Snow!

My First Snowstorm, 2009

It snowed!  And not just a little bit.  Over the course of about twenty four hours, a blizzard dumped just over one foot of snow onto my backyard.  I love it; always have.  I've loved snow ever since I was a little bitty puppy experiencing my very first snowstorm (which happened to be a substantial one like this).

Sister documented my adventures outside once the blizzard finally ended and I'd like to share the photos with my loyal readers.

1-2 Inches Accumulation

First, I helped everyone shovel--by barking out instructions of course!  In fact, I was so absorbed in my job of pointing out spots people missed and reminding everyone to lift with their legs and not with their backs, that I started developing a few inches of accumulation myself. It was well worth it though.  My family did a spectacular job of clearing the snow.  But I didn't just bark out instructions while I watched from behind my front fence.  I also spent some time gnawing on chunks of ice.

Searching for Intruders

Next I did a perimeter sweep of my backyard.  First, I bunked noses with Honey, the dog next door, and then I ran (or bunny hopped as Sister calls it) across the yard to chase down (and bark at) a woodpecker pecking at the neighbor's tree.  After scaring the woodpecker off, I started checking for bunnies and squirrels, but luckily, the snow seemed to have kept them away.

Where Did That Ball Go?

After that, Ma and I played ball, or at least tried to.  As I've said in the past, I'm not a big fan of the game.  But snow, I figured, makes everything better so I thought I'd give it another try.  However, as soon as Ma tossed me the ball, I quickly discovered that there was a big problem with the game.  As soon as the ball landed in the snow, it was gone.  I stuck my head in some footprint holes and dug a few new ones, but I simply could not find the ball.  Eventually, Sister took pity on me, located my ball, and handed it to me.  My final verdict:  the game of fetch is about as pointless in the snow as it is on dry ground.

Lounging on the Mountain

Exhausted from searching for my ball and correcting people's snow shoveling techniques, I decided to take a break by lounging on the giant mountain of snow Ma was building for me from what had accumulated on the driveway.  Later this week, when it gets a little harder as a result of melting, I'll start "dig, dig, digging" my way through it, but for now, since it was nice and soft, it made for a comfortable place to rest and take in the world for a couple of minutes.

Ripping Snowballs Out of My Tail

Now, my family knows it's time to go inside when they start getting cold.  Me?  I know it's time to go in when I start developing snowballs in my fur.  It's really quite embarrassing.  One minute I'm running around the backyard without a care in the world and suddenly I notice that my chest, legs, and tail are covered in miniature snowballs and there are ice pellets stuck in between my toes.  I do my best to rip them out myself, but the best tool for the job is easily the hairdryer.

And do you know what the best part of this entire event was?  It's the fact that the snow, because of its volume, will be around for days, if not weeks, to come.  The fun will literally go on and on!

The One That Got Away

My family has learned something new about me over the last couple of months.  They have come to realize that, thanks to the big back yard out east and the newly installed fence, I am a natural born athlete.  True, I am not a ball dog nor am I a Frisbee dog, a swimming dog, or a dog who can scoot around on a skateboard (though it does look like fun).  I am, however, a runner.  I can run very fast and, when properly motivated, I can run for a relatively long stretch of time.  My athleticism was tested today, and thanks to my training, I almost caught the prize.

Sister and I were hanging outside in the backyard.  Sister was talking with the next door neighbor while I alternated between bunking noses with the neighbor’s dog Honey, snoozing in the sun, and trying to inconspicuously dig a hole under the forsythias (I only managed a small hole...Sister was keeping a very close eye on me because she said Ma and Pa would skin both of us alive if I got muddy so soon after getting a bath).  Anyway, eventually Sister decided that it was time to go in and offered me a cookie to agree with her decision (what can I say, I'm easily bought).  Overflowing with puppy energy and the promise of food, I scurried toward the side door of the house.

But as I reached the side door, I noticed something hunkered down in the grass by the front gate near the remnants of the hole I dug almost a week ago.  With a warning bark, I bounded over only to discover a squirrel.

I will admit that I was shocked at first.  I really didn't expect to see an interloper on my property while I was outside.   The squirrel, on the other paw, was downright horrified (hey, he trespassed on my property!) and quickly tried to make a break for it.  But rather than just slip under the fence and off my property, he decided to try running past me (just like the lizard in my first post).  So, I did the only thing I could do:  I chased after him.

A Map of What Happened

The squirrel ran directly in front of me, up and over the side steps, past Sister who was screaming (I believe she was shouting "Rigby, leave it" but I can't be certain because I was kind of preoccupied and did not pay much attention to her), into the backyard, and onto the fence separating my property from Honey's (I was inches behind him the entire way).  Running toward the front of the property via the top of the fence, the squirrel came face to face with Honey who gave chase steering him back in my direction (while Honey's mom screamed something as well).  The squirrel panicked, jumped to the ground, scurried toward the tree, jumped back onto the fence, jumped onto the tree, stumbled and fell down about a foot (leaving him about a foot above me), then hot-footed it up the tree while Honey and I barked hysterically.

I almost had him.  This was the closest I've ever gotten to catching one of those stupid little furry animals that routinely trespass on my property, and I owe my success to all the practice I had out east!

A Guest Blogger: Ralphie

I had a bit of a scare this weekend.  For a brief second, I thought that my family was auditioning other Golden Retrievers for my spot in the family.

You see, I spent a peaceful weekend out east with Ma and Pa, but when I returned to our house on Sunday afternoon I was greeted by Sister and another dog!  I won’t lie, at first I was horrified.  But then I realized that it wasn’t some strange dog at all.  It was my friend Ralphie who had spent the weekend with my Sister while his human Sister got married.

Upon realizing that my place in the family was secure, I was relaxed enough to begin enjoying Ralphie’s company.  We checked out the backyard together and Ralphie tried to teach me some pointers in playing with a tennis ball (yeah, I still don’t get it).  Then we raced inside the house, turned around, and raced back out again (I tried to scoot under Ralphie as we came down the side steps…not the smartest idea on my part).  Next we took turns trying to muscle each other out of the way to collect the most pets from Pa, Ma, and Sister.

The fun was short lived, however, because Ralphie’s Mom came over to take him home (of course, we spent some time trying to muscle all the pets from her as well).

Before he left to go home, Ralphie asked if he could share all the fun stuff he did over the weekend with my readers as a guest blogger.  With a wag of my tail, I whole-heartedly agreed that he should.

So, without further delay…

Ralphie’s Awesome Adventure 

By Ralphie

There has been a lot of hustle and bustle around my house lately and it is all because my Sister Laura was getting married.  Yay Laura!

Saturday was the big day and Mom told me that I was going to spend the day at my friend Rigby’s house so that I wouldn’t be lonely.  “Oh boy!  That sounds like fun!” I thought.  Then she said that Rigby might not be home, but that his Sister would hang out with me.  “Yay! More pets for me!”

Mom packed my overnight bag and escorted me to the car.  Then we drove a couple of blocks away, got out, and I dragged Mom toward Rigby’s house (I’d never been there before, but his Sister was standing in the door and I’ve visited her at the Library many times).

Baby

I was beyond excited when I stepped foot in the house.  Rigby’s Sister was there and the entire place smelled like Rigby.  I ran through the living room sniffing the floor, the dog pillow, and the plants.  Next, I ran into the dining room, scurried around the table, and stuffed my nose in the empty water bowl.  I turned to head back into the living room where Mom and Rigby's Sister were talking, but stopped short when I saw a small plush toy lying by the table leg.  "Yay!" I thought as I picked up Baby and bounded into the living room vocalizing to show off to Mom and Rigby's Sister.

Then Mom left.  I was very sad to see her go, but I reminded myself that I was in a fun new place and that Rigby's Sister was a sucker for dogs that like having their heads rubbed (and I just so happen to be a dog that loves to have his head rubbed). 

The rest of the day was a whirlwind of fun!  I...

Watching TV

• ...broke into the "Land of No" (a fun adventure).
• ...watched the Diving Dog Competition on TV (I was rooting for the Golden Retriever of course).
• ...met Rigby's Aunt B (a nice lady who was quite impressed with my happy-go-lucky personality).
• ...chewed on a tennis ball (Rigby collects them at the park...sounds like a good idea--I should ask Mom if I can start a collection).
• ...bunked noses and ran up and down the length of the fence

  

  Saying "Hi" to Honey

  with Honey, the Yellow Lab who lives next door (I showed off by barking with two tennis balls in my mouth).
• ...had many hours of quality ear scratches including a twenty minute belly rubbing session (I heard Sister say that she's amazed that my family gets anything done during the day because I only had to look up at her with my big brown eyes to make her drop everything and rub my ears).

By night time I was completely exhausted, but Rigby's Sister was still wide awake (though she did say that she was developing cramps in her hands from petting me--she assured me that she would feel better by morning).  When she finally did decide to go to bed, she declared that if I was camping out so should she.  "That [yawn] sounds like fun [yawn]!" I thought.  So that evening, Rigby's Sister and I camped out on the living room couch and floor respectively.

Rigby's Sister and I woke up bright and early the next morning.  "You're going home today!" she told me as she cooked my breakfast.  "Yay!  Mom's coming back and I get to eat my breakfast!  How can today get any better?!" I thought.  A little while later (after a quick nap--Rigby's Sister is not a morning person) Rigby's Sister and I went outside and I got to play with Honey again and meet Rigby's other neighbor who at first mistook me for Rigby himself.

Me and a Tennis Ball

A little while after lunch (Rigby's Sister ate lunch...I got a tasty treat that Mom had packed in my overnight bag) I heard a rustling outside.  Rigby's Sister opened the door and when I rushed outside I found Rigby, his Mom, and his Dad waiting to greet me!  Yay!  Rigby and I ran around and showed off our play stances, then Rigby's Mom gave me a scratch on the head and allowed me to lean on her leg, and Rigby's Dad patted me on my side and told Rigby that he should take notes on how to be a ball dog (I was vocalizing with a tennis ball in my mouth at the time).  Then Mom arrived and the party got even better!

What a great 24 hours!

Digging For Attention

It is a sad fact of life, but sometimes my family does not pay me the attention I so rightfully deserve.  I mean, I give them ample alone time when they are at work or running errands, but after that I believe their waking and sleeping hours should be completely devoted to me and my needs.  Is that so much to ask for?  I think not!  Anyway, as I was saying, sometimes my family gets a bit distracted.  When that happens I am forced to act out so as to remind them of their duty to me.  Yesterday was just such a day.

Sister had taken a few of days off from work to start her Christmas shopping.  Knowing this, I understood and accepted the fact that she would be a bit more distracted than usual and I was willing to give her a pass because Santa is watching and if I want a new plush toy to rip the squeaker out of I need to be on my best behavior.  Therefore, I looked away when she left the house first thing in the morning and didn't come back until lunch time after which she sometimes went back out again.  But our agreement didn't end there nor was it so one sided.  For allowing Sister ample time to go Christmas shopping I demanded, in return, that, when she was home, she was required to spend the entire time scratching my ears, rubbing my belly, and giving me treats.

Well, Sister didn't hold up her end of the bargain.

Once Sister got home from the mall she let me out into the back yard.  First, I sniffed around and checked the perimeters.  Next, I chased a squirrel down the fence and up a tree (A quick side story:  The people in the yard behind me have created a security breach by leaving a cut up pumpkin in their backyard for the squirrels to eat.  Now I'm spending a considerable amount of my day chasing those interloping squirrels out of my yard).  After that I bunked noses with the Honey, the Yellow Lab next door.  It was then that I realized that I had lost complete track of Sister's whereabouts. 

I scanned the backyard.  Nothing.  I ran down the driveway.  She wasn't there.  There was only one thing left to do:  Bark as long and as loud as I could to alert the neighborhood that my Sister had gone somewhere without me and that I was quite displeased.  After the first few barks (one of which was my trademark, ear piercing, high pitched yip), I heard the following shout come from within the house: "I'm coming!  I'm coming!"  Now, I wasn't particularly happy with Sister's tone, but I was glad to hear that she hadn't gone somewhere exciting without me and quickly ran to the door with my tail wagging.  My joy, however, was short lived.

From the basement Sister emerged with a giant vacuum cleaner which she brought outside and placed next to her car (a car, I might add, that I'm not allowed to ride in because it is too new...not that I'm bitter or anything).  Then, rather than chase me into the backyard and play my favorite game in the whole world "Rip A Branch Off The Forsythia Bush And Keep It Away From Sister," Sister proceeded to vacuum then wash her car.  What nerve!

As I'm sure you will all agree, I really had no choice; I had to regain Sister's attention.  I decided to start small:  I laid down and started chewing on a stick.  Stick chewing usually brings Sister running because she's afraid that I might get a piece stuck in my throat, but she didn't even notice.  Spitting out the shredded wood, I made the quick decision to move right on to Plan B:  Barking at imaginary things on the other side of my fence.  Apparently, I underestimated how deafening the vacuum cleaner was.  "Plan C it is," I thought.  I casually meandered over to the flower bed located right alongside Sister's car, found a nice soft patch of dirt with the dried up stem of a plant sticking up, and started to dig with abandon.  I threw dirt so high up in the air that it looked as though it was snowing and, for good measure, I even pinged a few small rocks off Sister' bumper.  But it was all for naught; she was still too distracted.  Figuring that perhaps she didn't notice me digging because her car obstructed her view, I moved on to another more visible spot and dug some more.  Nothing!  Totally defeated, I found a grassy spot, laid down, and took a nap.



...and what a fine hole it was

Needless to say, Sister eventually found my holes and asked out loud who was responsible for them.  I wagged my tail proudly.  Maybe next time she won't ignore me.

Two Sides of the Same Story

Ma and I had a bit of a disagreement this evening about a specific event which occurred when she came home from work.  I have chosen to share both sides of the story to allow my loyal readers a chance to decide on their own whose side of the story is accurate.

Ma's Side:  (AKA The Lie)
Ma parked her car in front of the house and started up the driveway toward the gate.  As she got closer, she noticed that I too was in the driveway, but rather than running over to her to greet her, I was simply staring into the next door neighbor's yard intently.  She opened the gate and walked in, closing the gate behind her with a loud click meant to gain my attention.  I didn't move.  She walked toward me calling my name, but, save for raising my ears up as though I heard a strange noise, I ignored her and continued staring into the other yard.

Suddenly, I turned and ran at top speed into the backyard to investigate a sound that only I heard.  Ma watched as I scurried in and out of the bushes searching for the source of the sound never realizing that Ma was right there.  

I might not have realized she was there, but someone else did:  the yellow lab next door named Honey.  Honey started barking because she wanted my Ma to pet her and I sprinted to the fence because I wanted to play with her (you see, according to Ma, Honey and I are really quite different.  Honey is a people dog--she likes to hang out with people.  I'm more of a dog's dog--I get along with people splendidly, but given my druthers, I prefer to hang out with other dogs).

When Honey's mom called her into the house, Ma started calling my name again which I seemingly ignored until, all of a sudden, her voice actually made it from my ears to my brain and I turned around to find Ma standing behind me.  I was overjoyed and ran to greet her.


My Side:  (AKA The Truth)
Ever since daylight savings time ended, I've noticed that it is very dark outside when Sister comes home from work and lets me out to explore.  As Head of Security, this darkness is quite problematic and could potentially lead to a major security breech.  Therefore, I must be extra vigilant in checking the property's perimeters for any intruders each evening.

With that said, I knew that Ma was due home from work at any moment and I wanted to make sure that there were no dangerous characters hanging around the property.  I was in the process of visually checking out the yard next door, when I noticed that Ma had just pulled up in front of the house.  Although I had every intention of running to the gate to greet her, I was distracted when I though I heard something on the other side of the fence.

While I was busy standing stock still trying to determine if someone (or something) was encroaching on my property, Ma had exited her car, entered through the gate, and was currently a few feet away from me.  It was then she started calling my name.  Now I can't express to you just how annoying that was.  There I was trying to determine if the sound I heard was coming from the next yard and I couldn't concentrate because Ma was making a ruckus.  

In between Ma shouting my name, I suddenly heard a sound coming from my backyard.  Desperate to keep Ma safe, I ran as fast as I could into the yard in search of the source of the sound.  I found nothing.

Then Honey appeared at the fence.  I quickly ran over to her to ask if she had seen or heard anything suspicious, but once again Ma was calling my name and I couldn't hear her answer.

Realizing that I wasn't going to be able to fulfill my position as Head of Security until I paid Ma some attention (I love her, but she can be so needy), I ran to her side to say hello.  Afterward, I considered continuing my search for the cause of the sound, but Ma suggested that we go inside for dinner and I figured that we'd all be safe inside the house.

So really, whose story do you believe?