New friends

I love making new friends and I had a great time last week at the RGV Birding Festival.

I probably got more attention than anyone else, except maybe the owls and eagles. You should have seen people taking pictures of them.

Anyway, people come by, talk to me, pet me and want to take me home. I wag my tail and let them know how much I appreciate all of the attention. Mostly, I sit on Dad's lap to keep him company. I don't want him to get lonely.

I'm sharing some pictures. Hope you enjoy them.

Nora, a true hero!

I hope you've read my books about Famous Dogs. I love to share stories that show how we help our humans whenever and wherever we can.

But every time I finish a book, I find another story. I just learned about Nora, a dog who received a John P. Haines medal from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in New York City.

Nora lived with the Coast Guardsman in North Carolina. Like most of us, she had a sense that told her when humans needed help.

One day, Evans Mitchell, one of the men guarding the coast, fainted and fell to the ground. He lay on the beach at the Oregon Inlet, unconscious. Nora knew something was terribly wrong. She grabbed his cap and ran back to the station. After she alerted the guardsmen there, she ran to another guardsman on patrol and led him back to Mitchell. Without her warning, he may have died from exposure. Nora saved his life.

She's definitely a hero in my book.

I like hotels that like me

Sena & me at the Baymont Inn
in St. Robert, MO

It's hard to believe that not all hotels want me, but that's the way it is. When we travel, we usually stay at La Quinta Inns & Suites because I am always welcome there.

In the past year we've stayed several times at the Baymont in Pulaski County, MO. Sena, who works there, gives me more treats than I've ever received from anyone else. As you can guess, she's one of my favorite people in the whole wide world! Everyone else is friendly but she's exceptional.

My bed at the Hampton Inn
in Fort Smith, AR

This summer I stayed at two new hotels - at least new to me. In Fort Smith, AR, we stayed at the Hampton Inn. They really know how to treat dogs. They even gave me my own box of goodies. When I left, I had my picture taken with the manager and she invited me back anytime. I hope we go back soon.

Last week, we stayed at the Candlewood Suites in St. Robert, MO. They are dog-friendly and gave me a bag of treats when we arrived. I didn't spend time with any of the staff but they must be nice because I saw lots of smiles.

My bed at the Candlewood Suites
in St. Robert, MO

All of them have comfy beds. My idea of a comfy bed is good covers and a good mattress. The best part is settling in next to Mom and Dad.

I wonder why some hotels don't want me as a guest. I'm very, very good when we travel.

My Weekend Adventures

My bed at the Candlewood Suites

I had another fun weekend. Mom went to a conference and I went on some of the adventures with her. We stayed at the dog-friendly Candlewood Suites and the beds were comfy. Oh, and they gave me some treats when we checked in.

Bob and one of his goats

We rode out in the country to the Blue Jay Farm on a hot day. I found lots of green grass and flowers, and spent some time in the shade of a big old tree. I met some goats - I had never seen such a critter before. They climbed all over everything. I guess they were okay but I can't imagine having a goat friend. To tell the truth, they scared me a little. I stayed away from them as much as possible.

Chris and me in Roubidoux Spring

The next day we visited Roubidoux Spring where Chris Hill told us all about diving and exploring the underwater cave. He talked about diving and showed us all kinds of equipment. Then he put on a funny looking suite and took me to the spring. Thank goodness he didn't put me in the water.

Chris is really nice but I think I'll leave the diving to him.

I'm home now and holding down my favorite chair


.

Dog Days of Summer

I think I know what "dog days of summer" means. We've been home all week and I've been in trouble most of the time.

I've had fun all summer but now it's over - at least for a little while and it seems like a long time to me. I need to go on another adventure! I don't get in as much trouble when we're traveling.

Arkansas Likes Dogs

My bed at the Hampton Inn

Calling all dogs to take your families to Arkansas, a state that proved to be a dog paradise for me!

As I've told you in an earlier post, the Hampton Inn in Fort Smith treated me like a king. It's the only place that's ever given me my own treat box. Usually I have to look pitiful to even get a bite of Mom and Dad's goodies. (http://lukethedetectivedog.blogspot.com/2016/08/my-trip-to-ft-smith-arkansas.html)

Me at the top of Petit Jean

We visited a farm and I got to hang out with the cows. I didn't get very close to them or the chickens. Those chickens may be small but they move fast and make lots of noise.

We ended our trip with a visit to Petit Jean State Park and I loved it. I know people love to climb on the rocks but I'd rather check out all the smells. While Mom and Joyce took pictures, I discovered lots of new places.

The roads are twisty and turny and I had a tough time hanging on the car seat. I jumped in Dad's lap and that's always the most comfortable place to be.

Arkansas River

Mom loved the views and the Arkansas River down below us. It was too far away for me to check out. I let Mom take my picture a couple of times.

We saw some blue butterflies but they flew away before I got close to them.

Mom's friend, Evelyn

We met Mom's friend, Evelyn, in the park. Of course, I had to sit in the car while they ate lunch. Afterwards we went down the mountain to her home, where I spent some time with Spooky.

It was a great trip because dogs are welcome in Arkansas!

Spooky and me

Family time

Maggie and me

I had fun with my cousins this week. They live in New York and were visiting their grandparents in Kansas.

Hannah and me

I really got a lot of exercise because Maggie took me for long walks.



Hannah took tons of pictures of us. I even helped make ice cream - best part, I had my own taste of it too. Yummy! I wanted more.

After all that, I snuggled up next to them and took a nap.

A dog's life is good!

Making ice cream

I love parks

We went to the park today. The sun was shining and the green grass was filled with dog smells. I had a great time!

This park has a fountain in the center and it always cools the air. I love to stand close to it and sniff out all the great smells.






Mom wanted to take my picture in front of a statue. That was okay except the statue was so tall she couldn't fit it in the picture with me. She said it's a WWI monument.




Then dad put me in the swing and pushed me. It was okay for a while but I'd much rather be smelling the grass.

My trip to Ft Smith, Arkansas

I found lots of great smells in Ft Smith and had a great time. My favorite part of the trip was my stay at the Hampton Inn. I've never been treated so special before. When I got there, the hotel gave me my very own treat box. Wow, that was fun! When I left, I had my picture taken with the manager and they gave me more treats. They love dogs! http://www.hilton.com/search/hp/us/ar/fort_smith.

At Ft Smith Historic Site

It was very hot so I had to stay at home a lot while Mom and Dad went out to take pictures. But I did get to go to several places.

George

I did visit the Ft. Smith National Historic Site. I know people like all the history but, to tell the truth, I liked all the squirrels the best. I saw one squirrel, George, several times. He just sat around watching me - and all the people.

We walked down to the Arkansas River and there were lots of people there. Half of them were playing some game on their phones - Mom called it Pokemon Go.






We also went to the Park at West End but I didn't ride on the Ferris wheel. I did get to climb on the giraffe. I don't know if I'd like being that tall but they sure have a different view that I do.

My Pulaski County weekend

JB King and me

In the judge's chair

Wow, another great weekend although I spent lots of time in the car. Friday night we went to a reception an old courthouse in Waynesville, MO. Mom said it was built in 1903 and that was very old. We met a group of writers and everyone talked to me.

I met a former Pulaski County sheriff, JB King. After we became friends, he said I could sit in the judge's chair behind the desk, so I posed for photos. 

Dad and Chris sampled the Piney River Float Trip beer. I didn't get anything to drink but Dad did let me taste his cheese and crackers.

Puppy in the park

Route 66 Diner

Mom took pictures of a puppy when we were at the Roubidoux park. I walked all around the park with Dad and we looked at lots of old stuff in tents. The women wore long dresses and the men wore uniforms. We saw lots of people and I made new friends. 

This morning, we ate at the Route 66 Diner with Lisa and Tim Trudell - more new friends, and Karen Hood and Laura Huffman - old friends. I got to pose for pictures but no one fed me any food. Sometimes a dog's life can be tough.

Sena and me

But I ended up getting lots of treats from my friend, Sena, at the Baymont Hotel in St. Robert. They love to have me stay there and it's a really nice place.

Mom says we'll be back next month for the Missouri Outdoor Communicators conference and then again for the Pulaski County History Crawl.

I know I'll have fun!

Pulaski County, here I come!

I'm so excited! I get to go back to Pulaski County this weekend. I had a lot of fun there because the people are nice. We're staying at the same hotel - the Baymont Inn - where I met Sena. She stopped to see me every day I was there AND she always had treats for me. What more can a dog want in a friend, huh?

We got to go lots of neat places and I think we will again this weekend. Mom is going to something called a Civil War re-enactment. She has already warned me there will be loud noises - so I probably won't like it. I hope I can just see Sena and her friends.

If you're going to be there, look for me. I'm getting a bath tomorrow so I'll be all cleaned up and ready to go.

My weekend

I'm spending lots of time laying over the air conditioner vent. It's hard to stay cool when it's so hot outside. I don't even want to go out and chase the squirrels. But I do wish I'd catch one, just once. Then I'd have someone to play with.

CG

I spent the weekend with my friend, CG. She's a pistol, for sure. She's smaller than me but she can jump on me so fast. She loves to smell my ear, then I have to fight her off. We had fun but after a while, we took a nap, played some more, took another nap - you get the idea. It was a lazy weekend while Mom was out taking pictures somewhere I wasn't allowed to go.

I get to go with her this weekend though. It's another long ride but that's okay with me. I can watch the cars go by.

I became a farm dog for two days

I visited Iowa with my family and spent two days wondering about life as a farm dog. What did I learn? A lot.

I learned that corn is really tall. It was even taller than my dad and I have to look up just to see his knees.


I learned that John Deere tractors are super big too. In fact, I think everything on Iowa farms is big. I didn't get to ride in a tractor but I did get a chance to see the world from a higher-than-normal perch.


I learned that cats may never be my friends. I don't know very many but none I've met want to hang out with me. Maybe there's hope for this little fella though. He's kinda cute.



I learned that the Iowa sun can be super hot and the flies love it.

I had a chance to check out some antiques at SOS Vintage in Webster City.


Best of all, I found out that people eat well. We had a pork dinner that was out of this world - I did get to sample a couple of bites! Yum! They told me Iowa is famous for its pork, so maybe I'll get to return someday. At home, I just get dog food and, believe me, it's not as good.

Oh, I also made a whole bunch of new friends. I like Iowa!

Summertime blues!

After the groomer

I get hot in the summer and like to spend my days over the vent that blows cold air on me. I don't complain about it - much - but I do drink a lot more water.

Today I got a haircut by a new groomer. She was nice but I don't have much hair left. I don't think I'll need the cold air on me for a while.

Anyway, I got to go for a ride on the golf cart and the breeze felt really cool!

On the golf cart

Fun things happen when I'm left at home

Buffy

Mom is having fun in Pittsburgh and I'm home guarding the house. Lots of people at the lake today so I've been very busy, making sure we're safe.

Mom loves to meet other dogs and today she took a photo of Buffy, who is tiny. Mom says I'd make two of her since she only weighs four pounds. She looks like a friendly sort but I'd like to check her out.

I think Mom needs someone to take care of her when she's out and about. I hope she doesn't get into too much trouble.

By the way, Mom, I miss all my treats. When are you coming home?

What kind of treats do dogs like?

The true answer here is almost anything, but I will try to be more specific.

I like most things that Mom and Dad eat. I figure if they like it, I will like it. I especially like meat and eggs, but I'll eat spaghetti or whatever I get. I don't get much 'cause Mom says I'm little and she doesn't want me to gain too much weight. Do people worry about that?

For snacks, I like any treat as long as it's not too hard. I'll take Bacon Bits any day over hard cracker stuff. Mom likes to get my treats at Trader Joe's 'cause she says it's economical. Not sure what that means but I like them 'cause they taste good.

I like peanuts too but I don't get too many of those. Some stuff I like I can't have. Are people ever like that? I'd love to share some Peanut M&M's but I guess that's a no-no for me.

All in all, I can't complain. I've got them figured out. The more often I go outside, the more I get a treat. The more often I sit on their laps, the more I get a treat. If I give them "the look," I get a treat.

Don't ever think we dogs are dumb! We have our people pegged!

The Battlefield B&B at Gettysburg loves dogs!

Dad & I are learning about the Underground
Railroad near Gettysburg

I just spent four days in Gettysburg, PA. My mom went for something she called a "writers' retreat." It was like most human things - a bunch of people sitting around talking. Mostly they ignored me but that was okay.

The great thing - we stayed at the Battlefield Bed & Breakfast. They love dogs and I got to go everywhere. I didn't even have to leave when Mom & Dad ate breakfast. I know when to be quiet and if I'm extra good, I can count on Mom to slip me a treat or two.

There was lots of yard for me to check out. I loved it except I'm nervous around cats - and there were plenty of them around the yard. I know I have a cat phobia because of Newton, the meanest cat in the world. He lives in Kansas City and every time we go to his house, he hisses and carries on. I bark at him but he doesn't listen. I don't think these cats were that mean but I can never be sure.

Battlefield B & B

Anyway, I loved Gettysburg. I met bunches of friendly people during our trip. Dad and I are back home now and I like that too.