Scooter-the-Dog Blog - 2007 Archive

Scooter-the-Dog Blog - 2007 Archive

Scooter's 2008 Blog Scooter's 2006 Blog

August 2007 to December 2007 is a long, long time !

Finally, I'm back! My people, Billie and Mike, were so busy all this time talking about "Computer Game Maker-Lite" this and "Presidential Solitaire" that and "Should we feature more highlighter tape?" that no one had time to help ME out on my blog! But I think the hard work is over now, and I finally can show you my newest pictures.

Here are two of my favorite friends at Newport Dunes, Kirby (in the center) and Sophie (on the left). Before this picture was taken, I saw Sophie from a block away and Billie let my leash go. Patti, Sophie's person, let her leash go, too. We just ran to each other like a TV commercial selling Irish Spring soap or something. Sophie's hair was flying in the wind. She looked so beautiful. We played when we met; I chased her and then she chased me, and it was fun. Sophie is my new friend who came a few months ago. (I love it when I see her going for her walks. )

Just after Sophie and I were finished playing my old friend, Kirby, came by. (Don't call him Hoover or Eureka. He's a Kirby!) Kirby was gone for all the hot time long. His people, Ron and Norma took him far away where there's different big water. I know because Billie read me Ron's blog about their trip and kept saying, "This will be great if we go traveling out east, Mike. We'll just follow their plan." Ron and Norma put all of their adventures on my space at: www.myspace.com/rocksteele. That's how Billie found out that Ron also does beautiful glass work like the picture below. There's even more beautiful pictures at www.rocksteele.com

So I'm glad I have a new friend, Sophie, and I'm glad my old friend, Kirby, is back. But whether they're old or new, it's friends that make life fun!

August 2007 - Tent Sweet Tent - How I Came to Own A Home in the Housing Downturn

What's all this about foreclosures? I just got a new home! My very own tent, and this is how I got it.

My peeps and I were walking to our car one Sunday at Newport Dunes when right at one of the sites was the most beautiful tent I have ever seen! It was just my size with a cute little Chihuahua inside! (I didn't get her name, rats!)

Anyway, the tent had a cozy looking cushion inside, and I was glad Billie stopped to talk to the woman standing next to it. I heard blah, da, de, blah, "Judy" and something like "Hummingbird Creations" and "I make these dog tents. How much? $39.95?" Well, Billie handed the woman that little card she carries. No wait.... Mike handed the woman the Billie's card that he always carries and everyone said those words again, "Nice meeting you," "So nice meeting you, we'll email!"

Well, I was a little sad when we left 'cause that tent looked really cool, and I didn't have one. But then something surprising happens. (Lots of things are surprises to me.) One day, maybe 5 sunsets later, there was a knock on our RV screen door. There was the tent lady! Billie said, "Come in," really excited like she was waiting to see something great. And then came the best part; Judy open a big bag and out came some pretty blue cloth and a fluffly blue pillow. Billie and Judy started working on the floor putting two bend-y rods into the blue material, and voila' in two seconds there was a tent, right on my RV floor!

Then Billie said those magic words that make my heart beat fast: "That's for you, Scooter," Billie said. At first I didn't understand what was for me. "See, it has your name on Scooter, and Billie pointed to the tent" I still didn't understand. But then Billie picked me up and put me inside the shiny blue cubby and I understood. This was my house. At first I walked out, but Billie put me back. I walked out again, and Billie put a treat inside. Boy, I got that treat. I think it was then I understood that this was my very own house and I could go there anytime I wanted and lie down all comfy and cozy-like.

I love my tent!I don't stay in it all the time, but when I want to be alone, I go there and I feel safe. At night I sleep in my tent and I never slept in anything else before, not those hard kennels or those soft square bags. (Don't get me wrong, I still like hopping up on the big bed with Billie and Mike, but sometimes I just want to cuddle up all by myself on my fluffy pillow inside my very own house. It feels like a dark cave and that feels very familiar to me, I don't know exactly why, but when I'm in my tent, I dream about looking at the moon, throwing my head back, and howling.

July 9, 2007

The Remarkable Return of Rufus

Ok...See Rufus and me in the picture? It looks like I'm whispering something important to Rufus, but actually, it's Rufus who has the big story to tell and I'm here to pass his tale on to you. This is the amazing story I overheard about Rufus, the fireworks, and a dead bird.

I first met Rufus on my walk around the bay at Newport Dunes on the before the night of the big bangs in the sky. I didn't see him until days later, and now I know why. This is what I overheard when Janice, the person Rufus owns, was talking to my people, Billie and Mike:

Rufus went to watch the fireworks (just like I did) on that bang-in-the-sky night. BUT, guess what? Rufus got so scared, he ran away! (I was scared, but I even looked up as I told you in my other posting.) Anyway, Janice looked all over and finally went back to their RV hoping Rufus ran home. Rufus wasn't there, but his leash was-caught on the underneath the motorhome and just hanging there without Rufus in it! That meant that Rufus went there to hide, but then must have gotten even more scared and ran away again. What was most scary was that Rufus' name and his people's number was on a tag (like the kind I wear) but the tag was on Rufus leash! That meant that Rufus was gone and all that was left was the silver metal that the name "Rufus."

Now we all live right off of Pacific Coast Highway (the PCH) below a small cliff, and it's easy for dogs like us to get up the cliff to the PCH if we really want to. So Janice was really frightened, probably heartbroken too since she probably loves Rufus as much as Billie and Mike love me!

Days passed. Janice called all over - to the animal shelter. (I think that's where lost dogs go) and asked everyone she met about her cute little dog. Still no Rufus.

Then one day, Janice got a call and here's what she found out. Someone who was at the fireworks at Newport Dunes on the bang-in the-sky day, found Rufus and looked all over for his owner. When he couldn't find anyone, he took Rufus home, BUT he couldn't keep Rufus. So....he asked a friend in Dana Point to take care of Rufus until he could find the owner. Now here's the part that's like a miracle or somethin'.

Days passed and no one knew where Rufus belonged. The people called the Animal Shelter, but couldn't find a match. Then - suddenly these people found a bird in their backyard - a dead bird. So they called the Animal Control people again 'cause you're supposed to. While the Animal Control people were there, the house people told them about Rufus. So those Animal people called their office and all over to find out if anyone reported a dog like Rufus missing. Sure enough! They found that Rufus looked like a dog that Janice from Newport Beach reported missing. After that it was just all hugging and happy times.

So I think Rufus was very lucky that the Animal people came for the dead bird. Sometimes humans can hear about someone who needs help, but when they actually SEE that someone, they get really, really busy to make things happen!

4th of July - 2007

Up in the Sky, It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's FIREWORKS!

Things started changing around the RV park, big time last week. Each morning when I went on my walk, something was different than the day before. Sometimes I just stood in the middle of the Newport Dunes sidewalk and wondered where I was. I looked one way, and I didn't see Mikey's RV. I turned another way, and someone was putting up a tent with balloons. Billie kept saying, "Come on, Scooter. It's ok," but I didn't think she knew what she was talking about, so I just stood still and kept looking around until she'd pick me up and carry me over to the sand.

There were all kinds of new dogs (maybe 30!), and new kids, and new scooters (just like my name). I smelled lots of good stuff cookin' on the grills and, of course, all week long I stopped to visit every site that smelled extra good to me.

I met so many new dogs that my tail was getting tired from wagging! Of course, Dottie in the upper left corner is always here 'cause her person, Devon plays his guitar and sings for us on Friday nights.

But that cutie pie Yorkie, in the middle? She was part of the whole bunch that kept crowding in the Dunes. Her name is Cloe and she liked me! And, of course, how could I not like her, especially when she walked under those pretty strings of stars and things. That's her on the bottom left.

I wore a tie that Billie put on me without any fuss and walked all around looking at the umbrellas in the sand, the balloons, and more dogs like the beautiful tall and confident red head, Sarah. (That's me asking Sarah, "How yuuu doin'? in my best Joey Tribiani style).

Billie and Mike put me in the RV and said, "Don't worry Scooter, we'll be back soon. We're going kayaking." I don't know what that means, but when they came back they smelled like the bay when the tide comes in.

When it got dark, Billie and Mike took me down to the beach. I knew something was going to happen 'cause they had their chairs with them. When we sat down, I suddenly felt a familiar feeling - and it felt scary - like some feeling I had before when it was dark and there were all kinds of people on the beach. Billie tied a scarf around my ears and I couldn't figure out what that was for! And then it happened. Just like some other times I remember - a boom and a flash in the sky, and another boom, boom, boom. I was sitting in Billie's lap and I was shaking. "It's ok Scooter," she said and held me really tight and started to pet me. I didn't stop shaking though and I was ready to crawl under the chair just like last year. But guess what? Billie moved Mike's chair real close so I could see him and she held my head up to the sky where I always look for airplanes. And pretty soon, I decided that I'd look. And WOW! I them. All the flashes of color. Billie said, "Mike, Look! Scooter is looking at the fireworks!" and I could tell she was proud of me. Mike said, "Good boy, Scooter," so I looked some more. I watched and watched while Billie held me tight for the whole time until the booms and flashes stopped. Then everyone started clapping (I think it was for me), so we packed up the chairs and went back to the RV. All the way back, Billie and Mike were saying what a good dog I was - and brave. I guess people are really proud of you when you try things you've never tried before, especially when you're a little scared. As I walked home, I sort of felt as my friend Sarah the retriever looks, tall and confident !

June 5, 2007 - Meeting Mikey

This is as good as it gets! I was walking Billie and Mike around the bay when we saw this little dog, just my size, walking with his person. At first we were both a little shy and didn't know how we felt about each other. But then we touched noses like you see in the picture and I just knew we'd be friends! His name is Mikey. Of course, at Newport Dunes, dogs are always moving in and out, and sometimes I never get to see them again! But guess what? Later that very day, I saw Mikey just two RV's down from me! He moved right in and brought his people with him! I think he's going to stay (maybe all the hot time long). This was my lucky day! What's even better is that the next day Mikey's person, Jo, came over and asked if I could come to their house to play! No one has ever asked me to come and play in their RV, so it was very special for me! Jo took me over to her RV. I can tell she's nice by how she talks softly to me and how she holds my leash so gentle-like. Mikey and I got to know each other even better on this day. (He even let me eat all the food in his dish without complaining!!) I hope Mikey and I can see each other every day.

Sometimes you sit at home and wish something wonderful would happen. You try really hard to make it happen. You think about it. You wish for it. You even work hard at it. You wait a long time. But then you go outside and right out of the blue something lucky happens like it happened to me when I met Mikey. I guess it's important to go outside - a lot!

March, 2007 - An "Under the Chair" Day

This was the worst night of my life. Never run after a rabbit if you're on a leash. That's all I can say. I think that's how this happened - my poor little aching back. I was hurting so much that I went under the chair and just stayed there. I started crying and crying, and it's not like me to cry. I yelped when Mike and Billie tried to pick me up. They looked really scared and started talking on that black thing they put by their ear. After a while, Billie lifted me up (very gently) and took me into the car. I thought maybe we would go to my Vet, but I always go to my vet when the sun is shining, and the sun wasn't shining then. We had to drive for a long time, and I lay very still so I wouldn't hurt. When we got to this big new building, there were lots of dogs in the lobby. One dog had red stuff coming out of his paw. Ow! Another dog had a big white collar around her neck when she walked out. Oooh!

I was getting really scared, but I stopped crying 'cause I was busy looking around. Then this nice woman came and took me from Billie's arms and put me in a cage where I waited alone and cried really softly. Someone poked me all over, and finally a woman with little doggies on her slacks took me out to a little room where Billie and Mike and a person who looked like my other Vet were talking. She told Billie and Mike that I had a problem in my back, and Billie said "oooh," and added that she had something like that once with her disc or something. This new vet person gave me a shot and suddenly, like a flash, everything felt better. The vet said I shouldn't go on any long walks or run around for a long time. She said maybe my back would get better and maybe not, but I don't think Billie and Mike heard "maybe not."

So we went home and everyday Billie put a little white pill on my tongue and closed my mouth until it went down to my tummy. I was very, very sleepy everyday and we didn't go on our long walks for a long time! After the sun came up and went down about 5 times, we finally took a nice long walk. I wanted to chase the rabbits and almost pulled on my leash, but Billie said, "No, Scooter, don't," so I listened. And guess what? Now I'm all better, and I haven't cried once since that awful night and I can run and jump high! Sometimes, I guess, you just have to believe that the things that hurt will go away.

My Favorite! Huntington Beach - February 24, 2007

Another day at my FAVORITE Huntington Dog Beach. The people who set this place aside for us must be really, really nice. Whenever our car goes on the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway, a.k.a. Highway 1, a.k.a my favorite highway), I can tell when we're getting close to the dog beach - the air smells wonderful and there's a special feeling that comes into my chest. I start panting really hard and can't sit still in the car. When we get there, I love to sit on the blankets of all the new people I meet. This day, I sat next to a cute, young couple. One of their dogs is named Biggie. (It almost sounds like my person, Billie). I can't remember the other names, and it's been soo long since Billie has helped me write, she can't remember either. If you come to California, be sure to stop at the dog beach. Maybe you'll see me there and I'll come up and sit on your blanket because I love everyone when I'm at the dog beach.

A Brand New Year- January, 2007

Is that the new year I see ahead? Yippee, 'cause the word "new" sounds nice and exciting to me!

I haven't been on the dog blog lately because we've been very, very, very busy at Windmill Works. I sit on Billie's lap for lots of hours while she moves her fingers on that clicky thing at the desk and looks at the screen that sometimes has sounds coming out of it. She's been picking up that little black thing and putting it to her ear when it makes noice and I hear here say, "This is Billie at Windmill Works, may I help you?" And then she says things like, "Yes, the highlighter tape comes in blue," and "Sure you can send a purchase order to 763-322-8772." She says that over and over and over, so I know all the words.

At night, she says new excited words to Mike like, "Mike I'm soo excited. This IQ Solitaire is a GREAT game. Kids and adults will love learning the Presidents and it's wonderful for mental exercise." She's been saying stuff like, "I've got to resize President Carter's picture," or "Do you think they'll have a picture of Monroe or President Ford at the Library of Congress." Mike is excited, too. Then they talk about IQ Solitaire - Best Movies, and IQ Solitaire, World Cup Soccer Winners and on and on. I can tell they are both happy about this IQ Solitaire thing 'cause they seem to giving me lots more treats lately, but I think they don't know they're doing that.

Sometimes, Mike says "Billie come here and test this out," and she goes over to the other computer. Then I hear her say over and over, "Mike, I LOVE this game. I think I'm becoming addicted to our own creation," One time, heard Mike say, "Hmmm, I think I found a little bug," but I don't know what little bugs are doing on the desk. But after a little while, he said, "There, all fixed. Now it's perfect!" and Billie said, "Yay!" real loud.

Last week I heard lots of words like "Black American History CD" and "Martin Luther King" and "Jesse Jackson." When she talks on the little thing that goes to her ear, she says, "Yes, students match pictures with the names of Civil Rights leaders and learn other important facts and trivia. And then I get some more treats!

Sometimes Billie is so busy that she puts me outside the RV in the California sun. (I bark when I want to come in). Those are the times she's inside with a microphone. I hear her say over and over, "Welcome to, 'Live from Milwaukee, It's Tuesday Night,' a collection of essays and short stories, some of them humorous, some of them not; none written in Milwaukee and only a few on a Tuesday Night, by Billie Pagliolo. The title of this essay is..." Later I hear, "You've been listening to an audiobook brought to you by podiobooks.com." Then I know Billie is finished and I come into the RV and have supper!

So I think a lot of new things are happening around here, and it makes me very happy 'cause I think there are nice people who like what Billie and Mike are doing, and then Mike and Billie give me even more hugs than usual and you must know, dogs like me luuuuuv hugs.