I'm Ben Busy

Get it? Ben Busy!

Back on Memorial Day week we took our new camper down to South Carolina and stayed for a couple of nights near Washington, but we didn't go to see the big sights. Instead we went to the Arboretum because they allow dogs. It was a nice park. And we went to see Daddy Frank's friends in Washington. They have a real nice park near them too.

I don't care for our new camper because there is not much room for me to sleep and to stay out of the way. Daddies say we had to "downsize" but they couldn't downsize me. I now have to sleep under the table cuz there is no room on the bedroom for me. I can hardly fit under the table.

Me Hiding behind the Rosemary in DC

Back at home I spend lots of time with Katija. She came over and I shared my water. She gots the floor wet when she drinks.

We drink together sometimes. Mostly we meet at the Doggie Park and run. I run, Katjia chases me. Then we wrestle. Then we hike in the woods for an hour.

Then there was Gay Pride month. Daddy made me wear this stupid bandana all month. Except when it went into the wash. Oh well, the least I can do is grin and bear it.

Well we "Ben" going to Vermont on some weekends in our camper and I go swimming and hiking and run around with my friend Sadie. Sadie doesn't care much for me most of the time and I don't got a picture of her.

I like the lake best. I fetch sticks and swim a lot.

I Like Rocks Too

People sometimes mistake me for the Lake Ness Monster dog. Especially when they see a blurry picture of me swimming in the lake.

Lake Ness Monster Dog

My Friend Beau was in His Mommies' Wedding

Then there was this Bear. For weeks I tried telling Daddies we had a Bear poking around. I got up early every morning and went outside to bark and bark and bark so the Bear would stay away. Daddies just didn't get it.

Then later one morning when Daddy Frank was washing up the breakfast dishes he looked out the window and said "Oh my God!" or something like that. Then he ran and got his camera.

I said to my self, "Now do you believe me when I bark 'Bear'?" Ho Hum. People. You gotta love em.

The Bear Hasn't "Ben" Back

I Love My Magic Screen Door - As Seen ON TV

Daddy Leon always says that Daddy Frank leaves the door open and the flies and skeetos get in in the summer. But Daddy Frank got smart and used his $10 coupon for the new Dollar General to buy a Magic Screen Door. I LOVE IT!

This thing is made for doggies. No door knobs to worry about, no flies and skeetos to worry about. You can go in and out whenever you feel like it. And Daddy doesn't get yelled at for leaving the door open anymore.

Daddy Leon likes it too

Another Day in the Park - Ho Hum

Well, Katjia's mom is on vacation and I went to her house and picked her up so that we could go to the park and play.

This movie was toward the end of our one hour walk along the trails and I guess we were pretty much runned out.  Been there done that.  Even the stick game was boring!  But it was a beautiful day in May.

The Prince and the Pea OR Worst Night Sleep Ever - Well, 'till I Got into Daddies' Bed

I couldn't get to sleep last night...I just could't get comfortable.  Something kept jabbing at me and sticking in my ribs.  I tried to tell daddies.  I got up and put my chin on their bed.  Daddy Frank woke up and said, "Benni, go to bed."  They just didn't understand.

So I went and laid down on the floor next to my bed.

Later, Daddy Frank got up to go to the bathroom.  He came back and saw me.  He said, "Benni, why are you sleeping on the floor?"  I didn't answer.  I thought, they just don't get it.

Then, about three-thirty, I couldn't take it any more.  The floor was not that comfortable.  I went and put my chin on daddies' bed and whined a little.  Daddies both woke up and said, "Benni, go to bed, it's too early."  That's cuz I usually get invited into daddies' bed about 5:30 or 6:00 in the morning.  I whined a little more.

Daddy got up to let me out.  He is just silly sometimes.  I didn't follow him.  I put my chin on the bed.  He got back in bed, then said, "OK, Benny, hop in."

That was music to my ears.  I hopped right in and slept real good till the sun came up.  I didn't want to get up, I was so comfy.

When daddies got up, I heard them laughing.  "Poor dog," they said, "No wonder you couldn't sleep!"

There it was, right in the middle of my bed - that stupid thing that kept jabbing me and keeping me awake.

I don't know what it was, and I don't know why daddies were laughing.  Maybe they put it there on purpose.  Alls I know is, it better not be there tonight.  I need a good night sleep, cuz I had a date with my girlfriend Katija and we had a real good romp in the woods

Was Crusin' the Net...

And found this.  The difference between US and THEM. Our species is too cool.

Told You So

Told You So! - See my last post, below.  (I get it - I'm no dummy)

Last night when Daddy Leon got home my daddies decided that since I was such a good dog, I could use the new couch.  But I have to have my new bedspread and blanky under me so I don't get the new couch full of my fur.

Told You So!

My Spot - Claimed and Occupied

I heard that possession is nine tens of the law, whatever that means.  It means just try and get me to give up my new couch!

I Get It - I'm No Dummy

Daddies got a new couch.  They both said they needed a new couch like they needed a hole in the bed.  Or a hole in their head or something.  So I guess that means they needed it bad.

Anyhow the old couch was mine.  I used to lay on it every day and every night when we watched the Tee Vee.  I took up the whole couch practically unless Daddy Frank wanted to share.  Then I would move over and share.

Well, they moved it out the other day and then later they brought in a new one.  It looks nice.  I put my chin on it but Daddies did not say "OK, come on," or "Hop up," or anything like that.

So I didn't get on the new couch.  Instead they brought me a big fluffy old bedspread that is real nice and put it down on the floor.  I laid on it and they seemed happy.  I might like the new couch but I haven't been invited yet.

Today, both daddies had to go out.  Daddy Frank covered the couch with a big sheet.  I heard him say they were going to be gone most of the day and they figured that I would take my chance to try out the couch.  Daddy Frank is smart.  He put the sheet on real tight and smooth so that if I hopped on, he would see the wrinkles and know what I did.

But, I'm a good dog.  I get it.  I understand more than they think I do.  They must think I'm like other doggies who are sneaky and do things when no one is looking.  Kitties do that -those cat types are real sneaky.  Some doggies do that too.  But They under-estimate me.  For cryin' out loud, I do this here blog, so I'm no dummy.

Anyhow, Daddy Frank got home first.  He saw the couch and the sheet was just like he left it.

He said, "Benni, you are such a good boy.  I'm so proud of you.  You are so special."  and he was real proud of me and happy.  He said, "Come on, let's go to the doggie park for a nice hike through the woods in the snow."

So we went for a long walk and I got to play with a bunch of other doggies.  We came home and I ate dinner, now I am lounging on the floor, on my big fluffy bedspread.

But, if you want to know the truth, it's only a matter of time before they say - and it will be Daddy Frank I bet - before they say, "OK, Benni, hop up."  Then I'll get to lay on the couch and that will set a president.  Then there'll be no stopping me after that.

I am good.  Life is good.  Ruff.

Fun in the Sun and Snow

I been cooped up for days.  We went out today and finally had some fun.  It was kinda warm and that made it even more fun to play and wrestle in the snow with my bff Katja.

But first I had to tell Katja that I felt bad that she lost her brother Kolja who died during the big snow storm.  He was 14.

Then I thought, "Life is Short" so lets play.  And we did.

Handsome Me Again
With My Mardi Gras Bandanas

We like to play Stick Tug of War sometimes.  We both win when we each get half.

Blizzard

I ate chicken Gizzards and I heard Daddies talk about this blizzard.  Sounds the same, but boy are they different.  This one means LOTS of SNOW!  This morning I didn't want to go out.

What happened here?

I couldn't find a spot to pee or do my business this morning.  That Blizzard stuff was too deep.

Helping Daddy

Neither Snow nor sleet...but Blizzards mean no mail

But if you wait a little while these trails appear mir-ac-lously just like that - usually in back of daddy and the big loud machine that I really don't like.

A path appeared up into the back yard so I can do business

That thing is what's called a "Dog House" -
silly - I live in the big house

Helping shovel

Here I am playing on the snow pile and running with my stick.

Me and Daddies out in the Frozen Waterfall

Well, we sometimes go to hike in different places for a change.  Today we went to the waterfall - Buttermilk Falls.  It was more like Icicle Falls.  You can see the icicles.  Go to Daddy's blog to see more pictures of ice.

 Here I am.

Me with Daddy Frank

Me with Daddy Leon

We went over the bridge too.

My Big Stick Challenge

Well, I got this real big stick and I was carrying it just fine till my daddies decided to go through a thick bunch of trees.  Then things got tricky.  There were all these trees in the way.  Daddies kept shouting "Come on Benni" and I can't concentrate under pressure.  I had to leave my big stick behind.



I just know if I had more time I coulda figured it out...maybe I'll try again tomorrow.

Tracking Wild Animals in the Snow

I went tracking in the snow today, up in back of the house.  I think I tracked the coyote or maybe a fox.  I didn't give a care about the bunny tracks or the deer tracks, boring...but, well, I go for CANINES cuz they are invading MY Territory!

We walk up as far as the Alpaca Farm, but I never see alpacas cuz they live in the barn and in the corral next to the barn.  That is over the other side of the field.  Here is a movie:



Before the movie we walked up back, past daddy's trees and into the woods, then to the Alpaca Farm.

Daddy's Tree Farm

I got a good nose

Now I consider this MY Territory, even though Daddy says we are off the property.  We are lucky to have woods all around us, with trails.  When we don't go to doggie park, we just go out back.

OK, Now which way?

This way I think

Let me get in closer

Lousy Coon or something crossed up the Smells

Now I got a good trail 

Am I Handsome or What!

I'm King of the Hill

One last sniff!