I get bent out of shape (like not sleeping). If I had my way, we’d do the same thing everyday with a small variation in our schedule every once in awhile — like a trip to see Grandma and Grandpa. Like an occasional excursion to our friends’ cabin by the river. Like a long hike on Sunday (after we sleep in).

But this constant change in our routine (and by constant I mean DAILY) is enough to make this Doodle wary and nervous…

…and sleep deprived.

And anxious…I mean, how am I supposed to explain all the day’s events in a blog when the time span of that blog is more than two weeks in length?

Gretchen is calling me from the living room right now (she can’t sleep either) — and she says, “You can’t! Just let it go. Do your best and then move on. Tomorrow will be better.”

When you can’t sleep though, tomorrow is today and ironically, today is tomorrow and still the blog is not finished.

“Now it is,” Gretchen calls again.

Well sort of, but I want to sift through photos and see if I can briefly share my life with those of you who seem to care about my curly little self in this swirling, busy world of mine.

So here it goes…a pictorial review…

Our week started out normally -- a walk with Rosie -- only it wasn't so normal since we started our week on a Wednesday.

The summer heated up quickly. We were all hot and it felt good. Roux decided to hang out on the chaise lounge to cool off.

 

Woobie stayed with us for a long time. It was great. She has a very calming effect on me.

...but Roux couldn't figure out how to get the sun on her belly.

Woobie was a house guest and so was Paige. I was a little worried about the crowded house.

 

...but everyone slept -- Woobie slept on my blanket...

...and Paige cuddled up to Ann and while it looks like she's sucking Ann's thumb, she's not.

Paige gets hot, though, so she moved to the other end of the couch and rested.

The next day we all hung out on the porch in the warmth of the summer sun.

Well, Woobie hung out in the shade.

Paige cooled off by rolling around in the grass.

I saw it as an invitation to play and play we did!

Usually we scare each other when we play, but not this time. This time we made silly faces at each other and wore each other out!

The next day I tried playing with Rosie how Paige played with me. Rosie got scared.

But later, in the shade of our backyard, Rosie decided to give playing a try!

But it got hot and so we took a water break.

Four friends at the museum

We took Tyson and Rosie for a walk in the summer heat and decided walking through the shady park was in order.

 

Monty got to play fetch. I had to rest.

Woobie could play fetch, but she rested too.

While playing fetch, Rico showed up and got silly.

And then we took a trip where everyone had goodies at Sweet Laurette's -- compliments of Woobie's parents! Thank you!!!!

We went for a walk in the woods on our vacation...

We hung out on our friends' deck in front of the flowers...

...and posed.

Well, some of us slept.

And then we went to the beach! I chased the gulls in a happy glee.

Woobie and I played like crazy dogs.

Crazy dogs!

And we watche the wildlife while we rested.

I didn't chase this guy. I know when I'm not supposed to chase things.

This is one of our favorite beaches and it did not disappoint.

There was a lot to look at on the beach.

All sorts of pretty things if you looked closely.

And interesting details that didn't last long, but long enough so we could enjoy them.

Beach life

We all had a great time

All of us had a great time!

At the end of the day, I got a massage and I went to la-la land.

But then it was back to Seattle and back to work.

And it was warm so we did a lot of cooling off in the shade.

And we walked everyone during our work week.

And then the French cousin arrived and I fell in love!

I mean, I fell in serious love!

And that was the end of that work week. I'm all caught up...though already there's a whole bunch more to share. But I shall wait...until tomorrow, Rubin!

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Posted in: Duke, Monty, Paige, Rosie, Roux, Rubin's Buddies, Tail Waggin' News, Tyson, Woobie / Tagged: , , , ,

March 25, 2011

March 26, 2011 7:00 am / Leave a Comment /

Dark Tunnels

Rosie put the brakes on the second we rounded the corner. She looked a bit like a mule – her back legs splayed, her front paws dug into the concrete, and her entire body heaved backwards away from what she feared the most.

Generally, when we try to approach the long tunnel that takes us through the hill and down to the lake, Rosie approaches with trepidation. Around 50 feet from the entrance, she does whatever it takes to back away from entering and then we usually change our course and avoid going into the tunnel. Avoiding means that we have to go up a huge hill, a whole lot of steps, and then back down the other side to the lake. Since we only have a half hour with Rosie on some days, it’s impossible to make it to the lake and back.

That’s when I put my paw down. “She can do this, Gretchen,” I said. “We just have to make her! I can’t go all spring and summer NOT going to the lake and besides, she LOVES the lake. Let’s give it a try, okay?”

Who knows what it is about the tunnel that puts Rosie in freeze mode. I suppose we all have our dark tunnel moments when the light at the end is difficult to see. I certainly know that this winter has felt like a dark tunnel metaphorically speaking.  But slowly the crocuses are popping up all purple and white and the sun is showing itself more, so while I’ve dreaded the tunnel of winter I feel more hopeful these days that we’ll get through it. I have to convince Rosie that going through the tunnel offers great rewards on the other side, but to get those rewards you have to make the journey.

Of course, there are other tunnels that have no reward. I learned about them this week when Gretchen discussed with Dr. G (my osteopath and acupuncturist) the idea of retiring me from playing fetch on land and that certainly feels like a horribly long and dark tunnel. Dr. G says that it’s too hard on my body and that for a young man of 4, I need to preserve myself for the years to come. I was very sad when I heard this news because I LOVE playing fetch and I’m pretty darn good at it, if I say so myself. This is truly a dark tunnel with only a smidge of light at the end. What’s the smidge? I can still play fetch in the water. Whew!

So I suppose the tunnel through the hill for Rosie is a bit like my finding out that fetch on land is no longer in my future — it makes us both stop in our tracks. But I was determined to get Rosie through that tunnel and so we started on Monday.

It was, as we predicted, a challenge. Tyson, Rosie’s brother, has no fear of the tunnel (nor do I) so we had to be very patient (and Gretchen demanded that we be very supportive) as we approached, watched Rosie put on the brakes, and then slowly moved forward working through Rosie’s hesitation. What we learned is that the entry is the most difficult for Rosie. Once in the tunnel, she’s certainly not relaxed but she’ll keep moving forward and so, with no devious intentions, every time we got close to the end of the tunnel, we turned around and went back in again.

By the third pass, Rosie was visibly less stressed though certainly still worried.

So that’s when we continued the exercise on Tuesday. This time it was just me (Tyson was off at the dog park) and I put back my shoulders and said to Rosie, “Remember how well you did yesterday? You can do it again today. I just know it!”

Again the mule and the brakes, but on Monday it took about 10 minutes to get her into the tunnel. On Tuesday it only took about 3 minutes. That, I think, is a great improvement! The reward was a trip to the lake and as you can see by Rosie’s smile, she was pretty pleased with herself.

On Wednesday, we went through the tunnel with Monty and he, too, gave her his support. “I know it looks scary,” Monty said, “But a brave and beautiful girl like yourself should have no problem facing her fears.”

This time, Rosie went straight on through…not a moment of hesitation at the entrance and though she was still not quite relaxed in the tunnel, she did take a treat once we were in and that was a great improvement.

Later, Monty and I walked Paige who has absolutely no fear of the tunnel and, as we posed outside of it in the warm spring sun, Monty told her all about Rosie’s hesitations.

“Rosie just needs to believe she can do it,” Paige offered, “And she needs to completely trust that she is going to be safe with her friends once she’s in the tunnel.” Paige is very wise and so, after dropping Monty off at home, Paige and I practiced feeling safe in the long, dark tunnel so that I could be a confident supporter for my next adventure through the tunnel.

As many of you may know, I am also a cautious guy. I understand the dilemma Rosie faces. She wants to be brave, but sometimes fears just overwhelm and it’s difficult to overcome them. Take, for instance, walking out on the dock at the lake. It is not my favorite thing to do so when Gretchen walked Paige and me out there, I felt my knees knocking together just a bit.

“It’s okay, Rubin,” Paige said, “I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

Of course, when the waves (it was very windy for some reason) bounced up under the dock, Paige’s confidence wavered a bit. “What’s that?” she asked.

“Waves,” I said, and once she understood, she went back to her brave and confident self.

Her courage made our time on the dock not as scary as it has been in the past and it also made me realize how strong I must be for Rosie.

On Thursday, we decided to give Rosie a break and we went the other way through the park — no tunnels, no lake, but that was really okay because the sun was out again and I got to roll down hill basking in the warmth of it all. Rosie just laughed at me.

The dark tunnel of winter was supposed to return, but when we woke up, the skies were blue with only an occasional white, fluffy cloud passing by. But we still took precautions. Gretchen loaded up her pack with rain gear just in case and we put a towel by the front door to wipe us down if a sudden cloudburst showed up unexpectedly.

But the cloudburst never came (until late that afternoon) and Monty and I got to bask in the warm sun down by the lake for our first outing of the day. Later, after Monty and I had a snack (well, my breakfast actually) and we got to rest after our wonderfully long walk, Gretchen took out Rosie and Tyson who got a special treat…their Mom joined them on the walk. Apparently she wanted to see how well Rosie was doing going through the tunnel.

So to the tunnel they walked — Gretchen walking Tyson and their Mom walking Rosie. Gretchen was really cheering Rosie on (silently, inside herself because she didn’t want Rosie to get nervous or too excited) and you know what happened? Rosie didn’t hesitate AT ALL! She walked right into that long, dark tunnel with nary a look of fear or intimidation. And when she got through it and came out into the sunshine on the other end, she smiled and danced and felt as proud of herself as we all were!

Oh how I wish I could have been there! What an inspiration. The Rosie mule was gone (well, at least when it comes this particular dark tunnel) and from now on, we can walk to the lake all summer long if we want to! Yahoo! Summer swimming in the lake!!!

What? Really?

Gretchen just told me that Rosie doesn’t like to swim.

Well, I guess that means we’re going to have to teach her! And now that I know that she can walk through the tunnel of her fears, I have no doubt she’ll be joining me on a swim or two this summer!

Have a great weekend!

Rubin

PS — More photos from our week’s adventures below…

 

 

 

Oh and the last 3 photos are from last weekend when my buddy, Argo, stayed with us and we went on a big Paige adventure to a new park!

 

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Posted in: Argo, Monty, Paige, Rosie, Rubin's Buddies, Tail Waggin' News, Tyson / Tagged: , , , ,

February 18, 2011

February 19, 2011 4:47 pm / Leave a Comment /

Saturation

Too much of one thing. That’s how I define saturation. There’s no value judgment because it can be too much of a good thing or it can be too much of a bad thing. And even then — the good thing or the bad thing — can have good and bad qualities about it. The photograph above is meant to illustrate this point. The beginning of the week was soggy wet. The rain just kept coming. It’s been like this all winter and the ground is completely saturated, so much so that when the rain falls, it really has no where to go and just rolls down the street or forms large puddles every where.

And it’s muddy. If we have to walk across a grassy field, we’re guaranteed to have muddy, muddy paws by the time we get to the other side.

That’s the bad side. The good side is that everything is very green and rain means the temperatures are fairly warm (warmer than usual) so the trees (like the above cherry tree) are fooled into thinking that the groundhog was right and Spring is just around the corner therefore they started budding out. Gretchen stopped to look at those early buds on our walk Monday afternoon and felt compelled to pull out the camera (even though it was pouring down rain) and try to capture the moment — the juxtaposition of spring and winter, of a tree saturated and blooming.

She also captured our annoyance (Rosie and me) with the endless rain…in fact, if you click on the photo to the right, where my ears are down and Rosie looks as if she’s saying, “Uh, can we go home now?” you’ll see the pelting rain falling all around us (and, of course, on us!).

In fact, it rained so much on Tuesday, she didn’t take any photos and was worried that perhaps the cherry tree and my photo with Rosie would be all the pictures we’d get for the week.

But just as the rain can saturate us, so can the sun and the odd beauty of it all is that the more rain we have, the more glorious those sunny days. Tuesday was miserable, but Wednesday was divine and Monty and I soaked up the warmth on our long walk down by the lake Wednesday morning…

…and then our wonderful stroll with Rosie later in the day…

It was so wonderful, I rolled around in the grass (yes, it was a tad bit muddy and wet) and my ear flipped back in the effort…

Of course, by the afternoon, the black clouds brought us more rain, more wind, and the most amazing hail storm I’ve ever seen. Luckily, we had to run errands (to the Natural Pet Pantry for my food) and then we swung by the pool to drop off some stuff only to be asked to pose for a crazy photo with Catherine, Sheila, Paige, and yes, Kane (you can just see his head on the side)…

Thursday we woke up to snow actually in the low-lying hills. That poor cherry tree…fooled into thinking that the warm temperatures would stay, but surprisingly, despite all the forecasts, the rain stayed away. This was the good kind of saturation — the kind that made me happy to be out and about exploring the deep and saturated greens days of rains (months?) highlight. Of course, it made me even happier that Rosie and I got to go to the tennis courts for a brief romp.

I don’t get to play at the tennis courts much anymore. I was saturated as a puppy and my joints and muscles apparently paid the price. But once every now and then, we get to go and I get to play with my ball. On Thursday, I got to play with a new ball that we found on one of our walks. It’s a boomerang ball with a stretchy string on it that allows Gretchen to fling it really far. Of course, that string posed a bit of a problem and Rosie worried that once again I might hurt myself…

But I was okay once I figured out how to get that stretchy thing off my leg. And, as you can tell, I saturated myself in Rosie’s smile. I have to laugh because for a long, long time Gretchen wouldn’t let me walk with Rosie. You see, in the beginning, Rosie got over-saturated, which is to say, she got really nervous about other dogs when she was on the leash. She was thought to be unpredictable, lashing out and being aggressive when other dogs walked by. It’s true, she can sometimes lose her head — overstimulated is perhaps a better word — but she’s never acted that way toward me.

Which got me to thinking about saturation from another perspective: When there is too much of one thing — over-stimulation in this instance — dogs are a lot like the ground when it rains way too much. Our energy pools, forming puddles of frustration. Some of us act out when the puddles form, others avoid, and still others get wildly and happily excited.

Rosie and I are a lot alike in many regards. When I am saturated by stimuli — for me it’s skateboards, Jack Russell Terriers, and large intact male dogs — I get nervous and bark to protect myself. Rosie does the same. I think we knew that about each other from the start. It was as if we said to each other, “Hey, you get nervous that way, too?” and so we formed a friendship based on our common experiences and have forged a friendship around it — a friendship that allows us to now go for walks together, hang out at the tennis courts, and soak up the sunshine, which everyone hopes dries out our innate nervousness.

Woobie, on the other hand, (the next dog we walked on Thursday) is more excitable than nervous. She gets over-saturated with the thought of squirrels, but other than that she stays relatively calm in the midst of craziness.

And yes, I was the craziness…but don’t worry, Woobie helps center me and once saturated in her presence, I settle right down.

Everyone said that the rain saturation was supposed to continue, but much to our surprise, we were saturated in sun! It was glorious! Chilly, but still glorious!

And everyone got to play fetch. Rosie and Tyson at the tennis courts…well Tyson played while Rosie watched for treats…

And you aren’t imagining it…Tyson is wearing a purple bootie. That’s because he had minor surgery to remove a cyst and to make sure everything stayed relatively clean, he had to wear a latex sock. He minded at first, but once the ball went flying, he flew, too.

And then Gretchen spent time playing with her camera and close ups of the siblings…hey, it was a beautiful day for it and the light was perfect!

Monty and I got to play fetch too, though we got to play at the little field and man oh man did that ever make me happy!

And then Roger showed up and while I was worried he’d still my ball, Monty could care less…Roger too!

When the week started, I thought for sure that our saturation was going to all be the bad kind – wet and dreary and heavy with the sogginess of winter. But what do you know…it all turned around and the beauty of the cherry tree won out!

That’s the kind of saturation I like the most — the unexpected kind.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Rubin

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Posted in: Monty, Paige, Rosie, Rubin's Buddies, Tail Waggin' News, Tyson, Woobie / Tagged: , , , ,