Snoozing, snoring

At the end of a long day (and especially after a long hike), I love napping with my dad on the sofa . . .

  in the "nook" of his arm . . .

and sandwiched between my dad and the back of the sofa.

Santa, You're Late!

Santa, you were late.  And I was upset.

While I waited, I "borrowed" Mr. Santa stuffie from my mom to cuddle for a little bit.  His beard tickled my nose so *might* have shaken him a little bit.  Sorry grandmom.  I was a little upset.

On New Year's Eve, we went to visit my grandpa Steve and Michele.

My new bed from grandpa Steve and Michele.

They gave me a awesome, smushy, fluffy bed.  Things were looking up!

Then, a few days ago, the UPS man *finally* delivered the rest of my Christmas present!

Hellooooo, Mr. Hooter!  Squeak!  Squeak!  Squeak!

Santa brought a Hooter-owl and a huge bag of Vanilla-flavored rawhides.

 I squeaked Mr. Hooter for about 15 minutes until I killed both of his squeakers, and then I moved on to my vanilla rawhides.  I do love vanilla rawhides.

Hey, Mr. Santa, do you think you could come early next year?  I will accept presents once a week starting on September 1st.

NOT Santa

Christmas morning started with the tradition of opening gifts.  As the youngest in the house, I went first.

I was super-excited to open my gift that came earlier this week.  I've been so good this year.

Hey Santa, did you forget something?  Something stuffie-like?  

So, I think I have the answer to my question.  No, Santa does not drive a UPS van because if he did, he would have brought ALL of the presents on my list.  You can't have Christmas without new stuffies.  Santa, why do you tease me?

Does Santa drive a UPS van?

I'm not sure, but I think Santa just came early.  The UPS guy just came and dropped off a package from White Dog Bone.  I jumped up and down and gave "Santa" loads of kisses and V-hugs.  He didn't look much like Santa, but he left a package that smelled a whole lot like the stuff on my "Dear Santa" list.  I started scratching at the box and trying to open it, so my mom put the box on top of the china cabinet.

I sure hope there are stuffies in there.  Only a few more hours until Christmas morning.  Then, you will be mine!

Racing with blinders on

 My friends and I found a new hiking trail last weekend.  We loved it so much that we went back again this past Saturday.  I think it's going to be a regular hiking trail for us.  

The trail winds through a forest and around really pretty waterways.

Khan, Colby and I had fun exploring the water and riverbanks, and the trail offered great opportunities to play chase games.

Colby (yellow collar) and Khan (red collar)

The boys ran around like mad men, and I raced through the woods the opposite way to cut them off.

I ran and ran and ran and ran. 

And then, I made the silly mistake of closing my eyes as I was leaping over a small patch of leaves.

BAM!!!!

And, I ran smack into my mom and her camera.  Ouch.

 After a day like today, the only reasonable thing for a girl to do is to wrap up in a blanket and lounge in her bed under the heating vent.  Ahh....

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Brrr... so cold outside.  Yet, the weather forecast said rain?  

It's about time that we had some snow in Baltimore, even if I have to make my own. 

So I did.  Snow, soft fluffy snow.

* snow created while my mom washed the covers for the two decorative bedroom pillows *

'Tis the Season for Trees and Stuffies

'Tis the Season to be Jolly . . . 

Well, it's that time again.  My dad went digging in the shed and brought out five plastic tubs full of shiny red stuff that my mom started hanging up all over the house.  Christmas carols are playing on the radio, and classics like Rudolf the Rednose Reindeer, the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Year Without a Santa Claus, and Frosty the Snowman flash across the television.  My mom is baking cookies, making the house smell like cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar.

Our neighbors got together for a "party" on Sunday afternoon to decorate the street.  They had a great idea to string colored lights between the houses this year.

I think it turned out great.  Very festive!

After the decorating party, my mom and dad put up a tree in the house and hung stockings by the fireplace.

I know.  A tree!  In the house!

They won't let me bring sticks into the house, yet they bring in an entire tree?  Hypocrites, I tell you.  Although, I will admit -- the twinkling lights, shiny balls, and special ornaments make the tree very pretty.

My mom also put some holiday stuffies up on a shelf that for some reason are "off-limits" to me.  I don't understand how a stuffie could sit on a shelf and not be loved. 

Dear Mr. Reindeer, sir, wouldn't you like to hop down off that shelf and play?

And Mr. and Mrs. Bear, stop that mushy stuff and come cuddle with me instead.

Banana & Bread = Delicious

On Saturday, my grandpop Steve, Michele, Dan and Dawn visited us for a Turkey dinner.  We all had a great time.  There was turkey, homemade stuffing, gravy, roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes, glazed carrots, green beans, rolls, and apple pie.  Michele baked Banana Nut bread. 

Mmm... Banana Nut Bread

I love Michele.  And bananas.  And bread.

Drool....

Hey mom, can you please cut a piece for me?  Michele told me that she baked it just for me.  Oh, she didn't tell you? It must have been when you were upstairs doing something.  You can go into the other room and call her if you want, but uh... why don't you leave the banana bread with me while you call her.  Don't worry.  I'll keep it safe.

Vegetarian Thanksgiving?

We spent Thanksgiving Day with my mom's family down in Southern Maryland.  I always have a fantastic time and spend most of the day zooming from room to room to get pets and cuddles from my grandparents and human aunts and uncles.  Thanksgiving was even better than our usual visits -- it was a wonderful day full of delicious goodies, which my human grandparents were all too willing to share. 

The Turkey was a magnificent bird.

 Since all of my aunts and uncles made the trip, the turkey was about 25 pounds.  Nine people (plus me) are a lot of mouths to feed.

Smells yummy, grandmom!  When is the taste test?

 My grandmom did a great job basting the turkey all day.  I was her ever-vigilant helper.

But by far, the best dish of the day was...

Carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, and cucumber, oh my!

The delicious vegetable tray.  

My favorite is probably cucumber.  No, broccoli.  Wait, carrots.  Umm... I changed my mind.  Cauliflower is my favorite.  Oh, who am I kidding?  I love them all!  

Veggie-lover Vizsla -- will perform tricks for vegetables

I sat under the vegetable tray for hours begging for a piece of broccoli or cucumber. 

At one point in the evening, someone left the kitchen trashcan with some turkey trimmings and vegetables unprotected in the middle of the kitchen.  My mom heard a rustling sound, and rushed to the kitchen to find my head in the trashcan up to my shoulders munching away.  Boy was she mad!  She pulled me away from the trashcan, pulled the food out of my mouth, started to scold me for eating out of the trash, but then started to laugh.  I wasn't eating turkey; I had a mouthful of sliced cucumber.  Yeah, I know the turkey was on top, but I really wanted that cucumber! 

Secret Kiss Attack: A "How To" Guide

Here we are on a beautiful fall day, and my dad is talking on his cell phone and ignoring me.

Yes, that's right.  Ignoring me.

Time to bring out my secret weapon:  the Secret Kiss Attack.

  The key is the element of surprise. First, you have to go up to your "victim" with the cutest "wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, roo, roo, roo" that you can muster.  That will catch him off guard, and he will lean over to pet you.  It is at that moment that you strike and initiate the patented "Secret Kiss Attack" move. 

First you go for the nose, and then the chin, and then right in the mouth!  

Gotcha!  Super Secret Kiss Attack for the win!

Dad, why do you look like you just ate a lemon?  Don't you know that my kisses are super-sweet?

Squirrely College Park

My mom and dad had to pick up my dad's cap and gown and graduation announcements last week. 

Oh, did I tell you that he graduated from his Masters program in July/August??  Congratulations, Dad!  

So we took a detour to my mom and dad's alma mater after our hike last week to pick them up.  

I came along, which was really fun.  My mom and dad met in college, so I got to see where they went to school -- and my mom even took my picture in front of Testudo for good luck.  By the way, why do people leave trash for Mr. Testudo?  Do they think gum wrappers and empty coffee cups will really help them pass a test or get an "A" on a paper?

Anyway, the best part of the trip, in my opinion, can be summed up in one word:

SQUIRRELS!

There are literally squirrels everywhere.  

Grey ones,

and black ones.  

Who knew squirrels came in different flavors?  My mom had mentioned these legendary black squirrels, but I didn't think that they actually existed. 

 I watched them hop around looking for food, totally unsuspecting.  My mom said that the students feed the furry things.  Silly move.  A squirrel actually came up to my mom and begged for some food.  It wasn't scared of me at all.  Foolish squirrel.  If you lived near me, your days would be numbered. My puppy friends would nibble your fluffy tail for breakfast. 

Here, squirrely, squirrely....

I stood around very politely for a long time, but then something caught my eye.  Oh my gosh.  There are five squirrels right over there.  In one spot!  Mom, did you hear that?  Five. Five as in one-two-three-four-five!  Wow!

My mom gave me a little bit of slack so that I could walk around the grass and sniff around, and then . . .

Must. Get. Squirrel.

... my self-control was gone.   

What is the popular saying?  "Give an inch, take a mile"?

*Do Not Disturb*

My bunny and I really need our beauty sleep.  My mom thinks it is cute when I take my bunny to bed with me and use it as a body pillow.  She wanted to take a picture, so she told me not to move and ran off to get the camera.  I was tired, and the flash hurts my eyes.  So I thought of the perfect solution: 

I stole my mom's eye mask.  Sweet dreams, bunny.

Hiking with the colors of fall

I went on a super fabulous hike with my Vizsla meetup friends this past weekend.  My friends Khan, Colby, and Tia came -- and I met two new friends named Winston and Phoebe.  We all had a great time.  The weather was perfect, and the leaves were beautiful.  We saw two mountain bikers.  I thought they were fascinating and started doing zoomie circles around our group as soon as they left. 

We hiked, ran, played chase, swam, and then -- just when everyone thought that the hike was about to be over -- we decided to stick around near the stream and bring out my favorite thing in the whole wide world. 

Zoom!  Chasing the leader with the flying squirrel!

Yup, you guessed it:  My flying squirrel. 

 

At first my mom got it stuck in the tree.  My dad saved it.  And then, my dad got it stuck in a tree.  That is the hazard of playing frisbee in a forest, I guess.  Anyway, I was awesome at sneaking in and getting the flying squirrel every time.  And by every time, I mean EVERY.  TIME.  I wasn't about to let those big boys grab it. 

Full steam ahead!  Girls rule, and boys drool!

 At some point, Phoebe snuck in and snagged it before I did.  I didn't even see her coming!  If she was a super-hero, her superpower would be speed.  Come to think of it, maybe she is a superhero.  She is super-hero fast.  And awfully good at playing with the flying squirrel.  Anyway, Phoebe snagged the frisbee, and then Tia snagged it from Phoebe, and then the boys gained control of it.  And then, I didn't stand a chance.  I was the total lightweight of the group. 

Winston and Phoebe playing tug, as I wait patiently for one of them to drop it.

 Hey, Winston, can we play “flying squirrel” with the flying squirrel? Pretty please.

Such a fun day.

Sing Along

Happy Birthday to me,

Happy Birthday to me,

Happy Birthday dear Laila...

Lookin' good for three years old, don't you think?

Happy Birthday to me!

Hey mom, you are going to bake a cake for me, right?

For you, mom

I found a flower on the floor of the living room.  It must have fallen out of the vase over the fireplace.  I picked it up and ran over to my mom.  Entire-body wiggle, wiggle, wiggle while I shoved the flower in her face!

Mom!  Hey mom!  I found this flower!  Isn't it awesome!   

I found it just for you!  Aren't I the best redheaded daughter in the whole world?

(Don't worry.  No flowers were harmed when taking this picture.  My mom caught me before I nibbled it.  Bummer.)

Raccoon alarm clock

Why is my dad ignoring me? 

 I think it's kind of rude that he is gone all day, and then comes home and falls asleep on the couch.

Now, I get that he works 40+ hours a week, and that he is studying for the Maryland Professional Engineering Exam, and that he is exhausted beyond belief, but does that mean that he is allowed to nap when I want to play?

Incoming!!!!!!!  Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle!!!!!!!

 Maybe if I shove my raccoon in his face, he'll wake up and play with me.  Hey dad, hey dad, hey dad!!!!   Are you awake yet?  Are you awake yet? 

Political Pup

One of the coolest things about being a city pup is that famous people come to visit my neighborhood all the time!

Yesterday, my mom came home from a busy afternoon of meetings.  One of the ladies that she had met with mentioned that former President of the United States Bill Clinton was going to be speaking at a park in South Baltimore at 3:00pm.  She thought it was Riverside Park, which is one of my favorite parks.  Well, it was 3:30pm by the time my mom got home, which wasn't enough time to take me on a walk and also go to the rally, so she popped into the house, grabbed me, and we ran down the street toward the park.  As we got closer to the park, it was obvious that we were going to the wrong park:  no security points, no secret service vehicles, no crowds.  Just life as normal.  Oh, well.  We must have been mistaken.  My mom figured that they were probably going to hold the rally at Fort McHenry, which was too far to walk to while wearing a nice suit.  On our walk home, we saw a bunch of neon-green flyers on the ground.  My mom picked one up.

"Bill Clinton to speak at Federal Hill park on Thursday, October 21.  Gates open at 3:00pm."

She checked the time:  3:55pm

Shoot.  She hoped that it wasn't too late.  Maybe we could still make it if we hurried!

When we got to the park, it was obvious that we had come to the right place.  

Who cares who is running for office!  Famous people are coming!

I mean, look at the park!  They even set up a huge stage and even a spot for media.

Former Mr. President wouldn't have minded a few licks and wiggles.

For some reason, I was not allowed in the media box.  I could have gotten some up-close and personal shots of the former Mr. President, but I guess having red hair is a bad thing.  Discrimination, I tell you.

Luckily, even though we showed up an hour after the gates opened, none of the speakers had shown up yet.  So, we waited. 

Line up, people.  Kisses for free!

While we waited, lots of people stopped to say hello:  

"what kind of dog is that?"

"she's beautiful!"

"can I pet her?" 

"how old is she?  I bet she's just a puppy."

"I bet she's fast when you let her off-leash." 

"she is the calmest Vizsla that I've ever met!"

"do you want me to take a picture of you and your dog?"

How nice!  Yes, please!

A proud momma with her political pup.

An older gentleman who owned a Vizsla for 14 years before he passed away offered to take a picture of my mom and I.  Thank you, Sir!

Lots of Political Babies.

A lot of parents brought their babies to the event.  The babies liked me a lot:  "Goggie!"  I was so good and sat like a statue as they patted and prodded and mispronounced my name.  The older ones got kisses -- especially the little girl with the lollipop.  I liked her a lot.  She tasted like strawberry.

And then finally, he arrived...

Former President Bill Clinton speaking, with applause from Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, and U.S. Representative for Maryland, Elijah Cummings.

Yay for famous people!  

Ok, mom, we saw him.  Now we can go.  It is C.O.L.D.  

Chatter, chatter, chatter.

We did a stop at the "super secret" dog park on the way home, and I found out that Tucker, another South Baltimore Vizsla, has been coming to my park without me even knowing about it!  I met him when he was just a puppy, so hopefully we can play at the park together soon.