I've Been A Very Good Boy This Year

Rusty, aka 'Santa Paws' and Santa Claus
Photo by Marcy

All In A Day's Work

Being a Therapy Dog means that I often get to participate in some pretty special events. This past weekend I got to hang out with the kids participating in Snowball Express. Children who have lost parents in military action were flown in from all over the country for a weekend of fun events in Southern California. I was happy to be there and give lots of hugs. They hugged and petted me and some of the Moms and Dads said, "Thank you. The dogs were my kids' favorite thing here today." I posed for a lot of photos and brought smiles to a lot of faces that haven't had much to smile about lately.

Coming Soon

I went to dog camp this past weekend and hope to tell you about it and post photos soon. It was lots of fun!

I started my new job and have been a few times now already. It's pretty cool and I've met some really nice kids. They seem to enjoy teaching me new tricks, which involves treats, so I'm not complaining at all! I'll probably be going at least a couple of times a month.

Here I am posing with my buddy Riley.

Oh, and I got to go to something really cool called the Special Olympics. I met a lot of really nice people there too. I hope you are having a nice summer.

Did you know I drive for UPS?

Working Class Dog

I knew something was going on when I got a bath and extra grooming Friday night. My Mom got up really early on Saturday and we drove in the car for quite a while. It turns out we were going to get re-registered for me to work as a Therapy Dog. It's funny that they call it a "test." I like doing everything we had to do!

Here I am, back in the car after my test. I did such a great job and should be working again very soon!

(My hamster brother, Ami, did not have such a good day. He was in a race, one that he has won twice before, but my Mom said he didn't even run!)

I'm All Better Now

Last Friday, I got really excited because my Mom got up early and took me for a ride in the car. It wasn't a fun trip though. She dropped me off at the animal hospital. They shaved one of my legs and stuck a needle in there. I got really sleepy and don't know what happened after that. Just as well, I'm sure.

When I woke up, I felt really weird. I cried and cried in the cage. My Mom must have heard me because she finally came and picked me up. I freaked out in the car a little bit and she tried to keep me calm (and drive safely at the same time). I felt safer when I got home and slept a lot. And got lots of hugs.

I'm feeling all better now, but I seem to be missing several teeth! Yikes!

Weekend Outing

Last Sunday, my Mom and Dad and I went on an outing. Or a couple of outings, I suppose. First, we went to a local pet adoption fair. We are not getting another pet, but they wanted to see the animals and it was a nice, warm day to be outdoors. We saw lots of cats, bunnies, and dogs, of course. I hope all of them found great homes like I did.

After the fair, we drove in the car out to Venice Beach. We tried to go to a restaurant that caters to dogs and their humans called The Hydrant Café. Well, it's no longer there, which was a little disappointing (for my Mom. I was just happy to be out on the town!) The three of us then took a nice walk over to the Venice Beach Boardwalk. There were lots of people and dogs and some very interesting smells. I wish I could go onto the actual beach there, but no dogs allowed.

All in all, it was a great day and I slept really well that night.

• I went to the vet today for a check-up. Besides being pretty healthy, she said I was really cute! I do have to go in and have some dental work done. I have a loose tooth and need a cleaning.

• My birthday was quiet. No big party or anything, but I did get two brand new tennis balls!

• We are having beautiful weather! Little Guy is still on "rest" precautions for a recent hip injury, so he isn't allowed to run around and wrestle with me. I miss that. He will be better soon.

Happy Spring!

Happy Birthday To Me!

A special message from my hamster brother, Ami.

The Kennel

What's New In Rustyland?

• Well, it's getting warmer outside, which I really like.

• Little Guy hurt his hip and had to go to the vet.

• He's on "strict rest" right now, so Squirrel Patrol is all up to me for now.

• My Mom started putting this really yummy powder supplement on our food. I got really excited, as I'd gotten bored with eating, but now we're out.

• There's talk of me going to work soon, but I have to take some tests first.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

It has been really cold here lately! Most nights I've been sleeping all the way under the covers, between my Mom and Dad. It sure is warm there! During the day, Little Guy and I are staying on top of the squirrels who hang out in our back yard. We gave them a good barking to just the other day, but I think I heard them out there again. My Mom took this photo during a break from squirrel duty: