Today has started out better than yesterday-I knew something was up when Carol and Barney both got up early and got dressed. We were out the door by 9:15!! not supposed to do that on vacation!! Then I remembered-GROOMING day! Some strange person rearranging all the hairs on my body and poking my privates! and then we were there. It turned out to be a really nice place, cute girls all listening to rock and roll-they had a very soft touch, their clippers were all nice a sharp-and the best treats!! They were done in no time-before I knew it, Carol was here and we went home. Seems they found the Russian Social Services and Barney spoke to some Russian women about volunteering possibilities in the future and they were real excited-they gave him some information and he gave them his contact information-he got to speak in Russian and he was real excited that he remembered so much and that he understood what she was saying to him!!
I rested a while, grooming takes alot out of you!! Later, I fully expected to be left alone again while they went out for "food", but I got to go too! Barney put on a back-pack and we started walking-and we walked some more, all the way down to the New Seasons store for more bread and strawberries. Barney and I sat at a store-side table and people watched (girl watch, really-I mean I am a serious chick magnet!!-especially right after I am groomed) until Carol came out with the backpack totally loaded-seems she forgot we were on foot!! Barney got to carry the pack now-he is so darn strong!! I love walking in this neighborhood, people and dogs everywhere-we were headed for a sidewalk cafe to have a cocktail and appetizer and we encountered all these dogs! It was a sensory overload-there were poodles, english bulldogs and a little black pugg-all trying to check me out! One of the bulldogs wound herself all around Carol's legs (she looked a little scared) until the dog's owner realized what was happening and regained control. We decided against the cocktail and hurried on our way. The beauty along the walkways beckoned us to take more pictures so I'm sharing those with you today.
We are off once again-to another cafe for breakfast and then to the dog park-where I can run,run,run-and chase that purple thing!!
This is the last night Nathan and Jenny have to work-they will be home the next two days!! We go to the Rose garden and Japanese gardens tomorrow-so get ready for more flower pictures!!
Oh, goody, Jenny is awake!! I'm off to cuddle..........Jack, the much loved puppy!!

Today started very slowly-Carol got up first, then we went for a walk. It is so great to just up and do that! Dogs of every size and color-out front and center,( I prefer to saunter to the side, taking a microscopic view.) Twice as many people, everywhere-walking, biking and driving, all together-all in unison-it just seems to flow.Add to it all the colors lining the sidewalks and the smells!!!!! don't get me started-Thai, Indian, Mexican, Hamburgers!!! And because there is so much humidity in the air, the aroma just hangs in the strangest places.
We got back and everyone was moving around drinking the dark drink-they seemed to organize, eat and get going in no time.
Nathan drove us to an address Barney was interested in visiting tomorrow-it is the Russian Oregon Social Service, he is interested in volunteering in the Russian to English classes, plus I hear chattering that I am to be groomed and pampered tomorrow (I can't wait, these groomers give massages!) We decided on a small outdoor cafe near the house and once again, I got to sit with everyone (on the floor this time-but Carol did bring my mat). The food must of been bad-Carol always gives me a bite but I guess today it wasn't good enough for me....they DID look happy when they finished, so I don't know.
Carol and Barney are getting ready to go to Lauro's, another eatery owned by Nathan's boss-mostly vegetarian (it COULDN'T be good!) but Jenny says they have "these thin little pizzas-and the fresh mango cocktails-that are to die for". As for me, the reason Carol got up early was to cook some fresh chicken for "yours truly"-think I saw fresh carrots and golden potatoes go in that mix as well.
I guess I will just kick back and wait for everyone to return and play with me-Wait a minute, here she comes with the leash-something about "dog park"-"in walking distance"-"get the purple squeaky thing so Jackson can fetch it"- this sounds like NOT kicking back.
Gotta go-
hear there is going to be a cookout this weekend and a trip to the rose gardens
Jack

Finally, a morning to sleep! Everyone did-then out the door to a great outdoor cafe. I got to sit at the table with everyone and eat chicken out of a plate like everyone else!!! I even tried avocado-it was ok, but I didn't want that next bite. The waitress brought me a bowl of cold water-never had that happen in Springtown!!!
Then we went to Home Depot for Nathan to get a hammer-I got to ride in the cart, down all the isles. Carol bought a potty seat and we all went home.
After Jenny and Nathan left for work, we went looking for flowers. It didn't take long, every house has some kind of happy plants, gracing their walkways,encircling the fences. Roses the colors of sherbert, lavenders of all varieties, showing off their different styles of blooms. Some areas had no flowers at all, just long rows of every shade of green imaginable.
There must be a million dogs in this town-at least I have counted at least 1000 different ones in this neighborhood alone!! They must really rule, because I see people picking up their poo and throwing it away! It must be contagious, because Carol has started doing it too.
I was quite grateful to finally get back to my cozy quilt-a nap was in order. When I woke up, Carol and Barney were out the door-Carol always tells me she is going for "food" and, well she always brings some back!! Tonight my chicken was laced with Tandoor pork and was extra special! She was especially happy because Nathan fixed special little plates of different foods for her and Barney to eat, while they sat at the bar and drank a really good Reisling.
Finally, Jenny came through the door-I was so glad to see her, I just love her so much, I couldn't get enough of her, I chased her all around the house. I was so pooped out I couldn't run much when Nathan came a few minutes later, but I was happy to see him too.
I hear we are going for another drive tomorrow, something about the Russians! Whatever, as long as I can sit on Jennys lap-it will be all good!
lovin it up in Portland-Jackson