Wild waves

Dear world,
I just came back from my morning walk. We kept stopping to look over the ocean walls to see the waves. The ocean was wild because of the effects of the earthquake. So my mom wanted to take a picture of me in from of it. She kept on motioning to the wall. She meant to put my paws up, but I thought she meant to jump over. So I did. And then I heard the waves coming, so my mom said come back over quick! Which I did. Oh well, I thought I would get to go and play in the waves. Maybe later.

Love always,

Bear

Babushska Bear

Dear world,

With all this snow around the US lately, I was wondering about my new town in the winter. My mom showed me pics from a few weeks ago when things were covered in snow. I thought uh oh! I may be cold. So I thought should I get a coat? I am not sure what other dogs do where I am going to live. My mom and dad always say that it is important to cover your head to keep warm. So I decided that this outfit would work. My sister said I looked like a babushka (sounds like some kind of food). What do you think?

Love always,

Bear

A tribute: Cats Rule

Dear world,

When I first came to my family, I met Snowden. Today is his birthday. He was quite a beautiful cat, long white fur and light blue eyes. But he hated to be called pretty because he thought of himself as quite macho. Anyway, the first week I was at the house, I saw Snowden from across the room. I started racing over to him and he saw me coming. He raised his body and his fur and made this incredibly loud hissing sound. So my skids went on. That was the day that I found out cats rule in my new home.

I miss Snowden, I wish we could have another kitty. (Dad, please?)

Love always,

Bear

Unstable cliffs

Dear world,
Sometimes things really intrigue me. I, along with many other people and dogs, enjoy a walking trail that overlooks the ocean. But in a few places, there is a sign "unstable cliffs". (Yes, I can read.) So does that mean the cliffs can fall down while I am walking on them? So why exactly do people walk this trail? Does everyone have an Evel Knievel side to them?

Love always,

Bear

Small dog discrimination

Dear world,

The town that I live in is so nice. It not only has water fountains for humans, it has water fountains for dogs. Placement works really well for me. This fountain is just about after we have walked a mile and a half. So I can quench my thirst at the same time as my mom. But I got to thinking today. What about small dogs? What do they do? There is no way they can reach. I think that may be discriminatory. I wonder if they will sue.

Love always,

Bear

Cat Beach

Dear world,

On my beach walk yesterday I saw a kitty. Pretty unusual I would say. So I got to thinking. Was she at dog beach wondering why there wasn't a cat beach and feeling discriminated against? Or was she looking at the beach thinking it was one giant litter box. Probably the latter. So I guess now they will need to place poop bags out for cats too.

Love always,

Bear

I want to be a Grizzly

Dear world,

Tonight the Lakers play the Grizzlies. I don't think it is fair that my sister insists I am a Laker fan. She lives in LA, but I never have. And my Dad is a Laker fan too, so he backs her up. But I am moving to Memphis. So next year when basketball season comes around again I will be sporting a Grizzlies jersey. I am excited to have a team to root for that is of the bear species. My Mom will become a Grizzlies fan too because she believes in rooting for the home team. And, she looks better in blue than in purple.

Love always,

Bear

The Olympian

Dear world,

I am so excited. I participated in the Teddy Olympics on Twitter and I won two medals! I got a gold for Balltastic (is anyone surprised at that, really?) and a bronze medal for napping! I showed my Dad and he was so proud of me! I myself feel proud to be part of such a great event, especially since it is for charity. Congrats to all my fellow medalists. And of course thank you to all the judges for recognizing my Bearabilities! I will start tomorrow to train for the next Olympics.

Love always,

Bear

P.S. You can read about the Teddy Olympics! http://www.ollyted.me.uk/olympics.html

Virgin Margarita please

Dear world,
I heard a song on the radio today and asked my mom who it was. She said it was Jimmy Buffet and told me about him. He sounds like such a cool dude. And what an attitude about life. Why don't all humans have that kind of attitude? And what about his lifestyle? He has his own line of food and eats cheeseburgers in paradise.
Even though I don't drink, I think I am going to book a vacation in Margaritaville. Anyone want to join me?

Love always,
Bear

Project Runway

Dear world,
So tonight is another one of my Mom's favorites. Project Runway. A few seasons ago they had to design matching outfits for the owners and their dogs. That was a good episode. I would love to have a matching outfit to my mom's. Of course I would much prefer to match my Dad, but no way my Dad would agree to that. He thinks clothing on dogs is ridiculous. (he doesn't follow my blog www.bearweardaily.com)
Anyway, I wonder if they are doing it this season...where can I sign up? Maybe I should write to Heidi.

Love always,
Bear

$250K dog house?

Dear world,
I got to thinking today about the price of real estate. When we walk on one part of the beach we pass these houses with direct access to the sand. Some are even directly on dog beach! I asked my mom why we can't live there. She told me those houses cost at least $10 Million. Wow! So I asked her how much would just a dog house cost. She said based on the price per square foot, a dog house in my size would probably be at least $250,000! Oh. Do you think I could get a mortgage?

Love always,

Bear

Show Dog

Dear world,

I was thinking about what it must be like to be a show dog. I guess you have to be bathed a lot and brushed a lot. OK. I guess I can deal with that, (except if the Furminator was involved). But the teeth cleaning and nail clipping, I would not be a fan of. And if I didn't win all the time, I would probably start having a major inferiority complex and need to start going into therapy. I don't think I want to be a show dog.

Good luck to all the show dogs. I think you are all winners!

Love always,

Bear

Dog skates?

Dear world,

I watched some of the Olympics with my Mom. The skiing looked like fun. Sort of like surfing, only with two skinny boards. I could see a dog doing that. After all, I have seen a dog snowboarding (my furriend Niqqi showed me her video).

But ice-skating fascinates me. I wonder if they make skates for dogs. I don't think I would be interested so much in the speed skating, although I do admire Apollo. But figure skating is so nice. You get to jump and spin and smile. And you get to wear great costumes and everyone applauds for you. I think I would like pairs skating. Who wants to be my partner? And do you have skates?

Love always,

Bear

Big Love

Dear world,
Today is Valentine's Day. It brings to mind one of my Mom's and sister's favorite shows....Big Love. So I ponder today what it would be like to have three beautiful wives as valentines. I love bed, and that would mean three beds whenever I wanted. That would mean three cooks to serve me at my beckon call. Three needy goldens wanting love and attention, just like me. Does that sound good? No. I just want my Mommy as my Valentine.

Love always,

Bear

Seaweed Salad

Dear world,

I heard my sister telling my Mom that she ate Seaweed Salad for dinner. I thought that was quite odd....I know lettuce goes in a salad (lettuce doesn't taste very good and it gets stuck when you try to chew it). and I know there is Spinach in some salads because my mom eats that (I heard that there is this guy Popeye that says its I good for you, he must be a nutritionist). And I have heard of tomatoes and cucumbers in salad, but Seaweed? Maybe she had dinner at the beach. Yes, that must be it and I know just the spot.

Love always,

Bear

Toilet paper valium

Dear world,
I am usually fine when I am alone in the house. I like to take naps and explore around the house, sometimes even watch TV if anything good is on (NOT Sponge Bob). But sometimes I get a bit anxious. It usually happens when something out of the ordinary occurs. Like yesterday. It is usually very quiet around here but there were all sorts of loud noises coming from next door (later I found out they were fixing something). I got scared. So I did what I think any normal scared dog would do to calm themselves down. I attacked the toilet paper. That made me feel better.

Love always,
Bear

Goldens don't growl

Dear world,
I really don't get it. My mom tells me that it is not nice to growl at other dogs. It is not like I growl all the time. But what am I supposed to do when a dog nips at my butt or tries to steal my ball? Purr like a cat? (not like I can do that anyway). But how is one supposed to communicate feelings? I thought it was good to express and not let it bottle up inside you. I hear that all the time from humans. So what are dogs supposed to do? When I am happy I wag my tail high. When I am scared I wag my tail very low or put it between my legs. So why can't I growl when I am pissed? And then I am told by people that is not "golden behavior", they say "goldens do not growl". But don't Bears growl?.

Love always,

Bear

Beach thoughts: Treasure hunt

Dear world,

Almost every time we take a walk on the beach we see this odd man. I asked Mom what he was doing. My Mom told me that he is looking for valuable things that are magnetic....and that pole detects metals. (I haven't gotten to that science lesson, so not sure what that means). Anyway, she told me it was like a pirate hunting for lost treasure. Now that sounded cool. I wonder what he has found. Hmmmm. But he is not dressed like a pirate. Now that would be perfect. My mom thinks it would be more perfect if it was Johnny Depp.

Love always,

Bear

Cowboy Casanova

Dear world,

When we learned we were moving to Tennessee, my Mom decided that she needed to like country music. So she turned her dial to New Country FM and that is what we listen to in the car all the time. I really don't mind it, there are some very interesting songs, but some are very sad. But now, my mom loves the music and knows many of the songs. So she has started singing along. And let me tell you, she is no Carrie Underwood. I need to find ear plugs.

Love always,

Bear

Dog feeder?

Dear world,
In the park today, I see this lady feeding the seagulls. I thought that was pretty cool. What a nice lady to bring the seagulls bird treats. That got me to thinking. I wonder if she visits the dog park with dog treats. Now that would be really cool.

Love always,
Bear

Beach thoughts: Hope rocks

Dear world,

The other day we went for one of our very long walks on the beach. Early on our walk my Mom saw a white rock and commented how pretty it was. Then she saw another two and for some reason became fascinated. She picked the 3rd one up. She said it was rare to see a pure white rock on the beach so she told me that maybe they were hope rocks. Whatever. So we continued our walk and she picked up any pure white rock as well as some other rocks and shells along the way,. Not sure why.

I never figured out what she was hoping for. I was hoping to go swimming. Didn't happen. So much for hope rocks.

Love always,

Bear

Sponge entertainment

Dear world,
Every time my mom goes out, she leaves on the TV for me. She used to only put on Nick. So I would be subjected to Sponge Bob Square Pants. What is it with that guy? He is a sponge! How sad! Why does my Mom think I want to watch a sponge? That is why I got into the habit of going upstairs and taking a nap...far away from the sound of Sponge Bob's voice downstairs.
Lately, somehow she figured out my feeling toward the sad sponge, so now she leaves on the Family channel. I watch a lot of Gilmore Girls. That is only a tad better. I wish I knew how to use the remote.

Love always,

Bear

Ten collars?

Dear world,
I have so many collars. And of course the matching leashes. When I came into the family, of course I expected a new collar. And I got a beautiful dark green one with my name and phone # on it. But then came another in neon green, also with my name and #. My mom told me that one was lighter weight so we would use it for the beach. And since we lived on a golf course, I got a collar with little golf carts on it. That was for our walks around the golf course. And then there was my preppie collar which looks like one of my dads ties. And then she ordered another and that one has my picture all over it. Then it was baseball season, so a new collar and leash arrived with the Padres logo all over it. And by the way, at that time, my brother was still with us, so of course we had matching collars. So then we moved to the beach. I have never worn my golf collar again. And the other ones had a phone # and we changed #s, so I never saw those again either. But I wasn't worried. I know my mom. So the beach theme collars started to arrive. I have a collar with crabs on it, one with surfboards and another with snorkeling dogs. I have my dressy collar with golden retrievers on it. And then there are the 2 lightweight sets for the beach, yellow or blue stripes. And for Xmas my mom's friend sent me a leather Elvis collar. I haven't worn it yet. But it will be the first thing I put on when I arrive in my new home town. And I am sure there will be more collars to come.

Is this normal?

Love always,
Bear

Train Schedule!

Dear world,
Yesterday I had a rather terrifying walk. There is this really pretty trail that is on the bluffs next to the railroad tracks. Most of the trail is great, but there are a couple of parts that are very narrow, cliffs on one side, tracks on the other. Mom usually makes me run during that part of the walk. Today, while we were going through a very narrow part, Mom hears the train coming and grabs me, holds me real close and closes her eyes. I was petrified (even though I knew we were safe). I wasn't sure if it was her heart or my heart beating so fast. Well, it was over quickly thank goodness. A guy that saw us suggested that we get a train schedule. Yeah right. Like we will ever go on that trail again!

Love always,
Bear

Seaworld to the Rescue

Dear world,
I saw something so wonderful on my walk yesterday. When I first started walking, I saw this lady and man on the beach standing next to an injured pelican. They were calling Seaworld to see if they could come rescue it. (what would the world be like without cellphones?) Anyway, on my way back, I saw the lifeguard truck driving down the beach. It stopped right by the pelican. The lifeguard and a lady got out with this crate and carefully lifted the pelican into it. (I hope they gave it a kiss.) Then they drove away. How nice, lifeguards not only rescue humans and dogs, but birds too! And quickly. Between the call and the rescue was only about a half hour... that's even faster than my pizza delivery!

Love always,

Bear

Zen dog

Dear world,

Sometimes, after major playtime in the ocean, Mom takes me for a walk on the beach. Today, she wanted me to rest, so we sat on the rocks. I decided to meditate. There I was, using all my senses. Smelling the ocean air, bird poop, dog pee and wet fur. Tasting the salt on my tongue imagining it was cookie crumbs. Hearing the ocean waves crashing (it was low tide, and the waves weren't that big, but it sounds better to say crashing) and seagulls flying overhead (and arguing with each other about who gets what part of the fish). Touching the sand under my paws (not sure the sand is wet, or my wet paws are on dry sand) Seeing - well since my eyes were closed I was imagining the ocean ahead of me...I guess I would say that I was visualizing the whole beach. I am such a Zen dog. Wouldn't you say?

Love always,

Bear