It's that time of year again

It's Colorfest time.
Around here, that means that lots of people will be bringing lots of things for me and Bandit to eat and chew.
Nana brought us treats and toys. I got a stuffie bat, and Bandit got a stuffie ghost. Nana loves us. She wasn't mad at me about that, well, that incident with the other pup. I love my Nana. She makes us donuts!

The Mom is better, and we are spending lots of time together. She talked to me about my behavior, and we are going to spend some time visiting with some of our friends and trying to help out the nice people at Harnessed to Hope. Even if we couldn't adopt another Husky (and I'm still not sure why were doing that, I'm Husky enough for anyone!), we can help them find other homes.

I gotta run! The Mom is cleaning the kitchen and I heard something about leftover crabcakes!!!

The Mom is very sad

I probably did it this time.
The Mom is sitting around with the water coming out of her eyes. She took Xia in the car today, and didn't come back with her.
The Mom said she had to take her back to the cool foster family that Xia was staying with.
Because of me.
I guess Xia was ok, but I wasn't a very good big sister. In fact, I was pretty bad. See, Xia had some food, and I wanted it even though it wasn't mine. So we had a fight.
And she had a toy, and I wanted it even though it wasn't my toy. So I started another fight.
Worst of all, she was getting love and belly rubs from MY The Mom. So I had to fight again. Only this time one of us sort of bit The Mom. The Mom separated us, but I kept laying in front of Xia's crate.
I don't know why. The Mom says she just brought out the worst in me, making me all nasty and bad.
So, I'm going to go and see if I can lick The Mom's face and cheer her up. This may take some time, so I probably won't be back to blog for a while.
That is if The Mom ever lets me blog again.

Mystery solved! or............

Xia's gotcha day!!!!

So, this was the big surprise. Xia finally came to live with us. (Yup, that Xia)I now have a baby sister! She's sort of OK. Sort of wiggly and puppy like..............

The Mom didn't do a good job getting a picture of all three of us together. Apparently handling a pup and a camera are beyond her ability level.
But, that's ok.

Xia will be staying with us now, and I am planning on teaching her all sorts of things. She already learned how to get ham from The Mom, and she did go potty outside - The Mom and Bandit's Momma were happy about that.

For now, she has to stay in her crate a lot. She's doing something called rehab, which is just like being in your crate for a long, long time as near as I can tell. I guess her leg still hurts or something. Bandit didn't quite know either. She's napping now, so I thought I'd get in here and update everyone on my birthday gift - and our new little sister.

Hmm, we'll talk later...................

Post birthday fun.

I thought I'd have some post birthday fun!
I was reading Sitka and Tia's blog, and I saw this fun game! You answer the following questions using the first letter of your name (and you can't use your own name on the name questions). So..........

What is your name? Dakota
4 letter word: Door (oh, and this one d%$# that The Mom uses a lot)
Vehicle: Dodge Dakota
TV Show: Dick Van Dyke Show
City: Duluth
Boy Name: Dave
Girl Name: Della
Alcoholic Drink: Dry Martini (shaken, not stirred)
Occupation: Donut maker
Something you wear: Double breasted suit
Celebrity: Don Ho
Food: Desserts
Something found in a bathroom: Deodorant
Reason for being late: Deluge of rain
Cartoon Character: Deputy Dawg!

That was lots of fun!

Mystery on Dakota's Mountain

Just a few naps ago, I turned 8 years old. Yep, my birthday.
Now, I don't know about everypup, but around here, that's usually cause for lots and lots of gifts, belly rubs, and a little something known as cake and ice cream.
Usually.
But this year was different.
Oh, I got a few kisses. And belly rubs. And a few measely bites of something with pudding and cake.
But nothing else.
Nothing.
Nada, zippo, zilcho, bupkiss,absolutely NOTHING.
No gifts. No stuffies. No squeakies. No chew bones.
Now, that's bad enough. But I happen to know that The Mom and Bandit's Momma went to PetSmart before my birthday. And they brought stuff home. New bowls. A new place mat. A new Kong. Puppy biscuits. All I keep hearing is, "next week at this time.......". I don't care about next week, I just care that I didn't get anything for my birthday!
So here's the mystery. New stuff, not for me, and something is happening next week. What ever it is, The Mom even got my old crate out, and is making sure it's clean and ready (her words, not mine).
Ready for what?

Hike n Howl 2007 - Part two

I am sorry for the delay in posting. Every now and then The Mom gets on her high horse about 'needing the laptop for work' and leaves me internetless!!! I believe that I will ask Santa Clause for my own laptop this year.

So, after our last visit with Xia, we got back in the car. The Mom was very, very difficult to lead to the car, because she had some big old box she was carrying. We finally got there, I put on my seat belt and we began to move. I sort of suspected that this would be another LONG, LONG, LONG ride - and I was right. I was, however, treated to part of a very tasty Double R Bar Burger. I've blogged about my attachment to Roy Rogers before, and I must say - even though The Mom called it 'crappy turnpike food' (her words, not mine and I do apologize to my readers in the great state of Pennsylvania) - that I have not changed my opinion of that dining establishment. Four woos from me!

Bandit was very happy to see us when we got home. We went outside, he sniffed, I used the potty. When we came back in, The Mom had brought that big old box in the house and put it on the floor:

Some very kind and wonderful person put together a big box of goodies for me!!! (Oh, and I suppose there's enough for Bandit too..........sigh.) And I mean BIG. A very nicely crafted toy box. The biggest bag I've ever seen of YUMMY CHUMMIES!!! Duck jerky. Toys. Gourmet doggie water. Some delectable salmon oil for our food. A very warm wool blanket. And a brand new collar and leash.

Hike n Howl was a lot of fun!!!!! Here's how I spent the rest of the evening, once the excitement of all those YUMMY CHUMMIES wore off..........................

Hike n Howl 2007

I came, I saw, I hiked.

I always wanted to say that.

The Mom and I got up early, so early it was dark outside, to go bye-bye in the car. Now, this usually means that we're either going to that place that is totally obsessed with putting something up my butt, or to the store place where all the stuff is sold. This time though, we didn't go to either of these places. We were in the car for a LONG, LONG, LONG time. So long the sun came up and it got light out. We stopped at a place that was very noisy, and didn't have much grass to potty on. The Mom shared a small piece of her egg biscuit, then we got back in to the car. And were in the car for another LONG, LONG, LONG time. When we finally stopped, guess who I saw? Indy and his mom were there. And a husky I'd never met before, Max. Then I looked up, and there were HUSKIES EVERYWHERE!! We'd made it to Hike n Howl.

Our first stop was a small side trip to see Xia. Here we are at our first sniff n meet!

I must say that we were both on our best behavior, and that this meeting went quite well. Xia could not join us for the hike, her leg is still healing according to The Mom, so we went on without her to do the hike part:

This was our view on much of the hike. We were a little slower than most, but we did complete the hike! I'm happy to say that we raised $160 for the rescue groups. After the hike, there were lots of fun things to do - The Mom got a husky painted on her:

I met a very strange husky:
Then we spent more time with Xia.

Right before we got in the car again, something very, very nice happened. I'll blog about that tomorrow!

Again......

So, it's move the kid in and out time again. What that means is that everything - with the possible exception of routine feeding and putting outside to potty - gets put on hold while The Mom and the kid pack things in boxes (the same things they packed before!) and then move the boxes to the car and then go.

I heard they went to a different place this year. I haven't been there. I might get to go soon though, as I've been getting many more car rides as we prepare for Hike n Howl . Personally, I think The Mom should be hiking more and driving less.

There's been lots of questions about our application to adopt Xia. I know that The Mom has had lots of conversations with Xia's foster mom - I hear she's being a little stinker (which I think translates as HULA member in training). And I know that The Mom did the home visit and stuff. What I don't know is when she's moving in. I've never been an older sister before - I'm currently the youngest dog in the house - and I would like some time to prepare. I plan on discussing this with The Mom soon, perhaps while we're on one of those car rides?

I almost forgot!! My Blogathon prizes from Meeshka arrived the other day!

Here we are checking it out - everyone else was packing!

Here's what we won! A cool howling wolf and a t-shirt.

And here's what I did after The Mom realized that we had gotten in to the box. Yes, that's me, strategically positioned between two cool air vents, my place of choice. (Yes, Tubey, that was a stuffie on the cool air vent in my last post. We have many, many, many stuffies here - three wash loads full according to The Mom).

Indy's Visit

As part of the application to adopt Xia, The Mom and I had a home visit from the people at Harnessed to Hope.

Guess who did the home visit?

Indy! (oh, and his mom).

We had a good time showing them our house and the cat and the bird and our back yard!

Then, guess what we did?

Yup. It was a good day and we had a lot of fun!

Protest!!!! Strike!!!

That's it, I'm protesting. I'm on strike. No more kisses, no more tail wags.
The Mom has some explaining to do, and until she does, I'm on STRIKE!
She got up at the crack of dawn yesterday, insisted on putting us out, feeding us and we all knew she wasn't going to that work place.
She left with out us.
She was gone a LONG, LONG, LONG time.
Do you know where she was?
She met Meeshka's human woman - but didn't meet Meeshka. And she met Sasha's human too - but didn't meet Sasha. Now, what good is it to meet the humans, but not the Huskies?
She apparently also got to hear this lady talk about ALASKA and the Iditarod. (Just typing it makes it cooler in here, sigh.............)
Honestly, that's like my total dream trip, and I DIDN'T GO!!!!!
Now apparently some Huskies were invited. Like Thunder (quite handsome, I guess you needed to be a handsome guy to get an invite?)
AND SHE MET XIA!!!!!!!!!
Now, this little girl has been all over the Internet and email and apparently has her own publicity firm hired or something, because everyone is talking about her. So she was important enough to get an invite too.
But I wasn't. And I'm on strike until someone tells me why.

It's too darn hot!

The Mom tells me that 'It's too darn hot' is the name of a song. She would know. She's been listening to what the kids call the 'old fart' station here in town. I think the heat is getting to her.


Today we had to hear all about how nice it is to pick up poop because it practically dries up the moment it hits the ground. I wooed to her that we really didn't care, just pick it up!





Here's another picture (we have hundreds that were recently liberated). This one shows me doing something I truly love:

Sigh. Song or not, it's too darn hot for anypup!

Additional update

Notice anything new about my blog?

Guess what The Mom finally broke down and bought?????

Chip.

Bandit

And me wooing to the neighbors, guess what the idiot I live with finally did! She bought a USB cable to hook the digital camera to the computer.

And no, I had absolutely nothing to do with the first missing USB cord.

The dog days of July

Hello everypup, husky, girl-girl and loyal readers.

So much has gone on the past several days, I'm not sure where to begin.



I guess I'll start with Bandit. Many days ago, he wasn't feeling well. He was napping, I was leaving him alone, then I heard him in trouble - he was having a seizure. It was Bandit's first seizure, and I felt that as a sort of expert (I've had seizures my self), I needed to be with him. Bandit's momma didn't think that was a good idea, so I got locked in The Mom's bedroom and had to listen to everything. Bandit was OK - he bonked himself in the eye with an end table and had a swollen eye for a few days - but there were no other lingering affects with the seizure. Now they have to 'watch him'. He has not had any further seizures, and he has told me that he's feeling better. His eye is better too. Not that a black Lab can have a black eye.



Oh, and Chip has gone back to his people. We had a good time while he was here, although The Mom did not get as much time to work on his manners as she had hoped. We have pictures, but after a brief bit of hope where The Mom thought she had found the cord from the camera to the computer, they are still locked in the digital camera. Hey, as I have mentioned before, I had absolutely nothing to do with the disappearance of the cord.



Then, The Mom took out the box she uses when she goes away. I was not happy about this, but she mentioned taking one of the Kids and Jacki. Jacki is this nice lady that comes once a year or so and brings us LOTS of treats, so I decided that a visit would be a good time. I was not allowed to go - some place called a hotel did not allow pets. Why they would go to this place I have no idea. So, there's pictures of that too, but you won't see them either. Now, she did bring home some shells and rocks to sniff, and this really cool redhead Sibe stuffy that is not for me. Bandit and I stayed with his momma.



Then yesterday, The Mom left again! She wasn't gone long this time, but she went to spend time with one of the Kids on their birthday! Now, I know that birthday usually means we get cake and ice cream - but none, absolutely none of that was mentioned or seen. I was not happy. They apparently went to a movie and then had ice cream at some place.



The Mom is home now, curled up with a bit of a tummy issue. Serves her right for not saving me some of the cake and ice cream.



I know that I've been tagged to do some lists and stuff. I'll give those some thought and get them posted later this weekend. I plan on hogging the computer to follow Meeshka's Blogathon. Not only do I want to support our Husky Queen, but I have an additional interest in the outcome of this one..........



As many of you heard, in addition to all the whirlwind excitement I've detailed here, The Mom found time to contact some people at Harnessed to Hope to see if she could ADOPT little Xia. I hear that our adoption application has been approved, and that if Xia's foster family doesn't adopt this sweet little girl, she may be coming to live here. While I think I'll be an excellent older sister and a spectacular Husky role model, there will be another Husky in the house. I must admit some concern about her horning in on my belly rub time. But, as an added bonus, as part of the adoption process, I'll get to meet Indy!!!! I'm very excited about meeting this handsome traveling guy. Meeshka is blogging to raise money for Harnessed to Hope, and the money will be used to pay for Xia's (and other needy northern breeds) medical expenses. Thank you, Meeshka, for your philanthropy and efforts. The Mom thanks you too!

Wait until she finds out what I did!

OK, now, I didn't tell you all this, but I just signed myself and The Mom up for Hike n Howl! I expect there to be some real howling when she finds out!!! Here she comes, more later!!!!

If I Could Put Time In A Bottle

My good friend MayaMarie asked me to spend some time thinking about what five things I would put in something called a time capsule.

I will admit that I had no idea what a time capsule was, so I asked The Mom. She told me that it was a container that people usually bury and then dig up many years from now to look at the stuff that was buried. Well, I don't know about looking at the stuff, but I'm all about the burying, so here goes:

1. Some music by Jimmy Buffett. I know, but I'm very fond of Buffett. I've been known to calm down and ride quietly in the car with some Buffett tunes - 'Cheeseburger In Paradise' comes to mind.

2. A stuffie Husky. So the future can see just how spectacular we are. Oh, and it has to squeak.

3. Chicken yummies. These tasty little treats are dried chicken and they are the most delectable doggie treats you can imagine.

4. My blankie. My Nana made me a blankie with yarn and a crochet needle. Every pup should have their own personal blankie. Well, maybe my Nana could make another one to put in the time capsule, because I am not ready to part with mine.

5. A picture of me and The Mom. OK, sort of sappy, I know. But I would want the people in the future to see how much I love The Mom and The Mom loves me.

I'm going to add one more thing. I know MayaMarie only asked for five, but................


6. Copies of the blogs of all my wonderful friends (like MayaMarie) so that everyone knows just how much fun we're having as Dogs With Blogs.

Other blogs

I've been reading other blogs, checking out the 'Sloganizer'. Lots of fun. Here's what the movie quote did for me:

'May the Dakota be with you'.


Hehehe!

Catching up

What a week!

There's been a whirlwind of activity here, with lots of discussions and 'yes' and calls from 'rescue' places. I'm not quite sure what's going to come of it, but I think it has something to do with this group of folks!

You may remember Chip from last year. Well, he's back again. I can't say much for his manners, and I'm not going to be the one that tells The Mom that he is pooping in my room. Pooping in the house is something that is NOT ACCEPTABLE, according to The Mom. I don't want to get the little guy in trouble. I'm also not telling that Chip is the one who barks a lot. As a non-barking kind of dog - we Huskies woooooooo - I sort of find this, well, embarrassing. The neighbors will talk.

Bandit's skin is all funky again. I'm suggesting that he's allergic to Chip. I don't know how it will go over though. I think The Mom and Bandit's Mom are talking about not giving Bandit puppy biscuits. That would mean more for me, I think.

Oh, I was nominated by Amber and Stormy over at the Ao4 blog for a Rockin' Girl Blogger!

Thanks! You girls rock too! (Dave and Zim aren't so bad either.)

I play bow my acceptance and am surfing the blogs to find additional girls to bring on board! We girls must stick together.

And finally, the kid is home for a few days, and apparently she has some skill with the digital camera!!! I'm posing for pics as soon as I'm done here, and I'll see if I can get new ones of Bandit and maybe one of Chip. I am thinking of snitching the wire that goes from the camera to the computer too........ mine seems to be missing and I'm still not taking the blame for that one!

All about The Mom

In response to a request from my friend MayaMarie , today's post will be an interview with The Mom. Not to be confused with that funky book The Mom tried to read once 'Interview With A Vampire' - she gave it two paws down.

Dakota - Welcome. Thanks for agreeing to answer a few questions for my blogging friends.
The Mom - Your welcome. Was that you that slopped water all over the kitchen?

D - This is my time to interview you, I won't be answering any questions.
TM - Like you would admit it if it was you.

D - OK, question number one. What did you do with the kids and why? I miss them.
TM - (sighs) Honestly Dakota. We've been through this before. But, once again, when human children get to be human adults, they are expected to leave home and make their own way in the world.

D - So you kicked them out, and if I even make a move to the front door, I get yelled at.
TM - That's correct. They are out working, making money, living in their own homes. It's every parents dream. You are a dog. You may not wander free, you need to be in a contained, safe place.

D - But it's my dream to get out, and you are suppressing it!!!
TM - That's different. It's not like you would leave the house and get a job, feed yourself and put a roof over your head. You wouldn't know what to do if you had to work for a living. Such a shame too, you are a member of a 'working breed'.

D - I shouldn't have to work, people would take care of me. I'm a HUSKY.
TM - Not everyone loves Huskies, Miss Moon. Perhaps we should find another interview topic before we get too much further.......

D - Ok, next question. Something more sedate. How old are you?
TM - Old enough to know that I'm not answering that question

D - Is it because you have to tell your age in three digits?
TM - I DO NOT!!!

D - Yes, I did the math and you are over three hundred years old.
TM - WHAT???!!! I think you may need a refresher course dog. Or perhaps an opposable thumb.

D - That was below the belt, don't you think? The opposable thumb thing.
TM - Hey, not my fault you were born a dog.

D - Lets see if we can find something more neutral to discuss. When are we moving to Alaska?
TM - Now wait a minute. A question or two ago, you were moaning about how you miss the kids, and now you want to pick up and move to Alaska? Not that it's a bad idea or anything.........

D - So there's hope?
TM - I'm not ruling anything out for us at this time.

D - Where do you go every day?
TM - Work. Someone has to pay for the dog food and the mortgage.

D- Why can't I go with you?
TM - Because they don't let dogs in to the place I work.

D - Why?
TM - Because. I don't make the rules there, I just follow them and hope the paychecks keep coming.

D - But why?
TM - (sighs again) Because someone has to pay the bills. And it's time you know that I'm looking at ................... getting you a sibling.

D - A what?
TM - Sibling. Brother or sister. Another pack mate. ANOTHER DOG?

D -
TM - Hmmmmmmmmmm. That shut you up.

D - Will you at least do me the favor of getting another Husky?
TM - Probably. For some dumb reason, I'm quite fond of picking up fur by the pound, getting up in the middle of the night to look at snow and picking up the remains of birds.

D - There you have it folks, this is what I live with. Perhaps she'll agree to sit for another interview when she's in a better mood and has gotten the idea of another Husky out of her mind.

The dream of a lifetime

If you've read my profile, you know that I'm, well, in to that tropical vibe. Seems like I'm not the only sled dog that feels that way........
I'm (well, The Mom) is a HUGE fan of Jimmy Buffett. Check this out - the Official Jamaican Sled Dog Team!!!


'Wasted away again in Dogaritaville'!!!!!

Don't forget to check out Dogs Aye View

Good morning. I love lazy mornings surfing the blogs, seeing what the rest of my virtual pack has been up to.



Check out this LINK from the good pups over at Dogs Aye View, Gomer and Opie. What a cool idea they gave their human mom. Check it out and click the links!!!!