As Usual

Here I am having fun, as usual. 

And here I am waiting for Judes to let me use the computer, as usual. 

Happy Friday friends!

We've seen a lot of these guys on our walks lately:

I also found a dog without a human today. She had a leash and a bandana, but no human on the other end. Judes knocked on a few doors and eventually returned the human to the dog. 

Here I am on a walk. Check out my grin:

Judes the Hog

Judes is hogging the computer for "work." Rude.

So I stared her down.

Sure enough, she was actually goofing off on Facebook. So she let me borrow the computer to blog quickly. 

Judes ordered an "easy-assembly" nightstand. 

That should be a fascinating project. 

She also bought lots of apples. 

If I kept that many carrots around, she'd think I was crazy. Ridiculous double standards. 

Walks are still beautiful. 

Although we now rise before the sun. 

And yes, I know you are all wondering how I celebrated national Rockingham day (or dog day, whatever). Very sadly, we haven't yet. Judes blames storms and work. I blame Judes. 

Deflated Dog

Yesterday I had a nice walk.

Today I thought Judes was ignoring me, so I deflated her bed. 

She still took me for a walk and to the park. But she said I was eating "gross" stuff and we had to leave. She said, "We'll try again another day," sounding just like a schoolteacher, or worse, a school psychologist. Now there's a career I'm glad has been left to the humans. 

I missed the canine 5k yesterday because of a doctor's appointment. The office said we would have a long wait due to some emergencies, so I settled in. 

But the doctor actually came very quickly. And she was superduper nice. She just moved from Maryland too, so she understands why I'm so stressed. She checked me out, and said I look good (though my teeth could use some help). She also warned me about foxtails, which are new to me. I do not want to lose a battle with those! 

Today started out ho-hum. Judes sat in her new chair, while I waited for her to entertain me.

She told me we were going to have some fun. Uh huh. 

But it turns out she was telling the truth. We went back to the bark park - about time Judes! Here I am with the big dogs:

Chatting up a new friend:

I read this sign for Judes: "False Hydrant. Dog Use Only." Obviously. 

And then I met this dude. Just sniffing around together:

And then we RAN FREE!!!!!

I had so much FUN!!

Judes was right. It was a spectacular day!

Fabulous Friday

Judes and I took a nice walk this evening. We got a bit closer to the mountains. And the sun. 

Judes learned at school (isn't she a bit old for school?) that this part of Wyoming really doesn't have much wind compared to other areas. She was then informed of the "two-door" rule. It is unwise to open more than one car door at a time, as it may result in everything blowing out of the car. It was a tad windy on our walk (read: I almost blew away). As you can see, my leash was somewhat of a kite tail. Brave canine that I am, I trudged along. 

Luckily, it was gorgeous.

And then it was FRIDAY. Plus, Judes and I have been here for an entire week. So we celebrated accordingly:

I bet you can't guess which treat I got to enjoy. 

Yip-Yap

Judes and I took a pleasant walk this evening. It looked like so:

Over the next few days, there will continue to be a red flag warning. This means it is super smoky. 

On her drive today, Judes told me she saw a pizza waving on the street. Wyoming sure is different. Meanwhile, Judes enjoyed a scrumptious dinner (not pizza). Here's how I felt about not being involved with that dinner:

So I watched closely, in case Judes dropped anything.

She didn't. Even when I creeped up on her, acting nonchalant. 

And I've been such a good Rockingham. How sad. 

In other news, two small dogs moved in next door. I shall call them "Yip" and "Yap." 

Breaking News

TODAY IS NATIONAL POTATO DAY!!!!!!!

Also, I have been informed that a national potato museum exists, and it is in a neighboring state. I wonder if they allow Rockinghams.

Happy potato night to all celebrating.

This morning we got up EARLY. And it was COLD. Judes said something about layering - is she planning on buying me a coat? Last night the apartment complex turned on the sprinklers on both sides of our apartment. And the wind blew all the water right at me. They were still on when we went out this morning. I was not impressed. At least I wasn't wearing fancy pants (like Judes) - though I must say I do look stunning in my fancy pants and bow tie.

Judes went to work today (yes, in her fancy pants). I think it may be the first time in 3 years that she's done something so absurd. I'm hoping it doesn't become a pattern. I'm rather fond of my hourly tummy rubs.

When she came home, she opened up a box and found this:

Judes told me it was a chair. I'm not sure why she felt she needed it explain this to me, as it was quite obvious. Then Judes started to put it together. All was going swimmingly as she carefully looked at the picture directions. She was beginning to feel rather smug about her accomplishment when one of the screws didn't seem to be working. She took another look at all the screws. They looked like so:

Notice how they are all colored blue? Judes thought this meant they were all the same length. Judes was wrong. She had to start all over. Here's how I was feeling at that point:

But, alas, Judes powered through, and now I have a nice new chair. Thanks, Judes!

To be a Kite

Good evening dear readers. I am learning how to be a kite. Although this may sound a strange endeavor, have you ever been 11.5 lbs of fur in southwestern Wyoming? I didn't think so. The wind here is ferocious. Good thing I'm ferocious too. I will not that howling beast win. No, friends, I will simply be one with the wind, and fly as a kite with my streamlined flappy ears.

Today Judes took me to the Green River. There was a big "GR" on one of the mountains. Judes told me it stands for "Grand Rockingham," which would be completely understandable had I not read the sign saying otherwise. Silly Judes.

Check out the cool rocks:

I think this one is called "castle rock." I'll have to check my notes. 

After that, we went to the bark park. 

Judes is obviously trying very hard to make me feel better. I had fun on our adventures today, even though I barked at some of the bigger dogs at the park. But I'm still very itchy! I sure hope Judes can figure out what's wrong soon so I can feel better. 

In the meantime, I've got some kite skills to work on. 

Tough Tuesday

Here I am with my fierce shadow, enjoying a walk yesterday evening. 

I had a tough night last night. I was so itchy I couldn't sleep, and early this morning I was sick. Judes talked to the doctor, who happens to be from Maryland, and then cooked some yummy rice just for me. It was delicious, even though Judes put some medicine in there. She says it will help the itching. The doctor said I can come meet her if I want, or if I'm not feeling better later. She's also driven the same route across the country, and knows how stressful it can be for little doglets like me. She also said the air here is much drier, which can make me itchy. All these changes definitely make me stressed, but at least Judes is here, and I know she will take super good care of me, and give me lots and lots of tummy rubs. When she went out to get medicine from the store this morning, it was only 48 degrees. Brrr!

Sunday went Swimmingly

Good evening folks!

I have been enjoying shedding everywhere in the new apartment. I think everything looks much better with Rockingham fur. Something yummy-smelling is cooking on the stove. Judes says I can't have any. We'll see. There was no time for the bark park today, but we took a lovely walk right outside. The apartments next door to us have doggy potty stations, with trash cans and plastic bags. There are even some gravel paths on "the other side." I wonder if we'll get all those things soon.

Judes told me she went swimming today. In a few months, she'll be able to rent ice skates and go skating at the same place. I wonder what ice skating is like. I know I don't like swimming, but maybe frozen water is okay.

Here's a picture of me to start your week off right:

Home Sweet Home

Today was super! I'm feeling less stressed now that my bed came inside, and I'm eating without any issues. Look how happy I am here:

And why am I so smiley, you ask? Because we went here:

To the DOG PARK:

I ran so fast I even look blurry in this photo:

I was super brave and went near the water, too:

AND I made a FRIEND:

Judes says we can come back every day. At least that's what I heard. They call it a Bark Park, and Judes says there's a fun event next weekend where I can take her for a 5k with other canines and their humans. She was right. Wyoming is awesome!

Judes wanted me to tell you that potato night was observed tonight, as Wednesday's regularly scheduled menu was interrupted by traveling cross-country. She went to check out at the food store, and found lines with signs that read: "about 15 items." That doesn't sound like the east coast to me. Very imprecise. I'm not sure why potato night is pertinent, seeing as I got nothing from it, but Judes said I had to blog about it. 

We took Shoeshine to the airport this morning. I insisted on coming by threatening to bark at the neighbors at 4:30 am. I always win. We saw signs on the road saying "open range area; loose stock." Is that like a cattle park? I miss Shoeshine and the tummy rubs she gave me. I guess I'll have to put up with Judes. 

We made it!

Here we are at the apartment:

This is what the outside looks like:

And this is me today, before Judes left FOREVER and spent hours at Walmart:

Oh, and Judes just taught me how to make the pictures larger on the computer. So I edited them for you, because obviously you want close-ups of me.