Kennedy & Jack

Soccer mom. .. Jack is now playing soccer! And quite good, too!

2011-09-05T12:47:00.000-07:00

2 years of JACK!

2011-07-08T12:35:00.000-07:00

Two years ago I traveled to Boring, Oregon to see my new puppy Guide Dogs for the Blind picked for me. Going into Karen's office I see this darling little dog who is sitting in the same room as a cat! As soon as he saw me, he starting wagging his tail, with a look of concern that he is hoping I am the one to take him home. I remember thinking, "he is too small for me", since he seemed so little (68 lbs!). Karen took me outside with him and practiced with us on the commands. She told me to go straight home and let him get used to just me for awhile, before meeting anyone else.

I got in the car with then "Nexus" and he laid on the floor in the backseat. I talked with him all the way back to Salem. He just laid on the floor, no sound at all. I decided to stop at Minto Brown Park with him, and we went for a walk. I called my friend Debi and she brought over Bearon, her German Shepard! Bearon and Jack played tug a war for about an hour...and he seemed to overcome his shyness. We "bonded" that day and afternoon. The next day, he came to the office and met everyone! What a fabulous dog he has been. I still have what his "raiser" wrote about him...."he is a sweetheart...has more personality and confidence than any other puppy I have raised" ..he loves being by your side."

Jack..you are a darling ....you are so good, and such a special creature....happy two years and MANY MORE!! xxoo Thank you, Guide Dogs for the Blind!

favorite dog related quote

2011-03-28T14:30:00.000-07:00

We read this every night!!

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

Jack's Playtime School

2011-02-05T10:04:00.000-08:00

Here is Jack at Dog Bark playing ...he is one of the few dogs that will go on this new piece of equipment, and for a large dog...amazing. He is having so much fun at Dog Bark...when I turn to go down the street (which is still 1.5 miles away, he starts "squealing" in the car!! There are webcams (www.thedogbarkdaycare.com) so you can watch him playing! It is hysterical. On Friday, he played with Sasha Fierce, a Boston Terrier, about the size of one of one Jack's legs. When I picked up Jack at noon, Sasha wanted to go home WITH Jack...so that was a struggle trying to keep Sasha contained! (Sasha's mom is a friend of mine, so they have met before).

The "Bark Rangers" (the girls who own it) say Jack is a delight and everyone loves him.. His first report card : Playfulness A+, Loveability A+, and Overall A+...."Calm, loving and well behaved..one of the sweetest dogs to walk through the doors"! Thank you, Guide Dogs.

Posting finally

2011-01-21T15:09:00.000-08:00

It seems like Forever since we have posted.....as the family knows, I had a shoulder injury that sidelined me for about 2-3 months! The days were filled with Lifetime movies and treats, if you can call green beans and carrots treats. The high point was receiving the Dog Crown this year...I was getting depressed...and when Nikki and Ryan presented me with that big rawhide and the title, it truly was a turning point for me.

I think I am fully recovered, but mom is still restricting me some. Today I spent my first day at Dog Bark, a place where dogs go to play inside during the day. It just opened...and some of my mom's Capitol friends are going there. And they have webcams, so she can look at me there! Big doga and small dogs...we all play together!

More later! But I wanted to thank everyone for their love and support..I am on the mend!

xxoojack

Jack is three!

2010-11-09T09:02:00.001-08:00

Happy, happy THIRD birthday, Jack!! What a lovable creature...here he is with his "toy of the moment" -- Blossom! Lots of love!!

Jack is three!

2010-11-09T09:02:00.000-08:00

Jack and kids

2010-11-04T08:20:00.000-07:00

Another one of those "heartwarming" stories to tell about the wonderful Jack. Last night at the park, there was an autistic child, and Jack ran up to him and played very nicely with him for about 20 minutes, was very patient when he threw the ball and just wanted to follow him around.

Needless to say, the mother was VERY appreciative, since she was on the phone with the doctor's office as Jack and I played with the 12 year old boy. I was soooo proud of my Jack !!

Jack's Thoughtfullness

2010-10-21T09:49:00.000-07:00

It is getting COLD in the house at night...but so far have not had to turn on the heat yet -- which actually is a RARE occurrence on River Road, as everyone knows that visits. (The furnace man last year said he has never seen such a clean furnace!!)

So...much to my surprise at 3:00 a.m., when I let Jack out to do his "business"... he came back with a large chunk of wood and promptly laid it on top of me. Must be a hint to start the furnace!

What a darling, thoughtful creature..he continues to amaze me!

Hey Jack! Swimming finally!

2010-09-02T13:01:00.000-07:00

Hey Jack, it's me Kennedy and I have Max here with us too...weighing in on you finally swimming in the river, right outside your bedroom door! Boy, it sure has taken YOU a long time to finally "get permission" to run down to the river and take a swim! Mom has finally "loosened the lead" on you...but she still goes down to the river WITH you, and you do wait for her, which is probably a good thing.

Max says he remembered being let out of car at the farmgate, and he would get in the river there and swim on home! He has lots of other stories, which we will share later -- like jumping on the countertops, etc. But, we are glad you FINALLY learned how to lick the bowl clean after cookie making....that took some time too!

Glad you are having such a fun summer...Max says he ncver went to Minto 2x a day and never got to go to the office...so he thinks you and I had it pretty good! But you are a great ball catcher and swimmer, we admire your athletic skills. xxoo

playtime is exhausting - read from bottom up!

2010-08-23T15:09:00.001-07:00

The next second, fast asleep on Monkeybear!

Having fun playing with MonkeyBear......

Weekend

2010-07-27T12:20:00.001-07:00

Dear Kennedy:

Did you and Poppy see ME this weekend, styling in the convertible?? Mom had her reunion in Portland, and since it was soooo hot, Aunt Patty took care of me for awhile and I got to ride in the front seat of her BMW convertible...with the top down! I loved it! Mom said that I and Patty looked really cool, driving downtown! Wish we had a picture.

xxoo

Jack

Jack's friend Babette

2010-07-19T08:40:00.000-07:00

So, we were taking a break and watching a good Hallmark movie...when my new friend Babette came over....and started eating the roses...I did not even bark, not wanting to disturb anyone, trying to concentrate on the final 5 minutes of the movie....but, isn't Babette pretty?

My Jack

2010-07-08T15:03:00.000-07:00

My little Jack....confident, eager to please, patient, fun and funny!, I could go on an on.

In the mornings, he waits for me to wake up, and then calmly lays there until I am dressed and ready to go. Then, he goes over to his "bin of toys" and looks around for a minute or two, trying to decide "which little buddy" to take to the office that day! We go to Minto, to play with Kate and Chumley, his two larger black friends! Then off to the office, where we go on a noon walk and then to Minto Brown after work.

What do I love most about Jack? Countless little things...the way he can assess a situation, and if he does not like it, will remove himself from the scene. How good he is around small children. How protective he is at the office of any noises. How he knows exactly the boundaries at home, how far down the driveway he can go. How he curls up and likes to lay his head on me when he first goes to sleep. How he remembers all his human friends and how nice he is to everyone, from the "beggers" on the street to the "shop owners" downtown that he sees everyday..he is soooo excited to see everyone at the law firm everyday too. Very atheletic -- he has won every tug of war game he has played . How he comes up and gives me a kiss after his nightly meal. And Kennedy -- I can leave butter out on the counter to soften without Jack jumping up and getting it!!! I could go on and on..but it is time now to go to the park and swim...you should see his running Bellyflops into the water...adorable!

One year!

2010-07-07T11:09:00.001-07:00

Who is this adorable dog? Look at that expression.....now that I know him, he is saying "please take me and love me, I will be extra, extra good...I have been at so many homes, I want a good place to live and to be loved. I promise I will be good to you.

Tomorrow marks 1 year!!!! More later.......

Today we remember Kennedy

2010-07-01T09:07:00.000-07:00

A full year has gone by....and we still miss our wonderful, loving Kennedy -- my first dog from Guide Dogs for the Blind. I remember picking up Patty and we drove out to Boring to get him. Kennedy was a "free spirit" at dog park, usually following his own "course" at Minto. Everyone loved him, he was so good natured, although he did like to "hump" other dogs -- and since his name was "Kennedy", EVERYONE gave him a "free pass"! The boys at the Nordstrom Cafe Window downtown Portland loved him...and would always say "hey Kennedy, pink cookie time" and we would have to stop and get one of those scrumptious Pink Cookie. (my friend Kelly brought him 2 cookies on his final day..his last food he gulped down!)... Kenendy could find "the Great Harvest" store in any city....we were walking in Bend one day, when Kennedy was leading me around, and he just stopped -- lo and behold, he led to the Great Harvest in Bend. He was a joy to be with and I loved him so much.

About a week before he passed, I was "taking a tub" one Sunday evening before nightfall and I heard him barking outside...I toweled off, and went outside, and two boys in a rowboat were struggling on the river...(no life vests, no shoes)...I finally convinced them to get over to my side of the river...which they finally did. I am convinced Kennedy's barking saved their lives, as they had missed where they were suppose to have taken out...and it was getting dark.

Kennedy..I know you and Poppy are together and watch Jack & I play everyday...we love you both and think of you two constantly xxooj

Mornings

2010-06-17T15:02:00.000-07:00

Dear Kennedy...in the mornings, I am really good and try not to wake mom up, so I notice she is awake and so I crawl towards her...she is rubbing my tummy, when she sees these 2 HUGE deer outside the window. Not wanting to disturb me, thinking I might run towards the window and break it, she keeps silent -- the deer finally leave and she goes outside -- to see all her tomatoes and lettuce plants have been eaten!!

So, I think I should have been more aware and barked off those deer. My one year anniversary of being with her is coming up...I hope we don't make a trip to Boring!! So..that was the beginning of our frustrating day.

Today....though....she bought a new washing machine, so clean bedcovers are finally in our future! A TOP LOADER -- no more fancy machines. Now...the only thing left is to get the HUGE fir tree cut down so we have TV.

xxoo......jack

Frustration continues

2010-06-15T11:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Kennedy....and then on our walk, it started pouring down rain, we did not have our raincoats with us....and we got soaked....and now it is sunny. I think we will be "offline" all day long...we would go home and watch TV, but that it is "another subject".....a HUGE tree is in the way of all of our favorite shows...so we need to get someone to cut it down. And then, our washing machine broke down -- and mom will not "put one more dime" into that "bleep bleep"...so that is adding to our "off line" day.

offline

2010-06-15T10:44:00.000-07:00

Dear Kennedy...we are at work, and mom is extremely frustrated. It is called "offline" and she is slamming the computer door shut, and almost in tears over a dual sided project she has to get finished. We are late for our walk.....and to top it all off, the deer ate ALL of our tomato plants and lettuce. More on that later..... (I think she might be upset with me, because I was not on the "deer watch"....So, when a day starts being "offline", I think you need to go to the park and stay online" there!

xxoojack

Past Loves and Current Loves

2010-06-03T11:06:00.000-07:00

Dear All My Dogs I Have Loved -- and it is all of you, so equally. Someone asked me, who is or was your favorite...and it is all of them!! Each one had (has) such a personality all to themselves. I have been blessed with having the best...and really could not chose just one! Some day I will write my favorite memory of each one.

xxoo

My official portrait

2010-05-31T09:30:00.001-07:00

Here is my portrait, taken by my new friend Carl, at 2010 Puppyfest. All the "younger pups" were playing outside, and I crawled inside for some rest!

Puppyfest 2010

2010-05-28T14:03:00.000-07:00

Puppyfest 2010....named with the date, so we will have yearly events...and see how much everyone has grown. Here is a picture of all of us ...all acquired by the owners within the last year! What fun we had. It was at our home. See how wild all of them are, except for me! Our next function will be at Magoos Bar next Wednesday as it is Salem's first Wednesday for dogs...Am hoping everyone comes!

Lots of love, I know you and Poppy were watching us! xxoojack

Rock Hounds!

2010-05-24T13:09:00.001-07:00

Dear Kennedy:

Here are my three morning friends at Minto Brown...Kate, Me, and Chumley...we love to play and run and JUMP ROCKS!! Thanks to JB, for teaching us how to jump on the rocks. We even do it without treats now.

Kate and Chumley like to "roll me", since I am the one with the tennis balls! They love to attach me and get me to drop the ball, so they can steal it and we all play chase.

I look forward to every morning with them...and glad they include me in their romp!

Too busy to blog

2010-05-20T14:11:00.001-07:00

Dear Kennedy...you probably have been wondering WHAT we have been doing, since it has been so long since we have blogged. Here I am with my latest "toy"...the chinese Warrior. I love it...and have not broken it yet. We hosted the "Puppyfest 2010" at our home last week..lots of uncontrollable and naughty puppies...!!! Actually, they were all pretty cute - most were under 1 year of age...so I had to show them how to behave. There were 2 photographers there..but we have not seen any pictures yet. Mom put dog cookies on the dining room table, and these puppies jumped on the table and ate them!! Wow..NG, we call it (not good!). It was a fun time and we will post pictures.

Just been swimming and playing..I have a "hurt paw"so have been keeping a low profile! Lots of love to you and Poppy...we are missing you both, coming up on a full year soon without you both, mom is sad....but happy she has me! xxoo

More adventures coming soon

2010-04-20T12:46:00.000-07:00

Dear Kennedy: I cannot believe my mom has let all this time fly by without writing to you. When mom came back from vacation, the two people she walks with said "we have a surprise for you" and what a surprise it was....Chumley, one of my best buddies in the morning group, had learned to jump up on the rock. I was shocked that big, lumbering Chum could do it!! And he just jumps up, even without JB telling him to do so

So, now, all 3 of us jump up on the same rock -- but it has to be a BIG rock, since my other 2 dog friends are pretty big. But we have done it..right now, we have to get the picture taken fast. WE are called "the Rockhounds" and we are going to try to submit the picture to the newspaper! Mom thinks we need a good camera person, since we are all black..she says photographing black dogs is hard. But I know we will get it done! So look for a picture soon!

I love my mornings with Chumley and Kate...and my afternoons with the Golden Retriever gang.

Rock climbing at the park and at Nordstrom too!

2010-03-29T12:33:00.000-07:00

Here I am rock climbing at Minto Brown..this is only a medium size rock and I can make it to bigger rocks....and larger platforms areas too -- as I exhibited today. Mom and I were walking by Nordstrom and the loading dock was open and the stock room girl said hi to me -- so I jumped up the dock, and was just hanging there on the ladder rungs -- mom got me pushed up on the dock -- wow! So, she climbed up and we went through the back area of Nordstrom's and out the front door.

I am not suppose to do that anymore! I know it is hard to visualize the entire scene. I might have to limit my rock climbing to just Minto Brown. My future is bright...I can be a circus animal!

I am so excited for Easter

2010-03-16T15:24:00.000-07:00

Dear Kennedy: I am so excited for Easter, I hear all my cousins and aunts and uncles and grammy are coming...I can hardly wait. I really do not know what to expect. I know mom has gone to the grocery store about 3 times, buying Easter candy ..and she keeps going back because it disappears, not that I eat it. Perhaps she is hiding it...??

I am now the "rock climber" and JB (our morning walking mate) has taught me so much...I hope we get a picture soon of me balancing on these rocks. I am running to the lagoon to swim every afternoon too...I am only suppose to go on the weekends, but I sneak down there now in the afternoons. I am getting to be a good diver and swimmer!

looking forward to seeing all the relatives!!

Kate (the Great) morning friend

2010-03-01T09:14:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of one of my "morning" friends....Kate! For her second birthday this past weekend, I gave her the "birthday cake toy". Here she is at Minto Brown, where we meet, on this tall rock. Obviously, she has great stomach muscles...and look at those long legs! She is half lab and half Great Dane...boy, can she run fast! The other friend -- which is Kate's best friend -- is Chumley, a giant male Schnauzer. Their birthdays are on the same day and she also got the birthday cake too!!

Isn't she a beauty? She runs so fast and is so elegant.

my life post

2010-02-08T09:05:00.001-08:00

following up on Karen Uffelman's post.....here is mine:

i.have.the.best.life........ xxoojack

comment

2010-01-21T09:37:00.000-08:00

Dear Jack:

It was a nice comment...just continue to be the fun, sociable, and loving companion that you are...so many people comment on you and ask about me still....Salem is a great place to live for you and mom. You have more friends than you know!

xxooKennedy

new name

2010-01-20T09:38:00.001-08:00

Dear Kennedy:

Yesterday morning at Dog park, this nice man said to me..."Jack, how are you..how is "the talk of the town"? I just wagged my tail...not knowing if that was a good comment or not!

Football

2010-01-18T08:31:00.000-08:00

Big football game yesterday...my mom is a BIG fan of Brett Favre...so after the "real" game on TV, we headed to the park, and we played "Brett Favre and Sidney Rice." Who is who??? Of course, mom is the "old white guy" and I am Sidney Rice, the hot black catcher. I am looking for some dredlocks for next week's game...so is anyway has a tip on where I can find some, let me know!

Staying at Dog Park

2010-01-15T13:40:00.000-08:00

Dear Kennedy & Poppy....I am glad YOU heard my prayers last night...praying that I could stay at dog park all day long, instead of going to work. This morning, we arrived at dog park, and had a marvelous time playing with Chumley and Kate....! Then we went to the car, and the car battery was DEAD! I was like...my prayers are answered!! We can stay here all day -- yippee!

no such luck. While mom was calling the Hazelbakers at Cascade Tire, JB jumped us and we were on our way to see George Hazelbaker and get our new battery -- 2nd time we have been there all week! Earlier, we had new brakes. Our 2004 Honda is almost all "new" now!

A present from Kennedy & Poppy

2009-12-21T11:33:00.000-08:00

Dear Kennedy:

What a surprise today on our walk through Willamette Univeristy..there, in front of us, was a new Penn tennis ball -- the kind I play with every day! This one was special, because it had the word "coach" on it ..so we knew it had to be from you, letting us know you are okay and you truly are on our walk everyday with us!! What a great Christmas gift!!

Lots of love!!

Jack

lLicking the bowl

2009-12-16T13:41:00.000-08:00

Dear Kennedy: I "get" it now....your picture on the blog shows you licking the beaters. Mom made Christmas cookies the other day..and automatically put the bowl on the floor..and I just stared at her. I did not know I was suppose to "clean" it!!

xxoo

Jack

it has been a while...

2009-12-13T11:53:00.000-08:00

Dear Kennedy: It seems like ages since we have communicated, but our computer was locked away due to an office remodel..so finally I can tell you and Poppy what we have been doing, even though we feel you checking in on us all the time! As YOU know only too well, this is the time of year mom loves watching those Lifetime and Hallmark movies...not that I do enjoy them too, all cuddle up. I am getting along famously with Kate and Chumley at dog park, my two morning friends, and we have so much fun together. One of these days we will get a picture of all 3 of us posted here.

The aunts and uncles had a fun Christmas gathering at the apartment last weekend..it was a little "strange" when they came back, and Uncle Jim could not find the car, and they were all worried it was towed pehaps, but Uncle Mike seemed to come to the rescue. Do you remember these get togethers? They all seem so very nice, and played with me!

I have 3 stockings hung by the fireplace!! All for me! Nothing in them yet...I think tonight I will see some packages, as I saw some things peeking from sacks when we went to the store. Mom says I am the ONLY dog with 3 stockings...!! Will write more soon...

Jack is two!

2009-11-09T12:11:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, Jack!!! Two years old....and a special yellow ring cake for the champion !! Wishing you many, many more....and thank you for being such a special creature who has brought so much love and joy to me.

Still Champion of the Ring Tug of War at Mnto Brown

2009-11-05T14:16:00.000-08:00

Glorious victory again last weekend...I still have not lost the yellow ring tug of war. Men weighing 200 lbs cannot even beat me, nor dogs as large as Great Danes. The only dog so far to match me is my friend Bearon (who is larger than me). We end up with the ring in two pieces (after tugging for about 15 minutes!)...but as my mom says, "That's okay, Jack, you still have not lost"!!

Rainy days

2009-10-28T12:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Jack.....I caught you and mom huddling together watching a Lifetime movie while it was raining outside last week..and YOU were actually watching the TV!! I hear that dogs see better with the high definition TVs! xxoo Kennedy

Guide Dog Puppies on their way to campus

2009-10-21T12:10:00.000-07:00

Gucci is the one looking out of the basket....isn't she darling?! I hope she is headed to the Oregon campus!!

Finally..can the truth be told?

2009-10-19T14:53:00.000-07:00

Dear Jack:

The video of the Family Jogging Event is truly delightful and so fun to watch and rewatch..it is the #1 most watched video up here!! You were great, as well as MOST of the other dogs.

I hope now that you can work on the one issue I asked you to -- especially since it now is at least "referred to on tape"....i.e. Megan saying to Curtis and Greta..."Stay away from the hotdogs"!! Perhaps the editor of the Buck Banter will now publish the real story of what occurred that day in Sellwood Park and exonerate me from being the worst offender at a family function (when I grabbed the turkey leg at Patty & John's Thanksgiving event). As most of you do not know, cousin Greta "table danced" at Sellwood Park that day -- jumping on a picnic table of some poor, unknown family and tried to get some hot dogs. It was all hushed up...but know the truth can be told since the video is out!

Poppy and I are on our way to Ireland...all decked out in our green shamrocks!! We will take special care to make sure all goes well for Amy & Tom!

The Black Pack

2009-10-05T10:31:00.001-07:00

Dear Jack:

Poppy and I watch with much interest and delight your new morning routine at Dog Park with your black buddies -- Chumley, a large 6 month old standard schnauzer; Kate, a 1 year old Great Dane and Black Lab mix, and Bumble, a 2 year old Standard Poodle. The four of you wrestle, tumble and roll around and play together so well...sometimes you engage Kate to tug with your yellow ring and it is all so hilarious! This foursome is indeed "The Black Pack"! Once you 4 get started, it is "Annie Bar the Door"...

What a way to start the morning!

Lots of love,

Kennedy

From the New York Times

2009-10-05T10:17:00.000-07:00

Dear Kennedy:

Mom thought you and others might enjoy this article from the NY Times...

Life Lessons From the Family Dog

By DANA JENNINGS

New York Times editor Dana Jennings writes every Tuesday about coping with an advanced form of prostate cancer.

Bijou, the family dog of Times editor Dana Jennings.

Our family dog started failing a couple of months ago. Her serious health problems began at about the same time I was coping with my own — finishing my radiation and hormone therapy for prostate cancer.

Since last summer, I’ve learned that my cancer is shockingly aggressive, and the surgery, radiation and hormone treatments have left me exhausted, incontinent and with an AWOL libido. These days I’m waiting for the first tests that will tell me the status of my health.

Even so, as I face my own profound health issues, it is my dog’s poor health that is piercing me to the heart. I’m dreading that morning when I walk downstairs and … well, those of us who love dogs understand that all dog stories end the same way.

Her full name is Bijou de Minuit (Jewel of Midnight) — my wife teaches French. She is a 12-year-old black miniature poodle, and she is, literally, on her last legs. Her hind quarters fly out from beneath her, her back creaks and cracks as she walks, she limps, she’s speckled with bright red warts the size of nickels, her snore is loud and labored (like a freight train chugging up some steep grade) and she spends most of the day drowsing on her pillow-bed next to the kitchen radiator.

Bijou’s medicine chest is impressive for a 23-pound dog: A baby dose of amoxicillin for chronic urinary tract infections; prednisone and Tramadol for pain; phenobarbital for seizures; Proin for incontinence – all of it wrapped in mini-slices of pepperoni.

She is, I realize, “just” a dog. But she has, nonetheless, taught me a few lessons about life, living and illness. Despite all her troubles, Bijou is still game. She still groans to her feet to go outside, still barks at and with the neighborhood dogs, is willing to hobble around the kitchen to carouse with a rubber ball — her shrub of a tail quivering in joy.

I know now that Bijou was an important part of my therapy as I recovered from having my prostate removed. I learned that dogs, besides being pets, can also be our teachers.

Human beings constantly struggle to live in the moment. We’re either obsessing over the past (”Gee, life would’ve been different if I’d only joined the Peace Corps.”), or obsessing over the future (”Gee, I hope my 401K holds up”). We forget that life, real life, is lived right now, in this very moment.

But living in the moment is something that dogs (and cancer patients) do by their very nature. Bijou eats when she’s hungry, drinks when she’s thirsty, sleeps when she’s tired and will still gratefully curl up in whatever swatch of sunlight steals through the windows.

She’d jump up onto my sickbed last summer, nuzzle me and ask for her ears and pointy snout to be scratched. It made both of us happy as she sighed in satisfaction. And she was the subject of one of our favorite family jokes as I recuperated: “You take the dog out. I have cancer.”

In spending so much time with Bijou, I began to realize that our dogs, in their carefree dogginess, make us more human, force us to shed our narcissistic skins. Even when you have cancer, you can’t be utterly self-involved when you have a floppy-eared mutt who needs to be fed, walked and belly-scratched. And you can’t help but ponder the mysteries of creation as you gaze into the eyes of your dog, or wonder why and how we chose dogs and they chose us.

Dogs also tell us – especially when we’re sick – of our own finitude. And, partly, that’s why we cry when they die, because we also know that all human-being stories end the same way, too.

Good dogs – and most dogs are good dogs – are canine candles that briefly blaze and shine, illuminating our lives. Bijou has been here with us for the past 12 years, reminding us that simple pleasures are the ones to be treasured: a treat, a game of fetch, a nose-to-the-ground stroll in the park.

Simple pleasures. As I lazed and dozed at home last summer after surgery, there was nothing sweeter to me in this world than to hear Bijou drinking from her water dish outside my door. It was if her gentle lap-lapping ferried me to waters of healing. I’ll miss her.

Grateful

2009-09-28T15:20:00.001-07:00

Here I am...all cuddle up in my mom's lap, while she "operates" on all my animals I "overloved" this week....

Grateful

2009-09-28T15:18:00.000-07:00

Our friend Darrel

2009-09-22T11:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Kennedy:

Please look for our friend Darrel Valentine in heaven. He was recently mugged and died a few days later. It is so very, very sad. Mom and I met Darrel soon after she got me..we started a new routine of walking at Minto Brown in the morning before work. There was Darrel and his two older Labradors -- Velvet and Lady. Darrel was 74 years young...and walked over 10 miles a day. By the time we arrived at Minto, Darrel probably had walked for an hour or more. He was a gentle and loving man. Soon after we met him, he took possession of another black lab, Nike -- she was a little skittish but settled down under Darrel's care. How we will miss this wise and gentle man.

We hope the criminal (who was looking for money for drugs) who mugged and left him so injured he suffered a stroke will get arrested. So, please, Kennedy, look for Darrel..perhaps you two will start doing laps around the track in heaven; he needs a good Black Lab!! That would put a smile back on all of our faces at Minto Brown!

Love,

Jack

Family events

2009-09-16T08:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Jack:

Please note to contact the editor of the Buck Banter about an incident that occurred recently that may exonerate me as being the "worst offender" at a family event. It is "Hush Hush" for now!!!

This is a "gentle reminder"...!!

Love,

Kennedy

Happy Birthday Kennedy from Jack

2009-09-09T15:10:00.000-07:00

Hi Kennedy, it's me Jack. Mom was sad today, so I have been keeping her busy at the office throwing the ball to me, and playing with the other West Paw toys Ryan & Nikki sent me.

One thing she forgot to mention was on the first day of 2002, you "reversed" your walk -- instead of walking towards the Capitol, you started walking through town, and followed that walk ever since. She thought it insightful that you know to do it that year. Also, since the 9/11 anniversary is coming up, how you & she just stayed home all day together and watched the horrors and what a comfort you were to her.

We still want to mention your last heroic deed that never got recognized..how you saw those 2 boys struggling in the water, and you barked and alerted mom to the impending disaster! I hope to follow in your footsteps.

Here's hoping all heaven has been baking those cookies for you...I am sure Poppy has been the taskmaster and organized a great Party for you!! Lots of love....Jack

Happy Birthday Kennedy!

2009-09-08T14:19:00.000-07:00

Kennedy...9/9/09....your tenth birthday. It was going to be a big celebration for

"my niner"! But somehow, I knew from the beginning, you were never going to live to see "double digits". I miss you every day.

At the office, Rob dubbed you "the worker". Whenever a candidate came to the office for an interview, you had to be in the meeting, too; we valued your input! Whenever there was a conference call, you were right there by the conference phone. A couple of times, we tried to close the door, only to hear you pawing the door. I remember one meeting with the head of the Dept of Revenue, when you let out a "stinker"....well, we never liked what they said in that meeting either. Once, on a conference call, a dog started barking ...and you raised your ears, but never barked back. You were the perfect office dog.

I know you and Poppy sent me Jack, a fun loving puppy who makes me laugh all day long...you knew I needed him. I do miss my wise old soul however...lots of love and hope you have snickerdoodles and Nordstrom pink cookies all day long!!

Busy Times

2009-08-31T12:08:00.000-07:00

Hi Jack! Sorry I did not get back to you re: the party etiquette, but as you know, we Kennedys have been pretty busy up here!! Plus, I wanted you to be YOU. Poppy and I were watching you that day...and you were absolutely PERFECT! You played well with all the dog cousins and the people cousins...and never grabbed all that good food! Wow...what a spread. Aunt Patty and Uncle John had all my favorites there. I would have emptied that buffet in a minute.

Enough of the accolades! Poppy and I are just enjoying peeking in at you...you are sooo good and so sweet. We are waiting for you to do something bad. Next time mom makes cookies..you HAVE to lick the bowl!! That was my favorite thing.

Our new campaign is to find you a new cousin......we think the Uffelmans should get a Portuguese Water Dog.....This time of year is a great time to get a new one!

Love, Kennedy

P.S. Be nice to mom now especially. My birthday is coming up - 9/9-- and I know she will be sad (even with you there!!)

Family Party Etiquette

2009-08-21T10:41:00.000-07:00

Hi Kennedy, me again, with a question. There is a Family Birthday Party on Sunday -- will be my first ever "family function". Any advice on what to do and what not to do??? Am getting excited... Have met alot of them, but not all.

singing

2009-08-17T09:34:00.000-07:00

Hi Jack! Thanks for the note, please feel free to write me anytime with all these questions.

Yes, I understand what you are saying; mom's motto is "If you can't sing well, be loud"!

Some things you have to overlook, as she does let you do anything you want, feeds you well, buys all the toys you want, and stays home to play with you and hardly ever leaves you alone.

So...as we Kennedys say, "I don't want to hear any more yip from you on this"!

Our mom

2009-08-17T08:15:00.000-07:00

Hi Kennedy....I have a question for you. During the week days, we listen to Paul Linman in the morning and Mark and Dave in the afternoon while we are in the car. However, on the weekends, mom puts the radio to 103.3, turns it up high, and starts singing along (whether she knows the words or not). My question is...has anyone told her she cannot sing on tune?

Other than that, things are going really well...we are having so much fun! I got a new "ring chucker" ...I love it, but I end up carrying the ring around, instead of giving it back to mom to throw!!

Give loves to Poppy for me.

xxoo

Jack

Hi Kennedy, it's me, Jack!

2009-08-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

Dear Kennedy:

Everyone at Dog Park misses you! When they see me, they ask my mom "where is Kennedy?" and some of them get tears in their eyes and say how sorry that you are no longer here. Wow, you were really popular here at dog park. They say you "cleaned up" the park really well...and there is even a "shortcut" path that some refer to as the "Kennedy bypass". One man said, in awe, that you were "humping until the end ...what a great dog".

I hope they all start to love me like they loved you. I am trying really hard. I play with everyone and do not play rough (and never have I humped or will I ..I think you are the only one they let do that!) Everyone is so nice to me..I like to carry around my tennis ball, but sometimes I get distracted and lose it, but someone always finds it for me. I hope to live up to your expectations and I hope you are there some days in spirit, walking around with us.

Love,

Jack

My favorite song now...

2009-08-07T08:57:00.000-07:00

I will remember you....will you remember me?

Thanks family and friends..I had the time of my life!

2009-08-05T13:51:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Family and Friends, for making my life so special and so much fun. What fond memories. I apprciate all of you for putting up with me, especially the last year, when I had an "odor" that most of you detected, (but not my mom)!

Special thanks also go to my first family, the Kirbys, I was so lucky to stay in touch with them; my Auntie A who I loved visiting all the time and walking with Charlie, Garfield School employees who always asked how I was doing -- and Debbie who gave me treats 2x a day; Everyone at Minto Brown Park, who knew my name (though perhaps I did not know their name); Debbie (who had Smokey and now Bearon) who has become a great friend from Minto, Terri and Solomon, Susan and her labs; the list can go on and on there.

Thank you also, Salem, Oregon -- everyone downtown knew me and we would wave every day to the shopkeepers and groups meeting for coffee...Special thanks to Mary Lou Zeek Gallery for her daily treats and water bowl, (messing up her floor alot!) the guys at Shyrocks, Magoos for letting me be "a guide dog" several times inside the tavern; all of my Capitol friends and Marla & Jeff & Murphy - the first dog I met in Salem; the staff at Great Harvest who baked the wonderful Snickerdoodles for me everyday and asked about me...the staff at the Nordstrom counter in downtown Portland who fed me "pink cookies" and always knew my name, though it might have been months since I was there.

And speaking of "pink cookies"...my Auntie Kelly came and brought me two my final day and I gobbled those up so fast...my last meal. Thank you Auntie Kelly, for thinking of this and staying with my mom for 4 hours that day!! And to Auntie Debbi for bringing the chimes that night...I was so blessed to have such a "peaceful" sendoff....and all the flowers afterwards.

I know I have missed some...and will add more...but what a life! I will continue to write about

Jack...since he is too little to write..and frankly, he just is not that into it right now..he is having too much fun playing ball, and swimming and diving, and taking mom out on long walks and playing tug.

I had the best life...I had the time of my life!

It has been a while...

2009-08-05T13:42:00.000-07:00

Greetings all...I know, it has been awhile since I have posted...but up here, we are busy and there are certain rules..that is all I can say for now. Anyway...I just wanted to fill you in on the details regarding "Jack" and how we got Jack and my mom together so fast.

As soon as I got here..Poppy was there, waiting for me and we both said at the same time..."we have to get Joan a new dog".....we both felt she needed a "cuddler" -- someone smaller than me, and then Poppy said -- "And someone not so food motivated, the family would like that"...I said, "What do you mean"? And he said..."Kennedy, remember Thanksgiving and how you grab the turkey leg"...I replied.."Poppy, that was for entertainment..I thought things were a little slow that day and everyone needed a good laugh"! I tell you , the things people remember about me!! Anyway, Poppy was following the Guide Dogs for the Blind, and saw this "little one" that he had fallen in love with...named Nexus...I thought he was perfect too and "voila!"..the deed was done.

We are both having a good laugh up here, because Jack is just running my mom around!

And the golden retrievers

2009-07-04T14:16:00.000-07:00

Back on..I forgot about the golden dogs up here -- Buffy, Carly & Kelsey -- they have been at a Golden Retriever Summer Reunion the past week...so just briefly saw them before they left!

A quick check in...

2009-07-04T14:02:00.001-07:00

Hey all...I am here in heaven...and I saw a computer. I think I will be yanked from it, because we are not suppose to talk to you mortals....but quickly, let me tell you Poppy and I are having a grand old time. Uncle John Lell, well, he is still eating his tomatoes with sugar on them, beating Poppy at cribbage...and both of them are eating sausages and hot dogs all day long. And the Chicago gang is all here too...can you say "Sprechen sie deutsch"??!!!

Opps...I have to run...but quickley...Mary Ann & Jim...I see Boey hopping around...Bliss was well named, because she is so happy, Shotsie is just about the coolest dog around, Pretty is spending all the time watching the new baby girl of the Uffelmans, and of course my mom's Booker, Paisley & Max & Noah all bombarded me when I got here!

Grammy..you take care of yourself and get rested & get happy please...we all love you. Mom, you start eating something other than that Yoplait drink...and all of you thank you for taking care of my mom...I love you all and hope you will love Kennedy 2! You are the best!

And a deer also!!

2009-06-17T12:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning...not only was the bird there...but a huge deer!! This morning, just the bird.

Last night I attended the graduation from dog obedience class of one of my best friends, Bearon.

Bearon is my mom's friend Debbi Oss dog. He is a beautiful Shepherd.

I laid on the floor and watched very carefully the entire class of about 8 dogs performing obedience. I was very focused. At one point, someone in the audience said "Perhaps we should have the old dog show us"...I think he meant me!! Of course, I would have passed with flying colors, especially if there were enough treats!

Bearon was the best dog and I was so proud of him!

Our early morning bird

2009-06-15T13:45:00.000-07:00

Every morning for the past week, we have a bird chirping at our window around 5:30 a.m. "Time to get up, time to go to work!!" I think it is Poppy coming to wake us up and wish us a good day!

My Poppy

2009-05-24T10:58:00.000-07:00

How I will miss my Poppy...I remembered the first night I met him...I was so excited to have such a warm and cuddly Poppy..he fed me biscuits and from that day, we had our own special routine going on. When I arrive at the house, I would get a "welcome" biscuit, and when I left, I got two -- one in the garage, and one he gave to my mom so she could get me into the car (I never wanted to leave!).

Never once, was the Biscuit Box ever empty. Even near the end, when Poppy was weak, Poppy asked about the biscuits and made sure there were plenty for me and Cori. I will miss him dearly.

I had the privilege of being "his dog" while at St. Vincent's and will post a picture of me in his room. I loved being that close to him and bringing him comfort those 2 days.

But there is a silver lining, my mom said...because finally Shotsie is reunited with a family member after over 45 years!! Can you imagine that reunion?

Poppy, we will miss you more than you ever know...but on our daily walk around town and Willamette U, we know you will be with us (we usually go around 10:00 a.m., so make a note of it) !!

Sunday night redeux

2009-04-27T11:00:00.000-07:00

My mom says I am like "clockwork"...in fact, she does not even wear a watch or set an alarm because she has ME!! So, Sunday, I am out on "lookout point", since something happened LAST Sunday...and there I see something, and I start barking. She comes running out again, but there in the waters was a BIG BLACK nutria...in my swimming hole!! She made sure I did not go down there..because they are mean and ugly. But, as soon as he heard me, he started swimming away.

So...now I have a new nickname -- Rolex!

We are all getting excited for the big wedding next week!! i even get to go! I have a black tie...I better get it out and get it ironed!

The Big Rescue

2009-04-21T08:09:00.000-07:00

My mom and I rescued two boaters on Sunday evening!! I was laying outside, while my mom was taking her bath around 8:00, when I saw 2 guys in a big raft. They appeared to be having some trouble...I barked and mom came outside to see what was going on. The current was running pretty strong, and mom shouted at the guys, asking if they needed some help. They were suppose to be at a park upstream, but had gone past it. Mom said, you have to get over to our side of the river and get out now, before it gets dark.....she had to REALLY convince them that what she was saying was right...I stood by her the entire time. They finally made it over to our shoreline, with much difficulty, got out and carried their raft up to our backyard. She offered to drive them to Independence, but they had a cell phone and called their uncle. One of the guys had no shoes, and neither of them had a life jacket. If I had not barked, who knows what would have happened!!

observations from the hospital

2009-01-16T11:39:00.000-08:00

I have spent the last few days at the hospital in Portland with my favorite person, my Papa!!

Tuesday night Auntie Patty called and said get up here pronto! We flew out of the house and drove up. Mom left me in the car and ran in..in about an hour, she came to the car & I was able to go in the hospital room!! I ran up to Papa who was laying in this great big bed -- I wanted to hop up and join him! He recognized me and was not even surprised I was there!!

It was a few hours later, and Papa seemed to be getting a little bit better. All the relatives were nice and thought perhaps it was my appearance that helped Papa. If I could still eat "Nordstrom pink cookies", I would claim the recognition and make them all buy me cookies to reward me. Actually, I think the credit goes to Auntie Mary Ann, who brought Fr. Rick for blessings and the prayers by everyone that night.

Also credit has to be given to Nurse Helga. The next day, Helga came in and said to Papa...you are not "on the bus" today and you will not be "on the bus" tomorrow! I did not know what she meant by "the bus", but my mom told me. So, when walking today, we were stopped at the corner, and the city bus stopped -- I ran the other way! No way was I getting on the bus!

Now, every day there is a yellow school bus I see parked on Vitae Springs Road. I told mom it is a good thing we lock the gate, so that bus does not come down our lane to pick us up!!

There are more observations that I will write about later! Tomorrow is Papa's birthday and I can hardly wait to see him again!

January 16th - a great day

2009-01-13T12:25:00.000-08:00

We soon will be approaching January 16, a "holy" day in the Buck family. We remember this day as St. Shotsie's Birthday and Brother Berard's feastday.

And we need to add another event to this day, as my mom just remembered that this is the day the Guide Dogs for the Blind called her and said they had a dog for her to meet -- named Kennedy!! Yes, this is the day when I learned I had someone coming in to probably take me to their family.

So when Janet learned she was having her surgery this day... we said it was a good sign!

I am progressing as well as can be with my kidney failure. Am on a strict diet and now weight 95 lbs and have more energy. I am eating all the right foods. There has been times when I have not liked the food, much to my mom's anxiety, but we are working it out. Been stressful for BOTH of us!! So thanks for all your concerns and prayers. I do catch my mom eating in strange places...like the garage and the bathtub...but she is trying to be nice and not eat all that good food in front of me!!

More to tell

2008-12-26T13:25:00.001-08:00

I need to add more to our story of Winter Wonderland.

The best part of the whole event was my Auntie A came and picked us up and rescued us!! We were so overjoyed. Mom and Auntie A were wondering how to get me into her car, when I made a flying leap into the trunk! I stunned them with my agility to do so. We got through all the down trees and icy conditions on River Road...we were SHOCKED at the conditions our Auntie A drove through to rescue us.

Her home was decorated for Christmas, was warm and plenty of food and drink. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. We had fun playing with Charlie and then Auntie A and mom went downtown for a much needed outing. She told me to "be on extra good behavior" and I was..I never woke her up in the middle of the night for anything! I just laid and was a good boy. We both had a much needed good sleep that night. The next day we had waffles and went out and played in the snow.

A thank you is not enough for what our Auntie A did for us! We love her so much. A very special angel she was to rescue us and save my mom's sanity!

Winter and Christmas

2008-12-26T12:21:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to all...and a good night to Mister Snow!

While we seem to have been holed up at home this past week, we were able to venture out for a few fun outings.

There were a few days of going nowhere...except up to the road to check the ice conditions (which seemed like SHE was doing that about every 2 hours!)...we lost electricity for 24 hours or so which seemed awful, as ice and branches fell. Mom then decided to make a run for it into Salem. She packed up all my food and gear and tried to load me into the car. I did not want to go.. I knew it was worst out there further into Salem. Finally, she pushed me into the car and there was no stopping her. We made it past some down trees and River Road was closed at Halls Ferry ...well, I tried to tell her! She was complimentary towards me, and says from now on she will trust me and MY instincts!!!

Sibling Party

2008-12-08T11:08:00.000-08:00

Friday afternoon mom and I went to Portland and around 6:00 p.m....all my aunties and uncles showed up! What fun they had...there was cheese fondue and wine and then they all left me at the apartment and went somewhere for about 2-3 hours!

Upon returning, there was a delicious (0r so it looked) pear & apple tart Aunt Janet had made with homemade eggnog ice cream. Then an exchange of gifts...and now we have a beautiful Christmas Angel, a handy, beautiful bag (which we used today on our walk), soap, photo cards, and a great dress for mom! (some other things too!)....

Conversation was pretty lively...with Aunt Patty showing off some special ornament (I won't say) she was taking for Camden that the City of Portland or the restaurant GAVE her...(!!)...and then discussion turned to me giving a hamstring to Aunt Janet and she giving me one of her kidneys in exchange. I know it sounds strange, but that's what I heard. It was "O'Dark Thirty" when they all left and we tumbled into bed!

Stockings!!

2008-12-01T12:37:00.000-08:00

Was I excited on Saturday!!! All THREE of my stockings were hung by the fireplace with care!

I even danced a little jig.....I don't think there is anything in them now...but I know they will be filled! These stockings are from some of my favorite people....from the left...Auntie A, Michael & Kylie, and my first family the Kirbys.

Due to my kidney disease...I know I cannot have my favorite cookies anymore..but I know they will be filled with homemade pumpkin biscuits, carrots and other new delectable treats!!

The Wave Walk

2008-10-28T15:42:00.000-07:00

It is amazing how many people stop my mom at Target, the grocery store or other places to say, "how is your dog?" or "I see you walking your dog all over town". Well, every day we take the same route, about 3 miles. I call it my "cookie walk"; mom calls it "the wave walk". We start from the office and when we reach the Arbor Cafe, the usual customers inside wave at us, then we walk past the two Starbucks, and more waves --- usually a group of retired men we see daily --; then we stop by Great Harvest for MY TREAT, past Shyrocks where we "wave" again to the two men who run it; then round the corner and I race down to Mary Lou Zeek's art gallery where I get a BIG BISCUIT and a HUGE BOWL OF WATER ; then down the street, pass the Arbor where we wave, then down to the corner to the Brick, where sometimes Joy is in the window changing the sign (I think my mom goes there for Martini Mondays!) and another wave there....then we cross to go to the Bank of Cascades, for another cookie treat (about once a week).

We proceed next to Willamette University and then cross to the Capitol where we usually stop and talk to Bruce, the head gardener..and sometimes we see people at the Capitol mall we know. Then it is back to the office. Whew!!! All of this is done in under an hour, unless we get caught up. We "know" so many people...people we don't know by name, but just by face. A lot inquire how am I doing, which is nice, or comment if I seem friskier one day or another!!

I love my walk and all the people that I see every day!!!

Reunion Highlights

2008-10-13T14:24:00.000-07:00

The reunion was so much fun...and I found out about my parents and my littermates. Will write more later but wanted to give a quick update!

There were 9 puppies in my litter. 7 boys and 2 girls. 4 of the boys went on to become actual Guide Dogs: Kilroy, Kenwood, Kaber and Kemper. The two girls, Kona and Kokie, were like me, career changed, as were my other 2 brothers Karloff and Kilmer.

There were 6 black and 3 yellow dogs. My dad's -- who was black -- was named Nation and my mum who was yellow was named Bandi. I look like my papa!!

Will write more later!!

Reunion update

2008-10-01T13:08:00.001-07:00

All I can think about is this reunion....the Guide Dog page is updated now and shows my fellow guide dogs with their names and birthdates:

http://www.gdbfamilyreunion.com/seewhoscoming.html

Still no littermates attending...oh well!! Am hoping my first mom Linda makes it! Zorba has a herniated disc -- the day after he visited me, he came down with this. No, I did not play with him!

Anyway....counting the days. I have lost 3 more lbs...so trying to get in shape. Many pictures of cuties posted...but my mom still thinks I am the most handsome one of all!

First Family visits!

2008-09-15T16:01:00.000-07:00

My first family came to Salem and visited me Saturday!! It was so much fun to see them. We are going to go to the reunion together in October.

We reminisced about "old times" and they said when Guide Dogs called them and I had been "rejected" due to allergies, they said they could not take me, since at that time they were training Zorba. They really wanted me back, but could not. Guide Dogs said... "well, Kennedy will be hard to place, since he is a big black male dog". Well, lo and behold...two weeks past and there was my mom's application, asking for a BIG BLACK MALE! We were made for each other!

They also said their other "puppy trainees" all received a "golden parachute" when the program was complete & they were adopted...but that I got the "platinum parachute" -- meaning that I got extremely lucky with my home and family -- and that includes all my grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins!!

Lucy and Me - 2 that understand GPS

2008-09-12T13:49:00.000-07:00

Reading on Cousin Megan's blog...and she writes about Lucy who has an uncanny way of knowing where she is and sense of direction. Considering her age, it is remarkable. http://loebclan.blogspot.com is their blog site.

I think Lucy and I could be a great team. I know EXACTLY how to find Starbucks, Great Harvest Company and Nordstrom Cafe. We could just team up together in downtown Portland one day and just "go for it"...I think Lucy would enjoy the "pink cookies" as much as I do!!

Happy Birthday Kennedy!

2008-09-09T07:44:00.000-07:00

Kennedy...I have loved you from the first time I saw you at Guide Dogs for the Blind. You are the best..so loving, patient, kind, fun to be with, and SMART! You are the best dog a person could have..and I have been sooooo lucky and fortunate to have you in my life. xxoo forever and ever!

2008-09-08T15:52:00.000-07:00

Here's someone who was born on 9-9-98!! One year older than me! Almost got a sibling...he sorta looks like me..maybe he is a half sibling!

Reunion Information

2008-09-04T09:15:00.001-07:00

I will finally learn the names of my siblings, as we will get a certificate of my parents and siblings! We all know they begin with a "K"!

The Guide Dogs for the Blind have set up this great website on the reunion, and I can find out if my littermates are coming...so far, there is only me listed there! It is a great website..especially if you need a good dog name...Cadbury and Gucci especially appealed to me!

http://www.gdbfamilyreunion.com/seewhoscoming.html

Above is the site...I am the one in the river...I thought it might hide my waistline!

Guide Dog Reunion..am so excited!!

2008-08-28T14:30:00.000-07:00

Guess what I received in the mail?? A "family reunion" invite for Sunday October 12 at the World Forestry Center from the Guide Dogs for the Blind. It is open to everyone, including well behaved career changed dogs (that is me) and humans who love them (which is my mom and all of you!). It starts at 10:00 a.m....we are so excited, we will probably be there at 9:00 a.m.!!!

I might finally meet some of my "blood" brothers and sisters!!

I can wear a sign that says 9/9/99 (my birthdate) and perhaps I will find them.

So if anyone wants to go, let us know and we will get you a ticket. I have to get ready, like make an appointment for a shampoo on Oct. 11 & perhaps lose about 10 lbs....isn't that what you do before a reunion???

Plus, we can all go to the zoo and see the new elephant afterwards!!!

They're back!

2008-08-28T11:08:00.001-07:00

School is starting once again at Willamette U, so our summer of being one of the few people walking around the campus is over. Today, there were parents and kids stopping me, saying "oh I miss my dog already", etc. etc., wanting to PET me..but, hey, I don't know them and obviously, they don't have cookies in their pockets. (Mom: Kennedy you are not being very nice or polite!)...

Anyway, the BIG function is tomorrow, where all the professors have on their black robes (now they know why I swim in the creek!) and the big luncheon. Last year, we accidently got into the procession of "black robes"...I had gone swimming in the creek, and they were lined up on the bridge, and so I just forged ahead ...then the procession got moving and there we were, right in the middle! Mom called the assistant to the President to apologize, but she said as soon as she heard about it, she saw it was Kennedy and so it was okay.

So..do they WANT us tomorrow? (Mom..no, Kennedy, we will make sure we are there and gone before 10:30!!) Fortunately, they posted the entire day events for us!

2008-08-18T10:44:00.000-07:00

Here's the pictures from the Capitol and my new friends

2008-08-18T10:42:00.000-07:00

Hot Hot Hot

2008-08-18T10:38:00.000-07:00

It was sooooo hot on Friday, I walked over to the Capitol Mall, and for the FIRST time, went into the fountain spray at the Capitol. I was ambushed by the kids there, they all came up and started petted me. I had to leave, as one of them sat on a geyser and started "shooting" everyone with water. Reminded me of Uncles Jim & Mike!

All clean and pretty

2008-08-08T09:23:00.001-07:00

Mom went on vacation, leaving me at Camp Pearsoll, where we go on five mile walks!! And I even got a bath. People have been complaining about my "smell" or "odor", but my mom must love me a lot (or else she has no sense of smell left) because she never could smell it...I thought it was her! Anyway, I am gorgeous now. Can hardly wait to go on our walk around town and see the crew at Great Harvest, Mary Lou Zeek Gallery, and Bank of the Cascade..they are probably wondering what happened to me!!

Thought for the day

2008-07-31T09:34:00.001-07:00

Sometimes the grass IS greener on the other side!

My first friend in Salem remembered

2008-07-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

Today we remember Murphy Watson. Murphy was the first dog I met in Salem. Murphy's parents, Marla and Jeff, are great friends with my mom...and in fact, it was Marla who suggested that my mom get a dog from the Guide Dogs and encouraged her to get ME when the Guide Dogs called her (she was thinking about waiting after the Session that year).

I arrived home with my mom on Saturday night, and the next day, on Sunday, the Watsons called and wanted to meet me, so we went over to the West Salem Riverfront. I met this beautiful yellow lab, spirited and ready to show me how to swim in the river! They had presents for me -- a rug for the car that I still use to this day and other goodies, plus lots of good advice. Murphy was so kind to me, and we had fun playing.

So, our hearts with lots of prayers go out to the Watsons. We are thinking of you. And Murphy...I know you are in the that great place where there are biscuits all day long and lakes to swim in.

One request, please, Murphy....start stockpiling some biscuits for me when I arrive to see you!

We will miss you, dear friend.. you will always be in our thoughts.

Kennedy the well known dog

2008-07-25T13:55:00.000-07:00

So Mom and I are on our after work walk & swim at Minto Brown, and a man walks by, and says, how old is your dog now? And she replies...turning 9 on 9/9...to which he says, "So I have been seeing you for almost 9 years walking around town!! That dog should be the mayor of the town".

We did advise him that it was January of 2001 that he has been walking around town..so 7 1/2 years really...but it seemed like a long time for him.

So, it is nice to be noticed and we do appreciate all the nice comments from everyone that sees us.

Nicknames

2008-07-16T12:35:00.000-07:00

My mom loves nicknames -- she calls me "Sparky" a lot ...short for "Sparkle", or "my little black bear". In fact, she has nicknames for a lot of people. And some have become quite known to the public. Many years ago, she privately named these two lobbyists who were opposing her "the chipmunks". She used the "the code word" only to one or two people. Well, low and behold, about towards the end of the legislative session, a person came up and said that the Senate President (Kitzhaber) told them that the "chipmunks" were just in his office!!

Then, she nicknamed one other lobbyist "Skippy"...and about a month later, was down at the favorite watering hole, and he walked in, and someone at the table said "Hi Skippy" to this man.

And Jim & Mike...we all know she calls them "the terrorists"...

Today, I think I am "stinky"...

2008-07-15T14:46:00.000-07:00

When you cross the street from the Capitol, using the crosswalk, you run right into this!

At the entry to the State Capitol State Park, here is what greets you.. a Kennedy hydrant!

I think I need to (a) clean it up a bitand (b) maybe paint the Kennedy in green letters to stand it out a bit. I think I will decorate it on my birthday!

blog neglect but not dog neglect

2008-07-15T14:27:00.001-07:00

We just read Cousin Megan's blog and she titled her entry "blog neglect" and we must have got the "disease" too...perhaps it is the "dog days" of summer. Nothing exciting has happened and it is just "hot", so my friends are not there at dog park..and when I do go swimming at the end of the day, I need to stay by the shore, so I don't get carried away by the current.

But I still get my daily treats...Great Harvest, then Mary Lou Zeek's gallery -- where either Mary Lou, Shelley or Tina...plus some summer help..are there to give me this HUGE biscuit everyday and a big bowl of water. I run down the street when we turn the corner.

We did "solve the problem" of the State Capitol State Park. I DO have a marker there with my name on it. It has been there all the time, but I think I need to decorate it so it shows KENNEDY more. I will post the picture.

And, I hate to complain, but Megan and Curtis gave ME 3 pink cookies, I ate one then and then mom put 2 in the freezer. Well...for some reason, the other day, there was only one left. I think she ate one in the middle of the night while I was not looking!!

Hotsy Totsy

2008-06-27T10:22:00.000-07:00

Since it is going to be a "scorcher" today, we went on our walk earlier -- whch means we see different people. Today I saw Chief Justice Paul DeMuniz...what a nice man he is, a pillar of the community. He chatted with us....plus he wears those long black robes, so he understands what I go through.

The next block, the barbershop was open and I walked right in and was getting ready to plop down, when Mike the barber said .."Kennedy, there are about 5 guys ahead of you". Mom has been talking about a "cut and shave" for me, and I have not seen any appointments yet on the calendar, so I thought today was a good day to "get it done"!! I would not leave the barber shop...mom had to drag me out of there (i.e. bribe me with a cookie).

Check up today

2008-06-24T13:41:00.000-07:00

Check up day is always a little scary. First the weight in, with this huge scale. Then all the probing and looking in my ears. Last night at dog park, mom told someone we were going to have to walk all night long for the big weigh in today ....so I closed my eyes and jumped on the scale...and I weighed 105!!!! I've lost 8 lbs. Even after going for ice cream this month! My ears looked good and no bumps on my legs!

I have been walking extra hard at dog park, so I will try to get to 99 lbs, my goal weight. Since I am turning 9 on 9/9...I want to weigh 99 lbs that day. Shoot for the nines!

Kennedy State Park

2008-06-19T13:40:00.001-07:00

I have been walking through this park outside the front of the Capitol for seven years now. Daily. (not counting Sat or Sun). All of a sudden, "they" named the Park: State Capitol State Park. Now, isn't that a redundant name for a park????

About a month ago, I saw them put the sign up...and they were laying the concrete for it....I was right there, ready to put my paw print it, when Bruce the State Gardener stopped me. What a memorial that would have been. I should have known a ceremony was in the near future...but failed to check the calendar. A few days later, I saw my friend Sen. Rick and his aide leaving the park...they had just dedicated the park as State Capitol State Park! I was 3 minutes late from running in and saying "no,no...it is Kennedy State Park" .

As we continue to walk through the "redundant" park every day, we come up with ideas on how to rename this park. I will take a picture of the current sign. There is space for "Kennedy", e.g. State Capitol Kennedy State Park...that would break it up a bit. More on this later.

Am "styling" now

2008-06-19T10:11:00.000-07:00

We have a lot to "blog and brag" about. First of all, I have a new red Coach collar which is so beautiful and I look so good in it...it has been the topic of conversation amongst the Salem crowd when I first wore it a few weeks ago. Cousins Curtis and Megan gave me this nice collar and boy do I feel "styling" when I wear it.

The first day I had it on, while walking by the local Starbucks, the group of men I always wave to waved back, and one of them pointed to their neck and signaled a thumbs up!! Then later, as we were walking through the mall, I passed the Governor, and he said "hey big guy", then said, "nice collar". I looked up and said, "Coach, of course"!!

So, thank you Loebs for making me a stylesetter. I will post a picture, once I get cleaned up and my hair trimmed!

Tit for Tat

2008-06-04T13:30:00.001-07:00

Our daily "walk around town", also known as "the cookie walk" -- to distinquish between the morning walk with Charlie and the dog park walk with Solomon -- is one of my highlights of the day. More on the details later, as I will elaborate on the people I meet and greet and funny observations along the way, plus some of my favorite stopping places.

Today, while crossing the street, I see the bank. They give me cookies (a dog biscuit)...so I start heading to the bank. Mom pulls me on the leash and says, "No Kennedy, we have no money for the bank today and so we cannot go into the bank today." Now, I could care less about this "money" thing (I really do not understand it)..I just want to see the bank crew and moreover "get the biscuit". I tug the other way..."No, Kennedy...we cannot go in". A man on the street stops my mom, and says..."go in, they don't care". Mom is adamant..and we continue our walk.

Now we are at Willamette University, and mom sees the little store and says, "Kennedy, we are going to the little store because I need some candy". Now, I don't eat candy. She wants her spice drops. Well, she did not stop at the bank for my biscuit...so....I pull her the other way, not going down the steps to the store, and head right for the creek. No biscuit, no candy.

So we both learned today...."tit for tat". Tomorrow, we will probably stop at both the bank and the candy store!!!

Pink Cookie

2008-06-04T09:56:00.000-07:00

this is a half eaten Nordstrom Pink Cookie! I found the picture on the computer this morning...what you do not see is me drooling, while my mom is taking a picture ...I am impatiently waiting for her to give me the rest!! Thank goodness Nordstrom is only making them in the large size for now!

Conquering your fears

2008-06-03T13:55:00.000-07:00

Here I am ...back swimming again, after last week's scare. This is down at MintoBrown...a good place to swim. In the picture below, I stood and looked at the river for awhile, to assess the situation. I could see the strong current in the middle, but the shore looked pretty good. I ran down...and jumped it.

Back in the Saddle

2008-06-03T13:53:00.000-07:00

Memorable Memorial Day

2008-05-28T11:58:00.000-07:00

We had a bit of a scare on Memorial Day. After walking around Independence for about an hour, I decided to take a "quickdip" in the River over at Independence Park. I was barely in the water, by the dock, when all of a sudden, I got caught by the current and was swept way out into the river!

There I was, almost in the middle, my little black head just peeping above the water. I knew to ride it out...up ahead was a place I thought I can wrangle my way out of the current. I looked "to shore" and saw my mom "yelling" to people who were docked, but still on the boat. They said they were prepared to come out and help me.

All of a sudden, I got out of the current. Now I had to swim to shore, which was pretty far for an old guy like me. Mom was on the sidelines, yelling "you can do it Kennedy"over and over and over...which spurred me on. Finally I made it to shore. Whew!

So...we went to McDonald's and got an ice cream cone to celebrate!

Thanks to those nice people in the boat who waited until I got to shore and were willing to help me!

Guide Dog Mode

2008-05-26T08:43:00.000-07:00

Lowe's has become my favorite place to shop. Yesterday, mom decided we needed some plants, and off we went to Lowe's. We started in the outside nursery area. I got into my "guide dog mode"and walked right next to her. She then went to the check out counter....WHAT, I thought?? She is missing some things that we need at the house!!

I started pulling her the other way, into the main store. "Kennedy, no" she said. I gave her "the look"...gawds..she has been talking about the "portable hose" all week. I remained steadfast. Finally, she says.."Oh, Kennedy, you are so right...we do need to go into the main store"..so off we went, and I made her walk EVERY aisle to make sure she did not forget anything!!

Living with "old people"....I am exhausted.