Dad's up to something

In my backyard my dad is up to something.  He was digging - but I was not allowed - holes in the ground.  He put some large straight branches in the holes and then filled the hole with something called cement.  Next thing you know these limbs have something running between them and dad has a platform of some sort to stand on.  I know all this as I watched from the back deck.

Now the thing is the back deck does not have a door to close so dad puts up a "gate" made up of wood and screen. I never touched the wood and screen gate until the other day.  Dad has been out on that platform a whole bunch lately and not paying me any attention.  Well, I nosed the gate and it fell over - quicker than you can say Bob's your uncle I jumped off the deck clean over the gate and stairs and all.  Now in the back yard I began to play but eventually went over to my dad.

Dad was busy, very busy.  So I sat down to watch him.  It took a while but he finally looked up and saw me.  HA!  I could have been half way around the block before he saw me.  Then he looked up and said - "Hey girl, aren't you a cute little doggie?"  Duh, of course I am I thought but instead of barking I just tilted my head to the right and then all the way over to the left.  My dad burst out laughing and we played for a little while until he had to get back on the shed thingy.

Here is a picture of me taken from the shed.  And a picture or two of the

shed to date.

Oops, catching up

Well, it has been a while since I posted.  What can I tell you? I am a busy dog.

We have a new dog park in my town.  Its fun and I like meeting new friends there.  I love the stick game.  My dad gets me a nice size stick - not too long, not too short, not too fat - and I play keep away from the other dogs.  If they try to ignore me I run into them - that gets their attention.  It is the most fun when I run and they chase me.  Now and then some dog catches me and my stick but that is ok - I just go grab a new stick and start all over.

My mom likes to walk with me around the lake.  She is home more these days - I think its because she is tired, no that is not the word... OH!  Retired.  Not sure how you get retired but she seems to like it a whole bunch.  I do to because she is at home with me more.

My dad has a project in the back yard.  He calls it a shed.  He is making a lot of loud noises - bang, bang, bang and then he yells - OUCH!  Then he does a little dance - and I would dance with him but he makes me stay on the deck.  But I got him good the other day.

Dad had me on the deck with his made up gate thingy (his words, not mine).  When he was banging and dancing I found out if I pushed the gate thingy it wold fall down out of my way.  I was sitting there watching dad bang, bang, bang, OUCH and dance when suddenly he looked right at me.  He asked me what I was doing (my dad is evidently not the sharpest tool in the shed).  I just sat there and turned my head to the right and then left while wagging my tail.

I am watching you, Dad, I said.  He pretended not to hear me and asked me - are you watching me (Duh!) little one?  Then we walked back to the deck and he let me on the screened in porch.  I am working on how to get out of that place and will let you know when I do.

Sorry I was gone so long.  I promise to be back sooner next time!

There are parks and then there are parks

My folks have taken me to any number of parks.  Lake Pine park is nice.  I get to see and sometimes meet some dogs and kids.  Its a nice walk around the lake and they usually bring me water and a bowl to drink from after we finish the walk.  There are lots of new smells and sometimes I stop and smell the roses (according to dad, but I don't think the smells I smell are roses); sometimes I rush ahead to chase a frog or cricket; sometimes I try to run with a person who passes by us (jogging its called - my dad does not do that, yet).
We went to Raven Rock earlier and that is a really nice park.  I met fewer new friends there but the steps up and down to the river and rock face were really cool.
By far my favorite park is the new dog park in Apex.  Did you know they make parks just for dogs (but they do allow humans to go in too)?  Well, they do.
You can go to the park and once there you get to run off the leash!  My folks did not know how fast I cold run until we visited the park.  I sure showed them my blinding speed!!!  And there are other dogs there too, so I got to meet lots of new friends and play tag and chase.  One dog was playing ball - oh how I loved to race him to the ball.  I myself am indifferent about playing ball but I love to race with other dogs.  OH, and they have water bowl that just keeps filling up without my dad having to do anything.  Dad was watching me run and I heard him tell mom that it was the best thirty dollars they had ever spent.  I have no idea what that was about but I am glad my mom and dad are pleased with the dog park.  'Cause it is my favorite!
Dad said they city of Apex (whatever that means) is going to open a second dog park this year and that is so close we might be able to walk to it instead of taking the car.  That is kinda exciting and sad-I love riding in the car but I love walking even more!
My chew toy is calling, gotta go....

Walking Across North Carolina

My people took me on a car ride the other day and I was really not too sure about it - the ride, where were we going, etc.  We rode for a while and stopped at a place called subway where mom and dad got something called a sandwich.  So many things for me to learn about!  But while we waited in the drive through (I think it should be called a sit-through - we did more sittin' than drivin') I decided I wanted to get out of the Smartcar.  Mom took me out while dad waited for the sandwiches.  I investigated any number of things and then mom said it was time to get back in the car, so we did.

After some more driving we got to a place called Raven Rock State Park.  OH BOY!  There were lots of friendly dogs.  And little people - I LOVE little people.  They are so cute and I can lick them in the face before they know I was even thinking about licking them.

This place has walking paths for everyone.  We went to the path that had a sign - dad read it for me - that said Raven Rock with an arrow.  This made dad sing a song about him and someone called Arrow - Me and my Arrow he said it was called.  I had never heard it and, really, wonder how popular it could have been given his rendition of it.

The paths had lots of smells and we stopped and started a lot.  Sometime we went uphill and over some big steps and sometimes we went down hill and over some big steps.  Dad said I took them real well.  Dad is like that - compliments me on the least little thing.  I am trying to get use to it.

Then we came to a big staircase.  Step and step and straight down.  I started out in front but about midway I let dad go first (those things never seemed to stop).  Finally we got to the bottom and saw these big rock cliffs and a large river.  It was cooler there than on the steps and very pretty.  We paused for a couple of pictures.

Then we climbed up all those steps - nobody warned me about that part of the walk.  I was a tuckered out pup, I can tell you.  But we still had the other half of the walking path to do.  So we set out but I was not pulling ahead as I had done when we started.  Dad had planned ahead and when we got to the car he had brought me some water and a bowl.  YEAH DAD!  Mom held me while dad poured the water and I had a nice long drink.

Then we came home in the Smartcar.  I like walks and can't wait for my next one.  I heard mom and dad talking about a dog park.  That sounds a-ok with me.

Cute and I know it

My family tells me I am cute.  It is a burden I bear well.  It is pretty trying being cute, sometimes.

I mean, have you ever been cute while eating your food or drinking your water?  Yeah, thought so.  I can tell you it is harder than you think.  Luckily I seem to have a knack for being cute.

I am cute when I launch myself into the big green chair at my house.  I am cute when I pounce on daddy's foot after leaping from the couch.  I am cute when I check out my crate, go in and turn around, and walk back out.  It might be the way I tilt my head left at just the right moment.  It could be the way my tail wags and curls when mom or dad calls my name.  I am just not sure - I make it up as I go, if you must know.  It  is, however, a sure thing that whatever I do it will be cute.

Sometimes, once in a blue moon, I do a cute thing that also gets my people's attention, such as nip at their toes or grab a blanket (I am sorry about the hole in the UNC CH blanket mom!) and drag it around.  But the moment passes (something to do with the word NO) and I am back to being cute.

So, keep checking in.  You may learn the secret of my cuteness!

The Smartcar is for me

My dad has a thing called a Smartcar.  You get in and the top comes off.  I was sitting next to him when I turned around and saw a car behind us.  Naturally, I stepped into the back to get a better look.

Woooa! said dad.  I caught him at unawares.  Evidently his former dog was too big to climb into the rear.  He is going to have to learn that I am small and agile.

And I love sitting in the back of his Smartcar.

He took this picture while at a stoplight.

We were in the Smartcar because I went to meet the family veterinarian.  Its a nice place and daddy said I was going to start school soon.  Something he called puppy classes.  My dad is a little silly - I already know how to be a puppy.  Duh!

Mom and dad are taking me to a new place to walk.  I am ready to go and how!  I will let you know if I like it or not.

Its Me!

Hello, I am Ember!

They tell me I come from some place called Scotland County in North Carolina.  They tell me I am about 8  months old.  They tell me I am a mixed bred red Labrador Retriever (but don't tell me what the mix is).  In fact, they tell me a whole  bunch of stuff and I am not so sure I want to know much more.

Truth is I have just found a family that needed rescuing.  They did not have a dog in their life (right, I know, that is very sad).  So I did the right thing and agreed to come home with them.  I was a little uncertain at first, I mean, the guy was sorta large but the lady seemed nice.  So, I took a chance.  I even call them mom and dad - they seem to like it.

This is mom's chair.  I am not supposed to be in the chair but I saw dad coming to sit in it so I decided to save mom's spot.  Daddy laughed (he does that a lot when I am around) and called in mom.  She laughed too (it just has to be my sparkling personality) and ran me up out of the chair.  She even let dad sit there.

I hear I have a sister who I will meet at Christmas when she comes home.  I bet I can make her laugh too.

Dad says I have to get off the computer (so he can play hearts).  

Anyway, I am happy to be home and looking forward to this big new adventure.