Did ya hear?

Did ya hear the news? That's why my ear is up.

Mom was telling me something big was going to happen. And it did.

Guess what? ALLI'S HOME!!!

Got 'em back

Oh, there they are. All flopsy-mopsy again.

Good as new, doncha think?

Lend me your ears

Friends, Neighbors, Countrymen ... Lend me your ears ... Pleeeeaze.

Alpha seems to have taken mine. He can be such a child sometimes. I mean -- really!

Workin' on a stick

Do ya ever get that urge to just chew on a stick? Well, no, you humans probably don't.

But, boy, I'll tell you -- sometimes, there ain't nothin' better.

Butt-ercups and -massage

There's nothing I like better than lying in the grass with buttercups nearby.

Oh yes there is ... getting a butt-massage at the same time!

Visiting the Spaw

Well, I told you I would let you know about my visit to the Doggie Spaw, where I got my hair cut. You see, my former groomer moved out of the area, so Mom had to find me a new one. After a couple of tries, we found this new shop that just opened up on the Milford Oval -- right in our backyard! This was my second visit, and as I mentioned, Alpha decided to make it a photo-journalism assignment (sigh). But here goes ...

This is Dara. She is not only my groomer, but also the owner of the Doggie Bag and Day Spaw (cute name, eh?) She was very nice, and I enjoyed the special treatment. No other dogs around -- it is by appointment only -- and Mom likes the fact that she can wait while I get groomed, and I don't get left in a doggie crate.

The first thing she does is take off most of my excess fur. She has a special blade that will go through even if you are dirty (I was a bit swampy ;-) That way, less fur to have to wash and dry. Speaking of which ...

You can see how happy I am getting my bath - with shampoo and two special conditioners. Dara told me numerous times I was a perfect customer (I knew that). She also said maybe next time, I could get a special "mud bath" treatment. After all, this is a spa, ya know.

Now a quick toweling off, which is usually all I ever get at home -- but look ...

Here I'm getting my fur blown dry. Do you all get such treatment before you get groomed?

All I have to say here is "Who put the 'S' in Spunk?"

Now Dara gives me the final close clipping to get my fur all the right length. Hey Dara, be careful where you put that thing, OK?

Next comes my mainicure. Or is that a pedicure? I don't know, but Dara said I didn't need much (that's becuase I run with Alpha)

Now I get scissor work on my face and my paws. This is to make sure I'm very handsome, and I can see everybody when I'm done ;-)

So here's the finished product. A wonderful grooming experience in the doggie spaw. I really am going to have to talk to Mom about some of the extra special offerings. Hey, I'm worth it, right?

And here's Dara's card if anyone in the area wants to check out her shop. She also sells lots of homemade doggie treats, plus clothes and toys, and you name it. Very cool. Thanks Dara! See you next time!

Very handsome

Do you notice anything different? Well, of course, I'm always handsome -- but notice I'm a little better groomed than usual?

That's right, yesterday I got my summer haircut. And it was so much fun.

All except the part about Alpha photographing the whole adventure (sigh). Yeah, I'll tell you about it soon. He's still sorting through the oodles of photos.

Until then, I'll just wow you with my dashing looks ;-)

Amongst the dandelions

What's the only thing better than sitting in the long grass before it gets mowed down?

Sitting in the long grass amongst the dandelions. My own personal garden! With me, as the centerpiece.

OK, my work is done here. Joey, you can fire up the John Deere now.

It's Summertime! (kinda, sorta)

I got to visit with my buddy Pedro yesterday. The weather was beautiful, and the grass was inviting.

Oh wait, Pedro is whispering something to me. He wants to know if I've ever seen his "Summertime" song and dance. Why no, Pedro, I haven't. Can you show me?

(He says the lyrics go like this: "It's summertime, summertime, sum-sum-summertime, summertime, oooohya". You can sing along if you want ;-)












Thanks Pedro, that was awesome! And you have such a nice voice! And your body is so twisty!

Cool, funky chair

Check out this awesome chair. Mom and Alpha found it in Grandma's barn. From the 1950's they're sure. Didn't have any cushions with it, so Mom bought these pillows.

And they are going to give it to Alli (there is also a matching rocker). Alli is such a lucky girl.

Outstanding in my field

Yes, it's an old line, but I think the title of this post really matches the photo. Besides, I am outstanding. And I'm in a field. Get it?

And quite a nice field at that. Alpha, when you are done with this photo-op, can we go for a run through the long grass?

Woof! Woof!

Can you hear me speaking? This is not just your regular barking at the moon. No, I'm definitely speaking.

Now for those of you who just think Alpha took a bad picture, or that I wrecked his photo, you can see below that I can also pose just fine, thank you very much.

Yo Mom

Yo! Mom! Watch the head! I appreciate the petting, but jeez, can we take it a little easier? Aaacccckkkk!

Oh, I don't really mind. Sometimes, you just like vigorous petting, right?

Playing with Mom

Oh boy. It's not every day you get mom down on the ground to play catch. Whoopie. I'm in a fetchin' kind a mood. Some folks we know would say "Boy's he's fetchin'," but the'dy be commenting on my adorable cuteness.

Anyways, suffice it to say that I did a bunch of retrieving, and then, eventually, took my ball and just went off by myself to cool down and relax. This playing fetch can be exhausting ;-)

My Birthday!

Mom and Alpha tell me that is my birthday! That's nice. I'm going to cuddle a little longer in this luscious mink blanket.

You see, as exciting as this day might be, I consider my REAL birthday to be the day that Alli came and picked me out, and brought me home to doggie heaven.

Yep, everyday is a good day, and a couple are really special.

Colorful Pooch

Mother's Day continued an extra day. Because of all our outdoor work, we all had to nap on the real Monther's Day. Which, upon reflection, is not such a bad way to spend it ;-)

So the following day, Mom got to open her present from me. All you see here is the color chart. Would you believe there is a roll of thread to go along with each of those colors??? That's 288 rolls!!!

That's what I'm saying in the photo. "OMG - I can't believe how much thread I just gave you!" Mom was very appreciative and pet me lots ;-) And she told me to be quiet and not tell Alpha about it ;-)

Frito and Clover

Alpha is bummin' a bit about the lawn. Ya see all this clover? It's where there is supposed to be grass.

But then I tell him, hey, it feels sooo good to lie in. And heck, it's green, and it looks healthy.

Alpha, there are more important things to worry about, ya know. Like trying to get my ball away from me. Go ahead -- just try. I double dare ya.

And now, with many apologies to the Tommy James and the Shondalls

Frito And Clover

Ah, now I don't often see her
But I know how much I love her
Frito and clover

Ah when Alli comes walking over
Now I've been waitin' to show her
Frito and clover over and over

Yeah, my, my such a sweet thing
I wanna do everything
What a beautiful feeling
Frito and clover over and over

Frito and clover over and over
Alli and clover over and over
Frito and clover over and over
Alli and clover over and over

OK, now Alpha tells me some of you aren't quite old enough to remember that song. So here's a reminder:

Panoramic Pooch

Ah, it was a beautiful, crisp, clear day yesterday.

I got to go to the cottage (one of my favorite places), and on the way home, as the sun was going down, Alpha stopped on this hilltop for a photo-op.

Can you see me sniffing the breezes as I do one of my "adorable" poses. It certainly was a glorious day!

Happy Mother's Day!

Am I the luckiest dog in the world, or what? I've got the best Mom in the whole wide world.

And I think I know why I get such special treatment. Ya see, my girl and my bro' are off at college, so Mom's got all that left over affection just for me (oh yeah, and Alpha too ;-)

Well, I just want to say -- I appreciate it! And I hope you have a nice Mother's Day -- today -- and everyday of the year!

Big wet puppy slobber and lip smackers for you!

Home improvement

Well, there has been quite alot of activity around my house recently.

Alpha and Greg tackled the deck. They ripped off the old railings and deck surface, installed a water redistribution system and gutters to keep under the deck dry (for storage), and then redecked the surface.

Whew! I get tired just thinking about it. Oh yeah, and Mom has been weeding and mulching up a storm!

And while I did help, I must confess to not really liking change while it is underway. Nail guns, power saws, and lawn tractors are not really my cup of tea. But it will all be nice when it's (all) finished

What a catch!

It's a long fly ball, and Coco Crisp is going way back.

No wait, that must be Coco's replacement. Yes, it's Frito Crisp (are they brothers?).

Oh who cares, did you see that catch? Amazing!

(Not) biting the hand that feeds me #2

Well, OK, so maybe this isn't food. But you get the idea.

I just LOVE my chew bone treat, and I just LOVE the person who gives it to me.

Can't recall who this was at the moment. Oh, who cares, I got my bone ;-)

Catching some ZZZ's

Actually, perhaps a better title for this post: "Been workin' too hard". Ya see, Greg came to help Alli move into her new apartment, and he's been working really hard getting all that furniture moved. How's that for a thoughtful brother?

Me, I'm just the entertainment, so not too tiring. But I never pass up an opportunity to catch a few zzz's. Just like Greg. Hey -- we're brothers!

Rockin' Frito

How cool is this? Getting to listen to my Bro's iPod. Man, he plays some rockin' tunes.

Hey Greg, can you crank it up a notch? I can feel my paw wanting to start tap, tap, tapping! Yowsa!

Retro Frito

Look at me! I'm sitting on Alli's new (rather old) lounge chair. Very "retro". Straight out of the 50's (probably literally). It's from her Grandma Dahl, and is really cool. Fabulous faux leather.

Also very George Jetson. And to honor that reference (you'll have to imagine the theme song):

Meet George Jetson.
His Boy Elroy.
Daughter Judy.
Jane his wife.

Hey, where's the reference to "Their dog Astro"?

Jumping for joy

I'm getting so much exercise lately. You saw in a previous post how Greg was playing fetch with me. And now Alpha is playing jump-for-joy with me. Man, after all that time in the car, I have lots of pent up energy to expend. I will surely sleep well tonight.

Go fetch

"Go fetch," my Bro' yells as he flings the tennis ball.

Since I've been home from my trip to Alli's, I must say, I have gotten quite a bit of exercise.

Mom and Alpha and Greg all working outdoors. Mom is working in her gardens, and Alpha and Greg are rebuilding the deck.

Oh yeah, and great weather too, so I get to spend all day outside.

Whew, so much exercise, I'm tired just thinking about it.

Dirty, tired, but still smiling family

There was an audible "whew" when it was all over. Yi-Ying captured me and my family resting on the sofa. All the major work is now done, and Alli and Yi-Ying just need to clean and organize. It is going to be a great apartment!

Here is a picture of their view (from the 20th floor). Facing west over the park, they are going to have many beautiful sunsets. You all had the same arrangements when you were in college, right?