Mobile Post: Relaxing On A Sunday

Mobile Post: A New Bed For Gus

Gus ordered a dog bed from L.L. Bean a few weeks ago and it arrived this week. I didn't even know he knew how to spell his name- he is even smarter than I thought.

Mobile Post: Paw Prints In The Sand

Gus was one of the first dogs on the beach this morning, (based on the lack of paw prints in the sand.)

Mobile Post: Is That The Sun?

We saw the sun this morning for the first time in five days; my vitamin D levels have returned to normal.

Gus Gets A Bath

I gave Gus a bath today. . . .he doesn't really care for the bath much. When he is actually getting the bath he just stands there waiting patiently for you to finish. He usually shakes a couple times but other than that he is very mellow in the tub.
The fun starts when he gets out of the bath. I attempt to dry him off as much as possible but he usually is able to escape my grasp- it is at this point the he turns into "Crazy Wet Dog." The video below is about 30 seconds of "Crazy Wet Dog." Keep in mind, this is an edited version. . . .the uncut version goes on for minutes. Enjoy!

Gus vs. The Gate: Recorded April, 2001

I could never figure out how Gus was able to get by the gate at the top of the stairs, so I set up the video camera to see. At the beginning of the video you can see Gus watch me go downstairs, once I am out of sight he begins his quest. Please note on his second attempt the horizontal crossbar is no longer on his side of the gate, eliminating a crucial foothold.

Mobile Post: The Calm Before The Storm

I return to work today after having the last three days off, today begins our normal workday schedule. Gus and I were on the beach by 6:30 this morning. He ran and ran and ran!

It is supposed to snow again today; I thought is was the middle of April. . . .

We Like The Beach

We sure have been to the beach a lot in the last few days. Before moving back east, Gus didn't make it to the beach much. Beaches around L.A. are not too dog friendly. They would rather reserve that sand-real estate for collagen-injected celebrities, (they only like dogs that can fit in a Fendi bag anyway.)

Baxter Woods

Gus and I just got back from a trip to Baxter Woods, one of Gus's favorite spots. Baxter Woods used to be our after work walk. Before heading to Baxter Woods, we made a stop at Planet Dog to pick up some Frontline now that we are back on the tick coast. I also got Gus a gourmet treat for later. We then hopped back in the car and headed to Baxter Woods. I am curious to know whether Gus will remember Baxter Woods, this will be the first place he's gone that he might remember- until now he is just in a new place. I parked in our normal spot and entered on Stevens Ave. The moment I unhooked the lead, Gus ran to his normal spot to take care of some business- exactly as he did two years ago. He knew every turn, and even went down the same path when the trail forked. Although there was still snow on the ground, Gus was full of energy and happy to be in the Woods again.

Mobile Post: On The Way To The Beach

Gus and I were walking to the beach today and we passed a house with this huge plastic cow on the front lawn. Notice the rope around it's neck tied to the tree, (so it doesn't run away?) Also notice the little cow on the roof above the garage. Weird. This post was sent using my cell phone, thus making this a "mobile post." This is how I will denote a post sent from my cell phone in the future.

Pro-Pet-Pictures

Here are a few pictures taken by the Pro-Pet-Transport drivers:

A Roadside Walk

Must Stay Hydrated

A Traveling Buddy

The Perfect Place To Stop For A Walk

Willard Beach

After a long nap Gus and I drove to Rite-Aid to get the pictures from his journey developed, (should be done in an hour.) We then headed for Willard Beach which will become our daily morning walk. There were a lot of dogs there so Gus was very busy introducing himself to the "townies." There was still snow on the ground although the sun was shining bright- making it feel much warmer than 36 degrees. We walked up and down the beach a few times, than I decided it was time to head home, (you've got to ease into a new workout regimen.)

Gus Arrives!!!

I got a call from Jeff, one of the Pro Pet Transport drivers at 8:15 AM letting me know they were a half hour away from my front door. I found this amazing considering they estimated a week ago that they would arrive today at 9:00 am- they were only 15 minutes off! I heard a truck outside so Kristen grabbed my camera and we went out to welcome Gus back to Maine.

One of the drivers pulled out the ramp, opened the door, and a few moments later I saw Gus for the first time in nine months. He walked down the ramp and I said his name.....he looked at me and pulled towards me, giving me a big hug and a kiss. Jeff, (I think) gave me the disposable camera which they used to take pictures of Gus's journey, (I am going to get those developed today.) Gus certainly looked tired and a little confused, I am sure his sleep pattern was a little thrown off this past week, (in a truck, surrounded by other dogs coming and going.)

We showed Gus around his new house and introduced him to his new friends Kaya, Hobbes and Kitty- they seem to be getting along great.

He has been home for a little over an hour now and he has been napping for the last 20 minutes- I suspect he has quite a bit of sleep to catch up on. It is so good to have him home.

Don't stop in Jersey Gus.....it's not worth it!!

Gus is cruising through New Jersey and New York tonight, which means he is only a few states away. He has no idea that in a few hours he will be home.....for good.

April (Snow) Showers?

It is the 4th of April and it snowed today. I left work and had to find the scraper I had packed away in my trunk for the summer. It was hibernating under my kite and my beach pail; clearly I didn't think I would need it for at least six more months, (I don't really have a beach pail in my trunk.)

As I type, Gus is in sunny Florida. Having spent the last nine months in Los Angeles I am sure he will be thrilled to get "home" and see snow. Unfortunately Gus is not a snow-lover. When he does go out in the winter I usually end up carrying him back in the house because his paws get cold and he just lays down wherever he is.

It is supposed to snow off and on through Sunday. I am sure Gus will be exhausted from his journey across the country so he will probably be content napping inside for a few days, and quite frankly so will I.

A Day In The Lone Star State

Gus spent the majority of today traveling through Texas. He will be making stops in Arlington and Conroe. I received an update from the drivers today and they said he was really happy to get out of the truck for his walk, perhaps he is just happy to get out of the L.A. smog.

And The Journey Begins....

Gus began his cross-country journey early this morning. Levi, Jeff & Jake from Pro-Pet-Transports picked up Gus in Woodland Hills, CA at 1:00 AM, EST with a final destination of South Portland, Maine. Throughout the day I can track his location as well as his vitals, (physical condition, disposition, food and water consumption) via the internet. As of the last update he has seen; Spring Valley, CA, Meza, AZ, and Tucson, AZ. The route is chosen based on other pickups and drop-offs. Considering Gus is traveling from L.A. to South Portland, I suspect he will be the most traveled dog in the truck. I bet he will have some great stories once he arrives home. His journey is expected to end this Saturday.