My Runaway Neighbor

Ricco lives across the street and likes to roam the neighborhood, much to his humans dismay. They’ve done everything to keep him in, but somehow he gets out and goes visiting.

Today, he got out once again and ended up at a house a block away.  Since Ricco’s humans weren’t home, we dog-sat until his Dad arrived. That was fine with me–I don’t usually have play-dates at my house.

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We did some might fine racing in our little back yard. (Mom said I was smart to have jumped over her butternut squash vine with 5 little babies on it. I guess we’d have been in trouble if we broke it….)

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And you can’t have a good play-date without bitey-face…

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and a little wrestling.

 

 

 

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Let’s do this again!

 

 

Ocean Adventure-Part II

 

During dinner at Tidal Raves in Depoe Bay (Wyatt’s Mom over at Gardening with Wyatt recognized that gorgeous view), Mom decided to find another beach for an evening romp. Just a bit down the road is Moolack Beach. Ya’ know that sun-in-my-face photo from last Wednesday? That’s the place.

It was a little scramble down a cliff,No problem.

Because at the bottom was this wonderful beach with no hu-mans or dogs anywhere! Well, except for Mom and me. It was all a dog could want.

Way off in the distance is Yaquina Head Lighthouse…can you see it? One day we’ll go visit it, but today it was all about Moolack Beach and me.

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I loved the tidal pools

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My furs have to get wet somehow and I know that’s the bestest way in the whole world to cool down after a crazy ball-playing session. .

Come on, Mom. Get the lead out!

 

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After a little scramble up the rocks, we headed back to our hotel for a much-needed night of rest!

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We wrapped up our little anniversary-cation at the “D” River in Lincoln City. It’s supposed to be the shortest river in the whole world.

Really?

 

My Ocean Adventure

Bags were packed and stuff was being hauled out to the car. It was Mom & Dad’s anniversary.

What does this mean? Was I being left behind? I was a bit worried, but pretty soon I was going out to the car too! YIPPEE–an adventure!!

And, not only was it an adventure…it was a beach adventure.  One of my favoritest places to be! Surf was up the day we got there.I love, love, love water, but I wasn’t crazy enough to go in THAT! Those waves even sucked my ball out, but if you wait long enough, they brought it back. Waves are nice like that….

I thought we’d go home–that’s what we usually do–but there was a reason for those suitcases. There are lots of places that like dogs along the coast and the one we stayed at, Historic Anchor Inn, was a place we’ve been to before (Mom reminds me I ran out our cabin door at 1:30 am that time…I just wanted to explore. I guess my only defense is that I was less than a year old then). But, I behaved impeccably this time, I’ll have you know.

Dinner was in Depoe Bay (not me…I wasn’t allowed) and Mom & Dad saw a whale crossing the bay…blowing out it’s blowhole. (Mom wished she could have gotten a picture, but it was too far out). Pretty cool, huh?

Next stop…Moolack Beach. Check back tomorrow for more of my adventure!

Wordless Wednesday: Lovin’ the Sun

Pack Dynamics

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You know my Toby left me 4 months ago today. I know what happened…I was there when he passed over the Rainbow Bridge.

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And I’ve been happy being the ‘only dog’ at home. I have my pack of friends–Toby II, Macy, Caly and Tucker–and, if you’ve read my stories, you know a little about them. Oh, and there’s my boyfriend Wyatt, but he’s moving to Montana.

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My friends, Caly and Tucker, are about my size. We meet often and  have a romping good time! Toby II and Macy live across the street and were the very first members of my extended pack. Macy is 12-years old and is a lab/pit mix. I think I’m the only one (well, besides her bro, Toby II) who can jump all over her and get her to play. Toby II is a big dog that’s a Great Pyrenees/Husky mix.

The phone rang the other day and I knew it was Toby II and Macy’s Mom…how many of you recognize your human friends ring-tone?  Yes, I really do. I know it means something good is going to happen. Well, this time, I wasn’t so sure. She decided to foster a dog. Not just any dog, but a 2-year old Saint Bernard named Haley. A BIG dog.You say, “piece of cake”. Well, not so fast. We first met on a walk around the block. I studiously ignored her. Mom was a little surprised as this isn’t my usual reaction to a new dog. I meet and greet with the best of you.

Not this time.

The next day, we all met in their house. We always have good treats and I usually entice Toby II and Macy to play.

Not this time.

Haley was in the room and I was a little scared. She didn’t do anything and just wanted to be loved (that’s what Mom says). But, I was scared. My Toby would have known what to do, but he’s not here to tell me anymore. I have to figure out these things myself now. And sometimes it’s hard.

Mom said a little exposure every day will help, so the next day, we went over again. I stayed outside. I could tell the humans were having a good time inside, but I thought looking for my neighbor’s kitties was a better thing to do. I was there, but not there, you know? They just let me do my own thing. I have to think about this Haley thing a bit more.

Today, we met in my neighbor’s backyard. Were things a little different today? Did I feel a bit better about Haley?I didn’t go over and sniff her, but maybe she’s OK. I got a little closer, but still ignored her a bit.Then, the magic word “treats” was heard by all! Toby II showed up (he ignores Haley too). I got a bit closer.Finally, we all got in the picture. I was happy with the progress I’ve made.

Mom said she wonders whether I need a playmate at home…extend my pack a bit more. Give me some more confidence. I tell her this is the way I’ve always been. Remember how I was when she gave my Toby and me an antler? I hid under the desk until Toby showed me it was OK.  I’m picky about my furiends, but when I find one I like…well, I really like them. Nothing wrong with that…I just have to warm up to them.

But, having a new sister or brother? I have to think about that.

A lot.

Wordless Wednesday: Who Turned the Heat On!

Time to go to the river!

Teaser Tuesday

This squirrel just wouldn’t stop yelling at me.I tried not to chase it….

Making Rainbows

My BFF Toby II and I were playing in the Sandy River and he decided to take my stick! MY STICK. What’s up with that, Toby?

OK, if that’s what you want, let’s play a game of tug!

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Meanwhile, Toby’s sister, Macy, watched on the shore. Who was she cheering for, I ask?

You know, this is important, so listen up

Loyalties to your pack can be important

and Macy’s smart…

she said she was staying out of this one.

Geez, what’s a girl supposed to do?

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(I know..change the focus)

Make rainbows!!

The first one was kinda puny.

But, perfecting the art is what it’s all about, right?I decided

Making rainbows is fun!

Have you made any rainbows lately?

The Big Stick

I was soooooo glad when Mom said: ‘Let’s go to the river, Sage.‘ Some of my favorite words, especially since I’ve had a few days of being bored out of my mind.

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While we were strolling (that would be Mom) down the beach, we met Tess Trueheart. Tessie’s game is to swim out and bring back sticks (ball for me, thank you). Well, even I was amazed at what she was bringing back. Apparently, Tessie is way beyond the ordinary-sized stick and goes after logs.

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Big logs.

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Me? I stuck to my ball

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But, I did wonder whether Tessie could bring back that surf-board?

 

A Seagull Convention?

 

When I get in the car with my BFFs Macy & Toby II, I KNOW something good is going to happen. And it did! Off to the beach we went…this time to Seaside, Oregon. It is supposed to be the last cool day before a heat wave hits this weekend (yes, it does happen here ), and we wanted to take full advantage of it!

Little did we know the annual seagull convention was taking place on the north end of the beach. Attendance was in the thousands and they were noisily debating an issue…probably who gets the best fish for dinner that night.  They took off at one point (I think to move to another convention seminar), but Mom couldn’t figure out how to do a panorama shot to show you how many there really were. You just have to imagine a sky full.

Anyhow, I was bored with the whole subject and left mid-talk. I really didn’t want to hear one more theory on the proper way to snag a fish from some hot-aired gull.

Instead, I tried to see whether I could meet or beat my best mud-wallowing moments with some sand-wallowing.

I was happy with it, but by the time we got back to the car, all that sand was gone. What’s up with that???