Monthly Archives: June 2013

Happy Independence People

IMG-20130630-01127A lot has been going on, and as usual the Dopart-Batchelor house is never a dull moment.  Mom finished teaching two Motivational Interviewing trainings at the new office.  It was cool since Dad brought me for the first few minutes to say hello to the participants.  Seems like Mom is busy this summer with lots speaking engagements.

I on the other hand have been busy with my doctor’s appointments.  I got bitten at daycare by one of my fellow canines and my neck is all red and swollen and is not getting better.  So I just keep taking my medicine and getting rest.  However, I have too many things to do and my summer calendar is full so I hope it heals soon.  I really want to have time to see my cousin Maggie.

Last night Santa Monica did their fireworks and it was pretty scary.  I was nervous and had a little panic attack.  Those things are too loud and make too much noise.   Dad could not believe that I had such a reaction because he says I am a gun dog.  Don’t know what that means since I avoid guns at all cost.

Next weekend I am going with Dad up to the grand-units in SLO.  My aunt Wendy and her boys are coming so we are all going to play together.  It should be a blast since I do love the little people.  Mom is staying home to do her work since I tend to be a bit distracting.

OK, I need to try and cool down.  We are having a little bit of a heat wave.  Stay cool people and out of trouble.

Summer Solstice and Chasing my tail…

photoI have been getting in a little trouble lately.  You see there is this young squirrel and birds in the back yard that taunt me and make me crazy.  The squirrel runs back and forth on the fence, jumping from tree to tree and it makes me a barking mess.

Then those baby birds dive bomb me and really get me going.  So you know I have been really learning the word CRATE.  A dog has to protect the house, but I guess I make too much noise doing it.  I make such a racket that people are avoiding walking in the front of our yard to prevent my protective meltdowns.  Only if they knew my real self  – that I am a huge teddy bear and if someone actually came in the house I would lick their face.

As with all our weeks things just keep getting busier.  I always know things are crazy when I spend more time at my new favorite hangout The Wags.  It is a pretty cool place but we are outside and it does get more than hot.

Mom has been preparing for all of her speaking things.  She is conducting 5 Motivational Speaking trainings over the next 2 months.  Wow!  We are getting the office ready for 2 this week and the other 3 are for the government.   Maybe one day I can go to the White House.

Dad has been working pretty often with his clients in Hollywood.  Even though he was busy shopping in Beverly Hills for one of his clients, he stopped at Sprinkles and got me my very own doggie cupcake.  Can you believe how small it was? I was in heaven since it was so delicious!  Mom said I should have eaten it more mindfully since it was rather expensive but I told her it was only half a bite for me so why bother?

My foot owie is better but I know have some problem growths on my neck so I will need to go back to see Dr. Palmquist.  I so like him but it would be nice to be all better.

OK – this blog is too long and I have to get going and patrol the yard.  I don’t want that squirrel or his bird friends to take it over.

Peace!

The Weekend Cookie Factory

photoPeople you will not believe what has happened at my house this weekend.  At first I thought it was Christmas and Mom was making cookies for Santa.

The parental units are working on a new short book; it is all about gluten-free healthy cookies.  It seems pretty complicated but the goal is to bring sweets to everyone with healthier alternatives.  I don’t really care all that much except for the last recipe in which I’m featured since it’s a dog cookie with my 2 favorite things – pumpkin and peanut butter – yum!

Mom was in the kitchen for 8 straight hours.  She made 9 of the 13 recipes.  Dad chronicled the entire process for my Facebook fans.  It was a fun day licking up all the crumbs.  What a great life I live!

Some good news to report is the owie on my foot is almost gone.  Those pills the parentals are shoving down my throat must be working.  I have to admit I do feel better and I am pleased to see the happiness on their faces since I’m no longer licking nonstop.

OK, Dad is outside watering and I better make sure he is not getting into trouble like myself.  You see I was a bad boy this weekend and chewed on a lens box and Grandpa Sprawls’ shoeshine brush, but he’s in heaven so he probably does not mind all that much.

One good thing is when I’m bad I know to go into my crate.  I now run to it on command.  Even if the door is shut I can open it and get in.  You see how smart I am.  Dad eventually said he loved me and it made him think of his Grandpa on this Father’s day weekend.  So I guess we’ll all good.

A Very Sad Weekend

photoWell this week I am sorry to report things are pretty sad and emotional for our neighborhood.  It all started on Friday.

Dad is in the Santa Monica College program for photography.  He had finished his finals on Thursday, which means more time for ME.

Then on Friday morning Dad, Mom and I went to see my friend Dr. Palmquist at Centinela Animal Hospital.  We were excited since my owie is getting much better and my immune system is healing itself due to all the supplements I’m now getting.  We learned that my weakened immune system had to do me being taken away from my Mom too soon – 7 weeks and I’m so happy that is better.

We barely got home from my appointment and Dad was getting ready to take me on my walk by his school to celebrate.  I like walking the perimeter of the campus since the students like to give me lots of pets.   Mom was going to go to work so it was just going to be us guys.

As we were ready to leave we heard gunshots.  What was happening?  All of a sudden the helicopters were overhead, police sirens everywhere and complete chaos.  Then the helicopters with load speakers told us to stay in the house.

I know the President was in town but was this part of his visit?  Of course I wanted to go outside and explore but Dad had us locked inside.  He was not messing around.  We were in lockdown.

After hours of the helicopters flying above, people calling to see if we were OK and seeing our house on TV we found out the horrible story of the young man who had problems and unloaded destruction on our town.

The next morning Dad wanted to take me on our walk but the campus was still taped off.  He wasn’t too talkative and I was really good.  I sense it when the parental units are upset.

Then finally this morning we were able to walk around the perimeter of the campus.  It was a solemn walk.

Horrible things happen in life and we always do not know why.   My heart and prayers go out to all of the victims and their families.

Grandparents weekend was Fun!

IMG-20130602-01086I was so happy to have more people in the house – remember the more peeps the better since I get much more attention and the parental units get a little boring, I must admit.

Unfortunately I did get into a little trouble, as I was just so excited to see my Grandma and Grandpa B.  Remember I’m only 17 months old now so I don’t have to act like an adult canine for at least another 7 months.

I kept the parental units up half the night and even tried to trick them a few times by pretending to need to go outside to the bathroom only to try and open the door to where Grandma and Grandpa B were sleeping.  I even tried to sleep under Grandma and Grandpa’s bed, but Mom was not going for that and had to drag me out a couple of times.

We went on a few walks, and ate really good food, since Dad is a good cook in case none of you knew that – I think he’s doing recipes for a new book with something called “one pot meals.”    I don’t care about that since all I wanted was more of those special treats Grandma brought me from Prescription Diet.  They were special since Grandma’s dog Aunt Victoria liked them so I wanted to remember her by eating as many as I could.

I am going to be sad when they leave but I heard Mom and Dad talk about meeting Uncle Pat and Aunt Dianne in San Luis Obispo for a visit.  That means I get to hang out with cousin Maggie AND Grandma.   Mom said I was infatuated with them.  Hey they spoil me and it makes Dad crazy but who cares I am getting more attention and affections than usual.

The sore on my foot seems to be getting worse as I am constantly told to stop licking it.  I have another appointment to see Dr. Palmquist at Centinela Animal Hospital next Friday to see if it is going to be OK or if I am going to require surgery.  Such a dog’s life.

OK, catch you on the other side of the doghouse.