Lambiedog

I climb some stairs

  

 My first get-fit scenic health hike took place last weekend when, inspired by the book Secret Stairs: A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of Los Angeles, I went on a stair walk in Silver Lake with my owner and her friend Teresa.   We saw interesting architecture, and I made a couple of new friends.

    I also climbed stairs -- a lot of them. 

     The walk was long and arduous but I kept my wits about me and was a good hiking companion.  But once we reached the end and stopped for a coffee (them) and water (me) at Café Tropical, I settled down for a snooze.  I was spent.

Solid citizen

    When I visited Dr. Galea last week to seek help for my recurrent ear infection, talk inevitably turned to my weight (18 pounds 2 ounces).  Dr. Galea's first thought was that I was eating too much, but after favorably reviewing my diet, he changed his analysis.

    He felt my abdomen and commented that he could still feel my ribs easily, then had me stand on the floor while he checked out my profile, which also met with his approval.

    His conclusion?  

    I am not overweight -- just built sturdily. (Or, as Mma Ramotswe in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series would put it, I am a 'traditionally built' dog.)  

    This is what I have been trying to convey to my detractors* for months, perhaps even years!

    Dr. Galea provided some practical advice:  We should keep my diet as it is, avoid the treats I so enjoy when I go to Willy's house, and try to add more exercise.

    With his words in mind, I will be taking up scenic hiking.  Stay tuned. 

 

 *To be fair, they are not really detractors.  They carp about my weight because they want me to live long and healthily.  In that sense you could call them some of my biggest supporters.

New dog on the (next) block

            Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting Sam's family's new dog: a puppy named Rooney.

Rooney comes from the same breeder that Sam came from, and you can really see the resemblance, though Rooney has a coloring and sweetness all his own.

    His eyes are a beautiful blue color, and he is very attentive to his owner.

What a happy addition to his family, to the neighborhood, and (once he's had all his shots) to the bluffs. 

Boundary setting

    A recent New York Times story , although unfairly judgmental of the current generation of canines, has caused me to take a rueful look at my own behavior and how I may be contributing to negative perceptions.  The article's thesis is that while dogs in the olden days were noted for their heroic contributions (think Balto, Lassie, and Rin Tin Tin), the current generation is a smarmy, maladjusted me-generation of dogs whose acclaim comes from misbehaving on reality TV, or from being therapized by Cesar Milan. 

    From a personal standpoint, I feel that I do play an important positive role in both my family and my community.  Not showy or dramatic, but important in terms of recognizing, honoring, and furthering relationships.  On the other hand, the article's disparaging reference to a dog on "It's Me or the Dog" who sticks its tongue up its owner's nostril did touch a nerve, and reminds me that I need to work harder on recognizing appropriate boundaries. 

Considering new hairdo

    Intrigued by the enthusiasm of Justin Bieber's huge fan base of 'Beliebers', my style advisors and I have been studying Justin's hairdo and mannerisms to see whether I might want to adopt them.

        Although Justin's definitely got a cool look, we've pretty much concluded that the 'fringe' haircut would not work well with either the shape of my face or the texture of my hair.  

    You've got to watch it with trends -- not every one is appropriate for every individual.   As a famous bard -- was it Justin Bieber? -- once wrote, "To thine own self be true."

Waiting for Dogot

     

Giggles in treatment

        Giggles was under stress.  He had a lot on his mind, and needed to process and share.

    I find it often works best to approach tough topics in the course of some other activity.

 So I proposed that we go for a 'frolic' at the end of the bluff.

 
        As we strolled, Giggles laid out his heartache for me, and we worked through it.

      

    By the end of our session, his step was much lighter.  It was as if a weight had been lifted.

Yes, Lambie, there really is a Santa Claus [forgot to post this last week]

 

                                Apparently he came while I was dozing on the sofa.

New and improved 2011 model -- 30% longer!

    Here's a photo of me beta-testing a stretch version of myself.  Features include a longer trunk, two added paws, and a bit of mid-region fluff on top.