All I got was this lousy postcard

I'm at the doggie spa, hanging out with friends. We have great food, treats, and get to have a rugby game twice a day. It's pretty sweet, but I do miss the feeder and the otherone. I HOPE THEY ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME!!!!

The Wild One is being tutored - chocolate labs

I got this message from my pal, aka "Wild One". "Hey Rigi, can you believe I got shipped off to boot camp for the holidays? Hey dude wanna come get me? XO " Yup, that's my gal, stickin' it to the man. The feeder says I shouldn't worry, she really is just in a very high class school. She also said I could rescue WildOne as soon as I get my driver's license (some sense of humor on that one!). I hope WildOne comes back soon. I miss her.

Ruby, don't take your love to town

This is one cute pooch with a quizzical look. Separated at birth? I don't think so; all my littermates were guys. But I see the resemblance- maybe we are cousins. My feeder met her feeder over the weekend. Maybe Ruby is thinking about going to town and doing BAD stuff. Have fun! yr pl, Rigi (btw-poodles love semi-colons)

life is a beach

This doesn't need much commentary. The water was warm and it was a beautiful day. What could be more fun?

It's just paint

It looks frightful, but really it is just paint. In my job as studio dog, I am often able to liberate some of the equipment and investigate it thoroughly in the yard. I am really trying to help the Feeder in her investigations. For example - is it edible? Will it move if I toss it in the air? Will it bite back? Will it hurt anyone in the house? Will it eat my food? Anyway, after my investigations were over, I ended up with some red paint on my paw. I am not sure exactly how it happened. It was a long tube with a screw top and liquidy stuff inside that didn't taste so great actually. Then it got on my paw as you can see. The Feeder thought this was not such a good thing and I did get a talking to. (By the way, I am colorblind, and I am pretty much taking the fact that it was "red" on faith- looked grey to me.) We made up shortly thereafter and I promised I would never ever ever in a million dog years ever do anything like that again (heh! heh!)

Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle

What an embarrasing situation! So, I saw this neat slotted spoon, with a bit of spaghetti sauce still on it, sitting alone on the counter. The feeder and the otherone were nowhere to be seen, so it seemed safe to take this great smelling item for further investigation and possible licking, chewing, and eventual destruction. But, o no, I got it stuck on my lower jaw and couldn't remove it myself. Caught with the evidence, and feeling rather uncomfortable I had to go to them to beg for help. They tried and failed to get it out of my mouth. Not so bad really, since I then got to go in the car and visit the place with the room that goes up and down and deposits you in a lobby with a vet. The vet took me to a bright room with tables, and the next thing I knew, the spoon and I were history. Back home it was snoozeville and dreams of plastic implements chasing me....

Chewers Anonymous

I'm in trouble again with the feeder. She thinks I chew too much. They have all these alluring plastics laying around and I'm afraid I can't resist. It's those delicious phtalates. Anyway, here is a collection of some of my favorite items. You will see there are some pencils mixed in with the pens. I don't like to discriminate against them, even though they generally have more wood than plastic. Still, they have a good crunch, and that is what matters.

A Friend Adrift

Some dogs have all the fun. The only time I have been in the water was that time in Del Mar at the dog beach. Me and a cast of thousands. While it was fun carting home about 5 pounds of sand on my fur, I really wasn't able to get too far in the water. (OK - it was a bit scary). Now here you can see my friend Teddy doing it right. He doesn't even have to get wet - just sit in the boat and let his human do the heavy lifting. I notice he even has a life jacket on. It doesn't look like he needs it though. Life is mellow.

A hit, a very palpable hit

More lovin' My young friend paid a visit, and I was able to give him a proper poodle welcome. We poodles have very long tongues, and I was able to deliver a warm, wet one. I am not sure if he is smiling or grimacing - but I hope he enjoyed it. I can't wait until he visits again. I think he would be good at playing throw the ball and don't hog it.

Birthday party goes to the dogs

I went to my first birthday party for my friend Bella. She is looking splendid in her little beanie, munching on one of the gifts. All the dogs got balls for favors, so we didn't have to fight over anything. No one cried, which the Feeder said is rather unusual as most of these parties go. (Dogs don't cry! Sometimes I wonder about her). Anyway, I used to think I was Bella's only boyfriend, but apparently there is another lab, Bubba, that has taken my place. I wasn't too happy about that, so I chased him around the dog park a bit. (I hope I impressed Bella. I think she likes us bad boys!).

Tunnel of Fur - metaphysics

...my eyes peered out through a tunnel of fur

...will they never give me a trim ...i know what they want but cannot deliver ...the bit of shimmering light on the concrete calls me ...i am but a dog, a simple dog ...even when i am spelled backwards

My haircut

I am still contemplating a haircut. Here is a picture from a few months ago, after my last haircut. See my smooth muzzle? I am not sure I like that, since my whiskers were removed. That is a bit like removing my dog-hood. Also, I need them for balance and my general sense of well-being ! They have grown out now and I like that better. Maybe the Feeder can give me a different type of haircut next time. You see me here with my doggie friend. He is a floppy friend and doesn't move much unless you toss him in the air. (Kinda boring, but don't tell him that).

Time for a Haircut?

What do you think of this photo? My friend Ginger Van Hook took this of me during a recent studio visit. I showed her the studio where I work, and all the Feeder's paintings. We had lots of fun since she and Luke know all about dogs and their humans. I ran around, barked, slobbered, jumped, and acted endearing. I'm looking at this photo, though, and thinking maybe I need a trim? Especially around the eyes. You can hardly see my bee-u-tee-ful brown eyes behind all the fuzz. How can I glance meaningfully at the gals at the dog park if they can't see the glimmer in my eye? I am not that crazy about traditional poodle trims but I may have to bite the bullet.

I make new dog and people friends

Last week I had one of my best adventures ever and made some new friends. I was walking down the street with the Feeder, and we met one of our neighbors. She invited us in to see her two dogs (Brittanys) named Auggie and Bailey. O, by the way, she has two small humans as well. (Very cute, but how much can you do with just two legs?) Anyway, Auggie is a great guy. Bailey was nice too, but a bit sedate for my tastes. Auggie can run like the wind and we had a great time chasing each other. We played chicken and wolves. I was mainly the chicken, but that was OK. I'm younger than Auggie, and he said that made it fair. PS: Thanks to all who identified my stuffed toy as "Dr. Spock". He must be in a different veterinarian practice than the one I go to. PPS: Auggie's feeder puts him in her blog sometimes. It is a cool one!

does this picture of the star trek guy help?

any ideas?

Who is that masked man

So, I'm back ready for my other job - besides being a studio dog. Yes, my other job is playing and ripping toys to shreds. (Actually I haven't ripped up any toys so far. I mainly stick to ripping up plastic things for fun. I'm especially fond of bubble wrap. Don't worry, I know enough not to swallow any and the Feeder tries to keep me away from it most of the time anyway. Maybe now is not the time to talk about that Brillo pad I found.....) Anyway - here I am with a mystery toy. Anybody know who it is supposed to be? Somebody from Star Trek??

A friend my age - chocolate lab

So, Bella, the babe, finally came to visit. She is a chocolate lab, which is funny, since chocolate is not supposed to be good for us (at least that is what the Feeder says). Anyway, is she sweet or what? She is a bit older than me (just a coupla months) but is still fun loving and has a great personality. (She's cute, too, as you can see). We ran around like crazy and then shared a romantic bowl of muddy water. I think she could be the one! more later.......

My profession

So, the Feeder and the Otherone have been talking about my job. I'm apparently going to be in training as a Studio Dog. You can see me practicing on my first day on the job. It was pretty exhausting just lying there for hours and hours but I think I am getting the hang of it. I spend my time thinking about matters philosophic, which of course is very tiring. However, I also get to do more running around and steal some quite delicious stuff that the Feeder calls "garbage".

Visit from a Friend

My new friend Teddy came over to see me today with his human friends. He is an older gentleman, 14 years, I think. He was very nice, fun to sniff and very very tolerant of me. I guess he is not used to young pups, such as myself. I am now 13 weeks old, and certainly no longer feel like I just sprung out of my moms loins! No, no, no. I am running and digging all over the place. If that is not maturity I don't know what is!

All right, Mr DeMille, I'm ready for my close up.

I've discovered television. The pictures move. Sometimes there are creatures with four legs like me. Still, I am a sucker for old movies. I think I live on Sunset Boulevard, no?

What ears are for

I am beginning to feel more at home after getting a feel for the landscape. There are lots of grass, trees, weeds, dead leaves, moldy berries and pebbles to sniff. I have been learning to come, and almost became earborne as you can see from this pix.

Home at last

Finally I made it to my new home. My new human family seems OK. They supply me with lots of toys and food. They seem to be watching me very intently. They say they are worried about "accidents", but so far I know I have been perfect! Maybe they will chill out soon. Anyway - did you notice I had a bit of a haircut. Here is a picture of me lounging on my very own lawn.

Growing is hard work

Leaping after shadows is hard work and a bit of a rest on the cool floor is just the thing to recuperate.

Me and my family

We are a bit squished here, but enjoying our first formal portrait. Mom is the big girl on the right. Dad is the smallish white dude on the left. We pups are the beautiful music they made.

Growing

What I looked like at 6 weeks