The Royal "We"

Actually, this looks more like a photo of The Royal "Me" (hee, hee).

But the reason for the title is that Alli was just cuddling with me, and said out loud: "I guess we'll keep him."

Alpha then noted, having had to get up in the middle of the night every two hours (along with Mom), that by "we", she must mean the "Royal We", as in not her ;-)

But don't worry, I'm pretty sure Alpha and Mom will keep jumping to answer my every whim. 'Cause I'm a very lucky dog.

Worthy of royalty -- indeed.

I'm not blue

Not me. Nope.

Maybe the blanket that Alli made for me. But not me.

Look at that face. That is a happy boy.

I'm not blue.

'Cause if I were blue, I'd blend into the background.

HM Frito

So here's the deal. I'm almost totally better now, since the vet has increased my dosage of medicine.

My fur, er hair, is coming in beautifully. I don't seem to be shivering as much. My hoppers are working great.

But there is one remaining problem: I want to drink lots and lots of water.

So my parents give me little saucers of water whenever I ask for it. Even in the middle of the night. 2-3 times.

And then I usually ask to go outside to pee. Needless to say, it makes for a restless night for everyone.

But hey, that's why I'm called "HM Frito". Do you know what 'HM' stands for?

Some think it stands for "His Majesty". But Alpha figures it just stands for "high maintenance". Either way, I'm special ;-)

Big Smile

Look who's got the big smile today -- it's Alli!

And that's probably because she's just so darned happy to be taking me on a walk.

Way to go, Hawaii girl. I hope you don't freeze too much ;-)


Well, at least it's not really-really cold right now.

And as you can see -- not a white Christmas for us.

Hey, ya know what? I'm totally OK with that ;-)

In my cave

Even though the 'rents are keeping the German house much warmer than usual, I still need to keep myself toasty.

And what better way than to actually burrow into my Minky Cave.

Even better than my Minky Sandwich.

Now if someone can just keep the photographer away, life will be perfect ;-)

Pffeeww, and I'm spent!

It was a tough Xmas morning, but someone had to do it.

Early wake-up, presents, waffle breakfast, and some Johnny Mathis in the background.

Looks like some folks had to crash (before noon mindya).

But not Alpha, nope. Always with the flash photography. Jeez


And lucky for you all.

Otherwise you might have missed this cutie pie snoozin' close-up.

But now, your day is all set. You, too, can rest now ;-)

I'm the best present of all

Ho Ho Ho!

We got up early (since Alli is still on Hawaii time), and celebrated.

Aka -- "opened presents" ;-)

And while there were some nice presents under the Xmas tree ...

... everyone knows just who is the best present of all ... c'est moi!

Merry Christmas everybody!

Muddy trail; colorful walkers

Well, it looks like it won't be a white Christmas over here.

We had 4" of snow a few days ago, but now it is all gone.

And we're left with some muddy trails as a result.

Fortunately, Mom and I are here to brighten up your day.

You are SO lucky ;-)

Lovely shades of brown

Have you seen how nice my fur, er, hair looks these days.

It's like I'm back to being just a young pup.

No more shades of gray (and no Grecian formula required ;-)


Yesiree.

Just some lovely shades of brown.

Minky sandwich

OK, it doesn't get much better than this.

I have two layers of my mink blanket underneath me.

And two layers on top.

So that makes me a minky sandwich.

And it also makes me very toasty warm.

Loungin' with Alli

Well, will you lookee who has arrived! It's my girl, Alli!

And after she and I took a long nap together on the sofa, it's time for some loungin'.

I lead a really rough life, don't I?

But hey -- it's my girl -- and anything goes for us.

I'm happy, happy, happy to see Alli, Alli, Alli.

Woo hoo!

Furry animal

Another "BH" shot -- as in "Before Haircut".

I cannot get over how different I look.

I guess it just shows what a master of disguise I really am.

Smilin' at the water hole

Back again at the water hole.

Anytime I get unrestricted access to nice cold water these days, I'm a happy camper.

Looks like Mom's pretty happy too.

Shaggy beast

Here's a shot from before my haircut.

You can see just how shaggy I was.

But, just so you know, the Shaggy Beast title really refers to Alpha.

Hee, hee.

Quite a tongue

I'm visiting the Vet, so I get a little bit nervous.

So what does Alpha do?


Well, of course, he takes pictures.

Thanks for all the comforting Alpha.

Jeez.

But at least you all are the lucky ones, since you get to see another Frito close-up!

Sour puss

Looks like somebody's face is changing into a sour puss.

Methinks there's something rotten in Denmark, er, Böblingen

Thankfully, I'm as beautiful as always.

Umm, it's not what you think

I guess this would be the "other" local color in town.

Just one block off our normal walking route home.

And yes.

Alpha said he just had to take a picture.

Big surprise there ;-)

Local color

Interesting graffiti murals on the school in town.


Perhaps some budding artists in Böblingen.

Or just hooligans ;-)

Alli-gator

Get it?

Waiting to see my girl.

She's planning on coming over to Germany for Xmas.

Woo-hoo!

Hear ye, hear ye

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears!

Oh, never mind, I've still got mine.

And they are cuter than yours anyways (hee, hee)

Check out the town lake

So this is our destination.

A nice walk to downtown Böblingen.


It's a really nice place to walk to.

There lots of water nearby in case I'm still thirsty.


And isn't that just a beautiful view.

Countin' my blessings. Yesiree.

Time for a drink

Well after all of that running, I'm a little thirsty.

But this stream is right along our walk.

This is one of my favorite watering holes.

Yummy and refreshing!

Slow Poke

Oh Alpha.

What were you thinking?

I'm well ahead of you right after the gun goes off.


And I'm even further ahead, as we run down the Böblingen school running track.


And no surprise here.

I'm ahead of you at the finish line as well.

'Cause your a slow poke.

At least compared with moi (aka Speedy Gonzoles)

But the question is, do you think Alpha is more like Slow Poke Rodriguez or Sylvero Gato?

Such a cute couple

And fall must be here.

You get to see Mom with her earmuffs.

And I'm in my double vest -- dashing brown corduroy over my blue vest.

Very "fetching" as they say.

Keep me in focus ...

... if you can.

After all, I run like the wind.

And Alpha can't move that camera fast enough.

Especially if he has to run along side me to take the picture.

Not a chance.

Are they magic ones?

I don't know. Don't ask me.

And I'm not about to try them to find out.

You go ahead and take your own little magical mystery tour.

I'm sticking with puppy chow!

Awww, is that for moi?

Thanks Mom.

You've picked me a flower, er, wait a minute, that's a weed.

Can you see the disdain in my face with a funny look?.

Next time, let's get the real thing, "K?

Tablecloths and Napkins

Well, will you lookee here.

I'm getting to dine at a fancy restaurant.

See that -- real tablecloths and napkins.

Must be for a "special dinner".

You know Alpha doesn't splurge that often (hee, hee).

OK, we're heading home now

Well, that awesome vacation had to come to a close at some point.

So we're headed home, or at least back to the hotel


So that wraps it up for one more of our Alpine hiking adventures in Switzerland.

I hope you liked all of the scenery.

Mom and Alpha say next year they might try the Italian alps.

That is, if they haven't gone bankrupt by then (hee, hee).

Would probably make things cheaper, anyway ;-)

Switzerland is really pricey these days.

Getting hugs

Awww, that's nice of you Mom.

Perhaps you can carry me the rest of the way, whadya say?


And as for you Alpha, I said "hugs".

This is "dangling."

Repeat after me: "not the same."

There's the (receding) glacier

So there it is.

The Aletsch Glacier. It's really huge, but this is only a part of it. In fact, it's the largest glacier in the Alps.

And as you can perhaps tell, it's been receding for a while.

We didn't walk all the way to the end, for that would have been many more miles.


Boy, that sure is a beautiful trail.

I can't think of a prettier place to hike.


And what a beautiful Mom too.

And such an adventurer.


And as for Alpha ... well he's just a little strange ;-)

I wonder what's at the end of this trail?

Man, this is a long hike.

Are we going anywhere in particular?

I mean, what's at the end of this trail (and how much further is it)?


Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!

A glacial pond and I got to get cooled off again.

This time straight for the grass -- who needs a towel.

So is there anything else cool up here?


Holy mackeral, there's a herd of cows up here.

And they seem to be a little territorial.

They are chasing Mom back down the trail.

Way to go Mom, thanks for creating a diversion for us!

We owe you one (hee, hee).

Is this the right trail?

There was a fork in the "road" back there.

We took the low road, but aren't entirely sure if we are on the right trail. Oops


Phew! This is the right trail.

Says so, right here.