Saturday, June 25, 2011

Lucky Golden

The weather has, at LAST, turned dry and warmer here. So this week, Charlie got to come along on an errand run. First up was an errand on Hayden Island in the Columbia River, where we took a break to look at the boats, admire the flowers, and sit in the shade.


Then back across the river to pick up mail for a friend who's traveling. There we took some time to walk along the levee and discovered "the Cat".




After all that hard work, it was time to kick back and just enjoy! So we headed back into town for lunch at the Lucky Lab.

The Lab is a Portland institution, where pooches and their people can sit outside together, enjoy some food and a brew, and meet and greet other patrons. We met some new pups, Sophie and Jackson, and Charlie scored lots of pats and treats.





It was a perfect day -- we "did some business" ;) and had some good fun, too!

 

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Strawberry Season!

Here in Portland, we look forward to Oregon's strawberry season. It only lasts a few weeks and the berries are small and too fragile to ship, but they are so delicious!

Burgerville (the Northwest's "fresh, local, sustainable" fast-food alternative) runs a seasonal special on strawberry shortcake every June. It's our first taste of the local berries, and even Charlie gets in on the action!

A bite for Charlie


Another bite for Charlie


"Hey, give the spoon back!"


Licking it clean

 

Friday, June 17, 2011

The Best House Guests!

Last weekend we had company and lots of it! 2 people staying with us and 20 for lunches every day. Fortunately, some of our guests were dog people and had a good time with Charlie. Several even got down on the floor with him and snuggled (we call that being "dog bait" and don't actually recommend it unless you enjoy being pinned by a dog).

Our friend, Derek, as you can see below, indulged him in endless games of Chase Charlie. I know Charlie was unhappy to see him go and is hoping he comes back soon!

Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Laurelhurst Park

Yesterday, Charlie and I met up with Gabbie and her mom for some fun in Laurelhurst Park, a huge beautiful park in SE Portland with a big off-leash area. This represented two firsts for Charlie -- the first time he's been to Laurelhurst (a shocking admission for one who only lives a couple miles away) and the first time Charlie's been off-leash with other dogs. Score! on both accounts!

Charlie and Gabbie, of course, were happy to see each other!

They met up with this fluffy little white dog. Charlie tried to get some "chase" going, but with no luck.

Then there was this stolid little otter-shaped guy. Charlie chased him to us, whereupon he rolled over and begged for mercy and belly-rubs.

There were lots of other meet-and-greets of both dogs and humans, all of which went exceedingly well. It was a low key day at the park -- perfect for a first experience.

As we left the park, Gabbie's mom suggested a stop at the treat tree. Treat Tree? She led us up a street and around a corner to a small tree with a drinking bucket at its foot and carrot-shaped containers hanging from its branches... each holding a dog treat!

It was a perfect end to a great outing. I don't think Charlie could have had more fun!

 

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Wordless Wednesday



























 

Friday, May 13, 2011

Maybe It's Time to Cut the Grass...


...before Charlie eats it all?

"Who, me?"

 

Monday, May 09, 2011

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Woof?!

... not Charlie, that's for sure!

One morning, bright and early, a few weeks ago, we discovered new neighbors next door... along with everyone else in the neighborhood. Last to arise, I awoke from a sound sleep to an uproar of throaty vicious barking, growling, and teeth-gnashing. Charlie had discovered two big dogs next door (on the other side of the chain link fence) and was doing his best to convince them to leave. They weren't taking any of his lip, and the sound of these three "junkyard dogs" having it out was truly frightening!

Now, several weeks later, it's become a sport. Charlie checks for (the appropriately named) Tank and Thunder first-thing when he goes outside. If they're there, they all race to the fence and bark furiously, tails wagging. Every so often they take breaks... at least Charlie does. He'll jump down the terraces, run around, up the stairs and then fly back to the fence for more.

Rounds One and Two

After a few good rounds of barking Charlie takes a longer break - he goes back into the yard & sniffs flowers, does business, just generally strolls around... while Tank and Thunder stand at the fence and quietly watch him. Every once in awhile they'll let out a calling bark that sounds like "come back!". And if he ignores them too long, they whine pitifully. In awhile he'll respond -- back he goes for another barkfest. And on and on, until finally I make him come inside.

On Break

 

Friday, May 06, 2011

Busted!

Could there be a deer in the garden?


Charlie!


 

Wednesday, May 04, 2011