LAZY DAYS OF SUMMER IN THE SUN
Boy, do I ever enjoy my deck. It's the perfect place for an afternoon nap in the warm sunshine. The nice thing is that if the sun gets too hot, there is always a cool shaded area somewhere else on the deck. I guess the structure was built with ideal sun exposure. I can be outside any time of the day and choose sun or shade. Right now I am eating this up as we are well into Indian Summer and I know from experience the snow will be flying soon. Oh well, that's another pleasure and adventure in and of itself. By the way, check out my vocabulary - 600 hundred words my rear, I am a walking dictionary. But - sometimes it is best to act like you don't understand.

DINNER AND PLAYTIME
It's always fun and a special occasion when Aunt Cheri comes to dinner. All the humans think it's a dinner engagement, but to me it is just playtime. Aunt Cheri is an easy touch. She always falls for my charm and cute Dalmatian expressions. Boy, am I ever getting good at those expressions. This is important as it is the main way to manipulate my staff. I can always win in a game of tug with Cheri. However, I let her win once in a while to keep her spirits up - this makes the game last longer too because she doesn't get discouraged. Aunt Cheri has boys of her own (three of them). Yet - she still loves me. I can tell. I wish she would come to dinner every night. We could just call it a standing play-date.

BUSY, BUSY SUNDAY
It's not yet lunch time and I have had a full morning. First off, I began with a treat from The Blue Iris Bistro - a lovely slice of ham all for me. Every Sunday when my Daddies go out to breakfast I am rewarded for my good behavior while alone in the house with a special goodie.
After that I went out to run loose at the old campgrounds. It's so much fun to have all that space to myself. I can cover a lot of ground and really get up some speed. I used to get going so fast I would slide out on the turns and come home with all kinds of grass stains on my beautiful white coat. Now, I have learned to properly bank my turns as you can see. I do get my exercise and soon found myself panting with my tongue dragging. So - it was back into the car with the wonderful A/C turned on full blast for a long ride to cool down. We cruised the newer campgrounds. I had never been there before and it was an interesting new experience - new sight, new smells. Ah, what a life, the dog's life especially here in Eastport.

GALLERY SITTING
It was a day David had to gallery sit and I decided I didn't want to stay home. I just knew things would be more exciting downtown that at home with Thom. Besides I figured it was about time I entered the Eastport art scene. I had a great time, but it was not as exciting as I had anticipated. I discovered you are not allowed to jump up on the customers and the browsers. Also to my surprise you are not permitted to kiss everyone that enters the place. It was fun, but all in all I think I would rather go shopping at the Thrift Store next door.

CAN I SCHMOOZE OR WHAT?
I am getting older and starting to mature and perfect my special Dalmatian skills. I still can use some work on my facial expressions although I am am getting pretty darn good if I do say so myself. Stare downs - I have perfected and usually get just about anything I really want through a little artful and persistent starring. It is amazing how quickly I can get that cookie cabinet door to open up with just a bit of Dalmatian eye magic. I am even getting pretty good about starring Daddy Thom awake when I want to go out at night. These are extremely satisfying talents. I love being a Dalmatian in this house.
On those occasions when I get myself in the "doghouse" I find a truly sorrowful expression works wonders. My best trick is to look really hungry even after I have just eaten breakfast and had a doggie chew. My humans keep saying something about "eating too much" and "getting too fat". That doesn't mean much to me - I can eat anytime.
The best manipulation device of all is the random doggie kiss. It can melt hearts in a minute especially when delivered unexpectedly. But - it is for real as I do love my humans and why shouldn't I? I have a great life!

OOPS, DID I DO THAT?
I know this isn't exactly a pleasant sight, but none-the-less it is a reality. About a week ago as we were going out to the car to pick up lobster rolls for lunch, I spotted my friend Mikey coming up the walk. I got so excited I lunged off the top deck step and accidentally pulled Daddy David right along with me. He is not used to diving from the seventh step of the deck onto the concrete pavers in the dooryard and I guess human heads were not meant to bounce; although David's head did bounce once. Not without a lot of blood and some very disturbing sound effects. I was really scared. Not only was I in trouble now, but I had hurt my very special human who rescued me. I am lucky and I guess everyone understood it was a wild puppy accident because there was no retaliation.
Poor David got knocked completely out and had to go for stitches in two places. The doctor wanted to know if I was going to get punished. No, I didn't get punished. I am still cherished and loved - and, I still had my lobster for a late lunch.

ROMPING IN MY YARD
Here I come with ears a flappin'. Thom and David get a kick out of how my ears flap when I really get some speed up. Me - I'm oblivious. All I care about is catching my chase toy on the first bounch. I can get my entire body 4 to 5 feet in the air for a spectacular running catch. That is if the toy is thrown properly. Sometime I get a little too rowdy and rough. Both my Daddies have a few healing wounds on their arms to attest to that fact. But - hey, I'm a puppy, a big 72 pound puppy!