City Dog: Vol IX

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‘Sup, homeslice? It’s Ella here, checking in after a long hiatus. It’s not that I’ve forgotten about you, I’ve just been…preoccupied. It’s hard being this smart and adorable: People want a lot out of you, like learning how to mimic a polar bear. (You shrug, but it’s true: It’s the latest in my repertoire of genius tricks. I’ll show you sometime.)

On the road, I made a lot of friends, but we never stuck around long enough for me to really get to know my peers—usually, just a quick “hallo, how do you do, may I sniff your butt?” before moving on.

Mom’s talked enough about our epic road trip—and epic it was! for one, do you know how delicious cows smell?—so I’ll start where that left off. When we got back to California, we had four days at Dad’s parents’ house in the Sacramento suburbs. This meant one thing for me: PLAYMATE! They have a rat terrier mix, Dancer, who is kind of my bestie; Grammie calls us the Salt and Pepper Muppets.

Then, we went to see our favorite friends, John and Ray, and their kids, Walter and Kit, and stay with them for a night in Redwood City. Walter and Kit are usually pretty mellow and like to do a whole lot of sitting around and twiddling their paws, but I brought those cool cats (erm, dawgs) out of their shells.

We played and played and then played some more. It was probably the best day ever. At least the best day since my last best day with Dancer. I don’t know. All these best days run together. That’s what happens when you’re a jolly puppy with lots of jolly good things going for you.

But then came the part that really made me mad: Mom and Dad abandoned me and left me in Redwood City (albeit with the nicest lady ever, Miss Dot, but still). At first I was livid. I sat at the gate in Miss Dot’s awesome backyard jungle and howled for 24 solid hours. Miss Dot told Mom I can be “quite the brat sometimes.” But she changed her tune over the course of the next 13 days. We played nonstop and there was another dog there, Snickers, and I played with her too, and Dot built me staircases up to her couches so I could run around like the billy goat that I am, and then when I went home after two weeks, I moped for Miss Dot for a solid couple days! I also started climbing my own furniture. I like being atop a full suitcase the best.

Or inside one.

Because, after all, once Mom and Dad got back from their cruise, they started packing up boxes and our San Francisco apartment became one giant storage facility, or so it seemed. I didn’t want to risk being left behind—again!

Mom even tried to be sneaky and pack up a few of her stuffed animals from the bookcase—a camel and a pair of monkeys in bridal wear. Which is just plain silly of her, as I in fact own the color brown. (I have two monkeys, a reindeer, a moose and a teddy bear—and that’s just a start. If it ain’t brown, I ain’t buying it.) I wasn’t having any of that.

Ella Packing from Camels & Chocolate on Vimeo.

(Oh, to be a little bit taller.)

When we got back, I was in dog(gone) Heaven. Because you know who lives at my grandparents’ house/mom’s childhood home…

MY BIRTH PARENTS! I hadn’t seen them since Christmas, and they both kept remarking at what a sophisticated, young lady I have turned into. (OK, maybe no one actually said that, but I know it’s what they were thinking.) That’s my dad Kobe in the middle—yeah, he’s a hippie, what of it?—and Katey on the right.

Speaking of packing and moving and leaving places, I hear I’m being left once again. But for FOUR MONTHS this time. Can you even believe these people? The nerve not to take me with them! At least I’ll get to remain in the lap of luxury back in Tennessee with my grandpeople, Katey and Kobe, and three stepbrother-uncles (incest is big in our clan), Kasper, Ka-Oz and Kruzer. I might not even act like I remember Mom and Dad when they come back—who knows? Would serve them right. All I know is Mom did the ugly cry no fewer than four times this week, and it wasn’t pretty. I think I’m taking this whole transition a whole lot easier than they are. Mom and Dad who?

More news from the homestead to come…

Ella

COMMENTS
  • August 21, 2011

    Adorable as always Ella! I know you’ll miss your parents, but I’m glad to hear you’ll be with family 🙂 & the ugly cry, I’ve done that with my dog a few times when I know I’m away for awhile… it’s just what us parents do!

  • August 21, 2011

    Good Work, Ella! We missed hearing from you. Who can blame you for being a bit of a brat. When your that cute, of course you can get away with it!

    • August 22, 2011
      Ella

      Erik, I like your line of reasoning. Also, can I come live with you now that I’ve been abandoned?!?

      • August 22, 2011

        Ella- you would always be welcome with us- but your mom and dad love you and would never abandon you permanently! Look at it as a break from constant photographs!

  • August 22, 2011

    Ella, you’re such a great jumper I can hardly believe you couldn’t get into those boxes. Also surprised you didn’t stow away in Mom and Dad’s suitcases. But it should be fun to stay with family for a while.

    • August 22, 2011
      Ella

      I like to feign innocence…until no one’s watching, that is. Who stole that steak from the dinner table? Wasn’t me. I’m but one foot off the ground; I couldn’t possibly reach that high…(heh).

  • August 22, 2011

    Such adorable photos! I am sure this time apart will be difficult, but I know you’re all strong enough to get through it 😉

  • August 22, 2011

    Ha, she does look like a muppet. Love it.

    4 months away from the puppy is going to be rough! I think she’ll be okay (she’s a tough puppy,) but are you guys going to make it?

    • August 22, 2011
      Ella

      Mom’s already called her mom four times to check on me since Saturday and sent countless texts. These people, I swear–they sure know how to suffocate a pup!

  • August 22, 2011

    Aww, I’m so sad for your parents, Ella! I’m sure they’re going to miss you lots. But I’m sure they’ll make it up to you when they get home.

  • August 22, 2011

    Cool – your mom left you the keys to the blog. I’m sure you’re going to have a blast with that while they’re gone. 🙂

  • August 22, 2011

    Oh Ella, you are the cutest little pup ever. 🙂

  • August 22, 2011

    Awww I know part of you wishes M&D were still with you, but I have no doubt that you’re going to get into all kinds of fun trouble while they’re gone! 😉

  • August 23, 2011

    I love these “reports” I will thinking about Ella and hoping she is having a good time while you are gone.

  • August 23, 2011

    These are just TOO cute for words, I can’t handle it. Especially the reunion at the end! What an adorable little family. 🙂

    Sara

  • August 24, 2011

    That’s one well-traveled dog…

  • August 30, 2011

    I love Ella!!! I have a dog that looks like Ella too. Too bad she couldn’t get into the box.

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