The Netherlands?

Things at Harlem Street have been a little bit strange as of late. People visiting, lots of throwing things away, sorting, packing, going to the lake with the car full every weekend (and coming back with it empty) have all inundated our house lately. I keep hearing about this place “The Netherlands” and I wonder what that means. Does it smell good there? Another interesting development is that I got a new crate. It is a little bit smaller than the old one, but better because it is hard plastic instead of metal bars. It looks less like a jail and more like a den. Not that I’m a huge fan of the whole ‘crate thing’, but I have to admit I kind of like this one.

At first there was a plastic bowl thing attached to the inside of the crate door. When Meredith was inviting people inside the house to look it over, I decided to eat that plastic bowl. In no time at all I had it gnawed off the door and partially chewed. After about 5 minutes of fun Meredith caught me in the act. She had a complete fit and of course I was very sorry. It had seemed like a good idea, but her disappointment overwhelmed me. As a result I sat meek in my crate during the “house-inspection”.

It’s now two weeks later and guess what: I got metal bowls attached to the inside of the crate! The box they came in had birds on them for some reason. I have a feeling they weren’t really intended for dogs but I don’t care. They look fancy and match my other bowls.

Nomads?

So last night I asked Mike, "Are we gypsies?"

It was actually a valid question- I mean- we've stayed at 4 different places in the past 6 days. I am starting to think we just live out of the car. Not that I mind much: vacationing is pretty darn cool because I get to see Meredith and Mike all day and nothing beats that. (Well, except if there are other dogs wanting to play with me, or squirrels to chase, or bunnies...)

Sturgeon Bay is pretty neat. Mike's parent's have a boat and we spent two days sailing around the bay. Well, they sailed and I napped.


I did very well on the sail boat. Here I am again, in position:


Don was great. He let me wander all over the boat, no leash. We had some fun times together while taxi-ing out of the channel:


I have to admit, sailing is my favorite kind of boating.

Trip to see Finn-land

Today we got to see Meredith's cousin Susan, and her son Finn. He is just one year old now and loved me at first sight. Meredith gave me a bully stick to chew (one of my most favorite things!) and so I let Finn pet me, pat me, and judge my overall fuzziness level.


Oh, I'm quite fuzzy, actually. I've got hair instead of fur and it is extremely soft. Meredith saves it from when she gives me hair cuts and brushes me. She is planning to have it sent away and made into yarn so that she can knit a scarf. (Between you and me I think that is kinda funny because she doesn't even know how to knit!)

Blue Lake: best time ever

Blue Lake, Wisconsin is absofrickinlutely great. The three of us drove all the way to northern Wisconsin over a two day stretch. Riding in the car is no problem for me, but Meredith needs to stop all the time to do yoga. Not that I mind the opportunity for a pee break and a chance to smell some rest-stop dogs.

The boating, running around like a mad-dog, being off-leash for the entire day every single day all made the trip perfect.(Okay, they had me on-leash on the boat. Only because I kept debating about jumping out and it made everyone nervous.)

We had a chance to catch up with Scott and Tricia, people Meredith and Mike know but I had never met before. They were real nice; although Tricia was also trying to get me to swim with the whole throw-a-stick-into-the-water thing.

I humored her, since she was so nice to me otherwise.

At the end of one day, the people decided to play some game they found in the game cabinet and I did some fabulous couch-leaning.

When do we get to go back there?

Gahhh... swimming

Meredith and Mike really want me to swim for some strange reason. In fact, they are so excited about it, they both spend time coaxing me, and in this case carrying me out into Keuka Lake. One thing I just don't get about these people: many sticks exist on the shore, all ready for chewing, and they keep throwing them into the water! And then trying to make me go get them! Aren't they silly?




Just for the record, I did swim at some point. I have webbed feet you know. I can do it. I just choose not to.

Thank goodness they decided to bring me back to shore.

I'm hoping that will be the end of this madness for awhile.

Sad News

In early July I heard from my owners that Mandy the dog passed away. She had a great life and enjoyed every minute. Her favorite things were being petted, getting her butt scratched, taking a dip in the lake, and chewing her bones and squeaky toys. When I arrived at Keuka Lake and Mandy wasn't around, it just wasn't the same. I tried to make everyone happy by chasing my tail and lying down in spots that Mandy liked to lie in. It was a very difficult time for Meredith's parents and I'm grateful that I had a chance to meet Mandy. I will always look up to her.

Meredith's mom gave me the angel dog tag that Mandy had for most of her life. I wear it now, thankful for the love I am fortunate to have with such a great family.

Hawaii Trip!

While my owners went to Hawaii (lucky dogs) I stayed at Keuka lake with Mary and Jim. They are so very nice to me! Jim took me for lots of walks and runs and even worked with me on how to be good on a leash. Meredith was a bit nervous about leaving me because she has been with me every day since I came to live with her and Mike. She needn't have worried, however. I did lots of good and naughty things with Mary and Jim and didn't seem to miss her much. Once she came back I was all cuddly and happy to see her. I did a lot of the press-my-face-to-the-floor-and-butt-in-the-air thing when she arrived, to show her how glad I was to see her again.