Day 7 - Hiking for Javelinas

Today we agreed to go on a hike in the mountains to increase our odds of finding javelinas.  We packed up our gear and headed off.  We began by walking a dry creek bed and ran into many lizards; they are much larger than the ones in my yard.  I used my keen nose to sniff out the javelinas; apparently they are so smelly that you'll know when they are close even before seeing them.

We looked high and low for the aloof creatures.  And then finally, I caught of a whiff of a scent that I had never smelled before (it was really horrible) and I knew they must be close!  I started running as fast as I could, but I quickly realized I was on a leash.  Daddy tried to keep up with me, but the terrain was pretty rough so we had to run more slowly.  Finally, in the distance we saw them; there was a heard of about seven.  I got out my trusty lariet and was ready to nab one of them, but as soon as they saw us they started running in the opposite direction...boy are they ugly.  Fortunately for the javelinas, we were not able to catch up to them. 

Daddy promised we will keep trying though until we have to head back home.

Day 6 - Where are the Javelinas?



Saying goodbye to my
friends, Michael
and Susan

Gosh, it's already Wednesday; time really does fly when you're having fun.  This morning we had to say goodbye to Mike and Susan.  They are on a two-week vacation traveling to Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota and Colorado...that's a lot of driving! 



Hola!

We have still not found any real javelinas and I am beginning to think that they are a myth (does anyone know, are they really real?).  So I asked Mommy and Daddy to help me look harder.  They agreed to do so, but first we needed lunch.  We went to Tlaquepaque (pronounced Tla-keh-pah-keh), Sedona Arizona's Arts & Crafts Village and had lunch at a Mexican Restaurant; the food was great.  We met a couple who were visiting from South Carolina...they loved me! 

Me and Roger

Also while at Tlaquepaque, I met Roger.  He was a very rare Australian Shepherd; I didn't like him so much, because he thought he was special.  What he didn't realize is that I am famous in Arizona and everyone loves me more.



Look, but not drink!

Even stuffed Javelinas look
look pretty scary!

Daddy had heard about a place where we might find javelinas; it was called Javelina Leap so we decided to go there.  Once we arrived, we realized
(I am sure Daddy already knew) that Javelina Leap was a winery. 

The people at Javelina Leap were really nice, but again we did not see real javelinas, only stuffed ones that were on the wall.  Mommy and Daddy decided to participate in the wine tasting and would not let me join them because they said I was only three years old.  Even though one of the ladies participating in the wine tasting tried to convince them that I was really 21 years old in dog years, they would not give in...bummer!

So very exhausted!



After going to Javelina Leap, we went shopping again...can you believe it?!?  We bought gifts for Lawson, Molly, and Miller and nothing for me; what's up with that?



Again, another exhausting day without seeing any real javelinas.  Time is running out, I must find at least one javelina tomorrow.

Day 5 - Montezuma's Castle and Jerome, AZ



Last night Mommy and Daddy's friends, Michael and Susan arrived for a 2-day visit with us; they are so much fun, Susan even took me on several walks.  We went to dinner last night at the Hilton Hotel (fancy) and the restaurant people loved me so much I was allowed to dine inside the restaurant.  The server suggested I looked like a therapy dog because I was such a good and calm boy.  Daddy says I can go to therapy school when we return home.  I am a little leery about this though, because when I was about six months old Daddy told me I was going to be tutored, but I misunderstood and we went to the vet and I was neutered.  This time I will make very certain I am really going to school.  

I wonder how the dogs got up there?

On Tuesday, we went to Montezuma's Castle.  It was interesting to the people, but not so much for me...boring!  The five story, 20 room cliff dwelling stands like a high-rise ancient apartment building standing guard over the valley below. It was built by the Sinaqua Indian Tribe which means “without water” about 700 years ago in the early 1300s.  Fortunately, I did not have to go without water as they had doggie water bowls on the property.

  

Me and Hammer...
I look a little
scared don't I!?!

Next, we went to Jerome for the rest of the day.  That's where I met Hammer.  He is only nine months old and already weighs 160 pounds.  When he is fully grown he will weigh approximately 250 pounds.  I thought I was a big boy until I met him; he was a bit intimating.  Even though he was big, he was not very brave.  He was afraid to go down a flight of stairs and I had to show him the way. 


I love my Mommy!

We also went to a winery and ate lunch sitting on the patio overlooking the mountains and valley below...it was awesome.  Just like in Sedona, I was famous in Jerome too.  Everyone wanted to touch me and said I was a very well-behaved boy.    

We went to some shops in Jerome, but only Mommy bought something (of course!).  She collects kaleidoscopes and found a kaleidoscope bracelet, of course she had to buy it.  Because she bought the bracelet, Daddy said we could not afford to buy the teddy bear I wanted to bring home to Cashew and Bailey...sorry guys!  I also saw a turtle I wanted to buy for Julie, but I could not because again Daddy said Mommy spent too much on the bracelet.



Here's the teddy bear I wanted to buy;
Cashew and Bailey would have loved it!

Sorry Julie, you would have loved this too!






ZZZZZZZZZZZZ



As of today, fortunately for the javelinas, still no sightings!  I will have to search again tomorrow; I am too exhausted to do anything else today!

Day 4 - Shopping in Sedona

Who is the most handsome?



Howdy partners...I'm talking like this now that I am in Arizona.



Today we shopped until we dropped in Sedona.  I took some really great pictures, and I am now thinking I might be famous because everyone wanted to touch me!  My mommy and daddy made me pose with so many statues that I lost count (it was a bit embarrassing!).


While shopping though, I was on the lookout for javelinas.  I did see a few, but unfortunately they were only statues. 

Javelina baby



I sure hope they don't really look
like this in real life...scary!



Pink javelinas???

A view from our hotel...awesome!

 



 



Days 2 and 3

Ahhhhh!

OMG, are we there yet?  If I hear my mommy say to me one more time, "we're almost there"...   I think these long days in the car have caused me to lose my sense of humor. 



Malamute Fun!



There have been some bright spots however, like meeting two very nice malamutes.  They were so much fun and we were able to play for a little while before hitting the road again.  I did enjoy their games, but they were not as much fun as the games I play with my brothers.  And that fur was flying all over the place, I even got some in my throat, yuck! 

Like the first hotel, the bed in the Albuquerque was great too.  The view from our fourth floor room overlooked the valley and was amazing.  I had never been that high before and I was a little afraid to go out on the balcony, so I just stuck my neck out the door, making sure my feet were still in the room.  Oh and even better was the carpeting in the hotel room.  I sure wish mommy would replace our hardwood floors with carpeting; I wouldn't need to get on the furniture.

Me, patiently waiting for my breakfast

One morning, we had breakfast in Starbucks.  Can you believe the silly barista tried to give my dog biscuits - really!  I ordered the bear claw pastry and a latte (hold the coffee of course - I'm not old enough to drink coffee yet).

Tomorrow we reach our final destination, Sedona (I'll believe it when I see it!).  Perhaps then I can begin my long-awaited javelina hunting!



Day 1

Well, we made it through the first day.  We drove over 700 miles and saw some interesting sites and beautiful scenery.  At one point, I thought daddy made a wrong turn and we found ourselves in Egypt.  But then mommy said we were in Memphis and the 32 story pyramid we passed was really a sports arena.  It sits on the bank of the Missippii River and is taller than the Statue of Liberty or the Taj Mahal...it was really cool. We also saw a very large dam somewhere in Arkansas; the water was rushing over the dam with tremendous force and unfornately it made me have to pee, so we had to make a pit stop.

Fun play area in the SUV

Also in Arkansas there was a lot of flooding.  In fact, the I-40 interstate was closed part of the way and we had to make a detour; this was not a good thing.  I could run faster than the cars were driving and daddy became very frustrated.  At one point daddy said some words that I am certain a 3-year old should not hear, so I had to cover my ears. The flooding, like the dam, also made me have to pee, so again we had to make a pit stop.


We finally arrived at the hotel about 1-1/2 hours later than expected.  Fortunately, the hotel people did not make me get on a scale, so apparently I passed the weight restrictions and they let me go right in. 



Ahhhhh, hotel bed is great!



The hotel room was really nice, and mommy let me jump up and down on the bed.  This was my first time in a hotel and so I did get a little scared during the night.  So much so that it made me have to pee and I had to wake daddy to take me for a walk at 2:30 in the morning.  I was a really good boy in the hotel and didn't even bark one time.  Daddy said he was proud of me. 

 

One last thing to tell.  Mommy woke up this morning and I overheard her telling daddy she had a funny dream during the night.  She dreamed that when we arrived in Little Rock she forgot something and we had to turn around and go home.  Then the next day we started the trip over...I call that a NIGHTMARE not a funny dream! 

Hmmm, is anyone looking??



And...We're Off

Today's the day we started our big adventure.

And here we gooooooooo

Leaving this morning was bittersweet.  I am excited to see parts of the country I have not seen before and to make new friends along the way (already met a pretty Maltese at a rest stop, ooh la la) but I will miss my brothers who had to stay home.  I know they will be fine because our pet sitter Teresa will take great care of them, but I know they will miss me. Who will Bailey boss around without me there...I almost feel sorry for the cat, well almost.

Not much to write about yet since I'm stuck in the back of this SUV, but check back every day because I know it will get better!



Me and mommy horsing around in the back of the SUV



You've Gotta be Kidding, Right?

Yes, I know I am going on an adventure to hunt javelinas, but when my mommy and daddy asked me if I wanted to go, they failed to tell me we have to drive 2,000 miles to get there…have they gone mad!  So let me get this straight; they want me to ride in a car for about 12 hours the first two days and 6 hours the third day and then when we arrive I will hunt for javelinas, who don’t forget, have the largest teeth of any north American predator and who really dislike dogs and try to attack us on sight?  Come on, really!?!   Is it too late to back out of this adventure…perhaps the cat would prefer to go.

I’m not some kid they can throw in the back seat and turn on a movie.  I am the kind of dog who likes to sleep late, have breakfast, and then go outside and play with my brothers for hours.  What will I do for 12 hours, chew on a bone?  I need attention, potty breaks, snacks, toys and so much more to keep me going for that long. 

Just to be certain I have everything I need on this trip, I am starting to pack.  Let's see...toys - check; bone - check; my special western bandanas - check; treats - check...

Let's see...what else?

Baxter, the Lariat Master

Most of my day today was focused on learning how to lasso a javelina. One thing I've learned in my three years...there is an app for everything. So knowing I had to quickly come up to speed, I downloaded "Cowboy Lasso" (yes it's a real application) to my iPad.

After playing the game...uh, I mean learning and practicing the art of using a lariat, I decided to go outside and try to lasso an object that was not breakable.  I tried to glue the lamp back together, but I suspect my mommy will notice, ugh!

I learned the trick is in the flicking of the wrist while spinning your hand (or in my case paw).  I know I am supposed to let my wrist act as an axle; but I suppose I will have to wing it because I don't know what an axle is or looks like.  There are way too many different throwing techniques that can be used, so I decided I would create my own.  And the variety of knots that can be used; good grief.  So I have created the double-overpawed knot...very nice!  Does anyone know, do I target the head or feet of the javelina? 

I am fairly certain I have now mastered the art of throwing a lariat; tomorrow I will try my skills on my brothers!



Impressive, don't you think!?!



Javelina Studying

Soon I will be going javelina hunting and since I have never been before Daddy says I must study about them. So today I got out my iPad and began my research. I really don't want to read about them because I would rather be outside playing with my brothers and practicing my hunting skills.  Does anyone know...should I bait them, or should I try to sneak up on them? If you have any suggestions I will take them because I really want to catch one on my first hunt. Oh well, I suppose I will have to do some research.

Here I am studying and learning about javelinas...love my iPad

Now I know I can catch a javelina because I have learned they have good hearing and sense of smell but have lousy eyesight. I can sneak as quiet as a mouse; I've had lots of practice sneaking up on the cat and eating his food before Mommy and Daddy even realize it. 

Javelinas are wild desert animals that resemble pigs, but they are not really even related to pigs.  I've decided though I am still going to call them pigs because according to me they look like really ugly, hairy and very stinky pigs.  They are tan to brownish in color with a reddish dorsal stripe. There is a band of grayish-white fur around the neck with heavy, bristly hair covers a thin, muscular body.  I am just a little worried though because I read they travel in herds of about 8 to 9 and they can be pretty mean.  I hear they don't have a sense of humor; perhaps it's because they eat mostly cactus...ouch!  Boy javelinas can weigh up to 60 pounds; so I definitely have an advantage over them.  However, a really scary fact is their canine teeth are longer than any other North American predator.  And I also learned that javelinas don't like dogs at all and will attack us if they encounter us; so because of these two last facts, I am going to quickly begin practicing my lasso skills.

Wow!  Look at those teeth!

Enough studying for today, I am going outside to play and hope I don't dream about javelinas tonight!

Going on an Adventure!

I have been told by my mommy and daddy (my people refer to themselves as mommy and daddy and even though I know they are really not, that's what I call them) I am going on a big adventure to Arizona.  They tell me that I can hunt javelina while I am there.  I hunt for many things in my yard like squirrels, lizards, rabbits and even snakes.  I know I am a pretty good hunter because I have successfully caught many lizards, a squirrel, a bat, and even a copperhead snake, but I never kill them.  The snake was really mean though and bit me; I was really sick for about a week, so I don't plan to hunt snakes anymore (well at least not copperhead ones).

That's me in the middle, Cashew on the left and Bailey sitting in the sunshine

To help you understand a bit about my life, I am one of three dogs in my family.  My mommy and daddy rescued Cashew when he was about three years old (he's seven now).  He was badly abused and cannot fully extend his left arm because it was broken when he was young and not properly fixed; this causes him to have a fairly evident limp.  I do not poke fun at Cashew because he took care of me when I was a puppy.  Cashew can run and play just as hard as I do and is so much fun; he is my best friend.  Bailey was rescued by mommy and daddy when he was eight months old; he's now seven.  Bailey thinks he is the boss of Cashew and me, but now that I am three years old, I have decided that I want to the the boss.  Bailey has not quite accepted this fact, so we occasionally have little arguments about this topic.  By the time I am four years old, I will be the boss!  We also live with a very fat pesky cat.  He too was rescued and was a blood donor at a local veterinary clinic, but I really don't care about that.  I love to chase him through the house every chance I get.

Unlike my rescued brothers I have lived with mommy and daddy since I was six weeks old.  I only weighed 10.5 pounds then and my daddy called me his little buttercup.  I am now a big boy and weigh about 85 pounds, but for this trip to Arizona I have to say I only weigh about 65 pounds; I don't think anyone is going to believe that, but hopefully the hotel people will.  My daddy says I am a good boy and when people meet me they will love me and ignore my size; I hope he is right.

I am going to be writing about my adventures to and from Arizona and I hope will you follow along with me.  And because I will be doing many things to prepare for the trip, I am beginning my blog today.