dog friends in Tucson

running running running - G&G hunt for dog parks so I can run with other dogs (its exhausting work).  One park had about 50 dogs playing - one just like me but with a long tail (we didn't like each other very much) but I had fun with the other dogs.   Today we went to a smaller park where there was only 1 dog and we had fun.   Mostly I like the green grass and playing with Gpa.  

Agility Course mastered

I'm about 5 ft off the ground here - piece of cake - but I had to stop /pose so Gma could take a photo.
this is the same narrow plank - simple to run up/over/down
Did this one the 1st day - it's about 6-7 ft high - again - I had to stop/pose so Gma could take a photo.  Usually I just run it so fast Gma can't keep up me.
This one takes some coaxing  (treat in hand) but I can do it - have to work at doing it alone - I weave in/out every post and then go sit on the blue platform to wait for my treat.
This is part of the course from across the wash (dry river bed).  Gpa was playing on 'this' side of the wash so I had a hard time staying focused today.

I have the agility course mastered except for the tunnel - we're working on that.

I start by sitting on the blue platform and then run - jump jump jump between two poles as high as Gma sets the rail, run up the wood 'tepee' (its about 7 ft high), run up/down the stairs, through the hole in the hanging tire, jump jump jump more poles, run up the narrow wood planks/over the top/down the other side (its about 5 ft off the ground and 6" narrow), then weave in/out in/out in/out (with Gma's help) through the poles and then back to sit on the blue platform for my treat. 

Gma tried to get a photo of me jumping through the tire but I was just too fast and couldn't slow down. 

Today was muddy  from the heavy rain yesterday so we couldn't run very long and then I got to have a bath when we got home.

Gpa getting ready for basketball tournament

I sure wanted to play with them but they wouldn't let me - I wasn't very good for Gma while Gpa played ball.  I even got off my leash and went running - oh oh!

Gpa with the ball, made the basket - points for our side.

Do retired people ever rest!!

Photos were taken when we went hiking in the desert the last 2 days - YEAH - I get to run free and lead the way down the trail.  The first day a sharp pointed ball of thorns stuck in my foot and then yesterday another one caught my leg - Gma sez they are jumpin teddy bear cholla cactus!  What ever they are they hurt.  they look so pretty in the pictures don't they?  They fall off the bushes and are on the ground everywhere - it's hard to see them.    So....when the one caught my leg, I reached down with my mouth to get rid of it (OUCH) it caught in my mouth.  Gma grabbed me to hold me still while Gpa tried to pull it out and part of the ball caught Gma's hand.  Then Gpa pulled on it and it caught him too.  We were all 3 stuck together with this sharp tiny ball.  G&G were laughing - I didn't see the humor in it all.  they left the tweezer in the car - I'll need to remind them to take it next time.  They said Aunt Terri would know about this - one grabbed her hand when she visited here.  

I am exhausted - trying to keep up with G&G, greeting new dogs, hiking in the desert, running the agility course- whew. Gma & I now sleep in until 6:30 am - Gma used to enjoy sunsets - now she's up early enough to see sunrises too.  I'm too tired to get up at 4 now - Gma won't let me have food after 8 pm.  so I don't need to go out as early.  And, after giving me a bit of pizza the other night (and I about gassed us all out of the RV) she sez I can't have any more people food.

The 'old' people are up early - lots of walkers/runners/bikers at that time of morning.  I have to drink about 5 bowls of water every day (just to keep all my spots marked)  There are 120 sites in our 'dog area' and most folks have 2 dogs - we all go out walking on the leash about the same time.  I want to greet all of them but some aren't too friendly.   Their masters all say how pretty I am and I like that.  At the other end of the park are even more sites w/dogs and a running area outside the gate.  I love to chase the frisbee there and work the agility course (& be off the leash as long as I obey).  I only had to run it one time to know how to do it - I even climb the 6 foot high  board/bridge and weave in/out of the posts.  I DON'T have the tunnel mastered yet but we're working on it.  Gma will take/send pictures later.  I did injure my foot pad (behind my knee) when I chased the ball on gravel - but Gma put grease on it and I licked it until it healed.

G&G have carving this afternoon so I'll get to rest for 3 hrs - whew.  I catch naps whenever I can so I can have energy when they're around.  They also have a lot of company - mostly I'm doing good at NOT barking but when I do I just know I have to go to my time-out room (the bathroom).  I guess they don't want me to announce visitors - for someone as smart as me you'd think I would have learned that by now.  Most folks know I'm just a teenager so are pretty tolerant of my energy/excitement.  will visit again later - Scout

GPA & I checking out the world

Gpa & I begin each day by opening the shades and looking out to see what's happening in the world - I no longer bark when people walk by cause there are so many I would get very tired - so we just watch.  I've learned its best to stay very quiet or I get sent to the time-out room (their bathroom is VERY small) and I really don't like that.

Gpa has a cold today so I'm hovering and taking care of him.

A new home (tucson)

After G&G left me at Camp Bow Wow for the night (Jan 5)  they attended the Fiesta Bowl football game - I had fun at the camp but was sure glad they came to get me early 

the next day (I didn't want 

them to leave me behind).  they said they had a wonderful time and 'their' team won (Texas) with a TD at the end zone where they were seated - 40 rows up from the field in the midst of Ohio State fans.

G&G & I are settling in our new home in Tucson - there are dogs all around us but none of them want to play - most of them are 15-17 yrs old and I scare them when I get excited and want to play.  We do go for nice long walks and I'm doing much better on the leash cause I guess that's just the way it is here - all the dogs have leashes.  Gma embarasses me when she puts on the halti (harness leash) but sez if I would quit pullingl I wouldn't have to have it and I'm learning to do that (I don't like the other dogs to see me disciplined).  There is a nice fenced area where Gpa lets me chase the frisbee.  Boy he sure knows how to throw it good and I catch it almost every time now.  Gma doesn't do very well but she comes along to praise me anyhow. 

Today started briskly at 5 am when I got Gma up to go outside - I insisted we walk to the corner to do my business - it was 31o!!! yes 31.  Gma wasn't very happy and even more unhappy when I had to go out again at 7 and it was still 31o.  By 9 am I had filled 3 'poop' bags.  She sez they'll go broke buying the poop bags at this rate.  Mostly, she would prefer I take care of business during the day so she can sleep,  but it was a beautiful morning - their was a full moon and it was so bright and no one else was out yet so we had the streets to ourselves.

I'm having fun taking care of G&G and they are giving me lots of love.

   

Coyotes

I don't get much sleep at night - the 'local' coyotes howl during the night and spend time in my yard -this one was sitting in our patio. G&G keep me inside so I don't know what they look like I just hear them and smell them (Gma sez they look like me!!!) I have to stay on the leash so I don't run after them during the day when they walk down the middle of the street. I'm doing much better walking with the leash cause I love to go walking with Gpa. All dogs here have to wear a leash so I guess that's just the way it is.

G&G have been busy helping aunts Jean & chris with their new computer (it was attacked by a Trojan Horse) whatever that is. Gma is very tired. They have also been helping the girls carve and paint. Gpa just finished his hum mules - they are interesting. and Gma and the girls are going to finish their santa carvings tomorrow. G&G are getting ready for the big FIESTA BOWL on Monday night (1/5) and I get to go to CAMP BOW WOW and spend the night and we leave for Tucson the next morning (I hope they don't forget to pick me up before they leave).

Today at the dog park I had an audience - 2 young boys came into the park and sat to watch me chase/catch the frisbee. They said I should be in competition!!! I really am getting good - I can catch it almost every time, don't need a treat to bring it back to Gpa, and drop it right at his feet so he can throw it again. I also wait until he sez 'ok' before I jump straight up to get it out of his hand. People in the park sure think I'm pretty.

Now if I could just learn to stop barking when people come to the door I would really make G&G happy. They get so upset and I have to go to their tiny bathroom with the door closed until I agree not bark anymore. ahhhh its so hard when I can just get so excited and want to visit/give hugs. Will send our next update from Tucson.