Panda's Blog

This December (2007) my mom picked me up in California and we flew to Washington. For those of you who know California and Washington I don't need to say much about the difference in the weather. For you who are not familiar December in California is very much like any other time of year in California (about 70 - 80 degrees sometimes). Sometimes the wind blows; sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it rains but mostly it doesn't.


December in Washington is totally different. I'm told that there will be summer here one day but right now try in the mid 20's.



Mom bought me a coat because she was afraid I'd be cold. I even wore it a few times when we went outside to do our 'business'. I don't really like it though. The only way I could get mom to understand that I wasn't going to wear it was to go into my kennel and not come out as long as she had it in her hand. She finally got the message and I don't need to wear it any more.




You know it never snows in California; at least not where I was born. It seems it always snows here. I think it was snowing the day we got here and there have been very few days when it hasn't snowed. Do you know that grass grows under the snow? I didn't either. But it does.


I like to run through the snow and chase the snow balls I stir up. I've tried to catch them but they just seem to disappear when I finally get them in my mouth. I also like to chase the birds. They're a lot of fun. I'm not sure what I'd do if I caught one.

I think Mom feeds them just so I have some close at hand to chase. One time I scared up a rabbit; just one. But it ducked under a bush and I couldn't find it anymore. It wasn't as much fun as the birds because it hid real quick. The birds hop around in the trees and up high in the air. Boy, would it be fun if I could fly.


Mom gets real nervous when I run away from her. I'm not really running away; I'm just running because it's fun. I wish she could keep up with me.

Last week Mom took me out to the barn where Dad is installing the solar panels. This is one of the times there was no snow. The ground was soft and squishy and so much fun to run in. By the time Mom and Dad finished putting up the panels I was pretty black from the stomach down. Wow, did I feel good.

After my romp Mom wouldn't let me walk in the house. She carried me like she didn't want to touch me. She and Dad took me into the bathroom and put me in the bath tub. Fortunately, the black stuff came out of my white fur and Mom didn't have to use that stinky old shampoo on me.

Mom's really gentle so I don't really mind the bath. I take a nap when she's through with me. Sometimes I even begin the nap before she's finished brushing me.

As long as I don't get into the black squishy stuff Mom just dries my feet on a towel when we come in from our 'business' trips. I'm still not sure why we call it a business trip though. Most of the time while we're out there Mom tells me I'm a good dog. She usually says this when I'm peeing or doing the other thing. Maybe 'good dog' has something to do with that because she definitely does not say that when I pee on the carpet (or the other thing). She seems to get a bit cross with me over that. Maybe that is what she means by, "Go pot." I'll figure it out one day.

I do know for sure that the longer I can hold it in the longer we can stay out romping in the snow. And, the longer we stay out the more ice balls I get in my fur on my legs. If I don't get too many Mom uses the towel to dry my feet. If I do get a lot she puts me in a tub of warm water to melt the ice. But, this makes my feet really wet and then she has to dry them on the big towel. Sometimes she even uses the blow dryer.

Mom bought me some shoes. She put them on me once. Dad would like to see them on me but not if I can help it.

Mom gives me my baths but she also gives me my treats. And I especially like my treats. They sometimes let me watch TV in bed with them in the mornings. I would like to sleep all night in the big bed but it's too high for me and sometimes I get squished. My kennel is nice and I can have my toys with me in the kennel. Mom and Dad won't allow my toys on the bed.

My favorite place is in Mom's lap. I'll let Dad hold me as long as I have Mom in site. If she leaves the room or I can't see her I wiggle until Dad puts me down. Sometimes she's just around the corner. Other times I search and search for her and can't find her. This is so upsetting to me. She usually shows up though bringing all sorts of good smelling stuff from the car in the garage.

I like watching TV with my Dad while he works on the computer. I just wish he would click on some good stuff, like dog treats or toys. Maybe he'll teach me how to use it.

I think I like the car but I don't like being in the back seat where I can't see. Mom and Dad ordered me a doggy car seat. It came in the mail today. It scared me at first so Mom put my toys in it. Now it doesn't seem so scary. I hope I can get used to it.

Mom and Dad have bought me all sorts of toys. I like toys. Most of them I can chew on or squeak. One looks like a rope and it doesn't make any noise. I'm not sure if I'll grow attached to that one or not. Mom keeps trying to get me to play with it but it's not as much fun as the chewy or the squeaky toys.







Well, I think that's enough for now. Mom will throw in a few photos for me so you'll know what I look like when I'm clean...

Did I tell you I love the snow?