February 1st, 2009 ... Brrrrrrrrr!

Even on a cold,
grey,
windy
February day,
Whidbey Dog
wants to go to the beach.


We waited till the tide was really low, which means a wide, sandy beach to run and play on. The barnacle rocks were upshore,

and the sandy sand at waters edge was wide open.



I'm not cold! I'm not cold! Let's run!




Is that my ball? Let's find out!

SNOW! I love snow!!

(Taken with my cell phone, color weird, dog having a blast).

Whidbey Dog loves the snow. He loves the snow as much as the beach, and I'm finding that surprising, since he's now more than 5 years old - he's seen snow before & has enjoyed it, but this year, he's ecstatic. It's all about snow, not the beach.

Possibly, this years's snow is drier and fluffier than prior snows in W.D.'s experience. I think that must be it. But, for whatever it is worth, he wants to be out snuffing in the snow, rolling in it, laying in it, and walking in it. Pooping in it is good too, as long as he can go in the woods, in privacy. This one isn't a public pooper. He doesn't mind that his paws get cold, in fact, if he can walk in deep snow, that's where he'll go. Snow, the beautiful snow.

I asked him if he wanted to go to the beach today, and he didn't go nuts like he usually does. Instead, he walked over to the sliding door, went outside on the deck, and lay down in the snow. Happily snuffing snow.

That's my boy! Maybe we should move to the mountains. My water dog has turned into a snow dog.

Spectacular Skies + Night Dog

It's not too often that you get an opportunity in late November in the Puget Sound area to walk out at night, and see the gleaming night sky. Tonight was gorgeous. Click here for great information: NASA 'Spectacular Conjunction' about 'a spectacular three-way conjunction of Venus, Jupiter and the crescent Moon' ....night by night.

On December 1st, they say this will be the best night sky of all ... go outside if you can, look up. It was definitely worth it tonight, November 25, 2008.

My dog never seems to look up, his nose is busy elsewhere.

November Driftwood Dog

I can't imagine why more people don't come to Whidbey Island in November. It can be gorgeous, and the beaches are quiet this time of year. You can almost lose your dog in the driftwood if you're not paying attention ... click on the photo and you should see my dog.

My dog and I had a great time walking the beach today, in the sun. This November has been great, plenty of sunshine, and plenty of wide open beaches. This dog doesn't care if the sun is out or not. The beach is always exciting to my driftwood dog.

Dogs & Best Friends.

This Dog Is Portable

This dog is portable, he can go anywhere, not just Whidbey Island. I can too, but Whidbey and the Puget Sound Region will always be home. Check out the blue skies and calm waters of Saratoga Passage, on this fine November 23, 2008.

I should have brought a different camera with me for the Mt. Baker and Cascade Mountains photos. Click the word camera for a link to photography books and cameras.

Pig Dog ... or Connoisseur?

I think these photos speak well to describe my dog. Silently, he disappeared, and here is where I found him.

He can't eat chocolate, he's a dog, and chocolate is dangerous for dogs. Poor dog, no one told him he's a dog.

My Baby Dog

Don't read this if you think it is so sweet it will make you puke.

But it won't, because my baby dog is cuter than just about any other dog on this planet.
Cuter than my friends Gerry and Kathleen's dog Henry, and he's darned cute.

This little blonde dog was such a good puppy. The absolute worst thing he did as a puppy was also one of the funniest things he's done so far. We used to keep him in the kitchen when we were away from the house, that way if there was an accident, it was easy to clean up. He only had one accident, on the newspapers, a bit of a bowel movement if you will. He was soooo embarassed when we came home! But, that isn't the story.

We didn't realize how much he was growing, and left a bunch of bananas on the counter. I guess too close to the edge. This adorable puppy managed to snag that bunch of bananas, and ate most of them, peels and all, smearing the entire kitchen floor with banana. A smeary, smeary mess!

There were a few pieces of peel and ends left about, and again, one embarassed puppy. Mr. Adorable, and not his fault, so I didn't even raise my voice. I was so afraid he'd start puking, but he didn't.

To this day, one of our favorite meals together is breakfast: toast and bananas.

Dogs & Best Friends.

You've Got Mail

The first thing my dog does on every walk is check his dog mail. This bunch of beach grass is an important stop, both coming and going. I think it's the neighborhood update link for all the dog mail accounts, the main source of information. This bunch of beach grass is the address book for all dogs in our neighborhood, at least all dogs lucky enough to be beach dogs.

Dogs & Best Friends.

The Stick

The stick. The joy of the stick! Everyone has had one at one time, and anyone can get one anytime. My dog loves the stick.

I've had countless sticks in my lifetime, but honestly, I've never felt the need to chew my sticks apart. A few pencils maybe ....

Kids everywhere enjoy the classic toy 'THE STICK'. As of this year (2008), the stick has finally earned a place in the National Toy Hall of Fame. I can't imagine why it took so long to get there.

My dog is a logger dog. If he can't find a loose stick, he'll go log one himself.

"The Joy Of The Stick". Coming soon to a beach near you.

Dogs & Best Friends.

Sunday High Tide

Well, we went to the beach. There was nearly no beach at all, just the Whidbey cliffs and about a foot wide sandy-gravelly area to walk on.

Not too bad, till we got to the area where the trees were leaning into the water, no point in getting wet, at least not in November. I need those tennis shoes to stay dry.

Doggy didn't care tho. He loves the water, but he won't get completely in the water. When he was a small puppy, he fell into the cold waters of Puget Sound. He had fun swimming, but the next day I noticed his tail was tucked down, between his legs. I thought he had a sticker, or a burr stuck under the tail, and when I went to look, he yelped, a scared cry of 'don't touch me there'.

So, I went online, and looked up 'broken tail' ... couldn't think what else to look up. It turns out there is a condition some dogs have, called 'cold tail'. Happily, his tail sprang back to life in a few days, and this smart dog has never wanted to swim underwater again. Wading is just fine he says with a grin.

After we got home, he rolled around in the weeds to dry off.

Dogs & Best Friends.

The Place With the Sand

My dog speaks English.

If anyone says the word

'beach',

they had better be prepared to actually go to the beach. Right now.

We often refer to the beach as 'the place with the sand' to avoid the direct stare of the dog, or worse, the intense crazy dog routine.

Today is my day off, and my dog and I are going to go to the place with the sand, if the tide is out far enough. So far, when I look over the high cliff to see if there is actually any sand below, I can't see any beach. I haven't said the word BEACH, but my dog knows when I look over the cliff edge, that we might go to the beach. Since I'm back inside, sitting up here typing this report for you, he is depressed. No shoes activity from me means no beach activity.

I'm going to eat my lunch, then we'll get dressed, he in his harness and leash, me in my shoes and coat, and we'll go see in person if there is enough beach. It's November, but unusually warm for Whidbey Island.

No point getting him all excited just yet. Lunch first.

Dogs & Best Friends.