Guess who got to be an only child last weekend?  Late Friday after work Mama Jo, Rockin’ Roy and JUST Sasha took off for a little R & R at a friend’s place HIGH up in the mountains to enjoy the holiday weekend.  Since we don’t own a trailer and are too lazy to set up a tent the back of the truck these days is frequently a makeshift bedroom.  As you can see by the photo above Sasha was completely happy with the arrangement.  Snuggling had never been so easy.  Mom and Dad right there with no other dogs to hog the attention.

I think I will let Sasha tell her story.“For some reason Rockin’ Roy was gone when Mama Jo and I woke up in our wonderful new bedroom.   So I’ve got some exploring to do.”

“I prefer to do my exploring alone.  But there is no way I’m gonna loose Mama Jo with that camera.” “The smell of the green grass is heavenly.  We don’t have much green grass left at Sundog Ranch”

“I can’t believe I am all on my own.”

I”m kinda looking for Rocking Roy but there is so much to see and smell and investigate I don’t really care if I find him.Well look what we have here.  I thought I heard the pleasing sound of running water……all night long.

This is not the kind of water I am used too.  My intuition is telling me I better keep some distance from that water.  Imagine that.  Me wanting to stay OUT of the water.   It is time to put on my serious face and stance.  There is some kind of a huge structure near our bedroom.

Every structure like this MUST have something alive living in it or under it.

My nose and excellent sense of scent tells me it is true. But it is time to move on to other places.

For some reason Mama Jo is calling me back with some urgency.   I REALLY want to go through that gate but I know Mama Jo would be upset with me.  Probably because through the gate is a bridge that leads to a highway.   Mama Jo tells me I am not street savvy….what does she know?

Well well there is Rockin’ Roy!

What is that thing in his hand?He seems to be taking what he is doing very seriously.He’s got helpers too. I don’t quite understand why he is taking those slimy things home.   He hangs them up like they are some kind of prize.  YUK I just found out I’ve got other dogs to deal with.  They seem interested in the slime things.  Mama Jo says that dog is a Sundog and I should treat her with respect because she is a relative. Nope she can’t make me.  I’m going to take a break in this nice sunny spot and pretend I did not see that other dog I’ve got to deal with now.Just when I felt adjusted to the new reality of another dog…..another dog appears to check out the slime.  And OH NO dog # 3.   This dog I remember from a trip we took a year ago.  I’ll keep my distance from her.  Once everybody settled down about the slime prizes and all the photo’s were taken which I have no idea why Mama Jo and Rockin’ Roy sat down for what seems like a century.

Rocking Roy was in heaven.  A bar with the river near by. I was getting bored so I decided to do a little exploring.  And what did I run into?  Another god darn, I mean gosh darn DOG.  And what do they have to all do when we meet?  So much for being dog free this weekend.  Mama Jo and Rockin’ Roy chose me to take this weekend because they said I needed some more socialization even though I am 3 years old.  I don’t know why they think I need socialization.  I let every dog have their way with me.  Being shy is not a bad thing. This dog who claims to be a Sundog is NOT shy.  When I returned from my walk meeting ANOTHER DOG we found HER having a time out.  Apparently Shasta, (she does have a name ) decided to do a little socialization on her own far from the boundaries of this property which I dutifully obeyed.  This dog Shasta has a habit of wandering.  Not a trait I share.   I guess Rockin’ Roy has had enough to drink because there he goes back to that river that I am a little too hesitant to go in.  But the river is calling me just like it calls Rockin’ Roy.  So I heed the call.He looks so content sitting there.   The river must be good. Sometimes Rockin’ Roy has to get up and walk.  I’m not sure why. Just when I thought life could not get any better….. just Rockin’ Roy and me by the river…..look who appears.   THAT DOG.  That dog has a name I must admit.  Her name is Tess.  She is not a Sundog but she lives with one.   She is a Chesapeake Bay Retriever.  Her real talent I must admit is duck hunting.  And since she can’t find a duck she insists on helping Rockin’ Roy catch the slime.  She is kind of obnoxious.   She won’t stop barking.   I’m feeling a little jealous.  SHE is standing in the water and the river is not sweeping her away.  I’ve got to give it a try.  If she can do it I can.I did it!  I went right in front of Tess,  in fact I took her place and plunked right in the river in the little spot near the bank were the river would not sweep me away.  But Mama Jo is calling me back.  She is so paranoid.  I was getting confident.  I was socializing….kind of.And then Mama Jo tells me and Rockin’ Roy we need to get going.  I can see the disappointment on Rockin’ Roy’s face.  I’m just starting to feel confident and comfortable.  I’ve been socialized.  Isn’t that what they want?  I think I might be able to help Rockin’ Roy.   Maybe the slime are not so bad. But I reluctantly come when Mama Jo calls…..carrying a bit of bark to remind me of my trip.  I think they call it a souvenir.I know where I need to go in order to get home….back to Sundog Ranch.I think those OTHER dogs may have been sad to see me go.

Adios Amigo’s 🙂