Happy Birthday to Me!

On November 26, my second birthday, Mark and Ali brought me the most awesome birthday present: a new chew-toy, I mean, a new kitten!

When Waffle the cat first arrived, I was afraid of him. I mean, as you can see from the photos above, he is very scary and ferocious. After about 24 hours, however, he established himself as very friendly, and now Scout and I have welcomed him with open paws.

Waffle and I love playing and wrestling. When we are alone in the house, we nap so we have plenty of energy for romping when people are around. Scout continues to primarliy frequent the basement and the bathroom, but he told me that he really likes the new kitten too.

So happy birthday to me and welcome to Waffle our new kitty!

Orange

It's hunting season in Richmond, and you know what that means. Yep, it's the orange vest these days for me whenever I go out. Which isn't that bad, I suppose. On the one hand, whenever it's time to go out (ie when I start getting over-excited in the house), I have to wait while my owners put the vest on me. On the other side, I can run through the thickest burrs in the woods and only get them on my head and tail instead of all over my body. See the vest not only makes me visible; it also offers effective burr-pro.

Still, I'll look forward to running through the fields of Richmond free of the orange vest constriction. It's just better that way.

Excited!

I am excited! Saturday, I hiked up on the side of Mount Mansfield where there are -- no exaggeration -- like 6 or 7 inches of snow left over from last week's storm! Mark and Ali talked the whole time about backcountry skiing in that very spot. And as you know, I love skiing! I love playing in the snow, I love leading the way up, I love following all the tracks... The only thing I don't love is how on the way down, I'm not the fastest. (That, actually, bothers me a little, but enough of that now.) Ski season is almost here, so, let me tell you, I am charged up.

So charged up in fact, that I couldn't contain myself this morning. It was a little warmer -- 38 Fahrenheit, in fact -- and I was so excited that jumped full speed right into the Winooski River. And swam all the way across. On November Third. In my hunting vest (see photo, which came out dark, but it wasn't really that dark). Once I got to the other side, I didn't really know what to do. I mean, there I was on the other side. And that water was cold!

So I ran a few laps around the beach on the other side, and then jumped in and swam as fast as I could back to this side. Whew -- exhilerating! It's like in February when all those people jump into Lake Champlain through the ice as a fund-raiser. Which is all well and good, but I'm thinking that maybe my swimming days will be over until next summer.

Welcome Abigail!

Everybody give a warm welcome to my new human cousin:

Abigail Grace McKain was born on October 15, 2008!

Congrats Ryan and Michelle, and welcome Abigail!

PS Casey and Dakota, make sure you give her a big lick for me!

Thank You and Congrats Runners!

Two things:

1) Thank you Rebekah! You are a great buddy! I appreciate everything -- especially the dogfood!

2) Congratulations Hartford Marathon Runners! I hope you all had a great race!

O

Oscar, Why do dogs like to stick their heads out the window when they ride in the car? -- Casey and Dakota

Dear Casey & Dakota,

It's simple, my friends. If they're not going to move over and let us hold the steering wheel, then we'll do the next best thing, which is putting our faces out and letting our ears flap in the wind. I'm serious. I don't want to just ride in the car; I want to drive.

Love it!

I apologize if I'm belaboring this point, but I love my life here in Richmond, Vermont! Yet again today, Mark brought me for a 6-miler. At mile 4.2, he let me off the leash to run in the fields. I love running in the fields. At 5.1, we came to the brook at the end of the road. I love swimming in the brook. Again, sorry for beating a dead horse, but life is good if you're a yellow puppy on a dirt road in Richmond.

Whoops... gotta go. I hear someone filling my food dish.