Things have been dreary around here. All my favorite people have been gone.
So when I saw Rambo out at the bluffs I was eager to do some running around.
I had remembered him as a scary guy, but he was actually rather submissive to me.
Which worked out well.
....
What's white and fluffy, and pink underneath?
I was out grazing on the bluff, doing some routine yet necessary investigative work, when what to my wondering eyes should appear but a Honda Odyssey.
I looked over...and there was Thomas!
I sprang from my investigative work to greet him.
What am I going to do when he goes to Prague?
I met a dog and owner who both conveyed a certain quality of dominance.
Initially things seemed a bit dicey.
In fact, the owner held the dog's mouth shut to make sure he behaved.
But I disarmed them with my friendly, open nature.
Soon we were grazing together peaceably.
Willy's family gave us a New Year's gift: a bottle of Bluffs Pinot Noir from the winery they co-own, Pali Wine Company. Pali specializes in Pinots, mostly from unique vineyards but also some blends. The blends are named after the co-owners' neighborhoods. This one was named "Bluffs" in honor of Willy's family.
Although I am not much of an oenophile myself, I know that my family is going to enjoy this bottle.
When I got to the bluffs last night there was a gorgeous sunset under way.
Dogs and kids were running all over.
Even I was moved to run.
Some little girls played with me.
I hated to go home.
I got to work right away on some of my New Year's resolutions -- specifically, those dealing with exercise and excretion.
First, I took a very long walk with my associates Buddy and Killer. By the end we were exhausted, especially me.
I took a few hours to rest.
Then I undertook learning how to use the doggie door.
It was fairly pleasant. My training team had taped up one piece of the airlock door, so I only had to go through one layer of plastic.
I had a lot of encouragement from my trainers, and they arranged for me to enjoy delicious treats on the other side.
I was a heroic and outstanding student, if I do say so myself.
So far, though, this is just an agreeable pastime involving intermittent reinforcement. I have not yet reached a Helen Keller-"W-A-T-E-R"-type epiphany where I catch on that I should run out this door when I need to void my bowels. Perhaps that will come later. Or maybe not. It's not an easy connection to make.
-I will try not to poop in the living room.
-I will try to be more friendly to other dogs.
-I will support universal health coverage.
-Exercise, exercise, exercise!
This guy Pepe or Paco always arrives at the bluffs in a carriage. His owner pushes the stroller up to the curb, and then Pepe/Paco steps out like a pasha.
We get along fine but I secretly look down on the way he is pampered and infantilized by his owner.
I would never put up with that.
There's a puppy named Malibu at the bluffs. I find him very interesting.
He still has that puppy tendency of leaping onto those around him. As soon as he does the leaping, his owner swoops in and restrains him, and they depart. Which usually means that he is restrained seconds after he arrives at the bluff, and that he is only at the bluff for seconds before he leaves.
So my sightings of Malibu tend to be of him departing.
