First in my age (and species) category!!!

Mom and I had such a great day yesterday! She headed up to Santa Barbara for another race (dad got a hat, instead of mom getting a t-shirt). Dad and I met up with her a little later because he was going somewhere else, and mom wanted to run with me! Turns out she entered me in a race too!!! 

First I got to play around Palm Park - checking out other dogs and people, sniffing lots of interested things that dogs like me enjoy - even had a nice belly rub from some of the other runners... Then, dad and I walked around while mom ran her race...when she got back dad took off to do what he finds really reinforcing - some game they call tennis - I like tennis too - but I play it differently. I just go after the ball and bring it back...

Anyway, then mom and I did our little race together. It wasn't that long - but it was fun! It was just for kids! Some of my moms friends did it with their kids too...Since I was the only *fur child* (that's what mom calls me sometimes), I was first in my age and species! Mom gave me lots of kisses - she was really proud of me. I don't know why, after all isn't running (and chasing things) a normal behavior of us dogs?

After the fun run mom and I went to meet Miss. Amber and Miss. Jill... they're the ones helping mom with her new web site! I really like spending time with them - they give me belly rubs too, and get all giggly cute with me... We got to hang out at the Starbucks (I call it Starbarks!) in Montecito - they're so nice to let us dogs hang out there.... I rested while mom and Miss. Amber and Miss. Jill worked on their project. 

Anyway, I hope I get to do something like this again soon...because I was nice and relaxed for the rest of the day. I think mom appreciated that. She say's in her dog training classes to her students: "A tired dog is a happy dog...and a happy owner." Hmm, I wonder what she means by that? Something for this inquisitive canine to ponder. 

This dog says Happy Dog Mom's Day!

Happy Mothers Day mom! And thank you for all you do for me. I really appreciate it. Walks around the neighborhood, car rides, visits with friends, going to work with you, playing at the park, sitting on your lap while you work at the computer, letting me sit in your lap while I work at the computer, for fixing my meals (I especially love the salads you make for me), for making sure I'm healthy and safe, tossing my toys for me, doing fun training exercises together, for belly rubs, and for holding and cuddling me. 

I love you mom! Your top dog,

Poncho

       

Mom and Dad got smart!

So dad and I spend a lot of time walking around a certain special field here in Ventura - near to where my mom teaches her great dog training classes. Well, it seems that mom and dad aren't too keen when I run off to check other people while they're playing some game called "baseball"... dad gets really nervous because I want to run into the middle of the game to say *hi* and maybe chase the ball... Well I guess I'm not supposed to do that. Hmm, I don't know why, but whatever. 

Dad finally got clever! He now has me on a really long (and obnoxious) leash... I can still run around and sniff, roll in things, say *hi* to others that are walking around...I just can't run into the middle of places that might hurt me. 

Mom and dad say it's for my own safety - whatever that means... At least I still get to go and run around...and be a dog. I wonder if I'll always have to wear this? Something for this inquisitive canine to ponder.