Holidays at Rockwood Lane

Three big holidays to bark about in today's blog posting.  As usual its been very busy around Rockwood Lane for Marshall.  Besides teaching Lori how to drive her new car (see below), he has also been trying to show Jimmy how to use the camera on his new "smart" phone.  Bottom line: Marshall thinks the phone is just like any other computer and quite frankly, he doesn't like it.  Too much time away from him equals no good.

 

That said, Marshall likes to keep it positive, in addition to keeping it real so let's change the subject to something he enjoys.  Squirrel hunting.  Squirrel hunting.  Squirrel hunting.  Whatever Rockwood Lane lacks in square footage indoors, Marshall believes its more than made up for by the backyard, and in particular the giant trees.
 

 On this particular afternoon, Marshall was willing to pose for some much needed new glamor shots for his budding acting career.  No one has actually called to express interest in him yet, but as far as he is concerned that is simply an oversight.  We warned you from the beginning Jimmy is still learning how to use the new phone, so please excuse the sideways pic.

 Not sure if these next two can really be used by his commercial agent but those of you out there with scent hounds can recognize exactly what is going on here: Marshall is trying to get rid of his "clean dog" smell by covering it with cool yard smells.
 

 

Marshall also encouraged Lori to participate fully in "ding-dong day" (Halloween to the rest of you) so he also wanted to share some pictures with you that show the full experience.  First up is a picture of Marshall waiting patiently for one of the neighborhood kids to come to the door and make the ding-dong sound.   Next up is a picture from the outside that shows how a good beagle greets the little ones, with a bowl of candy and a wagging tail (on a lead, of course).  Please be sure to notice Lori's Jack-o-Lantern as well.
 

While he did enjoy himself a great deal, Marshall doesn't have any pictures to show for his Thanksgiving holiday in Denton.  He journeyed North with the humans again this year to join the family gathering and especially to see his country cousins and Houston dog cousins.  All are well and lots of food was eaten, but as far as the humans know Marshall did not get anyone's turkey or even mashed potatoes.  He would also like to state for the public record that no one did anything to humiliate Lori this year, even though her team didn't have the best day.

Once we all got back to Austin the reality that Christmas is only a few weeks away could not have been made more clear than by the fact that this month's Beagle Brigade meeting was the annual gift exchange.

 

For those of you that don't remember this from last year, everyone that wants to participate is encouraged to bring a wrapped $5 gift (no food items) to the regular meet up at Norwood Dog Park.  The humans take numbers and one by one the beagles approach the pile of gifts and make their selection.  Traditionally, a sniff, a paw scratch, or even a slobber means the package has been chosen.  However, last year at least one dog decided to claim his gift by hiking his leg and taking care of business.  No such incident occurred this year.

You might not be able to tell from the picture above, but Marshall (who picked #7 out of 31 this year) selected a toy Santa dog that was wrapped in nice blue paper.  Thirty minutes later we were back at Rockwood Lane and the poor Santa dog never had a chance.  Yes, that's Santa dog stuffing to the left of Marshall's ear, and in the background.

 

That about wraps it up for this entry.  Just a few more cute sleeping Beagle poses, because we can never have too many of those.  Happy Holidays.

Dogtoberfest 2010!

Yep, its definitely Marshall's favorite season.  Ding-dong day is just around the corner -- you might know it as Halloween -- and he can hardly wait to greet all the little ones at his door with a wet nose and four paws ready to dig into their bags of candy.  No chocolate, of course.

This weekend's highlight event was Dogtoberfest, but before Marshall gets to that he needs to send a special condolence to his cousin Bethany, who is mourning the loss of her fish, Brandon.  We got the news of Brandon's sudden departure just this morning while we were on our way to Dogtoberfest and Marshall is sorry he couldn't get to Denton to pay his respects in person.

 

Marshall joined the good folks from Hound Rescue for a two hour shift at their booth, telling all the people that stopped by what great dogs hounds are.  While he of course is not available for adoption, several dogs were there looking for their forever homes, and Marshall wishes them all the best.  While Lori was in full Hound Rescue uniform, Jimmy only had the Hound Rescue hat.  Some of you may recall its actually our second Hound Rescue hat here on Rockwood Lane.  The first one came to an unfortunate demise.

Marshall is of course a fan of all dog breeds and definitely enjoyed the chance to meet with so many new dogs during his shift at the booth.  However, he seems to have a special place in his heart for dachshunds.  That might be because Ron and Terri have a great dachshund that Marshall has heard many good things about.

For the most part Marshall refrained from shopping while at the Domain today, but he did get very close to purchasing this shirt for some of his family members as a Christmas present.  Maybe next year.

 

Fall Forward (to catch up)...

What's been going on?  Its officially Beagle season here in Austin.  You might call it "the Fall" but Marshall and his peeps call it their season.  He's waking up around 5am these days, ready to chase squirrels, and yes, try out some new sleeping poses.  How many ways can a beagle sleep and still look cute?  Let us count the ways...

After talking big about firing his web team and getting new blood into the operation, not much has happened on that front here at Rockwood Lane.  However, two of Marshall's biggest fans have been hounding him for updates so he has finally gotten on the humans to get it together.

It has been a very busy summer.  Following up on the last post, Lori decided it was time to leave her old job for a new one.  Now you can feel free to call her personally whenever you feel someone, somewhere, might be trying to commit fraud against the State of Texas Medicaid program.  Be sure to mention you decided to refer the case after reading this blog.  That way Marshall gets points toward his honorary deputy badge.

Lori also said goodbye to her old friend, the 1996 Honda Accord.  She loved that car and it had treated her well but it just wasn't feeling well in the last couple years.  Late in the summer, Marshall approved the purchase of a VW EOS, hardtop convertible.

 Convertible, you might ask?  Is that any car for a beagle?  What about safety?  What about practicality?  Well, Marshall doesn't know that p- word, but please note use of his safety harness in the back seat...and of course his own travel bed.

Some of Marshall's favorite trips in the new car are Lowe's, Taco Deli, Bark 'n Purr, and really anywhere he can see and be seen.  As a general rule, if people are watching, Marshall is performing.

Speaking of Lowe's here is a nice shot of Marshall checking the place for stray candy bars, goo of all kinds, and bedbugs.  If you don't understand the bedbugs reference, Marshall encourages you to read this story from the New York Times.

Marshall was also busy entertaining this summer.  First, his semi-cousin Bethany came to visit him for the weekend (check out the pictures here if you have Facebook).  A few weeks later, friend Russell brought his ankle-biter to meet Marshall.  Turns out, Clark and Marshall have the same taste in toy balls.  Marshall shared very well, and while he really wanted to lick Clark's entire face, he resisted.  This picture is from early in the visit and Marshall doesn't look super excited, but it got better, promise.

Most of you probably didn't know Nancy Adams, but she was a very classy lady, so Marshall wanted to pay his final respects by posting her obituary so his fans could read about her.  Nancy, your MSC kids miss you already.

One final note: Marshall will be heading to Dogtoberfest next weekend to help raise money for the good folks at Hound Rescue.  Please join him...and bring a checkbook why don't ya!

Congratulations Lori

That's right, after four-plus years of working full-time and taking classes part-time, Lori has completed her master's degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs!  Even though Marshall wasn't invited to the graduation ceremony, he wishes his human the best of congrats.  But we have other stories to tell first...
 
Marshall and the humans did lots of traveling in May.  In fact, every weekend included a different family event.  First up was Grandma Charney's 90th birthday party at the ranch in north Texas.  Most of the Texas family was there, but most important to Marshall were the Houston and Denton dog cousins.

Let's start with this observation: it takes a brave dog to follow a man in green boots.  That's Marshall's John.  Don't worry about the exact family relationship, just know its there.  Bethany was also quite a leader that weekend.  Here she is finding Marshall and Charlie at a cross fence gate.

Faithful readers of Marshall's blog may remember that he is not a fan of water.  Or dogs that go near the water.  But he made a few exceptions on this walk down to the creek with the cousin dogs.  In fact, if you look closely at these pictures you may note Marshall was not able to put the brakes on fast enough to stop himself from following the cousins into the water during a good game of fetch.

 

After he recovered from the water damage, Marshall was available for pictures with his Jimmy and some of the wildflowers on display around the ranch.  He has submitted the second picture below to the good folks at Beagle Calendar, Inc.  Yes, that's right, Marshall is ready to start his modeling career.  Please call William Morris if you are interested in booking him. 

Marshall also wants to thank his gracious hosts from that weekend...no, not Paca.  He wants to thank the cows and horses.

The next weekend again involved a family gathering but this time it was for a celebration of a life cut short too quickly.  Marshall joined his humans in Houston to say goodbye to Denise Shiver-Blackmore.  While the family grieved, laughed, cried again, and counted their blessings in being together, Marshall did his part by not repeating his previous performance at Carolyn and Lee Ann's house (don't ask for clarification, please).


And then it was time for....

Graduation!  What does a beagle care about higher education, you might ask?  Plenty.  First, Marshall notes that grad school professors make too many writing assignments.  This meant his Lori would spread pages and pages of research all over his couch for hours at a time.  And he wasn't even allowed to "read" any of it himself.  Then there were the days and days of reading and group meetings.  Again, tasks he was not invited to join.

Even though he wasn't invited to the ceremony (he heard the speeches were boring anyway!), Marshall did manage to snap a photo of this: the prestigious Armadillo Cup.  As he understands it, the Bush School of Government and Public Service and the LBJ School compete for the right to house this trophy each year.  Don't tell Lori, but Marshall does not seem the appeal.

After the ceremony it was time to celebrate with family, friends, and margaritas.  Since Marshall is only 15 1/2 in dog years he isn't of legal drinking age so yet again he was left out.  But here's a nice shot of Lori and fellow dog-moma, Keisha.

That about wraps things up from here.  Happy Memorial Day.  Be safe!

Once every two months...

...that's not bad, right?  These days that seems like about all the humans (read: Marshall's web team) can manage.  All in all, life has settled into a nice routine for those of us here on Rockwood Lane, but its not all boring...

Today's entry is inspired by our recent stop at Springfest, an annual event in the Austin area that often includes a booth manned by the dedicated volunteers of Hound Rescue.  It was at this event last year that Denise first mentioned to the humans that Marshall was going to be available for adoption soon.  Like last year, Uno (2008 Best in Show at Westminster), was out to support his fellow hounds.  But this year Marshall was able to attend, and even got a few pictures with Uno.

You'll notice that Marshall has no problem crashing this little girl's picture with Uno:

Besides hanging with celebrities, Marshall has been taking advantage of his backyard this spring.  Yes, his backyard.  That's the space behind his house.  And that is the building that contains his bedroom, his living room, his kitchen, etc.  Anyway, back to the story.  In one two hour span a few weekends back, Marshall "played with" a baby bird that had fallen from its nest *and* cornered a baby squirrel that seems to have wondered into the yard after falling from the fence.  As you might expect, neither the bird's parents nor the squirrel's parents were particularly fond of Marshall.  So Lori sent Jimmy out to deal with both situations.  The first required holding Marshall back while the baby bird hopped to the back fence, and the second required gently guiding the squirrel out of Marshall's range, again through the back fence.

Marshall is also keen to try as many dog friendly restaurants in the Austin area as he can before it gets too hot on their decks, sidewalk and picnic tables.  Taco Deli is a new favorite.  On the opposite side, Central Market has gone on Marshall's "Two Paws Down" list for their rude signs about not letting pets on their decks for sanitary reasons.  Please.  Let's talk about those walking germ factories (aka kids) that are swarming the place and ramming people in their strollers.  Marshall snuck (or sneaked, according to Oxford's dictionary) onto the deck anyway and was only approached by two families while the humans ate a quick lunch.  Both families wanted to let their kids pet the cute, and sanitary, Marshall.  Take that, you fancy HEB.

Other big news on Rockwood Lane includes the recent painting project and Lori's graduation from the LBJ School of Public Affairs (don't pass up this link) next month.  Lori's parents are even going to fly in from Hawaii for the festivities.  Marshall is getting very excited.  In just a few short weeks there will be no more evenings devoted to group projects or reading chapters in the office.  Marshall will get 100% of Lori's attention.

The Humans Are Such Slackers...

Marshall is appalled at the poor performance of his web team recently.  Its been two full months since they last updated his blog.  Can you believe those slackers?  So much has happened...

First, the weather.  Crazy times here in Austin.  Two snow storms already this year.  Marshall got to play in the snow in Denton at Christmas but there have been two additional opportunities right in his own back yard.  While he still isn't too fond of his winter coat (required by Lori for all walks when the temperature is below 40 degrees) he is getting more used to it, and is even trying his hand at attacking snowballs, a trick taught to him by his Houston cousins.

Don't get too worried for him though, there have also been plenty of warm days already.  That means Lori is spending time out in the backyard with Marshall while she reads for her classes on the weekend.

 

Another sure sign that the weather is changing is that Jimmy took the cover off the patio table and unpacked the swing's cushions and the hammock that were stored under the table's cover.  Funny thing about that, it also solved the mystery of why we didn't have any squirrel nests in our tree this year.  We have seen several every year until this one.  Well, turns out they made their nest in the hammock this year, so when Jimmy unpacked it he found three tiny babies crying out for their parents.  Less than 30 seconds later Jimmy was inside the house trying to keep Marshall out of this particular episode of Mutual of Omaha presents while one of the parents turned up to take the babies to an undisclosed location in the yard next door.  Where was Lori?  In the back office searching Google to find out how many babies were likely to be there.  Google was right, squirrels average 2 to 4 babies at a time, and ours had 3.

 

Better weather also means more trips to Lady Bird Lake to visit with the other dogs, if Marshall is good.  Of course, with the Olympics on there have also been plenty of opportunities to kick back on the couch and watch Bob Costas make a fool out of himself, and to sleep through the performances that make our country so proud.  Marshall thinks Apolo got cheated in the 500, by the way.

Marshall also got to spend a full week at his private retreat / boarding kennel (Stay N Play Pet Ranch) earlier this month, because Lori and Jimmy flew to Tulum, Mexico to help with Lori's friend Melanie's wedding.  Marshall passed his time with special play sessions and long walks in the woods near his kennel.

And finally, the really big news around here:  Marshall turned 2 years old on February 22, 2010.  We celebrated with a small gathering (just Marshall and the humans) and a dog bone cake from a local dog bakery.  It was banana flavored and Marshall ate from it all week. 

 

 

I think that does it for now.  Thanks for reading.

2010...another year of the Beagle

Let's be honest, isn't every year the year of your dog...or cat / kid if you aren't lucky enough to have a dog?  Marshall has a bit of a cold these days so he's keeping warm inside, passing time by writing on his blog and patrolling Rockwood Lane.  But he has some good stories to tell about Christmas...

Since he will be two years old in February this wasn't Marshall's first Christmas but it was his first with this set of humans.  He was less than impressed with the gift wrapping routine.

As we got closer to the holiday though, Marshall did seem to get excited on the road trip to Denton.  He went up a few days early with Jimmy and then helped spot Lori's plane at DFW when she flew up a few days later.  But enough about the two leggers, Denton means fun with cousin dogs.  There was just one problem...

 

Nope, not the dog door: Marshall mastered that on his first visit to Denton last summer.  So what could be keeping him inside?  What could prevent the beagle from being the master of all he surveyed...   SNOW!!!

 

It took Marshall a few days to warm up (don't be a critic, he's only 22 months old) to the white stuff covering the lawn.  Luckily, Aunt Carolyn's pack didn't seem to mind and in particular D.D. Max convinced Marshall playing in the snow could be fun.  Max even developed a great talent for catching snowballs ("No Balls," according to the prouncement of Cousin John) in mid-air.

 

 

Back inside, Marshall participated as best he could in the gift giving and recieving.  He got gifts all the way from Hawaii in fact!!  

 

Just because it was a holiday penguin doesn't mean it wasn't a threat in Marshall's eyes, and so yes, this poor little stuffed animal did not last more than a few minutes.

 

 

All that family time can really take it out of you, whether human or beagle.  So Marshall and Jimmy had to take a quick power nap upstairs before returning to deal with the other cousins on the final day of the Christmas vacation.