Lambiedog

Always a searcher

Recent developments

    So, what's been going on with me?  I've received a number of emails desperately importuning me for information.

In fact, there have been some significant and newsworthy adjustments taking place.

Here is a list of key recent developments:

(1) LESS TIME AT BLUFFS.  Due to the seasonal re-appearance of foxtails and burrs at the bluffs, I have been spending less time there.  I've observed that other dogs are also avoiding the bluffs, presumably for similar reasons.  For the moment my morning and evening walks tend to be on pavement.

(2) CHARLIE'S RETURN. My life has improved immeasurably, because Charlie is at home.  He plays with me, throws my rawhide, and emotes with me.

(3) SHIFT IN SOFA FOCUS.  Because Charlie is at home, and is conducting his summer work from a reclining position on the sofa, I am choosing to do more of my sofa sitting near him.  That means I have switched from the living room sofa to the family room sofa.

(4) CHAIR.  I have also colonized a chair near Charlie.  I use it when I am feeling a flash of independence.

(5) REFORMULATING IDENTITY ASSUMPTIONS.  Charlie decided to undertake some genealogical research about me.  His conclusion:  I am not a poodle, as I have always believed, but, rather, a bichon frisé (see exemplar photos below).  Naturally, I was shocked, as this calls into question everything I've always held true regarding my personality and physique. 

I am still assimilating this explosive revelation.

 
(6) EAR INFECTION ELIMINATED WITH ANTIBIOTICS.  Self explanatory.

Giving tourists some winsome face time

I met some foreign tourists at the bluff.  Of course they had to take photos.

Why does everyone want to pose with me?

I guess I seem like the quintessential American.

Silver lining

    

In recent weeks, hiking has taken a back seat to sofa-sitting on my agenda.  I like it that way.  So when I was taken to Will Rogers State Park for a hike on Saturday afternoon my initial thought was to stop and refuse to ascend the trail. 
      My owner insisted, however, so I grudgingly cooperated, dawdling where possible.

 

At the top of Inspiration Point, where we stopped for water, there was a big surprise:  horses.

They were taking a break, too.   I observed them for a while.

 
Eventually, they turned and headed back down the mountain.

I followed them closely, all the way down.
 
What an unexpected pleasure the hike had turned out to be.

Dogs in arms trend spreads

 
    

I am a campfire

    Today being my blog's three-year anniversary, the tributes have been pouring in.  This appreciation, "Poodle Saves Family", first appeared in the Midsight Crisis blog:

People often talk about how good it is for a family with school-age children to get a dog.  It's supposed to teach the children responsibility and give them a companion.

And, as the mother of older children, I am aware that our dog, whom I infantilize shamelessly, fills my need for a little cuddlekins like my children used to be.

But until recently I never noticed that having a dog has a direct benefit for older adolescent boys and young adults. A teenager who would not be caught dead being soft or cuddly with other members of his family is not ashamed to melt over his dog. And, in a way, the dog has become a campfire for all of us: We can sit around and coo over him together, even when it's not appropriate for us to coo at each other any more.

To my family, I am the most important guy. I am the campfire.

Bo

Bo, Kerry's dog, died last night. He was much loved, and will be sorely missed.

The character I most identify with in Bleak House

Probably Esther Summerson:  Sweet, observant, responsible, and loving, and with mysteries surrounding her parentage. 

Patient trainer

Kate has been working on training her dogs.  She is very diligent about it.

Ordinarily, I would not describe myself as having any interest in being trained.  But whenever I see there are treats involved, I am struck by the compelling nature of Kate's work.

Possible role for me as stressbuster

    As students return to school after spring break, I have been evaluating an interesting career direction. My inspiration was a holiday happening at Columbia University, where, as a 'stressbuster' for students preparing for finals, Columbia puppies were brought in for petting.  Long lines formed for a chance to pet the puppies.

    That gave me an idea:  Why not sign myself up to provide the same service?  Puppies are cute, but so am I.  And, as a man of the world, I think I may provide a more nuanced petting opportunity than that delivered by young pups.  With student finals coming up in the next couple of months, an enterprising dog could capitalize on all the freefloating anxiety out there.

    Some naysayers may look at my track record and temperament, and argue that I am too laden with freefloating anxiety myself to function well as a stressbuster for others.  But let's look more closely at what makes me nervous and what doesn't. The record shows that I love being petted by strangers.  I just don't like them picking me up and carrying me. 

    Look at the images below and you can see what a natural I'd be as a petting Stressbuster.

 

    My contract will just have to provide for a bodyguard on hand to keep people from picking me up.  Also, there will have to be a clause giving me approval over any sweater I am asked to wear.