Vacation to San Diego

Every since Mom and Dad have returned from San Diego, they have been telling me all about their trip. I have been hearing about how much fun they had with Grandmother, W.H., Aunt Allison, Uncle Mark, and human cousin Harrison. Can't you tell how amused I am by the look on my face?

This is Harrison enjoying his first plane ride to come west and visit with Mom and Dad. Mom explained to me that if I were to fly, I would have to ride in the belly of the plane with all of the luggage. I think not.

So, I opted to stay in this doggy motel. Due to Mom and Dad's request, I got to stay in the "quiet" room where the non barkers and sleepers spent their time. Too bad Mom and Dad were too cheap to pay for the "princess" suite where they could have watched me via video camera. They know that all I do is sleep anyway. And, besides, I did not have to spend my time in the luxurious suite for people to know that I am a princess.

The above picture is where everyone else stayed for a week

While I enjoyed looking out at this courtyard at the doggy motel,

Everyone else spent their time in this courtyard and the deck, enjoying the perfect 70 degree weather in sunny San Diego. According to Mom and Dad, there is only a 4 degree difference in temperature day and night in southern California. (Not the case in northern California.)

Mom keeps going on and on about how cute Harrison is and how she enjoyed spending an entire week with him.

If you know W.H., you know he loves tinkling small children (and sometimes grown children) until they squeal. This is why Mom is so ticklish 'til this day. W.H. is always instigating trouble, whether in Birmingham Alabama or San Diego California.

Harrison "cruised" on furniture for the first time while in San Diego. I think that the shoes probably had something to do with it. But, remember, I wore them first!

Harrison loves to play the game of chase. When you start chasing him, he just crawls faster and laughs. Aunt Allison loves this game.

He also likes to play the game of fetch by himself. Harrison throws the ball and then goes and gets it. I am six and still have not mastered this skill.

When he is not on the go, Harrison likes to sit around and solve the world's problems.

He also loves to drink out of the faucet during bath time. I, personally, am afraid of the running water but not Harrison.


This post only addresses Mom and Dad's arrival and some of the week's highlights. I plan to blog about each day in San Diego. I hope that it is about the trip and not just about Harrison. But, I can only tell you about what Mom and Dad tell me and a lot of it has been about my human cousin. Keep reading!

Happy 1st Birthday Harrison

Before we moved to our new apartment, Mom and Dad went to San Diego with my grandparents, Aunt and Uncle and my human cousin. All of the canine cousins had their own mini-vacations in doggy motels.

While in San Diego, Harrison had his 1st birthday party.

I guess there was a reason the canine cousins were not invited. Maggie, Louie, Otis and I would have been fighting over all of the cupcake crumbs. Harrison made a mess and loved every bite of his red velvet baby cake! But, I do not know who had more fun - Harrison or Mom taking thousands of pictures capturing the moment.

After every mess comes clean up. If you look closely, Harrison has cupcake crumbs in his nose. I wish that I would have been there because I would have licked those crumbs right up. Dad always says that my tongue is so long and skinny it can go up his nose.

Happy 1st Birthday Little Buddy!

We are moving?

Mom and Dad just informed me that it is time to move again. I know we just got here but Mom's contract is up and she got another job in a different area. That's part of working as a traveler, so I am told. As I am looking forward to new adventures in another city, I reminisce over the past 3 months as we have enjoyed living in the city of Woodland.

Here's downtown. It is a small, Mayberry-like town, but has a few "extras" like a Sushi restaurant. I have never seen an episode where Lassie enjoys sushi.

The above picture is Mom and Dad's favorite local barbecue restaurant. Instead of pork, their barbecue is beef. The locals love to eat Tri-tip, which is a certain part of the cow. Mom and Dad do not care for it much. I have never been offered any but that does not mean that I have not tried to sneak a bite or two.

There are a lot of old buildings here in this town, the courthouse being one of them. And, as I have mentioned before, Woodland has the oldest library in California, built in 1905.

This is the hospital where Mom works. It is only 10 minutes from the apartment. She has enjoyed it there, getting to know the staff and her patients. Everyone knows everybody because it only consists of 2 medical floors, an intensive care unit and a mental health unit.

Because the hospital is so small, she does not have enough patients there to keep her busy all day. Mom also works at a nursing home in Williams, another quaint, rural town. The town is known for Granzella's Restaurant, where they sell wines, hand packed olives, olive oils, and various types of jams.

Mom has only eaten here once and she ordered a Muffuletta sandwich. It did not compare to Louisiana's Check In Check Out, despite the use of local grown olives.

Well, I guess I will just lay here and ponder about our next "home". I hope that we enjoy it as much as we have enjoyed living in Woodland. I'll keep you posted!

I must confess . . .

For the most part, I behave but I do have a wild streak in me. Just when you least expect it, I will get into something that I know I am not supposed to have. Here lately, I have been obsessed with my dad's backpack, unzipping it and everything. Last night I strode his highlight, pens, pencils and calculator all over the apartment after devouring the pop tarts that Dad planned to eat for breakfast. (This is the second time I have done this within the past month.) Mom has tried to get me to show her how I unzip it but I am much smarter than that - showing her my tricks. I think not.

I also came across my human cousin's 1st birthday present and could not resist trying it on. I sure do hope that Harrison does not see this post. Then, I will be in trouble.

Aren't they adorable?

If only Mom had bought another pair so that I could wear them on all four feet. I guess she was not thinking of me when she bought them. Actually, Dad picked them out. He has good taste, doesn't he?

Here's the scenery around here. The sunflowers are in full bloom and fields of them are everywhere.

I hope your weekend is full of sunshine!

Spending more time at the dog park

Mom and Dad are determined for me to become more sociable and not so aloft to other dogs. Needless to say, we have been spending lots of time at the local dog park. I think that they have more fun there then I do. The other day, Dad was playing fetch with some random dog (knowing that I do not fetch and all).

Here we are again? Do I have to get out of the car? Can't I just stay in here and take a little nap? Please!

This is my favorite part of the dog park - the little strip of concrete close to the fence. I hate walking in the grass, especially wet grass, and it puts the most distance between me and those other canines.

Just to pacify Mom and Dad, I ran around with these dogs for a little while, looking at my parents the entire time for reassurance.

Can we go now? I am ready whenever you are.

I conquered the dog park, yet again!

Since I am usually curled up into a ball asleep in the backseat of the car, Mom and Dad are proud of me for sticking my head out of the window like other dogs. (Well, partially out of the window.) I guess you are right Kathryn - the Cali air is in my system.

But, this is by far my most favorite spot.

Hay again!

I realize that it has been a while since you have heard from me. Not much has been going on around here.

I have just been watching Mom enjoying basking in the sun by the pool

and Dad studying this book

while I play with my toys and get my bed and blanket into the perfect wad for my comfort

I guess you could say that we have finally settled into a routine.

Hope that all is well!