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Growing up Scout

A Week To Remember

This past week was so exciting for me and Mom. I’m just now settled down enough to tell you about it!

On Saturday, November 7th, we attended the Greyhound & Friends Fall Festival Fundraiser at Brandi Fenton Park. The Arizona Greyhound Rescue group sponsored the event to raise awareness for greyhounds needing homes. We figured it would be a good to attend and show our support for these dogs, and the group for their efforts.

As it turned out, there was more than meets the eye going on that this fundraiser, something called the Canine’s Got Talent & Style contest. I should have known something was up when Mom and I left the house wearing our matching Hawaiian shirts. Anyway, I took second place in the Best Dressed category. Mom and I finished first in the Canine/Owner Look-Alike; we were the only pair wearing identical shirts, so this was practically a shoe-in. The icing on the cake was winning the Canine’s Got Talent category for my ever popular “dead-dog-resuscitated-with-CPR” trick. I even got a very snazzy plaque for this win, which Mom proudly has on display.

You can view a video of my award winning performance in my Dogster video album, courtesy of Ryn Gargulinski at TucsonCitizen.com. Her dog, Sawyer, has a blog you should check out for complete coverage of the event, plus other cool pet related stories and information- http://tucsoncitizen.com/sawyer/

To top off the week, we get news that I was selected Dogster Dog of the Day for November 12th. I’m really honored to have been selected and would like to thank all my new Pup Pals for taking the time requesting we be friends!

Things have finally gotten back to normal for me. I'm back to pestering Mom for ignoring me while she plays on her silly computer, sleeping on the couch, and playing with the neighborhood dogs that wander into our yard. If case you’re wondering where the Scout-Cam went, Mom promises to turn it back on when she finds work- unlike me, she’s a bit camera shy…WOOF WOOF!

I hate swimming!

Yesterday started out like any other weekend- a trip to the dog park. After only an hour, Mom gets me into the car and we head off to a place we'd never been before, the Lighthouse City YMCA. We get there and heard some dogs barking, then weaved our way back behind the building, passing tables selling people and doggie snacks. Inside a gated area was something much, much larger than any wading pool I'd ever seen- it was a swimming pool!

I watched several dogs running around the pool, and there were even a few dogs in the pool, playing with balls and other toys that floated on the water. Mom tried to get me into the water, but I only stepped down the first couple of steps before I decided I wasn't sure if this pool thing was going to be something I'd like. I then spotted a ball near the edge, so I went to check it out. Mom said I should get the ball, so I crouched down to grab it. Before I knew it, I had slipped and fell head first into the pool! Boy, was I scared! I started kicking around, and when I came back up to the top of the water, Mom grabbed my shoulders and tried to pull me out. One of the lifeguard ladies in the pool boosted me up by my butt, and I was finally out of the water...WHEW!

Mom kept trying to make me play with some of the toys in the pool, but I didn't stray past those same two steps that lead into the water. At one point, Mom picked me up around my chest and threw me into the water again... WHAT A MEAN THING TO DO! Thankfully the lifeguard lady was nearby, and boosted me out again. Later on, a lifeguard guy talked to my mom, then before I knew it, he picked me up and carried me into the pool! He kept my head above water, and carried me away from Mom. He held me up for a while by my belly while I flopped me legs around, then pointed me toward those steps again and let go. I moved my legs as fast as I could, splashing water everywhere, slowly making my way back to Mom. When I finally got back to those steps and walked out of the water, all the people clapped for me, happy that I completed my first swim! I took one more swim (unwillingly, with the lifeguard guy's assistance) before Mom finally decided swimming wasn't for me, and we headed home.

Hopefully, Mom won't try taking me to a swimming pool again anytime soon, though she's been talking to people about some place called The Dog Beach in San Diego. With any sort of luck the beach won't be as scarey as a pool, but I'll let you know...WOOF WOOF!

What a busy month I've had!

October was such a busy month for me. Let me tell you all about it!

First off, Mom and I met a nice lady at the dog park (Hi, Sawyer!). The lady works at some place called a newspaper, and she posted a couple of blog entries (complete with photos Mom sent her) about yours truely! Someone else at the newspaper talked to Sawyer's mom, and within a week my picture was in the newspaper! Mom bought some extra copies to show some of her family members, though I don't think my cousins Max and Sugar will be too interested.

Just last week, Mom dressed me up again and took me to the annual Howl-o-ween party at our neighborhood Petsmart. There were lots of dogs all dressed up in costumes, and we even got to parade around the store for everyone to see. I got a nice photo taken of me (Mom didn't want to join in), along with a nice pumpkin frame. Mom took it to work so everyone could see how cool I looked in my costume. Anyway, both Mom and I were really surprised when they announced that Captain Jack Sparrow (aka- ME!) was the first prize winner...WOOF WOOF! Mom got a gift card and I got lots of praise from those who participated. It was great fun! (If you want to see me as a pirate, check out my Dogster Plus photo album)

The month ended on a more serious note. Mom had my blood tested a couple of years ago, and it turns out I have what they call a universal blood type. Mom got hooked up with a new blood bank, and I made my first donation to help save other dogs that might need blood if they're injured or ill. I didn't like being away from home (and Mom) all day, but I think I did a good thing, so it's worth it. I also didn't like getting some of my fur shaved off when they took my blood, but that will grow back soon enough. The doctor there told my Mom that I was a good boy (though I'm not sure she believes him!) and that they'll call me back in again in six weeks if they're low on blood. I would like to urge my four-legged friends to see if they can participate in a similar program. Tell them Scout sent you...WOOF WOOF!