Trip to see the Boys

The blog name should change as I am no longer a puppy.  Hershey was left home as she can no longer jump into the back of the SUV. We left at 10 am on August 3.  We ran into an accident on the 215, a car flipped 1 mile ahead of us.  We finally made it to 395 and drove out into the country and the heat.  It got up to 110 degrees.  The ac worked and the car kept cool.  The car was filled up every 1/2 of tank so we had lots of breaks.  I got a plain hamburger at Jack in the Box outside of LA.

We stopped at Manzanar.  It was an interment camp for Japanese during WW2. It was very sad.  It was not a dog friendly place.  I had a short walk around the main building.  We went on the car tour but I stayed in the back.

The next stop was Bishop at the Vagabond Inn.  The dog fee was only $15.  There was a great back grassy area where I could chase the ball until I dropped.  The air conditioning worked great.  The free breakfast was not great but I always love bagels.  We stopped at Starbucks and left town.  Another ice coffee for the road.

Our next stop was the Lake circuit.  June Lake, Gull Lake, Silver Lake, Grant Lake.  I enjoyed Silver Lake the most.

I love chasing balls even in the water.  I don't think the fishermen liked me though.  It is fun to jump in and get to the ball fast. (before it sinks)

We finally made it to Nathan's.  It was great Sammy and Stefie were there ready to play.  We had the yard all to ourselves when everyone went out to dinner. Overland Restaurant and Pub - leftovers were mac and cheese with bison.  Yum.

The next day I had a relaxing day at home while Nathan and Marty checked out the University of Nevada at Reno, fitted a tux, viewed the wedding venue and finally checked out the Rehearsal Dinner venue.  They also saw the new Borne movie where their seats were reserved and moved to a recliner position.

Finally it was my day at the beach at Lake Tahoe and no bears.  I had to work really hard to 

 get the ball away from Stefie and Sammy.  We were all so tired we could not move.  We hardly noticed when Nathan, Kristen and Marty left to see the new Startrek movie.  Best day of the trip.

The next day we were up early and on our way to San Francisco to see Andrew.  No traffic we went up 89 then over to 50 and Sacramento.  Lunch was at Victorville Panera Bread.  No treats for me.  The drive went well except for the two hour wait to get over the bridge.

I was grateful to get out of the car once we got to see Andrew.  We were able to walk the hills, go to two parks, eat some plantation burritos and walk some more.  Of course I found more time to run after the ball.  Great views from Andrew's neighborhood.  Then we were off to Debbie's.

Debbie's house was all set up for me.  The front yard was for the dogs and the door was open for me.  The two french bull dogs don't like to chase balls like I do but we were civil for each other.  I was the one that was walked to Starbucks.  But I had to wait all day while Marty and Andrew hung out.  We had a short walk and then Debbie and Marty went out to dinner.  They did not bring me.

The next day we left at 10 am to make it to the grapevine in north LA.  We stopped at the old dog park were I played as a pup--Such great memories.  Then we took off.  Hecker pass showed how low the water is in the reservoir.  There was not traffic so we travelled around 80 miles per hour to keep up with traffic.  There was not traffic until LA and we were so close we just wanted to get home.

It was a long day but we made it home by 7:45 - very little traffic in LA.  Cerritas was a great stop.  I walked around the shopping center.  I barked at those crazy skate boarders.  So nice to get back home with Hershey.

The boys are doing great.

Pizza Dog

I have not written very much about the dogs but Sunday's adventure should be recorded.

I bought a pizza stone was was excited about using it.  I had great whole wheat pizza dough from Trader Joe's, pepperoni, cheese, pizza sauce.  I went outside and started the grill with the stone and increased the temperature every 5 minutes as the directed stated.  I made the pizza, put it on a cutting board to carry it outside.  I checked the temperature and the grill was cool.  We were out of gas.  I called Larry but he was working on our hot tub which fails at will.  That is another story.  I put the pizza on the counter in the kitchen to wait.

At this point I made a mistake.  I  did not push it far on the center island.  I did not know where Josie was.  I heard a noise.  I was just in the TV room off the kitchen.  I jumped up ran to the kitchen.  Josie looked up at me and ran downstairs.  The entire pizza was on the floor.  She simply pulled it off the cutting board.  She ate all the pepperonis, some of the dough and pizza sauce with cheese. I don't know how she had time to eat so much so quickly.  My work of art was ruined. Josie avoided me for the rest of the evening.

We cheated and ordered our pizza out.

December Dogs

Both Hershey and Josie have been enjoying going to the dog park.  I don't bring them to the water because I don't want to be wet.  Josie still pulls hard so I try to use the lead that goes around her nose.  I had two friends walk the dogs while I was out visiting the baby.  Thank you so much Sally and Paul.  I gave them a bottle of wine to start the week off but still owe them.

I have Garrett coming over to house sit and take care of the dogs while we are in Tahoe visiting Nathan.  We hope to ski as well.  Garrett takes good care of them and they have plenty of exercise.  I have a Christmas treat for them when we return.

They were very well behaved for my party.  They did stay in their crate as we had two one year old children up stairs.

We forgot to thank Kathleen and Ed for sharing their dog Nocci's birthday treat with Hershey and Josie.

Hershey and the Large Puppy

Josie is now bigger than Hershey.  She loves to pull on her leash and try to be ahead of Hershey.  She sits at night on the Juliet balcony watching to see if anyone is walking by so she can bark.  After she alerts Hershey then they bark in duet.  At night we put them in their crates so we can get some sleep.  Josie has decided to get up at 5 am so she starts barking then.  I try to have her go back to sleep and then I sleep with a pillow over my head.  Dogs!

They love to swim in the bay.  When I take them to La Playa trail they just want to be off their leashes so they can run in and swim.  I try to take a ball which Josie will chase.  She likes to play fetch while Hershey just wants to chase.

I also take them to the dog park in Ocean Beach.  It is so large.  Sometimes there are over 20 dogs there but it does not feel crowded.  You just have to watch where you walk as some people don't pick up after their dogs.

One evening, Larry and I brought up some wine and were ready to light the fireplace on the rooftop deck.  Josie ran up there and was sick from the salt water.  Not so nice.  Clean up involved numerous trips down two flights of stairs for cleaning supplies.  On the bright side, Josie did not ruin a rug.

The New Year

I need to write more often.  I had a nice hour walk with Josie as Hershey is still recovering from a pinched nerve.

The Beach

I normally walk the dogs by the bay and do not let them get wet.  I only have dirt in the back yard and don't want muddy puppies.  But this day, I met Kathy at the beach with her lab Emma.  The three of them just played and played.

Some how whomever gets to the toy first does not matter because Josie takes it away during the return to shore.

Kathy would throw the ball way out so Emma could have a chance at bringing the ball in.  But my dogs could swim faster or anticipate where Kathy would be throwing.

November 15

I headed off to bible study at my new church after finding my faucet had separated and had water pouring all over under the sink.  I was determined to attend.  What a great bunch of women.  Hershey and Josie stayed in their crate in the garage.

They love to play on the carpet.  That is a no no as they tend to leave a mess.  I don't know whether to leave or stay.

The rental people told me not to expect it to be fixed until tomorrow.  I guess we eat out tonight!  Nice.

On Saturday, Larry and I rode bikes from the house. (Okay I walked it down to the first street.) It is only 5 miles from down town with a bike path the whole way.  Awesome.  We watch the America's cup practice races from the Broadway pier.  So much fun.  After that we stopped at Tradder Joes for food.  Fit it into my bike bag and then rode home.  Larry took the dogs to the dog park to exercise them and then we had our neighbors over for wine and cheese.  So much fun.