.
Please also visit my "Renting with Rex" Blog: http://rentingwithrex.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
The Dot and Dino Show: Extra Curricular Activities
Dot: Welcome to our show again, folks. Good to have you stop on by to listen.
Dino: We had to take a couple of days off to do some extracurricular activities.
Dot: Dino, tell everybody what you did.
Dino: Well, Dot you helped me out on Saturday night by laying a scent track that I could find. I really appreciate your help with that. Without friends like you, I won't have anybody to help me learn how to track to find lost pets.
Dot: Scout helps out also, right?
Dino: Yes, she does help out by laying her scent for me to find. I will thank her when I get home.
Dino: There is only one other dog in this whole area that does real tracks. Not just practices like me. His name is Annubis. His mom is Donna and they work together to help find lost pets. You can find out more if you want by visiting their website: www.findingpaws.com. They also have a blog (kind of like this one) of all the animals they help try to find. I do have my own MAR (missing animal response) training blog (www.dinosmardogtraining.blogspot.com) where everything can be viewed in greater detail, but basically I did a practice track with Jackie on Saturday night through a neighborhood. We did pretty good, especially since it was night.
Then on Sunday morning we drove a long ways to where Jackie was meeting with Donna to try to find a lost cat. We got there a little late, so Annubis did the first stuff and found out where the cat was going in the neighborhood. I am still in training and learning new things, so Jackie and Donna wanted to see what I could find out about the missing cat. She put on my harness and I got really excited. I love trying to find out what animal I am following and where they are. She showed me the things that have the cat's smell on it and off we went. Annubis is the pro so he was out front. I was kind of checking places behind him and seeing what I could find. I definitely could smell a cat. I think it was the same one. We checked around in the area. Suddenly Donna said, "Get back. We found the cat!" We all backed off to not scare the cat. Both Annubis and me got lots of treats and toys. After the cat left with their person, Jackie brought me around to where the cat ran from. I could really smell the cat where it was laying. It was really strong. It was fun. So far, the only cat I have found was my own cat, Mercury, so it was fun to help find another cat. Well, we know Annubis did all the work, but maybe I helped out somehow. Anyway, it was fun to participate. I had a great time.
Today we drove again a long distance, but not as far as yesterday. I did some more tracks, and these were called "practices." I got to find some cloth things that had Annubis' smell on them, though I know he was safe in his car. Jackie said I did pretty good, and said we have some new things to work on. I said "Oh boy, that is great." I think Donna is helping Jackie train me to be as good as Annubis. That would be great!
Dot: That is great.
Dino: Dot, don't you also have some good news to share.
Dot: Me? What is that?
Dino: Didn't Jackie do something with you yesterday that you were really excited about?
Dot: Oh yeah, she put out some really, really tasty treats in a straight line and I got to eat them all in a straight line. And I got to do that more than once. It was a lot of fun.
Dino: That sounds like how I started my tracking training. Maybe you will be as good as me someday.
Dot: As good as? I will be better! I am smaller and I can go into all those tiny spots that your big head can't fit into. I am more mature, plus I am cuter.
Dino: What does that have to do with finding a lost cat or dog? I am very cute and I don't think it helps out. It is all in the nose.
Dot: Of course being cuter helps, but I am not telling you my secrets, dope!
Dino: OK, Dot, we will see who is better.
Dot: Well, maybe you can pay me back by laying your scent and then I can find your track.
Dino: I think I can do that for you. But you won't be better than me.
Dot: We will see about that. Say "Goodnight, Dino."
Dino: Goodnight, Dino. Where is dinner? I am hungry.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
The Dot and Dino Show: Russell and His 40 Tricks!
Dot: We found a fascinating video from a very talented dog by the name of Russell. We also were able to get him on the line for an interview about all this talents and his life. He was very friendly and open.
Dino: I can't wait to see it. (munch, munch).
Dot: So, Russell, when you first made the video, did you think your life would change so much?
Russell: Well, at first, the emails started to come in slowly, and I thought, "This is nice. I get to make some friends and maybe get a few dates out of the whole thing." I didn't think anything else. But then, wow, the phone calls, the packages and the emails didn't stop. I quit my day job working at my dad's computer company, I got an agent, a secretary, and it has been a ball ever since.
Dino: You were working at your dad's computer company. What was that like? That must have been a lot of fun.
Russell: Yeah, it wasn't so bad. I got to attend meetings and visit with people and get free cookies and get to spend time with the ladies.
Dino: Wait, wait. You got free cookies and you gave that up?
Russell: They didn't taste too good. They kind of made my stomach upset sometimes. You should see the food I get now. It is the best! I haven't had a stomach ache at all. You guys are welcome to visit sometime. I get so much food and treats and toys and fun stuff. I can't eat it all myself.
Dot: Russell, where do you live?
Russell: I live in Florida, kind of near where Mickey Mouse lives. That what my mom says. I don't know who Mickey Mouse is, but I hear my mom say that on the phone.
Dino: Well, I hear Jackie saying that she is always looking for a reason to travel. Maybe we can talk her into that. Especially if I tell her about Mickey Mouse.
Dot: So is there anything else new in your life you would like to tell us about?
Russell: Well, I guess there is the movie (Russell Meets Hollywood), the book tour, the wedding and the new house that is being built.
Dino: What is a wedding?
Russell: One of the things I got a lot of once this video came out were marriage proposals. At first, I thought they were silly. I mean, I have been a bachelor for a long time. I didn't want to get tied down, especially with all the new pups I had been meeting. But then, I saw her! She was my co-star in my movie. In the movie she was called Mitzi, but her real name is Robin. She is adorable. We have been inseparable ever since. Didn't you see us at the Oscars? I was the one in the tux and she had on the little black dress.
Dot: We don't have TV at home. Jackie doesn't like it. But I did hear about the event.
Russell: Bummer! It was a good show. We were the most gorgeous couple there. We stole the show. I had to bring my dad with me to help me carry the Oscar home.
Dino: You mean, you won?
Russell: Oh yeah, best actor in a doggie role. I got up on stage and somebody held the microphone down to me and I barked and whine my acceptance speech. Afterwards everybody laughed and cheered. It is on YouTube. I will send you the link.
Dot: Definitely. We can put the link up here on our blog. We would love to see it. That must have been quite a night?
Russell: Whew! The parties afterwards. Man, some people can drink and have a good time. Personally, I don't drink, but Robin downed a couple of Coronas. I had to practically carry her out to the car where my dad was waiting to drive us home. It was a blast!
Dino: Sounds like a great time. Was there a lot of food?
Russell: I saw things they called food that I didn't know existed. I tried some things to see what they were. They had biscuits covered with this and that. They had stuffed biscuits. They had kibble sprinkled over all kinds of things. Honestly, I did want to be careful because of all the scares lately about strange things happening with dog treats coming from another country. Robin stuffed her muzzle with everything she could find. That girl has a bottomless pit for a stomach.
Dot: Good for you. You also mentioned before our interview that you have some more good news.
Russell: Oh yeah, Robin is expecting a litter of puppies in about five weeks. We just learned about it couple of days ago. It must have been during our trip to the Caribbean. I didn't even know she was in heat that time. She must have just started. She is at home now resting and preparing the nesting box and shopping with her mom. We are living with my mom and dad until the house is built, and they said they would help with the delivery. I would like to keep at least one puppy, maybe two.
Dot: Good for you, again. We would love to see pictures and videos of the puppies if you remember to.
Russell: Sure, darling. I think I can remember to do that.
Dino: Thanks for talking to us, Russell, and good luck with everything. It sounds like you will be very busy.
Russell: Thanks for having me on. Listen, I will send you guys a couple of boxes of the treats and toys and food that we get. I got more than I can handle.
Dino: Wow! Thanks, dude. But won't you be needing those for the puppies?
Russell: Naw, we have a dog food company out of France who is sending us all we need for the puppies. We got boxes of things sent to us piling up in the garage. I will send you some things.
Dot: Ok, Russell, thanks again. Take care and say "Hi" to Robin. Tell her I know how she feels. I had a litter of puppies while I was at the shelter before Jackie adopted me. They are a lot of fun. Tell her to enjoy the moment. It goes by very fast.
Russell: I will do that. Take care, and thanks again for the interview. It is nice to hear that the first video that started everything is still out there making people laugh. It all seems so long ago. Bye.
Dot: Say goodbye, Dino.
Dino: Goodbye, Dino.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
The Dot and Dino Show: Rocky the Wonderful!
Dot: Hey, Dino, we already got our first question. That was fast. These blogs really do work.
Dino: I guess go. (munch, munch) Who is it from? Can I finish my dog biscuit while you read it?
Dot: Don't eat with your mouth full, Dino. Well, he signed it "Rocky the Wonderful" and his letter says he is from New York City.
Dino: (munch, munch) Where is that? Can we walk there?
Dot: I doubt it. I am not quite sure exactly. I will look at a map and let you know. Are you done with your cookie?
Dino: Yes (gulp). OK, so what does Mr. Wonderful have to say?
Dot: Well, he asks "How do I keep up my tan and good looking body when the weather dips below freezing, it is snowing outside and all I do is lay on the couch in front of the TV?
Dino: Oh, brother. Can I go practice my tap dancing, now?
Dot: Now, Dino, let's try to answer Rocky's question.
Dino: OK (sigh).
Dot: So, Rocky, do you have any other buddies there with you at home? If so, you can work on this at home as a group to motivate each other. First, each time you get up from the couch, pretend like you are going to the TV to change the station, but instead go back to the couch. Do this a few times in a row. Take a rest, Eat a snack. Then do another set of reps of that same exercise.
Dino: I like the part about eating the snack.
Dot: Come on, Dino, we need to be Rocky's support here.
Dino: OK, what next, brain girl?
Dot: Second, each time that you go outside to go to the bathroom, take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Dino: The what?
Dot: The elevator. This book here says there are a lot of tall buildings with elevators in New York City. Maybe Rocky lives in one of those buildings (wink, wink!)
Dino: Oh, right (wink, wink!)
Dot: That should burn off a few calories. And make sure you sit near a lamp at home while you sit on the couch. Maybe that will help you with your tan.
Dino: Is that true?
Dot: Uh, sure. I remember my cousin, Spot, telling me something like that. He said he remembers reading it somewhere, but he couldn't remember where.
Dino: (Psst, Dot, you told me you didn't have any relatives you knew of.)
Dot: Shut up, Dino. Oh, I mean, say good bye, Dino.
Dino: Is it that time already? OK, good bye, Dino. I am off to practice my flute.
Dot: Thanks to Rocky for his question. Keep them coming, folks. You can reach us at dot@thesocialpet.com and dino@thesocialpet.com.
We are trying to set up some entertainment for upcoming shows. If anybody has a special talent they would like to demonstrate, and you will be in the Future Lake area, we would love to hear from you. We can videotape it, and put the link on our blog for everybody to watch. Or send us your videotape, and we can put the link up here also.
Good bye, everybody.
Dino: Good bye again (munch, munch)
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Dot and Dino Show: First Blog!
Dot: So, Dino, what is a blog?
Dino: I don't know, but it sounds delicious!
Dot: That is gross. You will eat anything.
Dino: Hey, Dot, I recall many times when you have tried to sneak many of those tasty things we find on the ground during our walks. You know, the things that Jackie gets so mad at you about.
Dot: Me! She catches you more than she catches me. The goal is not to be caught. I hope Jackie doesn't read this.
Dino: Anyway, I think we should change the subject for our own sake.
Dot: OK. So, since this is our first blog, whatever that is, I think we should introduce ourselves to everybody.
Dino: OK, I will go first.
Dot: You! I should go first. I am the lady.
Dino: Well.......................
Dot: Hey.......................
Dino: OK you can go first. You are older.
Dot: You mean, more mature, goof ball. I am not talking about my age. Actually, nobody really knows. My past is unknown, and I am trying to forget everything before Jackie adopted me at the Weaverville shelter. I think Jackie said I have my own personal blog with more details....
Dino: Yeah, yeah, yeah, Get to the point. I have two blogs! You only have one.
Dot: That is because you have more issues.
Dino: Are issues good?
Dot: Yeah, Dino, issues are good (sheeshh!) Anyway, my personal blog is at http://dotstraining.blogspot.com/. That describes in detail my adoption and time following. To see Dino's blogs: http://dinostraining.blogspot.com/ and http://dinosmardogtraining.blogspot.com/
Dino: So, what is this blog about?
Dot: Well, as Jackie explained to me, pets are going to write in asking us questions they have about anything, and we are going to provide thoughtful and insightful answers.
Dino: What is insightful?
Dot: Oh, this is going to be more difficult than I thought.
Dino: Can I sing and dance and entertain people?
Dot: Yeah, maybe, you entertain people and I will be the insightful and witty one.
Dino: What is witty?
Dot: Never mind. Say "Good Bye" Dino
Dino: Good bye, Dino. Remember to write in. I am going to practice my juggling.
Dot: Remember to write us at: dot@thesocialpet.com and dino@thesocialpet.com. Jackie says we need to start earning our kibble, whatever that means, but I think it has something to do with this blog.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Mt. St. Helens, Washington, June 2007
Mt. St. Helens, Washington, June 2007
Mt. St. Helens June 2000
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Wikipedia’s Mt. St. Helens Website
US Geological Survey’s Mt. St. Helens Website
US Forest Service’s Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument website
Mt. St. Helens VolcanoCam
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I was in high school in my sophomore year in San Francisco in May 1980 when I heard on the news about the possible eruption of a volcano in Washington State. Frankly, having never been outside of California at that time, Washington State could have been another country. When the eruption was happening and covered all over the news, I became more aware of the event. After a couple of days, I started to see our sky in Northern California turn to dark from ash from the volcano, and I remember being a lot more aware of the destruction happening north of me.
My first trip to see Mt. St. Helens occurred in June 2000. My oldest brother and his family had moved to Washington near Seattle several years prior, and this was my first drive up there by myself to visit them. On my drive up on Highway 5, I passed by the signs pointing the way toward the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, and I promised to myself that I would pay a visit on my drive back.
A few days later, on my way back, I pulled off Highway 5 in Castle Rock, Washington, and went to the visitor center less than a ¼ of a mile down Highway 405. There was a detailed center and knowledgeable staff with a printed timeline following up to, during and after the eruption. There was also an IMAX movie theater where I watched the movie “Eruption….” I became so emotionally involved in this event that I decided to go ahead and make the 52 mile drive further east toward the monument, not knowing what I was getting myself into.
Even after seeing the movie, I still had no idea what to expect. That movie depicted a catastrophic event that had occurred twenty years prior to my visit. Surely, the area was beautiful and replenished, I thought to myself. Boy was I wrong.
Driving along Highway 405, I saw on both sides of me, beautiful valleys, green hills and buildings of all kinds. Where was this place, I kept thinking to myself? How bad could things really have been? As I got closer I did start to see strange signs posted along the side of the road that caught my eye. They had the name of Weyerhaeuser on the top in a green bar, and underneath in black type on a white background there were dates after 1980 that stated when these trees were planted. How strange, I thought to myself. Why had these trees been replanted? Then at about at the 49th mile I drove past a sign that said “Entering Blast Zone” in the same style and color as the signs I had seen previously. Everything started to change quickly.
At first, I started to see tiny, little trees that were newly planted. As I got closer, there were no trees at all. Just shrubs and they got smaller and smaller as I got closer to the mountain. I also saw more and more and more of dead, burned out logs all facing in the same direction, and eventually, the entire scenery was of no more shrubs and just burned out logs, all facing in the same direction, as if blasted. I remember feeling a quiet and a reverence surrounding me. Having grown up Catholic in San Francisco, it reminded me of the feeling as a small child and entering the church in my parish where I attended school. It was so vast, so quiet, so unlike anything I had ever seen and it demanded devotion whenever you walked in.
I reached a parking lot, and winded my way around to where all the cars were, and there she was. Mt. St. Helens! The sky was crystal blue, and not a cloud could be seen for miles. I got out of my car, and I noticed there were signs that said no pets were allowed outside the vehicles. I was concerned since I had my dogs with me, it was a hot day, and we had just driven an hour in one direction. Even still, I got out of my car and walked to the edge of the parking lot where there was a rock wall about three feet high.
I was staring at something that I had absolutely no comprehension of. I had seen the movie at the visitor center, but what was in front of me did not look like the angry mountain that erupted and destroyed a valley and killing 57 people and destroyed 250 homes, 47 bridges, 15 miles of railways and 185 miles of highway. What was in front of me and all around me was perfectly still and quiet. Even the other people at the same place as me had the reverence to remain silent and just look. There were no complaining children or chattering tourists. Something also caught my eye. I looked down at my feet, and all around me in 360 degrees for miles and miles, there was not a living plant more than six inches tall. Not a weed, not a plant, not a shrub or a tree. Nothing. I began to really get a feel for what had happened twenty years prior. I remembered all the trees that I had seen lying down alongside the roads, all pointed in one direction. I finally understood that I had seen them in their final resting places after being ripped from the earth where they had stood for perhaps decades or longer, scorched from the blast of the volcano and thrown far away from where they used to stand.
One piece of information that I had remembered from the movie at the visitor center was that Mt. St. Helens was still considered an active stratovolcano and that another cone has started to form in the middle. From my distance, and due to the snow inside the mouth, I could just barely see the shape of the new cone. It was frightening to see and imagine this event occurring once again in the future, as it has done several times in the past. I really started to feel very lucky to have been able to witness such an incredible site. I drove back down Highway 405 and back to Northern California, vowing to visit Mt. St. Helens again.
Fast forward to June 2007. My nephew was now 18 years, the oldest grandchild out of eight and graduating from high school in Bellevue, Washington. I decided to make the drive with my two dogs to see the graduation, and once again visit Mt. St. Helens on my way back.
Truthfully, I did start to question why I should see the mountain again. Why make the hour long trip down Highway 405? How much could a mountain have changed in seven years? I had to be back at work in two days, and I still had a long drive down to Oregon to stay for the night. I had made the trip in a Toyota truck with over 190,000 miles, and I each time I get into it I think: “How much longer will this truck last, and will I get stranded somewhere deserted where my cell phone doesn’t work?” All this was running through my head as I filled up my truck with gas in Castle Rock, just off Highway 5. My truck does not have any kind of CD or tape player, just an AM/FM radio. I wasn’t getting any kind of radio reception where I was, so I just turned off the radio, and opened the window a bit because it was starting to rain. The sky was overcast with a lot of thick, grey clouds. I was hoping that by the time I got out to the mountain, the sky would be clear, so I could see her again in all of her glory and splendor, just like before. And just like the photo I had taken that I had posted on my refrigerator and looked at every day since 2000. I wanted to have the same mind boggling experience. Boy was I in for an experience.
Unlike before, I was now driving with a purpose to get to the mountain. I was unable to see much around me due to the heavy fog and light rain. I did see one sign that did catch my eye surprisingly as I drove 40 mph along this empty, single lane, twisty, turny road. It was a white wooden sign about two feet square with a house address on it. And the street name was “Spirit Lake Highway.” That was the name of the highway that Highway 405 used to be called prior to the eruption. It has since been changed to “Spirit Lake Memorial Highway” in honor of the lake at the base of Mt. St. Helens. I started to feel like I was being taken into another realm of existence.
Due to the weather, there were few people on the road. I still kept hoping that the sky would clear and the sun would come out, but that hope was fading by the mile as it continued to rain.
Unlike the first trip, where I did not feel I sort of unearth like experience until I entered the blast zone, I started to feel this almost thirty miles from the mountain. As I drove through the valley I started to feel a cold quiet, and a sort of sorrow and grieving all around me. It was very strange, and I questioned myself, but the feeling was unmistakable. It was not happy, but sad and grieving. I still did see the signs stating the date when trees had been replanted, and there were new ones since 2000. As I got closer, I saw the “Entering the Blast Zone” sign. However, what followed the sign was different that the first time. There was more growth, and the trees were higher and more plentiful, and I did not see all the dead, burned out logs, but I still felt a sense of sadness. It did not make sense. How could there be sadness among all this new growth?
My sites were fixed on getting to the lookout point, but my hopes were dim about seeing her again because the rain and fog were getting heavier. When I finally got the same point I had been before I noticed something I had not seen prior. There was a visitor’s center now at this point. I could not take my camera out due to the rain. I decided to continue to drive further up the road toward Johnston Ridge Observatory. I questioned myself why I was doing this because the rain was very heavy, it was getting late in the afternoon, I had no hopes of seeing Mt. St. Helens, and if my car broke down, there was nobody around who might be able to help. But something was pushing me to keep going and to go past the point I had been at before. So I kept driving.
I drove several more miles and came upon a vista point called Loowit Point. For some reason I decided to stop. It was pouring rain. I left my camera in the car and walked out toward the vista point. I got as close to the edge of the short brick wall and stopped. There was a steep drop down to the valley floor. The sign in front of me said Mt. St. Helens was directly in front of me with a line drawing showing what it would look like without all the fog and rain. I stood there and listened. The direction of the rain was coming from behind me and blowing toward my back so I could see the rain go past me and down into the valley.
Unlike my drive up to Mt. St. Helens, I was not feeling sadness and grief around me. Instead, as I looked out onto the valley, I felt immense power, rebuilding and something asking for respect and recognition. (I don’t like the word “monument” to describe an active volcano. To me, monument means something that is an object that does not move. Mt. St. Helens is neither. I believe it should be respected as something quite alive and potentially dangerous. Maybe those 57 people who died in the eruption would still be alive if they realized this.)
I wished so much to see Mt. St. Helens. I said I had driven all this way and that I wanted to see her again. I could hear only the wind blowing around me. I had on a hooded rain parka and a hooded sweatshirt under the parka. I did something I had never done before. In the hard driving rain, I took off my parka hood and I took off my sweatshirt hood and just listened. I turned my head back and forth until I could hear the wind blowing in my right ear like there was a person standing next to me gently blowing in my ear. I stood as still as possible. I did not feel like I was getting wet and I did not feel cold. I kept looking in the direction of where I knew Mt. St. Helens was and said that I wanted to see her. After several minutes I saw the clouds start to briefly clear from the top of the mountain as they were blowing by. I thought I saw the side of the mountain because I could see snow, and I thought I could see the edge of the mouth and a bit inside. I was astounded. I could not believe what was happening. I kept hoping for more, but eventually the full cloud coverage came back, and the view was gone. I became aware of myself again, and I began to hear the sounds of a car engine behind me. What must these people be thinking? Another nut from California! I said “Thank You” to the mountain, and I walked back to my car, putting both my hoods back on. Though I was soaked though the jacket and into the sweatshirt and down my back, I did not feel wet or cold. I felt refreshed and exhilarated.
I drove back the hour long drove back to Highway 5, noticing a couple more highway signs that said “Spirit Lake Highway.”
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