It feels good to give back

Yesterday I volunteered with Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue (RRR). I went to a couple's home who were interested in adopting a Ridgeback like me. It was my job to make sure the dog placed with them would have a nice cool place to sleep in the summer and warm in winter and get plenty or exercise during the day. I searched high and low to ensure this home would meet my standards. And of course it had to be a safe and loving home.

On the way there we drove 10 miles through windy roads. I about tossed my breakfast. I didn't but felt like I could. It took forever and a day to get there but when we did I was impressed. The couple didn't have a front or backyard, they had a park with a house in the middle of it!! Geez...plenty of room for a big guy like me to romp around. The couple had a small dog the size of Lindsay. She was alright--just like my sis. There was also a cat like Bella watching me. I wanted to get up to say hi but my momma didn't let me. So the cat came up to me to say hello. I was a good boy and just sniffed her back. She was nice.

I'm happy to help RRR anytime. It sure feels good to help my fellow Ridgebacks.

When I was done with business, I decided to stop by City Hall. I want to make changes in this town. We need more pet friendly places around here. I want to be able to walk in a store and get my favorite lamb snack. Is that too much too ask? haha! Just kidding. My momma thought it would be funny to get a picture of me in front of City Hall. We live on the edge like that. Can you tell I'm dying of laughter because we're being so silly.

That was fun momma, next time you have to take me to the capital!

This will never happen

I don't care all that much for barking.

Thanks Holly!!

It must be nice to be FEARLESS

After reading about Bruno's fear list, I got to thinking about if my momma was keeping a list for me. I think I can speak for my cousin Bruno when I say, it's not that we're scared--we're just cautious. There's a difference, you know! So momma, if you're reading this I just want to make it clear that when the Roomba comes near me and I quickly jump out of it's way, it's not that I'm scared of it. I'm just moving so it can clean the floors really good. I know how you hate dirty floors. Oh, and when you turn on the hose in the backyard and you think I'm hiding on the other side of the house. I'm not really hiding, I just don't want to get my paws wet because I don't want to track mud in the house. See momma, I just want to keep the house clean for you... I do listen.

Then my sista comes along and screws up my cover. She's not scared of anything!! Well, with the exception of Bruno. I don't know why? How can anyone not love that face and want to wrestle 24/7??

Today when my momma got on the treadmill Lindsay decided she wanted to get on it, too. No, let me check this thing out to make sure it's safe! She didn't analyze this moving contraption at all!!

She just jumped on...

And walked...
And walked some more...for about five minutes!!
Dang, it must be nice to be fearless and live for the moment?

We always have fun together

Yesterday we met up with our cousins, The Dogfathers. Anytime we get together we always have a good time. I'll let you in on our fun morning.

"Is that who I think it is?"
"Yeeeeesssss.....it's my cousins.....hello uncle Bobby!"
"Tag--you're it" my dad said. Bruno charged at him to catch him.
I caught up with him as I always do.

But then we got distracted.
"Are you two getting into trouble again? I'm telling!" Gino says.
"Dad, I swear, we weren't doing anything bad. We was just smelling what another dog left behind. Promise." Bruno explains.
Our dad's believed us and we didn't get into any trouble, so we started our walk.
We met a golden on the way. My momma wasn't happy with me when we walked by and I lunged at him. What? He called Bruno a funny name. I wasn't going to stand for that! It's not like I touched him or anything!
The Big Boys posed for a picture and I'm not sure which one I like best. I think we all look quite handsome in both shots. What do you think? Lindsay and Gino weren't a part of our portrait because they're not cool like we are. Ha!
Off to the river...

By the time we reached the river, we were so hot I'm pretty sure we sizzled. I walked right up to the river and soaked my paws.
"Get in already!" Gino yells.
I am in. This is as far as I go! I replied.
"aaahhh....that felt good! Do you see the steam coming off my fur?"
Lindsay whispered a little something to Gino.

Before I knew what was happening, he and Bruno were in a race to see who could get the branch in the water.






OMG...the suspense! Who's gong to win?!













Gino won, that's who! Damn, this little guy is a fast swimmer!

"If I didn't see it with my own two pug eyes, I wouldn't have believed it either!"
Bruno wasn't happy to be defeated by his little bro, so he quickly found a log and created a diversion.
"Look everyone...I have a cigar. Do you see it? It's a cigar. Ha ha ha"
As you can imagine, it didn't really work. Got to give him credit for trying.

"C'mon already! Break time is over! Let's get back to walking 'cause I have very important things to do when I get home." Vinnie exclaimed

So we continued our walk...

"eeewww...daddy, whatcha got in the baggie?" Bruno asked.

Ok Ok...until the next time we meet up with our cousins, it's been fun!

Humans have play date's too

This weekend my momma went with her friend Michelle and son Aiden to visit the Buhler boys for a play date. I told her it was ok to guest post on my blog but that she shouldn't make a habit of it. Momma, maybe it's time you start your own blog to share non doggie stuff with the world? I did it...you can, too!

Playgrounds have come a long way since I was a child. That stinky sand filled with not-so-good surprises underneath the swings and slides are a distant memory-replaced with clean bark. Playgrounds today are built with plastic fisher-price type slides, not steel like I remember my thighs and calves burning while rubbing on the way down. That's when I learned it's best not to go on a slide while wearing shorts--you go down a whole lot faster in long pants. And new playgrounds have sections with rubber areas for skateboarding, biking, scooters, rollerblades?, anything that can ease the danger of falling I suppose. It made me want to jump on a board and test it out....but....I would look pretty darn silly for being such a *big* kid. Who am I kidding!?! "Who's that old lady?" all the kids would ask.

This is the cool rubber area I'm talking about. Aiden is riding his scooter and loving every minute of it.

He also adds special gas powered sound effects while he rides it. Yeah, I know...he rocks the coolest hair do for a 4 year old!
Jake is quite the dude on his board!


Tony Hawk in the making...no really, he has a TH board. Can you tell he takes his craft very seriously?
There comes a time during childhood when you realize a buddy can get in the way of your fancy moves. The look on your face when you do, PRICELESS!
Ricky bruised his bone while playing golf at golf camp. Nothing serious, he just has to take it easy for a couple weeks. He was a sport to pose with his momma.
And quite the big brother, too. Here he is looking after his little brother, Lukas on the swing.

Still, he couldn't resist and had to get on his board. Adults could learn a thing or two from this--don't let a little bruised arm (or ego in our case) bring you down. Pick yourself up and try again! I admire the resilience in children.
And then there was Lukas. This little guy is Greg's (Lukas' dad) mini me. Blows me away how much he looks like his dad.
Lukas, like his brothers is fearless. He decided he wanted to go on the slide, so he started climbing.
He was quite proud of his accomplishment.
Not too sure if he liked the ride on the way down.
It was worth it!
What's this? A cat by the slides? This kind hearted girl likes to come watch her human girls play. I thought it was the sweetest thing! Reminds me of how Bella is my shadow here at home.
She was extremely friendly because she let Aiden pet her and even pick her up. What a sweet girl!
And the play date finale ends with the boys playing with this one guys rocket thing. The rocket was two pieces and the thing you see Jake jumping on shot air through it to blow the rocket upwards. The kids had a blast trying to get coordinated enough to jump on it just right to make it shoot up. This was Jake's awesome success. Don't you love the intensity in his facial expression and especially how he holds his arms to land just right!
The boys played so well together for meeting for the first time. No shyness or awkward moments--they became instant friends and even shared their toys. They look forward to another play date next week to celebrate Lukas' 2nd birthday. Stay tuned.