Holding My Breath

sssssssssssssssssuuuuuuu...... phew! Ok, I'm done.

Yes, I've been holding my breath on-line. I didn't know how long I would last when I began last summer -- and I don't know what the record is -- but I'm done. See you in the locker room.

Kicked Out!

Okay, this will be brief. I am filled with outrage!

I've been hanging out in this very cool city for almost a year -- very cosmopolitan, very European for an American city. I go everywhere -- cafes, parks, book stores -- even the Apple store welcomes me!

But today -- I was kicked out of the Disney Store! Can you believe it? Trust me, I'm a lot better behaved than a lot of the kids I saw in there. Kicked out just for being a dog.

Wait until I tell my buddies Pluto and Goofy... STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!

The Terrier and the Whale

Yes, it's true, I do watch a lot of movies for such a small dog. The larger the dog, the fewer the movies. Philistines! To be fair, it is harder for them to sneak into the theatre.

First I saw an odd little movie called Mozart and the Whale which was about a whole lot of birds and bunnies and two very well matched people -- only they're having a hard time understanding just how well matched they really are.

Whales are having a good run lately: The Squid and the Whale, Whale Rider and, curiously over-looked: La Puta y La Ballena. Hopefully, they won't overstay their welcome like those creepy little penguins.

The boy who plays the Whale - Josh Hartnett does an nice job. Makes me almost forgive him for Pearl Harbor. And the girl who plays Mozart seemed to be channeling Helena Bonham Carter. It's a bit like Rainman joins Match.com -- certainly eHarmony wouldn't have him.

The dog quota was pretty low but I do enjoying seeing bunnies running free -- so, I'll give it one restrained "woof."

Another Potter Movie

Tonight we watched a movie called Miss Potter. I thought it would be about Harry's little sister, but no -- it was about another Brit altogether: Helen Beatrix Potter. She was played by the same girl who played Bridget Jones - similar accent, very different character. This one is also unmarried, but is far less concerned about the matter.

The real Beatrix had a dog named Spot!


Beatrix is a painter who writes and illustrates children's books. She talks to her animal drawings and they wink at her and wiggle around on the paper. Very cute, yet odd. As in all movies, something bad happens; but more good things happen, so it's a happy movie.

Emily Watson gets to say "...I would trample my mother!"

The young Obi-Wan played Beatrix's publisher. He's very cute and goofy -- "You and rabbits! Extraordinary!" -- but sadly has no scenes with dogs. Maybe next movie.

His mother is played by the actual mother of someone who's in that other Potter movie.
(Don't click on that link unless you can read Spanish!)

Unfortunately, the dog quotient is rather low as Beatrix is obsessed with rabbits. Now, I like rabbits too -- but my last experience with a bunny resulted in my ignominy. When faced with a fuzzy bunny butt, I ask you: who could possibly refrain from sinking their teeth into that exquisite wriggling lump of fur? Don't worry, I wasn't successful -- only got a bit of fuzz -- but perhaps you'll understand my irritation.

So, as long as you don't mind the lack of canines, you may enjoy this movie. It is sweet, pretty and cleverly fun. I think the real Beatrix would have enjoyed it. Perhaps even Spot would give it a woof!

I AM SIX!

Yeah, I had a birthday last week and now, I am six.

It was a little scary at first because I was thinking "Six? That's 42 in dog years. I'm due for a mid-life crisis!" And what can a dog do?

I can't buy a Corvette or quit my job and sail around the world. I can't reach the peddles. And remember? I really hate water.

Opening a Bed and Breakfast sounds good -- I like beds and I like breakfast!

But then I discovered that I'm only 37! Whew, I get to put that off for another year...

PS: Thanks for the cards and the envelopes and the Bacon IOU and the 31 Flavors!

Roaming around on Sunday

Okay, it was really a Saturday -- but hang in there with me and you'll understand my taking a little poetic license.

We were out taking our usual Saturday evening stroll down Sutter Street. I was hoping to visit my buddy Haiku at the glasses shop, but he wasn't there so I sniffed around the doorway for a few minutes -- just in case he left me a message. Then we stopped at the big kids Toy Store -- they have these wind up thingies I've been dying to sink my teeth into -- another day disappointed...

So we're back out on the street and I see a fancy pair of yellow flannel trousers walking toward me -- I look up and see a handsome gent with a crazy beard. Hey! He looks familiar. Hey! That's the guy who wrote one of my favorite songs!

Roaming around on Sunday,
Poking among the roots and rocks.
Nose to the ground on Sunday,
Studying all the shoes and socks.
Everything's worth it Sunday,
The day off.

Shoes and Socks! He sure got that right. There's nothing like sticking your head down into a really fragrant sneaker or rubbing your face on an old work boot. This guy really gets dogs!

Thanks for all the songs, Steve! Gruff!

Hello! I must be going!

Sorry I've been so distant. It's not you, it's me. I had some technical problems but finally got things straightened out -- and now, boy howdy, have we got stuff to catch up on:

I'm not much for linear thinking -- so I apologize if this is all over the map, but I'm gonna start with..... Jake!

My buddies Steve and Janet left a few weeks ago -- and it was very sad for me. I don't know when Janet will ever take my picture again and I miss Steve sitting in my chair with me. This is me and Steve right after he told me he was leaving. See? I'm in shock.

But here's the good news: Jake! Welcome home Jake! This little guy braved a cross-country trip to get to his new home with Steve and Janet. He looks like he's suffering from desynchronosis -- and why is Steve trying to stuff Jake in that shoe?


Good times, Jake, good times.