Very Long Weekend!

The long weekend started on Thursday. I knew something was different when daddy didn't go to work. Mom seemed excited as well. I got an early walk and mom and dad left in the car. They didn't take me with them this time. When they came home they had a human child with them! With a suitcase!! I was a bit horrified! Children have too much chaotic energy. I am very afraid of them. The child seemed calm so I sniffed her. She smelled a little like mom! Mom explained that this was her granddaughter, Davina, who was staying with us for a few days. Things actually went OK. I did well. I was always a little nervous but I let Davina give me treats. I wouldn't do tricks for her, but I did take the treat when offered. Thankfully mom and dad did a lot of activities with her during the day so I got to nap in peace. On Friday, my dog walker, Sarah, took me and her dog, Bella, for a walk along the river. I enjoyed that. I also saw Copley a few times which always makes my day! Davina even walked me a few times. I was always nervous and would keep looking back at her. She was short and kept the leash too low. I kept getting my front legs tangled in it. She did run with me though, which I liked. Davina went home on Monday night and things are now back to normal. Mom took me for a walk down Winter Street and I saw a bunny near Copley's house. I was able to get really close to it- about 6 feet away-before it ran off. I tried to chase it but mom pulled me back. I could have caught it if it wasn't for the darn leash! Mom says this weekend I will be going to a 4th of July picnic.

I Won A Photo Contest!

Sunday was Father's Day. Mom, dad and I drove to NH to visit Grampy. He is doing very well. The drive doesn't seem very long anymore. Not since I rode all the way to Gettysburg. It was a beautiful day so we all spent our time on Grampy's porch. Daddy opened the doors to the garage and the back yard so I could come in and out as I pleased. The porch and the garage are connected so I can walk from the porch, through the garage and into the back yard! I like that. I still wanted either mom or dad to come with me though. Mom and dad took grampy out to eat. Once again,I wasn't allowed to go. I stayed on the porch. It was OK. Mom and dad weren't gone very long and they had a nice dinner. I had a good run in grampy's yard. It was a fun day.

Mom had entered my picture in a photo contest a couple of weeks ago. Daddy entered a picture of Charlie. Mom just got a phone call a few minutes ago. I won! My picture is going to be framed for free and hung in the store window for a couple of months. That means a lot of people will see my picture! Mom and dad want me to buy something called a lottery ticket! They say I am very lucky. Even though I never won a race, I guess I am pretty lucky.I have a wonderful life now. Mom said that if I had won races, the people who owned me at the track would probably have used me for breeding after I broke my foot. So I guess I was lucky not winning races after all!

I Went To The Laundromutt!!

Yes, you read that right! Mom, dad and I all got into the car early this afternoon. I never know where I am going, but since I usually end up at the pet store, I figured that was where we were going. Boy was I wrong. First mom and dad stopped at a store to get lunch. It was a cool. cloudy day in the 60's so I was fine in the car for a few minutes. Mom and dad actually ate their lunch in the car with me so I wouldn't get lonely. Then daddy drove for awhile and we stopped at a place I had never been to before. When we first went in, it seemed like a pet store. There were toys, collars and treats for sale. I was thinking it was just a new pet store. A nice lady came up and spoke with mom and dad. She pet me and then led us to the back room. They had dog wash tubs! I refused to walk up the ramp so daddy had to lift me into the tub. I had been to a place like this before so I knew what was coming. First I got rinsed. Then I got almond shampoo! Mom and dad scrubbed me all over. It felt kind of good I have to admit, but I was still a bit scared. I did get a lot of dead hair out.Then I got rinsed again, wiped with a chamois and fluffed with a towel. I walked down the ramp on my own. Anything to get out of the tub. Mom and dad toweled me some more. Then the nice lady came back and did my nails. She got my quick and I bled on the floor. She put some quick stop on my foot and the bleeding stopped right away. I was fine. Mom and dad got me a treat for being so good. Mom said I had been stinky since my swim in the pond. I am all fluffy and clean now. On our way home we stopped at Petco for some supplies. I did get to the pet store after all! Not exactly how I had planned to spend my Saturday afternoon!

The Whisker Walk!

Today mom and dad took me to the Whisker Walk. We went last year too. It is held at the Lancaster Fairgrounds and is only about 20 minutes from our house. I got all excited the minute daddy pulled into the field to park. I could see lots of dogs getting out of cars. A group of Girl Scouts were handing out gift bags to everyone who entered the fair grounds. Mom got one for me. Mom got lots of free samples and cookies. We walked all around and went to all the different booths. Greyhound Friends were there so we spent some time visiting and helping out. Mom entered a couple of raffles. We haven't heard anything yet, but it doesn't mean we didn't win. Believe it or not, I made a raffle ticket! It was the darnedest thing!!! In our gift bag everyone got poop bags. They had several bag stations set up around the grounds for deposits. If your dog made a poop and you used the special bag, you could deposit it at the bag station and they gave you a raffle ticket! It was actually a great way to ensure people picked up after their dogs! Mom and dad waited, but I came I through! I made a raffle ticket. If we win, mom and dad will get to see a Red Sox baseball game! They had misting stations set up too. It was a water hose on the mist setting so we could get cooled off. I went twice! The sun was hot and since I am a black dog I needed a little cooling off. Mom said she would rather mist me than have me go swimming!!! I met a lot of dogs I knew today. I also met many new ones. Mom saw the "wolf" again. It was the same one she had seen at Paws In The Park. This time we got to meet him. He wasn't a wolf, he just looked like one. He had a lot of different wolf looking breeds in him- husky, German shepherd and one other one. The combination made him look just like one! He was nice. Mom got to meet a Facebook friend in person. She was helping to run a booth for becoming vegan (which both my mom and dad are). Mom was all excited. Mom and dad got human cookies. I guess it was only fair since I had a whole bag of cookies. We watched a few demonstrations for freebie chasing and fly ball. We were there about 3 hours and felt it was time to head back home. Almost time for my evening walk, so I should get ready. More later!

My Swim at Gates Pond!

I hope all my Pup Pals had a safe and fun Memorial Day. Both mom and dad had the day off work. They wanted to take me somewhere special that day but it was very hot outside. It was close to 90 degrees and very humid. Aunt Carla E-mailed mom and asked if we would like to go to Gates Pond for a walk that afternoon. Mom and dad knew I would enjoy that and we all hoped it would cool down a bit by then. We got there at 4:30. There were about 16 dogs in all and about 7 humans. There were greyhounds, whippets, and Italian greyhounds so we really did have small, medium and large. Dad let me go off leash with Gill. I really enjoy having some freedom and I am very good about coming when I am called. There were horses up ahead of us on the trail so we took our time to let them get far ahead of us. We did see evidence of them throughout the walk, but never ran into them. We all stopped for a drink at one of the side trails. Gill and I went right into the water. It felt good to cool off a bit. The wooded path was much cooler but it was still pretty hot out. We were on our way back towards the car and I was really hot and thirsty. I wanted another drink. I tried to go off the trail to the pond but mom kept calling me back because it wasn't safe. Aunt Carla said she knew of a place up ahead where we could all get another drink. I was glad that it wasn't very far. We took a side trail and came to an open clearing with a little utility house by the pond. There was a man and his wife fishing there but I was too hot to care. Gill and I waded right into the water. I was standing on a rock ledge. What I didn't realize was that the ledge had a very quick drop off into deep water. Mom, dad and Aunt Carla were yelling at me to STOP! I didn't respond quick enough and walked right off the ledge and into the deep water! I went under for a second but managed to swim up to the surface. daddy was ready to jump in after me. I was disoriented for a few seconds and started swimming away from the shore. Mom, dad and Aunt Carla kept calling me. I heard then, turned around and managed to swim back to the rock ledge. I was a bit shaken by the whole thing. I got out of the water as fast as I could! I am just not made for swimming! I did get cool though! I was happy to get back to the car. On our way home, mom, dad and I stopped at Petco for some cat food. I was still pretty wet but no one seemed to mind. I still wanted my cookie when we got home, so I guess I wasn't too traumatized by the whole thing. Mom said she doesn't want me to going swimming again!

It's A Dog's Life!

Wow! What a weekend! Don't know where to begin? Mom says it is always best to start at the beginning so that would be Saturday.

After a cloudy, miserable week we finally had a beautiful day filled with sunshine. I could feel the excitement in the air! Mom said that this weekend was going to be special. We left the house around 10:30. Daddy drove mom's car. We arrived at Greyhound Friend's Spring open house shortly after 11:00. There were people setting up tables and tents. Daddy brought my exercise pen so I would have a place to rest and chill out. Mom set it up for me with my water bowl and a blanket. Once again we worked at the silent auction and raffle table. Daddy helped set up tents over the items as there was a chance that it could rain in the afternoon. The tent didn't totally cover my pen,so mom hung a blanket over part of the pen to provide extra shade for me. Around noon, people and dogs started to come. Many people came to our booth to place bids on items and buy raffle tickets. Mom bid on a few items herself and she entered my name in the raffle drawing! Daddy took me for frequent walks around the grounds. I enjoyed meeting all the other dogs as well as visiting the booths. We met a black male greyhound named Damion who looked just like me. My mom and Damion's mom decided to enter us in the "find your twin" contest in the dog show. There was still time before the show, so daddy took me to the fenced in field to run. A dog named Lucy came in with me. She didn't want to run...but I sure did! I ran all around the field! It was fun! Greyhound Friends built a memorial garden. People can buy bricks with their dog's name on it as a memorial when their dogs go to the Rainbow Bridge. My time won't come for many years yet, but mom and dad will buy a brick for me then. They had a beautiful dedication ceremony. A greyhound named Boston Boy was the greyhound who is responsible for the start of Greyhound Friend's. The memorial garden is in his name. Soon it was time for the dog show. They didn't have a PA system this year, so mom, dad and I had to go over to the show ring so we could hear the events. There weren't many in the youngest dog contest, so mom entered me. It was only a dollar to enter. The youngest dog has to be under 6. I am 4 1/2 now. I won a third place ribbon. After the oldest dog contest and longest tail (I can't win against other greyhounds), they had the twin contest. Damion and I were the only team to enter! They kept calling for more contestants but no one could hear them without the PA system. Damion and I won first place! We got our prizes and then 6 other dogs including two beagles wanted to enter. They let us keep our first place ribbons and held another twin contest! Hopefully next year they will have the PA system again. Things were starting to wind down and it was time for the raffle. I won a small greyhound statue! Mom got out bid on her silent auction items but that is OK. The more money people bid, the more money for Greyhound Friends. It was a wonderful open house. Lots of people made donations and Matthew found his forever home. The open house continued on Sunday but we had another event to go to!

Sunday wasn't as nice as Saturday. It was cool and overcast. No rain though so that was good. We left the house at 9:30 and daddy drove us in his car this time. We went to Paws In The Park to benefit Save A Dog. Mom and I raised $415 dollars for the event! I got a beautiful blue bandana to wear. There were dogs and booths everywhere. Last year I was more nervous but I am getting more and more used to these events now. I actually went into all the booths this year! I saw dogs of all different breeds and sizes. Greyhound Friends had a booth and I saw Gill and Aunt Carla! We walked around the whole fair grounds, visited every booth and collected free samples of goodies. The walk was at 11:00. There was a whole parade of dogs in the walk. I was up near the front of the pack. We walked through woods on a path for the most part. We also walked past an old mill with a water wheel. It was very nice. After the walk we watched some of the dog games and demos. There was also a parade of adoptable dogs. Aunt Carla entered a black greyhound named Roller in the parade for adoption. He may have found his forever home! I hope so. He is very nice. Daddy bought some kettle corn. Mom and dad shared it with me! It was good but it did have some sugar so I couldn't have too much of it. Mom saw a wolf at the event! He was amazing! He was very tame and walked on a leash just like the rest of us. There were also handicapped dogs in carts there as well. After the adoption parade they had more games. One of the games was a dress up contest. Mom had wanted to enter me in this at Gettysburg but daddy and I missed it. Well,daddy and I entered this one! Mom can't run fast because she gets shooting pain in her hip so daddy did the contest with me. they placed clothes at the end of the field. We had to run down to the clothes, get dressed and run back as fast as we could. Daddy and I were in line when they announced the rules. My heart sank when they said the dog had to sit to win. I can't sit! Many greyhounds can't. We are not built for it. Mom spoke up and they made an exception for me. Daddy and I were the first ones to reach the clothes. Mom has dressed me in costumes before so I am OK with it. I also wear my jackets when it is cold out. Daddy had trouble with the shirt because it was too small for me. He got it on me the best he could. One dog lost all his clothes on the run back to the finish line! Daddy and I came in 3rd. Everyone was laughing because it was all for fun. Everyone got a prize. I LOVE my prize. I got a plush squeaky lizard that is yellowish green. I can see the colors! Aunt Carla took pictures because mom told her to watch! A little while later they had tail contests- longest, shortest and waggiest. Mom entered me the longest. As long as no other greyhounds enter I can usually win it. My tail is 21 inches long! I was up against a German Shepard. They didn't have a tape measure so we stood butt to butt. Mine was longer but they made it a tie. Once again everyone got a prize. This time I got a big rubber dumbbell toy! Now I can lift weights with mom!!! It was almost time for the fair to close so we walked around one more time and visited a few minutes with Aunt Carla and Greyhound Friend's booth. We were just about to leave when we learned they were giving away free collars. we went and got one. Aunt Carla came with us and got some for her dogs too. I am a tired dog now! What a fun weekend.

Hosting The MayDOG walk

On Saturday mom, dad and I hosted a group dog walk for MayDOG (Maynard Dog Owner's Group). Everyone met at our house. My friend Kiera came with her mom, Lisa and we also had 2 more dogs join us. We were all girls! Usually I prefer hanging out with the boys, but I still had fun. One dog was an Australian Shepherd mix and she sure liked to bark a lot. Her human decided it would be best to drive to the trail head and meet us there as she was disturbing the neighborhood. Kiera then proceeded to pick a fight with the other dog who was a Golden Retriever. The fight didn't last long and only lasted a few seconds. No one got hurt. I was thinking that the walk wasn't starting out too well. We crossed rte 117 to Winter Street and met up with the barking shepherd at the trail head. She did calm down as we kept walking and finally stopped barking. Kiera also behaved herself. We walked way past the rocks and almost to the air field and back! The day was overcast and cool and there were lots of mosquitoes around. I still got bit despite mom spraying me with bug spray. We all had a good time though. Kiera's mom said we walked 2.6 miles. After we said our goodbyes, it was time for the pet store. It was just our usual weekly shopping trip but I did get a flossie and a cookie. I thought we would be going right home but dad drove us to a yard sale! It was mom's idea! I don't think daddy would ever go to a yard sale on his own. Mom was looking for things for my next Halloween costume. She didn't find anything.
After lunch we all got back into the car to take a trip to visit grampy in NH. After going to Gettysburg, the trip didn't seem as long.We had a nice visit and watched a movie called Ice Castles. I napped through most of it. After the movie, mom and dad took me for a walk through the town where mom used to live. That was a second long walk in one day! We came upon one house and there was a bunch of chickens in the yard! All the chickens came running over to see us. Daddy peeled an acorn for them. I think they were very curious about us. Mom and dad stopped at the grocery store on our way back home. I had to wait in the car but it was cool outside and they weren't gone for very long. It was a busy day.

On Sunday mom and dad had to go to a fund raiser for a farm animal sanctuary. I wasn't allowed to go. Mom told me when they got home that the people who run the sanctuary asked if they could name a baby black chicken after me! I think that is cool! Now there is a chicken named Isis too! Mom and dad came home smelling like goats and rabbits. They had a good time despite the rain. Mom didn't win the raffle. They should have brought me with them. I am lucky in raffles! Mom said that next weekend will be even busier. It will be Greyhound Friend's Open House and Paws In The Park. I better get some some rest!

A Visit To GT

Today mom took me to visit GT. I hopped right into the car. I was so excited when I saw we were at Aunt Carla's house. I didn't even want to wait for mom! GT looked great! He came right up to me and mom. Mom gave him the stuffed bone we bought him at Gettysburg. He took it right in his mouth and carried it off to play. We couldn't play in the yard together yet because he is still healing from his surgery. He can only go on walks right now. I did get to run and play with Gill though. We had a fun time and had a hard run. We visited for a couple of hours. I made myself right at home in one of the dog beds and even played with one of the stuffed toys. Mom and Aunt Carla had a nice talk. They are planning a secrete costume idea for me and Gill at the October Greyhound Friend's costume contest! The Iggies (Italian Greyhounds) started a group roo! I joined right in. All of us dogs participated. It was fun! Mom and Aunt Carla laughed. I really didn't want to leave, but I didn't give mom a hard time. I got right back into the car when she asked me to. I know I will get to visit again soon. I am so glad that GT is doing better. I look forward to when we can run together again.

I Don't Think I Am In Gettysburg Anymore!

It felt good to sleep in my own bed last night. I was pretty tired from all the activity this weekend. I would love to go back next year. It was about 9:30 when mom put my harness and leash on. I had no idea why. I had already had my morning walk and did my duty. Dad told me to get into the car. Wouldn't you know it- I ended up at the Vets! I think that was dirty trick! Mom told me it was time for my annual check up. I had to have blood drawn for my heart worm and tick panel and get a shot! It was called a lepto vaccine and mom said I needed it because I sometimes drink from puddles when no one is looking!! My exam went well. The vet said I am very healthy. while we were waiting to pay for my exam, I made friends with another dog in the waiting room. I also walked up and down the hallway, peering into the exam rooms. On our way back from the Vets we stopped off at the pet store near my house and got food and a cookie.
The Vet called around 3:30 with my panel results. Everything is negative except I am slightly positive for lyme disease. I have been positive on that for about 2 years now. I feel fine so they are just watching things.
This evening mom and dad took me for a nice walk at NARA Park. We hadn't been there in a while, so it was a nice change of pace. We walked about 45 minutes. It was beautiful weather. Mom and dad took me on a wooded trail for part of the walk. Mom picked up a tick. She is OK though. She found it and was able to remove it before it could cause any problems. Mom should use Frontline like me!

Last Day In Gettysburg

We all had to get up early this morning. I was still tired from the day before. Mom and dad had to pack all the suitcases and put them in the car. The morning events started at 9 o'clock which was an hour early than Saturday. I was so tired that I laid down to eat my breakfast! We checked out of our motel room and headed off to the recreation field for the speed run and fun run. Daddy told me and mom that our motel might not allow us to come back next year. It seems that a lot of people were not picking up after their dogs. That is such a shame. Mom and dad always pick up after me. It isn't hard to do!

We arrived at the field early and there were already many greyhounds and people there. Mom signed me up for the speed run test. I was the 3rd dog to run it. They had set up orange fence that we had to run down as fast as we could. A person at the other end had a radar gun to see how fast we could go. Daddy was supposed to go all the way down to the other end to get me to run faster but the man in charge told mom to release me before daddy had a chance to get down the field. People had a white lure that they were waving for me to get me excited about the chase. I wasn't sure exactly what to do. I did run but not at full speed. I was clocked at only 27 mph. I could have easily run 35 or more. That was OK. I still got a certificate. One dog reached 39 mph! She was the fastest one there.
After an hour, they shut down the speed run so everyone could go to the pet blessing and rainbow bridge memorial service. It was very nice. All the people had candles and prayers were said.
Once the blessings were over, mom and dad took me to the fun run. Tracy and Gino came too so we could run together. This was held in a different field because the speed runs started up again. We went in groups of 4 or 5 dogs. Daddy will post the video of me soon. The only part I didn't like was that I had to wear a muzzle. It was a rule and requirement. I personally don't need one, but some greyhounds nip when they run in a pack. I still had fun, but I kept trying to get it off!

After the fun run it was time to get back into the car and start our long journey back home. Mom and dad stopped for lunch and got a sub. They ate at a picnic table outside so I could join them. It is nice to be home but I do miss Gettysburg. Mom and dad said we will go again. Maybe even next year. I hope so. I had a lot of fun.
Here is a link to pictures! https://picasaweb.google.com/tumeria33/GettysburgPA?authkey= Gv1sRgCO_t9rqgyOX06wE#