It's the holiday season....

Holiday Pups

What's your name?

Oh, hey!  In my book I talk about all the names I have.  I have lots of names and I know that every one of them is for ME!  That's because I'm a pretty smart pup.

Now Mom has a brand NEW name for me.  Want to know what it is?  Mr. Sunbeam!

Haha.  That's because every day the sun shines in the window and lands right on the bed where I like to take my naps!  I love sitting in a sunbeam.  It makes me feel all nice and warm.  And my magical Spotter spots get really warm. 

I guess I'm pretty lucky to have so many names!

Yes, Harry loves his sunbeams. And his two perfect spots get extra warm since they are black.  Sometimes he falls asleep with his face in the sun....I don't know how he can sleep like that, with the sun in his eyes!  Happy dreams, Mr. Sunbeam!

We'll have fun, fun, fun

Hey!  I'm not scared of this place anymore.  You know why?  Because it has so much nice grass and lots of trees and I even met some of my neighbors!  I love going for walks now!  Even better than before.  Lots of good, smelly things, too.

I met Leo, he's very playful.  And Duke, he's a puppy, but a really, really BIG puppy.  And somebody else...not sure of his name.  Bindi or Bippy or something, haha!

And then we went for a ride to a park!  I love parks.  This was a HUGE park and there was water, too!  Oh, boy!  We walked way, way out over the water.  I could see it down there and smell it, but we were high up.

There was a little beach, too.  It was really pretty.

And there was lots of grass, too and some kind of funny buildings.  This park was so big I got to run all by myself.  I still had my leash on, but I got to run and run.  I always make sure Mom and Dad nearby, though.  I don't want to lose them!

I forgot the most important part - it was warm out!  It was such a nice day, but there was hardly anyone at the park but us.  

I sure hope we get to go there again!

It was an unusually warm day for this time of year, so we decided to go exploring.

The park is an old fort from the late 1800s where bunkers were built to protect the Delaware from invasion.  They had electricity, though and the soldiers were able to communicate with one another via telephone.

Harry had a blast, especially when he was allowed to wander on his own.  There were only 4 other people in the whole place, so off he went.  But I could see him checking behind him from time to time to make sure we were well within his sight.

So happy that he is calming down.  Good boy!

Doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore?

Mrrrrrrrr.  We drove and drove and drove again.  Then we came into this place, and all kinds of people were here, moving stuff and going in and out.  I didn't like it, so I went in my kennel to feel safe.  All those people finally went away.

This is not a hotel. I'm not sure what it is.  But there is no egg breakfast everyday.  I liked that.

And there is a whole room with a bed, like it was at home.  And a whole room with a little TV monster.  So, now my kennel is in the room with the bed and my bed is in the TV monster room.  Mom and Dad got another pad for under my bed, like at home, so I can be warmer.  And I still have my snuggly blankets.

There is a separate kitchen, too, not like at the hotel.  So, my bowls are in there.

It's kind of nice walking around here.  There's lots of trees and leaves and good smells.  I have seen some other dogs, but I only met one.  He was a puppy, but a REALLY BIG puppy, bigger than I am!  He's big and brown and he got in my face.  I guess he wanted to play, but I was not in the mood so I barked at him.  Mom gave him some pets and bopped my nose.  I will try to be nicer to him if I see him again.

I just wonder why we keep moving around.  I wish we would just stay put, like we did before.

We have found a short term rental apartment that takes dogs of Harry's size.  It beats being in a hotel and is not as financially draining.  Harry is having a bit of a hard time.  Clearly, he is stressed and cannot be left alone here yet.  He met a puppy - albeit a LARGE puppy, but Duke was a real sweetheart and Harry was giving him a sharp, loud "get out of my face" bark.  Very out of character for this boy.

Hopefully, with time, he will calm down.  The grounds are nice, very verdant and huge, old, gnarly trees.  

It is getting quite cold.  Animals can't fly internationally in cold weather, so I am afraid that even it our visas are granted, we are here for the duration of the winter, regardless.

We persevere.

On the road again....

Errrr.  Why?  Why do I keep missing my morning nap?  It makes me soooo tired.  I have been missing lots of naps lately.  We keep going places.  Mom gets out and comes back with lots of stuff.  Then I hardly have enough room for me in the back!  All kinds of boxes!  Then Dad gets out and comes back.  I don't understand that at all.  Very strange.  

Oh, and one day we drove and drove and drove.  We  got somewhere where a man gave me water.  And they had treats.  They had a whole bunch of treats in a big bowl, but it had a top on it.  Mmmm.  I wanted to put my whole head in that bowl and eat every single one!  But I did get some of the treats!

We were there for a long, long time and we walked around and in and out and back again.  There were lots of people coming in and going, too.

After a long, long, long time we got back in the car.  Good thing my old bed is in the car.  I was REALLY tired!  

I don't really know what's going on, but something is.  All this stuff.  It sure does make a pup sleepy!

We have found a temporary apartment where Harry is allowed.  Since it is temporary, we bought a few items we need for a working kitchen, a couple of lamps, a toaster, a small TV.  Harry doesn't know it yet, but soon we will leave the hotel and settle down for a few months in a garden apartment.  It has nice grounds and lovely trees and lots of dogs.

I want to go home, where I belong.....

We went to the giant dog park the other day.  I always like that.  Mom gives the giant dogs carrots and I get some, too!  So many fun things to sniff!

Things are so different here.  Not like they were before, and I don't know why, but they just are.  Used to be, when my pack had to go out and do lots of things, I got to stay home by myself.  I always got a special treat!  Then I could nap on my couch, or on the big bed....take a little snooze in a sunbeam....ahhh.  Now I have to go with my pack every time they go out!  EVERY time! 

And there is always one really BIG day when we go out for a long, long time and ride in the car.  Mom usually gets out of the car and comes back with bunches of stuff.....hmmm, smells like food!  Sometimes we drive to other places and Dad gets out and comes back.  He doesn't have any food, though.  And when we get back, our new house is all clean!  That's when I FINALLY get to take my nap!  

I just don't understand why we are here.  I wonder how long we have to stay here?  Why can't we go home?

Our room in our temporary quarters gets cleaned once a week.  On that day we get up early and have our errands to run.  To stay out of the room as long as possible, we try to arrange to have several places to go, like the bank, the supermarket, the pharmacy.  Harry can't stand missing his morning nap.  (Neither can I)  

I try to select things that are healthy.  It isn't so easy without a proper stove (just 2 burners) and no oven. Also, I refuse to leave Harry alone in the car, so only one of us can pop out at a time.  Since the one time my husband did the supermarket run by himself, he came back with a giant tub of guacamole (I love it, but...gee...)  I make sure that I am the one doing the foraging down the aisles now.

Harry has adjusted better than we have, although I think he may be a bit confused.  I, for one, have had quite enough.  I just want to go home, too, Harry.  I really do.

Go away, leave me alone, don't bother me....

Monsters follow me.  I don't know why and I don't like it. I do not like it at all.  Most of the time I'm ok.  I've learned not to be scared of little monsters....like the toaster monster, or the microwave...they are little monsters that make food...and I DO like food.

I even learned to put up with some bigger monsters, like the ones out in the street.  Big noisy ones that screech and hiss and spit.  And those silly flags don't bother me at all anymore.

But whenever my pack goes to a hotel, the monsters follow me.  Why?  What did I do?  Is it my magical powers?  Just because the doors open for me, does that make the monsters mad?  

When we went to see my hooman sister far away, the monsters came.  And we are in a hotel now and guess what?  TODAY the monsters came again!  LOUD and scary beeps, way way screechy beeps.  Mom and Dad didn't seem upset, but I sure was.  I went to my safe spot in my kennel.  They've been quiet for a while now, but I am afraid they will come back.

Why are they after me?  I really want them to go away and leave me alone!

Fire alarm testing.

They seem to haunt us at every hotel.

The desk called this morning to warn us.  Poor Harry, he still cannot and probably never will tolerate loud, obnoxious sounds such as sirens and alarms.  It was the whole building, not just our room, so it isn't like we could escape...and it was rather early in the day.  *Sigh*   

It's all over now, and the sun is shining, the windows are open to a lovely breeze and Harry has stopped trembling.....for now.

Walk right in......

Every time my pack goes somewhere, they take me with them.  I get to ride in the car a lot!  It's fun.  I like it!  I don't even mind the box monster anymore.  Nope.  Don't mind at all.  Sometimes we take the stairs, too.  

But I, Harry Spotter, must have some magical power.  I must be a pretty special pup.  I don't know exactly what it is, but doors open up for me.  Just like that!  I get closer and they open!  It happens here, at this hotel.  And it happened again when we went to a dog store!  Yep, it's true!  They just .....OPEN.  Then I just walk right in, like magic!  And I met some other pups and I got a cookie, too.  Yumbers.

Harry has gotten used to the elevator, and he has seen other dogs going in and getting off, so he is not bothered by it at all anymore.  And he seems to really enjoy automatic doors.  He is especially fond of the entrance doors and appeared to be tickled that the Petco doors opened for him, too.  He met a couple of shelties while we were there, and one of the clerks gave him a biscuit.  Our boy is not such a nervous wreak anymore.

Nothing's gonna harm you....

Did I tell you I'm in a hooman hotel?  I am, but there are lots and lots of dogs here.

Big things happened!  All these guys came and took all of our house away!  All the furniture and everything!  It took all day and I was excited and I didn't sleep or nap at all and I was really, really tired!

Then we all came to the hotel, only Dad left Mom and me alone.  Mom had some tuna.  I LOVE tuna.  I got some.  I always get second dinner!

Mom seemed tired, too.  Everything was new and different and strange. Sometime in the middle of the night Dad came in.  Oooooohhh, I'm so tired.

And I found a new monster!  The box monster!  I don't like it at all.....but it doesn't hurt me.  I just don't like it.  Down this long, long hallway is a box.  Sometimes the door to the box is open and sometimes we have to wait for it to open.  But then we have to walk into the box.  That's the part I don't like.  And it makes funny noises and feels weird.  And then the door opens again, and we are somewhere else!  How does that happen?  Then we walk around and around...there's lots to sniff here, and bunnies, too!

Oh, and the food is way good!  I get cheese and egg and a schnib of sausage, and peas...all good stuff to go with my kibble.  Yumbers!

It's ok to be here, I guess.  I just don't like that box monster.

We are in between homes, so are temporarily ensconced at a long-term stay hotel.  Quarters are somewhat cramped, but it is comfortable enough with a tiny kitchen...even has a dishwasher, although there are only just a couple of dishes!  Laundry is downstairs, and there is a hot breakfast bar every morning.  We have been bringing back some of the breakfast food to supplement Harry's kibble and he appears to like the food here quite a bit.

What he does NOT like is the elevator.  He has never been on one before and is not pleased at all when we have to get on it, although he had no problem at all figuring out where the door opens so he can make a quick exit!

Welcome to the hotel.....

Oh, boy!  Going for a ride!  Where we going?  Where we going?  Oh, I remember this place!  I was here before!  Oh, boy, oh boy!   I get my own room, but I can see all the other dogs.   And I have my own bed, my very own bed from home!   And they feed me just like Mom does.  It's noisy, though, so I can't nap as much as I do at home.  And they take me out to walk a whole lot.  Gosh, I'm getting tired.   I feel like I have been here forever.   I wish my pack would come home.

Oh, yay!!  Yay!  They're here!   MMmmmmmpphhh!  Arf!!!!  Let's go home, let's go home, let's go home!!!!!!!  Oh, golly, I'm so happy to be home!!!!!

We had to go out of town for a week.  Harry stayed at the Green Leaf Resort and Hotel for dogs.  They have all sorts of things for dogs to do...a pool, doggie "day care", massages.  Harry isn't too interested in lots of play...he never learned how to play with toys.  He much prefers being a couch potato.  But he did get 5 walks every day, his own food from home, his own bed from home, and some gourmet dog ice cream one night while we were gone.  

When the girl brought him out to us for us to take him home she said, "I LOVE this dog!  I'm going to miss him!"  That was very sweet of her, but....I love him to pieces, too.  I couldn't wait to get him back home.  We were both so very tired.........we had a nice nap together, just like we always do.

Thank you, Green Leaf, for taking good care of my baby!

I feel good....

I visited the dogtor last week.  I don't know why, I feel just fine.  I didn't mind, because I got to see Sparkles.  She's a cat that stays there all the time!

Then I went back to see the dogtor again!  Just yesterday!  I'm not sick so I don't understand.  And this time I got poked a couple of times.  It was ok though, because I got some treats!

I felt really tired last night, but Mom gave me ice cream.  Peanut butter...my favorite!

I wonder why I keep going to the dogtor?  Why?

 Harry has a big adventure coming up.  He doesn't know it yet, but I think he suspects something.

I've got all my nephews with me!

Oh, wow!  Wow, wow, wow!  Guess what?  I have a new.....nephew!  That's because my hooman sister adopted a rescue dog just like me!  Well, he isn't exactly like me, haha!  He's little.  And he has more fluffy fur.....his name is Amos!

He had a ruff time for a while.  But things will get better for him real fast!

It's like EVERYBODY in my family has dogs!  Yay!

 Welcome to the family, little Amos!!!

It's Not Easy Being Green.

Boy, oh boy, do I like summer!  I've been getting lots of doggie ice cream!  My most favorite thing in the whole world!!  I get ice cream after our big evening walk....not everyday, but lots  more because it's hot outside.  

And the other nice thing is I get to see my friends more!  Nobody likes to go out in the winter, but everybody is outside now!  Yay! 

We take bigger walks now, too.  I get to try and chase chipmunks, but Mom gets mad at me.  And sometimes I find something tasty on the ground.  Mom gets mad at me when I do that, too.  She yells at me.  So I drop what I have.  Darn it.  It was just a tasty morsel, Mom......why can't I have it?  Oh well, ice cream is better, anyway.

It happens every summer.  Little frogs are born and some of them don't make it.  There are always a few that dry up on the pavement.  Harry has a fondness for them.  Ick.  Aggghhh!  He is very fast and slurps them up like lightning.  But I keep a close watch.  "DROP IT!"  And he does.  I suppose for him it is like a piece of jerky.  And to think of all the wonderful things I feed him.  You can take the dog out of the street, but.....


 

Spooky

Mystery

What are you and why are you here?

Big, mystery monster box

Just sitting over there...

What do you want with me?

My old bed sits inside

Smells like me and that I like

And my treats now always hide

Within your walls, a chore for me

To find them. That's just wrong.

I do not like this giant box

Even with no lights, no sound, no song

This thing disturbs me.

You bother me, big old box
What do you have in store for me?
I guess one day I will find out
Until then, you are a mystery.

June, 2017.  
Harry Spotter
Genius Dog Extraordinaire

Someone's knocking at the door, somebody's ringing the bell.....

Way, way back, a long time ago when I was a scaredy dog and I didn't know what was going to happen to me, I was afraid of lots and lots of things.   Even when I found my forever home, I was still pretty scared.

When someone came to the door, I would run away and hide!  I didn't want anyone to take me away and I didn't want anyone to hurt me....so I ran.

But that was when I was still a pup.  I'm all grown up now and not so scared anymore.

And, guess what?  My pack got a new front door!  I can see through it all over the place!  I can see up and down the street and I can see other dogs walking by and when one of the pack is outside, I don't yell at them anymore, because I can SEE them!  I love the new door!

Lots of people have been coming by, too! When I hear the bell ring,  I like to be FIRST at the door, hahaha!  I go running to beat Mom to it.  Who is it?  Do I know you?  I don't know why all these people are coming over lately, but I think it's fun!

We are family...

Oh, hey!  I thought you might like to see my nephew!  I have never met him in person, but I get to see lots of pictures of him.  He lives kind of far away in Wisconsin.   His name is Winston, so his Mom got an old box that has his name on it.  See?  He's kind of cute!

I'm leaving on a jet plane.....

Mmmmmm.  Mom went away.  She went away for a long, long time.  It seemed like FOREVER!  I was so, so happy when she came back!   I had a nice walk with Kai one day, but I still missed my Mom.  Something is going on, though.   I don't know what it is.  Mom and Dad are yammering away lots and lots.  Yammer, yammer.  Talk, talk, talk.......Mom didn't feel too good for a couple of days, but I was so glad to have my morning nap partner back!  What's all this yammering?  Oh, well......speaking of naps......I didn't sleep so well when Mom was away....I think I will settle in for a nice nap.  Maybe I will dream of being Super Spotter!

I was away for 5 days.  I was in Europe.  A bad case of jet lag followed me home. Harry has some surprises in his future.
 

Good Morning, Starshine....

The days are getting a little nicer, but in the morning it's still chilly!  So I try to find warm, sunny spots to nap in.   I have another couch in Dad's office....sometimes I keep him company there and soak up some sun.

 Ohhh, that feels so good!  My ears get nice and toasty!

Then other times, I  keep Mom company in the living room....she warms up with hot tea and I warm up in the sun spot coming through the window!  

It's nice to get warm in the sun spots, but  I sure do wish Spring would hurry up!

I don't want to walk without you....

Oh boy,  oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!!!!  I'm so excited to show you my buddies!  Who should I start with? Let's see.....there is the little girl around the block...I don't know her name but she always has a cute outfit on.

See? She's all dressed up in a jacket AND a hat!

Another little guy who is my friend is Beau.  He used to growl and bark at me until we finally got to rub noses!  Now he runs up to me as fast as he can!

 Oh!  Then there is Bandit!  She never holds still!  She is the silly girl who got lost once, but I, Super Spotter, found her and helped to get her back home!

 And then there is Carrie!  Haha!  Harry met Carrie!  She sort of looks like me but she is much smaller than I am!  Oh, and most of us are rescues!  Yep!

Sometimes I meet these guys.  They are French.  I'm not sure what that means. It sounds fancy!  But this is Teddy and Sophie.

It got warm one day and on the same day I saw Teddy and Sophie, I met up with Julian, too! What fun! He's wearing a "Batman" bandana!  Haha!  He's no match for Super Spotter!

My smallest buddy of all is Joey.  Joey is tiny, tiny, tiny.  But, guess what?  He is sort of famous, too, because he is a HERO!  He chased a BEAR out of someone's house!  Yep, a bear!  Joey is smaller than most cats, but he is BRAVE!  He gets a Super Spotter award!

 My sweet friend, Dora, moved away.  That made me sad for a while.  But I'm not so sad anymore because I met Kai.  She is new to the neighborhood and really, really nice.  She's awfully pretty, too.  See?  Isn't she beautiful?  I like Kai a lot!

Because it's been winter, I haven't seen as many of my friends as I usually do,  so I was happy my personal photographer was able to get pictures of this many of my buddies!  And I have even more!  I'm a pretty lucky dog!

My Funny Valentine....

Happy Valentine's Day to all my buddies!   

Guess what?  My personal photographer goes on all my walks with me.  We are taking pictures of my friends here in my neighborhood.  It's cold out, so I don't see as  many of my friends as I do when it is nicer outside.....but my personal photographer has a few already!!!  Coming soon!

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Lady+and+the+Tramp+Bella+Notte&&view=detail&mid=DD17246BA6E41511FE4CDD17246BA6E41511FE4C&rvsmid=DD17246BA6E41511FE4CDD17246BA6E41511FE4C&fsscr=0&FORM=VDMCNL 

Here comes the....son?

Haha! You know I do NOT like my picture taken.  So, my Mom had a toy made that looks pretty much like me!!   She calls him  my "mini me."  His markings are like mine...he even has two perfect spots on his back, just like me! 

Well, guess what?  Mini Me had a puppy!  Here, take a look!

Glorious food....

Butterless Crumb

 

What good is a butterless crumb

Lost, without anchor, bereft on a plate?

The dry, desolate debris of burned out hope....

Shall I leave you there, adrift, alone?

My tongue says, "Nope!"  

by Harry Spotter,

 genius dog and Crumbhunter Extraordinaire

It's a wild world....

We had a big snow storm!  I'm so happy I have my big coat to keep me warm!  I don't give my pack ANY trouble when they put it on me.  I like it!  

I doesn't matter what the weather is....I have to go outside every day.   Mom and I were walking along the other morning...and...ooohhh, I could smell something interesting.  Hmmmmm.  What is it?  Then we saw the footprints.  WOW!  They were big!   I was a little worried, can't you tell by my face?  I guess Mom was, too, because she took a picture of one of them.   Waaay bigger than MY foot, and I'm almost the biggest dog around here!   What could it be?  Mom would have to scratch my magical Spotter Spot to turn me into Super Spotter to meet up with what ever that is!!!!  But I think I would rather go home.....quick!

 Harry is nearly 60 pounds, not a "little" dog, by any means, although certainly not one of the largest.  In the picture above, the small prints are Harry's.  !!!  I don't know what kind of animal could leave prints like those, but there were no other prints around, human or otherwise, until we showed up.  It was a bit alarming.  Needless to say, we headed straight for home as quickly as we could!

Hello, stranger!

Ooooh, boy!  I love when somebody comes over!  It's fun!  I get lots of pets and attention!  And, guess what?  TWO people came over the other day!  And one of them was my foster Mom!  My foster Mom!  WOW!  I haven't seen her in a long, long time!  She took care of me before I found my forever home!!  She had another lady with her......they tried to take my picture, but I ran away.....I don't LIKE having my picture taken!  

But is was so nice to see my foster Mom again!!!  She still remembers me and I still remember her!  

Yes, Harry's foster Mom came over, because a friend of hers just moved in nearby.  It was so nice to see her again and to meet her friend and my neighbor.  In "The Amazing Canine Adventures of Harry Spotter," she is the nice lady.  Her name is Maureen and she is one of the wonderful volunteer foster parents for "Almost Home Dog Rescue of New Jersey."  We did manage to get a picture of them together at a dogfest a year or two ago.

Don't forget that with each sale of Harry's books, a donation is made to "Almost Home."