Nice one Nicole :D

I've made a lot of trips around Sacramento. There are a lot of nice areas there. The climate is a lot more temperate than CT. Good luck in The Golden State!

If you would like something fun to give her, there is a book on the market called Disorder in the Court that contains some of these and many more. :D I'm happy y'all enjoyed this.

We were in Ohio when I wrote it. Ohio was admitted to the Union on March 1, 1803, but Congress apparently forgot to vote on the resolution. It was finally rectified on August 7, 1953, which technically makes Ohio the 47th state. However, it is counted as the 17th because it wasn't Ohioans who created the problem. Who says our Federal government isn't efficient? Zanesville, OH is the location of the Y Bridge, which starts and ends on the same side of the river. But that's where we were. The wolverine is the official state animal and nickname of the state. Fur trappers from Canada brought pelts across the state and folks further south assumed (there's that word again) the pelts were trapped in Michigan. The Detroit Red Wings assembled the Russian Five, who propelled the Hockey team to the Stanley Cup in 1997. Within a few days of the win, one of the team members was permanently benched in an auto accident, but the remaining four were instrumental in the 1998 and 2002 Stanley Cup wins for the Red Wings. We will be in Grand Rapids, MI tomorrow morning. Ms. Basenjimamma: The temperature here right now is 51F. :)

I know I love watching all those videos of beautiful basenjis and their barooing and coursing and what not..but this one just cracks us all up in our house..the kids laughed so hard I though we might have to give them oxygen…

Glad you have found a house Jenny, you are probably right to buy it now if house prices are going to rise. I'm sure 3 years wil fly by

Since I am in Virginia, I thought I'd see what laws are on the books here…I don't want to get in trouble while I'm in the state: State Laws: There is a state law prohibiting “corrupt practices of bribery by any person other than candidates." Driving while not wearing shoes is prohibited. It is illegal to tickle women. Cities: Culpeper No one may wash a mule on the sidewalk. Waynesboro It is illegal for a woman to drive a car up Main Street unless her husband is walking in front of the car waving a red flag. Richmond It is illegal to flip a coin in a restaurant to see who pays for the coffee. Norfolk You may not spit on a seagull.

AJ said, I just wish people would stop trying to make their new home into their old home. There's a reason why you left your old home. My, goodness, that is what is happening in the GA, TN, NC mountains. Retirees move here because they love it, but they aren't in love with the mountain communities. Within a month or two of living in the mountains, the new-comers are complaining about everything not being like where they came from. We have a saying here, "Delta is ready when you are!" Many of the counties are dry, i.e. no alcohol is sold in stores or restaurants, and a person can't buy booze on Sunday - you should hear the fussing. I think it is funny that something like alcohol can stir up such a fuss. :p

@nkjvcjs: Yeah, that's some grey. He's 9, so he greyed a little prematurely. He's a herding breed/terrier mix as best as we can tell. 9 is a great age. My last three B's had a lot of energy still at 9.

@Nemo: Is that the one where all the labs were dressed up as fighters landing on an aircraft carrier? Loved that! :D YES!! That outfit? was awesome!!! I really liked the Trojan dog too!

Great story, thanks Dan

What's always so sad to me is lots of same people will go back out in a year more or less and get another puppy. Ashley said the other day to bad when you get a animal of any kind youh ave to give your S.S.# and if you give back the dog what ever you have to give your S.S.# again then when this person goes after another animal it will come back what they have done and no animal. I know we do not have a perfect world.. Dreams do come true. Rita Jean

Good one Dan. There is a lot of heart in thoses guys and the dogs they are working with. Great. Rita Jean

I like Mark Twain thanks Vicki. Rita Jean

I've been trying to do that…it's not as easy to reach the distinctive landmarks with a semi as with other vehicles, including RV's. All the really cool places have signs up that say "No Trucks" and it really bums me out. I understand, though, because there are so many truck drivers who just throw their trash where ever they want instead of find a garbage can. And they pee on the ground rather than expend the extra energy to walk 75 feet into the bathroom. Trucker areas reek to an eye-watering level in hot areas because of this. But I do try to find distinctive landmarks when I can...the little lake in Minnesota, the rock formation in Colorado, coastal trees in North Carolina.... I will try to find more landmarks I can access.

@BasenjiDiva: Maybe a sheet of plywood to cover the door? (We put our dogs in wire crates when we leave the house and while they tolerate them when we gone, they cry loudly when they know we are around. I don't think we could entertain guests with their dramatics going on. :eek: ) While our dogs like and tolerate our little grandsons, there are times I feel like they need to be separated. Then I put high baby gates up to secure the dogs in the kitchen. Is that possible in your home? It is a bit of a hassle for people to go in and out of the kitchen but it is very doable and beats the alternative. And the dogs can see what's going on. Pat We have this problem with Querk too. He is almost never crated, except when we have a big group of people over. What we have done that works is put his crate in a room as far away from the gathering place as possible, and close the door…and let him cry it out. He usually quiets down after he realizes that he is in for the duration of the party. He will start up again if he hears someone. I have been known to put his crate in the van too, if the weather is cooperative.

I think the retriever mix would make an excellent therapy dog. She seems like she has a beautiful temperament. And the baby chi has a future. Thanks for sharing these, guys.

Lovely items..I really like the "let the world know"..

And word does get back to the owner sometimes. I sure hope if I ever have a dog in a show with a handler and not myself, that I will hear about it from other contestants..that is just plain right thing to do..IMO.

@AJs: It's been a very long time since I read The Wizard of Oz. Is Wichita where the story starts? I googled "Dorothy's House Wichita" and nothing came up except ways to get to Liberal. That's where the house is that is advertised all over Kansas as THE Dorothy's House. From what I understand (and I have been wrong before…it could happen again) the house in Liberal is where they did some of the filming. But I love the Witch-ita reference...:D I think Dorthy's house was just considered to be a farm house "out in the middle of nowhere".