It's getting hot out here, so shed off all your fur

It's been almost 12 dog years since I barked about my adventures. I've moved to a hot, new place where my paws sweat constantly, I've hiked enough hikes to travel to the big globe in the sky and back, I learned the cold, wet stuff that crashes in the sand is actually pretty fun to play in - I learned to swim, and I started this mind-blowing sport of jumping over bars and racing through circle shapes with holes (my human calls it agility - and it's insanely awesome!).

What's my favorite thing, you ask? All of it. As long as I'm with my human, no matter what we do is pretty stellar, but swimming, running, hiking, camping, chasing ball, agility, playing with kids, smiling with my tongue hanging to the floor, road trips, chasing the kitty, pouncing on mom in the morning, chasing water. It's all my favorite.

Hiking Camelback Mountain in Phoenix.  Bouldering time!

So, we're back in the hot place that I visited before going to California. I'm always hot, so I've been shedding TONS of fur to acclimate. That means more baths and brushing sessions, so I'd be happier going back. Stop brushing me. I just want to play ball!  Curse you tiny human!

My human takes me outside in small spurts to get used to the heat. It's pretty much pointless as I'm black and I get hot fast, but she found a shiny jacket that keeps me 40 - 60 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than without it. I really don't know what that means, but the jacket is a life saver. It's quite fashionable too. It's like a super hero cape, saving the trails one day at a time! Mom also jokes that it can receive ESPN or HBO when other humans ask about it. As long as I can watch Animal Planet, that's cool with me. And it's a cool jacket...get it? Ha So cool.

I Love My Human

I love my human. She's the best thing since dog crack was invented. (FYI Natural Balance food in a tube is some serious dog narcotic. My mind runs on all cylinders when that stuff comes out!! Oh my gosh, I can just taste it now...I'm drooling all over the computer, but I don't care right now. It's a mind-stimulating, out of this world treat I would do ANYthing for. I literally dance for it!)

Wow, off topic already. Sorry! Back to Britni. I love this human. She takes me to the park, beach, hiking, running, all over the place, and I can't get enough of her. I follow her everywhere, including the bathroom where she sits on my water bowl and I proceed to jump on her lap.

I wish she wouldn't leave me for long periods of time, which she calls work. It's the WORST! I give her the saddest look in the morning when she gets ready. She gives me treats when she leaves, but it doesn't sustain any hope or happiness. My life falls apart when she leaves.

And then, she comes home. And I go off the chain!! It's the type of feeling like I'm on doggy crack without the treats. My mind and body unfold with intense energy I have built up all day long while I wait for her to return. I don't bark or talk much, but when she comes home, we definitely talk to each other with loving affection. I'm telling her I missed her all day, but her noises are just random phrases that don't make any sense, yet I don't care. I don't blame her for not being able to speak dog. She is only human, you know.

Regardless, she makes it up by loving on me at all other points of the day. I'm typing with one paw while the other is up for her to scratch. I definitely do have the life. Don't you wish you were so lucky?!

Running with Humans

We all know it. Humans are as slow as turtles when they run. Britni sometimes tries to race up the stairs, down mountains and on the trail. I like to let her think she could win, but only for a split second. I could never let a girl win.

Yesterday, I got to run free from the chain of obedience! She said it's rough running with a leashed Aussie, but I sort of did that on purpose. Hello freedom!

There were so many good smells and new things around the path and I couldn't get enough. Sometimes something REALLY good would catch my nose and I'd bolt. It unnerves mom and sometimes I get into trouble, but all I want to do is check out the smells!

Britni typically let's me run free these days, which makes her a smart human. I run 4 times more than she does since I run back and forth and all around, while she plants her feet in a straight boring line. She doesn't have me pulling her, I get more exercise - it's a win/win I think! Some day she should put a tracker on me to see how much more I run than her. I'd probably embarrass her, which is likely why she hasn't yet. Silly human.

Welp, off to chase some squirrels!

San Francisco Puppy!

Mom moved us to San Francisco away from the death valley of Phoenix! It's so much cooler here - wow, that's a serious plus. We get to hike, I learned to swim, I also learned that digging in the sand is most spectacular! The sand between my toes is most intriguing as I hear it's good for the coat. Typically, I dig when mom puts sand back into my hole as I'm digging it out (rude!), but also when I need to pick my stick back up out of that crap. Who wants a mouth and nose full of sand?!  It makes the most sense that if I dig far enough, the stick will be easier and cleaner to grab - I've yet to find that point though.

But, I have to say by far the best part is I've fallen in love with the little human, Bjerre. I was most interested in her at first because she was just my size and she ran around a lot. Prime herding target! I learned to follow her up and around play structures, locking her down and kissing her face raw (so many hidden goodies all over), sitting next to her at the dinner table, and cuddling in bed! This little human is the best for kissy time because she lets me lick her face forever!

I love when Britni takes me to the coffee shop where she posts up to work. The Peets in Concord, CA is our favorite. I lay there looking handsome and cuddly, and it's like I'm a super star! Little and big humans alike talk about me or want to pet me. The little humans are my favorite because their faces are easily kissed. Some parent humans get grossed out (I'm not sure why), but most think it's pretty cute. I once played with a little girl and her golf ball for over an hour. She'd bounce it and I'd bring it back to her over and over again. Plus, she loved my kisses. I think all little humans are the best, and even if they're just out of reach, I'll bounce up to kiss their faces. :) Woof!

During one of my hikes, I came face to face with a huge, ugly beast. Mom called it a bull. We both put our heads down at each other before mom called me off. I wanted to herd it so badly! I was so angry at her for 1.3 seconds, but then I ran off to find a squirrel or five to chase so I was happy again. I did find a wild pig hiking once. I chase that ugly thing for a mile before I turned back around for mom. I was in a bit of trouble after that, but seriously, who doesn't want to chase bacon!?

I learned a bit of agility and obedience when we first came here. Agility was my FAVORITE! I was so excited I never knew how to slow down. I could bolt faster than any other mutt, but sometimes I went ahead of myself and missed a command. Who cares!? I loved it. I wish Mom had more time to do agility. It was THE best. She said she found a place in the city when we move - hopefully we get to go!

I've had so many adventures in this new place. Concrete jungle, beaches, woods, grasslands. There's always adventure out there!

Where's Celest?

Every night, I know when it's time for bed - Mom picks up the old bird and we walk up the spiral staircase together. That's just how it goes. I won't follow her any other time she walks up there, unless Celest is in her arms.

Tonight was no different. Yet, Britni told me I was going to have to follow her without Celest this time. But, I just couldn't. Where was Celest? I didn't care where she was before, but now I do. I started looking around, sniffing spots she was at earlier this morning. Mom was laying on the floor with her before we left today, so I started in that room. Then, I sniffed the spot mom fell asleep sitting with Celest in her arms last night. Yet, no Celest anywhere.

Finally, I ended up walking ever so slowly up those metal steps with Britni. Something was wrong, and I held my head low. Once I got upstairs, I checked between Mom's hordes of clothes. I sniffed all over the bed, and looked out the window. I checked the down comforter, too, once Mom put it back on the bed from washing the sheets. Not there either. 

Mom keeps making noise and salty water runs down her face, so I lick them and lay next to her.

Every so often, I move to the window and lay down with my head in the window sill looking out - maybe I'll see her.

I have a funny feeling though. Celest won't be back any time soon. I miss you, sister.