Passing the Torch

Hair braiding is a group activity

I love kids! There's just no doubt about it. Children are my absolute favorite things in the whole world - well, maybe with the exception of breakfast, or 2nd breakfast, or dinner, or in between snacks. Don't get me wrong, I love Mom. But kids? Well, that's a whole different level of fun! These short humans are a smorgasbord of activities. Their faces are at just the right level for licking, their laps are just the right size to sit on and they don't take up too much of the bed at night so I can stretch out while still cuddling with them. They will throw a ball or a stick until their arms practically drop off, then be ready to snuggle on the couch to rest up for the next activity, which might be anything from teaching me tricks (aka treat time), or lunch (aka clean up the dropped food on the floor time), or tug of war (aka watch me shake your arm off time). The fun just never ends when you're with kids.

My boys "O" and "E"
"C" was napping

We went to visit some friends and they have 3 boys. We had so much fun! They threw the ball until I was so tired my tongue was hanging practically on the ground. They were quite willing to play keep away. I love for them to throw the ball but never want to give it back so they have to chase me for it. I've learned that if I drop the ball when they get tired and pretend to look away, they'll try to pick it up. That's when I can grab it and run. Then the whole keep away game starts again. I let them get it just often enough to keep them interested. Only kids will play this game with me. Adults don't seem to get it. I think they're actually untrainable on this game. They actually want me to bring the ball back and give it to them. Imagine that!


Mom hurt her foot a few years ago. She spent 5 months in a walking boot and 3 months in a brace. It's better now but won't ever be good enough to allow her to take me for long walks or hikes, so I haven't been getting enough exercise. For a young Vizsla that presents a pretty boring life. My breed needs a lot of activity and exercise to make me happy. Mom says her hiking days are over. She still bikes but I can't go with her on the roads. Mom and Dad were trying to think of ways to give me the activity level I need. As it turns out the family we visited used to have 2 Vizslas who both died of old age, one a few years ago and the other in early June. They had just started looking for another but didn't really want a puppy since one of their sons is only 2 and they've got their hands full with him. They have been praying to find another Vizsla to join their family, especially their 7 yr old who misses his special friend terribly. I had such fun with the kids that Mom and Dad decided to let me stay. The first day was a little confusing but I quickly fell in love with the boys and now it feels like I've always been here.

Loving my boy "O"

Night time brings new challenges in the fight for the most bed space. Adults take way too much room. I try to push them to a corner but they're just way too heavy to move. I've found if I keep stretching, they'll move over an inch at a time until I have a large enough space in the middle. But I have to be careful not to stretch too much because if I wake them up they'll move me to a corner and I have to start all over again. Kids are small enough that I have plenty of room to make myself at home. "O" is just the right size and he sleeps on the bottom bunk. The first night he told his mom that this was "the best day ever!" I think that's evident by the big grin on his face.

"AL", my special friend from next door

And to add hot dog frosting to my hamburger cake, I've met the girl next door and we have regular play dates. She's 2 years old and just full of energy and fun. I understand there are 3 more dogs in the neighborhood who will be stopping by soon for a meet and greet and wrestle match.  I can't wait for a doggy free-for-all. 3 boys of my own and a dog park right in my own backyard. Oh, this is most excellent!



But that leaves this blog without a writer, other than maybe the occasional guest post from me. I'm turning the writing over to Sammy who's promised to keep you informed about all the great adventures without being too cynical or sarcastic. He is old, after all. SpongeBob says old people are the greatest, they're full of wisdom and experience. On the surface that sounds pretty mature and respectable. I try not to laugh but it's sure hard when they do things like this or this. I should point out that neither of those are my Mom and Dad, but I can picture them doing something like that. And I'd try to be understanding, although I'd put my paw over my mouth to keep from howling with laughter!

So I'm passing the torch to Sammy. I hope he can keep you up to date on the goings on in the family. That is, if he can wake up long enough. Being old, he does sleep a lot. Thank you to all my fans for following my stories. I hope you'll continue to follow Sammy as he gives you his view of life. I'll keep in touch occasionally to let you know about my adventures as well.

--Cruz