BULLETIN: Cat Goes Outside!

This just in.... Waffle the freeloading cat got up off his cat bed and moved someplace other than to his food dish! And rather than just scratch the furniture, he actually -- are you ready for this? -- went outside!

Waffle, who hasn't chased a mouse in at least 6 months (some believe longer), sleeps, eats... and not much more. In a recent vet visit, the doctor said he could stand a little more exercise and a few fewer meals. To his credit, it is possible that he roams the grounds out-of-doors at night; I wouldn't know. But I do sometimes hear the fwapping of the dog door when I roll over between dog-dreams. On the other hand, for all we know, that's just mice parading in and out while Waffle snoozes.

Anyway, nice to see you getting some fresh air, Waffle. Now why not try catching some mice, willya?

Dear Oscar, Do you think I should work at Stowe next winter? I live in New Hampshire, where, not to brag or anything, but our mountains are much higher. At Stowe, though, the people are way cooler and they give you free lunch. I bet you can relate to the value of a free lunch. What do you recommend? -- Kae from Jackson

Dear Kae,

Well, you seem to have answered your own question. Let me refer you back to your own words: "Free Lunch." Hello... where's the confusion?

I should mention that I, most unfortunately, don't get much in the way of lunch; my humans feed me breakfast and dinner -- 2 cups of Cal Nat twice daily. I'm all about loyalty, but if I could find a situation where they threw in free lunch, well... I'd have some serious thinking to do!

Back to your question, though. You mention the mountains (I've done quite a bit of hiking in NH too and don't think you're bragging too much) and the people (I know some Stowe people, and I agree; they're cool). But I think you're missing what's really important here. Like, what about the dogs? In Vermont, you have me and Gladys (my impressionable little sister). You have my neighbors Lyle and Raven. Do you really have THAT in New Hampster?

I didn't think so.

Hope this helps! Your friend, Oscar

Dear Oscar, I love the new format of your blog -- it looks sharp! One question, however. What about the cute puppy picture of you running through the grass that used to adorn the top? I miss that picture! -- Layout Lover

Dear Layout Lover,

Way to be a lover not a fighter! Regarding your question about the old blog photo, do you mean this one?

Ah, those were good times -- days filled with puppy play, running around in the grass, not a care in the world...

However, I'm a little more grown up now, and, although I don't let my behavior or exuberance reflect this, I feel that my blog layout should represent me as a dog of the 21st Century. So there you go -- glad you like it!

Oscar

Dear Oscar, In looking at your Facebook profile, I noticed that you have not listed any of the...

...institutions where you might have attended school. I find this odd, especially for a dog of your standing. Were you 'home schooled' perhaps or educated in the 'University of Hard Knocks'? In any case I'd recommend furthering your education as this will give you access to a much nicer class of humans and provides a key to financial independence.

Regards, Rick

Dear Regards Rick, I appreciate your feedback regarding my profile. The reason why I hadn't updated my profile is because, as a dog, I didn't know what a profile was. Obviously! At any rate, thanks for bringing this to my attention; I have brought my educational background up to date.

All future viewers will see that I not only completed the introductory "Think Like a Dog" course at the Animal Visions and April Frost Holistic Center for Dogs and People; I am also a proud graduate of "Think Like a Dog" Level II! As you can see, you are corresponding with a highly educated dog.

For more details about my experiences at school, click on Think Like a Dog Level I or Think Like a Dog Level II.

Meanwhile, it's great to be your FB friend. Maybe now you want to be just like me and are thinking about going for your Level I or II... If yes, be sure to tune into this blog often. I'm sure you'll find loads of good advice!

Your friend, Oscar

Dear Oscar, What kind of energy does a 1-year, 4-month-old puppy have? -- Pupped-Out in Pensacola

Dear Pupped,

Let me put it this way. I happen to live with a 1-year, 4-month-old. And that dog is crazy! Take this morning, for example. We went for a 4-mile run with our human. At the very end, in the fields, he let us run off our leashes, and we got a pretty good sprint in. At one point, I gave her a head start and showed that I can still run the 100-yard dash faster and bowl her over. But, for the most part, I just sort of rambled along, while she ran helter-skelter all over the place.

But that's not the crazy part. After a quick dip (and she doesn't hesitate jumping in; it's all or nothing with this pup!), we got back on leash and ran the .6 miles back home. We came inside, un-did our leashes, and that's when she went berserk. Jumping this way and that, hopping on and over the couch, she wanted to play! We ran out the dog-door into the backyard and she launched into full-on puppy play! Running circles in the yard, jumping on her back legs, rolling over... you just don't get that kind of enthusiasm out of anything but a 1-year, 4-month puppy. She is totally bonkers.

Hope that answers your question!

Oscar

Winter One More Time

I always say that my favorite season is the one I'm in right now (for example, rain and mud is my current fave -- not that I love having to get toweled off everytime I come back in the house). However, this weekend, we got one more taste of winter, and boy was it fun.

In the midst of Mud Season, the way one experiences more winter is to go where it's still winter. And here in the East, that's in the White Mountains. And not just anywhere in the Whites; we had to visit Tuckerman Ravine.

Gladys and I served as important crewmembers of Tuckerman Mark Aiken at this weekend's Tuckerman Inferno. That's right: Mark is a "Tuckerman" -- that's what they refer to individuals who compete in all five events that make up the event (run, kayak, bike, hike, and ski). And, yes, individual women are "Tuckerwomen."

I am sure that each individual will tell you they could not do it alone; the crew is the most important part. Our crew consisted of Ali, Heather, Sheila, myself, and Gladys (Sarah was around for moral support -- and to give Mark a Coke), but, as I am sure you assume, Gladys and I played the most important role. Whenever possible, I attempted to sample any food items Ali tried to give Mark (I didn't want anyone poisening him) and we wagged our tails whenever we saw him.

Then we hiked all the way up to Tuckerman Ravine to see him ski. I have been to Tuckerman's Ravine before, but it looked alot different in April -- especially this April. There were crevasses and falling ice -- not really the sort of place dogs should be running free. And, sure enough, Ali had us on leashes the whole time until we finally started down. What does she think, I'm going to jump into a crevasse? Well, seeing as I didn't even know what a crevasse was, she might have had a point. Anyway, I doubt I would have jumped in one anyway; none of the tourists with food were hanging at the crevasses; they were all at the floor of the Ravine. Doesn't take a wonder dog to know that that's where the action is.

Anyway, I'm not expecting too much more winter from here on out, so it was nice to get one last taste.

Dear Oscar, How did your annual check-up go? -- Vet in Victoriaville

Dear Vet,

Yes, I went to the dog doc this week. Also with me at the same visit was Waffle the cat. Let me say this: we go to Richmond Animal Hospital, and that place is top-rate! Everyone pets me, and they have treats there. Did you hear me? Treats!

Waffle, on the other hand, doesn't share my enthusiasm about the vet. Mark had to crawl into the attic area to corral him. Then he meowed all the way while we were in the car. Once there, he slunk around in the corner, like a party-pooper. Not me, though. I was in the middle of everything!

Things didn't get any better for Waffle during his examination. Dr. Dan observed that Waffle gained a significant amount of weight -- the equivalent of a human gaining 20 pounds in a year. Bummer for Waffle, Dr. Dan recommended a diet -- ouch! Well, maybe if that cat got off his rear end and chased some mice every now and then. Or at least feigned enthusiasm while at the vet... maybe then you'd get some love, Waffle!

Case in point: Dr. Dan mentioned that I had gained 5 pounds since my last visit. He emphasized that this is not cause for concern! He said any weight I gained seems to have been in the form of muscle, and that I am a picture of perfect health and fitness!

So keep the treats coming! Whoops... but none for you Waffle. Sorry!

Talk soon, Oscar