Dog Mobile at Heart Association

Saturday we took two dogs, Spike and Becca to the American Heart Association walk in Land Park. Becca (my dog) was a sweet, sweet puppy who is very smart and already knows a lot of tricks. She was a little uncertain a few times and did NOT like the band, but she was happy and willing to trust. She knows sit, down and touch! She was learning not to jump on people and showed real progress by the end of the day. She also is learning to walk on the leash.

I picked her because she greeted me at the cage door with a toy in her mouth. That's the kind of happy, playful thing my dog would do and I found it charming. She happily chased balls in the ball yard and came willing to me when I called. She wanted to play with all dogs and people that she saw and she wasn't phased at all when an owned pug dog growled at her. She thought Spike was awesome and really wanted to play with him. She happily accepted petting from everyone, adults, men, women, children and even the whole cheerleader squad.

What a cute, cute dog.

Spike was very dignified and happy to meet everyone. The picture I took of him shows him getting belly rubs from several people. One person had just taken her hand off his belly and he had opened his eyes.

Dog Mobile

Went to a dog mobile at the home show at the convention center. Took a dog named Michelin (gordon setter cross), two pit mixes (Abby and Brindle), and a dachsund mix who had an enormous personality. All of the dogs got lots of attention and were mobbed by potential adopters. I fell in love with the dachsund mix! Michelin was cute and will be rapidly adopted but the little dachsund (whose name I forget) was the best. Abby was cute too with an enormous bull dog head...really, it was GIANT. And she thought she was a lap dog too and spent lots of time licking people's faces.

I'm glad I went but missed taking my own dog for a walk.

SPCA-Bad Day-Good Day

SPCA Saturday took Ruby, a brindle pit mix to a Lutheran church fair. She is a lovely dog and really enjoyed the day. She accepted belly rubs and sniffed everything and enjoyed treats from the kids. If she hasn't been adopted by the weekend I think I'll showcase her for an hour or two at the shelter on Saturday.

Bad Day I was in a bad mood of Sunday and couldn't really get around to anything. I forced myself to head for the mountains with the hound. I was bored with highway 80 and 50 so I decided to see if I could make it to 4. I ended up driving around somewhat aimlessly, taking first one road and then another. I ended up on 88 (also bored) and took a turn to Salt Springs reservoir. It's 12 miles from 88 along a good dirt road. It finally ends up along the Mokelumne River. The reservoir itself isn't much to see although it looked like the trail along the northern edge (Blue Hole) might be fun on another day when I have time to do 8 miles. Commando did some rodent chasing but didn't get too much exercise. We also stopped along the river and he did a little more chasing and sniffing there.

Good Day On Sunday I was feeling a little more cheerful so we drove up 88 to see if the aspens in Hope Valley were in full fall color. They were nice, but not quite ready for prime time yet.

At the intersection with 89 we drove up Burnside Lake road to...wait for it...Burnside Lake. This is a beautiful, beautiful lake at about 8100 feet elevation. Commando and I hiked around a beautiful meadow at the upper end of the lake and then hiked around the lake. It was a pleasure to stroll along without having to climb or drop.

We had passed some people on horseback on the way up and I spied them across the lake on my way around. One of the horses decided to kick up a little and there was a bit of a rodeo catching it and getting back on and headed out. They were long gone by the time I got back to the dirt road, but I could see the extra scuffed up marks as the pinto was apparently still kicking and prancing.

I took off my boots and waded into the water while Commando played in the water and thought about chasing some mergansers. There was a chewed up old tennis ball in the water and I tossed that for him as well. The view was beautiful, sunny, cool breeze but hot in the sun (but not too hot). I could have stayed longer.

On way back headed over Luther Pass to South Lake Tahoe and drove through the Angora fire damaged area. It wasn't as bad a fire as it seemed, the earth wasn't particularly scorched and I figure if there are still pine needles, it wasn't that hot. Quite a few homes were destroyed though and there was a lot of construction. I might feel badly if my home didn't burn because everyone else will have a beautiful new home and mine will still be that tiny little 2/1 cabin built in the 40's.

Drove up the Angora Lakes road...wow. It passes along a NARROW ridge overlooking Fallen Leaf lake and the Angora fire area. It was a narrow ledge for hiking let along driving along it with oncoming traffic.

It's about a 1/2 mile to Lower Angora and that's as far as I went. I will have to go back and try for Upper Angora (about another 1/2 mile) but as soon as the snow gets too deep, no more hiking here.

Dog Mobile and SNOW (finally!)

On Saturday went to a Dog Mobile at the Home Show at Cal Expo. The lead was sick, my back hurt, and the other dog handler has a chronic bad back so we were hurting. We took Alex and Meredith. They had a good time and were noticed by a lot of people. A family seemed quite taken with Meredith, but I'm not sure it would be a good fit. She's older, and has early arthritis and they're a young family. She may not like kids playing roughly. We'll see if she gets adopted.

On Sunday Commando and I drove up to Grizzly Flat and snowshoed for about 2 hours. We went down Big Canyon Loop Road whatever that was. On our way in a snowshoer flagged us down and asked for directions. I hope he makes it out alright because he headed back into the woods where he had been disoriented before.

The snow was perfect! It was about 2 feet deep and nice and wet so flotation wasn't a problem. Commando had fun leaping in and out of the snow and trying to make headway in the (for him) chest deep stuff. I stopped every once in a while to see if he was okay, but he kept wanting to push on. He made many forays into the pines to sniff out birds or whatever else he feels compelled to sniff. It was warm and sunny and I only wish I could live up there and snowshoe everyday.

King's Game Mobile

Took the very charming dog Jesse James to the mobile. He is a dalmation/pit bull mix and is very, very sweet. He was featured on the mid-game TV spot and did an outstanding job by looking at the camera, wagging his tail, and responding to the talent giving him a treat.

We took a dog that was black and white like Jesse, and people thought the two dogs were the same.

I took a video of Jesse's tail wagging because he kept it going like a metronome for almost the whole game! So far I can't seem to get it to play on anything other than my phone.

Petsmart Stockton Blvd Mobile

This is Taylor, an 11 month old white german sheperd mix. He's quite charming and should be easily adopted from the shelter. He enjoys treats and is learning to sit and walk on the leash. He's pretty much mastered sit, and needs more leash work.

We also had Chevy, a 10 year old border collie who was well trained and quite clever. He knew sit, down, and roll over...he also knew that he would get a treat whether or not he performed the trick so he got sloppier and sloppier with the tricks as the day went on.

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Jaeda at the Home Show Mobile Adoption

This is Jaeda. A very cute dog with such a cute boo-boo face. My cell phone camera really doesn't do this shot justice! Jaeda is about 6 years old.

Remember to spay and neuter your pets, and feel free to look for adoptable dogs and cats at the Sacramento SPCA.

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Mobile at Cal Expo

This was the dog I was lucky enough to take. His name is Puppy, and he is 11 months old. Based on his cuteness, calm personality, and the attention he received from the attendees, he will be adopted very quickly.

I almost took him home myself!

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SPCA Dog Walk

Went in this morning for about 2 hours and walked 3 dogs. I liked the first one the best (Snickerdoodle, Doodlydoodle? Something like that). She was energetic and really enthusiastic about the whole thing in the that pure, energetic way of dogs. Then I walked Prince who was pretty tame. He did decide to lie down in the shade by the book sale area and refused to get up and keep walking. Funny! A treat lured him right away. Then I walked Snowy, a young pit mix. She was energetic and needs lots and lots of leash training.

It was a lot of fun. I was surprised when I went in to record my time and walked past the cattery how sad the sight was. It was visceral and unexpected.

Nalu goes home

A great young couple came in and fell in love and took him home! Yeah!

He's relaxing here at the entrance to the shelter after a busy morning leaping after the ball and being charming to those around him. I spent several mobiles with him (Petsmart, Starbuck's Dog Fashion Show, and Family Fitness in Folsom) and then today's adoptathon.

He's a great, great dog and I almost took him home with me.

Vaya con Dios, Nalu!

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Reuters, roadkill, and NASA

NASA fears collisions with the large, carrion-eating birds could damage shuttle

Roseann was adopted!

The dog I took to the Earth Day festival was adopted. She went home to a close to retired couple and will get plenty of attention.

It's funny, I wouldn't have taken her but Stan picked her out and I said sure. She was also close to not making it to the adoption floor but another volunteer lobbied for her. Then of course the couple who adopted her had to show up at the right time to see her. Serendipity.

Earth Day Dog Mobile

No pics of dogs this time, although Coco was the most attractive. She was a big shepherd mix with a reddish coat. Her face was the best, she had a lighter golden face with arches of brown fur over the eyes. I swear one of the early Mickey Mouses looks just like that. Adorable!

I had Roseanne, a salt and pepper Australian cattle dog mix. She was very interested in everything and wanted to be the center of attention. We worked on her sitting instead of jumping up for a treat and by the end of the day she had a nice sit. Two people asked for cards on her so I hope she gets to go home with one of them.

I found the Earth Day surprisingly interesting. There were the usual "prayer chanting" and incense burning activities. I'm sorry, smelly incense is really stupid when you're outdoors under redwood trees. How about just having some pine branches around the house if you want a nice smell. I only saw one scientific exhibit and would have liked to have seen more.

There were some capoeira dancers and that's fascinating. Only a few were really good and it seems like it's a better show for late at night during Carnival. Still, cool drumming.

By the end of the day I was wiped out and I'm relaxing with a few Aleve and trying to get hydrated.

Go dogs!

Why the dog pictures?

On Saturday the SPCA had another dog mobile at the Sacramento Fine Arts in Carmichael. It was their first year of the "Animal House" exhibit. It was fun, all of the dogs were mellow and relaxed. There weren't many people, however, we got donations and people were interested in the pooches.

Paris and Her Beloved Toy

She carried around a little stuffed animal all day. Who would not want to adopt this cutie!

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Tara Sitting Up

I just could not get the excellent shot as she was lying down on her back with all four of her paws curled up getting her spa full body massage. She'll be flying out of the shelter so if you want a loving and mellow pooch act fast!

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Bridget the Boxer

Very sweet brindle boxer. This doesn't quite capture her sweet expression, but she enjoyed her mellow, relaxing day napping on the stage.

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Angel Reluctantly Poses with Cat Painting

This mobile was at an art gallery so at least one of the dogs should pose with the art. Angel was the favorite with many people coming over to visit her. She also enjoyed exploring the area around the art center and was just a joy. She's 2 years old and is part chihuahua.

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NBA Kings and SPCA Dogs

Last night took 3 dogs to the King's game for one of our very popular mobile adoption events. This evening was special because it was hosted by a very generous Adriennne Maloof and her Camp Kindness sponsorship.

I must confess I'm not much of a basketball fan but the Kings do put on an exciting game and the fans are always generous when we attend a game.

So, it's all good!

See the photos of the pups in the posts below.

Soko

Soko is a 6 year old rottweiler mix male who is shown here in his favorite pose...lying down getting a belly rub from adoring humans. He's relaxed and mellow and gets along well with humans and canines. He needs a home so hurry to the SPCA if you need a furry couch companion!

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