15 Aug 2009

This morning dad woke mom up earlier than normal.  On the weekend days mom and dad like to stay in bed until it gets light outside.  But this time mom and dad got up and got dressed.  Mom started sending us dogs outside to go potty.  It didn't feel like a dog show day - usually mom and dad get stuff ready the night before a dog show, so we kinda know.  But something was up.  Mom and dad got dressed, then all the dogs except me got put in their beds.  Dad loaded me up in the dog show van with my training bag.  Dog Training?  Too early.  We drove a short distance and got out.  Ah-hah.... I'm a lucky dog - a lucky lucky dog....  Ardovino's Desert Crossing again.  Mom goes there to buy fresh vegetables.  Dad goes there to take me.  I go to socialize and sample dog cookies.  There is a lady at the market that makes the BEST dog cookies.

While we were walking around this lady walked up to dad with a little dog in her arms.  She talked to dad a bit, then she started shoving her little dog in my face.  That little dog was mean and nasty, it was snarling at me.  Yeaaah - right.... like I couldn't shut it up with one snap.  But dad told me to be nice, then he told the lady her dog was not friendly and she shouldn't do that.  Sheesh....  some people's dogs.  I guess I just thought that every dog got to go to dog training like I do.  But if that dog ever went to dog training - it didn't learn nothin.  I guess maybe I am a more lucky dog than I know.  When we go for walks I see lots of dogs tied up in yards, and I never see them get to go for walks.  I wish every dog could have a mom and dad like I have and go to dog training.  Us dogs want to be a part of a family - not some creature thrown in the back yard and forgotten.

After a while we went back home.  Mom made our doggie-breakfast.  It was yummy.  It always is, mom is a good cook.  Then mom and dad put us dogs to bed and while we took a nap mom and dad went out for a while.  They were busy the rest of the day, but later in the evening dad was working on his computer thing, and I was laying near him.  Then that radio show came on the radio, and dad got on the floor with me to listen.  This is a special time for us.  The lights are dim, and I lay on my doggie bed.  Dad lays next to me with a big pillow.  When we first started doing this the pillow smelled a lot like Uncle Parker.  That smell is still there, but it is fading.  My doggie bed used to smell like Uncle Parker too.  But now it just smells like.... well.... like me.  I bet dad did this with Uncle Parker every Saturday night.  Sometimes it feels like Uncle Parker is still here with us.  I miss Uncle Parker.  When the radio show was over - we went to bed.  It was another fine doggie-day.

16 Aug 2009

Wow - did we ever have a great time today.  This morning dad got up and did some work on the little blue car.  Dad calls it a Toyota.  It is too small for me to ride in it, but dad uses it to go to work every day.  Something went wrong with the Toyota a few weeks ago, and dad took it somewhere.  I heard dad tell mom that they put a new motor in it.  Whatever that means.  Anyway - dad went out first thing and did some work on the Toyota.  Dad let me come out to watch and help.  I like sticking my nose into what dad is working on.  This time dad put all his radio parts back in the Toyota, and then tested the radio some.  It was working fine, he talked to some of his friends.  When he was happy with the radio he did some cleaning on the little Toyota.  The rest of the morning and into the afternoon dad was busy working on all kinds of things.  I would get bored and go take a nap.  But from time to time I would wake up and check on dad.  I like to sneak up on dad and stick my cold nose into his ear.  Dad always jumps and starts to get upset with me.  But I just look into dad's eyes, and he reaches out and gives me a pet.  After a bit I go nap some more.

This afternoon, things were different.  First mom and dad gave Daisy and I a bath.  Dad said he wasn't going to take out a dirty dog.  I like it when dad gives me a bath.  When we play the towel game it is the best.  Daisy doesn't like getting a bath so much.  Daisy doesn't like water.   When we were clean and dry mom and dad got dressed in some nice clothes, and when they were ready dad got out my training bag.  Dog training today?  Dad got some stuff out of the training bag and put it on me, that special new collar and my favorite green flexi-leash.  Then mom and dad loaded Daisy and I into the dog show van, and we were on the road somewhere.   I sat up in my doggie-crate and watched where we were going.  We went down the freeway like we were going to dog training.  But no - we turned off the freeway and went over the mountains.  When we stopped, Dad got me out and I looked around.  I know where we are.  We are at the Ball Park.  Today must be Bark in the Park day.  I'm a lucky dog - a lucky lucky dog....  I like Bark in the Park - it means HOT DOGS!!!  We went inside the park.  Heidi and Keith were there with Bobby the skin puppy.  I like Bobby.  Then I saw the man with the hot dogs.  Oh-yummy, we get hot dogs tonight.  This is going to be a great time.  There was another Great Dane puppy there.  She was shy and didn't want to play at first - but then she got over it.

The people in the uniforms were out in the grass playing with the stick and the ball just like last time.  Then that loud voice started talking and singing.  Dad stood very straight and put his hand to his hat again, and stood there while we listened to some music.  This seems to be important to dad, so I stood straight right next to him and waited for the music to stop.  When the music stopped everyone started cheering and moving around and the guys in the grass got busy with the stick and the ball.

After a while mom and dad took Daisy and I down on the grass where the guys were playing with the stick and the ball.  Those guys took a break while we were on the grass.  The loud voice said my name, RIVER - AN 11 MONTH OLD GREAT DANE PUPPY FROM THE GREAT DANE CLUB OF EL PASO, and dad walked me along the grass while everyone cheered.  They all like me.  I like them too.  Someone was taking my picture, and then we went back up the steps.  People were reaching out to pet me while we were walking by.  It was so much fun.  Then we started with the hot dogs.  I can get a lot of hot dogs just by looking at them.  I try to look sad, and people think I am hungry.  Well - I am a puppy...  I AM hungry.  First Keith gave me one.  Then Heidi gave me two.  Then mom gave me some more.  Then dad gave me about four of them.  Nobody knew that each was giving me so many hot dogs.  They didn't ask me and I didn't tell them.  Hot dogs are just so yummy, I could eat them all day long.  Mom found some of that green money stuff on the floor.  She asked people, but no one knew who it belonged to.  So mom split it up and gave some of it to each of the doggie-rescue tables at the park.  That money will help poor dogs get food and find a home.  Mom is so good.

Last time we did Bark in the Park they had a contest, and I won the LONGEST TAIL competition.  I won a cute squeaky pig.  This time there were no contests.  Really - that is a good thing.  It left more time for eating hot dogs.  After a while us puppies started getting tired.  So we all packed up and went home.  Mom made dinner for us, but it was only a small dinner.  I wasn't really hungry - but I made myself eat the dog food anyway.

It was another fine doggie-day.  Thanks mom and dad for taking us puppies to Bark in the Park.  We had a great time.  I really am a lucky lucky dog.