Handle Preference

 

I tried several different baskets with a variety of handles but the one he preferred was this soft fabric one.

"Carry!"

 Trip is a true "I want immediate gratification" millenial! After teaching him to bring the mail into the house in a basket, we moved onto carrying other things from place to place. When we go to PetSmart to buy his food, he chooses a treat, carries it to the checkout (where he drops it and begs for one he can eat right then), then carries his small purchase to the car. I have been trying to get him to carry other things and, although we are making progress, there absolutely has to be food involved to entice him. One day he was chewing on a hard treat that would take most of the day to consume and he insisted on carrying it on his walk - from leaving the house, walking a mile, and returning. I try to hold off on his mealtimes and walks, but his internal clock triggers him to annoy me for an hour prior to every meal time and scheduled outing. Yesterday afternoon, I finally had to take him for his evening walk before the sun set enough to cool things down a little. Generally, he walks in front of me on the way out and lags behind, panting, on the way back, always trying to prolong the experience. This time, he took care of business, turned around, and volunteered to lead the way home, He wasn't even panting, just prancing merrily along, in the lead. As we crossed the threshold of the house, I thought I heard a tiny squeak. If my TV had been working and I had left it on for noise, I probably would not have noticed the tiny sound. I leaned down to release the leash and Trip began prancing off to his man-cave. "Wait!" I ordered. Trip turned to look me straight in the eye with the gleam of happiness that shows when he has things going his way. "What do you have in your mouth?" I asked him as he continued staring at me and not volunteering anything. I moved to help him open his mouth which he resisted. Finally, I succeeded and......out popped a cicada he had captured and carried home to snack on. The little minx. I tossed it out!

I have been watching the large area of a resident's yard that was promising a show of wildflowers. Every year it has gotten better and this year conditions have been just right to produce a real show.....bluebonnets galore (Texans LOVE their bluebonnets!), followed by larkspurs and poppies. It wasn't just a one night stand - so far, it has lasted about 3 weeks.

BFFs - Trip & Mimi

Photographs were taken with permission and no wildflowers were harmed in the process. 

Gosh, has it been that long since the last post? Well, time does fly when you are having fun!
Yesterday was a prime example....

MFM and I were out for our evening constitutional and I saw something on the side of the road. I am always looking for interesting things....specifically edible ones. ...like earthworms.....

Anyway, MFM seemed to slow our pace as we approached the interesting object in the road. I watched it carefully and I saw it was moving! I edged closer for a better view. It must have seen me because it stopped! It lay there quietly for a moment, then lifted two front legs and tensed its body. I edged a little closer and it reared a little higher. I stepped away for a pee to provide a get-acquainted point. It did not follow suit but lifted a couple more legs on one side and tilted a bit - trying to copy my stance, I'm sure.

We eyed each other for a few minutes while I heard a frequent "Leave it!" directed at me and felt a tightening of my leash when I tried to move in closer. Finally, MFM announced "Vamanos!" and off we went. 

That creature was hot-footing across the street when we passed it on our way back home....all eight legs moving as fast as my four. "We don't bother tarantulas and they don't mess with us!" MFM murmured as we hurried past.

I See Red!

MFM went to Italy and all I got was this photograph!

Anyway, I was happy to have her home and get back to my regular routine. Not that I did not enjoy my visit with Kristi and Charlie. They were the best! I got so many treats in the kitchen that they put me on a "diet" before MFM got back.

Just to be safe, I keep MFM in sight all the time now. Don't want her to leave me behind again. It might have been interesting to meet that little red dachsund......

Here are a Few of my Friends....

 

I don't remember everyone's name but I know who likes to run with me!

Ginger

I am in front, Max is next, and we are joined by Max's bosom buddy. We are trying to get the attention of the big dogs on the other side of the fence.

These are a few that MFM managed to catch with her camera. Maybe I can get her to try again. Sometimes we have 25 dogs on our side. We get along better than most humans do.

Dog Days of Summer

 

Summer is not here on the calendar, but it is already hot outside! MFM takes me to the dog park most days and I manage to get in a couple of runs but I am so happy to get home and get cool.

The runs are a lot of fun when the weather is cool. All of the "little" dogs gather on one side of the fence and bark to entice the "big dogs" on the other side of the fence to run up and down. Sounds like a herd of cattle stampeding when we really get going. It is rather amazing that our soft paws can make so much noise when we want to. In the Fall, dried leaves swirl around us as we make the run. In the summer, it is just dirt flying and settling into our coats.

 

 But it is getting too hot to do more than just sit in the shade. My friends and I lie around listening to our owners share all the embarrassing details of our lives while the breeze keeps the heat, and mosquitoes, at bay. Are these what they call the "Dog Days of Summer"?

 

When I get home, I plop on the cool tile and cool down. Then I let MFM know I am ready to eat. Tummy full, I just relax and doze , with one eye open, so I can follow MFM around if she ventures out of my sight. Who knows, she might want to go somewhere. That means I either get to go along or get bought off with  a treat. I have trained her properly.

 

Now for a rest....sigh.....