Here's lookin' at you

Here's lookin' at you ... lookin' at me ;-)

Sometimes I am just too clever, don't you think?

And if not, at least we can all agree that I am just too cute!

Growin' like a weed

No, no no -- not me. In fact, I'm in the best shape of my puppihood, thanks to all the healthy food and exercise I get.

I mean my fur, er hair. It's starting to get a little shaggy, just like the lawn. By the time my family gets back from vacation, I'm gonna need to make a trip to the groomers.

And fortunately, we already have an appointment at the Doggie Day Spaw to see my friend Dara. Oh yeah, and I'll be able to get my complimentary mud bath treatment too, for being the featured pampered pet this month! Woo hoo.

I wonder who will be next? Maybe you???

Home is where my bed is

Darn, I'm juts too cute. And very happy here on my bed. Wherever that bed might be.

Cuddlin'

Well, nearly everyone's on vacation (including moi, but sorry for Greg). I want to ensure everyone that I'm having a grand time, but of course, I do miss cuddlin' with the family.

Don't worry, soon enough we will be together again.

Camo training

You may wonder how I have become such a good frog hunter. Well, psssst, I'm going to let you in on one of my trade secrets ... the art of camouflage.



You can see how I cleverly swim through the pond weed to gather some on my fur (excuse me, hair).



This isn't as gross as it looks. The pond weed isn't slimy at all. And it helps me to blend in to my surroundings.



So watch out you frogs -- I am a well-trained professional.

What the heck?

What the heck did Alpha do here? He cut down a cedar tree (that was choked by too much bittersweet), and put it in the garden pond as a resting platform for turtles.



But take a look who decided to take advantage of it? Now how am I supposed to get to him?



Ohhhhh, I have an idea. I'll make a sneak attack from the rear. Hey, I wasn't born yesterday ya know!

And, for you sensitive readers, let the record show that my sneak attack was unsuccessful :-(

It never rains ...

... in Southern California.

See my new "rain slicker" that Mom made for me. It's awesome. She's gonna enter it in an embroidery contest. I hope she wins. 'Course, the fact that I am in the picture is a big advantage, you must admit.

So what about Southern California? Well, that's where most of my family is off to on vacation. I'm having my own vacation with my trainer/boarder (Monica), and her doggies. Hopefully, I'll learn to like all the other dogs, and have lots of socialization.

So just as a reminder to the old-timers out there ...

It Never Rains in Southern California, by Albert Hammond

Got on board a westbound seven forty seven
Didn't think before deciding what to do
Ooh, that talk of opportunities, TV breaks and movies
Rang true, sure rang true

{Refrain}
Seems it never rains in southern California
Seems I've often heard that kind of talk before
It never rains in California, but girl don't they warn ya
It pours, man it pours

Out of work, I'm out of my head
Out of self respect, I'm out of bread
I'm underloved, I'm underfed, I wanna go home
It never rains in California, but girl don't they warn ya
It pours, man it pours

Will you tell the folks back home I nearly made it
Had offers but don't know which one to take
Please don't tell 'em how you found me
Don't tell 'em how you found me
Gimme a break, give me a break

{Refrain}

That would be *my* stick

Hey Pedro, you are a good friend, but we have to draw the line somewhere. And this here's *my* stick. OK?

My family is going on vacation tomorrow, and I'm am going to stay with a trainer. Hopefully, when I'm through, I'll be better at sharing ;-)

OBTW, I read a story that showed just how brave and loyal you chihuahuas can be. Very impressive, Pedro. Check it out

Full nelson

It seems that Alli has a thing for puppy hugs. I really appreciate that.

So long as it doesn't cut off any of my circulation ;-)

Just kidding Alli -- keep on showering me with your affection!

Puppy in red

I look good in red, doncha think?

What, do you think this is more like maroon, or maybe "mauve"? Oh, who cares!

Heck, I look good against any color.

Directionally challenged

I am a great frog hunter ... but ...

Sometimes I am directionally challenged.

And my family isn't much help here.

They tend to steer me in the wrong direction.

Who do they like more? The frogs? Or moi?


Apparently, the frogs ;-) Just wait -- you'll see what I mean

Look right ... no, I mean left

They are telling me to look to the right. They wouldn't mislead me now would they?


Now they are telling me to look to the left. But for some reason, I never seem to find them.

Whasssssup?

Half Nelson

Accccck. Alli has me in a half-nelson. Uncle! Uncle!

"You look mahvelous"

In the immortal words of Fernando Lamas (or perhaps better popularized by Billy Crystal) ...

"You look mahvelous". (Don't forget the Argentinian accent.)

Yes, I know, I know. And thanks for noticing!

Eligible To Join The AARP...

Today marks a milestone in Alpha's life...he's 50 years young and counting!!! (We would also like to note for the record that Frito is roughly the same age in dog years! We hope they both make at least another 50!) To mark this special occasion, Alli thought it fitting to induct Alpha into the Forever Young Club (since he's merely 27 ; ) ) So as of July 17, 2007, you are a LIFETIME member of the Forever Young Club!



So now, Frito, Mom, Greg & Alli would like to wish Alpha/Steve/Dad a HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY and many more to come!



And of course, it is only fitting that Alpha now has a T-shirt to sport showing everyone that his true age may be 50 but he's only half that at heart!

Amongst the shadows

A nice sunny day. Sniffing around the apple trees. Man, I need my shades. Check out the shadows. Shows you just how bright that sun is. Hey, this is what New England summers are all about. I love my yard.

Just a blur

Woah. Things are moving too fast around the my household. Alpha's getting too busy to keep my blog updated each morning. Doesn't he realize that I have a following? Everyone's moving so fast, things are just a blur!

Oh well, you know what they say ... one person's "art" is another's deleted photo. I'm glad there's lots going on around the house. Otherwise, life would be boring!

Out Kayaking

Well, you've seen me canoeing and kayaking before, but now -- I have my own personal seat!

See, Alpha made this out of a couple of swimming kick boards. Now it's easy for me to go all around the pond when ever someone wants to take out a kayak. Woo-hoo.

It does get a little toasty in the full sun, though. So if the wind isn't really rustling my hair, you may have to get me home soon, so I can dive off my seat and take a swim to cool off.

Friday the 13th

Look out! Here comes Frito Krueger (ha! ha!)

You are not scared, are you? Well, you better watch out ...

I might just slobber you to death!

Is this really necessary?

Did ya ever notice how you don't really smell bad, to yourself? Well, it seems my parents wanted to take advantage of all le Pew removal options (you'll recall from yesterday), and so I got an impromptu visit to see Dara again. (Pssst, here's a secret -- this option is only open to current customers.)

Yep, Dara gave me a multi-shampoo/bath with special anti-skunk shampoo and then a good rinse and squeegee, as you can see:





I then got a nice toweling and blow dry. I really quite enjoyed it, but thought these photos were the funniest. Oh Dara, did I get you wet? So sorry about that ;-)



I figured what with the toweling, and the blow-drying, that perhaps I should help to speed things up. Pretty nice of me, eh?



Then Dara sprayed me with some anti-skunk spray. And then even more blow-drying. Thanks Dara, and man, I like those earrings!



In the end, I did smell better. Don't you think Mom? But here's another secret: if you get sprayed by a skunk, you will smell it for a long-long time, no matter what you do, especially each time you get wet.



Well, I think my family is resigned to the l'odeur de Pepe le Pew, for if you ever remember seeing that cartoon, Pepe had nothing but l'amour for his girl (Penelope Pussycat). And though Penelope sometimes tried to resist, Pepe usually got the girl.

That's my plan, anyways ;-)

Pepe' le Pew

It's a little hard to tell from the photo, but perhaps the title gives away this story. Yep. Yesterday I found myself a skunk.

He wasn't really happy about the encounter, and so, I got the backside of his backside. Peee-eeeewwwww. Right in the kisser.

My eyes were all stinging, and I was rolling on the ground trying to get that stuff off. Alpha tried to get me into the pond, but that wasn't working for me ;-)

So inside the house we went, for multiple vigorous bathings, and saline solution for the eyes. No tomato juice, BTW -- that doesn't really work (according to the 'net).

In the end, my parents figured I didn't get a full dose. And so while the house (and I) still smell a little stinky, we will all survive.

And as you can see in this post-repeat-bath, post-vigorous-towel-roll photo, at least my eyes look fine.

Good thing we don't have aroma-web -- then you'd see that while I'm cute, I'm still smellin' a little bit like Pepe' le Pew.

Leave us be

Hey Alpha. Cool it with the flash. Mom and I are trying to sleep.

This is, after all, the cottage -- a place where we get to relax. So save those photo op's for when we're outside doing something energetic, like hunting chipmunks, or something. Well, maybe not Mom, but you understand ;-)

Wash and Rinse Cycle

Well, before we can talk about the wash and rinse cycle, we need to have a reason. And that would be this. A nice shallow pond, that during periods of little rain, becomes, well, a bit of a mud puddle.

But even that would probably not be enough reason. So maybe I'll do some diggin' in it ;-)



So you would think this means someone in my family needs to hose me off, or give me a bath in the sink, right? Naah. I just go into our little pond for the wash and rinse cycle. Ya see, if swim through the pond weed, and that washes off all the mud and dirt, and then I swim into open water, and get properly rinsed.



Now it is a rule. If I have been playing in the mud, I have to go for a swim in my own pond. Not such a bad deal, now, is it? Hey, I wonder if Dara's mud bath will be anything like this?

In the news

OK -- well maybe it's not the "news". But it is an official publication. OK, well, maybe not official. But hey, that's not the point.

If you click on the photo, you should be able to read the article. I'm the {first ever} Doggie Bag Featured Pampered Pet. You may recall my photo story on my day at the spaw. So now I am not only a dog with a blog, but also a published pooch.

Thanks to Dara and the Doggie Bag & Day Spaw for featuring me in their inaugural publication! (and guess what -- on my next grooming I get a complementary mud bath -- woo hoo)

Li'l P-nut

See how small I am, just sitting in Mom's lap.

Ya see, Alpha has a pet name for Mom. He sometimes calls her "P-nut".

Well, since it is a "pet" name, and since I am such a compact, lap-sized pooch, then perhaps it is obvious why I might be called "Li'l P-nut".

Hey, works for me.

No resemblance

I don't care what you say. I do not look anything like that goofy dog on the flippy-flopper.

He's a wuss. I am a ferocious beast. Don't believe me? Well, just grab hold of this thing and let's play some tug-o-war. I'll show you who's who and what's what.

Oh, so Alli is my next victim? Hold on tight Alli. Even though you are my girl, I will show no mercy. You might want to use two hands, girl. See at least I am fair. Check out that arched back -- what form, if I do say so myself!

Freeze frame

That's what Alpha did here. Freeze-frame He turned on the flash while I was drying myself off on the towel. Freeze-frame After a nice dip in Tucker Pond. Freeze-frame Notice the startled look on my face. Freeze-frame Hey, how would you like a zoom lens and flash stalking you just about everywhere you go. Freeze-frame

Someone needs to have a talk with Alpha. That man is possessed. Freeze-frame (Great J Geils Band song, BTW)

Happy 4th!

You've perhaps heard of "On Golden Pond". Well, this is celebrating the 4th of July "On Tucker Pond". And yes, it is just as bucolic. (Little fun fact: did you know that "Golden Pond" was actually filmed on Squam Lake, and is not that far from here.)

Anyways ... you can see that I got to go out for a canoe ride with Mom and Alpha. I like to actually sit in someone's lap (prefereably Mom's) which tends to make the paddling a bit more challenging. But hey, we're not in a race here. Just trying to soak up the sun, and the beautiful setting.

Oh, and where is Alli? Well, she's out in the kayak, of course (and the photographer for this fine photo ;-).

Here's wishing you all a happy and safe 4th of July!

Hydrate or Die

Whew boy -- it was a scorcher out there! See those big honkin' mugs behind me -- those are "Bubba Kegs" for Alpha, Mom and Alli. They keep ice water nice and cold for a long time, and my family just keeps a sippin'.

But wait? Where's MY Bubba Keg? Oh yeah, I almost forgot, I get to drink from the pond ;-)

Gettin' my greens

I believe in a balanced diet, ya see.

At home I get healthy chicken or hamburger for my snacks. My meals are all high quality meat (95%) of one kind or another.

But my body tells me when I also need my greens. So I find some tasty long grass and just much away.

As you can see, I can really get into it! Yummm.

Hammock Time

Did someone say Hammer Time? No, no, no -- Hammock Time!

Do you see this hammock? That was Alli's idea. It fit perfectly between two trees in our front yard, and provides useful shade for those sunny, hot summer afternoons.

It takes a little while to figure out how to safely navigate this twisty, stretchy thing, but once up there -- very nice.

Now Alli -- how are you going to get ME up there? Ahhhhhh, that's better!