Lights Out? Don't Pout!: Of Power Outages and Poetry

Hi!

     If you were wondering why Allison and I didn't write for a long time, it's because of the silly storm. That troublemaker Hurricane Irene! Arooo! Something happened on Sunday night that made the electricity go *BOOM-click* and switch off. This meant no way for Allison to use her computer, so no blogging! And boy, what adventures have I had lately!

     Here's a little paragraph Allison wrote for me on an index card during our power "outage" (because a pup like me wants to remember things):

     "We haven't had this thing called electricity for a whole day. Allison has been reading by the light of little fires on top sticks called 'candles.' They smell sweet and smoky, but hurt my eyes if I stare at them too long. Suz just took me out for the last time - and we saw lots of bright stars. There are no lights on our street, so only the sky gets to twinkle hello to any pups and humans curious enough to be outside. It's been quite a day: bringing boxes of food to Lizzie's and cooking at Lizzie's house - and eating steak (my humans had to cook all the meat before the fridge went to sleep). I played with Lizzie, telling her about the wind-ripped leaves turning all the puddles on my street dark and patchy. Got to go now. Allison says we're going to try making up some poetry by candlelight! Hope I get to blog soon! Ruff!"

---Dictated to and written by Allison by candlelight, 10 pm on August 29, 2011  

     Anyway, because there wasn't any power in our house, my family spent a lot of time outside. In between naps in the grass, I'd watch Allison read some of her longer books, or listen while she read aloud to me. That was during the day. At night, Allison would run around lighting candles; the whole house glowed, making it the perfect time to try more poetry. My humans made the best of a silly situation. And of course, books and imagination always help! Woof! 

A picture of me after coming in from Irene's yucky wind and rain! Snuggles and books helped my family and me stay cheerful during the storm and our time without power! What did you do during Irene? 

     To start our poetry off, we read a book by a human named Jack Prelutsky (Allison said I would get "inspired," whatever that means):

  Dog Days: Rhymes Around the Year by Jack Prelutsky, illustrated by Dyanna Wolcott, is a short, simple poetry book for human-pups starting to read. The author and illustrator provide a poem and picture for each month of the year, cheerfully and comically showing life from a dog's point of view. My favorite poem was the one for July. It goes: "It's very noisy in July,/ When fireworks light the evening sky./ Though I'm a patriot and proud,/ For ears like mine, it's much too loud." With pictures drawn in what Allison calls "a childlike style" that kids will relate to (with little details here and there like hidden witch hats), this book is a great read for very small human-pups, grades PreK-2. Two paws up!   

Just for fun, Allison and I will be putting some of our hurricane poems up soon. Here's one of my favorites:

When that silly Irene put the lights out,

That good puppy Sam did not pout.

His humans made steak,

And a piece he did take,

In the happiest of moods, I don't doubt!

---Sam I Am & Allison 8/29/11

     Awooooo! I'm very sleepy now, so I think I'll leave writing about the rest of my storm adventures for tomorrow. Did I mention I got to go to the dog park finally? And that I played with Jesse today? It's been so exciting that I'm all tuckered out. Until tomorrow then, friends.

Yours in Hurricanes and Silly Poetry,

Sam I Am

Cloudy With a Chance of More Good Books: How I'm Dealing With Hurricane Irene

Hi!

     Humans are a silly bunch. The more I think about it, the funnier it seems how crazy lots of people act when something called a "hurricane" might happen. Allison explained that a hurricane is a big storm with very strong wind; sometimes it causes floods and makes trees fall down. Okay, so that doesn't sound too fun (a little pup like me has to be careful in high winds - I don't want to get picked up and end up in the clouds!), but Daddy says that this hurricane won't even be that bad by the time it gets to our home. He watches something called "the radar" on his computer to see what's really going on. It'll probably just rain. So all this romping around, taping windows and buying a ton of extra food from the store? Kind of silly. Sometimes I think people worry too much. 

 Do I look worried? Ruff, no!

     Allison says that other places will get more wind and have to worry more. If there were a real threat to my family, my humans would be calm about it. We always have plenty of flashlights (Jacob-Baby loves to play with them), and Daddy knows safe places to go in case the house isn't safe. But this time, all I'm worried about is how wet and yucky I'll get from walking in the rain (fluffy towels can fix this!). Just stay inside and pay attention to any changes in the storm. No need to fear this famous "Irene"; I just got my cone-thing off for good, and I'm ready to play! Awoooooooooooooooooo!

     Instead of boring old rain, it would be more fun to have weather like the weather in the book Allison and I just read. It's called Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, and here is my favorite picture:

Hey Mr. Weatherman! How about a hamburger hurricane? Mmmmm.

Written by Judi Barrett and drawn by Ron Barrett, this imaginative story makes a pup sit up and drool! A flying pancake inspires an unforgettable bedtime story - the tale of a town called "Chewandswallow." Grandpa the narrator sets the scene: "The only thing that was really different about Chewandswallow was its weather. It came three times a day...Everything that everyone ate came from the sky." I know what you're thinking...

Where is this magical place, where storm clouds bring flurries of yummy hotdogs and puddles of meatballs pile up in the streets? It would be wonderful to find the town - and never worry about shopping for food again.Take me there, fast as paws can trot! But Chewandswallow one day discovers that their weather is no picnic...

Ron Barrett's vividly textured illustrations show what happens when the weather turns nasty. No more meatballs from the sky; some days there is only pea soup fog or stinky cheese. Even scarier than that, the food gets bigger and BIGGER! Yip!! Soon the townspeople must decide what to do - before more humans get wopped over the head by giant burgers and more buildings get swallowed up by breakfasts. I give this book two paws up and a tail wag. Human-pups will love the pictures and like the hopeful note at the end (which shows how imagination and stories can transform real life!). This one's tough to put an age range on, as the jokes in the story will go over young human-pups' heads even as they yelp happily over the jello sunset and orange juice rain. Probably best for grades K-4, or younger with grown-ups. Also great for older humans. And anyone who can laugh about how surprising the weather can be (New-Englanders, Allison says with a smile, in particular). 

Try also:  Pickles to Pittsburgh by the same humans. It's not as good as the original, but it has more fun with giant food. 

Off to dream of giant burgers and chicken legs! Good-night and happy hurricaning (be safe and don't panic)!

Yours droolingly,

Sam I Am

Oh To Be a Salty Dog: Damp Fears and Brave Leaps

Hi!

     I fell into a tide pool today. I guess I should've seen it coming; those silly rocks were slippery with this gooey green stuff. Ruff! I was just so excited to see what Rachel was looking at down among the rocks of Beavertail (in Jamestown, RI) that *sliip-plunk*! My paws slid right into a slimy rock puddle, and I yelped in fear.

  I was scared of getting swept away by the big fierce Ocean. Had to get outtt!

      When I clawed and pawed myself out of the pool, I smelled like seaweed. Nudging Allison with a salty nose, I tried to shake dry. Dratted rocks. Grrruff! At first I didn't want to take any more chances near the tide pools, but my humans promised that they wouldn't let me drown - there was nothing to be scared about. So I spent the rest of the afternoon happily bouncing over and around the rocks (and even making friends with a funny animal called a tortoise). You can't let your fears stop you from doing fun things - be brave!

 Try not to let fear hold you back! There's lots to see and smell and taste and experience in this interesting world! Awoooooo!

     Anyway, I dedicate this post to a nice girl I met before we went to Jamestown. Allison and Rachel took me to this restaurant in Providence that let pups sit with their humans in the sidewalk cafe part - India it's called. The human lady who brought us our food (juicy hamburger and yummy rice for me and spicy-smelling plates of food for Allison and Rachel) was acting a little strange. She kept smiling nervously and making small shaky steps to stay away from my wagging tail. Then she told us...

     "I'm sorry, but I'm a-a-afraid of dogs. I have a-a phobia."

     Afraid of dogs? I panted, kind of surprised. Then I remembered how afraid I am of vacuums. No matter how silly it seems and no matter how many times my humans tell me that the vacuum won't hurt me, the dust-eating roar makes my legs run away on their own! This human girl can't control what she's afraid of anymore than I can control it. Even so, this nice human faced her fear and managed to smile at me. Very brave! You could say that she's one of the reasons I didn't run away from the dark, scary sea. I faced my fear - and had a great day!

     And here's a good bedtime story for any pup or human-pup with a fear:

   

Martin Waddell's Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?, with pictures by Barbara Firth, is a sweet, simple bedtime story that will comfort the littlest human-pups with its repetition and lovable bear characters. In this Pre-K level book, Little Bear tells Big Bear that he can't sleep. Why? He's afraid of the dark!

(I know how scary the dark can be. On some of my first nights with my humans, I was afraid and cried a bit when I had to go to bed. But now that I sleep in Allison's room, she's sure to put a small nightlight on - that way neither of us are scared! Woof!)

Everyone - even grown-ups - get afraid. 

Big Bear, who understands that everyone has fears, gives Little Bear a present to help: a tiny light! Guess what though? Little Bear still can't sleep. Big Bear continues to give Little Bear bigger and bigger lights - until he decides that Little Bear needs to see something outside...

With an ending that will encourage all little ones to face their fears and find bravery next to a friend, this book earns two paws up. The warm, fire-lit illustrations and obvious love between the big and little bears make this one of my favorites. Read it and remember that a bright friend (or mama or daddy or grandparent or sibling) can cheer up the darkest night and banish the worst fears.

Off to Allison's dark (but with a nightlight) room! Aroo!

Yours in Salty-Sea Bravery and Bedtime Stories,

Sam I Am

Yearning for Learning: A Pup Thinks About School

Hi!

     All the humans around me keep going on and on about this thing called school. Allison is worried about starting library school, Rachel has been busy trying to figure out her "classes," and Suz is already planning to teach her students about inventions (like the inventions in Andrew Henry's Meadow, but less fancy...things like cars). What's the big deal about school?

     When Allison took me to Slater Park (my first time there!), I stopped her in a bit of shade. Pawing at her jeans, I whimpered my question. What is school exactly?

     "It's okay, little one. We're all kind of nervous about doing something new. But school is a what humans call a place where we go to learn things," Allison murmured. She rubbed a itchy spot behind my left ear, and I sighed. "Of course, everyone learns by having adventures and paying attention to the world around them. School is just a special way to learn about the specifics, the details!"

     I shook myself. Then I sniffed a clump of grass while I thought about this. Then I remembered that Allison and Rachel had mentioned that I'm going to start school as soon as the silly cone is off. As soon as my humans can sign me up, they said. Okay. So I won't be left out after all...but...but...

    I whined. Now I was starting to feel nervous.

    Allison smiled and gently led me over to a big green wooden stage. We sat there licking up a kind of ice she called "watermelon slush." Then she told me that learning is an important part of life for both pups and human-pups. Later, we read a book about a very smart dog and how he puts his smarts to use in making friends and stirring up happy trouble. Ruff!

Anne H. White's A Dog Called Scholar, with pictures by Lilian Obligado, is a comical chapter book about a golden retriever and those whose lives he changes. First named "Little Moo" and then "Cubby," this feisty pup is finally given the name "Scholar" by his family - all because he must have a private tutor to learn to behave! Soon, the already-smarty-pants Scholar is putting his good manners and ideas to use around town. Whether scheming after chocolate cake (I guess this was written before humans decided chocolate was bad for dogs.), causing chaos during a school play, or making friends with the "King Dog," Scholar is a memorable, lovable character. Most of all, human-pups will like Scholar for his generosity. He is always giving someone a present; my favorite part is when Scholar interrupts the end of the school play by throwing props as gifts to the audience! It's great to learn and to share! A little outdated, this book still earns a paw up from me. Awooooo! Best for human-pups grades 3-5. 

Whew. Even just talking about school and all that learning is making me sleepy! Break time! Woof!   

Off to beg Allison for a bedtime story (maybe another about a smart dog...I need to know more to grow up smart and strong),

Sam I Am 

        

Buildings and Belonging

Hi!

      My silly doctor's orders are that I need to keep this cone on longer and let my humans put gooey cream on my stitches. Awoooof! I don't like this one bit, but at least I still get lots of attention (like extra chicken treats!!) from my worried family. And as Allison says, it could be worse. My friends don't seem to mind my having to wear my funny hat; Chloe and Dante and Quincy and Sadie all assure me that I only look a bit comical. They even understand why it's so important that I keep busy munching grass (sweet and tickly on my tongue) and body-slamming doors (to feel strong grrrrrr) - to stop from being frustrated about the cone. It's nice for a pup to have friends and a place where he belongs. Ruff!

     Sometimes when a pup or human-pup feels like he or she doesn't belong, an adventure results. This afternoon Allison shared one of her favorite books (Mama Suz used to read it to her when she was a pup) with me. It's about a human-pup named Andrew Henry and what he decides to do when his family don't understand him...

Doris Burn's Andrew Henry's Meadow starts out simply enough. Andrew Henry, the middle-born human-pup in his family, loves to build and invent things. But uh-oh, all of his inventions - from the helicopter he builds on the kitchen ceiling to a pulley system in his little brothers' room - make his family angry. No one appreciates Andrew Henry's projects, poor guy! So he trots off in search of a new place to belong and to work on his inventions. After Andrew Henry builds a house for himself in a meadow, another human-pup shows up. She wants a place to watch birds - a place away from her bird-hating farmer dad! Luckily, Andrew Henry builds her a treehouse. Well, you can guess what happens next! A whole herd of human-pups gather in the meadow to live in houses built by the happily busy Andrew Henry! One by one, each human-pup finds a place to belong in the meadow, away from grown-ups who scold and do not understand.

  See? And this is only half of Andrew Henry's meadow! Allison's favorite is the treehouse; mine is the one in the front of the picture. Why? Because it is dug under the ground - great for digging for hidden bones!

Fortunately, Andrew Henry's faithful dog Sam (Not Sam I Am, but still a sign that this pup is very smart. Woof!) is able to lead the human-pups' mamas and daddies to the meadow when everybody starts to miss Andrew Henry and his friends. Although Allison tells me that this book is a bit out-of-date (Today women are not limited to cooking and sewing like Andrew Henry's mother and sisters are, for example.), I liked this story. Human-pups will love the black-and-white pictures, full as they are of details like the workings of Andrew Henry's inventions and the special parts of the human-pups' houses. And I think little ones will relate to longing for a nook of their own away from parents (especially in such fun houses!). Two paws up for this book, which is best for grades 3-6 - or for anyone with a love for creative solutions to problems and special places. 

     Let's see...Andrew Henry could build me a house with a fluffy, comfy floor, lots of hiding spots for bones and squeaky toys, and a window in the roof to see the moon. Mmmmm. Rrrruff! He could even make it brown and white and brindle-ish colored like my hair, and a cupboard filled with bacon and turkey and sausages. Ooh, I'm drooling just thinking about it! Too bad Andrew Henry is in a book, and I am out of it.

Oh well. My own home with my family (with adventures to the big beautiful ocean sometimes) makes its own special place. Awooooooo!

I'm going to finish watching some sort of confusing mystery show (on that strange television box) with Mama and Allison. Then it will be belly-rubs and bedtime, cozy with my stork Herbert and my giraffe and my bones. You know, I really don't need Andrew Henry's building skills...even if that cupboard of meat would be fantastically yummy. 

Yours in Content Belonging,

Sam I Am

A Sick Day for Sadie, Or Friends are the Best Medicine

Hi!

     You know what? My friend Sadie has to wear one of these silly cone Elizabethan collar things for awhile too. Allison and I were having our usual after-kibble walk when we stopped by Sadie's yard to say hi - and there she was, looking sad and sick! I whimpered softly until she got up and padded over. I guess she had to have an operation on her left hind leg because she had a big long line of stitches. Pawing at the fence, I woofed a question about how she was feeling; instead of jumping around like she usually does, Sadie hung her head so low it touched her paws. My poor friend! Awoooooo!

     Allison crouched down and rubbed my back, murmuring get-well wishes to Sadie. Then she reminded me of a book we had read one rainy afternoon when I was still feeling yucky. Maybe I could tell Sadie about it and that would cheer her up? I twitched my ears in thought, and then decided Allison had a good idea. This book in particular shows how much friends can help when you don't feel well. I shared this story with Sadie, so maybe you'd like to share it with your friends (especially next time they get "sick as a dog"...what a silly phrase, ruff!).

Written by Philip Stead and illustrated by his wife Erin, A Sick Day for Amos McGee is a very special picture book - for a number of reasons. This story, with its Caldecott-winning pictures and loveable main character, is wonderful! A very nice human by the name of Amos McGee works hard at the zoo doing his job - and works even harder making sure he is there for all his animal friends. Whether the tortoise needs a playmate to race with (and let him win) or the rhino needs a handkerchief (he "always had a runny nose"), Amos is there to help. So when this terrific human gets sick, his animal friends hop a bus to be there for Amos! 

A simple story of understanding and friendship becomes unforgettable for human-pups who will love the pictures as much as Amos! My favorite part of the pictures' details is the penguin's funny web-foot-shaped socks! Allison loves that the rhino wears a red scarf - and also that a tiny mouse and bird appear in many of the pictures! I give this book two paws up and a tail wag! Great for human-pups K-2 or any pup who needs cheering up during a sick day (especially if there is a silly cone involved!). Remember: it's always nice to cheer someone up! Wooof!

     Of course, I also told Sadie that she should try to stay positive. After all, I've been walking around with this foolish collar for over a week, but I'm still having adventures! Like yesterday...Allison took me for my first walk in the woods behind the library. Oh the SMELLS! The bushes and the mud and the chipmunk tracks to sniff! It was on that shady walk that I saw my first FROG ever! I saw what looked like a bump on a rock in the middle of a gucky pond, and all of a sudden it jumped and went *plonk* *plonk* *plonk* in and out of the water. Well, arooooooo! I must have jumped a little myself.

See? Even cone-collared pups can sniff out swamp-creatures! Rrrrruff!

     I'm going to go see Sadie again tomorrow. Then I can tell her about my lazy day in Colt State Park today with my family. I want to ask her if she likes getting wet in the salty water - I don't like it much but I've seen some dogs dive right in. Also if she's sniffed out that white cat that's been prancing around the neighborhood. Maybe I could bring her a handkerchief too...I just need to borrow one from Mama Suz's laundry basket when my humans aren't looking. Aroooo!

                                                                        Yours in Sniffs and Silliness on Sick Days,

                                                                                         Sam I Am  

Be a Peanut Butter Friend: Stick Together with Those You Love!

Hi!

      Still in my funny cone hat, I've been trying to do what Allison told me and relax. She says if I run around too much I might "bust" my stitches and it would hurt. But it's so hard to stay still with so much energy! Arooooo!

     See, this is my Aww-can't-we-play-chase? face.

     Allison lets me play fetch, but doesn't throw Clifford very far. That way I don't have to work as hard. She makes up for no chase games with extra books though! I think I would've started to go crazy if my humans had not been so nice to me! (Things get ruff without friends!) That's what friends are for; they take care of you and cheer you up when you're sad. Friends stick together like peanut butter to the roof of my mouth! Just like the friends in the book I read today...

Mini Grey's picture book Three By the Sea is an unusual story about three unlikely friends. Cat, Dog, and Mouse live happily together in a little house on the beach - until a travelling sales-fox comes to visit and stirs up trouble. (The fur on my back bristled when Allison read aloud the part when the Fox swaggers in with his pin-striped suit and trouble-making questions.) Suddenly Dog feels like Cat is getting lazy, Cat feels like Mouse's cooking is boring, and Mouse feels like Dog is a terrible gardener! The three friends argue, and a tearful Mouse leaves home - only to be swept up by a big wave. Human-pups will like this story's exciting climax as Dog, Cat, and Mouse all pull together to save Mouse and their friendship. As for the ending? It shows the power of friendship renewed, the importance of talking to your friends, and why sometimes you have to compromise when you love someone. Compromise means everyone works together toward the best solution for everyone - even if one pup needs to give a little bit up! I give this book one paw up, especially liking the illustrations that at times (so Allison says) seem like a "scrapbook style." Best for human-pups in grades K-3. Arooooo!  

Now I'm sleepy. All this rain and reading sure makes a dog want a snuggly snooze! Until next time, then!

Your friend (still stuck in a cone),

Sam I Am

Surprise Doctor's Visits and Elizabethan Collars

Hi!

     You know, when Allison and Rachel took me to the doctor's on Tuesday, I wasn't expecting what happened next. In the car on the way, Allison told me that I was going to have an operation, but not to worry. She said that I would play with the pretty vet techs, fall asleep for awhile, and then wake up when it was time to go home.

     "This is part of growing up, Sam," Allison whispered into my ear, "Just like when I had to have my four wisdom teeth pulled out. You be a brave boy, okay?"

      Teeth pulled out? Ouch! I put my ears back at this, but quickly forgot to be afraid once I padded into the doctor's office. So many other dogs and people to say hi to!

      Next thing I know, I'm waking up still at the doctor's the next morning, and my bum feels a little ouchy. What was that? Strangest of all, when my humans came to take me home they put this stupid cone-shaped collar around my neck! I didn't like that one bit, and I still felt a little woozy, so I lay down the best I could and pouted.

Well how would you feel?

     I made sourpuss faces at Allison - and acted hangdog - until she curled up beside me with a new book. Pawing at my foolish collar, I looked up at her with my saddest eyes. 

     "Okay, my brave boy," Allison said. "I know you don't like it, but that collar you're wearing is called an 'Elizabethan collar.' It's named after a human queen from a long time ago who liked to wear collars like that."

     Arooo? I cocked my head, collar and all. A queen who likes weird cone collars? Humans don't usually wear collars, do they? 

     "Most humans don't wear them anymore," she continued, "but Elizabeth I was an interesting person."

     "Anyway, here's a book that will cheer you up! It's about a puppy who lives with another Queen Elizabeth, Elizabeth II. She's queen in England now, and she's related to the first Elizabeth. Come on! Listen!"

     Even though the book was over a hundred pages long, Allison read it aloud to me and Lizzie right then and there. It's called Titus Rules by Dick King-Smith:

Click me to read an interview with the British author!

Written by the author of Babe (which Allison and I have just started reading) and illustrated by John Eastwood, Titus Rules is a wonderful book for lovers of dogs, of British things, and of great stories of friendship and courage. Titus is the last pup of Queen Elizabeth II's corgi Prissy, and this tale tells all about Titus' adventures and how he becomes the queen's favorite pooch. This royal pup grows up to be a hero! By being brave and listening to both his mama and his own smarts, Titus saves the castle from a fire, averts a flood, and even stops a silly human from stealing the queen's sparkly jewelery! John Eastwood's simple pen and ink drawings throughout the book will give human-pups a better idea of the personalities of Titus and other members of the royal family. Also, grown-up humans will laugh at what Allison calls the "gentle satire" on the British royals. Best for human-pups ages 7-11, I give this book two paws up and a tail wag (all the more impressive when I'm doing so while wearing this heavy royal Elizabethan collar).

* A note from Allison: Although Sam and I adore this book (I spent 5 months in England myself and so love the Britishness of it!), some children may not care for or understand the British references and context. Stay tuned for a review of Babe, which American children may appreicate a degree more (especially since it has been made into a popular film).

And now? I'm off for a snooze. Growing up and acting royal take a lot out of a puppy! Ruff!

Yours in Silly Collars and Brave Deeds,

Sam I Am

 

Sandy Runs and Bubbly Baths: A Pup Goes Beach-Wild and Then Gets Groomed

Hi!

     Aroooooo! What busy couple of days! Tomorrow is my half-birthday (Allison says my turning six months old is a big deal), and my humans and I have been celebrating early. On Thursday, I had my very first beach day. We travelled what seemed like a lonnnnng way on a rumbly boat called a "ferry." There were lots of human-pups aboard, plenty of fun salty smells, and enough wind to blow my hair into my eyes and fluff my bum up. I was a little unsure at first - Allison had to carry me up the boat's steps - but I soon began to like the ferry's growly rockings and explored a bit. 

  A windblown little me peeks over a pile of ferry rope. Ruff!

      A few very loud HOOONNNNKS later, my humans and I stepped onto Block Island. It's a good place for pups and human-pups to visit! Unlike Rhode Island, which is something called a state and isn't a real island, Block Island is a place completely surrounded by The Ocean. So you can imagine my excitement at all the new smells and sights! Our first stop was a farm with strange animals walking around. I'm always ready to make new friends, so I padded over to a family of puffy-looking creatures with long necks. I though they were llamas, but Allison told me they were "alpacas" - like llamas only fluffier.

They mostly just looked at me. Silly alpacas. I guess their funny haircuts make them shy.

     I had the most fun giving the ducks a chase and licking hellos to the tiniest human-pups visiting the farm. Then a rude, fast-moving emu made me jump back in surprise, and I was ready to move on to explore different places on the island. Next stop: a picnic lunch in front of the Island Free Library. Adventurers have to eat  A LOT to explore. Woof!

     After a long, hot walk, we finally got to the beach! Sand and rocks and damp scraps of plants called "seaweed." Digging and climbing and waking up humans that were foolishly sleeping instead of playing. Best of all, Allison and Rachel let me off my leash so I could run around like a merry wolf dog! The two of them climbed some tall rocks to get to a mud pit; I led the way, bounding up and loving how fast my four legs could take me.

We all got really muddy from our climb.

Sandy and muddy and salty? Who cares? We had so much fun!!

Loving the sand.

Run run run! See that guy on the blanket? I was happy to wake him up.

     My first beach day was a wonderful time, and I didn't want leave! Only when Allison reminded me that we had to go have supper did I happily trot away from the sand. And guess what I had for supper? A taste of "clam cakes" and "oyster crackers"! Yummmmm!

     Here's a book about another pup who has fun on the beach and gets dirty doing it (remember Harry the dirty dog?):

Harry the dirty dog returns in this beach book. Unhappy about the heat, Harry pads off down the beach to look for some shade. Unfortunately, when Harry gets soaked by an ocean wave full of seaweed, he walks back down the beach looking like a sea monster! Cool but wet, Harry causes everyone on the beach to panic. Human-pups will giggle at the humans' silly fears; the illustrations show beach-goers running away from a happy green scraggly Harry! Knowing how fun it is to get muddy at the beach, I give this book two paws up. Human-pups will also like the ending - Harry finally gets a cool spot under his family's beach umbrella! It just goes to show that you need to pay attention to others' needs (And keep on the lookout for sea monsters! Ruff!). Best for human-pups PreK-3. Read it on your next seaside adventure! 

     Friday brought a whole new kind of adventure. Allison and Rachel brought me to get my first haircut! Wouldn't you know it, a haircut is when two very nice ladies cut your fur short after giving you a sweet-smelling bath...ugh! The humans at Canine Corner were nice; they played with me in between cutting my hair, but I was there for five hours. I was a little embarrassed when I got home (though my humans assured me I look very handsome), so Allison decided to read me a comical book about a king who takes one of the longest baths ever!

    Personally I don't like baths that much, but the king in Audrey and Don Wood's King Bidgood's in the Bathtub loves them! He loves them so much he refuses to get out of the bathtub - even to eat! How strange! Aroo!

My favorite part. I wouldn't mind baths if I had all that food in the tub!

Anyway, the rest of the humans in King Bidgood's kingdom try their hardest to get him out of the tub. But instead, each of them ends up in the tub with him! Two paws up for this tale. A simple story, the illustrations are some of the best Allison and I have seen (no wonder it was a Caldecott Honor book). I won't give away the ending, but let's just say that a little human-pup is the only one who finally gets everyone out of the bath (with an obvious solution). This one is best for bath-lovers and human-pups K-3.

     As for yesterday and today, my friend Lizzie is over. She'll be staying with my humans and me while her family goes to somewhere called "Oregon." She doesn't seem to want to play as much as I want to, but it's okay. I've got a whole bag of library books to read with Allison! Now I'm off for a nap before lunch. Arf!

                                                                        Yours in beach days and silly baths,

                                                                          Sam I Am

A Little Night Music: In Praise of Chester Cricket

Hi!

     Allison and I couldn't write yesterday - we were too busy feeling wet. All because of some very silly weather! Out we went for our nightly walk, and when we were just past Peanut and Daisy's house, the raindrops started. And the drops kept going. And got bigger. And wetter. Until finally I found myself trotting beside Allison (my poor paws soaked by unavoidable puddles) as she guided us toward home through the pouring rain.

     Now, I didn't mind the thunder booms or the lightning flashes, but I definitely didn't like getting so wet! When I tried (several times) to dive into bushes to dry off (Home seemed so far for a little damp puppy like me!), Allison grinned and reminded me that we were in this adventure together. She was having fun, laughing as raindrops dripped from her hair and hopping through puddles like a gleeful duck. I got into the spirit and galloped faster - toward the warm towels and snuggles that waited for us at home. By the time we reached the porch, both me and my beloved human were dripping and trailing muddy pawprints.

     Home at last, I decided cuddling, doing my shake-the-water-off dance, and rubbing my wet snout on the carpet was more important than blogging. Hey, even a reading-eager pup like me needs a break!

    Today was better, thank dogness. Sure my humans and I got locked out of the house. But that meant we got to go see Suz at work. Also, in honor of my upcoming six month birthday, Allison and Rachel bought me a big brother for my squeaky Clifford doggy. 

See? Big Clifford and I get to know each other. He makes a funny urnk-urnk noise sometimes. Fun!!

     Except for scary vacuum roars, I like listening to different sounds. Thunder. Other pups barking. The fridge opening. The sweet sound of a Milkbone as it hits the kitchen floor. I especially like listening to my humans' voices - even when they sing along to the songs in the car! When I first came to live with Allison and her family, music was one of the only things that would make me feel better when I got too excited or upset. So this next book I'm recommending means a lot to me. 

 The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden, illustrated by Garth Williams, is a suspenseful yet hopeful tale of a cricket's adventures in the big city of New York. After accidentally stowing away in a picnic basket, Chester the cricket gets stranded in a subway station beneath Times Square. Quickly befriended by a mouse, a cat, and a boy named Mario Bellini, Chester soon realizes that his chirping is music to others' ears. When Chester decides he wants to help Mario's family save their newsstand, it is the cricket's music that draws lots of humans to the Bellinis' storefront. Chester becomes a famous musical performer! Woof!

With dark, detailed line illustrations that bring life to already loveable characters, this book is a wonderful read! At times funny and other times sad, human-pups will not want to stop reading. What will happen to Chester and the Bellinis? they'll wonder. This story also shows the power of friendship and the importance of using your talents to help others. (After all, I use my top-notch chasing talents to keep the pests away from my humans' garden - everyone can help each other out!) Two paws and a happy tail wag for this one, best for human-pups ages 9-12.   

Maybe someday I'll get to go to Times Square in New York. I bet they have lots of terrific sounds - not to mention smells and sights and people to lick! Anyway, now I'm off to snuggle Big Clifford some more and listen to the night sounds coming from outside. A special good-night to all the crickets out there!

Yours in music and dreams,

Sam I Am