8 May 2010

Today was a little different.  Dad got out of bed right away.  I could tell something special was going to happen.  I didn't know what - but I could sense it.  Dad let me out, then he got dressed.  Then dad let me back in and we woke mom up together.  I like waking mom up.  I jump on the bed and bounce really hard, and it makes mom bounce.  Mom scolds me, but I know she thinks it is funny too.  But mom got up and started getting dressed while dad let the other dogs out.  Mom and dad were getting ready to go somewhere.  I wonder where?

Dad let the other dogs in, and they got put in their beds.  Then mom and dad headed for the door.  I was expecting a pat on the head while dad told me to be a good dog.  But instead dad said "River, do you want to go for a Jeep ride?"  SURE!  I'm a lucky dog - a lucky lucky dog.... I get to go for a Jeep ride.  So I went out the door and ran to the Jeep while dad closed the house up.  Mom opened the back door of the Jeep.  I just stood there.  I haven't quite figured out how to get into the Jeep yet.  It is so small inside, much smaller than the dog-show van.  But after a few seconds dad said "Jump in River.", so I jumped in.  I just barely made it.  Uncle Parker must have had a very hard time getting into the Jeep.

Mom and dad got in, and once dad had everything running we were moving.  I like the Jeep.  Dad drives it with the doors open, and I get to sniff all the really great smells while we are driving.  A few of the neighbors' yards smelled like breakfast.  That made me hungry, because we didn't have any breakfast today.  One yard smelled like fresh-cut grass.  I could even smell other dogs in the air.  The only time I don't like it is when dad follows behind a stinky truck.  Dad calls them Diesels.  I call them stinky.

Dad turned this way and that way while he was driving.  I didn't pay much attention, I just enjoyed the ride and the many good smells.  No Diesels this early.  Pretty soon dad slowed and turned into a big parking lot.  It was pretty empty, so whatever it is, we are early.  Mom and dad got out, then dad came around back to let me out.  Dad put a training collar on me, and the flexi-lead.  That means dad can let me wander some, but when he calls me I better come.  We started walking across the parking lot. and headed for the sidewalk.  There was a sign at the sidewalk that said "ARDOVINO'S DESERT CROSSING" and "FARMER'S MARKET".  I don't know what this place is, but it looks interesting.  We passed the sign and walked up the sidewalk to the other side of the buildings.  There was a big patio with chairs, tables and umbrellas.  As we crossed the patio I saw there were lots of people on the other side.  Soon people were petting me and talking to dad.  Socializing is fun, I always like it when people pet me and hug me.  

As we started to walk some more I saw that there were people sitting behind tables selling stuff, and other people walking around buying stuff.  There were other people like us, walking around and looking at the stuff.  And that is what we did too.  Mom bought a special straw basket from one guy.  Then mom bought some vegetables from a nice lady.  While mom was doing this a little dog came up to me.  I got down to make myself small so we could play.  But the other dog's owner didn't want to stop so we could play.  So I got up and dad and I did some more socializing while mom was shopping for stuff.  We walked from one end to the other, and I got to meet some really friendly people there.  Some old friend of dad's found us and I was getting bored while they talked.  Dad was telling him about the jeep, so he must have known dad with Uncle Parker too.  But then more people came in and I was getting petted again, so it didn't matter so much.  After a while dad and the other man said good-bye, and we started walking some more.

After a bit mom  found us and said it was time for us to go to the patio.  Mom picked a table, and dad ran back to the jeep for something.  When dad came back he had my good doggie bed and a bully-stick.  I like bully-sticks.  Do you know what they are made of?  I don't care - they are tasty.  Then I give dad a kiss - ha ha.....  Dad made my doggie-bed on the patio floor and gave me the bully-stick.  I got busy chewing on it.  Mom left, and when she came back she had breakfast for mom and dad.    I didn't mind, I had my yummy bully-stick.  So I chewed the bully-stick while mom and dad had breakfast.  After a while a man came to the patio and passed some paper around for everyone to sign.  Mom signed it for us and passed it on.  While the paper was passing around the man started talking about gardens.  He talked about what to plant when, and how far apart to plant, and how to harvest and all kinds of stuff about soil and water.  Mom had some questions about her plants.  The nice man told mom that she planted some of her plants too late and that they probably would not grow this year.  This talk went on about an hour or so.  When it was oven mom did a little more shopping.  Dad and I did a little more socializing.  I saw mom taking some pictures of us while we were meeting people.  Then mom said it was time to go.  Awwww mom - I am having a good time - I don't wanna go......  But when mom says go, we go.

Dad took me, and he also carried mom's heavy straw basket of vegetables.  Mom carried my doggie-bed.  I carried my bully stick in my belly - it sure was good.  We walked across the patio, around the building, down the sidewalk and out to the Jeep.  Dad opened the back door, and I jumped right in.  Hmmm - maybe this isn't as hard as it seems.  Mom and dad loaded up my doggie-bed and the vegetables, and we were on the way home.  We got home really fast.  It always seems like it takes a long long time to get where we are going, but we always get home really really fast.  We got home, dad parked the jeep, mom let me out and put me in the yard, and dad carried mom's bag full of vegetables inside.  And that was the end of my very first visit to Ardovino's Desert Crossing and Farmer's Market.  I had a really great time, and I hope we do it again.  Soon!

Until next time.