Ready for a Run in the Woods During Huntin' Season and Halloween

The Guys @ Obedience Class

We are now attending a second class for basic Obedience. Bailey has a blast playing with the other guys--all males--in class. He especially likes his best friend Pete, Jane's furry son (above). He gets a great night's sleep after the class and he's learning--so am I--more and more about how to be a good boy!

The Guys @ Obedience Class

Treat Time on Prospect Avenue

If you own a pet, you create your own gourmet treats for furry family members. For Bailey, it's a rolling gizmo, a gift from my colleague and friend Jan Kristo, smeared in peanut butter and filled with kibble. Thanks to Bailey's teacher, Jane McCarthy of The Proper Pooch, I've helped Bailey wait patiently for his meals and treats. Here, licking his chops, Bailey stares down his rolling treat until that fantasmagorical word is uttered: Free.

Translations Welcome

When Bailey tires of me sitting behind my desk and writing, he climbs into my lap and talks to me. Today, his paw danced along the keyboard, and he wrote me the message below. I welcome any and all translations. And yes, Monnie & Anne, I know: now more than ever I should be expecting an intervention.

Bailey's Pastime ...

In my office Bailey has either been sleeping or climbing into my lap and pawing my computer keyboard. Now, he and I have discovered that if I open my window shades, he has a whole world to guard. Here, he barks at my neighbors Gina and Gregory as they pack up a van. Without question, Bailey is in charge of his 'hood.

GRCC Berners

Bailey has been a part of our youth soccer program since the beginning. Here he poses with 4-5th graders after a hard-fought victory. Remember, click the photo to enlarge.

Bailey meets Jason

One of Rich's favorite students of ever and ever stopped by to visit. Jason is an artist, designer, and business owner who now lives in Los Angeles. Without question, Jason lifts people's spirits with the inspiring way that he lives his life conducting his meaningful work.

Prince Bailey & his First Bed

I was a bit worried when I purchased this bed online for Bailey, but after an initial nibble and quick glance toward me as if to ask, "Are you sure I can be on this?"

Well... the second picture tells the story: out cold.

A hat for cousin Monnie, cat lover

In western Maine big boys don't wear bonnets, Monnie.

Duck season's over

99 cents goes

only so far...

Honest, Dad...

Honest, Dad. The darn thing just sprung a leak.

(Click photo for enlargement.)

The Bernese Mountain Dog Evil Eye

Bailey has decided that "writing sucks." There's only so long he can hang out underneath my office chair while I revise this foreword to Dawn Fels & Jenifer Wells new book, "Literacy Lives in the High School Writing Center" (Teachers College Press, 2011). Here, Bailey is giving my friends Dawn and Jenn the Bernese Mountain Dog Evil Eye... what happens as a result...? only time will tell.

Weld in the fall

We took a swing over to Weld to drop off laundry and walk through the fields and woods... and take a dip. Beautiful fall day in Maine.

It's Duck Season!

My letter carrier Jimbo reminded me that it was duck season. Though I am not a hunter, when I saw the 99 cent honking duck at the big box store, I could not resist. And with that purchase, my afternoon with Bailey trans- formed. Bailey has never been happier as he chomped and wrestled and shook the "bejesus" (my college dean's term) out of that helpless stuffed duck.

Bailey & his buddy Tucker

Tucker came by to do some yard work and dog-sitting today. Bailey especially liked Tucker's peanut butter treats.

Tucker is the son of my former athlete Mike Phelps and his wife Karen. Mike has been coaching little kids' soccer in the Rumford area for many years.

Bailey busts the BIG FIVE-0 (50 lbs)

If it looks like Bailey had a wee bit of the bubbly after topping 50 lbs.... Well, no. He just finished another treat as I worked to coax him into a I'm-a-handsome-boy pose.

He's a big boy...

and a good boy.