Howl-O-Ween Fest & Other Fun!

We awoke bright and early to very cool airs outside and also my favorite thing about morning which is tasty breakfast food! Just after that, I began to notice the kind of nonchalent activity pattern that a The Smart Boy will associate with a trolley ride!

A trolley ride to the very fun Howl-O-Ween Festival at Bridgeland!

Thank Heavens we had Exhibitor parking passes, and we easily deboarded the trolley and made our way to the GRRH tent. We did not do so directly, as Reuf and I both did BIG BUSINESS right in front of the event greeters. The Mom was terribly embarassed, and with a huge bag [15 pounds of costumes, water, bowls, flyers and business bags] in one hand, and two leashes in the other... she began shuffling about, trying to get to the business bags, when...

The greeters quickly assured her 'No worries, it's a DOG EVENT!', and almost before the business was produced, there was someone there to scoop it up! Wow, I thought... this is like FIVE STAR!

Once we settled in at our tent, I asked that everyone turn their heads... and the Mom helped me dress in my costume. The one issue we didn't address in our rehearsal... was the leash.

We tried several adjustments, as we worked through the various and several wardrobe malfunctions... with little success, but oh well.

My lapel was a little askew, but I made up for it with my adorable freckle.

"Welcome to the GRRH tent. I am very successful GRRH Alumnus, Dr. The Bleu!"

"Yes, You may pet me... And please!"

My patented, 'Armpit Maneuver' where I slip between the arm and the torso, without my intended really even noticing. Thank you, Diana! 

I love this little boy. He gave me very good and tender attention. He really liked me, too.

In fact, the firemen were giving demonstrations just a few feet away, and they were letting children climb all over their truck. This little boy's the mom kept encouraging him to participate... but he wanted to stay with me.

The closest we came to a photo of me and Reuf together...

Just a glimpse of my Cousin Zeke!

Oh yeah... And Reuf rocked his rocket!

The slightly-reserved-always-polite-in-public Reufus... really came out of his shell today.

He was gentle. He did very little jumping up and climbing in laps [Thank you, Tracie... Reuf's favorite trainer... and the Mom for her consistency! This has been little squirt's biggest social problem to overcome!]

Clearly, the rocket has some alignment issues. Must recalculate trajectory data.

Reufus had a joyous time...

He was very gentle and I would say mannerly if he hadn't tumped over this little girl's beverage. No worries as nothing spilled, but her the mom moved the cup...

And our the Mom will be heading out to buy sippy cups for herself in the morning!

I offer you the difference between Reality and the movies (and cartoons)! This position does not lend itself to maximum trajectory but just a circle...

Much better!!!

Sticks or Treats, Sticks or Treats...
Sticks ARE Treats!

... until your little brother steals it from you!
[And now maybe you understand why I crafted for him... a rocket!]

After a while, the Mom undressed us and I have to tell you... It felt good to be naked!

I give credit where it's due, and Reufus wore his costume like a big boy today. I think he just needed to hear people tell him how cute he was and admire it... and he was all good. That said, he also did very much revel in his nakedness.

In case I've never mentioned it, I'm a BIG fan of Thing 2!

Oh, yeah...

It was SUCH a fun day!
There were SO many wonderful costumes on display at the festival,
and the Mom is disappointed that she wasn't physically able to photograph them all.
Here is a teeny tiny sampling...

Pumpkin

Winged Dragon... sorta

Sexy Lady... MmmmHmmm...

Ruffled Cuteness

And drum roll, please...
The very very VERY best costume we saw all day...
Worn by the strikingly adorable Gumball...

Banana Split!

I think I speak for all of us when I say...
"I hate to say goodbye to a banana split!"

[The Mom said to tell you that the Gumball had very seductive ears. She could have loved on them all day!]

It was a wonderful day. The festival was well planned and hugely successful. Tons of people and dogs attended. The Mom wished she had been able to walk and shop and eat, because there was a huge range of entertainment, presentations, vendors and eatables... but she just wasn't able. Old gal had what she said are Responsibilities, but Reuf and I call ourselves The Wright Brothers.

We stayed about 4 hours and then the Mom began to worry about the me. Traffic was heavy, and it took over an hour to get home. We were all pretty exhausted, so we laid down for a nap...

The Mom and Reufus would still be sleeping, but I woke them up... HUNGRY! And the dinner foods were served and we all went outside,  and then I parked myself by the nightstand.

You know... the nightstand with the drawer that holds the antlers. And SCORE! Once we settled in for the evening, the Mom being exhausted, delivered the antlers for our evening entertainment

chew chew chew chew chew chew
nom nom nom nom nom nom nom nom

Poor Reufus. What's his problem?
He's got TWO antlers on the big bed.

But again... He wants mine.

We continue to work on Reuf's willingness to share, and we're making progress. It's stressful on the Mom, but we have worked quite hard and are pleased to report very good results. Tonight, though he really wanted MY antler, he did NOT steal it. And that's great progress.

The antlers have now been picked up. Reuf and I have just gotten started on our evening, but the old gal aka our the Mom has just announced that it is night-night-bedtime.

I close by saying... I'm grateful for this beautiful day. I'm thankful for my wonderful friends. I'm blessed!

Happy Fathers Day And Also Various And Sundry Sunday!

Thank you, Everyone, for your concern for my the mom... and also for the trolley!


It's been a difficult few days, and we don't yet know if it's a fixer or whether we will be forced to shop for a new trolley, but we very much hope it's a fixer!!!

Even so, we are grateful to have parked the clown car and upgraded to a more suitable Trolley: The Jeep Liberty:

And the first route for this newly upgraded temporary Trolley peaked at the GRRH Meet & Greet at Orvis Westheimer yesterday...  where "the star of the show" appears to cast a shadow of spilled water!!!

Meet Queso!!! He's a sweet and handsome boy, about 10 months to 1 year old! He is just out of the vet clinic from his neuter surgery. And he is... DIVINE!

A lot of people are interested in this sweet boy, and his status won't be 'available' for long!

Slurping Queso...

Mug Shot.

Profile Photo.

Queso was SUCH a sweetheart that the Mom couldn't help but draw comparisons to the Reuf.

At one point, she even wondered if the Staff at Dogwood would notice that the Reufus had turned blonde in the course of a week! She determined that they most certainly would, because Queso walked well with a loose leash!

When the Mom got home yesterday, Reuf and I were very busy. I was multi-tasking with pasta boiling and sauce simmering on the stovetop... and I was also creating a SmileBox video for my Uncle Tom on the laptop. 

I still need to tell you the story of Reuf's training. It's positive reinforcement and treat rewarded. We have already observed a difference, given that we are relating to Reuf differently... and giving him tons of treats.

Because the Mom can't help but reward me, too... since I obey the commands without exception... I am probably going to grow as big as the house!

After all, I'm already on a diet of kibble and vegetables... which I supplement with fresh grass, twigs and sticks!

I'm always standing by, however, when the Reuf is called upon to perform a task, exhibit a behavior or a restraint... and at least for now, a treat is required to complete the transaciton!!!

He's a good and smart boy, and he's learning to focus, to concentrate, to understand...

But he's not all there just yet! And yes, yes.. One day soon, I will turn my blog over to him so he can tell you all about his experiences in Training Class.

For now, I'll tell you... he worked first next to an unruly dog named Blue. And once Blue was given his own protective space to work in, Reuf worked within feet of another dog named Rufus.

Yes. Yes. You're right. The Luke was Upstairs... pulling strings, with a hearty chuckle. I'm sure he was drawing his friends close, and telling them... "check this out... this will be FUNNY!!!

The Luke, as you know, was the Mom's soulmate.

There is no rational description for the relationship they shared...

The Luke
June 18, 2010

The Luke

June 19, 2010

 Run The Luke. Run.

 Rest The Luke. Rest.

Gosh... There is just SO much the Mom misses about The Sweet Boy, and life lived with him.


Thunderstorms were the exception, but globally... The Luke innately understood and knew how to behave in all circumstances!

His cuteness, too... is legendary!

This is something we have in common!!!

 

Something else the Luke and I share ... along with the Reufus... is a LOVE for our Uncle Tom!

Uncle T gave the Luke a lift in his Porsche, as he made his way to Houston and the Mom. And he and my sweet, Sweet, SWEET Aunt Madison fostered me for 9 months. They gave me a safe place to rebound from my disconcerting conditions... and nurtured me in every way possible so that both my confidence AND my fur would grow back! Uncle Tom also gave Reuf a lift to the Meet and Greet where he met the Mom... It's not a dramatic story, but it IS factual!

And so for many, various and sundry reasons... with MUCH love in our hearts, We wish Our Uncle Tom.... Happy Father's Day!!!

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