The Stairs of Cirith Ungol

I woke up and it was a "chilly" 57 degrees out. The sun was blocked by clouds and I had the day off. Jaime wasnt feeling well and stayed in bed. I decided it was time to quit bitchin about the lack of winter and get out and enjoy it. So I leashed up Samwise and Gollum and we headed off to Shadow Mountain. We climbed the first peak and I was completely out of breath. The dogs however were having the time of their lives. We rested for a little bit and then I got a second wind. The nice thing about hiking up a mountain is that the trip back is the easy part. The next part was the real challenge. It wasnt hiking anymore, it was use your hands climbing. Nothing that youd need ropes or equipment for of course, but still, it was much easier being on all four. Having been higher then Id ever been by my own power I was satisfied for the day. Theres still at least one peak higher in this nature preserve. Perhaps well come back Tuesday with water and a couple granola bars.

Shes got a Smile that it Seems to Me

Most of you have probably read this post. Its about the loss of one of the best dogs Ive ever known. Jaime picked me up from work and we went straight to "Makios" for dinner. While we were eating, Jaime told me about the post. As she did I got teary eyed. She wasnt my dog. But she was my dogs best friend and we had lots and lots of fun with her. She showed Hudson how to lift his leg when he pees. Bishop had his first canine crush. They chased Frisbees, ran through the woods, swam in creeks and lakes and rode in truck beds. I dont know if they remember that they had such a good friend but I know Ill miss her.

A Day in the Life

We slept in a little this morning. Its the first Saturday Jaime and I have had off together in a while so we didnt feel guilty about sleeping until 715. Today was going to be an action packed day after all.

Around 830 we left for the dog park. We found a new one closer to our house then the one we had been going to. When we got there, all the other dogs were in the small dog part of the park and there was just one small dog (a Terrier of some kind) in the big dog part. He was busy chasing a ball that was being kicked around for him. Shortly after we arrived the big dog side filled up. New dogs arrived and the big dogs that were in the little dog area came over to the big dog side. There was lots of butt sniffing and running and butt sniffing and drooling and butt sniffing. From one of the corners of the park there came a loud squeal or squeak, much like a rusty hinge. We looked over and there was a Shar Pei about Hudson size (80lbs but short and stout) chasing the terrier that was over on our side when we arrived. It wasnt biting it or doing anything mean, it was just playing a little rougher then the little dog (about 1/3 its size) wanted to play. Well, the squealing continued and naturally all the other big dogs came running and all the people followed. The owner of the Terrier (who was in the small dog park with their big dog while her husband was supposed to be watching the little dog in the big dog area) started dumping coffee on the Shar Pei through the fence. The owners of the Shar Pei come running over and pull it off the Terrier. A violent yelling match ensues between the man owner of the Shar Pei and the lady owner of the Terrier. It ended with the Shar Pei owners getting kicked out due to the foul language he decided to employ. The problem is that he was right. The dog should have been in the small dog area. And I cant say I would have been any calmer, if Id just seen someone dump coffee all over my dog, but once you start launching the f bomb people dont like listening to you any more and it doesnt matter how right you are.

After the excitement at the dog park we went to drop off some cans at the recycling thing. We had 3 bags of cans that we couldnt drop off the night before due to a car show occupying the parking lot. We pulled up the the thing and as I was about to open the door a homeless man stuck his head up from behind the trash. Frustrated and with no desire to deal with this mans begging I strike preemptively and just leave. As were about to pull out of the parking lot, I stop and turn around. Feeling guilt about treating the guy that way and my desire to not have 3 bags of cans in my truck on the way down to Tucson (primarily the latter)  I pulled up the the guy and told him that if he wanted the cans in the back he could have them. He said "thatll work" and took the cans from the truck. Cans taken care of, we went to Tucson.

We spent the rest of the day enjoying the company (and food) of our southern friends. They now have a house that has a back yard prime for grilling and a cute little puppy. Daisy wasnt sure how to act with the boys. She was certain that the had to let them know she was in charge and that it was her house.  After the excitement of the new puppy wore off Bishop and Hudson just wanted to lay around. Daisy wanted to play though. She followed them everywhere they went. Its so funny to think of them as the old dogs. For so long they were the ones who would annoy the crap out of the other dogs and not leave them alone.

A Change Would Do You Good

Fall is here!! The weather man predicts not a single triple digit day for the rest of the week, just mid to high 90s! Its going to be a little weird getting into peoples fancy cars and not burning my hand on the handle for a while. Not to mention seeing outside temperatures that dont start with a 1 on their heads up display. The dogs are liking the weather too. Its nice for them to be able to walk (rather then run) across the black top without burning their little pawsies. Hopefully in a couple days itll be cool enough to use the pool again

Baby Needs

I was looking around the onlines this morning before work. The doggies were doing their walk around the house watch the windows get excited about every noise in the morning thing they do. They were in the bedroom and Bishop was looking out the slider. Hoopsie came out and starter groweling at the guys working in the apartment across the hall. Bishop supprised me and didnt come running out to growl with his brother. Rather I just hear him attempt to growl and then whimper. This happens a couple times, so I decided to check on him. Well, my stupid dog has his head through the chain that opens and closes the the blinds. All he had to do was back up and he would have been free. But rather he decided to stand there with the chain taught enough that it made him stop moving forward. Im just glad he didnt pull the whole assembly down.

Just for fun I checked a less then well recomended "baby needs" website and they dont have anything in their safety section for this situation.