Skippy

I met a man skipping this morning.   Not rope skipping, skipping skipping with his arms flailing around like he was being attacked by bees.  He stopped to say hello, scratched me behind the ears and skipped off again.  All that was missing was some happy music and warm sunshine. 

Busy

Spring is definitely a time of change.  My garden is blooming, mostly with weeds, but still blooming, the cherry blossom is out, pretty but smelly and the park, my park, is packed with people.  Four months I've had it to myself and the odd 4 legged woofer from the neighbourhood, but mostly all to myself.  The last few days it's been packed: football, baseball, basketball, tennis, they are all out there acting like they own the place.  It's nice to meet new people and eat the odd scrap they've left behind from their picnic but remember, just because you use the park for a couple of weeks in the spring it doesn't make it your park!

Spring has sprung

Another hard day in the garden watching my human pull weeds and dig over the veg plot.  If you ask me it's a complete waste of time and effort, just go to the shops and buy veg grown by a professional.  Get your priorities sorted and relax like me.  I love spring.  Not too hot, not too cold, just about right for an old dog like me.

  Me and my friendly flea catching a few rays

Let's come to some agreement

Picture the scenario: it's cold and snowy outside, I'm warm and snug in front of a roaring log fire, my human calls out "Ben, are you coming for a walk?"  I don't move, the fire is so nice and cozy, she calls again; still no movement from me.  After the third call I reluctantly get up and we go for a walk.  Ten minutes in and the sky turns black, the wind starts howling and within seconds I'm whiter than Santa Claus's beard! 

Don't get me wrong, I love a walk as much as the next dog but you know I'm getting on in life.  Would you drag a pensioner out in a snowstorm or let then sit by the fire?  I think we need to come to some kind of agreement - if you don't fancy going for a walk because it's cold and wet, chances are I don't either.  I have a yard, I'll let you know when I want to pee. 

Devotion

You humans think you know about devotion, you might be devoted to your children or your favourite football team, standing on the terraces for a couple of hours one day a week, week after week in the freezing rain.  That pails into insignificance in comparison to this...

In 1924, Hidesaburo Ueno, a professor in the agriculture department at the University of Tokyo, took in Hachikō, a golden brown Akita, as a pet. During his owner's life, Hachikō greeted him at the end of each day at the nearby train station. The pair continued their daily routine until May 1925, when Professor Ueno did not return. The professor had suffered from a cerebral hemorrhage and died, never returning to the train station where Hachikō was waiting. Every day for the next nine years the dog waited at the station.

Now that's what I call devotion!

Read the full Wikipedia article here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachik%C5%8D

Keep on Truckin'

I think my human is going through another mid-life crisis - she's bought a truck!  Yeah you read that right, a pick up truck.  I don't know if she's trying to fit in with the neighbours, become an all America or just wanting to start a gardening business, but we are now the 'proud' owners of a red truck.  I'm telling you now, there is NO way I'm going in the back of that thing.  No matter how 'cute' it looks to have a slobbery Labrador hanging out in the back of a truck I am not doing it.  She'll be lucky to get me inside the blinking thing never mind in the back.

Warning Signs

Maybe this would be a more appropriate warning sign for the house...

Guard Dog

Happy belated New Year everyone.

There's been a mini-crime spree in the area all centered around my house.  Four of the five crimes in the entire town were on or near my street.  OK so it was only thefts from cars but still I don't want anyone steeling my toys.  So I've been increasing my security patrols around the garden and practicing my bark.  Ah heck who am I kidding?  It's freezing cold outside so I'll stick with what I do best.... sleep in front of the fire... and let my human deal with any would be thieves. 

I'm Back

I know, I know, I'm sorry it's been a while, but I'm back now. 

What's been happening recently?  I moved into my new house.  I didn't realise what a time consuming activity it can be.  All that packing and unpacking and rearranging.  I think I've managed to find all my toys and got my bed in the perfect position: just at the bottom of the stairs, looking out into my yard but close enough to the fire to keep the chill off.  I must say I like the log fire we have.  It's so cosy curling up in front of it with my human on these chilly nights. 

I've started to meet my new neighbours.  There is barky boy across the street who seems to spend his days on his deck barking at anything that moves.  Then there is grumpy girl next door who comes across as nice and friendly until you get within snapping distance.  Luckily I'm too quick for her despite my advancing years.  My favourite new friends are Little Bit and Nemo.  I'm sure they said they were Lapsang Souchong's but I thought that was tea.  For little dogs they are pretty cute and must have had their yap removed because they don't bark, just like me.

I promise to write more real soon but I've got a busy day of yard work ahead and need a nap to build up my strength.  

In the dog house

I'm in the dog house and it's not the nice one I blogged about earlier.  It's been very wet and stormy today and I got a little bit upset so I tried to distract myself from the thunder and heavy rain by doing a bit of spring cleaning.... For some unknown reason my human wasn't impressed that I emptied her closet.

I want one

I saw this online earlier.... I wonder if my human will build one for me?  Oh wait a minute, there's no cable, that's no good.  Nope, I think I'll stick to having the run of her house while she is at work.  Far more comfortable!

Not like it!

I've found something else I don't like.... HURRICANES!  Well it's only tropical storm force winds here but I definitely don't like it.  The trees are bent double, the rain is pelting down, thunder and lightening  crashing all around me and the power keeps going out.  I definitely DO NOT like this storm.