My friendship with Earnest has been deepening.
We first bonded when I stayed at his home and he very kindly let me sleep on the bed with him and Nancy.
Lately, he has been coming over to watch Homeland with us. We've also been taking walks together, as well as mixing at the bluffs late in the day.
Some have suggested that I am unable to get along with my canine peers, but I think my burgeoning friendship with Earnest suggests otherwise.
I've been working with law enforcement on issues related to the Samulon bench.
In recent days, the bench has fallen victim to graffiti, then to paint to block out the graffiti. The latest development is writing exhorting bench-sitters: "Don't talk. Just sit and look..."
It seems like everyone feels entitled to render their thoughts using the Samulon bench as a canvas. The cops and I really have our hands full.
I've been staying at Earnest's while my owner is gone. Nancy sent a glowing report about me:
"He's
been a joy and is eating well, snuggling a lot, walking energetically,
guarding the house from his couch top a lot, and happily sleeping with E and me on the
bed! A 100% Angel Gentleman!"
And here's one from Jackie, owner of Winnie and Oliver:
"Wanted to let you know that Jeff and I bumped into Nancy this afternoon while walking the dogs and that Lambie looked very happy! He was spry and gave me a nice friendly greeting."
It's so nice to have friends who care.
Here I am with my pal Hannah trying to combat my tied-to-my-mother's-apron-strings complex.
Back in the day, there were ground squirrels at the bluffs wherever you looked. And I looked at them a lot.
A purge by the county knocked them out. But their holes remain, an evocative memorial to their joie-de-vivre and fun, fast-paced lives.
Each morning Delilah and I bark at one another like crazy as I walk past her home.
We never actually see each other, as we are separated by a stone wall and a wood gate.
So I was enthralled yesterday to look up and see her, posed above me like a beautiful vision.
But alas, it was not long to be. I looked away, and she was gone.
Her delicate floral scent remained with me for hours.
All of the older benches at the bluff have now been replaced with an attractive new style that is much more esthetically appealing than the plywood byproduct benches that were added a few years ago.
As previously reported, the first improvement was in the Stirling bench, which subsequently also received a touching new nameplate.
Now, the Berman-Yoshpe bench has been upgraded, as has the Anna Walker Steere bench.
I was happily surprised that the Steere bench received any improvement, since it has been edging closer and closer to the edge of the bluff as the cliff recedes.
Unfortunately, the bench's isolated location also makes it an attractive target for vandals, who have already left their mark.
I was standing around at the bluff the other day when a photojournalist came rushing up in search of subjects for a piece he was doing on dogs.
This was not a completely disinterested reporter. We are social acquaintances.
Thus, I may be forgiven for assuming that if he wanted to interview a dog he'd focus on me. I quickly tried to remember which side was my most photogenic.
But to my chagrin, this reporter's attention and camera -- shot upon shot -- were directed at an unknown dog standing nearby.
I
thought of crying foul, but the truth is that I respect this reporter too much. I've worked with him before. I know that he's the real thing. He'll follow a story wherever it takes him.
He's a man of great integrity. Actually, the fact that he rose above our connection made me respect him even more.
So I stood by patiently while he captured Unknown Dog from every angle. It gave me time to gather my thoughts and recollect that my right side is my noblest profile.
Finally, he shifted his attention to me.
I turned slightly, to give him the good profile and my Blue Steel far-away gaze.
He captured my essence in a single shot.
Then he zoomed off, in pursuit of another promising lead.
