Lambiedog

Sleepover

I went on a sleepover at the Ons' house.

We packed my valise, loaded it into the car, and drove over to Sherman Oaks.

 

 

I've been there many times.  I know Teresa.  I know Roger.  I know their cat, Pumpy.  Also, Kevin was home from college for spring break.  We've spent some good times in the past carousing together. 

 So I ran right in and made myself at home, while Teresa and my owner reviewed my daily routine.

 

Then my owner left.

         

After I got over my shock, it turned out that life was pretty good at the Ons'.

I had affection, exercise, and, to keep things interesting, an adversary.

    In fact, I was treated like a king, and I responded in kind.  Roger and Teresa were a bit surprised when I insisted on joining them under the covers.

I did wonder when my owner would be coming back. 

Of course, I knew that, like the song says, she always comes back -- she never would forget me.

Well-matched

I can't speak, and my grandfather can't hear.  We enjoy a companionable silence.

At my post as the glamoristas depart

    We had a lot of guests recently, but then they trickled away, back to their sophisticated lives in New York and San Francisco.  

My life stays centered on my sofa.  I could feel envious of the road not taken, but instead I choose to view myself as the rock of stability that travelers can count on when they return.

Missing the ones I love

    Life is spicier when they're around. 

  

Stirling bench update

 

The Stirling bench at the bluffs has been recently upgraded.  It turns out that this is in response to the November death of patriarch Norman Stirling.  The Palisadian Post obituary of Dr. Stirling referenced the bench improvements:

Many years ago he donated a bench on the El Medio/Asilomar bluffs for the people of the Palisades to enjoy the remarkable ocean views. This bench will now be updated with a plaque in his memory.

The obituary noted that there will be a memorial service for Dr. Stirling on January 19 at 2 pm at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church. 

From the obituary, I garnered more information about Dr. Stirling than I'd been able to turn up for my earlier post about his family's bench:  He was a dermatologic surgeon, a sailor, a gardener, the father of three daughters, and a member of the Optimists Club who walked in the annual Fourth of July parade. 

The family (or Parks Foundation?) has done a beautiful job on the updated bench, which sparkles on the bluff in tribute to Dr. Stirling's memory.

Stepping lightly into 2013

    What will this year bring?

I hope, good things for all. 

Specifically I want to single out Hillary Clinton and my friend Kerry for good wishes health-wise.  Among canines, my friend Dexter comes to mind.  I hope his tumor will be controlled. 

As for me, Lambie, I feel a renewed vigor after losing several pounds in the course of my recent illness.  My plan for 2013 is to stay slimmed down, and to continue thinking deep thoughts. I'm also thinking it would be nice to acquire some talents.  For example, I'd like to learn to stop at curbs and wait for a signal before stepping into the street. 

Maybe also a showstopper trick would be good.  Perhaps I could learn to jump through a flaming hoop.  Though I don't want to get too ambitious.  Walking through a non-flaming hoop might be almost as impressive.

365 days.  That's a lot of licking opportunities for me.  I intend to appreciate them all.

New sibling idea is floated

    On our weekend walk with Teresa, we stopped to see the animals at a pet rescue.

I was not that interested, but my owner seemed activated.

 

Life is good as it is; why add another baby? Am I not enough dog for my family?

Who are the people in my neighborhood?

I've been catching up with the neighbors.  As Sesame Street taught us, they're the people that I meet each day.

Kerry lives down the street, and Howard lives a block from him. They often walk to the bluffs together.

    

  Although not technically a neighbor, Maria comes to my house on Wednesdays.   

            I love Wednesdays.

Nancy lives around the corner and is an old friend. She has a new dog named Earnest.

Kim lives across the street and is Willy's owner.  My crush on her is well-documented.

Conveniently, there are tons of people in my neighborhood.  This could be a rich vein for blog posts.

Object permanence

                                Not only did Charlie leave recently; his sofa also left.

                Now there's a new sofa, but Charlie isn't on it.

 

  

 

 

Intimate portrait by an insider

Charlie did a photo shoot of me the other day.  You can see how relaxed I am in his presence.

The naked vulnerability revealed in the photo calls to mind the famous portrait of a young Al Gore shaving, taken by Tipper. 

My impression is that Al was very relaxed for his photo shoot as well.

Perhaps we should title the pictures from my shoot "Intimate Photos of a Future Statesman."  Or would a simple "Dog at Rest" be better?