Cozy Baby Bed

What does it mean when your pup spends a couple of hours in his baby bed?  Yes, he is afraid of the cat and the cat has been stalking him.  Yes, he is checking carefully around the corners when he follows me through the house.  Yes, he is looking with pathetic frequency to be sure his Mama is paying attention.

Have you seen "Big Trouble," the Tim Allen movie? If so, do you remember the dog and the frog? Well, that is an exaggeration of Henry and Vivika.  Poor baby. No injuries to date, but Henry seems to be anticipating something scary and serious.

New Family Members

Life just gets better! 

We have two new family members.  Henry has not met them yet, but he is anxious to romp with these guys. 

Wyatt is a new pup living in Okanogan.  Wyatt is planning to keep his mom entertained and busy this school year.  He has a big spot to fill.  Henry's best buddy and Wyatt's sibling recently scampered off to join friends in puppy heaven. 

Wyatt's mom says, of course he is brilliant as well as handsome and funny.

Bentley is the new addition to the Toutle River site.  Daisy Mae is Bentley's sister, and he is just what she needs to keep her happy and busy when her Mom and Dad are at work. 

These two have already escaped their huge yard to spend a day on the river.  I have a feeling they will be collaborating on a regular basis to keep Roger and Karrie on their toes!

....yes. Here they are planning their next adventure. Shhhhh. Quiet. Roger and Karrie are listening.

Sunday - National Thank A Dog Day

Thank you Henry.
You give me puppy sloppy kisses.
You welcome me with enthusiasm every single time I return - even if I've only been gone for a few minutes.
You demonstrate that even a dirty smelly pup can enjoy life with enthusiasm - and humans should should not be so self conscious about appearances.
You categorize life items in terms of their importance:

1. Friends
2. Food
3. Sleep

Henry responds, "What's the big deal? That's how it is, silly."

Sue replies, "And that is why you are so loveable Henry."

Power Shift

After a summer on the road with Henry and our little Bennie Burro, there has been a power shift at home!

Cast of characters:
This is, of course, Henry. The sweet, the loveable, the clueless travel companion.  He is excited about everything and sometimes not quite cautious enough....I mean, as far as he is concerned, who wouldn't like him?

The handsome black and white cat is Otto. He has gained a lot of weight over the summer. His adoring summer pet sitters took great care of him and his sister, Vivika,  during our months away. They both ended up fat and sassy.  Vivika is the charcoal beauty on Otto's right.

When we left, Otto teased Henry; Henry chased Otto; Vivika stayed way out of the way of Henry but occasionally attacked Otto. On our return, Otto sits on the couch top waiting to be petted and admired but lords it over Vivika; Vivika stalks Henry; Henry cuddles with his human watching Vivika with some trepidation. The whole power structure has shifted along some summer fault line.  

As in Rodney King's oft quoted lament, "Why can't we just all get along?"

Rules??

Mama says we do need rules. Humph. So what if it was 107 going over Grants Pass in Oregon. Mom says she really likes me a lot, but with no air conditioning in Benny Burro, there will be no cuddling tonight. The plan is - wait till she is asleep and she won't know I'm sleeping on her feet until morning.

Elvis and Hot Burro

This is the first hot night for Henry and his parents in the burro. Oh my goodness! It warm and even with our fan, it is way too hot. On top of that, we are in a college town tonight and there is a party nearby. Brings back memories, but does not induce sleep. So far, our boy has barked at three passerby's -- protecting his parents from those university students no doubt.

On an exciting note ... We passed a motel where Elvis stayed in 1962. Henry's parents stayed there twenty two years ago and the only thing it had going for it then was Elvis. It actually looks like it has improved since that visit.

Fair?

Henry asks - is this fair? He did get to spend great quality time with Uncle Rob. That was great! New cousin, Nick and new Auntie Michelle visited with Uncle Rod. Henry got fish in a bucket but not pictures offering proof yet.

Now another trip with Bennie the Burro and the family. Corn, wheat the scablands and finally Woodinville.

Absence

Henry is with his Uncle Rob. Yellowstone without the pup? He is probably getting super spoilt! The bison are beautiful but they don't jump with excitement when I enter the room.