Older Siblings

Where would the world be without big brothers? Gladys the dog and Waffle the cat are so lucky. I should know; I'm their big brother. They don't know how good they have it.

Speaking of oldest brothers, Chris Gallagher was here for the last 10 days. That guy knows how to vacation. First he chilled on the coast of Maine for a long weekend (a vacation he called very relaxing... except that he had to get up at 5 every morning while a bunch of triathletes breakfasted around him), then he biked all over northern Vermont, saw two major concerts, hung at the Camp in North Hero... the guy did it right.

And, to boot, he came up with a beautiful piece of advice for this blog. Noting that -- because of my various commitments and responsibilities (mostly as oldest sibling) -- I have experienced difficulties keeping up my running log, he suggested a change. Moving forward, I plan to log Gunnar's time in his Chariot -- the running stroller/ bike trailer/ ski trailer.

I won't tip-toe around the issue: I'm cutting back my mileage a bit. I have a long ways to go and a lot of years to do it in. I don't need to run all my miles at once. And I can share my running log space with our new family addition.

Photo: Showing my younger sister how to sit at the front of the boat.

Dear Oscar, Have you been doing any Mountain running lately? --Trailrunner

Dear Trailrunner,

Yes, in fact, I have. Twice in the past month, Mark and I have met uber-runner Dave Baird for runs up Mount Mansfield. Dave has been training for this weekend's Vermont 100 endurance run, and, let me tell you, the boy is in shape! 100-milers are never easy, but I am fully confident that he is going to sail through this one, achieving all his goals in the process!

I do feel a little badly that my performance wasn't quite as strong. Dave acted impressed by my scampering over rocks and steeps on both the ups and the downs. But on both trips I balked and made us change our route. What kind of mountain dog am I?

The first instance came on Run #1. It was a wet morning (see photo), and we came to a ladder up a cliff on the Long Trail. There was simply no other way around. And I just didn't want to climb that ladder (and Mark didn't want to carry a squirming 82-pounder). So we went around on the Forehead Bypass route and did just as well.

Instance Number Two came on the second run -- this past Saturday. The weather, different than that first run, was gloriously sunny and dry, but the trails were still damp and pretty slick after the deluge (aka the month of June). We decided to take a little detour on a side trail neither Mark nor Dave had ever done -- the Lakeview. It was a perfect day for it, looking west towards Champlain was crystal clear, and a GMC staffer had told us it would be a nice little side trail to jog with a dog. What was she thinking? The trail wasn't sketchy by any means. But for future reference, one, you don't "jog" on Class 3-4 rocks. And dogs -- while we love scrambling -- don't do well with exposure. We scrambled over a couple of sticky spots before turning around (yes, back over the aforementioned stickies) and getting back on the main trail.

Dave claims he's still impressed with my scrambling ability, but I feel I let him down.

At any rate, I sure wish I could make it up to him by pacing him at the 100. But, while Mark will be down there for Miles 70 to 100, pushing him to keep running and (hopefully) keeping him on the route, I'll be home with Gladys and Waffle. Good luck Dave -- I know you're going to kick rear-end!

Oscar

Dear Oscar, I noticed you only ran 1.6 miles on June 26. That seems less than your usual distance. What gives? -- Distance Tracker

Dear Tracker,

I hesitate to even discuss this. Because it's really no big deal.

I mean, look at Patrice Bergeron, center for the Boston Bruins. He went to the hospital after Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final with a broken rib and punctured lung!

So a little sore paw shouldn't hold me back. Yes, I limped after a mile yesterday. Yes, I let Mark soak my paw in epsom salts. Yes, I'm enjoying some uncharacteristic R & R right now.

And, yes, I'll be right back out there before you know it!

Oscar

Dear Oscar, Do you ever go on outings with the entire family? -- Traveling in Tuscaloosa

Photo by Rebekah Thomas

Dear Traveler,

It doesn't happen often. Of course, Gladys and I are no strangers to trips and car travel, but Waffle the cat rarely rides in the car. Really, there would be just two scenarios where the Waffle-cat would car it: when the family goes to the Aiken camp in North Hero for a week... or when it's time for a vet appointment.

Last week -- historically -- the latter came to pass. And why, you ask, do I say the occasion was historic? After all, Waffle's been to lots of vet appointments.

History was made because it was the first time the entire family (and by "entire" I mean "in its current form"... and by "current" I mean "P.G."... and by "P.G." I mean "post-Gunnar) was together at a location other than our home in Richmond. Yes, that's right: Ali and Mark brought the entire family -- that is, two dogs, the cat, the kid, and themselves -- to the vet appointment.

I will submit to you straight out that multiple parties (for example, Ali, Mark, and the vet staff) displayed brazen courage (bordering on recklessness) just scheduling the appointment. But we all three were due for vaccines, so why not get it all done at once? That was Mark and Ali's thinking anyway. Sounds easy enough, right?

At first, when Waffle heard that a car ride was imminent (that is, when he saw the cat-carrier getting pulled out), he bolted. In fact, Mark finally left for the vet with just Gladys and me, leaving Ali at home to ambush the cat, if possible. Even though this has been done before (that is, Gladys and I going to the vet together), Gladys and I can take over a vet office with just our sheer enthusiasm. I seldom strain at my leash, but I LOVE the vet, so I pulled Mark right in. Gladys jumped on the scale, so a small vet tech took my leash and I promptly dragged her into the offices behind the front counter. By the time they had us into our own exam room, and Dr. Dan (the best vet ever) was examining Gladys, Ali showed up with Waffle and Gunnar -- and I'm not sure whose wailing was louder -- the cat's or the 10-week-old baby's. (Ali reports that -- for sanity purposes -- she listened to Brandi Carlile on the 5 minute car ride... loudly.) Meanwhile, I assure you that no work got done in that office during the length of our visit.

They gave Mark another exam room in order to perform his own operation (that is, a diaper change), and after that, things mellowed out to some extent. As always, Gladys and I received perfect bills of health (a little running around -- but not too much! -- goes a long way for a dog). As always, Waffle was told he needs to cut out the desserts. And the snacks. And get a little more exercise. Poor cat: the two things he does best are eat and sleep.

Well, Waffle, I hope you lose a few pounds this summer. Because then, maybe you'll enjoy the next vet visit too.

Hope this answers the question.

Your friend, Oscar

Dear Oscar, Have you ever done any river rafting? And how's life with the new baby? Do you help with diaper changes? -- Rio Grande River Runner

Dear Rio Runner,

No, I have never done any rafting -- thanks for asking. But one time I did swim three quarters of a mile down the river in my town. Good fun!

Regarding diaper changes, no, I steer clear of those too. However, here's what I have gathered from my human -- who, incidentally, used to do a bit of river boating and even guided one summer on the San Juan in Colorado: there are certain grades -- or classes -- of dirty diapers. Read on... if you dare:

Riffle: No real damage. Leave diaper on.

Class I: Pee or poo. Straightforward change.

Class II: Significant pee or poo. Straightforward change, but proceed with caution.

Class III: Explosive pee or poo. Frontal coverage probable. Not straightforward; attention required throughout process. Diaper cover replacement probable. Experts only.

Class IV: Explosive pee and poo with substantial frontal coverage. Major undertaking; scouting recommended. Use of gloves suggested. Diaper cover replacement certain. Some risk of injury.

Class V: Gigantic. Only occur under certain conditions, like weather events, holidays, or after intro to solid foods. Total chaos assured. Possible diaper loss. Protective equipment necessary. Extremely experienced teams only.

Class VI: Death or injury may occur.

As always, this guideline is no substitute for good experience and lots of it. Also, please bear in mind that I am a dog, my brain is the size of a walnut, and I have neither rafted nor changed a diaper.

That's all!

Oscar

Dear Oscar, Has your life changed at all with a newborn in the house? -- Interested in Irasburg

Thanks for your interest, Interested! And let me be honest; my life pretty much goes on unaffected. I mean, sure, I have one more smell to sniff, one more person to love, and one more face to lick. But what's that to me? Sniffing, loving, and licking... that's what yellow dogs do!

And I'll tell you what else: I like this kid's style. When he's hungry, he lets you know it. When he wants to sleep, he sleeps. When he needs something, the humans around here jump. In other words, he's like a small version of me!

Last thing: Mark and Ali are on the case in terms of making sure everyone's needs get met. The kid gets changed, fed, and sleeps. And the dogs around here are still getting walked, getting good runs in, and skiing the Vermont backcountry. In fact, with the 18 inches of new snow that fell in the last two days, you better believe Mark, Gladys, and I were skinning up and shredding at one of our favorite powder stashes this morning. Then we came home and hung out with the family.

So I guess, on second thought, my life has changed: it's just getting better.

Your friend, Oscar

Dear Oscar, Are you excited for the new baby? Kid Krazy in Kalamazoo

Dear Krazy,

If it runs, bikes, eats, walks, talks, plays, or wrassles, I'll like it. Otherwise, I like just about everyone else too.

So, yes, I'm excited. Can't wait to meet the little rascal, find out if it's a boy or a girl, and how it likes having big, wet noses shoved in its face. Especially the nose thing.

Thanks for asking,

Oscar

Waggin'

It has been crazy! The last four or five weeks, that is. But have no fear: this dog is back on the bloggin' waggin'!

(Note the dog-spelling of the last "w" word...)

To bring you up to speed on the last month, the household has been busy getting ready for a new team member. Meanwhile, Gladys broke a toenail and has been on light duty. One thing I will say about Gladys is, despite many redeeming qualities, she hasn't been quite as durable as me. Ever since my first hike in Vermont nearly six years ago (when my tender southern pads bled), I've been pretty much indestructible. I'm like Wes Welker, whereas Gladys is Aaron Hernandez (an analogy that works... except for size. If we're searching for the New England Patriot who most resembles me in personality, it's definitely Gronk.)

Anyway, I was bringing you up on the highlights of the last month: oh yes, I got a new collar for Christmas... very sharp.

Last Friday, Mark took me on our first backcountry ski trip of 2013 (no Gladys... again, light duty). We made fresh tracks on an unnamed mountain in the Green range (the mountain does have a name, but we don't name all our backcountry destinations on this blog). Today, after about a month hiatus, Mark did take me for a run -- and this time we did bring Gladys... for a mile. Working her back in slowly. Mark, incidentally, was quicker than I thought he'd be after his time off. I guess all that skiing and hockey-playing does keep him in shape. Alison, meanwhile, has put on a little weight and goes a little slower these days. Hey... I'm a dog who tells it like it is. I still love running with her... and we all think she's the best.