Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Cherry time

Last year it was a mystery, but this year I knew that mid-late July would find Charlie out grazing. There is a massive cherry tree in the yard behind ours, and towards the end of July, it's crop of cherries begins to rain down.
This is heaven to Charlie, being so food-oriented! The cherries have dried on the tree to a perfect chewey gooey consistency, and Charlie can't believe his good fortune when he finds the terraces and yard covered with them. He runs to that corner and gobbles them down as quickly as possible.

Only the prospect of being hand-fed can induce him to take a break. Albeit, a short one.

Friday, July 27, 2007

The END!

Charlie was a real trooper thoughout the Harry Potter ordeal (which is now, sadly for me, but happily for Charlie, over)! Mostly he slept, but there was an occasional rumbling from the peanut gallery...

Let's play ball!

Sheeesh, this is Dullsville!

Hellooooo...

Whoah, I didn't expect that to happen!"

Ok, Mom, seriously... it's time to do something else!

Now, this is more like it!

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Mischief Unmanaged

Aw, mom... you shouldn't have...


Toys for moi?


Hmmm... it doesn't look like a toy.


Does it have any caloric value, at least?


All I can say, Mom, is you'd better surface for dinner!

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Oh, the Shame...

Ume tagged us to tell an embarrassing Charlie encounter. Strangely, this is kind of hard to do. Not much embarrasses Charlie. And I tend to find his awkward moments more amusing than embarrassing. But here goes...

Charlie has always been afraid to walk too far from the house in the neighborhood with me. It was true in the old house in California and it's been true here in Portland, too.

As we walk down the sidewalk, he constantly glances back, as if to assure himself he can get home. And at some point, usually suddenly and often dramatically, he freaks! It could be a dog barking in a house, or a loud truck, or a distant sound of remodeling; sometimes it happens for no apparent reason. It could be 2 blocks from home or it could be 1/2 block. But suddenly Charlie tucks his tail and cowers, pathetically straining at the leash to crawl home.

I find myself embarrassedly trying to explain the situation to passersby so they won't think I've been mistreating him. And I swear I haven't! Unless excessive hugging and a tendency to be a little heavy-handed with the dog treats qualifies. To that, I plead guilty!

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Dog Bloggers Rock!

My best lab buddy, Big Charlie, aka Chucksie Bux, aka C-Bux, aka C$,invented this cool award (see, that's his fur in the background; cool, huh?):
Well, he says I'm a Rockin' Dog Blogger! And... I get to spread the award around to 5 more doggies.

So... Sophie, Ko, Lorenza, KuBrin & Co, and Amber, you're Rockin' Dog Bloggers, too! Now you each go run and tell 5 more doggies who rock you. And then they should tell 5 more doggies. And they can tell 5 more...

- "Little" Charlie

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Under-3 World Pup Soccer

Charlie and Gabbie know we're totally bummed not to receive the FIFA Under-20 World Cup Soccer broadcasts or Internet streams here in Portland. So they're doing their best to give us a soccer experience. Go Doggies!

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Handy-Dog

Mom, what did you do to the window?


Are you sure you know what you're doing?


Hey, Mom, it's hot outside, but this is COOL!

Saturday, July 07, 2007

7 Random Facts

Meeshka tagged us to share 7 random things about Charlie:

1) Charlie will do anything for food! His favorite phrase is "Puppy treats!," although "Let's go for a walk" or "Let's go for a ride in the car" are close seconds.
2) Charlie has big teeth and knows how to use them. He limits his chewing, fortunately, to his own stuff, sticks, and (his) people.
3) He loves going for walks, but won't go far from the house. He's constantly looking back (to make sure we can get home?) and within a block or two refuses to go further/ insists on going home. And if we hear a loud noise or a dog bark, forget it - - we're going home now. He doesn't do this when we're away from home, though, or if we're walking with fun people like Aunt Mary & Uncle David.
4) Like Meeshka, Charlie doesn't like to be combed. To express his sentiments, he chews on the comber (see #2).
5) Charlie doesn't bark to come in or go out. Instead, he paws at the door.
6) Baby-gates are evil and Charlie won't go over one, even a short one. He won't even try it. The dog barrier that keeps him out of my lap in the car, however, is another matter entirely.
7) Charlie sticks to me like glue. He goes everywhere I do, and leaving the house without him is always a big production involving #1, #2, and #6.

Now, if you haven't already, you share too!

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Happy Summer!

It's going to be "hotter than a firecracker on the Fourth of July," here in Portland today! And I don't know about Oregon, but in Indiana (where Charlie and I are from) the corn's supposed to be "knee high by the Fourth of July," too.

Anyway, hope everyone in this hemisphere's having a great summer! And for those down under, we hope your winter's on the run!!

Sunday, July 01, 2007

Through the Rabbit Hole

Yesterday, I happened to look out a back window and see a rabbit nibbling its way along our top terrace, headed towards my little garden. Now this may sound ordinary to you, but deep in the city of Portland, 39 blocks from its center, you may see raccoons, but you don't see wabbits!

Top terrace (re-enactment)

As I walked to another window for a better view, I could see that Pouncer (mighty huntress) had noticed him too, and was starting to stalk... so we hurried outside to break up the party. The rabbit bounded back to the rear fence and disappeared through a hole, and Pouncer ran off.

Pouncer on the top terrace (re-enactment)

When we were sure the coast was clear, we sent Charlie to investigate. He jumped the terraces and ran to the back corner of the yard, where he stood sniffing and snorting and scrabbling at the hole in the fence.

Charlie at the rabbit hole (re-enactment)

We called him in (Charlie will do almost anything for a treat), and I went to check it out myself. There, on the other side of fence, sat a big sleek bunny - - an obviously domesticated wanderer!

Bugs, through the rabbit hole

By the time I could check the newspaper lost-and-found and return with a carrot, the escape had apparently been noticed by his family and recapture was in progress.

As cute as he was, I hope he doesn't get out again and come back. Between Pouncer and Charlie, all their feline and canine visitors, and my garden-protectiveness, this is not a safe place for a bunny - - even a big one! And, while I could plug the hole, it would seriously degrade Pouncer's ability to cat around off-street. At least now we know where Bugs lives, so we can get him home if he does return... and if we can catch him...