The Glorious Day

January 24, 2007. Today Caitlin phoned us from the airport. She is on her way to her big adventure in South America. She talked to me on that thing Tom calls a phone. It was strange to hear Caitlin’s voice on that thing. Afterwards, Tom took me outside.

What a glorious day, the sun is shining, those annoying little birds are singing and the park was empty. We went out for 45 minutes and I chased that ball all over the park. We had a great time. I did really well in obeying Tom’s commands. I brought the ball back and dropped it right at his feet almost every time. A strange man walked right across our path and I stayed right at Tom’s side when he told me to, I even sat down until the man was gone. Then Tom was throwing the ball again. It was great. I got lots and lots of pats and compliments from Tom. I think I really like playing this game this way. I know if I bring the ball back, Tom will throw it again.

Finally I had burned off all my energy and just could not run anymore. So I dropped the ball about twenty feet away and lay down on the grass. That’s the first time that has happened, but it sure feels good. I’m pooped and now it is time for some water and breakfast.

This afternoon, Tom repaired the back gate, which keeps popping open when I jump on it. After he had finished doing that, I brought my ball and got him to throw it to me some more. I had a really good run for about 40 minutes in the back yard, chasing the ball and trying to visit with kids walking by. Nobody stopped to pet me though, I’m so disappointed. I wonder if it’s because I bark too loudly. I guess maybe I should try and tone it down a bit, but, I am just sooo exuberant and sooo full of energy. Maybe one day they will stop and visit me. I’d really like that.

After dinner Tom took me on a long walk. It lasted over 2 hours and we went into an area that I haven’t been before. There was lots of new and sometimes scary things on the walk tonight. We started on one of our usual routes, but when we came to the turning point, instead, we kept going. This took us through one of the “tougher” areas of the city. We walked past some people smoking drugs and I did not like the smell one little bit. Speaking of smells, when we turned up one street, I saw something lying in the gutter. It looked like a small dog, but when I went to sniff it, holy cow, the stink was enough to knock me off my feet. Tom said it was a dead skunk. I was really glad to keep moving away from him.

When we got farther, I recognized the place that Renee works, and I started down the stairs, but all the lights were out and Tom said that Renee was not there now. We continued on and as we were crossing the street I heard a lady ask if she could pet me. Now I thought that was pretty cool and I turned around. Imagine my shock, when I saw that the lady was in a motorized wheelchair. She seemed really nice, but that thing scared the heck out of me and I was not going anywhere near it. I even barked and told her so. That’s the first time I have barked at a person when we have been on a walk.

My last bit of adventure on the walk was a few blocks further on. As we were approaching a house, there was this big metal machine sitting there in the shadows. I was afraid it was going to come and get me too, so I barked at it to warn it to stay away. Tom said that it was just a motorcycle, and then I recognized it and stopped barking. I have even seen it before, but it startled me tonight. Finally we are home and after a drink of water and a milk bone, I am dog tired and it is bed time.