Happy Halloween!

Rocket has had quite the weekend.  He began his Halloween celebration on Friday by dressing as a "security dog" and going to Woodridge Elementary School with dad.

He was the Grand Marshal of the costume parade and quite a hit with the kids.

Firday evening he went for a walk with the Nature Hounds in McCallister Park - in the dark  A potluck followed with lots of dogs in costume. Lots of barking dogs.  Kinda nuts.

Saturday he went to College Station and hung out with Matt & Audrey while we went to the game.  Long ride and lots of people in Matt's apartment.  He handleed it like a trooper though.

Sunday night Rocket went to Trunk or Treat at church. 

He was very patient while dozens of kids patted him, other dogs barked and strange costumes went by.

I do believe his big dog chore Monday was sleeping all day.

Paws on the Patio

The San Antonio Humane Society has a fundraiser called Paws on the Patio.  Local restaurants bring tables outside and feed people and pups on the patios.  Canyon Cafe held this event last Monday. 

It's VERY well attended and note to self:  come early next time.  The wait is too long otherwise.

 Nonetheless, Rocket enjoyed watching the other dogs.

Being Green

The Salado Creek Greenway is one of San Antonio's first significant attempts at becoming green.  The Greenway will eventually be part of a linear park system circling the city.  At this time, it's only partially completed, but when it is finished it will be fabulous.

It's great for walking, jogging, cycling, and -of course- walking Rocket.

Rocket Does Dallas

Rocket went to Dallas this weekend while we went to the A&M - Arkansas football. He was a very good dog, even though he had to stay in strange house.

Bummer of a game though.

At least we won the halftime!

On the Mission Trail

San Antonio  is an old, historic town.  Although Spanish explorers had described the area much earlier, the actual history of the San Antonio began with the founding of five missions in the 18th century.  These missions were built along the San Antonio River, and are the largest concentration of missions in North America.  Today four of the missions (excluding Mission San Antonio de Valero - the Alamo) are part of the National Park Service, creating San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.

The missions are connected by hiking trails.  Yesterday, Rocket toured the trail from Espada Mission (above) to Mission San Juan.  It was a beautiful morning,  Bright, clear sky, Temps in the upper 70's and NO HUMIDITY.  Perfect South Texas weather.

The hike from Espada to San Juan and back was a little over four miles.  With stops to sniff and relax under trees, it was a great day.

A walk in the park

Rocket loves, loves, loves to walk.  Exploring new places makes him happy; seriously happy.

It doesn't get any better than to check out something new.

Comanche Lookout Park -Sept. 25, 2010

More about Rocket

Rocket came to us in the spring of 2008.  He is fifth in a line of poodles; all extraordinary dogs.

I began my journey as a poodle-person shortly after I graduated from high school.  Josie was given to my family and immediately stole our hearts.

She was a "parti-poodle" - one with two colors; and at that time parti-poodles were frequently euthanized because they were not show material.  As wrong as that is on so many levels, we were blessed by this little girl for 16 years.

After my graduation from college (Texas A & M - whoop!) I wanted a poodle of my own.  Josie was really the family dog, not mine; so as fate would have it, one of my students had poodle puppies, and Cocoa entered my life.

Cocoa was a loving little dog.  She traveled well, loved to bark at squirrels, and made friends easily. Cocoa was part of the family for 17 years.  When she went to the Rainbow Bridge, it took a long while before I could consider another dog.

But, the time came when I did and after visiting the Animal Defense League, Maggie became one of the family.

We didn't know it, but poor little Maggie was very sick when we adopted her, renal failure, and we were graced with her love for only a few months.  The week after Maggie left us, we found Sammy at the Humane Society.

Sammy had been surrendered to the Humane Society by a family that couldn't keep him.  The minute I picked him up, I knew he was coming home with me.  Sammy was the sweetest little dog known to man.  He loved to cuddle and take naps with with us.  He was a little smaller than the other poodles - only 8 pounds at his heaviest - so he was easy to carry around.  Sammy passed last month, and as hard as it was to lose him, and as much as we still grieve over him, we are very lucky to have the Rocket-Dog.

Rocket is a hoot.  He came to us scared, frightened and angry and has grown into a funny, friendly little guy.

He runs like a maniac (hence the name), loves to walk, ride , go - all words he knows even if they are spelled.

This blog will record his adventures and exploits.

Meet Rocket

Rocket is a toy poodle.  We became his forever family after he was found abandoned.  SNIPSA, a local rescue group took him in and fostered him.  His foster family, knowing I am a complete and total fool for poodles, gave me a call - and the rest is history.