It's Gnomeo!

I've had a great weekend playing outdoors in the warm weather. My parents spent some time gardening and lounging on the patio, so Leia and I had tons of time to frollick and explore the yard. A spectacular place is the wooded garden area in the very back of the yard. It is all shaded and has paths for Leia and I to chase around. Both of my parents thought that the woodland setting brought out the bear characteristics in me. "Grrrrr..... Give me your picinic basket!"

We also got to play with the gnomes living back there. They used to live further up in the tree, but have been evicted multiple times by the squirrels. They now reside at the base of the tree, where they seem to be at one with nature.

Back in the wooded garden, I found tons of amazing sticks. My dad was kind enough to play some 'fetch' with me, which I enjoyed immensely. One time when I was bringing the stick back, a plane flew pretty closely overhead! My parents didn't seem bothered at all... they were more amused by my reaction to it!

Yesterday, dad had the day off of work, so we spent almost the whole day out back in the sunshine. Since the threats of storms had passed, he pulled out my swimming pool. It was so hot I even sat down in the pool, letting the cool water rush over about half of my body. My grand-puppy parents that live locally came by to help with some of the yard work, and to see me of course! It was a great day, though I was completely pooped for the rest of the evening. I could barely move to go outside to 'get it together'.

Stormy Day

Yesterday a beautiful storm rolled in, and we hung out in the backyard watching it while it was safe. The clouds danced around, frequently changing direction and altitude. Thunder was booming and echoing in the distance. I wasn't phased by the storm, and took the time to wander around the yard, investigating the different plants and scents. When the thunder drew close, we made our way inside, and shortly after it began to pour and hail. Leia didn't seem concerned with the loud cracks of thunder, so I didn't worry about it either.

Earlier in the day, I had my last puppy vaccine at the vet's office. I was such a good boy, though I fussed about standing on the scale. There were people all bustling around, and I just wanted to be pet and cuddled by them all! Is that too much to ask?! Finally they got me to sit, and the scale stopped around 40 pounds. I guess I am a bit smaller than some of my siblings (at 50+ pounds), but the vet said I look very healthy and am a good weight. He predicted that I should be getting a growth spurt soon, where I will probably gain significant height, which will be great to be closer to Leia's size for playing!

The Great Dane

This poem is inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's 'The Raven', with my sister Leia as my muse.

The Great Dane

Once upon an early morn, a dew-frost nose I did adorn,

When beckoning my mother called, "Wookie!"

I ran to her, my long coat flowing in the breeze, gently blowing

Focused on my mother glowing - glowing like a mom should be

With a pup as cute as me.

When we got up on the porch, the light inside shined like a torch,

I could see him sitting right inside - oh that little Chewy.

As the door cracked open slightly, I pushed through with strength almighty

Leia watching whispered lightly, warning from her memory

"Little Wookie, let him be."

I didn't listen, it was time for me to make that kitty mine,

Show him what a champion I can be!

The cat took off, I followed suit, and on we chased around a loop,

Around the table in a loop, until that cat was chasing me!

Quoth the Great Dane, "Let him be."

Now I saw the tables turned; why was this a bridge I burned?

As now the target was Wookie!

Lunging toward me, fury lashing, his razor claws extended, flashing

All this furious lashing - lashing out right at me.

Quoth the Great Dane, "Let him be."

In she charged and bellowed loud, rumbling through the whole house,

Stunning both Chewy and me.

Seeing that this chase had wrapped, she walked off slowly for a nap,

Peace she needed for this nap, which was postponed because of me.

Sighed Leia, "Let me be."

The past week has been a whirlwind, with not a minute to spare for me to share my adventures. My grand-puppy-parents flew in from California, and it was so much fun to meet them. Our whole pack went to a local walk/run that raises money for cancer treatment, and I got to meet a whole bunch of new people. My dad's birthday was earlier in the week, and all my grand-puppy-parents came over for a nice dinner. Then, I had my first experience with my parents away, as they needed to head to Boston for my mom's two-year post-cancer check up... and thankfully they came home with great news! Yesterday we had a bunch of family over for a celebration, and it was a beautiful day... which leads me to my next story....

My First Kiddie Pool

The weather was nice, and my mom had just picked up a nice plastic kiddie pool for me to play in over the summer. My parents couldn't wait to fill it up, and to share my first moments of drenched cuteness with my grand-puppy-parents. I was a bit timid at first, curiously prodding at the water with my nose and front paw. It looked inviting, and the splashing was just so much fun.

Simple math finally pushed me into the water. Pool + ball = fun.

I'm never too busy to strike a cute pose, even after falling face first in the water.

My Big Sister, Leia

Leia and I get along so well now. When she saw me splashing around in the water, she came over and carefully stepped in to join me. She isn't really a fan of the water, so she only dipped her toes in for a short while before sunbathing in the grass.

And when she trots around the yard, I love to follow her around. Thankfully she usually keeps a slower pace so I can keep up. When she is at full speed, she leaves me in the dust!

I really look up to her and aspire to be like her when I am older. Here she is displaying one of her very impressive talents: the Art of Drooling. She's a pro. She flaps her head to make war-marks across her face and dangles long delicate strands from her jowls. This one happens to be majestically blowing in the wind.

Grass Attack!

After playing in a kiddie pool, the only natural thing to do is to roll around in the grass! Fine blades of grass were held above my head and gently showered from above. One even gracefully landed upon my nose.

And then it turned violent. Grass attack. Like little soldiers, the blades of grass covered my body. I twisted and turned in horror, but they did not give up. They continued to march...

I had no choice but to retreat. Using any energy I had left, I pulled off an incredible evasive maneuver: the shake-while-running. I'll admit it was a risky move, but it worked. I successfully freed myself from the aggressive grass army, and went back to the pool. The water was much more civilized.

Stupid Kitty

I'll end my story with this final thought: cats are stupid. My mom had set the table for dad's special birthday dinner, but as soon as she walked away, my feline brother Chewy jumped right up on the table and made himself comfortable in the bowl reserved for the bread. That's one furry biscuit!