Weekend Adventures

This weekend wasn't super special but there were lots of fun times to be had!

First off, we went over to Mike and Crystal's for game night on Friday where I got to hang out with April and Gami and all the big humans.

Then, we came home after Mike gave me ice creams, he thinks this makes me love him more than Mom... he could be right.  Mom went to bed late and woke me up a little after 3am!  She's crazy.  Mom got ready for something and took me outside for business and fed me 1/2 my breakfast.  Crazy and weird.  Then Mom left!  She said she was going to pick up new retired greyhounds.  I think there were some kinks in her plans though, cause Hotel de Phil (the back of Mom's car where I ride) smelled more like Mom than strange dogs.  Word on the street was that the doggies were late and Mom had to leave before the doggies arrived.  :(  The doggies still got to come to GHC and try to find their forever families though!

When Mom came home, it was still morning, so she took me out for a short walk and to go business and fed me the other half of my breakfast.  We hung out for a little while and then Mom surprised me with my delicious noms bone...  Then, after I got tired of chewing, I took a nap while Mom talked to Dad and took her nap.  Then, she left again!  This time she was in her work clothes though.  She came home to feed me lunch around normal dinner time and we went to the dog park for business time and I impressed her by fetching a tennis ball three times!  She's easily impressed, what can I say, I trained her well...  Mom went back to work and she got home late.





Then on Sunday morning Mom left in the morning and came back.  We hung out for a little bit and I did more chewing on my delicious bone and then we took naps.  Then we went on a ride (my new favorite thing, btw) with Crystal and Mike and Gami!  We went to St. Mary's River State Park for a hike/walk.  This was where the most interesting part of my weekend took place... and Mom's loudest moment of the weekend.....

We came up a hill and there were 2 women and 1 man with a more small than medium sized furry black dog (FBD).  Gami went up to FBD and they sniffed and Gami started barking at FBD.  FBD growled at Gami then I walked over to FBD and sniffed.  FBD then stood up on its back legs and growled at me.  Before Mom could even try to pull me away, I decided that FBD was going to be a tasty treat.  I grabbed FBD by the neck and wouldn't let go.  Mom is yelling and Gami backed away like she didn't know who I was and the strange man is trying to pry FBD from my mouth while the other 2 women are holding FBD.  While the man is trying to get the FBD from my mouth, Mom smelled something and realized that the FBD pooped, some of which landed on the strange man's foot.  Finally, the strange man got the FBD from my mouth and handed it to one of the women.

While Mom is trying to hold me back, I wiggled lose and out of my collar and went back over to the strangers trying to find the FBD.  The strange man grabbed me and Mom put my collar back on me.  Mom and I backed away and one of the women said, "She blinked finally.  I think she's still in shock."  The other woman had been feeling around the FBD's neck for any punctures/blood but she didn't find any.  The man explained, "This happened before with a lab when she was a puppy."  Mom is continually asking if the FBD is ok while holding my collar and trying to cover my eyes.  Mom gave the people her phone number so they could call if they found any kind of wounds later.

Thundar thighs!!!!!!

Mom pretending to sit on me like I'm her personal bench...

Pictures together!

Dis is fun!

Is dere more tasty fuzzies for me?  I kid, I kid... kinda.

Hai Mom!!!

After the scuffle, we continued on our walk.  I went on like nothing had happened.  Mom and Mike and Crystal kept talking about it for the rest of the walk.  They were all very surprised that I had decided that FBD was for eating.  Dad told Mom, "Next time, you'll remember his muzzle."  Mom told him, "I didn't even think of it because usually he's got no issues.  We've walked by pure Maltese dogs before and he doesn't even care.  We can even walk by squirrels without him turning his head even.  Today was completely out of the blue, but apparently Phil is a huge fan of fuzzies."  Showed you, Mom!

The lady called this evening during dinner and informed Mom that FBD was fine.  She also asked if I was caught up on all my shots and Mom was quickly able to tell her yes.

Mom says that our ride to NC in a week and a half is going to be a little bit cramped for me, but on the way back to MD with Dad in the car, it's going to be even more cramped.  Today in the car, Mom had one of the back seats up for Mike to sit in, which kinda threw me off my game since there was less space for me, but on the way home, when I finally got tired of standing, I laid down in the very back and was fine, which made Mom feel better about crowding Hotel de Phil.

Whew, being retired is hard!

Just some pictures!

Pictures of the week!

Where's Phil?!?!

Look at my snazzy new Halloween collar!
Get your own!

Mom put my coat on me for our run.
I didn't really need it since we were jogging.
I showed Mom this by accidentally tripping her when we were almost home.
Oops, my bad.

Piktchurs!

Going to da dog sittars so Foster Mom could go on vakchuns:

Dis Phil's butt.  It's de only fing Foster Mom could sees in her mirrors.

I blocked his butt, cause I'z bringin da sexy back!

Bof me and de Old Man.

FM openeds da sunwoof.  I lubed all da breezes.

Da Old Man in FM's mirror.

I'z lookin at da Foster Momz wonderin' why she waz clickin' so muches.

I'z too good for piktchurs wif da Foster Momz.

Coming back from da dog sittars:

Me and da Old Man ridin.  We waz pretty happys to see Foster Momz.

I lubs car ridins.

Doggie butts!

Just more proofs da Old Man iz lazy.  I'z stood up almost all de way home!

Dis my favorite fing to do in da car ridin.

Dat Old Man is rewy tall!

We finally seddled down.  Dis didn't last long.

Was somefing dere?

We's rewy glads to be homes.  I lubed it at Miz Monica's house.  Dere was dis doggie dere dat was my size and we plays and plays and plays!  Miz Monica says we barely stopped playins de entire week!  Foster Mom sayz I'z going to be sooo happyz when I see my Forever Mommy and Daddy and brothers and sisters.  She finks dey will plays wif me more dan de Old Man.

We'bs just been chillin since we'bes been back.  Foster Mom gots some fotos of dis too!

Wook at mah big ears!  Dey is de bestest!

Here I iz all passed outs.  Dis was a nice naps.
I don't haz my collar on cause Foster Mom says iz too stinky.
She's going to frow it in da washy-washy machine.

Dis da Old Man.  He wooks bery uncomfertuble but he didn'ts moves none.

Sometimes we gets confused when Foster Mom tells us to go to our crates.
Dis a funny piktucher of me wifs my eys closed.

How you should be doing it...

I'm going to show you how retirement should look:

If you don't look like this, then you're not doing it right.  Unless you're doing this on a cushy couch then you're doing it extremely right, but Mommy and Daddy don't let me up there.  Something about Dad doesn't like being covered by dog hair??  Pffth.  Silly Dad doesn't realize that dog hair is an asset to his clothes.  You don't need accessories if you have enough dog hair!  Duhh!

Mommy and I went on a jog this morning.  I loooove being outside.  I especially love when the squirrels are out.  I like to try to chase them up my pee targets.  I know all their hiding spots.  I look out for them, which usually means I run into Mom while we're walking/jogging because I'm not paying attention to going straight. I mean, she knows that when I lean into her it means that I love her.. she should realize that's exactly what I'm doing!

This morning I almost had one.  Mom thought I was going to pee in some grass, but instead, there was a squirrel that needed chasing up a target.  I started to run at him... but I forgot I was on the leash!!  By this point, we were only walking because Mom had sprayed me down with the water hose and we were headed back home.  I ended up skidding a half circle around Mom and landed on my right thunder thigh.  I wasn't deterred, I stood right up and tried to get that squirrel again.  By this point, Mom realized I wasn't peeing, so she snapped her fingers at me and yelled, "PHIL!" and made me walk on.

I got it together, but I was on the best lookout the last 5 minutes of our walk.  Meaning... I walked all over Mom's feet and walked leaned into her and made her shorts all wet since I was wet.  I WIN!  I WIN!

In other news, Mom probably just figured out how I got that scar on my right thigh....  There was one race that I got tripped and I spun out.  I immediately got back up and finished the race (not in last!), but she thinks that where my fur-less scar is from.  I didn't get any scratches this morning.  Mom was glad.  She hates it when I look like she doesn't take care of me, because we know that's just not true.. but some people don't like to believe that.

Although.. she doesn't let me on the furniture... so... you know..  .... :)
I <3 my mommy!

Did you miss meeee???

So the past few weeks have been pretty busy for me...  and by weeks, I really mean the month that Mom was gone to Australia and the week of July 4th and the week after.  You see, I only got a week with Mom before Miz Monica came and got me again!

I was so confused, but happy of course.  Mom is starting to realize that I'd be happier with a sibling, but she says there's really not enough space for another puppy... yet.  She's also working on Dad to get another Greyhound, cause Mom loves me..  but Dad says we need a different kind of doggy.  He's silly.  For once, Mom is right.

But anyways, Mom was slow getting around after she came back from Australia. I thought she was just out of practice, since she was away from me for so long, but apparently she was broken! The morning Mom found out she was going to the hospital, I could tell she was nervous. Since Mom had been moving really slowly, I knew something was up, so I always made sure I was watching her. More than normal. This wasn't, Oh you're going to the bathroom, I'll come with you since you will have no where else to go to avoid petting me... This was, I'm going to make sure Mom is going to be ok, Oh you're going to the bathroom, I don't need pettins today, but I'll be watching you. When she called Miz Monica early and she started packing stuff in a bag, I started to get a little nervous. When Mom did leave with her lap-clicker-machine and another full bag, she told me that everything was ok and she would see me soon. She made sure to give me my PB Kong before she left, she's such a trained good mommy.

Miz Monica came to get me the day Mom went to the hospital and I stayed with her while Mom was getting better.  No Grampy this time!  Instead, it was all Boston Terriers and Greyhounds and Humans and a backyard for zoomies and new squeaky toys and it was just sooo much fun!

Miz Monica met Mom at the California Meet and Greet, so I got to hang out with every more pups before it was time to go home!!  Sooo much excitement in my life.  Dad tries to tell Mom that I think she's deserting me, but I know that sometimes these things can't be helped.  Mom does a good job making sure that I'm taken care of.  

Miz Monica said that I had no issues with the loud sky boomers going off on July 4th.  Mom was very proud of me.  I can tell Mom is very glad that I'm home.  She's spoiled me soooo much!  She says she's got to go back to work next week and then things will be more like normal, but she better not stop with all these treats!  Mom isn't very good at finishing her foods, but I'm a pro, so I help her finish her foods (sometimes, when she lets me) and mine!!

But how about some pictures to make up for lost time????  

Gettin pettins at the M&G

Mom wanted to take my picture...

There were WAY more interesting things going on.

THUNDER THIGHSSSS!!!!

Look at what a good job I'm doing decorating the living room!! 

Mom was doing this photography thing.
Please excuse my nostrils, but I do have a REALLY long nose...

I am so very handsome.

Mom, really, let me sleep.  Stop blinding me.

Fine, I'll make everyone think you killed me.

I wasn't lookin at the camera, but Mom seemed satisfied enough.

Last night there was a storm comin in and I went to the bedroom to hide out, but I kept hearing some boomies, so I came out to investigate what was going on.  This was as far as I'd come out of the doorway before I would go lay down again. Mom thought me poking out my head was particularly cute.  Obviously, she didn't understand that I was protecting us, you crazy lady!

Mom, do you smells that?  Are you sure there isn't a treat for me somewhere?

Every move you make...
I'll be watchin you.
Even if I look completely uncomfortable....

I picnic like a Greyhound.

This weekend was the GEGR annual picnic!  Mom has been planning on going to this since she found out about it, and I knew something was up, I just know things.  Then again, Mom did finally clean, so maybe that was the biggest clue...

First off, Fright night we had company.  Diane brought her two pups, Snowy and CJ to stay the night.  We started the sleepover early!  

After everyone was fed and went taken out for business, we put on our best retired faces.

The next morning was like normal, kinda.  I woke Mom up at normal time, but she wasn't having that.  But with some incessant whining prodding, she was motivated.  Really, I just wanted to see what Snowy and CJ were up to, cause I heard them and knew they were already awake.

They left after getting breakfast and Mom and I went back to bed, which is our usual ritual on Saturday morning.  Finally, when Mom got up again, she started getting ready and packing our stuff.  I asked her if I was going and she reassured me that today was all about me and my peeps.

When we got there, there was so much excitement to be had!  I saw Miss Scarlet and Temporary Mom and Brother from when Mom went to Scotland.  I think they missed me!  I also saw Mr. George, who I've seen recently.  I tried to make sure I said hey to everyone at the picnic.

Mom took some pictures to share with you.

A gaggle of Greyhounds..  pretending to not be retired.

We were allowed to run free in color coded groups.  Certain colors were allowed to roam around (muzzle required, and NO ONE liked that!) at certain times.  Mom got caught in the middle of a running pack and I just pretended not to know her.  Silly Mom should know better than to stand in front of a speeding Greyhound (no bus pun intended).

They were running really fast.  I didn't run with the group though.  I was off attending to more important matters...
Like marking every tree/bush/tall grass spot possible.

The pools were set out for the hounds to cool off in.  Several pups were just laying in the pools.  I was just thirsty!

Chillin' my paws. 

Scarlet and I hung out for a while when I wasn't marking what was mine running around saying hey to everyone.  Temporary Brother gave me lots of pettins.  I had a super fun time just roaming around, even though I didn't like my muzzle being on.  I tried to tell Mom that a muzzle isn't part of retirement by rubbing my nose on her leg, but she said suck it up.

Every time Mom found me, I was at Lisa's door.  Lisa's house was the first place I ever received TLC, so I really, really wanted inside.  

Excuse me, I'm being good.  I already looked in the window, I know you're home.  Just let me in please!!!
PS.  It's hot out here and I'm retired.  Duh.

After my Temporary Family left, Mom decided to go exploring with me.  She took me to the real water area.  Mom and Dad both have taken me to the beach, but I wasn't a super huge fan...  but it didn't really seem like they were either.  But this girl was nice enough to hold my leash while I was in the water, and since she looked like she was enjoying it, I figured it was safe for me as well.

It is pretty hot out here and this water is nice.

OOOOOOO, that was cold on my happy place!

Nevermind, it's niiiiicccceeeee in here.

Look how far out I am, Mom!!!  Look!  Look!!

This was the deepest I went.  The water felt really nice and I couldn't figure out the zoom-zoomers that were driving by.
The girls were really enjoying the waves after they passed though!

After I got out of the water, my tongue slipped out of my mouth.  Mom caught it for blackmail.

Mom actually won a door prize at the picnic.. but she also bought some stuff!

Top Left: Red Mother Bunny.  "Red for NC State," said Mom.
Top Right:  Yellow knitted scarf and hat Mom picked out as her door prize.  She also got a box of treats which didn't make it in the photo.
Bottom, L to R: My new collar (it has a matching tag collar.. I'm like a real retired greyhound now!), my new Tribble (which I luuuuuuvvvvv because it squeaks), and Mom's new GEGR t-shirt.

Overall, we had a super time.  I think once we get to know more people, since we are just GEGR babies, the picnic will be more fun cause we'll be like one of the groupies!  Now, Mom also knows what to expect for next year.  Eventually, she'll become a pro and bring her own tent and maybe she'll even spoil me enough to buy me my own xpen.  She says probably not anytime soon, but I'm working on her....  I mean she did get me that big bed a few weeks ago AND she bought me a Mother Bunny today.. and a Tribble...  She's a pretty great Mommy, even without an xpen for me.