It's Spring!

This week I've heard people saying, "Happy Passover" & "Happy Easter!" Haven't learned what all that means yet, but it may have something to do with that LONG movie Dad was watching last night called the Ten Commandments. Course no one invited me inside to watch it, and I'm pretty sure no one will invite me to church today, either. And though my Dad spends at least half of every Saturday at the synagogue, he never brings ME along.....(Mom says whenever they don't take me with them somewhere, it's only because not all humans understand the wonder of canines, but that I really AM with them...in their hearts!) So, if this is some special day, I will celebrate it. (in my own exuberant way, of course!) "Happy Spring!"

Never knew how much fun Spring can be...new flowers bursting up everywhere, squirrels to chase, bands of deer walking through the yard...some stop to graze, others just lay down for their daily siesta. There's the the sound of excited birds, lawnmowers, and neighbors cleaning up their yards...Dad is planting tomatoes, peppers, potatoes and onions (you know I can't eat THOSE!) in his garden. And pretty soon, when the kids are out of school, there will be more cars/boats driving to the lake, and kids giggling outside & riding bikes. Mom planned to bring me on my first kayak outing today, to get me used to being in the boat. She said that when I'm full grown, I'll be much heavier & it's better that I learn balance & self-control in the boat now. Then she heard the Texas Track & Field Relays are going on in Austin, and that thousands of people are in Austin for the Texas Urban Music Festival at Auditorium Shores, and it's going to rain...so this may not be the best time for me to learn!

MY BEST FRIEND, SOPHIE

They say we have a lake at the end of the neighborhood, but I haven't walked that far yet. I know Mom and Lauren will take me one day. My family used to take Piper, Madi & Sophie to the Overlook where they could swim & hang out on the rocks. Krista liked to go, too, and was a great help! Like the time Sophie and Madi's leashes were connected, and Madi ran to play with another dog. Poor little Sophie got dragged along, and it was Krista & Mom to the rescue! (Madi loved the water, but Sophie...not so much!) Problem is, the lake down the street is a man-made U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake. It serves as flood control for the town, and provides water to Georgetown, Round Rock and Brushy Creek. The water level changes a lot (with drought/flood conditions); the beach and boat ramps are closed if the water level is too high, and they are closed when the level's too low! Mom gets nervous kayaking on a lake that allows motorized watercraft. (I know she hears first-hand accounts of boat accidents associated with alcohol at work.)            

She prefers to grab Krista (& sometimes Martin!) to go to Lady Bird Lake (formerly known as "Town Lake") to kayak! No motorboats are allowed, the water stays at a constant level, Lauren can stand-up paddle board, and there are miles of hike and bike trails along the lake. You can even hydro-bike there! All that sounds good enough, but I'm more interested in seeing if there really are large mouth bass, catfish, carp and sunfish in the lake! Wonder if I'll be allowed to "swim wit da fishes"...

Afterwards, they'll take me to Barton Springs (in the almost 140-acre Zilker Park) to an area just outside the popular swimming pool. They say the water in the (karst) Edwards Aquifer stays at 68-71 degrees all the time, so people swim there all year long! (Is that COLD?? Hope so! It's supposed to get really HOT in Austin in the summer!) Mom says that before the Barton Springs Pool was built, the Tonkawa Indians lived in the area and considered the springs sacred. They even used 'em for purification rituals! And, as it turns out, Spanish explorers who discovered the springs in the 17th century, built temporary missions at the site, which were later moved to San Antonio. (All of this makes a nice history lesson, but - Don't tell Mom!! - in spite of what she thinks sometimes, I AM a canine! I get that Barton Springs is a sacred place, blah, blah, blah...just let me see one of those endangered salamanders! You know! The ones that are supposed to run REALLY fast and think they can never be caught!! Yeah! Go ahead! Try to outrun me, you molten, lung less, slimy, little amphibian....Go ahead! I DARE YA!!) 

 

Ziggy Marley sang 'True to Myself,' and the more I learn about who I am, the more I understand what he meant.  I'm certain that I am more than I was yesterday (literally and figuratively!) and it sure is fun discovering who I am becoming! Sure, Doc Webster has said that I am a really fine dog. And Doc Koy said this week (after telling Mom that at 15 weeks old, I weigh 36.1 lbs!), "You've got a really good dog here!"  They are, of course, experts on canines! And last night, on a walk with my friend, Toby, his human Mom, Beth, said I'm smart and already know a lot of what they'd teach me if I went to school. (I think she's an expert on canines, too...even if she DID scare my Mom by repeatedly pointing out the size of my paws ...and saying she thinks I'm going to be bigger than 100+ lb Toby!) Stephanie, at PetSmart, said (when I went in for my first puppy bath on Friday), "He's a mellow puppy. You're very lucky!" Dad says I'm a very good dog. Lauren, well, she demonstrates her love by scooping me up, snuggling & carrying me! (tho she said she won't be able to do this much longer...) And Mom just melts when I put my big paws on the center console in her car, turn to her & plant kisses on her face! So there's more to me than good looks and a strong and healthy blood line (Thanks, Max & Millie!) and remarkable social skills. (Thanks, Shipp family!)

Yep, I march to my own drummer.  This was apparent yesterday when I was introduced to the (newly bloomed) Pride of Texas - the Texas State Flower - bluebonnets! I sat calmly for a few pics, then ran all through the field of them, stopping briefly to lay in, play with, and taste them! (compared to dandelions I've consumed, purple-ish bluebonnets have a much milder, less memorable taste) So far, though, most humans have embraced my uniqueness. Some even stopped on the side of Penny Lane, rolled down their car windows, pointed and smiled at me frolicking in the bluebonnets! And isn't that what we all want in life? To be accepted and loved for who we are? Affirmation is just frosting on the cake...Hey, Mom...I'm getting hungry!

                                It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. 
                                                                          ~e.e. cummings

From: Louise Coyle

Subject: To Wrangler

Date: Mar 11, 2013

 

Dear Nephew Wrangler (aka Waldo),

If you were to be blessed with a sister, her name could be Carmen Sandiego. Then when the two of you go on a treasure hunt around the neighborhood, all the humans would hear is, "Where's Waldo?" and, "Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?"

We humans have a skewed sense of humor.

You have so many wonderful friends! Some are my friends, too! See, we have a lot in common already.

I'm happy you're growing up to be such a big boy. You make Mamma and Daddy (and Auntie) so proud!

Your blogs are quite wonderful! Keep writing!!!! Ask Mamma to give you your own Facebook page. I think you're old enough now!

Lots of love, hugs, and kisses from Auntie Lou

National Puppies Day 2013!

Easter is exactly a week away, and the only rabbit I'd ever heard about was one called the Energizer Bunny. (The Easter Rabbit on speed?) There is only ONE, right? It's never plural, after all! Bunnies may be fluffy and cuddly - I've seen a few - but SO AM I! And my energy is all NATURAL! So let's start concentrating on canines, puppies in particular, where our focus SHOULD be! Who thinks of rabbits when you say the word ENERGY anyway??  Bunnies may have their own holiday, but they have to share it with the Son of God, who had the holiday FIRST!  Hallmark (or someone equally as prestigious) has named today NATIONAL PUPPIES DAY. So THERE!  (All right, I know it was actually yesterday, but my family told me that EVERY day is Puppy Day & we're to keep on celebrating!)  Hmmmm...wonder if they told the same thing to ZuZu, their calico cat, on National Kittens Day? Oh, That's right! They don't have their own day! HaHaHaHa!!!

Thinking of "bunnies," "bouncing" and "hopping"....few may know that I made an unexpected visit to the Vet a week before my last set of shots. My competitive side was challenged by watching Sophie 'bounce' up and down, onto and off, the porch. I noticed she never used the steps! Since she is the Master to my Humble Grasshopper, I followed suit. I skipped the steps & tried to jump/hop onto & off the porch! Well, the fall can be 2 feet in some spots...don't remember the actual incident, but this feat was not as easy for me at 25 lbs as it was for my 8 lb friend, who had years of experience, besides! I must have twisted my muscle somehow and was favoring my left rear leg. Tasks like eating/drinking, and leisure activities like running and playing, became more difficult. The Doc prescribed some muscle relaxers and pain pills, which got me back to feeling 'myself' again in just a matter of days! (Eat your heart out, Energizer Bunny!)

That was a few weeks ago. Now I can make those jumps with ease! And my life has been filled with so many "firsts" since then:

• Got my first MEDAL! I wear it on my collar proudly. Don't know what I did to earn it, but I've noticed lots of other inoculated dogs wearing them...My Mom gave it to me after my first RABIES SHOT...maybe cuz I was so BRAVE! (Doc says I'm very laid back, so that must mean the same thing!)

Overheard Mom talk about medals some PEOPLE wear...She told someone the story of an Army General's wife who wore a beautiful solid 24 kt gold large medallion around her neck at a military social function. All the wife knew was that her husband brought the valuable jewelry back to her from an overseas assignment. But one of the officers recognized it as a 'license' prostitutes wear around their necks, to prove they are registered in that country! (Is it true that the first written Greek law dictated that jewels of gold were only to be worn by professed and public prostitutes?)  I must not digress...I AM, after all, a Gentleman...

Mom also spoke of her skepticism about purchasing a car touche in Egypt, with her name spelled in Hieroglyphics. Although her friend, Dan, eventually bought her one, she said she never knew EXACTLY what it said because she can't read that ancient mystery language! She could be wearing a beautiful gold necklace that said "slut' or 'freak' or "alien" and wouldn't even know it! She finally rationalized that most people she knows don't understand Hieroglyphics either, so she is probably okay to wear it...I've also seen her wear a necklace bought in Israel with her name spelled out in Hebrew. (I hear she started wearing it more often after Dad converted to Judaism; guess she figured HE'D tell her if it didn't spell out her name!)

• Also now have a TRAINING COLLAR & LEATHER LEASH! (Bret Michaels Collection!) My Dad takes me for a walk every night by myself.  (When my Mom walks me, she feels guilty if Sophie doesn't come along, too. Sometimes I get the feeling my competitive spirit to outpace Sophie makes the walk a little less enjoyable for Mom, but she never complains...)

• Was invited to my first PARTY! Cathy invited Mom to a Premiere Jewelry party, and said I was invited to come along! I was SO excited! Only because I'd get a lot of attention if I went; I knew there'd be no jewelry I'd want... But I was too tired from the excitement of the morning, and had to graciously decline. (Which I did not regret after learning Cathy never even served dog biscuits! Doesn't she know chocolate covered strawberries are toxic for dogs?? Some Hostess!) Lauren took this pic of me sleeping in the car on the return trip.

• Went to the 15th ANNUAL MIGHTY TEXAS DOG WALK yesterday in Austin! Krista and Mom complimented me on being so sociable in spite of never having been around so many fellow canines! And what a great-looking bunch we were! After talking to another owner of male Golden Retrievers, Mom guesstimates I may grow to be about 80 lbs. We'll see! Life is full of surprises!

• Technically, I'd been to my first RESTAURANT a week or two before. (Mighty Fine Burgers in Round Rock; Sophie and I ate with Mom & Krista at an outdoor picnic table) After the Mighty Texas Dog Walk, we stopped at our first organic, indie (can you say AUSTIN!) snack bar in SoCo. (It's actually an indoor/outdoor restaurant named SNACK BAR!) We selected it over the Red Rabbit Co-Op Bakery, also on South Congress, because, well, you now how I feel about rabbits...and the Snack Bar is dog-friendly! It was cold, outside, maybe 55-degrees, and they had a fire burning in a golden raised pit in the center of the patio, where most people were eating. Lauren, Mom & Krista were given red throws to wear, courtesy of the restaurant, & Sophie and I munched on samples of organic sourdough french toast. (Yum! Even Sophie liked it...and she is very picky about food & treats!) 

Mainly, Soph & I were just wiped out; Sophie snuggled close to me to stay warm, while the adults talked about Krista's grandson, Hunter, and the boxes of (complimentary) dog toys, pet food, coupons, balls, bowls, Frisbees and all-meat treats they'd collected at the Dog Walk! (I think Krista was probably most excited...she has THREE dogs at home!) Sophie and I LOVE new toys. (We have tons spread out all over the living room - Mom hopes one day I'll learn how to put them back into the toy basket and bowl! - as well as on the back porch and yard!) I've even dug up some old toys previously loved by Piper and Madi, that had become buried and hidden under the landscape! We play all day and all night long; you just never know when or where lots of squeaking will occur! You can't be a light sleeper if you live in our house! And you must always expect the unexpected when you have a puppy...

"When a puppy wags its tail and barks at the same time, how do you know which end to believe? " - Anonymous

It's Hard to Be Humble

It's hard to believe I've been in my 'forever home' for as long as I was with my 'birth family.' Yep, I'm 12 weeks old today, and (YIKES!) the things I've experienced during this time in my life! My accomplishments are many. Guess you could say I'm coming into "my own." For me, feeling comfortable in my own skin is what it's all about! And I'm pretty comfortable in it, though there's a lot of slack still beneath my outer layer of fur! My family calls me their Big Boy, and my Mom seemed shocked when I weighed in at 25.6 lbs yesterday at Doc Webster's clinic! (Got my second round of puppy shots.) She and Lauren had a bet on what my weight would be! (Looks like Mom will have to pay up!)

My legs are longer now, and my feet keep getting bigger! (Mom says models tend to be tall & have big feet, so guess I'm becoming one of the 'good looking ones!' ...My Mom is humming Carly Simon's old hit, "You're so Vain" in the background, as though I don't know what she's implying!) Actually, it's hard to be humble when you get the reactions that I do upon first meetings!  My Mom even saved the original comments emailed after she sent my first pics to friends:

• "Oh...my...gosh!!!!!!! The cutest pup EVER!"  ...Jennifer McKay
• "He is SO CUTE!!!!!"  ...Alma Voorhies
• "OMG he's so stinking cute. You can't help but want to cuddle w/him."   ...Mom's Court partner (from East Texas, can you tell??!), Sabrina Bentley
• "wow he is adorable!!"   ...Carla Tijerina
• "OMG - He is gorgeous! I think he would make a fine addition to MY family, when can I pick him up??"  ...Lucia Urrutia  [Ahhh, NEVER!!  You already have a golden to love!!]
• "He is so cute. What type of dog is he?"  ...Cathy Bertoncini  [The BEST kind!]
• "Adorable!!!!! I'm in love!" ...Colette Nelson [No relation to Willie]
• "He is beautiful. Congratulations on being a new mom!!!"  ...Ruth Radock
• "Ohoooooo! So Sweet!!!!! He's just so cute; I'm going to save your email so when I feel frazzled I can take a minute to look at someone cute and cuddly, LOL!"  ...Cathy Anderson (Mom's co-worker who had assisted her on her 'puppy search')
• "Awww my new nephew! Congratulations to you both!!!! He's adorable!!!!!"  ...Louise Coyle (Auntie)
• "Thanks for sharing your obvious joy!...great story. [how they found me] made me smile. love his name, too."  ...Carole Youngpeter

And yes, there were other emails, too, which we still smile about:

• "What a cute new member of the family!!!! Congrats!!!!! What's his name????"  ...Teresa Garza "T-Bird"  [followed by a pink face when she realized the subject line said, "Meet Wrangler!"]
• "AND - He looks just LIKE you! I noticed the family resemblance right away. So naturally he is just DARLIN'...But what will you actually CALL him? People always make puppy names end in 'Y' or 'EE'...It's not really a RULE --- more like a custom --- Wrangee? ...but you and Wrangler can march to your own drummer. Wrangler is cute enough"  ...Joe Tauer  [Paw Note:  After Mom told him she had no plans for a nick name, she proceeded to call me Chunky Monkey, Ragin' Cajun & a few times when she was tired, Wagner! So she doesn't seem to mind when Joe asks her, 'How is Wagon Wheel doing?' She just smiles with the love of a proud Mom!]

Then Kyle Michaels wrote, "GAHHHH!!!! He's totally adorable!!! Congrats! =) I want to meet him soon!" When Lauren brought me to my Mom's workplace [the Adult Probation office; I came in the back door - don't have a badge yet, but didn't feel it was professional to come through the front lobby & be carried through the metal detector], Kyle went wild!! She took me from Lauren's arms and went door to door showing me off! She even offered to give me lessons (she's also a dog trainer, among her many skills), and took pictures with her camera & put one on her computer as the background! After I'd left, she sent this to my Mom: "Thanks for letting me have some puppy snuggles ;-) He's pretty fabulous!" [If pups can have godmothers, I want mine to be Kayla!]

I won't forget Krista; she came out to the house to be the first friend to actually MEET me! (She and my Mom are 'twins separated by years' but I still don't know what that means!) I could tell she knew a lot about pups; I loved her right away! And Beth even brought her mother's friend, Marge, over to see me when she visited from RI! And while I may not be the only canine to have received a personal email, I felt VERY SPECIAL when this was sent to me:

 

 

Feb 20, 2013

Dear Wrangler, You are quite a prodigious writer! I felt as if I was there with you - you describe things so beautifully. Your Mom and Dad are quite extraordinary! I saw how they took care of and loved Bandana and Madi. I used to sneak them cookies when Mom and Dad weren't looking! When we meet, I hope you'll like me. I'll sneak you cookies, too! I'm looking forward to reading more of your blogs. They help me remember my visits to your house. Can't wait to meet you! Give my love to Mom and Dad, and, of course, love to you! Auntie Lou     Humble?  Maybe not.  Humility may be over-rated. But prodigious? Perhaps. You probably didn't know, but my Mom considered naming me Emerson (Right!) just because Ralph Waldo Emerson is one of her favorite writers. (Oh, I can hear it now! "The dog just got loose!!  Where is he? Where's Waldo?") She said she grew up in New England reading his poetry in Donat Paquet's class. She agrees with Emerson's philosophy on life and loves to quote him.

So I thought I'd end this post with a quote to make her proud. (And to thank her for not naming me Emerson!!)  I was going to share a quote like, "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." But it may mean something totally different to her... Or "The age of a woman doesn't mean a thing. The best tunes are played on the oldest fiddles." I thought better of that one too. [Diplomatic? Definitely!]  Instead I'll close with what has become my mantra: "Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year."  Sorta makes you excited about what tomorrow has in store, doesn't it??!!