Another Dog Day in Summer

Ben tells me…that I might be losing some weight after our hour and a half walk.

After coming home, he woke me up lying on the cool tile floor next to the front door. Seems that I was snoring so loudly after our adventure, “It sounds like a chain saw!” he said…whatever that is. I was dreaming of my fun day with Gyp and all those smells.

In one dream I remember Gyp always beating me to a strange animal pee or poop spot. She would make her mark and I left mine for those who came behind to remember us. I sometimes left a poo for Ben to pick up. Go figure? Ben growled and barked under his breath though when he ran out of NY Times bags and had to kick my stinky poo into the bushes. I leave a message and Ben kicks it away…no respect…

One of my favorite times of the day is very early in the morning, just as the sun is lighting up the sky, I happily put a paw on Ben and Ruth’s slumbering hairless bodies to remind them that I’m ready for my breakfast and an exciting walk with Ruth. They seem cranky with me for some reason. I’m careful though to not jump up on the bed as Ben has told me, “No dogs on the furniture.” Yes, there are rules here in camp, but I’m having fun!

Ben’s figured out how to make me excited and sometimes when I walk with him I’ll just nudge him behind his legs with my feet or nose to keep him mindful that order in walking is my forte. He tickles me or pats my back in a certain way that makes me want to jump up, bark, run away, and tear in a full run at him, stopping with a terrifying bark. We then finish with my play bow, yawn, and placing my head into his legs for a head rub. Woof! I do love this and come back for more, often.

Mom, Dad, in between snoozes, every time Ben or Ruth move about the camp, I must jump up, even from a dog dead sleep and follow them. It is possible that they might be going into the forbidden kitchen to get some…FOOD! Oh, ya! Ben has told me, “No human food for dogs!” Rules, Rules!

Well Mom, Dad, I’m going to lie down and take a well earned snooze. I’m sure there will be many more adventures. Thanks for bringing me to Ben and Ruth’s Summer Camp. Can I come again? I’ve got to catch those elusive cats…I’m starting to learn human language pretty well and now I think Ben is saying something to himself about “Quadratic Occasions?” Oh well…I'm feeling sleepy...gotta close my eyes...can't help thinking about the wonderful walk with Ruth this morning on the ridge at daybreak...really sleepy....

Adventures With Cats, Cows and Squirrels!

I’ve been loving barking and chasing the cats, though I haven’t seen them for a while. Ben and Ruth were pretty unhappy with me but I’m discovering my space in this camp adventure. They put up one of those frustrating human baby door gates to help me learn…but it’s so much fun scaring those cats. They just won’t have any part of us extroverted dogs who have humans as our best friends…

I love going out with Ben on long hikes though Gyp likes to always walk ahead of us about 25 yards (this is what Ben tells me? 25 what?) with a stick in her mouth. I just can’t figure out why she does this? Well! I’ve got a story for you! 

We were walking along and I ran out and barked at a woman who was walking past us going the other direction and nipped at her legs to make her trot politely with our pack. She barked at Ben very loudly. Ben told her, I think, that I was born to herd…….COWS!

Let me tell you! Getting that woman to "Move Along" was like a "walk in the woods" compared to the dog days my brothers and sisters work in. My heritage runs deep, and I do what I gotta do...

I wondered during our walks, about the strange creaking trees around us, and kept a sharp eye out for intruders. I was one of the first to see and greet a noisy squirrel who didn't want to play with us and ran up a tree. Gyp and I tried to convince it to come down but she just barked at us…so much barking, so little talking.

Camp Orientation

I really love to talk and sing, but sometimes I wonder if everyone is understanding what I’m saying…I know they are listening though, this I’m sure, yep.

I was surprised at first when Ben told me that “there was no dogs allowed in the kitchen!”

I think, though, that I’m getting over it especially when he moves the chair away that keeps us out and calls to us, “Time for puppy dinners!” Boy! bits of steak, moist kibble in a stew of chicken and beef broth, sometimes bits of cut up veggies…ummm.

Here I am eating a delicious, what Ben calls, “Puppy Dinner” with my pals Domino, Gyp, and Frieda.



Mom, Dad…whine…Ben got cranky with me when I jumped up and ate the cat food out of their bowls? I mean, it was right there?! Ben put chairs there to keep me from being tempted…oh well…I do check from time to time just in case he might forget and move them back. He doesn’t think I noticed what was hiding in plain sight behind the cat food? Their liquor stash! Who would ever guess?!

Sling Shot at Ben and Ruth's Summer Camp

This is Sling Shot and I’m speaking with Ben to share with you my adventures in summer camp. It’s taking Ben a bit of time to figure out what I’m saying, as you can see me trying to translate here… “Now you wrap the text around the picture like this…”

but time, I’ve got…except when it’s time to eat!

So…let’s get right down to the bones of story.