Lambiedog

Party dog

    There is nothing more rewarding than meeting with fans of my blog.  Last night a party atmosphere prevailed here, as Thomas' friends Maggie,Mina, Melanie, Shaly, Ben and Dustin came over. I already knew Maggie and Dustin, of course, but the others were new friends.

     We had a great time hanging out together in an informal setting, around the fire pit and in front of the dinosaur fountain.  I am always amazed that college students would be so nice to me, a humble dog without even a high school degree.

    Bottom line:  The language of friendship and humor transcends culture, species and socio-economic status.  We had a special evening discussing art, politics, bones, religion and travel.   At the end, we posed for photographs to remember our special night together.

    I know this is a crazy fantasy for a dog without any formal education, but I wish I could go to NYU with them.  Perhaps I should look into getting my G.E.D. as a first step.  Of course, I'd also have to look deep into my heart to see if I was really ready to leave my home and the bluffs.

                

The price of celebrity

The Michael Jackson events of the past two weeks have led me to muse about the consequences of being a public figure.  Yes, Mr. Jackson was odd in the extreme, but as a public figure myself I have empathy for him.  

I know what it is like having the paparazzi follow you each time you go out for a walk. 

Just yesterday, for example,  I was out for a pleasant morning walk when the relentless paps caught me in their crosshairs.

My crack security team immediately jumped in front of me to protect my privacy.  

But the damage was done -- my innocent happiness had once again been invaded by these monsters of the press who want more more more of me.

  

I saw an ad for an armed response team.  Maybe that's what I need to protect me from this wild adulation.   It's worth considering.  

The only thing I won't do is take drugs (other than my epilepsy medicine).  If I've learned one thing from Michael's untimely death, it's that I must be vigilant in Just Saying No.

Mallard and Maggie

Oftentimes people talk to me in baby voices, as if I was immature or unsophisticated.   

Maggie's different.  When she plays with my mallard with me, I don't feel she's patronizing me.  

      

We're just two adults enjoying a game of mallard.

Calming visit from a friend

Raymundo came to visit.

I poured my heart out to him -- all the confusion of the past week, the stress over my weight gain, the worry about the future.

He put it all in perspective. I felt better. 

       

Raymundo really knows how to reassure me.

Airport reunion

Thomas came home today.

The closer he got, the better I looked.

Then I saw Maggie, and we had a group hug.

I stayed cool while we loaded the car, and then I sat in Maggie's lap while Thomas ate In 'N Out Burger as we drove home.

My heart was full.