Happy Roo Year

May your 2008 be joyous, prosperous, and filled with the blessings of family and dear friends. Truman and I wish you a very Happy New Year!

Going Up the Mountain

Truman and I had a great Christmas day, with presents and family and food and a little time for reflection. We hope yours was lovely as well!

And now we're headed up to Mammoth with Tai and his people for a few days in the snow! Thus, there will be no blogging until about New Year's....

In the meantime, please enjoy the billions of posts that I just put up a few days ago. I hadn't blogged since about Thanksgiving, so if you want to see everything since then, be sure to click on the archives to your right.

We'll come back with lots of good brothers-in-the-snow pictures, I'm sure. See you soon!

Merry Christmas from Truman

May you be blessed today, as we are, and remember the true Source of hope and expectation, who is the reason for this holiday. Merry Christmas.

Not a Creature Was Stirring...

...not even the Roo.

Seeing Other People

Truman has become very focused on me & very clingy lately, so I've begun farming him out to other puppy raisers, especially ones he does not know well.

Fellow raiser Tracy and her brother Steven took him for a few days. Truman had a great time -- he went to a couple of Christmas parties, the Cal State Long Beach campus, and a brunch at Knott's Berry Farm, where he and Tai both met Snoopy.



Aside from barking at door noises (even on TV) and stealing a piece of pineapple off a slice of pizza, he was a good boy. He and Tai spent hours and hours amusing the Dolan family in a typical display of what I like to call, "MUST...CONTINUE...PLAYING...!" The boys just don't get tired of each other. Or tired at all.



My favorite quote from Tracy: "Truman's a funny guy." Yes. Yes, he is.





I'm glad he burned off a little energy; I have a lot to do over the next few days. Thanks again, guys!

Truman at the Grove

As a fellow "employee" of the nonprofit where I work, Truman got to attend our annual holiday party -- a lunch at Maggiano's Little Italy. Because he was so good, tucked into a corner under the table where I was sitting, many people didn't even know he was there. But he wasn't left out of the merry-making! After our "white elephant" gift exchange, the VP of my department stood up and announced that Truman should receive a gift as well. She handed me a cute little bag, in which was a bone-shaped ceramic bowl for his Christmas treats.

After lunch, I took Truman for a little walk through The Grove shopping center, greeting the enthusiastic children of harried holiday shoppers, and stopping for photos in front of Santa's house. When we'd had enough of the crowds, Truman and I headed toward the parking structure to take one last picture before the trafficky drive home.

Our Favorite Meeting of the Year

The December puppy raiser meeting is always my favorite. There's plenty of food (and chocolate!), everybody's in a good mood, the photo-op decor is festive, and the holiday spirit abounds. Nobody seems to mind the chaos.

In addition to a raffle and a gift exchange (we got a fleece tug toy and an adorable paw print cookie jar filled with organic dog biscuits), recent tradition has added the viewing of a year-end DVD full of photo montages. This year's show included the usual "everyone's included" video as well as salutes to the South Bay breeder dogs, retirees, "doodles," and Christmas parade participants. Plenty of tears and belly-laughs to go around....

Funny how the humans are the only ones tired after such a long evening. Looks like whoever plugged in the tree also plugged in the dogs:

Ghosts of Christmas Past

One tradition at the GDA holiday potluck is the puppy Christmas tree. Puppy raisers bring an ornament for their puppy-in-training, and hang it on the tree. Ornaments from previous years are hung on the walls of the building.

Next year, after Truman has been turned in for formal training, I will find this little ornament I made for him, and hopefully have a good laugh.

Our Festive Friends

Lex


Stuart


Oceana


Roxy

Party Time at GDA

Today was the annual GDA holiday potluck up at the school.

It rarely occurs to us puppy raisers because this is our everyday existence, but when you stop to think about it, it's pretty remarkable how well behaved these dogs can be. Dozens of them, all in one place -- and puppies, at that -- in close proximity to each other in the presence of food, people of all ages, and unusual sights and sounds. You might expect an explosion of barking, at the very least. But somehow, it never goes that crazy.

Not to say that it can't go a LITTLE crazy, especially when littermates are involved.



After Truman, Tai and Tori posed nicely for several photos in the little sleigh (did someone say "cookie," Truman?), the three of them -- as if on cue -- took a simultaneous flying leap over the decoration on the side, like furry little superheroes. I wish someone had captured it on camera...would have made great video.

Anyway, after that, I think they were a little concerned that Santa thought they were naughty.

America's Next Top Model

Because it took me so long to sew the garland on Truman's jacket, I decided to leave it on an extra day or two so he could show off for my co-workers. When we went back to work on Tuesday, I was thrilled to discover that the lobby of the building had been decorated for Christmas. I took a few quick photos, then the graphic designer at my organization offered to take a few more with her nice camera equipment.

The folks at the building security desk folks are very nice, and they love Truman -- especially Yolanda. When she noticed Truman was getting distracted by passersby who stopped to watch his little fashion photo shoot, she very kindly (and unsolicited) directed traffic for us. We felt quite fancy and important.

Do I hear reindeer on the roof?



Santa? Is that you?

This Year's Christmas Card Photo

Sure, he doesn't look thrilled about the jingle collar. But come on -- he's even cute when he's mortified!

Truman On Parade

The South Bay puppy raisers march in the Downey Christmas Parade every year. It's a great opportunity to spread holiday cheer as well as awareness of the GDA program. The dogs get terrific exposure to crowds, marching bands, horses, and all kinds of other distractions. It's fun for the people, too. Everyone dresses in Santa hats and red vests, and gets to spend the first hour or so trying to prevent their puppy from chewing the garland off its jacket.

This year, our day began at Baker's Square restaurant, where we met the group for breakfast. After attempting to settle Truman under the table in the presence of some exuberant young puppies and apparently fragrant intact females, we relocated, I was able to use both hands on things like utensils for my pancakes, and he did just fine.

Here's how it went: The walk to and from the parking lot to the parade staging area was practically longer than the parade itself. Truman -- who is usually a champion loose-lead walker -- nearly decapitated himself by pulling so hard on the leash, he was so excited. My left arm was killing me by the end of the route, but I know he had a great time. Everyone applauded for the dogs, and the excited shouts of "puppy!" and "doggy!" from children lining the route were a welcome addition to the shouts of holiday well-wishing. And, this being Southern California, it was a brisk and Decembery 78 degrees outside.

He was NOT tired afterward.

SnuggleRoo

Truman has been very affectionate, very clingy lately, which is quite nice in the chilly weather. Every time I turn around, it seems like he's on Amy's feet or at the base of whatever piece of furniture I'm sitting on, doing his best to look cute and cuddly. And there's nothing like snuggling up next to a warm puppy for a nap in front of the (fake) fireplace. Gaze upon the SnuggleRoo and envy his well-loved people and their nice warm toes!

Perhaps Something In a Sailor Suit?

After returning a costume I'd rented for the Victorian Grand Ball I attended with a friend from my swing dance classes, I walked Truman around Old Torrance for a while until we stumbled upon "The WWII Store." The proprietor was very kind and invited us in with great enthusiasm (which is not something you always get when you have a dog in tow). Neat place -- the store grew out of this one man's personal collection, and has since expanded to include an interesting selection of vintage uniforms & clothing, models & dioramas, films, memorabilia, military ribbons and insignia, and of course, books from floor to ceiling.

I didn't see anything there that might fit Truman, but I'll have to pay another visit before I go back to the Great Los Angeles Air Raid this coming year.

I Swear It Wasn't Me

Breakfast on Main Street

September 22, 2007 -- Restaurants are always an adventure with Truman, because if I don't do good enough under-the-table recon, there is potential for great mess making. It's happened before: the apparently delicious puddle of syrup I didn't see against the dark pattern of the carpet, the gum I completely missed until it was so embedded that I had to do hair surgery....

But this was quite a successful outing, despite the challenges inherent in an outdoor venue like the patio of the Omelette Parlor. Namely, birds and bird by-products.

Truman is quite the avian enthusiast around our neighborhood, typically going out of his way to acknowledge our feathered friends, greet them, and very thoughtfully alert me to their presence so that I may enjoy them as well. And there were plenty of birds on the patio this post-thunderstorm morning, having emerged from their rainy day hideaways in search of carelessly dropped breakfast tidbits. However, the boy was quite well behaved! He spotted them from his place on the brick floor beneath the table; he watched them, but he did not move.

When it rains, poor Truman is mostly relegated to my apartment because there's no suitably dry place for him to play outside, and this thunderstorm had given him quite a case of cabin fever. So, after exercising such remarkable restraint at the restaurant, I thought he deserved a little stroll down Main Street. So we window-shopped and people-watched and did our best to avoid other folks with dogs. Not too shabby! He pulled at the leash a bit, but was mostly cooperative, even for a couple of photos (though there is a limit to his patience).

"I will pose for your stupid artsy photo, but I will NOT be happy about it."

The Definition of Trust

Leaving the burrito unattended on the seat of the vehicle while you walk around to get into the driver's side.

Truman and I have achieved trust.

Truman's First Thanksgiving

As much a part of our lives as these puppies become, sometimes it's hard to remember that the holidays we spend with them are often the first and only ones we get to spend with them. Truman is ten months old, so by this time next year, he will most likely be in formal training up at GDA. The thought is always bittersweet.

We spent yesterday at my aunt's house with her and my two cousins. While Truman had had an uncharacteristically mellow few days -- I'd been sick and thus he didn't get as much exercise as we all know he desperately needs -- he was very well behaved under the restraint of a leash and some marathon down-stays. It must have been difficult. He's always excited about visiting other people's houses, he knew there were cats on the property, and everywhere he turned, there was something forbidden that looked delicious and smelled even better.

I played with him for a few minutes in the backyard so he could get some of his energy out before I asked him to lie down politely next to my chair during dinner. Aside from a few "grumpus noises" of complaint (he is less a whiner than a grumbler, vocally speaking), he was quite patient. Nevertheless, while I was on the phone with my parents, Truman decided he'd had quite enough of this self-control business and broke into a gloriously unfettered Labrador Shuffle, much to the delight of my aunt and cousin, who had never witnessed such a display (they have two very dignified cats, no dogs). The house is hardly puppy-proof, but Truman is surprisingly nimble and managed to turn his speedy circles on the carpet with only one head-smack into the coffee table. The hardwood floor proved amusing but not as shuffle-friendly, so he returned to the living room for the finale. I haven't heard my aunt laugh that hard in a while....

An after-dinner stroll around a nearby park and a brief visit to the neighbor's house -- where he was greeted with great enthusiasm by young and old alike at their family-packed celebration -- rounded out the evening nicely, and we returned home to a good night's sleep: mine, due to the turkey; Truman's, a job well done.

Happy Thanksgiving

He may not look it in this photo, but I know for a fact that Truman is thankful for many things. Food. Naps. Playtime with his favorite canine buddies. Belly rubs. Ear rubs. Chicken chips. Ice cubes. Magnolia leaves. Denim. Birds. Wind. His Amy (pictured here).

I, too, am thankful for many things. Food. Naps. Playtime with my favorite canine buddies...okay, you get the idea. Honestly, there's just too much in my life to list in the blessings column without making this the world's longest post. I have a great "day job" and the most satisfying volunteer work I can imagine. I'm healthy, I'm loved, and I'm free. I have a lovable, goofy dog, and a lovable, goofy roommate who will tolerate posing with him just because I notice their outfits match.

There is so much more to acknowledge. Not only do I owe thanks to God for the grace He has extended to me in my life, I owe thanks to family, friends, and strangers alike -- anyone who has ever supported, protected, defended, befriended or encouraged me.

May you know your blessings today as well, and take hold of them, and give thanks.