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!