¡Hola Muchachos!

Story and Photos by Jennifer Gill 

Today, Rocket joined Grandpa and Mama on a trip to Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles.

Olvera Street is in the oldest part of Los Angeles.  It was settled in 1781 by the Spanish and is the location of the oldest existing home in LA, the Avila Adobe.  Today, Olvera Street is a colorful Mexican marketplace with music and dancing. 

 

Rocket was ready to explore!  Being a social creature, he instantly wanted to make friends with this burro...But the burro was a little "stuffy."  

 

He moved on to this statue of a cross, which had a stepped base.  Rocket couldn't decide which step he wanted to be on!

 

  

Rocket also stopped to check out some traditional Mexican dresses.  ¡Muy buena!

 

Rocket loved this very festive wishing well.  He wanted to throw in a lucky penny, but since he doesn't have thumbs, his Mama had to do it for him. 

 

As Grandpa drove everyone back home, Rocket was content to be in his Mama's lap.  

Highlife Hound Becomes Malibu Country Cur

Story and Photos by Christine Cawley

Edited by Jennifer Gill

Rocket had a blast today.  I picked a popular trail because I know how much he enjoys working the crowd. So, we headed to Solstice Canyon to play, explore, and get dirty!  

Here is Rocket in front of a tree that has bounced back nicely from the Corral Fire in 2007.

 

 

Rocket liked soaking his paws in the stream while we walked.  After he rested his toes in the water, he proved his name befitting because he would race around like a Rocket!  Zoom!  In one direction -- and then ZOOM -- in another direction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rocket was engrossed with his surroundings.  He even chased a couple of lizards.  Very exciting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We took a break under a tree to rest and catch our breath.

Rocket plopped right down in the water and treated it like a nurturing spa treatment.  He had everything except for the cucumber slices!

This is the Roberts' Ranch House which burned down in 1982.  We explored the area and imagined how it looked before the fire.

On the trail someone commented that Rocket doesn't know he is a white dog.  I replied, well he's not anymore!

Here we are at the small waterfall.  We ran into a chocolate lab who was jumping around in the water and playing.  Rocket was curious but not ready to be that wild.  We watched for a couple of minutes and then made the trek back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rocket and I took a different trail back toward Boomer, the car.  We climbed up and out of the canyon.  There were great views of the Roberts Ranch, the waterfall and the ocean.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afterward, Rocket and I stopped in Malibu for some cold water.  We sat next to the playground and watched the children.  He is napping now, but soon we are going to head out to have dinner at a friend's house. 

Another Rocket Ride

Story and Photos by Christine Cawley

Edited by Jennifer Gill

 

Today Rocket headed out to enjoy Abbot Kinney's creative work, or what is left of it.  We took a Sunday stroll along the Venice Canals in Los Angeles.  He loved all of the smells and wanted to check everything out.

Rocket never shies away from a camera -- he is a real charmer!

We came upon a new friend, Chip.  Of course Rocket was neighborly!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On one of the arched bridges you can breathe in the day and relax!

Rocket asked for a couple quiet moments as he looked out into the distance...

Everyone was happy to meet Rocket...well almost.  These two were "ducking" out the back way.

I don't know who was more surprised -- Rocket or the cat.  The cat was staring at Rocket with such intensity, I was afraid he would turn Rocket into stone.  Rocket didn't even see the cat at first, but when he did, Rocket almost jumped higher than the cat!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Always a gentleman, when we returned to Boomer, the car, Rocket offered to drive us back.  What a swell fella!

Cheers! To the High Life!

Pictures and Story by Christine Cawley

Edited by Jennifer Gill

I must say that truly the only way to experience Beverly Hills is with a dog like Rocket!  He was the magic key to the city.  We decided since yesterday, we experienced the smell of street urine and the sound of grocery carts scooting along the asphalt in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, that today for contrast, we would smell the over-perfumed, plastic girls and hear the sound of diamonds clinking together in Beverly Hills. 

Rocket had to have a photo in front of this divine piece of art.  Simply mod, darling!  

Rocket was on the trail for a Pretty Woman as he strutted up Two Rodeo. 

He was the latest rage in Beverly Hills!  Tour buses drove by and waved to Rocket.  There were paparazzi following us with comments and smiles.  I would not be surprised if Rocket's photo is found later in the grocery store checkout line.

Seriously, as we passed by all the people on the street we could hear them talk about Rocket in various languages.  "Regardez, le chien," or "Mida! El perro!"  Several children stopped for a pet and a smile.  All the Beverly Hills women with little puffball dogs opened their arms to Rocket for conversation.  "Oh how much does your bichon weigh?", "Oh, what a cute dog!", and "Please do join Muffie and me on the verandah for some cucumber sandwiches!" (Um, okay, perhaps that last one was an exaggeration.)

Rocket went to Jack & Jill's  

to fetch a drink of water.

He sat down

and lost his frown

as the water came soon after.

Rocket is a dog of action.  He loved watching all the people as they played on the grass or lounged on the patios at this new garden area.  

 






Rocket was excited to create some performance art on Canon Drive.  Afterward, we headed back through the residential streets and he sniffed every tree and stone that had a story to tell.

The front desk girls at the Residence Inn Beverly Hills all greeted Rocket by name.  He went on two paws and did his dance.  The front desk girls squealed with delight.  Rocket sure knows how to work a room!  Now he is passed out under the table and dreaming about his next luxury stop...Monte Carlo!