Oh Happy Day

So, first my person takes off this morning and leaves us all at home. I was discouraged but as soon as she got back I saw that she had left the big hatch door on the back of the car open. Well, that is my seat and I know it. So, she got us out the door and off to the wonderful world of nature, dogs and the people who love them. We saw Ziggy and Josie who were enjoying each other and some tennis balls. I am not sure what tennis is but that is what the people call the balls. You have to just humor them some times. I have not seen little Josie in awhile. She is very pretty and spunky. We walked with Ziggy down to the beach. We saw Crystal and Taylor there. Crystal barked her head off at me. I thought she was actually flirting with me. I was sort of shy about it.
Anyway, a very athletic looking girl named Hannah arrived. She looks a lot like Reilly but he is a boy. OK. I have to ask this question. What's the difference? I hear the people ask if we are girls or boys and apologize if they get it wrong. I got news for you. We don't care. We do not even really know what it means. We are all just dog beings and we are happy for it.
So, off we went and did the whole big loop. We saw Charlotte and Scout the Border Collie on top of the big hill. They are so cute and fun to run with. I have not mentioned my tail for awhile and I think this is a good time. Remember I am part Border Collie too and my tail is still the mostest, bestest of all. These 2 little Border Collie's are pretty good but my tail just swings like no other. The walk seemed to go fast today and it is cold again. What up with that? Anyway, we saw a little puppy named Ella on the way out. I really wanted to play with her but my person insisted on leaving. Tomorrow is another day and I am looking to Grandfather Sun and asking him to please come out tomorrow so we can enjoy our great big beautiful land!
Merlin

Finally!!!

So, we did not get to the park until way after our girl got home from school. It rained 2 whole days in a row so it was a long over due walk. When we got there we realized that it is the 1 day a week when someone else actually reserves the trails for runners. We had a short time before we had to go but we made the most of it. We took the longest short loop around. We saw a dog named Bo and later a dog named Fergus. Bo's person had a people puppy on her back. Fortunately my person kept the walk a priority and we only stayed a minute for her to ooohhh and ahhhh at the little guy. OK he was a cute people puppy but I could not reach him. Fergus was an athletic looking guy that I think I could be friends with if our paths cross again. We left just as the runners arrived. My person promised that tomorrow in the afternoon we will get a long walk with no hurrying and we can play as much as we want. She usually keeps her promises so I will be looking forward to tomorrow!
Merlin

Rainy Days

X 2 days =
No walk yestereday. I am hoping that later today I get to get out to the park. Yesterday my person was watching that big box in the main room of the house. All of the sudden there was a huge bear in my living room! I barked my head off at him but he acted like he did not even hear me. My person kept telling me to relax but there, in high definition, there was a bear! Very weird. Hope I get out soon. Merlin

Sunday April 27, 2008

LUCY has been found!!!!! Big Scouts person found her today and got her home!!!!! He is our hero!!!! Thank you Scout's person!!!!! You are the best!!!!!
Today was a great day at the park. We saw little Turbo again and his person said I would definitely get to meet the new kid. We saw Liken down near the beach. His person always has a "chucker" and throws balls all the time for Liken. I love to run after the ball too but here is another thing I do not understand. The person throws it. We chase it. After I go through all the trouble of running and getting the ball, they want me to give it back to the people. All of them are saying "Merlin, drop it." Why should I? I just out ran at least one other dog to get this thing. Why should I give it back? If I had thumbs I would grab the chucker and throw the ball to watch the people chase it. I mean fair is fair. I did give the ball back but I got a Charlie Bear in exchange.
There was a 16 week old puppy named Emma that was very cute. I chased her around and gave her a taste of the world at the park. We walked alone for awhile and it was peaceful. Mimi and I took off into the woods every chance we got to. We had a brief chat with Cody but they had to move fast today. We saw Elsie who looks like me with short fur. Her person had the people puppy with him. Today was good because the people puppy was in a stroller. I got to give a good sniff and lick to that kid. They smell like all kinds of good stuff. My person still had to do her silly stuff of making all kinds of faces and noises. She can be embarrassing. We soon ran into my girl Daisy and we had to run around. Right then Sculley, Sonic and Holly showed up. They had 4 people with them one of which is a people puppy. There were 3 more friends with them too one of which was a people puppy. All of the people puppies were in strollers. I got to sniff and lick everyone. Now that is what I am talkin' about. So, we hung around with all of those dogs eating grass while the people talked. Eventually Ziggy showed up and we walked out of the park with her. We seem to be getting along fine now. That is very good. We saw Tanner on the way out who looks just like Elsie. I would look good with short hair like them but nobody is ever going to cut my tail!!!! Hey, the next time your person tells you to fetch, tell them to get it themselves!

Peace out! Merlin

Saturday April 26, 2008

I have to start today on a serious note. We ran into Amber and her person shortly after arriving at the park. Amber is not feeling well at all. Her person said they have done lots of tests and she is on some medicine. Amber is a sweet 'ole girl and we have walked with her a ton of times. Everyone send good healing energy to Amber and her person. Good luck my friend.
So, we saw Bandit and Turbo. Turbo is getting a sibling the first week in May. I can't wait to meet the new kid. Next we saw a person jogging and he immediately asked my person what kind of dog Mimi is. He went on to say how cute she is and that she looked like a cartoon character. I had to go up and give that guy a good nudge in the butt. I mean "Hello, I am the pretty one." Anyway, we spent a little time at the beach and than we saw Cody and Jack. Both of these guys are bigger than me! Cody is always jumping on my back end and swiveling his hips. All he would have to do is ask me to dance and I would. I don't get him. I do like him however and after that little incident we played for awhile. We saw a lot of people we knew today so it was a long fun walk. At the top of the hill we met a Golden named Katie. She was very pretty and her person immediately said how beautiful I am. She obviously she is a better judge of beauty than the jogger we saw earlier. I met a dog named Winnie and we argued a bit over a tennis ball. Her person got nervous because I make a lot of noise so me person made me give the ball back. NO FUN. We met a little boy with a lot of spunk named Cry Baby. Really. I am not making it up. We saw Ziggy and hung out for awhile. I seem to have gotten over myself with being mad at Ziggy. We sort of ignore each other now. We walked on with Buddy until we ran into Daisy and big Scout. We all hung out and ate grass together. We bonded! We left the park and headed home again. I tell you, we are so lucky to have this beautiful place to run, swim, sniff and play. I hope all dogs get to have such great places!
My person just got a very important call.
A LITTLE COCKER SPANIEL NAMED LUCY IS LOST AT THE PARK. SHE HAS TAGS BUT JUST IN CASE YOU CAN REACH HER PERSON "LEAH" AT 413-695-8332
Mucho, love! Merlin

Fridy April 25th.

Hooray, Hooray, hooray! I am home with my family again. Camp Grinning Dog was so much fun. I made many new friends and the person there is so kind. She lives in a very beautiful house but we are at the lovely gated community right near her. We ran around outside and had really long walks in the woods with all those beautiful Aussies and others who visit like me.
So, my people picked me up yesterday and we got home and Mimi and Jessie jumped all over me. I immediately chased Junior and Janis to make sure they know dogs rule and cats drool. I secretly love them both.
Off to the dog park today with Mimi and our person. Before we even get out of the car I see Bosco walking in the parking lot. I was so excited I tried to get out of the car before the hatch was open. This never works but I do not seem to be able to stop myself. Anyway, we all greeted each other in the parking lot and off we went into the woods. Bosco did not scare me at all today and we had a blast together. He found a ball straight away so Mimi and I got to run up and down the hills letting the squirrels know we are back.
We did not see a lot of dogs today but I was with my sister and Bosco so I did not mind. After the dog beach we walked into the woods near the big hills that go down to the deeper part of the river. My person never takes us there so I was confused. Well, Bosco is a Labrador Retriever!
His person throws the ball right out into the deep part of the river and he runs and than swims after the ball. OK I am a herding, working dog. I do not swim and retrieve. I ran down the hill and out into the water but I have to stop. Bosco really showed off swimming after that ball. I'd like to see him try and haul a cart full off wood or keep sheep in line. I have never actually done that but I know I could. The whole walk was a blast. We did end up seeing Daisy, Liken, Ridge, Pierre and Benji. I love going to camp but being home with my family and my buddies at the park is just simply the best. I am dog tired. See you all on the trails! Merlin

Saturday April 19, 2008

OK, So, this morning my person left early this morning and only took Mimi. I was so mad I could have barked. Right before we went to the park for our walk my person took off again. Well, she came home with Mimi and her new haircut. Check out the before and after photos. They found someone who does it really well now so Mimi is less embarrassed than before. I don't mind being with her either. So, off we went to the park and it was so high energy and tons of dogs. Lets see if I can remember who we saw. We saw Scooter and Winnie, Henry, Pie, Allie, Grace, Jack, Pierre, Benji, Elsie, Charlotte, Scout (Border Collie) and a ton of dogs I did not know or can not remember right now. Elsie's person had a people puppy too! What is it about Spring (aka Mud Season) that makes people get puppies. I am noticing that it happens in people and dogs. There are so many things I do not understand. I really like Elsie. She is a Swiss Mountain Dog. She is sort of like looking at myself with short fur. I like my long fur. Hey, this is an action shot of my tail. Impressive, I know! The best part of today was that "our girl" came on the walk today with little Scout's girls too. I stuck by them and got to play in the fields too. I love when everyone comes!

So, it is official I am leaving in the morning for camp. I do not think the person at camp will let me use the computer there. So, this is my last blog entry until Friday, April 25th. You all have fun at the park. I will miss you but camp is so fun. Mimi and Jessie are staying home with a sitter because Jessie is just too fragile for the rugged camp I hang at. Don't forget heartworm meds begin May 1st. Happy Trails, Merlin

Friday April 18, 2008

I must be fast here because my sisters, Jessie and Mimi are already lounging in the back yard. My person took us on the longer of the short loop walks today. The dog park is really a series of loops. We usually go all the way around the big one. There are several smaller loops and she went on the longest of the short loops. I guess that was OK. We saw Mel and Lola when we first got there. Lola is not as submissive as she used to be so I leave her alone. I was only trying to get her to play before. Scooter, Winnie and Pearl were all on their way out when we got about 1/2 way down the first path. Scooter and Winnie's person kissed the top of my head. That was cool. We saw the Newfies on the top of the hill with the bench on it. That is one of my persons favorite spots at the park. I love it too. Before we headed up that way we saw some person with a people puppy on his back. Why they don't let them scamper on the ground and get a good sniff routine going I will never know. So, of course my person had to stay and say hello, make stupid noises and wave her hands. What is the point? Just when I think she has had her fill we see Callie with her person and their people puppy. My person knows that person better so we had to stay even longer while she made a fool of herself making noises and giggling with that people puppy. The good news was we did not walk with them we headed up the second biggest hill at the park.
This is the one that leads to the bench. At the top we saw Ziggy with these 2 new dogs named Chuck and Sam. Good solid names I say! I really liked Sam. He is a puppy Pitt Bull. Sometimes people with bad intentions train Pitt Bulls to be mean. That makes me so sad I could just cry. Not Sam though. He was just a young strong, energetic guy with energy to burn. I chased a ball with him and Liken for awhile. Sam and Chuck's person seemed really nice. I am glad Sam won't be treated badly. I am also glad my person does not judge others by bread alone and let me play with him. I almost forgot. We saw 2 pure breed Bernese Mountain Dogs today. It was a little like looking in a mirror. They were cool guys but the person with them was just a dog sitter and not as interested in those dogs as a person should be. I hope their real people come home soon. We saw the Newfies on the way out. Kika had taken off and their person looked like she was over the dog park for the day. (tee, hee) So, Bosco showed up as we were getting right close to the parking lot. I do love Bosco but I am going to make a confession. He scares me just a little at first. I am not sure why. I laid down and put my head between my person's legs. There was no other dogs around and Mimi actually came to my defense. That was sort of cool and embarrassing at the same time. OK I am off to the yard to hang with my sisters. Be well my friends and lay in the sun. It is good for your soul! Merlin!

Thursday April 17, 2008

This is the 4th day in a row that we have been able to go to the park and enjoy all things natural. We saw little Scout and Ziggy as soon as we got there. They were leaving which I understood because today is one of our sort of late days. My person had to stop and talk of course before we were even off the lead. I hate that! Anyway, we got off and running and saw Rascal and Reilly. I think Reilly has springs on the bottom of his feet or something. I mean how else could he jump so high. I wonder if my person will ever get me springs for my feet. That might be fun.
We stopped at the beach and I ran with Abby (Mastiff) and Baily. They are big dogs and I like to play with them. We saw fewer people and pups today than we have been because we showed up after our crew had mostly already left. I had very good thing happen up at the big field. I ran into Bella and Zelda. Bella's people are still away but she was there with her dog sitter. She told me that last November they told her people that she only had 2 months to live. Well, I don't know who "they" are but they should take a look at her. She ran right up to my person and laid down so my person could rub her belly. Than, big Scout showed up and she did the same thing to Scout's person. I got a little jealous because he had just said "Mer~man" when Bella did that. I just walked over to the person and he pet Bella's belly and my head at the same time. How cool is that. He is a good guy. I am so glad we got to see Bella because she really is a nice girl. So, off we went and there are too many burr stories to tell. Mimi is getting a summer haircut on Saturday morning. She said it is sort of like when people put on shorts. Whatever. Hey, I also heard something about me going to Camp Grinning Dog. I hope that is true. A dog needs a vacation too! Merlin

PS

http://zecster.lbbhost.com/Pics/Kiss.html?41

Wednesday April 16

I thought for sure it was a "no walk day". My person went out with her friend this morning. S he came home later and my other person took some time off from that place she goes everyday and all 4 of us walked again!!! Hooray. We saw a puppy named Daisy that was just so cute. I however only have room in my heart for one Daisy and that puppy is not it. Anyway, we met a Rhodesian Ridgeback named Jack. He was like 3 inches taller than me. He has no puffiness in the tail though. We ran into Turbo who must be about 2 years old now and still has more energy than 5 dogs put together. We saw Pierre and Benji and they are potential ankle bitters but I really do like them. Now, they are French Bull Dogs. So, Pierre I get. Is Benji a French name? I don't think so? At least in the movie I saw named Benji it was not a French anything. I think it was a Beagle? So, off to the beach which is a daily spot again and we met Crystal and Taylor. They are both Huskies and have nice blue eyes like my sister Jessie. Taylor stayed all by himself out in the field. I went out to go sniff his butt, but he got up and walked away. Well, I can take a hint. So, off we went and eventually saw Ziggy with Charlotte and Scout. Charlotte and Scout are Border Collies but my tail is still better. Oh yeah, we met another Border Collie names Good Golly Miss Molly, They call her Molly for short. The entire park was so full of endless energy today it was almost too good to be true. But it is true! We are so lucky to have this park. One dog once told me that where he lives the dogs all run in an old tennis court. WOW! I am very blessed. Enjoy being outdoors. There is nothing better in the whole world. Peace , Love and Marrow Bones, Merlin

April 15th, 2008 Tuesday

This is my very favorite mud puddle at the park. I know you are all jealous. I lay right down in it all the time. My person convinced me not to today and I got 2 Charlie Bears for not laying down. That sounded like a good deal to me.

Anyway, greetings far and wide to all you four footed lovelies. If you can believe it both of my people came to the park again today. I am not sure what is going on with that but I love it. We saw Abby the Mastiff right when we got there. They were leaving but my other person got to meet her and her people. Good 'ole Rascal showed up. His person was saying they walk somewhere else in the winter where there is a plowed section for the people to walk in. Lightweight! It was good to see Rascal. He is 15 years old but you would never know it. That boy moves around like a youngin'. There was a cluster that involved Liken, Riley and Lola at the foot of the beautiful hill. I only hung with them for a minute. Rascal turned around at the beach and we pushed on and ran into Ziggy. Today, there was even a ball involved and I behaved well. How cool am I? We saw these 2 huge hawks flying in big lazy circles in the first big field after the hill. It is no fair that I can not reach them. They should either fly lower or I should be able to jump higher. Now that the weather is nice again there are joggers on the trails. Some of them have dogs with them and that generally works out OK. Some people do not have dogs but do not mind dogs being around. Some people are out for a run and do not want to hang with the dogs at all. I have heard words exchanged with the dog people and the jogging people before but mostly it is fine. Guess what my person does? She gives this "off the path" command to me and Mimi. We have to step off the path and sit down and gaze at our person until the jogger goes by. I mean please! Not all dog people insist on this and I think it is a little over the top. There have been a time or 2 when I have tried to herd the jogger back to our pack but I sort of get it now. My person, I love her but she is so strict about certain things. We met another old girl named Honey. She was very sweet. On the way out we saw the Vulcan, Kika and Merlin with their person. She invited us ALL over to her house for food and stuff. Now that is one cool person to invite us too. She made sure to invite Jessie! We saw big Scout and a dog named Maple. We also ran into another Scout and Charlotte the Dixie dog. Oh yeah, we met a dog named Rosie who just got rescued out of Tennessee too. She had had puppies and just got sent here yesterday! Wow, things are just gonna rock on now that the weather has changed. Happy Chewing! Merlin

Monday April 14, 2008

Happy Monday!! Well, another beautiful day at the dog park. Before I get to that let me say that I had dog food for dinner and breakfast. hip, hip Hooray. Anyway, we were not at the park 2 seconds and Mimi already had stuff stuck in her fur.
She is like Velcro at the park. I keep telling her to be careful because our person had to cut her fur yesterday to get some burrs out. Of course she has less to risk being that her tail is not as fabulous as mine.
Anyway, we saw Tango with Clementine as we got there. Clementine left but Tango came walking with us for a little while. I have always loved Tango but she did not stay with us long enough so that we could get a full, open field chase going on. Maybe next time. We saw a couple of new dogs. One was an Irish Setter named Annabell. She was very beautiful and sort of mellow for a young dog. Soon we met an English Springer Spaniel named Sadie. She is only five months old so my person was all over that. I get sick of her ohhhing and ahhing over the little ones. It is even worse when we see people puppies. We saw Max and Brody the Scotties. They are cool and I love how they sweep the path with their fur. I think it is a good use of using what the Creator has given us and giving back to the park. Bravo for Max and Brody! Mimi and I explored the woods together before heading up "the hill." It is really getting green at the good ole park. We walked alone for awhile and than ran into Ziggy. Our people have been keeping us separate because we were not getting along. We hung out together in the top field and than all walked out of the park together. There was no competition, snarling or loud yelling between us at all. I was glad and I know the people were glad. I mean, can't we all just get along! Keep on sniffin' Merlin

Sunday April, 13

OK I love my person but I am more than a little miffed at her. Yesterdays blog said rain. Well, when I wrote it it was true. Shortly after that the sun came out. I followed her around, nipped at her heals to get her to walk to the leash. I jumped in front of her. Glanced out the window and than back at her, nothing. To add insult to injury our girl brought Mimi with her when she took Jessie for her walk in the neighborhood. What about MERLIN! I am the one who loves walks more than anyone and I got nothing. (sigh) Our girl had some friends stay over night the night before so there was a lot of activity around the house in the morning but it was not a walk in the dog park!
That being said I did get to the park first thing this morning. Mimi ended up with lots of burrs and I can tell my person is looking for the brushes (yes, she has like 4) and maybe the scissors. I am keeping a low profile. I ate a ton of grass today at the park. It is so important to keep the digestive track going in the right direction. My person made something for dinner the other night that the people did not like so they all went out to eat. She has been giving us the stuff they would not eat. That is only a little insulting because people do not eat some of the finer things in life like marrow bones anyway. However, 4 or 5 days in a row now has lead me straight to the grass for relief of my indigestion. I hope I hear a dog food can opening tonight.
Anyway, there were tons of dogs. I ran with Zoe and Abby (the Lab) down by the beach. It was fun. I had a hard time deciding to play with Zoe or Abby so I ran into the river and laid down. It is so great to be doing that again. We saw Pearl and my person and her person stopped to talk for awhile. I did not mind because I could run with Pearl. They were talking about Bella and said she is still OK. I guess Bella's person is away doing some important people health stuff. I can only understand a few people words but I could tell it was all good news because everyone was smiling. I hope what they say about Bella being sick is not true. She is just a little girl and very sweet with a strong spirit. Everyone send positive, healing energy to Bella and her people! It sounds like they all could use it! We saw too many dogs to name as we were leaving. I saw Ziggy and she had a ball but I did not try and get it so we did not fight. My person was glad. She should be glad I am even speaking to her after yesterday. She still owes me! Smooches, Merlin

Saturday, April 12

RAIN!!!!!

Friday April 11, 2007

Well, I thought the word for today was going to be Squirrel because we saw a ton on our way to the park. I was sure we would just be chasing them like crazy. We did see a few and Mimi and I ran our little legs off after them. Well, Mimi has little legs. Mine are very long. When we got to the beach however we saw 4 dogs I have never met before. They are Rudy, Theodore, Molly and , hmmm I seem to be forgetting the 4th dogs name. I am a little embarrassed because I have a good memory for someone who has a brain the size of a tennis ball. Anyway, they were very cool new friends. Molly was a great play mate and one of the other dogs looked a little like Mimi. They both had spotted tongues. Maybe they are distant cousins or something. Mimi's tongue is very unique and one of her best features. That reminds me my person found some burrs in my tail yesterday. I was so nervous but she went for the brush and not the scissors. I had to fight my instinct to run and let her at it. She did a good job, it did not hurt too bad and she did not cut any of my beautiful fur. Anyway, it was great making new friends and exploring things with them. They had different ideas about everything so it was exciting. After awhile my person again realized I had fallen behind. When she saw were I was it was clear. I was out in the big field chasing my little buddy Scout. That girl is so fun to chase. I have been chasing her for 2 years! Scout met all the new dogs and we continued on. We saw a lot of others along the way, Deli, Flannel, Clyde, Bandit, Ziggy and others. I was all about my new friends today. My person got along well with my new friend's person too. That is always helpful because I do not have to keep an eye on her as much and she slows down so I can enjoy my walk. She is a handful but she does get me marrow bones. I think I will keep her! The rain is here. I will sleep inside today! It's a dog's life. Merlin PS: No I am not pooping in that picture I am running. It is a good action shot!

April 10, Thursday

Sorry I am late in posting today. I napped first. The day was just super. First thing I want to talk about is my sister Mimi. When my person goes and brings our girl and the neighborhood kids to school in the morning one of the girls brings some food with her. Well, one of the reasons I love kids is because they are always creating crumbs! So, this kid leaves crumbs in the car 2 x per week. I load up into the car in the way back. Mimi has made believe she can not jump that high so she gets in the back seat. So, she automatically gets the left over crumbs!! She is very clever that sister of mine. I can not reach the crumbs at all so she gets them all to herself.We ran into Tucker as soon as we got out of the car. We saw all 3 Newfies who have not been there for a long time. They make me and Mimi look little. They are Vulcan, Kika and Merlin! Yup, that Newfie has the same name as me! Lucky boy. Once we got tho the beach my heart just sang! There was Amber, Scout and Daisy. When you add Tucker, Mimi and me you have a doggie party. I went right into the water and was n up to my neck! HOORAY! There was a bunch of other guys who sort of came and went but I was too focused on my friends.So, off we went and suddenly there were 2 Vischula (?sp)dogs came running. I was off and running with those 2. Their person was jogging so they had to go. We met a great Corgi named Molly. Her person was walking and did not realize Molly went the wrong way. YIKEES! Tucker's people helped Molly and her person find each other again. They are good people. Molly might have been able to do it on her own but help is good.
We saw Sonic, Molly and Sculley with their person and the people puppy. Bandit and his person were on their way in as we left. Tucker's person was telling Tucker to get out if the puddles and mud. Tucker is really good at listening to his person but it is Mud Season. I know they call it Spring but I don't spring I lay in the mud. Anyway, I forgot one really big point! Both of my people came again today! It was great. I love having 4 legs and the mostest, beautifulest tail ever! Enjoy the sunshine! Oh heck, I think I'll nap again. Merlin

Wednesday April 9, 2008

Not a big story today. My person has legs that sometimes work better than others. Yesterday they seemed to be confused about how to move forward. Today they worked great because she was like flying through the walk. I wonder what the hurry is? I could stay and sniff all day at the park. We saw Luna which she of course stopped for because my person just loves Luna! I got put on lead when we saw Ziggy up ahead and that was OK because I was really relaxed. The only bummer was that we had to push right on by Daisy and you know I love Daisy. Anyway, after my person rushing all the way we get to the parking lot and are back on lead and she stops and talks to Clementine's person. She chats for a long, long time! I am watching all these dogs come and go and there I am siting next to my person with Mimi doing Nothing. I am a little annoyed with my person but tomorrow is another day. By the way, Jessie has been getting a walk around the neighborhood everyday by our girl. I am happy for her because she really loves to socialize! I am still going to nap on the porch even though it was just a plain ole walk with no excitment. Naps are always good! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Merlin

Tuesday April 8

Hello,

Do you know what I love about the dog park? Well, everything but today was just so great. You never know who you are going to see or what you are going to do. We ran into my friend Abby (the Mastiff) but they were leaving. There was this Boxer named Riley that used to come around last summer. At first I was a little nervous around him but soon we were getting along fine. He sure can dance, sing and run. This made Mimi sort of love him too. So, I ran like crazy with Riley and than Mimi and him just barked at each other forever. I think they were trying to hear their voices echo. It was really loud but we were in the open field so it was not so bad. My person realized I had fallen behind and stopped and called me. I came around the corner with Tango so she realized why I had fallen behind. Tango's person had brought Nash from Camp Grinning Dog with her. I like Nash and he reminds me of my great vacation spot but he is very old. He is a handsome guy but he is Jessie's age so not a viable play mate. He carries with him a great deal of wisdom just like my sister.

So, on the way out we see big Scout and his guy who is always so nice to me. He calls me "mer-man" and I think that is cool. Suddenly I got charged by the one and only Bosco. He is such a cool dude. I always run up to my person and stand in front of her. I hear the people talk about whether I am protecting my person or if I am whimping out. I mean please! I am not going to dignify that craziness. Right at the parking lot we saw the French Bull dogs Benji and Pierre.

It was so beautiful at the park today!!!! There are more and more dogs around! Yee Haa. Boy, I am dog tired!

Monday April 4th

Oh happy day! At first I was so afraid we were not going to the park. My person left and came back than went out with my other person, than we went to the park after they ate. This is another thing I do not get. Mimi, Jessie and I eat when we get up in the morning and a little while after our girl gets home from school. The people eat somewhere around those times PLUS one time half way through the day. So, how come I don't get that middle meal? I think I might join a dog union.

My other person came with us to the dog park. That was really fun. I wish she could come more often. We first went down the path I like to call Chipmunk Alley. There were lots of squirrels and chipmunks and Mimi and I were running around like crazy. It is a sunny, warm day and you can sure smell spring everywhere. We even went to the dog beach and went in the water for a few minutes! WOW. So, the whole walk was fabulous. Mostly I chased little critters. At one point there were all these little bugs flying close to the ground. I did not like that one little bit. They were freakin' me out. I was snapping at them but there were just too many of them. We finally got through that part but I hated it! Mimi has half of the park in her fur. My tail is free of burrs!

Right before the end we saw my BFF, Milo!!!!!! Oh hooray to all things good in the world. Our people talked so we could play. I wish I saw Milo everyday! So, those pictures are of Mimi, Milo and me. That one picture is "the hill". I do not know if you can tell how big it really is. It was a great day today!!!! I love the weather getting better. It has been a LONG winter. I am going to the porch to sleep and dry out! Merlin

Friday, Saturday,Sunday

Hello all,
I wrote a whole long blog yesterday. I hit the wrong key with my due claw and deleted the whole thing. I will try to recap. Friday is easy because I slept all day. My person was not feeling well and it rained. Saturday: We had a nice walk. Mimi and I were alone most of the time and we played together a lot. I ran into a Black Lab that I have seen before but I did not know her name. Her name is Abby. So now I have 2 friends named Abby. She bowed her head ant me and jumped around with her front paws. I liked that invitation and we ran in great big circles down by the dog beach. It was fun and people kept saying how surprised they are that I am so fast. Well, I am. On the way out we saw a dog named Jake and at the parking lot we saw Pearl. Sorry I missed Pearl, she is a bundle of fun. At one point my person was standing watching the river rush by and listening to the birds. Mimi and I sat on either side of her and listened too. I love when we have that moment when we know we get each other.
Sunday: Well, we had another fun day. First there were these 2 dogs and their people had people food. So, I wanted some! I mean I don't eat dog food when people are around. Oh wait, yes I do but that is not the point! Anyway, I figured I would be a team player and listen when my person told me to "leave it". I got a Charlie Bear anyway. We met a dog named Honey. Her person said that she is afraid of other dogs. Huh? She played with me in the puddles and stuff. I just did not understand.
Up in the big field I saw Nesta. She is so pretty and so energetic. Tomorrow is her 1st birthday!!!
She laid down in a puddle just like I do! She was fun to play with. We saw the Poodles on their Sunday AM walk. On the way out we saw Niles, Caber and Ziggy. My person put me on lead. While we were all hanging out some dog I did not know went right after Caber. I was so impressed by her people. They were not going to let little Caber get hurt. No Sir. Anyway, the people seemed to work it out and Caber was OK. We got a quick hello off to Zelda while in the parking lot.
We got home and my person got out that machine that vrooms across the floor and picks up our left over fur. She seems a little frustrated because it is one of the times during the year where a lot comes off. I say Hey, shed happens! Peace out! Merlin

Thursday April 3

OK let me start by saying that my person left her camera home today. I was so glad because sometimes she sort of acts like the pooperazzi or something. It really interferes with the walk being natural and spontaneous. OK, so it is warm, sort of muddy and sunny so the day starts off good. It was one of our late arrival mornings so right off the bat we see Scout (big) with his tall guy person. So, our people stop and talk. Scout has already been around so he is wet and smells of all things dog park. I was trying to be patient but those people just stand there with their mouths going but no barking, no sniffing, nothing that is really friendly at all if you ask me. Plus, I am looking at my person trying to tell her it is embarrassing to be standing next to a seasoned dog like Scout and I am fresh and clean. Finally, we set off and everything else goes great. We saw Daisy and Bandit. We all pranced around a bit and than headed off in different directions. Fergus was in the top fields and we saw 2 little white dogs that were really cute. Other than that it was all me and Mimi doing our sibling thing. I growl and give her a hip check, she barks, I smile and run off, she chases me and so on and so on.
At the very end of the walk I saw some guy without a dog standing near the entrance to the park. I ran over and gave him a pretty stern bark just to let him know I saw him. I find anyone around the park without a dog to be suspect. My person called me back but that guy knows I am watching him. You other dogs keep on the look out too! Kisses and Pugs, Merlin!

Tuesday April 1,2008

I do not like the dog park anymore. APRIL FOOLS!! I had a wonderful time at the park today. It is so muddy and lots of puddles and I am very wet and muddy! I am so happy. First we saw Deli, Luna and Flannel. My person loves that little Luna girl. She went and sat right in front of my person. It makes me a little jealous. Flannel kept bugging me no matter how much I nudged him away and growled. KIDS! Joy of joy we saw Fergus. I have not seen that boy in so long. He was limping really bad last summer and than he just stop coming. I heard his person say today that he was unable to come to the park for all this time. They do not even know what was wrong. Fergus said one day it just stoped hurting so he started coming back. I love Fergus so it was great to see that boy. He is looking good! Suddenly, there is Charles and Lucy. I really like Lucy but there is an age difference between us and I don't know for sure if her son Charles, approves of me. Charles was carrying this really big stick that stuck way up in the air. I wanted to sort of talk to him about Lucy but that stick made me a little nervous.Anyway, the whole walk was really great. I am happy to say that my person and Lucy's person get along really great. They laughed and joked the whole walk. Toward the end we saw Daisy. I just love my buddy Daisy. Lucy dug a hole, Mimi layed in it. Charles, Daisy and I jumped around the people. It was good. We saw Cody come up. He is a great dog but he has a big beautiful tail like me. It is not as big and beautiful as mine but it is nice. I throw my tail to the right side and sort of fan it so it looks even bigger when he is around. I like Cody but I am the one with the most beautiful tail. We also saw big Scout on the way out and his person threw a ball for us for awhile. It is cloudy but my heart is happy and I must go lay on the back porch and sleep. Merlin