Thursday, September 22, 2011

Dear Oscar, I noticed a lull in your running log between Sept 4 and Sept 22. What gives? -- Running Coach

Dear Coach,

Here's the thing. Alison and Mark are always training for these big events. And here I run with them -- basically get them trained and ready to go. Do they say thank you? Do they bring me to the event?

The latest event that I wasn't allowed to attend was the PumpkinMan Triathlon in Maine. You think I didn't want to go swim in the pond and run the half-marathon with them? So they really didn't run at all the week before the race, and then they left me at home for like 4 days.

Meanwhile, there's more to the story. We went for a big hike last Saturday in Lincoln, Vermont. (Not Lincoln, Nebraska in case anyone is wondering.) Anyway, a mile into the hike, I caught a scent. I'd say it was a wild animal, but I can't even be sure. All I know is I got all excited and split. Mark and Alison were so worried! They actually walked back to the car looking for me! Like I would go to the car! Anyway, because of me we got to hike 13 miles instead of 10 (they should be thanking me!). However, on my little foray, I must have twisted my front leg. When I went to the group run the next day, I was limping all over the place, so I walked with my friend Todd who was pushing his baby Henry.

It was a little embarrassing to be stuck with the walkers, but I suppose it was for the best.

Hope this answers your question,
Oscar

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Dear Oscar, From your blog, I see that you are an excellent writer for a dog. But have you tried your hand at photography? -- Picture-Perfect

Dear Perfect,

I am so glad you asked! In addition to writing my blog, I am also a highly skilled picture-taker. In fact, today in the middle of our hike, I took the pictures below of Mark, Ali, Gladys, and me, thinking they would make nice shots for the Aiken family Christmas card. Let me know which one you think would be best.

Taking pictures can be a challenge for a dog. For one, it isn't easy holding a camera with paws. But mostly, it's tough getting everyone to sit still. Pix below...

Your friend, Oscar





Friday, September 16, 2011

Dear Oscar, Do you or any of the pets in your household have nicknames? -- An interested Reader

Dear Reader, We are one of those families with more animals than people. And, yes, the pets run this household. Here are some of the animals I live with and their nicknames.

Scout
Cat
Age 15
Scouty-boy
Scouterrific
Scouteromovich
Orange-white



Gladys
Puppy
Age 9 months
Gladiator
Pup Squeak
Pupper dog
Glad-dog
Sog-dog


Waffle
Cat
Age 3 years
Wafflekins
Waflo
The waffle-nator
Orange
Mouse Killer






Oscar
Dog
Age almost 5 years
Oscar-nator
Bubber
Yellow
Yeller
Buddy

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Dear Oscar, I heard Hurricane Irene hit Vermont the hardest. Did the storm affect you? -- Weather-Watcher



Dear Watcher,

As you can see from these pictures -- all taken of my street -- yes, the storm affected us. Fortunately, our family and our stuff is safe. In fact, our great friend Craig from South Carolina got stranded here with us for 24 hours and even helped us split and stack half of our winter firewood supply!

Sadly, however, we have neighbors who were hit harder than us. For example, at Maisie the lab's house, the basement was totally flooded. Also, all of the surrounding cornfields were flooded and destroyed -- which affects all of the cows in our neighborhood.

What is left of the cornfields also affects me -- quite profoundly, I might add. Seeing all of the corn plants that had been flattened by the swollen river, I did the logical thing yesterday on our morning walk: I ran off, skipped the walk, and munched on ears of corn all morning. Made sense to me, right? Well, it turns out that river-soaked corn isn't so good for a yellow dog; last night, I threw up everything I ate. And although I was completely willing to clean it up afterwards (as was my little sister Gladys), Mark made us steer clear of the mess, while he cleaned it up himself and (gasp!) threw it all away. What a waste!

So as you can see, Irene affects not just people, but dogs too. Best wishes to those who are still digging themselves out. And remember, river-soaked corn is no good to eat -- especially in large quantities.

Your friend, Oscar

Photos (clockwise, from top left): A flooded cornfield; After the flood, Gladys inspects river-flattened corn; High water mark next to our road; Gladys inspects debris left by the river.