Spring-time walks in Winter

While this is no tropical paradise, we've head an incredibly warm winter so far. Shirt sleeves in mid-January? Frito say "yahoo" since the parents are usually willing to take a lunch-time stroll. Here you can see Frito taking Alpha out for a walk, and Carol gives Frito a big spring-time hug.

Frito close-up

Here's a close-up of Mr. Flopsey Ears. Or Mr. Rubber Nose. Or Mr. Jingle Jangle. No matter the nickname, he's quite a looker, don't you think?

Winter Runners

One of these two runners is cute -- and one looks really kinda goofy. You pick. Hey, don't say that winter running gear isn't getting used. It's been taken out once so far ;-) Hopefully more soon, since Frito just LOVES to run. Don't worry Alli, just short, easy runs.

Don Frito El Bandito

Just in case anyone wondered what my official name is. No really, it's on my papers. But hey, you can just call me Frito for short.

Not shaggy now

Just look at how beautiful and soft and smooth Frito is now. Don't you just want to give him a hug? And he smells so good too!

A little shaggy

Yeah, well, I may be a slacker, but I'm not a shaggy butt like you, Frito. But don't worry, that will be taken care of shortly!

Slacker!

You are a slacker, Alpha! I stick my tongue out at you. Depriving Alli of her Frito-a-day for all this time. It is a crime! Punishable by a wet slobber. So come on over here.

Frito Post Card

Here's Frito in a classic wintry scene. To me it looks like a New England post card, only better, because Frito is there. That's kinda how we feel whenever he's around. Hope your winter is as picture perfect.

Casting a long shadow

Frito's Thought for the Day: "Walk tall, cast a long shadow, and carry a big photographer with you."

Find the bear

Oops. I lost track of the days, and am posting this late (sorry Alli). OK, so now that I've done my mea culpa (who says I don't know Latin), you job is to pick out the bear on Alli's bed. Isn't Frito just as cute as a stuffed animal? Even cuter! And more interactive too!

More green eyes

Frito looks good against any color, don't you think? The rust-colored shawl really brings out the green in his eyes (NOT). That's just a result of the flash. People have red eyes, dogs and cats have green eyes. Beyond that, don't ask.

Frito Snow Drift

This is the problem when you have short Terrier legs, and the wind has been blowing all night. Some places the snow is pretty much down to the ground, but in other places ... oh well, that's why I have this sweater on! Now if Mom can just make me some doggy hip waders, I'll be all set ;-)

The Frito Gallop

Here's that cute guy again coming at me at full gallop down the driveway. He just loves to be outside and just let loose. Fast as the wind is this little guy.

Frito says Aloha

Here is Frito checking out Alli's room at home. Carol brought in the heavy equipment, and it is now clean as a whistle. Check out the mural that Carol painted when we got back from Germany (with Alli's help). Quite a room. Consider the pictures a bonus for my delay in posting this Frito-a-Day ;-)

Frito Unleasheed

It was a beautiful day, but bitterly cold and windy. Carol decided to opt out of the walk, when I mentioned it would be good to take some photos. Even Frito eventually got his fill when his paws got chilled. But in the meantime, Frito had a ball in the apple orchard. Running through the snow drifts. Dancing with the shadows. Ears blowing in the wind. And such a handsome fellow, don't you think?

Now that's a tongue

Well, we needed to be reminded of WARM weather, because here in New England, we just dropped from over 60 degrees down to 2 degrees in less than two days. What a rude awakening to winter again. But Frito reminds us that this too shall pass, and it won't be that long before it's so warm in the sun that his air conditioner tongue comes out again.

Frito Blizzard

Yesterday it was 50 degrees here in southern NH. Last night we were awakend by sleet blown against the windows. Then the power went out, and Frito wouldn't even step outside as the sleet had turned to snow, and drifted to six inches over the door threshold.

Such is winter in New England; this is either wonderous or ridiculous, depending on your perspective. Frito is still waiting to go to the bathroom ;-) But soon this is what he will look like. He just loves the snow, so long as it's Frito that makes the blizzard.

Frito and Dad

Frito's with Dad, sitting in the sun.
Wondering what he must have done.
To be so lucky, to roll a seven
Thank you Alli for doggie heaven

Up close and personal

This is Frito, up close and personal. And look -- no "green eye" this time. Boy, aren't I a handsome dog? And Mom and Dad even let me on the good furniture for this shot.

Early Spring visit

We're having a mid-January thaw, and some nice almost-Spring-like weather. Frito says "yeah, man" because that means it's more likely to get Mom and Dad out for a walk. Here we explore some fields and woods around our neighborhood. Frito says "very cool." Carol says "oh God, it's the camera again."

Basking in the Sun

This is Frito basking in the winter sun in our kitchen/dining area. It really does get nice and toasty. Do you think he is thinking about Alli, who is perhaps also basking in the winter sun, except that she's in Hawaii?!! Perhaps not. Frito prefers it on the cool side.

Frito Speaks Out

Can you hear Frito? He’s speaking. Not merely barking, mind you. But Frito can definitely speak. An entirely different (and more pleasant) sound than when he barks. Especially when he is excited about taking his walk. Speak, Frito, speak.

Super-Dog

"Faster than a speeding squirrel. More powerful than a Big ole Dog. Able to leap tall snowbanks in a single bound --- 'Look, up in the sky,' 'It's a bird,' 'It's a plane,' 'No, it's Super-dog ....' "

The God-Dog

My friend Dan has been visiting us from Germany. Things always work out, because while Frito is missing his girl Alli (now safely in Hawaii), he gets some extra affection from Dan, his God-Dog. Or is Frito Dan's God-Dog? I can never remember. Anyway, here's the story from back in April 2004:

A week ago we set out on the same hike [Purgatory Falls]. As you might imagine, it is a big event for Allison's dog, Frito -- the highlight of his week. Last weekend was right after all the rain, so the river was a torrent. Dan worried about Frito, but I had my leash, so what could happen? Well, to get around some underbrush we had to navigate due to the swollen river, I took Frito temporarily off the leash. When we got back to the riverbank -- before the leash was reattached -- Frito spotted the world's largest beaver. And those that know Frito knows he will harass any animal, no matter the size. The beaver was unfazed, and just waddled into the river. And now the problem -- Frito follows him. The current is very strong, and Frito was struggling to get back to shore. I'm looking for a stick and then -- SPLASH! -- Dan dives in, fully clothed, cell phone and all, to rescue Frito.

You might guess that the water was a little cold. And the air was a little cold too. So we hi-tailed it out of there to avoid hypothermia. Well, obviously Frito survived. And the cell phone even survived. But we could only imagine the headlines the next day: Man beats cancer only to drown while saving dog. But fortunately that was in some other quantum universe, and not this one. In this one, everyone lives happily ever after.

And that is the story of how Frito became Dan's God-Dog (or vice versa ;-)

Snow Balls

Frito is redefining sheik. Here is what all fashionable Yorkies are wearing this winter: snow balls!

We took Frito up to our cottage yesterday (long story short, got the car stuck, but somehow we managed to survive and there was no cannibalism involved).

Anyway ... we thought there would be snowmobile tracks for Frito to walk on, but instead there was about 4 inches of new powder. And Frito has 4 inch legs -- you do the math.

Carol is going to try and design some doggie-hip-waders to see if we can help him out next time. Frito does love the snow.

Lookin' for my girl

Where's my girl? Well, Frito, she left at 5:00 AM yesterday morning, but she's still enroute to Chaminade. Plane broke in Chicago, so Alli's with a few hundred of her closest friends trying to get meal vouchers and hotel accommodations. Oh well -- Frito, you'd be proud becuase she is handling it like a trooper.

Alli heads off to Chaminade University

Alli says goodbye to Frito as she gets ready to jet off to Hawaii for college. Frito is a little concerned about all of the luggage and early morning preparations. He will miss his girl, and she will miss him. But hey, that's what Frito-a-Day was made for. Good luck Alli, we love you!

Helping Alli

That's Frito -- always there to help. Especially to help his girl. Maybe Friito should help Alli with her snow shoveling clothing selection? Or just run around and help keep her warm that way.

Alli and Frito reunion

Here's another famous reunion between Alli and Frito. I'm sure we'll have another in the not too distant future.

Alli, Frito, and a flower

Continuing our "Alli and Frito" week, as Alli prepares to head off for college. We want to give a boost of energy for this couple until they reunite during the summer.

Happy New Year to Alli and Frito!

Here's a great picture of Alli and her dog Frito. It's from when she said good-bye for her summer studies last year. And since Alli will be leaving for warmer weather in just a few days, it seems like a nice photo with which to ring in the new year.

Happy New Year, Alli and Frito. We'll be sure to keep the Frito-a-Day blog up to date, right Frito?