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March 1, 2008 - So...Quinn, You
Think the Caucuses in Texas Are Critical in Next Week's Primaries?
Yay! New friends breezed into the Dunes from Pennsylvania. I first met the
vivacious Scottie named Kassy, on my walk around the bay. (She's the one on the left in the picture).
I was a little impolite the first day I met Kassy and I growled at her. Sometimes if I growl or bark at another
dog, the owner get really frightened of me and thinks I'm saying something other than "Hello." But Karen, Kassy's person, was really smart and watched my tail (which was waving at Kassy big
time) and she let Kassy and me get to know each other. We didn't bark after that!
The next night Kassy came to the dog run with her younger roommate, Quinn.
Quinn is bigger than Kassy even though he's not as old. (It must be all his guy muscles.) So Kassy and Quinn and
I had a nice meeting together (Scooter to Scotties), and it's all because Karen had faith that we'd work everything out and
gave us time to do just that.
Sometimes, when you're very afraid that people or dogs might fight,
you have to keep them apart so nothing awful will happen. But there
are other times when it's important to just walk away and
let peace happen. I guess, like humans always say, it takes wisdom to know the difference.
We said "Happy Trails," to Ron and Karen, Kassy and Quinn and wished them well
on their trip back east. But it's not the last we'll hear from our new friends because, guess what? Kassy
and Quinn have their own blog at www.2scotties.blogspot.com. You'll love it! Until next time, "Chow" from Scooter
February,
2008 - Oliver's Friends Come to Visit The Dunes
A few weeks ago, Oliver's awesome person, Linda, came
over to see us with her friend Maureen. They had two special someones they wanted me to meet, Bridget and Stella! You
can see Ollie introducing me to the girls in the picture on the left below - except all of us were more interested in
the smells of the dog park at Newport Dunes than each other, I think. Next to that picture is a close-up of
Stella, she's the one that looks like me in reverse. She has black and white fur and she looks like a movie star
with dark sunglasses around her eyes. Billie kept calling out "Stelllla" in a loud voice, but I really don't know
why.
Bridget is the beautiful brown Shitzu in the
picture next to Stella. (This is exactly why I LOVE California!)
Here's another picture of Stella and Bridget and Stanley (whom I didn't meet.) Maureen,
their person, sent this picture to us and told us to tell you that it was a rainy day in California, and she thinks
they were all just asking her when they could go out to play!
A few days after I first met Stella and Bridget, I went over to Oliver's motor
home. It's new and shiny and Ollie let me eat the food in his dish and drink all of his water and play with his toys.
Linda and Tom let me see the whole RV and Linda gave me the best treats I had in a long time. I really like Tom
and Linda's house!
But wait, there's even more excitement that happened after all of these
adventures. After my visit to Ollie's home, Tom and Linda invited me over on yet another day, this time, for a
big, I mean really big (but little) surprise. Oliver has a brand new "sister! " She's a beautiful brown
puppy - another Shit-zu - and they named her LuLu. LuLu shook a little when she saw me, but when we meet again,
I think she'll remember me. She's only a little pup and I know Ollie will show her the ropes at Newport Dunes.
You can see in the picture with LuLu on the pillow how much Ollie, already, is taking care of his new "little
sister."
So I'm glad I had a good time with Stella, Bridget and Oliver. I'm
glad that Oliver let me share his food and water in his new RV, and I'm glad to have met LuLu, the littlest puppy at
Newport Dunes. That's the greatest part about staying at the Dunes - we get to meet new people and new dogs and
it just seems to me that "new" is what makes everyday interesting and exciting.
Another Old Buddy Back at the Dunes
Finally, Billie remembered her camera when my old buddy,
Oliver, returned to Newport Dunes after Christmas. I see Oliver on my walks around the bay almost every day (or
at least once a week), so Oliver and I know each other well. We like each other too and almost never bark when
we meet. We just sniff "Hello" and wait until Billie stops talking to Oliver's people, Tom and Linda. Sometimes
I have to wait a long time until Billie stops talking. (Mike told me to say that.) Here's a picture of
Ollie (as we sometimes call him).
After Billie took Oliver's picture, another brown dog
came along, and I started barking really loud. Billie doesn't like loud barking and went, "Sh, sh, Scooter," so I tried
really hard. To try this hard, I end up throwing my head back like a howling wolf and puckering my mouth so
that no sound comes out. See me in the picture above? Billie calls that my "silent wolf" and she always says, "Good
boy, Scooter," when I do that. You can see that Oliver is trying to figure out just what I'm trying to do with
the "silent wolf," but, like the good friend he is, he just stood there and let me be me.
Here's a picture of Oliver and me and the new dog, but I forgot the
new dog's name. If we see him again, I'll have Billie write it down in my blog.
So I'm so glad Oliver is back, and I'm glad he just lets me be who I
am (even when I pretend to be the "silent wolf") 'cuz that's just what a good friend does.
Ripley (believe it or not - they got a dog)
In my very first entry in this blog, I wrote about missing my two little friends in Minnesota,
Cody and Hayden. Well, Cody and Hayden are only seven years old, just a year older than I am, but they call us all the
time on that black thing Billie puts by her ear.
Cody and Hayden have a cat named Nemo which I never saw, but now they are soooooo excited
because their Mom and Dad just bought a new puppy for the family. He's a papillon and chihuahua mix and he's only
two pounds. So right now, going out in the cold Minnesota weather is something Ripley is not excited
to do, even in his cute little sweater! ( And let me tell you, I don't blame him one bit. I remember how my fur sometimes
got all caked with snow in the backyard of our old house in Fridley, MN. Then Billie had to take the hair dryer
and blow it on me until all the "snowballs" fell off. Brrrr....)
I don't know if I'll ever get to see Ripley, but I know Cody and Hayden will
keep calling us to tell us about Ripley 'cause they're our sweet Minnesota friends. And I just wanted to tell Cody and
Hayden, "Yippee, I'm so happy for you cause I know how much Billie and Mike love me and I know how much you'll love Ripley
and how lucky Ripley is to have two wonderful boys to play with!"
Sunday, January 13, 2008 - Back on the Beach !
This Sunday, we got in the car and went up the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) and
guess what? That's right, we headed right for Huntington Dog Beach at "Surf City USA" - my favorite place
in the whole wide world (except for Billie's or Mike's laps). It was busy today at the beach and about a gazillion and
two different kinds of dogs were there. Here I am touching noses with a cute little white dog who was just my size.
She looked right into my eyes and I looked right back into hers. Be still my racing heart!
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There are puppies like this one at Huntington Beach, CA. I tried to be sweet and welcoming.
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Hi, Corgi. Is your name Georgie?
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What can I say? Huntington Beach, a gaggle of girls, and I didn't even have to buy a surf board!
It doesn't get much better than this. Whoo-hoo.
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I was a really good dog off leash and only growled once at a really big dog. But I didn't growl at Dozer
'cuz as you can see, Dozer (even though his head is as big as me almost) just laid his head down on the sand so
I could see him. So I wasn't afraid and I made a new friends.
And that's how it is with people I think. If you're very powerful and strong, it's
important that you "lay your head down in the sand" so that the one who is smaller doesn't feel...what's that big word Billie
uses?...oh right...so the smaller one doesn't feel intimidated. That's how you make friendships. I think that's
even how you can stop wars from happening!
August to December is a long, long time !
Finally, I'm back! My people, Billie and Mike,
were so busy all this time talking about "Computer Game Maker-Lite" this and "Presidential Solitaire" that and "Should
we feature more highlighter tape?" that no one had time to help ME out on my blog! But I think the hard work is over
now, and I finally can show you my newest pictures.
Here are two of my favorite friends at Newport Dunes, Kirby (in the center) and
Sophie (on the left). Before this picture was taken, I saw Sophie from a block away and Billie let my leash go. Patti,
Sophie's person, let her leash go, too. We just ran to each other like a TV commercial selling Irish Spring soap or
something. Sophie's hair was flying in the wind. She looked so beautiful. We played when we met; I chased
her and then she chased me, and it was fun. Sophie is my new friend who came a few months ago. (I love it when
I see her going for her walks. )
Just after Sophie and I were finished playing my old friend, Kirby, came by.
(Don't call him Hoover or Eureka. He's a Kirby!) Kirby was gone for all the hot time long. His people, Ron and
Norma took him far away where there's different big water. I know because Billie read me Ron's blog about their trip
and kept saying, "This will be great if we go traveling out east, Mike. We'll just follow their plan." Ron and
Norma put all of their adventures on my space at: www.myspace.com/rocksteele. That's how Billie found out that Ron also does beautiful glass work like the picture below.
There's even more beautiful pictures at www.rocksteele.com
So I'm glad I have a new friend, Sophie, and I'm glad my old friend, Kirby, is
back. But whether they're old or new, it's friends that make life fun!
August 2007 - Tent Sweet Tent - How
I Came to Own A Home in the Housing Downturn
What's all this about foreclosures? I just got a new home! My very own
tent, and this is how I got it.
My peeps and I were walking to our car one Sunday at Newport Dunes when right at one
of the sites was the most beautiful tent I have ever seen! It was just my size with a cute little Chihuahua inside! (I
didn't get her name, rats!)
Anyway, the tent had a cozy looking cushion inside, and I was glad Billie
stopped to talk to the woman standing next to it. I heard blah, da, de, blah, "Judy" and something like "Hummingbird
Creations" and "I make these dog tents. How much? $39.95?" Well, Billie handed the woman that
little card she carries. No wait.... Mike handed the woman the Billie's card that he always
carries and everyone said those words again, "Nice meeting you," "So nice meeting you, we'll email!"
Well, I was a little sad when we left 'cause that tent looked really cool, and I didn't
have one. But then something surprising happens. (Lots of things are surprises to me.) One day, maybe 5 sunsets
later, there was a knock on our RV screen door. There was the tent lady! Billie said, "Come in," really
excited like she was waiting to see something great. And then came the best part; Judy open a big bag and out came some
pretty blue cloth and a fluffly blue pillow. Billie and Judy started working on the floor putting two bend-y rods into
the blue material, and voila' in two seconds there was a tent, right on my RV floor!
Then Billie said those magic words that make my heart beat fast: "That's for you,
Scooter," Billie said. At first I didn't understand what was for me. "See, it has your name on Scooter,
and Billie pointed to the tent" I still didn't understand. But then Billie picked me up and put me inside
the shiny blue cubby and I understood. This was my house. At first I walked out, but Billie
put me back. I walked out again, and Billie put a treat inside. Boy, I got that treat. I think
it was then I understood that this was my very own house and I could go there anytime I wanted and lie down all comfy
and cozy-like.
I love my tent!I don't stay in it all the time, but when I want to be alone, I go there and
I feel safe. At night I sleep in my tent and I never slept in anything else before, not those hard kennels or those
soft square bags. (Don't get me wrong, I still like hopping up on the big bed with Billie and Mike, but sometimes
I just want to cuddle up all by myself on my fluffy pillow inside my very own house. It feels like a
dark cave and that feels very familiar to me, I don't know exactly why, but when I'm in my tent, I dream about looking
at the moon, throwing my head back, and howling.
July 9, 2007
The Remarkable Return of Rufus
Ok...See Rufus and me in the picture? It looks like
I'm whispering something important to Rufus, but actually, it's Rufus who has the big story to tell and I'm
here to pass his tale on to you. This is the amazing story I overheard about Rufus,
the fireworks, and a dead bird.
I first met Rufus on my walk around the bay at
Newport Dunes on the before the night of the big bangs in the sky. I didn't see him until days later,
and now I know why. This is what I overheard when Janice, the person Rufus owns, was talking to my
people, Billie and Mike:
Rufus went to watch the fireworks (just like I did) on that bang-in-the-sky night.
BUT, guess what? Rufus got so scared, he ran away! (I was scared, but I even looked up as I told you
in my other posting.) Anyway, Janice looked all over and finally went back to their RV hoping Rufus ran home. Rufus wasn't
there, but his leash was-caught on the underneath the motorhome and just hanging there without
Rufus in it! That meant that Rufus went there to hide, but then must have gotten even more scared and
ran away again. What was most scary was that Rufus' name and his people's number was on a tag (like the kind
I wear) but the tag was on Rufus leash! That meant that Rufus was gone and all that was left was the silver
metal that the name "Rufus."
Now we all live right off of Pacific Coast Highway (the PCH) below a small
cliff, and it's easy for dogs like us to get up the cliff to the PCH if we really want to. So Janice was
really frightened, probably heartbroken too since she probably loves Rufus as much as Billie and Mike love me!
Days passed. Janice called all over - to the animal shelter. (I think that's
where lost dogs go) and asked everyone she met about her cute little dog. Still no Rufus.
Then one day, Janice got a call and here's what she found out. Someone who was
at the fireworks at Newport Dunes on the bang-in the-sky day, found Rufus and looked all over for his owner. When he
couldn't find anyone, he took Rufus home, BUT he couldn't keep Rufus. So....he asked a friend in Dana Point to take
care of Rufus until he could find the owner. Now here's the part that's like a miracle or somethin'.
Days passed and no one knew where Rufus belonged. The people called the Animal Shelter,
but couldn't find a match. Then - suddenly these people found a bird in their backyard - a dead bird. So
they called the Animal Control people again 'cause you're supposed to. While the Animal Control people were there,
the house people told them about Rufus. So those Animal people called their office and all over to find out
if anyone reported a dog like Rufus missing. Sure enough! They found that Rufus looked like a dog that Janice
from Newport Beach reported missing. After that it was just all hugging and happy times.
So I think Rufus was very lucky that the Animal people came for the dead bird. Sometimes
humans can hear about someone who needs help, but when they actually SEE that someone, they get really, really busy to make
things happen!
4th of July - 2007
Up in the Sky, It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's FIREWORKS!
Things started changing around the RV park, big time last week. Each morning when I went
on my walk, something was different than the day before. Sometimes I just stood in the middle of the Newport Dunes sidewalk
and wondered where I was. I looked one way, and I didn't see Mikey's RV. I turned another way, and someone was putting
up a tent with balloons. Billie kept saying, "Come on, Scooter. It's ok," but I didn't think she knew what
she was talking about, so I just stood still and kept looking around until she'd pick me up and carry me over to the sand.
There were all kinds of new dogs (maybe 30!), and new kids, and new scooters (just like my
name). I smelled lots of good stuff cookin' on the grills and, of course, all week long I stopped to visit every site
that smelled extra good to me.
I met so many new dogs that my tail was getting tired from wagging! Of course,
Dottie in the upper left corner is always here 'cause her person, Devon plays his guitar and sings for us on Friday nights.
But that cutie pie Yorkie, in the middle? She was part of the whole bunch that kept
crowding in the Dunes. Her name is Cloe and she liked me! And, of course, how could I not like her, especially
when she walked under those pretty strings of stars and things. That's her on the bottom left.
I wore a tie that Billie put on me without any fuss and walked all around looking at the umbrellas in the sand,
the balloons, and more dogs like the beautiful tall and confident red head, Sarah. (That's me asking Sarah, "How
yuuu doin'? in my best Joey Tribiani style).
Billie and Mike put me in the RV and said, "Don't worry Scooter, we'll be back soon. We're going kayaking."
I don't know what that means, but when they came back they smelled like the bay when the tide comes in.
When it got dark, Billie and Mike took me down to the beach. I knew something was going to happen 'cause
they had their chairs with them. When we sat down, I suddenly felt a familiar feeling - and it felt scary - like some
feeling I had before when it was dark and there were all kinds of people on the beach. Billie tied a scarf around my
ears and I couldn't figure out what that was for! And then it happened. Just like some other times I remember
- a boom and a flash in the sky, and another boom, boom, boom. I was sitting in Billie's lap and I was shaking.
"It's ok Scooter," she said and held me really tight and started to pet me. I didn't stop shaking though and I was ready
to crawl under the chair just like last year. But guess what? Billie moved Mike's chair real close so I could
see him and she held my head up to the sky where I always look for airplanes. And pretty soon, I decided that I'd look.
And WOW! I them. All the flashes of color. Billie said, "Mike, Look! Scooter is looking at the fireworks!"
and I could tell she was proud of me. Mike said, "Good boy, Scooter," so I looked some more. I watched and watched
while Billie held me tight for the whole time until the booms and flashes stopped. Then everyone started clapping
(I think it was for me), so we packed up the chairs and went back to the RV. All the way back, Billie and Mike were
saying what a good dog I was - and brave. I guess people are really proud of you when you try things you've never tried
before, especially when you're a little scared. As I walked home, I sort of felt as my friend Sarah the retriever looks, tall
and confident !
June 5, 2007 - Meeting Mikey
This is as good as it gets! I was walking Billie and Mike around the bay
when we saw this little dog, just my size, walking with his person. At first we were both a little shy and didn't
know how we felt about each other. But then we touched noses like you see in the picture and I just knew we'd be friends! His
name is Mikey. Of course, at Newport Dunes, dogs are always moving in and out, and sometimes I never get
to see them again! But guess what? Later that very day, I saw Mikey just two RV's down from me! He
moved right in and brought his people with him! I think he's going to stay (maybe all the hot time long). This
was my lucky day! What's even better is that the next day Mikey's person, Jo, came over and asked if I could come
to their house to play! No one has ever asked me to come and play in their RV, so it was very special
for me! Jo took me over to her RV. I can tell she's nice by how she talks softly to me and how she holds
my leash so gentle-like. Mikey and I got to know each other even better on this day. (He even let me
eat all the food in his dish without complaining!!) I hope Mikey and I can see each other every day.
Sometimes you sit at home and wish something wonderful would happen.
You try really hard to make it happen. You think about it. You wish for it. You even work hard at it. You
wait a long time. But then you go outside and right out of the blue something lucky happens like it happened to
me when I met Mikey. I guess it's important to go outside - a lot!
March, 2007 - An "Under the Chair" Day
This was the worst night of my life. Never run after a rabbit if you're on a leash.
That's all I can say. I think that's how this happened - my poor little aching back. I was hurting so much
that I went under the chair and just stayed there. I started crying and crying, and it's not like me to cry. I
yelped when Mike and Billie tried to pick me up. They looked really scared and started talking on that black
thing they put by their ear. After a while, Billie lifted me up (very gently) and took me into the car.
I thought maybe we would go to my Vet, but I always go to my vet when the sun is shining, and the sun wasn't shining
then. We had to drive for a long time, and I lay very still so I wouldn't hurt. When we got to this big
new building, there were lots of dogs in the lobby. One dog had red stuff coming out of his paw. Ow! Another dog
had a big white collar around her neck when she walked out. Oooh!
I was getting really scared, but I stopped crying 'cause I was busy looking around.
Then this nice woman came and took me from Billie's arms and put me in a cage where I waited alone and cried really softly. Someone
poked me all over, and finally a woman with little doggies on her slacks took me out to a little room where Billie and Mike
and a person who looked like my other Vet were talking. She told Billie and Mike that I had a problem in my back,
and Billie said "oooh," and added that she had something like that once with her disc or something. This new vet person gave
me a shot and suddenly, like a flash, everything felt better. The vet said I shouldn't go on any long walks or
run around for a long time. She said maybe my back would get better and maybe not, but I don't think Billie and
Mike heard "maybe not."
So we went home and everyday Billie put a little white pill on my tongue and
closed my mouth until it went down to my tummy. I was very, very sleepy everyday and we didn't go on our long walks
for a long time! After the sun came up and went down about 5 times, we finally took a nice long walk. I wanted
to chase the rabbits and almost pulled on my leash, but Billie said, "No, Scooter, don't," so I listened. And guess what? Now
I'm all better, and I haven't cried once since that awful night and I can run and jump high! Sometimes, I guess, you
just have to believe that the things that hurt will go away.
My Favorite! Huntington Beach - February 24, 2007
 Another day at my FAVORITE Huntington Dog Beach. The people who set this place aside for us must be really, really nice. Whenever our car
goes on the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway, a.k.a. Highway 1, a.k.a my favorite highway), I can tell when
we're getting close to the dog beach - the air smells wonderful and there's a special feeling that comes into my chest.
I start panting really hard and can't sit still in the car. When we get there, I love to sit on the blankets
of all the new people I meet. This day, I sat next to a cute, young couple. One of their dogs is named Biggie.
(It almost sounds like my person, Billie). I can't remember the other names, and it's been soo long since Billie has
helped me write, she can't remember either. If you come to California, be sure to stop at the dog beach. Maybe
you'll see me there and I'll come up and sit on your blanket because I love everyone when I'm at the dog beach.
A Brand New Year- January, 2007
 Is that the new year I see ahead? Yippee, 'cause the word "new" sounds nice and exciting to me!
I haven't been on the dog blog lately because we've been very, very, very busy at Windmill
Works. I sit on Billie's lap for lots of hours while she moves her fingers on that clicky thing at the desk and looks
at the screen that sometimes has sounds coming out of it. She's been picking up that little black thing and putting
it to her ear when it makes noice and I hear here say, "This is Billie at Windmill Works, may I help you?" And then
she says things like, "Yes, the highlighter tape comes in blue," and "Sure you can send a purchase order to 763-322-8772."
She says that over and over and over, so I know all the words.
At night, she says new excited words to Mike like, "Mike I'm soo excited. This IQ Solitaire
is a GREAT game. Kids and adults will love learning the Presidents and it's wonderful for mental exercise." She's
been saying stuff like, "I've got to resize President Carter's picture," or "Do you think they'll have a picture of Monroe
or President Ford at the Library of Congress." Mike is excited, too. Then they talk about IQ Solitaire - Best Movies,
and IQ Solitaire, World Cup Soccer Winners and on and on. I can tell they are both happy about this IQ Solitaire thing 'cause
they seem to giving me lots more treats lately, but I think they don't know they're doing that.
Sometimes, Mike says "Billie come here and test this out," and she goes over to the other
computer. Then I hear her say over and over, "Mike, I LOVE this game. I think I'm becoming addicted to our own creation,"
One time, heard Mike say, "Hmmm, I think I found a little bug," but I don't know what little bugs are doing on
the desk. But after a little while, he said, "There, all fixed. Now it's perfect!" and Billie said, "Yay!" real
loud.
Last week I heard lots of words like "Black American History CD" and "Martin Luther King"
and "Jesse Jackson." When she talks on the little thing that goes to her ear, she says, "Yes, students match pictures
with the names of Civil Rights leaders and learn other important facts and trivia. And then I get some more treats!
Sometimes Billie is so busy that she puts me outside the RV in the California sun.
(I bark when I want to come in). Those are the times she's inside with a microphone. I hear her say over and over, "Welcome
to, 'Live from Milwaukee, It's Tuesday Night,' a collection of essays and short stories, some of them humorous, some of them
not; none written in Milwaukee and only a few on a Tuesday Night, by Billie Pagliolo. The title of this essay is..." Later
I hear, "You've been listening to an audiobook brought to you by podiobooks.com." Then I know Billie is finished
and I come into the RV and have supper!
So I think a lot of new things are happening around here, and it makes me very happy 'cause
I think there are nice people who like what Billie and Mike are doing, and then Mike and Billie give me even more
hugs than usual and you must know, dogs like me luuuuuv hugs.
October, 2006 - Halloween - Bee on the Beach
Ok, so I don't care how much I love my person, Billie, this is too much. I
STILL feel humiliate d! She kept saying, "I'm so sorry Scooter, but this is sooo cute and she grabbed her silver clicky thing and plunked
me on the beach! "Just for a minute," she said, "Ok?" And I didn't wag my tail or anything. And then
she said, "Just another minute, and she clicked that little silver thing again. I wouldn't even look at her. Lucky
it was cold at Newport Dunes today, at least this felt a little warm. And lucky Billie and Mike kept laughing every
time they looked at me 'cause when I heard that, it seemed to make it all worth it. I guess sometimes
we have to do whatever it takes to make the people we love laugh.
Wheee.... July 16, 2006 -
Look Out Lance!
Was that Lance
Armstrong we passed on the PCH? (Pacific Coast Highway for you Midwesterners). If it was Lance, I'm sure he noticed
me in my cool new bike basket. I sit really nice and still 'cause sometimes Billie shakes me around up here. But
I'm not afraid. I think that when you sit still and enjoy the view when someone else is holding the handlebars,
it's called...what's that word?....oh right, it's called trust.
 July 4, 2006 - Ba-Da-Boom
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It got dark, and we went down to the beach on
the back bay where all the people were sitting. Then it started - the noise. That's all I know. I didn't
see a thing. I hid under Mike's chair on the sand. Then I hid under Billie's chair. I wanted to jump right
out of my collar and off of my leash. Let's just leave it at that. Beth, our girl, came over in her red car after all the
noise was over. (Her car makes noise, too. that's how I knew it was Beth and that's how we know she's an actress.)
She was lucky, though, that she missed the world-ending-sounds I had just heard on the beach. So Billie and
Beth took me around the whole bay in the dark of the dark. They talked and they talked, and I just listened.
That talking noise is way better than any end-of-the-world sounding noise. |
Lookin' for
my Peeps - July 2, 2006 Whooo....There's so much to see this week at Newport
Dunes. When I go on a walk, there are dogs and kids, and scooters (not like me), and bikes, and flags. There're
all kinds of good smells, especially at night when the campfires are burning.
It was sort of hot today, so Billie took off my collar
after my morning walk. A little while later, Mike and Billie left without me and I had to stay in the
RV. I could hear their sandals flopping as walked down the street, and I really wanted to go along, but I
just sat on the couch where I always sit and waited. I waited a long, long time but they didn't come back. It was
a windy day and just as I was wishing I could be with my people, guess what happened? The door to the RV suddently just
blew open! It was like fate! At first I was scared to go out by myself, but then I thought, "It will be easy to find
Billie and Mike," so I left to look for them. I walked all around the RV park smiffing here and looking there.
I could hear people say words when I passed like, "He looks lost,"
I wasn't lost, but I sure was getting lonesome. As I headed back to the RV,
there was a really nice family sitting outside their RV. There was a mom and a dad and a little boy they called "Luke"
and a little girl who giggled everytime she petted me. They looked like they were having fun just sitting and talking,
so I decided to sit down with them.
A little while later, Mike and Billie came walking by. Billie walked right past
me with Mike behind her. When I saw them, I ran right up and Mike noticed me first. "Hon," he shouted to Billie (he
always calls her that) "Look, Scooter's here."
Billie turned around saying, "What?" like she didn't understand what he was
saying. Then she saw me and kinda screamed, "Scooter! What are you doing out here?"
and she hurried over to me and scooped me right up and hugged me tight! Luke's family told her I was
walking all around and then came over to them and sat down. Billie and Mike kept saying, "Thank you, thank you." I
don't know what they were worried about, I took pretty good care of myself all on my own. I guess though,
that's a good way to know that someone loves you - they worry if you're gone too long.
In Memory of Gator - June 23, 2006
A few weeks ago now, my person Billie was doing all kinds of banging around in the
kitchen. There were those boxes on the floor again, and she was putting stuff in them. Then she and Mike went
outside and there was lots of noise like when we always leave somewhere. (I think that means those
hoses on our RV are coming off).
When they took me over to Shep and Dee-Dee's RV I heard words I've heard
a lot before, like "Bye" and "Take Care." And there were hugs, too. Billie picked me up and lifted my
paw back in forth like she always does. (I think she thinks it looks like I'm waving "good-bye.")
Next we went to Mike and Suzanne's RV and there were more "bye" and "come
see us" words going on so I knew we were on the move again.
When Billie and I left in the car, we saw mountains out the window. When
the car stopped, there were palm trees. I knew we were back to Newport Dunes! I was so happy when we went to the dog
run; I remembered the way and walked fast over the sand to get there.
When Billie opened the gate of the dog run to let me in, I looked around for Gator.
(That's the Greyhound, I told you about before.) But Gator wasn't there. When Billie opened the gate to let me
out, I just sat down and wouldn't move. I thought maybe if I waited, Gator would show up. Finally
Billie had to lift me up to take me out of the dog run. She carried me almost all the way back home.
Later we ran into Charlie, Gator's person. There was a word that sounded like
"heart" and then some more like "went fast." Then Billie said lots of "no's," but I know she wasn't saying "no" to me.
There was a big hug, and then we walked away.
The next day I looked for Gator at the dog run, but he didn't come. I looked
the following day and the day after that; still no Gator. I don't think Gator is ever coming back.
I remember that Gator and I had lots of fun racing around the dog run. I think
Gator must have run lots of times before because, after all, he was a Greyhound. I think maybe people even clapped for
him. Maybe he even got a big shiny trophy once, I don't know.
But this is what I do know and this is what I remember most about Gator. I remember
the day that Gator was running so fast in the dog run that the sand from his paw went right into my nose! I sniffed
it in and suddenly I couldn't breathe. I started coughing and choking and Gator turned around, stopped, and walked over
to me. At first I was a little scared, 'cause I know I must have looked like that rabbit I like to chase. I thought
maybe Gator might think he needed to pick me up and shake me. But guess what? He didn't. Know what Gator did?
He put his head down close to mine while I was coughing and then he looked up at his person, Charlie, like he wanted her to
do something. I think I heard Gator whine a little. Finally Billie picked me up and I stopped coughing and Gator
started running around again.
So maybe Gator was fast as the wind and could always beat me. And maybe,
like I said, lots of people clapped for him some where, and maybe there's even a shiny trophy that he won. But what
I remember most about Gator was that when I was in trouble, he hurried over and stood by my side. Bye, Gator.
On the Road Again - June 1, 2006
Gator and Me in April discussing the Nasdaq
Here's a picture of Gator and me taken back at Newport Dunes. I think Gator's gonna
be REALLY happy to see ME again! I have a feeling we're leaving Valencia soon and headed back to Newport Dunes,
at Newport Beach, CA. I heard Billie and Mike saying that "Toyota" word again and "new contract". "New contract"
always means we're moving. (I learned that in these last two years.) I also heard some words that sounded
like "a whole year" and Billie and Mike said it all excited-like. I think that means more than the "4 month"
words and more than the "6 month" words. When we're back at Newport Dunes, I can race with Gator, the rescued
Greyhound everyday again!
Now you might not think that a little guy like me could keep up with a real live retired
dog track racer, but you're wrong. The first time I met Gator he started running in a circle around the edges of the
dog kennel at Newport Dunes. (He had just gotten off of the racing circuit.) So, of course, I HAD to race right
alongside of with him - for about three seconds when he got ahead of me. Well, as you read in my blog about Belle,
in spite of the fact that Billie isn't keen on competitiveness (she wrote a whole kid's e-book about it on her website
at www.windmillworks.com) I'm only a dog afterall. So keeping up with Gator was REALLY important to me (Ok, I
didn't want to just keep up; I wanted to win.) Now in the human world, my strategy might be frowned upon, but I live
in a "dog beat dog" world. So, here's what happened:
Gator's running in a circle around the dog pen with me getting farther and farther behind,
right? So I start "rrrr-ing" as I usually do, to let him know I didn't like I wasn't first. Unlike Belle, maybe
'cause he was a competitive racer or maybe 'cause he's a guy, Gator didn't slow down. I was getting frustrated,
let me tell ya. By this time Gator was not only ahead of me, but had turned the corner and was on the other side of
the pen! That's when I figured it out! All I had to do to get in front of Gator was to cut across the pen in a
diagonal line that cut right in front of him. (Pretty smart for a shitzu-lhapsa I'd say if I were me - which I am and
will). Sure enough. I go racing into the finish line at Billie's feetwith Gator a whole paw behind! Gator didn't
mind me winning, though 'cause when you're good at something and know it, you can be happy that the other guy wins!
So we just lay down in the like you see in the picture, and re-hashed the race in our own special guy-dog way.
Missin' Belle - May 20, 2006
I went to our fenced-in dog run here at Valencia Travel Village RV Park and no
one was there! I looked over at the space where Belle used to live in this beautiful shiny, green motor home. It
was empty. So I just sat at the gate of the dog park and didn't move. Billie said all peppy-like, "Come on Scooter,
ruuuunnnnn!" But I didn't run. Then she said, "Come on Scooter, plaaaay," but I didn't play. I just
sat at the gate - for a long time. I sat there until she realized that I wanted to go home. It doesn't matter
if your home is on wheels or not, home is where you're stuff is and where you sit on your people's laps, so we went
home
Until next time, Chow
In Love- May 18, 2006
The one name that's in my mind right now is "Belle" . Sometimes they call her Bellalina. This is the closest to love I've ever been! The first
time we met, she knew right away that I wanted to run. Somehow we just read each other's mind as if we both heard, "Ready,
set, go," and we started at one end by the gate of our fenced dog park here at the Valencia Travel Village and then
ran to the other end. Belle is REALLY fast; you can see her long legs, (woo-hoo). She got ahead of me and, I admit,
I started rrrrrr-ing a little to let her know I didn't like that. But Belle didn't know I wanted to be first and kept
right on going. So know what? I just turned around and went the other way so I'd be first. Belle must
have sensed I did that and turned to follow me! Well, of course, she caught up before you could
say "Snausages," so what is a guy supposed to do? I had to save face, right? So I waited until Belle was
way ahead and then I turned around again and ran the other way. Belle turned and let me be first once more!
I love that dog! I know Billie, my people person, doesn't like me to me so competitive. Ican tell 'cause
she say's, "Scoooooter! Play!" But Belle doesn't seem to mind. You can see why I think I'm in love with Belle.
Everybody loves Belle! I think Yogi, another guy dog in our park likes
her a lot too. I was hanging out with Yogi in the dog area. We were just chillin', not doing much of anything, and then Belle
walked through the gate. "Wow!" We both perked up. Belle came running in and Yogi and I both ran right up
to her. I tried to get Belle's attention, but she and Yogi started doing that neck communication thing and ran
off to play. You could tell they really like each other 'cause they sort of bit each other playfully back
and forth. I just didn't know what to do. So I got up behind Belle and put my front paws on her back.
She was polite, but I knew she didn't like it because she kept looking back at me. Finally I lay down and just watched
Yogi and Belle play. Billie carried me home; I think she knew I needed a hug. It's ok though, 'cause Belle came
out today, and we had fun all alone together. Belle is leaving tomorrow for Seattle and then she's going back home
to Texas. But Billie will keep saying her name to me and when I dream, I'll dream of Belle.
Just Call Me "Zoomer" - May 17, 2006
 I was all ready to tell you my Gator story, but how can I not talk about this picture of me and my buds? It was
taken just a couple of days ago. You would think there was a giant T-bone that we were racing to, but I swear to Snoopy
there wasn't; we were just running around. Well, ok, my friends were just running around, but I was racing. (I
think I picked up the racing thing from Gator the rescued Greyhound at the Newport Dunes RV park, but I'll explain
all that the next time).
As you can see, that blur in the front, aaaa-hemmm....is ME! Behind me is Abbey, a
corgi whom I just met (or is it who?). Behind Abbey is my "ring of fire" heartbeat, Belle, and behind Belle is Cassidy,
a beagle who was just passing through. I haven't seen Abbey or Cassidy since this picture, 'cause their people
are back on the road. I heard them tell Billie they're part of a traveling group. (I get used to saying hellos
and good-byes.) But when I learn a new dog's name, Billie keeps saying it over and over to me and
talking about our playing together so I'll can remember.
Getting to Know Me - May 9,
2006
 That's me in the picture. I'm Scooter. I'm only four and a half, and now I have a blog; I'm the
luckiest dog in the the world! You can probably guess my breed (actually I'm a mix of two similar breeds). We
used to protect the Emperors in the inner part of the castles in Asia.) That's what I heard Billie say anyway.
She's the lady I own. And I love her. I love her husband, too. His name is Mike. I just call
them both "Rraa."
I was born in that place where all the people say, "that's
it ya know" and where that cold white stuff falls to the ground and makes my paws cold. One day, though,when I was about
two and a half, all kind of boxes started appearing all around the house, and Billie was putting everything
from the cupboards and closets into those boxes. At first she was very careful and slow, but later it was like she just threw
everything in! On the last day, she put all my toys in, too and I got a little worried. Everybody was saying "good-bye,"
and "we love you" and Annie and Joey, my neighborhood buddies who played with me everyday hugged
me real tight and I felt something wet on Annie's cheeks. When I licked her, it tasted like the
salt on the popcorn we eat every night.
Since that time, I've lived in seven different
places! I heard Mike say he's following the software jobs around the country - whatever software is - Maybe humans know. But
I will always know my way back to that place where Annie and Joey, Cody and Hayden, and Vinnie and Cy live
'cause I left a little mark in each stop along the way from that one ocean where you see the sun go up in the morning
to that other ocean where the sun goes down at night. Right now, I live in an RV in California!
Maybe tomorrow I can tell you about my friend Gator
the Greyhound and how I won a race with him! He lives at Newport Beach where we were a little while ago. Now we're in
Valencia, California and I have some new friends that you'll want to hear about. Until then: I LOVE YOU WORLD!
(I'm just so glad to be here).
Chow,
Scooter
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