San Elijo Camp Out

This place is beautiful. The camping is surrounding a busy surfing beach. Kids and dogs are everywhere - except  on the beach no dogs there unfortunately. We had a pod of whales spouting anemone the kelp beds to watch.I've never seen that before and although Henry could care less I thought it was amazing.

...and our very own birthday girl surfer. And coming back from the beach freezing ready to warm up in the burro. 

Several days later, Henry is paying the price.  His human is battling a huge cold. Boring! No walks, no tug-a-war. The camp out walks don't count. That was then, it is all about now. Payback time when the coughing stops!

Life Advice

So, here you go.  Important life advice.  Henry and I read this on my Facebook feed from "Life and Dog." Just a little heads up from Henry - the "...pee on it and walk away!" part - humans can take as a figurative suggestion.  We don't want to get anyone into trouble.

Where's Henry?

Tucked and cozy, Henry is supervising the cleanup from last trip in the burro.

Next up? Advice on what to pack for a trip on the 18th! It is going to be chilly at the ocean.  I'll have an electric hookup again so Henry won't freeze.

The next trip is to a coastal section where they do not allow dogs on the beach - so poor Henry will not be able to chase waves and collect sand.  So unfair!

Fountain of Youth

Humph.  Well, it didn't work.  Henry and I went to the Fountain of Youth Spa near Salton Sea.  I expected Henry to become a puppy and me - a 30 year old.  Didn't happen, but we had a great time.  Henry met his cousin Gus.  They are really perfect pals now!


Handsome Guster is on the left and he really let Henry in on the secrets of cousin-hood.  They wrestled, chased, shared and romped together.  Talk about a perfectly matched twosome.

We took Bennie Burro to the Salton Sea.  We had not seen it before and it was both impressive due to its size and sad due to the pollution in that huge body of water.


The arid landscape around the Spa was covered with hiking trails for walkers and their dogs.  Really nice dog friendly environment - on leash though due to coyotes.  At night Henry and I admired their singing.  There were a lot of them out there inviting pets to come out to "play".

We found the stone maze on our walks.  Someone went to a lot of work creating it.  In the center is a gong to ring announcing your success - and a note explaining how to produce the purest sound.

Henry and I both wanted to stay another night - but the Santa Ana winds are scheduled to seriously pick up tomorrow. So we packed up the burro and waved goodbye to Gus and his parents, Rick and Leslie.   We will definitely return to the spot.  It was worth the four hour drive.  The return trip was just enough to give Henry nap time after his workout!

Sooooooo Fluffy

If you can think back to Henry's New Year resolutions ... you will recall #10 was fewer baths.

The sad news is that his human ignored #10 but the happy news is that she listened to #1 (more treats). Henry is now fluffy and very handsome and he has a bag of treats and a new squeeky monkey toy.

Another plus, he is satisfying #8 (go with human when the burro is hooked up to the car). Mom is off to the desert tomorrow for an overnight camp-out visit with her brother and sister-in-law and their cute puppy (satisfying #5 visiting doggie cousins).

Not bad. Addressing three out of four resolutions this early in January is pretty impressive.  Got to say though, a trip to the groomer is exhausting. We have got to work harder on #1.

Dog Park Hopes

On the agenda next Tuesday - Whittier City Council is looking at formulating plans for a dog park!

That does not make it a done deal of course. They have been lobbied over the years. But at least this time it is on the docket!

Whittier has some places that would be great - here is one we visited today.  Probably not a popular option with the neighbors, but the dogs and puppy owners would love it.

Anyhow, fingers crossed!

Resolutions for 2013

Henry has thought it out - he is one smart dog if I do say so myself. I realize I'm a bit prejudiced in his favor being his human.....but here are his resolutions. Not being much of a typist, he asked me to record them.

 1.  Eat more treats in 2013.
 2.  Take my human for more and longer walks.
 3.  Nap on Mama's lap more often.
 4.  Work on my wave catching abilities.  I just know I can get one!
 5.  Go visit my doggie cousins when ever possible.
 6.  Continue to perfect my squirrel and bird chasing skills.
 7.  Get more tennis balls so I can chase them and not bring them back - and the folks will still have more to throw.
 8.  Join my folks camping out in Bennie the Burro whenever Mom hooks it up to the car.
 9.  Chase Otto and Vivika Cat every time Mom or Dad pet them.
10. Take way, way fewer baths. Swimming in the lake is great.  Baths are yucky!

.....but he looks so sweet after a bath.  I don't think that is going to happen.  Sorry Henry.

Happy Cozy New Year!

Henry is attempting a quick snooze in front of the fire - catch up after barking at New Year's Eve firecrackers.

If midnight cheering and celebration is a threat, Henry demonstrated that he can take care of it for sure!  Oh, mighty pooch.

If he was not so pooped from his excellent work last night, he'd be wishing you the most wonderful 2013!

Staying Light Longer!

You know what staying light longer means? We can walk all the way to 5:15 in daylight! Nice. Spring is officially within the realm of possibilities. Southern California. You have got to love it sometimes.

Must admit, it is still chilly enough to need jackets and a sweatshirt for the little guy.  That's okay.  He looks pretty cute all dolled up in his boy-blue sweatshirt.   He hasn't decided how he will celebrate turning the new year.  His human's hope he decides to sleep!

Christmas

Humph! I'm having a "bah, humbug" moment.  All those presents - and what do I get to open? A chocolate scented teddy bear.  On the plus side, I love the smell - but on the down side, I've chewed and it just tastes like teddy bear.  Mom and Stephie both got some tasty chocolate spoons for coffee from Samantha and Ryan, but did they think of my needs? Nope.  I really could do things with those spoons, but Mom said, "Nope." Hardly fair.

So here is our in-Whittier family picture.  Can you believe it.  The Otto and Vivika Cats even sat still for the family shot.  There was a bit of yowling going on for a minute, but they settled down.  They are just big babies.  I barked instructions until Mom said it wasn't needed.

Dad got  a scratch, so he gave Otto to Stephie.  That was what Otto wanted anyway. Spoilt brat. My folks are just way, way too patient with those cats.  I just don't understand it.

Dirt, Burrs, Lots of Attention

What could be better than a camp out in a beautiful canyon near the ocean? We all had a great time, but especially Henry.

We camped in the Burro without electric. The first night made it down to the mid-30 degree range. Warm and snuggy bundled under the blankets but really cold outside.

So-- of course Henry wanted up and out three times during the night. It was so cold!

The second night was much warmer so, of course, he slept right through.

We made it home covered with, dirt, burrs and happiness. Henry was happy about the whole thing, except the bath that followed when we made it home.

Now it is time to seriously get into the Christmas goodies!

Getting Ready!

Just Sue this time. Henry is with Jessica the groomer getting gussied up. No cut, he is leaving his fur long - but shampooing and brushing is happening as we speak.

He is still handsome, even when smelly and less than sparkling clean, but tomorrow the younger human sister is coming home and he wanted to spiff up a bit.

My question today is: "what do you give a pup for Christmas when he already has a ton of stuff?" The kitties will be quite pleased with fresh catnip and string pulled around the house. Henry, of course, is a much more ..... sophisticated ..... hum, demanding ..... hum, rambunctious little fellow. Time for a trip to the butcher?

This is my chance! I can do it now when he is not watching.

It Was the Cat

Mom, Otto did it. I swear! It wasn't me, honest. See? He even looks guilty. I was just cleaning up when you found me collecting the pieces.

Ah, no. Not the gate!

Postings

We have been lazy haven't we? No postings for awhile....but we have mailed off holiday packages and have worked on the travel trailer a bit and have booked for a pre-Christmas camp out down the coast. Life is good!

Yummy - Exotic Food (two)

Having acquired a taste for glasses, I suspect Henry has indulged again. He says Vivika the cat knocked it off the cat perch on purpose and told him to do it.

He claims he does not remember being told chewing glasses is not the thing to do. I must have forgotten to tell him. My fault - again.

Last night -  glasses set two. 

September third - glasses set one.

More Construction? Folks, Get a Life!

The Thanksgiving family is gone -- and they all the house jobless.

Now as I remember, we always left mom with work to do ... just to keep her busy, of course ... so she would not have time to miss us. At least that was the story.

So what are you going to do? No clean up, so we fill the time in another project. Poor Henry. He is so use to destruction in his environment that he just wandered through the gate into his playpen and flopped on his bed.

Another New Cousin

Holidays are great. Another new cousin.  This is Pixy. She is a three and a half year old pup with a challenge. Pixy has a paw that slows her down. Which is great for Henry. He can run laps around her, but it is not so hot for Pixy. She takes it slow and a trip around the block leaves her uncomfortable. That split you see on her right paw goes all the way up to the elbow. The doctor hadn't seen anything like that according to Pixy's mom and dad and was not confident that surgery would help.

Pixy is obviously loved tons though, and she knows it. She is not a romper - but this puppy cousin made Henry very happy. When she climbed into the car to leave, Henry was not a happy camper.

Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful.
Ours was fantastic.

Kitty Cousins

On the topic of kitties ... Henry just doesn't understand why perfectly nice people bother with those critters.

These are his immediate kitty relations from his Whittier home, his Woodinville sister's house and his Eugene sister's house. There is one more, but she is in the closet hiding.

They really don't do much other than annoy dogs and expect the humans to adore them. Cats. Humph.

Sibling Rilvary

Meet Wyatt and Catbaloo. They are Henry's cousins. He just can't figure out their relationship! His cats won't let him do that! Heck, Otto even steals his kibble even when the kitty bowl is full. Go figure that one out! Henry's mom puts Otto and Vivika's food on top of the dryer to prevent robbery. Doggie food is just there, on the floor, and available to any old cat burglar!

No food, no warm kitty.

Not fair.

Henry Is Not Cooperating!

Pose for a holiday shot? Nope, I don't think so! Keep away is the best!