Another Bob & King Day

Story and Photos by Christine Cawley

Edited by Jennifer Gill

 

Rocket was very happy to head out into the world today.  He was very wound up and could not get to the car fast enough.  To help release some of that energy we pulled over to a neighborhood park that is famous for doggie pow-wows.  The smells of information would be as thick as a novel!  

 

Before Rocket could scope anything out, these two bookends came running over to greet the park newbie. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rocket found all the smells and began to peruse their messages.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He must of found some good news because Rocket ran and ran and ran all around the park.  Anyone who looked up and saw the puffy white cloud blowing by found a smile spreading across their face.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now that he had his fun we went back into the car and tooled around.  He showed no particular interest in where we were driving until...We ended up on short winding roads that seemed unfamiliar to Rocket.  He popped his head to attention, intrigued with the route.

 

 

It's fun to go to different places and see what toys and stories one can share while there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rocket remembered his big friends, Bob and King as they rushed out to greet him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before, when we were doing serious hiking, they did not have a chance to goof off.  Now was the time. Rocket raced around the yard and Bob whom always recognizes play, raced behind him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

King too was interested and joined in on the bunny hop line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course afterwards, I needed help in the kitchen and all three dogs lined up.  King was afraid I would put him on pan scrubbing duty.  Bob was hoping for being the quality food checker.  And Rocket was hoping to do a small number to entertain us all before, after, or during any moment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Would you believe I was doing an amazing juggling act with sharpened (of course) kitchen knives and the boys were glued to talented feat!  Rocket and I may go on tour next month! Okay, maybe I exaggerate a wee bit.

 

Rocket and Bob enjoyed their time together.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rocket had fun running and barking when they thought something was worthwhile to bark about. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We at first stayed with the boys and later hung out with the people too.  It was nice sitting around and relaxing together.  Rocket had a full day and is sleeping now.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's a good thing because tomorrow is a new day!

 

 

Merry Christmas!

Rocket would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy 2012!  We are looking forward to another year of adventures in Los Angeles.

Tar Baby

Story and Photos by Jennifer Gill

Rocket and I decided to explore a unique feature of our neighborhood - the La Brea tar pits. 

The tar pits are one of the world’s most famous fossil localities, recognized for having the largest and most diverse assemblage of extinct Ice Age plants and animals in the world.  During the last Ice Age (between 10,000 and 40,000 years ago), animals such as saber-toothed cats and mammoths roamed Los Angeles...much different from the "creatures" we see today!

This big, gnarled tree is at the entrance to the park.  Rocket sat politely for a picture, but he couldn't keep his eyes off something just in the distance...

...It's a mammoth and her baby standing on the edge of a giant tar pit!  Cool!

On our way to see what else the park had to offer, we stopped for some rock climbing.  

  

Rocket was smiling from ear to ear when he got up close and personal with this tar pit!  

Look at the size of those kitties!  Rocket was wishing he was around in the last Ice Age so he could have played with them.  

There was way too much excitement at the tar pits, so we sat on the grass for a bit to rest.  Rocket sampled a clover, but decided it wasn't worth the calories. 

On the way home, Rocket stopped to watch this fountain for a bit.  At one point, he tried to lean all the way over the edge for a better look (or maybe it was to try and wash the taste of clover out of his mouth).  

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month!

This isn't exactly an adventure, but I thought it was worth passing along.  Rocket's rescuer, the ASPCA, is celebrating Adopt a Shelter Dog (ASDM) month with 10% off all ASDM items in its online store.  Use code ASDM10. 

Happy shopping!

Life Along the Sea

Story and Photos by Christine Cawley 

Edited by Jennifer Gill

Bichons have had a long relationship with sailors from days of yore, particularly in the Mediterranean area. Sailors loved the pleasant nature of the bichon.  Rocket is no different today -- people flock toward him to pet him or watch him do his dance. He is a dog regularly admired.  

Today, Rocket was ready to go on a new adventure.  When he came upon the car, he seemed surprised not to see his new friends, Bob and King.  I even saw him glance in the back seat just to make sure that Bob and King were not there.  After one quick visual confirmation, he hopped into shotgun and eagerly waited for the adventure to begin.  

The feel of the fresh salt air blowing through his white fro whirled away any impatience Rocket had for the adventure to begin.

 

We enjoyed a wonderful ride along the coast heading south.  The micro climate of Palos Verdes is special. Rocket was surprised to find himself at a beach.  When we had arrived he looked out into the sea and an inner peace or calmness settled in.

 

Or did it?  After his zen moment, Rocket began to bip about the beach like a wild dog.  A gleefully wild dog.  

We enjoyed running along the shore and trying to keep our toes dry when the tide rolled in.  It was a lot of fun.

Rocket takes in life to the fullest.

 

Rocket was such a good dog.  He stuck next to me like we were glued together.

 

Rocket is very proud of this photo because it shows off his not so clean poodies.  

 

Many a classic novel has begun with someone waiting as well.  

 

Rocket is tired from his day at the beach, but he loves his dirty paws!

The sunset was gentle this evening, the palatial land had Rocket eager to explore and explore some more!

As for now, the eagerness has gone somewhere else from within us both, and Rocket is sleeping soundly on the bed with me while I write.  Even my eyes are droooping, and I know I must finish this story quickly so we can sleep and our fun can continue tomorrow.

Nightie night!

PART 2: Big Fun in Santa Anita

Story and Photos by Christine Cawley

Edited by Jennifer Gill

Welcome back to Part 2 of Big Santa Anita Fun.  

When we left off, the Bob Mobile had transported our slobbery friends into a wildlife wonderland.  Rocket had found his inner balance through the sound of the running stream and his Thai Chi poses.  King was overcome by the peace and joy he experienced with the natural beauty and had broken out singing "Thank God Almighty, I'm free at last!"  And Bob, being always amicable, took joy in discovering this hike was downhill. 

Joy.  Joy.  Happiness. 

UNTIL!  Stream separation!  Bob and Rocket over there and King and myself over there.  And we all wanted to be right here.

 

 

King repeatedly had fun showing Rocket and Bob how to cross the stream.  It was borderline smugness.  However I felt he was trying to help out so we could get back to the hike.  

Rocket had determination and was able to find a route he was comfortable with using.  King, Rocket and I kept encouraging Bob.  And just like the time in Escondido Canyon when he was faced with some mild rock climbing, Bob reached his limit.  With a heavy breath out, Bob turned around from the wet obstacle, and began to head back to his car in a huff.  

My eyes penetrated every section of  the trail across the way,  I was hoping to see where Bob had sprung off to.   Then I noticed that he hadn't left at all but was hiding behind some shrubs watching the three of us.  Peculiar.  My eyes scanned the shore to find a shallow, calm part in the water or several large flat rocks that Bob would feel comfortable crossing.  However when Bob realized we had not come running back across after him, he came out of his hiding place and walked back up towards the daunting shore.

With a newfound determination and focus, Bob picked his course.  And sure enough--he made it!  Yay Bobbie!  We were all happy with the outcome.  Like us all, Bob just need to do it on his own time and in his own way.  

I suggested we continue on, but then King didn't need my encouragement, he had already started back down the new section of the trail.  He had been patient long enough.  Now for some serious hiking fun!  

And Rocket was still in awe that he was even with us all that he happily trotted alongside us.

 

Just up a piece to our left were some cabins.  One cabin had a nasty hole in it because a tree had fallen on it.  The other cabin had two people standing on a bottom stone step just outside of it.  They were returning from their morning hike.  They enjoyed seeing the dogs and mentioned their dog was too old to come down the trail.  I introduced everyone to our new friends.  Bob was happy to see some friendly faces.  He liked meeting them so much that he headed up their stone stairs, ready to visit, get some breakfast and stay awhile.  We all laughed and then King, Rocket, and I waved good-bye and called for Bob to join us.  Bob begrudgingly left the friendly couple and continued down the trail.  Even though Bob had to leave a possibility of breakfast and relaxation, he was still amicable and happy we weren't hiking uphill.  

King would just pause and soak up all the brilliance around him.   

 

Rocket is showing how magnificent Hermit's Falls truly is.  We had reached our destination.

Um, there was mention earlier this morning that Rocket might get a little dirty.  Hmm.  Perhaps that was not phrased accurately.  A  little dirty?  Being a dog, if having fun is equivalent to dirty, well I would say Rocket topped the fun charts!

 

Returning the way we came, we saw the beauty of the scene that the back of our heads were fortunate enough to behold on the way down. 

 

Two things happened which showed us it was time to finish up our experience in Big Santa Anita Canyon.  Number one:  we ran into our first group of tourists on the trail.  And where there is one tourist group, more tourist groups are sure to follow.  And number two: Bob realized we were now hiking uphill. 

 

Here we are back in Chantry Flats.  The irate squirrel had left, and the tourists had arrived.  The morning mist was replaced with a bright sun shining through the leaves of the trees and the clock in our minds began to reactivate.  

I had thoughts pertaining to traffic and upcoming appointments.  Bob's thoughts were simple: breakfast.  King was subdued and looking forward to sleep.  And Rocket?  I am sure his day took a different turn than he ever could have imagined.  So much so that time seemingly stood still or at least shifted him in an alternate universe.  

Yes, it was a Bob & King world where the Bob Mobile takes one on the grandest of adventures!