Wicked Cold!

Howdy Friends!
It's been wicked cold here, so I've been staying inside! Wicked -- that's a new word I've learned since moving to NH. Mom says it means: really, really, really, really something, like really, really, really, really cold! The other morning it was 21 below zero! Now that's wicked cold! Things can be wicked good, too, like when talking about my new food -- Taste of the Wild! It's full of salmon, sweet potatoes, blueberries and lots of other good stuff. Mom says Dad just bought it because it has wolves on the package. I'm just glad he bought it! It's wicked good!

On these wicked cold days, I don't go out much, except to go riding in the truck with my Dad -- I wicked love going for rides! (Mom says I shouldn't use wicked that way but I'm gonna anyways -- it's my blog.) So when I'm not riding around, I'm sunning myself in the sunroom deaming about riding in the truck. Oh, sorry 'bout the dog slobber on the window, must have been when one of us was drooling over the cats!

Speaking of dreams -- this is my new bed! I love my new bed, it's just like Bud's. Whenever I got on his he would give me the evil eye until I got up and moved, so Dad went and got me my own. I had another bed but I didn't like it as much as this one. This one is nice and thick and cushiony. And I love the pillow -- can you tell?

Ahah! Fooled ya! Betcha thought this was me, right? Wrong -- it's Sadie waiting for Mom to come to bed. We do look just like real brother and sister. Sadie spends time with me in the sunroom during the day. I like Sadie! Well, cold weather and a new bed is about all I have to report on this week. Stay tuned for more adventures next week! Keep warm and sweet dreams! Rocky

Howdy Friends!Here I am anxious to get going for a walk on a sunny Sunday afternoon. We got about five inches of new snow today and then the sun came out, so Mom said, "Let's go for a walk." I was so happy to go! The last thing I wanted to do was practice sit, stay for the camera! Can ya tell? It was about 28 degrees but it didn't feel too cold. I was afraid my feet were going to get cold but they didn't so I had a great time!

These are some of the elk that live down the road from my house. I really, really love to look at the elk! They remind me of the deer I saw when I was lost in the NC woods. The elk smell really good, too! I always have my nose up in the air when we walk by so I can get a really good whiff!
I guess I must have scared them as pretty soon all the big elk began to herd the little ones up and the big elk stood around the little ones and never took their eyes off me. I think I must have looked like a coyote to them! But what would a coyote being doing walking on a leash?

Here's me and Bud, well, mostly Bud, but I'm there behind him. I learned something from him that's really cool! Eating snow! When we're out with our Dad we just walk along eating snow -- it's a lot of fun. This was taken the other day before all the new snow we got. Mom doesn't like me to eat snow, so I'll have to wait until she's not around to taste this new stuff.

Oh, well, that was the highlight of my weekend -- what was yours? Have a great week! ~ Rocky

First Solo Visit A Moving Experience

Hi Friends --
Well, our first solo visit to the NH Veteran's Home will be one Mom and I cherish and remember forever. We weren't even going to go yesterday because Mom was very busy and also felt we needed to practice a bit more before going solo. But later that morning, she said she got a strong impression that we needed to be there that afternoon, so she quickly groomed me and off we went. Our friend Kathy Wilson joined us to help navigate the halls of this large facility. Mom wanted for be sure to visit her friend Forrest, a former member of the WWII 10th Mountain Division. Mom had been looking forward to having me meet him from the time we began training for TD work. We found his room and went in, only to find him very sick. Mom had seen him a week ago, so she was surprised to see him so sick. He knew who we were, though, talked with us and was happy to see us. We visited for a short time and then a nurse came in to tend to Forrest, so we said we'd better go. A few hours later when we were at home, we got a phone call from Forrest's granddaughter -- Forrest wasn't expected to live much longer. Dad went over immediately to see him. When he came back, he told us that Forrest had told his son when he arrived that I had been in to visit him. I'm so glad he remembered I was there. This morning Dad got another phone call. Forrest died around 5:30 a.m. I'm so thankful my mom listened to that still, small voice and took me over to see Forrest. I hope I made his final hours on this earth a little bit brighter -- I think I did. That's what Therapy Dog work is all about. Rocky

Forrest and his late wife, Dorothy. They are now together...forever. Helaman 10:7

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/hel/10/7a

My Best Christmas Ever!

Hi Friends!

Here I am on Christmas Day with my Auntie Mary and Uncle Dennis. They brought me a nice gift, all wrapped up in special holiday dog paper! At first I didn't want to rip the paper because it was so pretty. But it also smelled really good!

My Auntie Mary helped me get the box open and I got to reach right inside and pull out my own cookie! That was so much fun!
This is Bud with one of his Christmas presents he got from Gina. We all got lots of bones -- Nylabones, red squeaky Christmas bones, rawhide bones and Meatybones! We love bones.

That's Sadie helping herself to a Meaty Bone. Auntie Mary calls is 'free feeding.' We like free feeding, in fact, Bud likes it so much Mom caught him 'free feeding' out of the Meaty Bone box under the tree Sunday afternoon! Mom wasn't very happy so I guess I'm not going to try that one.

This is my dog cousin, Lola. She lives in Texas (Southern dog like me!). She's wearing the gift we sent her -- a really cool biker jacket that says "Bad to the Bone" on the back. It's perfect for her because her parents are in the Air Force, stationed at Dyess AFB. Her mom, Crystal, is a Captain (that's her there) and flies a B-1 (get it: B-one...bone) bomber and her dad is a Major and a navigator and weapons systems officer on the B-1. "Bad to the Bone" is kinda like a slogan for the B-1 because its nickname is "the bone." Auntie Mary told me Lola's going to wear her jacket when she visits the squadron with her mom and dad. I'm sure she will be a hit!! Oooh...uh-oh, maybe that wasn't the best choice of words!!! Ya'll know what I mean!

Well, what's Christmas without the gift you just can't wait to return! I know Mom meant well by getting me this camouflage hoodie, but really!! I know I feel and look like a stuffed camouflage sausage in this thing. Can't you just see how happy I am with it!?! She said it was extra large. I'm all for world trade but those Chinese just don't understand American sizes. Hoods are not my thing either! I hope this fits Sadie because it sure as heck ain't goin' back on this body, I don't care how cold it gets up here! All in all, it was a great Christmas -- my best ever!! Hope ya'll had a great Christmas, too! Rocky

Rockin' Santa

Well, here I am with that special person I told you I met. Now, I know this isn't the real Santa Claus, this is just one of his helpers and he was raising money for the Franklin NH Animal Shelter. He's a real cool Santa, can ya tell by the shades? Also, this was at the Tractor Supply Store, my Dad's favorite store. It's almost as good as Petco! Get a load of that horse behind me, ain't no reindeer here! If I look scared, it's not because I'm a sissy and afraid of Santa like some pups. No, I was a little concerned because the guy's got a grip on my neck like he was going to strangle me or something. I kept looking at my mom for help and all she'd say was: put you ears up, put your ears up! Lot of help she was! It was fun just the same and I got to get a munchkin at Dunkin' Donuts afterwards -- that was the best part! Merry Christmas to ya'll and to ya'll a good night! Rocky

Special Christmas Greeting!

Merry Christmas Friends!

Well, I made it! Here I am about ready to enter the NH Veteran's Home in Tilton, NH, on my first visit as a Certified Therapy Dog. I don't mean to brag, but don't I look proud and ready?? This was Monday, Dec. 15th, 1 day shy of 10 months since I met my new mom and my life changed forever. Isn't my coat sharp? It has a K9 Good Citizen patch and a Therapy Dog International patch sewn on it, and my name is embroidered on the other side. Very cool! I just loved meeting all the veterans and they loved me. I heard a lot of stories about dogs they used to have. I spent some time laying down next to men sitting in wheelchairs while they petted me, greeted others as they wheeled themselves down the hall, and I even went into private rooms and visited those who couldn't get out of bed. I also got lots of pats and attention from the nurses and other staff. It was so much fun! I can't wait to go again!

It has been a very busy week -- first my TD visit, then up went the Christmas tree! Now, just so you don't think I'm a sticking my tongue out at you, I want you to know this is how dogs blow kisses to everyone! How else would I send kisses your way? Afterall, dogs don't pucker up, right? So this is a Christmas kiss to all my friends!

Then the snow started arriving --

I'm so excited, we are definitely going to have a white Christmas and I'm loving all this snow! I've never seen so much snow -- it's like it hasn't stopped since Friday and this is Sunday! Mom says we're getting another foot today, of snow that is! At this rate, all you'll see of me is the tips of my ears!

It's getting sooo deep, I can hardly do you know what! Now I know why Sadie & Bud just do it in the driveway!! Very disgusting but it sure is easier than this! I guess when in New England, do as the New Englanders do. Can't believe my dad took my picture!


Check this next one out -- I'm practicing for the World Championship Sled Dog Races! Mom says they are held right here in the Lakes Region in February! I think I could make an awesome lead dog! Look at that form, will ya! (Click on photo to zoom in.)






Well, I also met a special person this week but you'll have to check back in another day or so to find out more about that! In the meantime, I'm going to hunker down next to the fire and dream about all those goodies I hope to get for Christmas! Hope ya'll have a great week and a very Merry Christmas! Don't forget to check back soon for a picture of me and my special friend! Love ya'll -- Rocky

Ice Storm of 08

Howdy Friends!

Well, this sure isn't a Christmas tree we're rocking around. Nope, this is just one of a few trees that came down Friday night in my yard during that ice storm.

We used to have a nice little shade tree growing inside our kennel and, well, as you can see, it's gone now, too, along with a real nice apple tree that got clobbered by another tree,

Good thing Dad's got a chainsaw! We also lost power for about 12 hours but Dad has a nice generator that kicks on as soon as the power goes out, so I was down right cozy the whole time. Well, except for when nature called -- it was very wet and slippery making those little trips outside. It's times like that when I envy the cats!

Sorry, I've been "off line" for a while. Mom's been really busy at her job and also selling children's books at holiday fairs and home shows.

The shopping season is winding down now, so she'll be around more to help me stay connected with ya'll. In fact, Mom took tomorrow off as it is a special day for me -- one I've been preparing for since March. I don't want to say too much, except keep an eye on the blog for pictures of my next big adventure!! Hope ya'll take time to enjoy the Christmas season with your family and friends. I sure am -- especially when I think of how lonely I was this time last year all alone in the woods of North Carolina. Boy, what a difference a year can make! Ya'll stay warm now, and God Bless! Rocky