Happy Birthday...

...to me!!!

It was three years ago that a stray yellow lab-hound mix gave birth to four puppies and me in Virginia! Then 4 months later I moved to Vermont! Let the celebration begin!

New Artwork on Display

There is an exquisite new artistic offering on display here at my house in Richmond, Vermont -- a beautiful rug with an amazing design: me!

The rug is really incredible, with amazing detail. Ever since Ali got it hung in our TV room, I keep thinking I'm looking in the mirror whenever I see it. The rug was hooked by master artist Jill Aiken. She made it as an anniversary gift for my humans, but I think we all know she really meant it as a tribute to me, 2009's Most Valuable Yellow Dog.

It's quite an honor to be preserved for eternity on a rug. But I think I deserve it. Thanks Jill!

Dear Oscar, Should Bill Belichick have gone for it on 4th and 2? -- A Diehard New England Fan

Dear Fan, Why are you asking me? I don't know anything about football! I'm a dog, for goodness sakes!

However, I did happen to be in a room with a TV that had the game on when the now-infamous 4th-and-2 situation arose. My human stood on the couch with his entire fist in his mouth. After the play -- and the remaining few plays of the game -- he went into a state of semi-shock and denial... similar to what I witnessed in the first week of February 2008.

As for whether the coach should have gone for it, I have only this to say: Sometimes my humans leave me alone in the house. Sometimes -- not often, but sometimes -- they leave food out. Like Mark will leave his lunch box within my reach and in it, there will be a granola bar that he didn't finish. Or other times, I'll find a ziploc bag of dog cookies in a jacket or backpack pocket on the mudroom bench.

I know there will be consequences for my actions. Sometimes I even regret it later, like when my humans come home, find the remains of the granola bar wrapper, and I hang my head and tail.

But every instinct in my body told me to do it, and you have to listen to your instincts. So that's all I have to say: listen to your instincts. Coach B and the rest of your team, keep doing what you're doing. Don't listen to all those critics. Your instincts are almost always right.

Thinking about becoming an NFL analyst,
Oscar

Full Moon

Every month, my humans get a message from their friend Heather. "It's time," the message will say, "for a FULL MOON party."

The parties have become legend. Always outdoors, always around a fire, they also always incorporate fun, friends, and good people. Usually food, too. By the way, I'm not just talking about friends for the humans, either. I'm talking dogs and lots of them!

And when the message came for last night's party, I was extra excited. When my humans went away last weekend to follow some rock 'n' roll band, my friend Berkley brought Heather over for the weekend. Here it was, only a few days later, and I got to see them again! I should mention that I had a fabulous weekend, and it was also a great Full Moon party. Although I admit that I got a little distracted last night and didn't play and romp quite like I usually do. Yes, I couldn't help myself; I kept trying to eat everyone's chips and hot dogs. Not exactly behavior that I'm proud of, looking back, but I guess I was hungry at the time!

At the end of the night, rather than get into my human's car, I jumped into Heather and Berkley's Subaru! What can I say? I had fun last weekend! Thanks again Heather!