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!