Fall is Here! :-O

Well, I haven't pawed on the keyboard in a while so I thought I'd update my pals of the latest happenings. I was off enjoying the summer---I was busy going on hikes and swimming at the lake. I had a bout with allergies just like Mommy but Mommy is worst off than I am. Her allergist said she's allergic to me. :-( Moooooommmmy noooo! She took me aside and nudged her forehead onto mine and assured me that she will never give me away. Thanks mom. Woof! She said she will look into getting shots. You'd do that for me?!

I don't know what happened but over the summer, Mom and Dad took me to the state park to go hiking and when we came back I started getting this goop in my eyes. Mom noticed it first. They observed me for a couple of days and then my other eye started getting goopy. They called my vet and the vet said that Goldens tend to get allergies as they get older. Doc prescribed an eye ointment and Daddy administered it until I got better.

Two weeks ago, we went to another state park with a lake and I went swimming. I fetched all kinds of sticks for Dad. We met other doggies too. One was soooo cute, a Black Labrador. Her Mommy said she was only 5 months old. Today, Dad took me to a nearby towpath for an early morning walk. I like walking with Dad and it was so peaceful by the lake. I got to sniff all kinds of things out in the woods! I was so excited I couldn't walk straight.

Since the weather's been cooling off, Mom lets me out in the backyard and I just love lounging on the deck to listen to the geese fly over my head as they honk south. I've been shedding my summer coat (which explains why Mom's been having a rough time with her allergies---sorry Mom). She complimented on how my apron [heehee, she meant my chest hair] is getting full and fluffier. She said I'm turning into a dashing canine. Awww mom [blush].

Fall's my most favorite season---it's not too hot, it's not too cold. It's also the time when Mom and Dad takes me up north to go hiking in the mountains to watch the leaves turn color. I'm looking forward to that. I'm still going to my day school every Thursdays (except today, I went this past Tuesday instead because the school marm is going on vacation). Dad's been waking up early to take me sometimes. I really like school, I get to play with other big dogs like Rusty, who looks exactly like me. Hmm. And then there's this Great Dane that's taller than mom when he stands on his hindlegs. The first time mom met him, she freaked because he was behind a half wall as she came to pick me up one day; she didn't know he was behind the wall and as she reached over to take me, he stood up on his hindlegs and greeted her. BAHAHAHH! Oh mom! You should have seen your face.

Well, mom's home today because the doctor said to stay home. She's letting me use her computer so I can paw away on the keys but it's mid-morning and I need my nap. I have to go. Bye for now...

Dreaming of Pumpkin Pies...Love,
Yobi

Dear Yobi

A pup pal, Lady, wrote and asked:

"Woof! woof?! Woof, woof, woof; woof---woof?"

Oh dear Lady, that's very simple...my mom took my picture with my Santa's hat on and thought it would be funnier if I looked like Rudolph-the-red-nose reindeer. She knew that I wouldn't sit still long enough for me to wear a big clown's nose so she took my photo and used Photoshop to color my nose in. She was chortling so hard that she blew milk out of her nose when she saw the final outcome. ("Oh maaaahum!") She proceeded to make copies upon copies of my picture and sent them as Christmas cards further embarassing me. (sniggles)

Thanks for your question Lady and hello ;-)

By the way---HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

Summer Days

Yesterday was a doozy. We had huge black clouds pounce our neighborhood and brought rain and thunder. I don't like thunder. It makes my fur stand up and makes me bark to no end. Mom said that I was a scardy-cat the first time I experienced a thundertorm. I was 6 months old playing out in the backyard when a shot of blue came through the gloomy sky. I bolted for mom in the living room, my tail tucked in-between my hind legs---whimpering. I looked for shelter and found comfort underneath the coffee table. Mom tried to coax me to come out, I didn't want to, but I did finally learned how to bark. Yip! I don't run underneath the table anymore (only because mom got rid of it), but I do use my "macho" bark to let those clouds know that they don't scare me. Hmpf! Thunderstorms are spectacular and they come during this time of year. It's been humid these past few days which means summer's just around the corner.

I spent some time at a kennel resort complete with grooming facilities two weeks ago. The place boasts a nightlife of: "An occasional songfest or a howling good time can be had by all." Can't go wrong with that. I was walked twice a day by some lovely ladies around the grounds :::hops::: A couple of stinky, hairy Highland cows lounged on the corner of the field. I barked at them whenever we passed by just to say "Hi!" but they just stared at me with their huge bulgy eyes occasionally batting their lush eyelashes while chewing cud under a shade. I missed mom and dad though :-(

My dad and I spotted some lightning bugs, another sign that summer is upon us. I wish the groomers shaved all of my fur off, it's getting really hot. In the mornings, I sometimes roll around the grass to cool myself from the morning dew. A rabbit keeps coming back on our yard too, he taunts me to come chase him, but he's too quick for me. Someday I'm gonna catch that "wascally wabbit." Well, I think it's time for a nap.

My First Day at Doggy Day Care

Okay, mom had this brilliant idea that I should attend doggie day care so she registered me and took me to my first day last Thursday. BOY! Was that fun! At first I got the shivers...maybe I was reliving the nightmare I experienced when they took me to this one kennel that I didn't particularly like. Mom and dad was apologetic about that incident and promised to be more discriminating about where to leave me. I did forgive them because that's my nature. ;-)

So anyway, the sitter at the school first took me to a crate as big as the one I have at my parents'. Later on, when more dogs arrived, I slowly got out of my crate and introduced myself to them and we had a great time spending the day together! I can't wait to go again next week.

The other day, Daddy took me to see the next door neighbor so I can play with her doggie---Kalie. She's gorgeous, hubba-bubba! I've only had the pleasure of barking to her through the fence, I've never seen her face before. She's as strong as me because when her handler came out, Kalie took off and took her handler with her. I do that to Mommy too when I get excited, but she didn't fall on her belly like this lady did. [narf] Mommy thinks I might have some sled dog genes in me.

Oh yah! A couple of weeks ago, I finally learned how to swim when mom and dad took me to a lake. They kept throwing this stick into the water and motioned me to go get it. I whimpered at first, but I took to it quickly. I love it! When I was a puppy I never fetched anything and mom said I was named incorrectly because I didn't know how to retrieve. I do so know how! I just didn't understand "fetch" back then. :-P

I have a new friend at home too! Mom brought home a fish. She hasn't named it yet, but she did ask me what we should name it...I thought "Rolf!" was a good name, but I don't think she liked that. :-( Can't say I didn't try.

Yobi Learns to Swim

Oh, I'm very excited! This past weekend my guardians took me to go hiking near this man-made lake. When we arrived, we hiked a little bit into the woods and found a clearing towards the lake's beach. My mom then took a stick and threw it into the water and told me to go fetch it. I gave her a look to make sure that it was me and not dad. She pointed at the stick in the water and called my name, so not daddy. I slowly waded into the water and right where the water hits my chin, the wood floated by and I quickly grabbed it! We did this fetch thing for a while, but then dad threw it farther away. I slowly waded again like before and inched my way towards the stick but oh my! There was a part where I couldn't touch the bottom with my paws! I panicked a little and let out a series of whimper. Mom and dad kept telling me to go on and get the stick. I couldn't turn back---I either needed to paddle or the water will get into my nose. With one big stretch of my left foreleg then my right, I began paddling and I floated! I floated and I moved! I finally learned how to swim and I had lots of fun. Hooray! I love swimming a whole lot!

Apples and Milk Jugs

Today, my human mom gave me pieces of an apple. YummY! I love those juicy things. I usually soak them in my mouth and stand there until mom tells me to go to my place. I scurry over to my "place" which is this round pillow next to the sofa where mom and dad sit when they watch Law and Order. That's their favorite show. They should really put on more exciting shows like, "Benji," "Lassie," "Scooby-Doo," or how about that tear jerker, "Snoopy, Come Home?" I whimpered when Snoopy took off and left Charlie Brown. I still do whenever I see reruns.

It's almost spring time. It snowed last night, hopefully, it will be the last one of the season. I wasn't allowed to run out in the backyard because mom just mopped the floor last night. It's very muddy in the backyard. Occasionally, she will let me loose and I get muddied all over! Then she comes out, hoses me down and I'm all clean again. I love chasing my plastic milk jug and whenever there is a breeze, I drop what I'm doing (usually chasing my milk jug), stick my nose up in the air and just breathe it all in. Ahhhh!

Saying Hello to Bubu

To my friend Bubu,

Hello there! We haven't met, but my guardian is your auntie. Your mommy said that you have been asking for a dog just like me. She is a little concern that you will not be able to take care of a brand new puppy. When she asked you what you will do if your puppy poops, you said you will just get your daddy to do it (erm, clean-up the poop that is). You are one clever girl! But Bubu, your daddy will not always be able to help so a lot of the responsibilties rest on you.

A puppy needs plenty of clean water, food to eat, toys and most importantly, a puppy will need to be taken to a doggie doctor to get shots and medicine to keep it healthy. You have to keep it clean, give it a bath and take it out for walks for exercise. Sometimes puppies get naughty (like me) and might get into trouble like eating your mommy's socks or chewing on the dining room baseboard. So, you will also need to teach a puppy good manners.

Okay, I must go and take a nap now. Perhaps when you are a little older and start kindergarten and if you do very well in school, your mommy will decide to get you a puppy.

Always be kind. Love your friend,
Yobi

Thank You! and Happy St Patrick's Day---aye!

Thank you for visiting my page. I'm Yobi! Glad to meet yah! My guardians and I enjoy browsing through the many pages other guardians have set-up for their doggies. Woof! I've only been on for a few days and I have made some nice friends already. We love looking at the pictures, keep them coming!