Looks cramped, but really it's cozy!

Hey, look at me -- I'm a big dog. I got in the car all by myself, and now I have this very comfy bed right at Allison's feet. I usually sleep when we're driving. Unless of course Alpha starts taking the turns a little too fast.

Getting back in the car

Alpha says that all big dogs jump in the car themselves. They don't cower in the corner and wait for their parents to pick them up shaking. So since I'm on my first road trip, I'm going to do what the big dogs do. Get in the car, I mean ;-)

Look what one of my fans gave me!

Frito was much adored at all of the rest stops. He even tolerated a passel of kids wanting to pet him. One of the information ladies in the visitor centers thought he was so cute, he should have a big dog bone. Frito held on to it until he reached our sleeping destination, and then decided to chow down.

Rest stop walk

Here's a cute photo of Frito at one of his rest stops. He's beginning to think this was a pretty good idea.

So what's a road trip?

Alli decides to check out a new school. This time in Nova Scotia (Dalhousie). So we think it might be a good time to take Frito for his first road trip. Frito's not too sure what he's getting himself into.

Swimming through pond weed

You may think it's gross, but ... Frito thinks there are many advantages to having pond weed right in the middle of the pond. First off, that is where the frogs hang out. So if you get tired of trying to pick them off the shoreline, you can just swim right into their resting spots, and you'll be sure to create some action. Now, fortunately, Frito is comparatively slow in the water. But hey, it's great hydrotherapy for the legs.

Oh, and the other good thing? It aerates the pond, and keeps down the "bad" algae by using up the nutrients. Frito is getting his degree in pond management -- he's also aerating the pond by swimming through the weed.

Mr. Sunshine

Frito, you are the sunshine of our life, as depicted by this sunflower portrait. Here's an excert of that Stevie Wonder song:

You must have known that I was lonely,
Because you came to my rescue,
And I know that this must be heaven,
How could so much love be inside of you?

You are the sunshine of my life, yeah,
Thats why I'll always stay around,
You are the apple of my eye,
Forever you'll stay in my heart.

Someone's a little tired

Well, it looks like someone's just a little tired! Too much activity today. To many laps around the pond. To many 'I want to go out's and 'I want to come in's. Way too much swimming, and too many times visiting the neighbor's pond. Too much running after critter smells. Yep, it's been a long day!

On the sidelines

After running and swimming all day, sometimes you just have to take a break. And so Frito parks it on the sidelines, and poses for the camera. Tough life.

Welcome home

It was great to get home after a couple of weeks in Japan. And look who's all clean-cut and ready to greet Alpha. What a nice welcome home!

On the prowl

It's interesting to watch Frito learn new frog hunting skills. He used to just run around the pond and hope to catch one too slow to jump out of his oncoming charge. But maybe the frogs wised up. So now he takes a swim, as if too cool off from the summer heat, and then doubles back toward the weeds and tries to get them from behind. A sneak attack. Very sad when he succeeds, but I've come to accept it as evolutionary training for a really smart batch of frogs.

Focused Like a Laser Beam

Frito is looking directly at one thing in this picture and nothing else can even phase him.


When it's dinner time -- food is the ONLY thing on Frito's mind! (If he had laserbeams for eyeballs he could burn a hole right through the plate with his concentration!)

A Pound Lighter...

Here is Frito three days ago, before he got his new hairdo for the summer... can you even tell there's a puppy under all of that fur!?!?


And now, after six hours in the Beauty Salon for puppies (not to make Frito sound sissy because he defintely isn't!), look at how happy, handsome, and cool Frito looks as he smiles for the camera! (And sends Alpha a belated birthday kiss!)

Happy B-day Alpha

It's Alpha's birthday, and this is the perfect picture, because it is also the day Frito gets a new haircut. Maybe he'll look like he did when this picture was taken, a few years ago. Alpha is in Japan right now, missing Frito, and of course, the whole family. He can't wait to get home and give everyone a hug.

In the office

Here's Frito on Greg's bed and quilt, at home, which has been turned into my office now that he's away at college. Frito really likes to snortle and and do froggy-legs on Greg's quilt, and then to just look adorable. Don't you think?

By the new pond iris

Here is Frito posing for me by the pond, and that's one of Carol new iris's she recently planted, in full bloom. Things are shaping up around the yard, and Frito is quite happy about that.

On the patio

Here is Frito adorning our new back patio stone wall. It's a little hot in the full southern exposure. But Frito looks good next to the potted plants.

In my arms

Here is Frito, looking very well groomed, in my arms. We hope to have his hair cut next week -- this is an old photo from Tucker Pond. Look how small and cute he looks. And cooler, as well. We're coming Frito, just as fast as we can. Never knew dog groomers were in such demand.

Casting a long shadow

It is early morning at Tucker Pond -- one of my favorite times. Alpha usually gets up early, and we get outside just before or after the sunrise. See how I bask in the early morning sun, and cast such a long shadow. Sometimes I even scare myself it is so big!

The sun glistens in my hair

We seem to have a boat-theme going here. Anyways, you can see how Tucker Pond water really does wonders for my hair. All nicely coifed, and don't I just look spectacular in the afternoon sun!

Windswept

Well, now that's a little better Alpha. At least you've got the boat movin'. But will you look at what it's doing to my hairdo. Can't I get up in your lap, and duck behind the windshield?

Frito and the Oinkers

This little visit to Green Acres is right in our neighborhood. That's right -- we've got ourselves a workin' farm. Frito wanted to check out just who was making all that noise. Oh look, it's the three little (er, big) pigs!

Hot and Shaggy

Sometimes Tucker Pond can be so hot! Even in a boat. Too much sun. Too much fur. Come on, Alpha, put the pedal to the metal and lets get some wind blowing here!

On the shore

Then after you've been cruising in the water, you get out, roll around on the grass, and begin to cruise the dry-side of the shore line, hoping to have better luck with the critters. And of course, ocassionally you have to stop and pose for a picture. Looking a little shaggy, there, Frito.

Frito's cruisin'

Frito's cruisin' the strip -- that short section of shoreline in front of our cottage. Back and forth he goes, hoping to see some critter activity, and cooling hiimself off at the same time. Not a bad way to spend part of your summer day.

Kayaking at Tucker Pond

OK, back to the future. This is Frito on his maiden kayak voyage around Tucker Pond. We're on our way back to the cottage now. Frito likes just about any boat.

Look, it's snowing

It may be the Independence day 2006, but I felt like some snow to cool down. So here is Alli sledding in our back yard, with Frito in hot pursuit.

Alli's wall

We're still in the way-back machine. Here is Alli and Frito showing off her mural wall also from October 2001. My how they've all grown up.

Early Frito and Greg

Here's another oldy-but-goodie. Greg shows Frito the newly finished basement way back in October 2001. He's such a young pup. And Frito isn't very old either ;-)

At Carol's feet

This is an old one. Back from an early fall walk with Frito. Look how his fur just glistens in the autumn morning sun. Shall we go for a walk?