Just practicing...

...for my new blog (click here) , which starts officially next year. OK, so that's only the day after tomorrow. In the meantime, I'm posting this photo of the ever so loveable Roger here, just because I can. I'm sure he will be appearing many more times throughout the coming year, in both places.

Helper dogs!

Need a little help decorating your tree? Call these guys! (click here). It is my understanding that they are all service dogs. I wish I'd seen this a couple of weeks ago!

Am I CRAZY?

Do I really need another diversion? NO. Can I manage another diversion? Well, I don't know, but I certainly hope so and I'm up for the challenge, so we'll see! Who knows, maybe it can even serve as a tool that I can use to help me become more disciplined.

Check THIS out (click here) and tell me if you think I'm crazy for embarking on such an endeavor...

Paws for Claus

Yesterday Roger and I participated in the 2nd Annual Paws for Claus at Windchime Assisted Living, an event that is thoroughly enjoyed by the residents. There were about 30 dogs in all, most dressed in their best Christmas finery. Normally I don't go for dressing dogs up in costumes or people clothes, but this was for a worthy cause, and besides, Roger wasn't actually dressed up, he merely had on some seasonal accessories!
The event began with a freestyle ("dancing") demonstration, then the dogs paraded past the audience, one at a time, as they were introduced. There was an award for Most Christmas Spirit, Best Dressed and Most Obedient. While the judges were tallying the scores, there was general mingling among dogs and audience. If invited to participate again next year we will surely accept.

Red is a good color on Roger. He didn't even mind the jingle bells.

Trixie
Vanderbilt, a Saluki rescued from Kuwait

Buddy

I don't know the name of this cutie

Teddy, winner in the "Most Christmas Spirit" category

I knew this would happen...

It has been over one month since my last post...and it was almost one month in between that one and the one before. Where does the time go? Why is is that when I have an inspiration I am not in a position to take action, then when I am in front of the computer the inspiration is no longer there?

Well, here goes, just a little recap of my afternoon.

I decided to take Roger down the hill to the dog park and to run a few errands. We were approaching Lookout Point when Roger started whining a little and seemed restless. I figured nature was calling, and since Lookout Point is now so easily accessed, it seemed like a logical place to stop. We made the rounds, checking out trees, grassy mounds, mulched areas and the perimeter fencing, but no go.

I have not stopped at Lookout Point since its transformation. In fact, I have not stopped there for several years. It was worth it, even though Roger only sniffed. The view is as spectacular as I remembered, and they did a good job of making it user friendly.

Lookout Point is now official

The viewThere is an inscription on the marker that reads, "Gone but not forgotten, although we are apart, your spirit lives within me, forever in my heart." Sad...

Roger strikes a pose

Not the best pose, in fact I think he looks a little stuffy. Another visitor had just pulled up and he was momentarily more interested in them than me and my camera. Oh, well, at least his visit is documented.

Then it was on to the dog park, aka: tree farm. This picture was taken a couple of weeks ago. As luck would have it, my camera battery died right after Roger's stuffy pose at Lookout Point.

This is Roger's new favorite place and it is one of mine, too. Leashes are optional in a large portion of the grounds. The number of visitors varies day to day and hour to hour. It is always fun to watch the interaction when dogs meet for the first time. Roger's best friend for today was a 17 month chocolate lab named Buck. His humans said he was a very good hunter. They also said he usually outruns most dogs, but that he met his match in Roger. Roger is very fast! I wish I could have captured their antics on video.
On to our errands, nothing exciting there. I must say, however, that one of Roger's fine attributes is that he is completely trustworthy while waiting in the car. He never gets into the front seat, never chews on anything (he didn't even get into the 2 packages of dog treats that were in the back seat with him!) and, as far as I know, he doesn't bark.

I have a few more items up my sleeve for posting in the next few days, so let this be a new beginning of a more regularly updated blog.