Dear Oscar, Did you get to see the President when he visited Vermont? -- Barack-Breaker

Dear Breaker,

No, I didn't see the President. My owner was interested in seeing him, but he didn't realize that tickets had gone on-sale to see the speech at UVM. And here's the part that I don't understand: when Phish announces a new tour or when Ben Harper tickets went on sale for next October's show at the Flynn, the first person to know is my human! So how can he be so clueless when the leader of the free world comes to our town?

After the tickets sold out, Mark planned his Friday to include his usual early morning old-men's hockey session and then a 15-mile run immediately after. He chose South Burlington as the site of the run; maybe he'd at least get a glimpse of Air Force One -- if he couldn't see the President, at least that it would be cool to see his airplane. Well, you know what happened? He didn't even bring me on the run! Silly excuses like he didn't want to come home after hockey to get me or that they don't want me running more than 13 miles at a time! Ridiculous! These people are running 26 miles and more and they're not even the best athletes in the family -- I am!

Anyway, the Presidential airplane didn't arrive until the afternoon (long after Mark had arrived home), so nobody saw any Presidents or presidential aircraft. Instead the whole family went for a hike in the woods of Duxbury -- and we all had a great time.

Your friend, Oscar

Wow, Oscar, you sure were right about the change in weather pattern. Have you been outside enjoying the winter conditions? -- Winter Wonder Watcher

Dear Wonder Watcher,










We sure have been out there. Skiing, running, and just playing, we have been enjoying our new winter wonderland with huge excitement. For me, I had been waiting for this moment, because I know from experience how great winter is. For Gladys, she was waiting for it... and she didn't even know it! Having been born in Kentucky and having not come to Vermont until the snow was gone last year, she didn't realize all of the fun that was yet to come. And when it did, let me tell you, she dove right in. She has been running, playing, and skiing like a champ. In fact, she skis downhill behind Mark even faster than me. But that's okay. On the ride home, who do you think was sleeping, and who do you think was alert and ready for more, if the situation arose? Answer #1: Gladys. Answer #2: me. That's right, big dog wins again.

Moral of the story: winter is back. And, yes, we've been out there enjoying it!

Your friend, Oscar