Love it!

I apologize if I'm belaboring this point, but I love my life here in Richmond, Vermont! Yet again today, Mark brought me for a 6-miler. At mile 4.2, he let me off the leash to run in the fields. I love running in the fields. At 5.1, we came to the brook at the end of the road. I love swimming in the brook. Again, sorry for beating a dead horse, but life is good if you're a yellow puppy on a dirt road in Richmond.

Whoops... gotta go. I hear someone filling my food dish.

Best Weekend Ever!

Let me tell you about my weekend. My owners took the day off on Wednesday and we ran six miles. We spent the whole day together, except when they left in the afternoon, saying nothing except something about going to an "airport." They returned with two of the nicest people ever -- Rob and Amy French, on whose clothes I could clearly smell husky and Australian shepard.

On Thursday, we hiked Camel's Hump (see photo) on one of the all-time most beautiful days ever. Wow -- it was glorious up there! We met Chris (smelled like lab), Lisa (double Jack Russell terrier), and Howard (Brittany Spaniel). With Howard came Rufus, the 11-year-old Brittany which explains Howard's scent. Man, for an old-timer, that Rufus sure knew how to hike!

That night we returned home and had a bonfire. Party! I have never stayed up quite so late before. The only problem was that Ali wasn't in bed, but I still took my usual three-quarters of the bed. I don't need any more than that, even though there's only one person with me.

On Friday, two guys named Craig showed up to take Mark and me running. I have to admit that Mark seemed a bit scatter-brained that whole morning. Maybe it was the late-night, but there seemed to be more to it. He wandered around the house, muttering "I do, I do" under his breath. They left, and then the party really started. Ryan and Michelle dropped off my cousins Dakota and Casey. Then Christina showed up with Zeus. We romped and played for hours.

The next morning, Mark and Ali showed up looking happier than I have ever seen them. They usually seem pretty psyched about life, so this was extra special to see. They gathered up a bunch of stuff, and we headed up to the camp in North Hero for more partying! Lots of people hung around on the deck (and let me tell you, they dropped lots of food off their plates!), I ran around with my girlfriend Fanny, and we all had a grand old time. People began to leave, until finally we were left with another late-night card-playing party with basically the same late-night crew from the bonfire a few nights prior. Danielle, Steve, Lisa, Johnny, the Frenches, Mark, and Ali. I've never heard more wisecracks, jokes, one-liners, and laughter in my life.

As if this isn't enough, Mark and Ali took me on a trip the next day. Their "honeymoon," they called it. The Hilltop Inn in Sugar Hill, New Hampshire allows pets, and boy are they set up for animals like me. Their golden retriever acts territorial about the place, but his bark (growls, actually) is worse than his bite. I had the run of the indoors, plus their fenced yard. They also had 25 acres behind the place for owners and dogs to run and hike. Mark watched the New England Patriots defeat the New York Jets without Tom Brady while Ali and I napped (and boy did I need it!) At one point, I opened one eye, and -- although I'm sure he'll deny it -- I am sure I saw Mark napping too. The innkeepers Meri and Mike dog-sat for me for a couple of hours while Mark and Ali went out for dinner. They are so nice! They are fully stocked with Milk Bones, but if you play your cards right, they also have filet mignon scraps in their refrigerator. What a night!

The next day, we hiked Mt Moosilauke on a drizzly and windy day -- 8 miles round trip. I covered at least 24 miles total. Now, three days later, I am fully recovered. I am ready for another weekend just like the last!

The Tree

Photo by Ruth Penfield
For those looking for the Aiken/McKain wedding site, it is pictured here. The happy occasion will take place under this tree, which I have inspected, sniffed, and marked.

In other information, ties are not required, and the boat leaves the dock at 5pm sharp. You want to be on it.

Can't wait to see everybody! -- Oscar

Dear Oscar, Why, oh why, did you get sprayed by that skunk? -- Mark

Well, folks, it happened. My owner's worst fears came to fruition:

It was 8:47 Friday morning; I was lying on my owners' bed. When suddenly I knew something was not right. I put all of my hairs straight up and ran into the office. Mark was like, "What's wrong with you?"

He followed me downstairs, where we saw -- in the middle of our FENCED YARD -- a small black and white creature. With Mark screaming "Oscar, no!", I knocked open the back door, and pranced over to it. "What's up?" I said in greeting. I gave it a good sniffing. I didn't smell much initially. I mean, it didn't smell like it had taken any showers lately or anything, but it wasn't terrible.

It wasn't mean. It started to walk away, and, of course, I followed. It looked like it might be a fun friend. It walked as far as the fence and realized it couldn't get out. It raised its tail and with Mark's footsteps in my ears, all of a sudden I was blinded. I felt Mark's hands on my collar pulling me away, and then I smelled the worst smell I've ever smelt. Putrid! And the next thing I knew, we were on the other side of the house, with Mark scrubbing me.

Most of it, thankfully, came off with that initial wash. But, I have to say, Mark has been beside himself all day. He has 20 candles burning in the house -- the most effective being a big one labeled "Sugar Cookies" in green and red. He keeps scrubbing me with any number of gross cleaners -- shampoo, vinegar, etc. We've been to the river twice, and he hasn't let me in the house. He keeps muttering under his breath like a crazy person. "What was it doing in the yard? In the yard!"

Just between us, I'm worried about him.

Oh well. It's a lesson learned. Mark blocked a hole from under the porch into the backyard. He tore out some tall weeds along the fence. I'd say things seem mostly impenetrable. Still, I'm curious about those little critters. I'd kind of like to find another; I have some questions I'd like to ask. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to being allowed back inside so I can rub my head in my owners' pillows.

Hello Oscar, First of all CONGRATULATIONS ! Rumor has it you have successfully coached...

... a team of 6 in the Vermont 100 on 100 race. What were your impressions of the race and what has been your secret of coaching a 'dream team'? From an aspiring coach.


Dear Coach,

Thanks for the heart-felt congratulations. However, I can neither confirm nor deny that I was actually present at the event itself. I will say that I have -- at one time or another -- run with every member of the team in question. And they are ALL great runners; their outstanding finish comes as no surprise to me. Given the easy-going and fun-loving nature of each team member, it also comes as no surprise that they had such a great time at the race.

As for my secrets to coaching a quote-unquote dream team, I take my coaching philosophies from two coaches: Herb Brooks, coach of the 1980 US Olympic hockey team, and Jan Leja, coach of Vermont's Team in Training and Burlington's Run With Jan group. Brooks ruled with an iron fist and his players hated him ("at least they didn't quibble amongst themselves," said Brooks). Leja is very reliable and always willing to help, and he gets the job done. If the writer of this question has any further questions about coaching, he should definitely contact Jan.