Boo!

Did I scare you? Well, I hope so, seeing as it is now Halloween.

But as you can see, I also scared Mom and Alpha -- they did not dare to dress me up in some embarrassing costume.

So sometimes is good to bare your teeth now and again ;-)

But then it's better to run over and slobber everyone.

Safety orange

Perhaps you can see the value of my safety orange vest. Can't see me, but can't miss me either.

Mom and Alpha want to make sure I am well seen when running though the hunter-infested NH woods.

Actually, I think they want me to protect them as well, since I didn't see them donning any orange vests ;-)

We are the champions!

Well, I guess that would be the Boston Red Sox.

Are they awesome or what?

I "tip my hat" to their performance. Sweep, sweep, sweep!

Me and Stitch

So this is my neighbor, Stitch. He's a beautiful horse -- but he's a little high strung.

I have to make sure I don't wander into his paddock, as I'd probably become hoof fodder.

To make sure he knows I'm near, I tend to bark my head off when I see him.


Either that, or in the immortal words of Monty Python and the Holy Grail: "Run away! Run away!"

Fall foliage

The leaves are falling quickly. Pretty, don't you think?

Unless, of course, you have to rake them up.

Mom ... better fire up the giant leaf sucker ;-)

Rub vigorously ...

... but not too vigorously, Mom ;-)

No, it's OK, sometimes I like to be razzed-up. Get's out all of my eye-boogers as well.

OK, so maybe that was more than you needed to know.

Mr. Wiggley Butt

Ah, ahem, that would be Mr. Wiggley Butt's butt.

I don't mind, really, as I know I have a cute tushe and fast moving tail ;-)

Golden glow

Here I am posing in some early evening natural light, as the sun is going down.

Kinda gives me a nice golden glow, donchathink?

Don't try this at home

Ya see that colorful groundcover?

It's in the neighborhood apple orchard and we went there on a record-setting warm fall day.

But here's the catch ... that's poison ivy! Whoops.

I hope Alli doesn't catch it just looking at this picture ;-)

Don't worry, everyone at home is fine (we think). And at least *I* don't get poison ivy!

Takin' a break

Mom and Alpha had been working outside all day running the lawn tractor and leaf sucker. Man, I hate those contraptions -- they make so much noise. So I spent much of this (beautiful) day indoors.

But they took some breaks and played with me in the grass, and took me for walks. It's a good compromise until I learn to ignore those machines (don't think that's gonna happen ;-)

Maybe 'cuterest'?

OK, so maybe the correct word is 'cuterest'!

I think you really must agree.

And if not, someone contact American Heritage Dictionary, and send them this picture.

That way when they add the word, they will have an appropriate photo to go with it ;-)

Call me vicious

Have you seen anyone as scary as moi?

This tree branch was blocking my way, so I decided to grab it and do my part to break it up.

Out-a-my-way tree, or else!

"Cuterer" is not a word ...

... but it should be.

Because cute does not do justice.

Not even cuter.

Only cuterer.

Mom picks up the gauntlet

Check it out. My big green eyes cannot be ignored.

Mom picked up the gauntlet. Watch out Mom, I might just bite your hand.


Wow, now that's the way.

Go on, keep on tugging. I can pull with the best of them.

Don't let go -- I got it now!

Won't you play with Green Eyes?

Who can refuse this face? Those eyes?

I even brought you a play toy. All you have to do is pick it up and hold on.

I'll do the rest. It will be fun. Come on, come on, pick it up already!

Is that for me?

Oh boy, Alpha! Is that for me?

It looks sooooo yummy! Thank you, thank you.

If you want, I'll do my happy dance!

Shake it off

Omigosh! What is this? A sweater?

Come on -- isn't it still summertime?

Maybe I can just shake the darn thing off!

Cool reflection

Sorry -- I don't mean to overdo the Tucker Pond posts. But check out that cool reflection of the cloud and the shoreline.

Simply spectacular and rather sublime.

Oh yeah, and my presence adds quite a bit, donchathink?

Sunset Suppertime

See, it's all in how you look at things.

Some see a beautiful sunset at the top of Burnt Hill.

Others see "suppertime" calling. And guess what, I win ;-)

I call it: "Frito's Finale"

Alpha's done it once again. Took a flawed photo and made it into "art."

I kinda like it -- how about you? Click on it -- you will be able to see the brush strokes.

Oh, and about the name. Don't worry, it's not the "end" of Frito-a-Day. It's just a double-entendre on my touche -- get it?

Mom's here too

Hey, I didn't want to leave Mom out -- she brought me up to the cottage also.

We had a great time. Check out that view! Tucker Pond rocks!

Well, it's about time

Well, it's about time! Big traveler, finally back from his vacation ;-)

Just kidding, we're glad to have you back. Especially since you took me up to the cottage. You KNOW how much I love it up there.

But what is this I hear? Another trip next week? Alpha, we've gotta talk!

Still waiting for Alpha

Well, he is supposed to be home today!

Hurry up, Alpha!!

I got some kisses waiting for you!

Waiting for Alpha

Just where the heck is that guy.

I'm pretty patient, ya know.

That's my marathoner

Guess what. If you are reading this post, it can only mean one thing. Alpha actually dragged his old bag 'o bones across the finish line in the Portland, OR marathon.

Congratulations from your favorite training partner ;-)

OK, Alpha, that makes ONE! Good start.

Now, I'll expect to see you on the trail as soon as you get home!

For those that are interested, Alpha has posted some photos from the marathon:


This shows the early morning start, and just a fraction of the runners. Wow.


Here's Alpha before the race begins. Note the smile (hee, hee). Actually, I understand he was smiling most of the way (but then, we know he's a nut).


It had been bretty crummy weather in Portland this week -- but check this out, the sun came out (fortunately, only briefly). But really, the weather was perfect for running. And no rain!


This is the "big hill" in the Portalnd Marathon (really, not all that big). Yet, you can see quite a few folks walking. Alpha wanted me to pass along that HE never walked at all. Ran the whole thing (woo-hoo).


Here's the bridge that the hill leads up to. That was kinda cool.


And here is the view from the bridge -- really purty.


Ahhh, the finish line. Alpha's time was actually a little better than what you see there. So many people ran, that they gave each one a "chip" that went on their running shoe, and their official time was recorded whenever they ran over the start and finish line. For the record, his was 4:28:31.

Got a lap available?

So, I'm ready to be a lap dog! Are you ready for me? Here I come!

Oh come on -- you're not going to let a little water curtail your affecton, now are you?

Can't see me!

I bet you can't see me!

No really -- I can't see you either.

OK, so maybe this belongs in the stupid dog tricks repertoire ;-)

Macro -- again

Well, here I am next to some nice flowers.

Alpha, why not save the macro shots for them, and give me a rest, OK?

Breakfast time!

What?!? Have you never seen someone wolf down (er, I mean eat) breakfast before?

Come on, if its yummy, I like to eat with gusto. You got a problem with that?

Walking with Mom

Mom is getting up pretty early these days, and taking me out for my morning walk.

I'd say I'm pretty lucky. Well, she is too. After all, look who she gets to hold!

Special Report: Backpacking Update

Well, well, it seems that Alpha survived his backpacking adventure. Look who he met at the trailhead -- this is Kodiak, and he's going backpacking with his family (he's carrying his own supplies). Hey Alpha: I wanna backpack too!


Alpha did have to be his own beast of burden for this adventure. He estimates the pack weighing in at 55 lbs. But keep in mind, that does include fresh chicken breasts and filet mignon for dinner the first two nights. I guess he was only roughing it in some aspects.


Here is a view of the lake at their campsite. He had beautiful weather, and I hear he really had a great time.


From their base camp, he and his backpacking buddies took some day hikes that only required a small day pack -- much more leisurely. I probably wouldn't even need a pack under these circumstances.



Wow, sure looks pretty up there in the High Sierra. Alpha, next time, can I come ... please???

Who starched the ears?

Hey Mooomm? Did you use any of that spray starch on my ears?

I'll tell you one thing -- I can sure hear well!

p.s., Alpha says hi -- he survived the backpacking camping trip (and has now washed off all the campfire smoke). Check out the previous posts - we are now caught up (as promised).

Bouncin' off the walls

Here's another one -- see me bouncin' off the walls? Going a little stir crazy here ;-)