HOBIE'S WORLD

You Went Where?

My parents sent me this photo from their "tropical" vacation ... I think they got on the wrong plane!!!

To My Parents

Today is Mother's Day ... Happy Mother's Day to the best dog mom in the world - I love you!

Now, you're wondering if it's Mother's Day, what's with the wedding photo. Well, THIRTY years ago this Tuesday, my mom and dad got married! Imagine, they have been married thirty years. I wish I'd have been around all those years with them. They were just young pups when they said "I do" - look at them. They are so cute. And they are still cute to this day! To celebrate their big day, they are off on a tropical vacation. Unfortunately, I don't get to join them. I'm going to a "Canine Convention" with my cousin, Abby. We will have lots of things to take care of while we're together ... making the neighbors mad with our loud discussions, eating each other's food, staying awake all night long, wrestling in the house, begging for cookies. It will be a good time, and they take great care of me when I stay there. So, I'll be on vacation for a week and away from my computer. I'll be in touch with I return from the convention. Have a good week everyone ... and Happy Mother's Day to all the canine mothers out there. And to my mom and dad - aloha and Happy Anniversary ... I'll miss you, but have a great time!

My Friend Hogan

Today I got the kind of news no one wants to hear. One of my good buddies, from our pupster days, lost his battle with leukemia yesterday. My friend, Hogan, went through so much as a young guy, but he had the most wonderful parents, Ken and Julie, who did everything they could to see that he grew up big and strong. I just learned last week that he was struggling with leukemia. I was so sad to get the email that told me he passed away yesterday.

We would hang out in our cars while our parents went sailing at the yacht club. When they had a break, they would come and let us out so we could hang together. He was such a big, lovable guy. I know his family is heartbroken today, and that includes his two little "brothers". They're really going to miss their big dog. My love goes out to the Redler Family. Hogan was a good dog and a lucky dog too. Just like me, he had a wonderful family who took such good care of him. He couldn't have wished for anything more ... and I know he returned that love to his family. Goodbye my friend; you will be missed.

Movin' on Up!

Today I must honor my cousin for her "promo" from junior varsity to varsity on her high school softball team. Not many 9th graders get picked up for varsity! She played the whole season on JV, but now that playoffs are about to start, the varsity team moved her up! It's very exciting for her and a real pay-off for all her hard work. She wasn't sure she was going to play after taking a year off softball. She decided to get back at it, and now she's really happy she did.

I did get to see her play one game this year, but all I could think about was how it would feel to get out on that big field of grass and just run and run! Kind of hard for me to concentrate on the ball game when there was so much open space. I think I'm going to add that to my list of "things to do" - make a run for it and romp on that high school playing field!

In the meantime, "way to go" cousin. I knew you could do it. Just put your mind to it and you'll do lots of great things. Go Big Blue!

Website to Share

After all this time, I just found this website and want to share it with all of you. This is the website of Ann Yerevanian, the wonderful lady who gives me my massages. I didn't even know she had her own website until tonight. I just finished looking at every page and got so excited because now you all can see, first hand, how special this kind of treatment is for your favorite furry friend.

It brought a big smile to my face because as I watched the video of her giving the canine massage, I could feel her kind, gentle, soft and loving hands on the dog. (I'm thinking the star of that video is my friend, Storm.) I know how good that feels! Oh, I wish it was me in that movie. I didn't get my massage this week because Ann wasn't feeling well. Now my parents will be leaving on vacation in a couple weeks so I'll have to wait an extra week before my next appointment. Oh, my, how will I manage?!

In the meantime, when you have a chance, go to Healing Hands Canine Massage and see for yourself why I love my visits to the Animal Healing Center (where Ann works). I love this lady!

A Tail of Happy & Sad

Well, first of all - I'M BACK! My family has pretty much recovered so we are back in business. Everyone has returned to work, doing yard work, golfing, sailing, cooking, cleaning, etc. Must be feeling better. It was a nasty sickness that took over our house AND our office. No one was safe; not even our client from San Francisco who came to visit, went back home and got the bug. Here's hoping all that is behind us now! I'm happy to be back visiting with all my blogging friends!

A very sad story from San Diego this week; actually Solana Beach, which is just north of San Diego. I'm sure you've all heard about the man who was fatally attacked by a shark. There he was, 7am on Friday morning, taking his first "ocean" training swim of the year with his triathlon group. Suddenly they heard him yell "shark, shark" and saw him flailing in the water. They got him to shore, but there was nothing they could do. He bled to death. Isn't that just a horrible way to die! But, you know what, he was doing something he loved to do so I guess there's some solace in that.

It turns out that the man who died was 66 years old, Dr. David Martin, a retired veterinarian from Solana Beach. He started the "All Creatures Animal Hospital" in Del Mar, CA. I know where this is because my puppy obedience classes were held right next door in the parking lot. It looked like such a friendly place with really cool graphics on the front of their building. He was very well known in the North County (what we call North San Diego County) as a loving care giver to animals. He was a top competitor in his age group in triathlons and very well known in triathlon circles. In fact, my Aunt Camilla swam with him at the Boys & Girls Club pool in training because she's also a triathlete.

Needless to say, it has hit the community hard. Shark attacks are not common in San Diego so it's pretty scary. The North County beaches were closed all weekend, although you could go in if you wanted to. I think most people heeded the lifeguards, and respected the tragedy suffered by Dr. Martin, and stayed out of the water. My dad is a surfer and he says he will keep surfing and sailing. You can't keep a true waterman out of the sea.

Sending heartfelt condolences to a man who cared so much about us animals.

Down for the Count

Sorry I don't have a new entry here for you, but my house has been sick - very sick. Both my dad and mom have been sick all weekend. So, we're all just resting right now. We'll be back soon, hopefully tomorrow. Have a good week!

Canada Going to the Olympics

Congrats to Team Canada on their 1-0 victory over Mexico last night in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. The win sends the Canadian Women to the Olympics in Beijing this summer, along with the US team. My cousin is a member of the Canadian Team (#12) so we have much interest in watching this team and their success. This victory was huge because Canada hasn't sent a team to the Olympics in 24 years, and the women have never qualified. These ladies have really been working hard for the last several years with the Olympic Games in mind. Looks like it's all paid off. Way to go team! For further team information go to Canada Soccer and read all about this team and, in general, soccer in Canada!

Happy Monday

It's the beginning of a new week and I hope it's a good one for everyone. I'm off to work today after a really fun weekend. Had a great party for my VBF on Saturday night. The whole family came and we watched NCAA basketball, went to the park, had some good pizza (well, the humans did), and played a little "rock band". My VBF, Abbie, was here and she was more interested in my dad than me. (Note: see the photo!) She can't seem to get enough of him when he's around. There's something about my dad - all the dogs just love him. I think they can sense what a kind heart he has towards all living creatures. Anyway, we had a great party and my dad loved every minute. Tonight I'll be laying in front of the TV to watch the NCAA "Big" game. I don't really have a favorite as all my teams are out. Tomorrow night I'll be in the same place and watching the NCAA Women. A friend of mine has a niece who plays for Stanford. So, just for that reason, I'll be pulling for the red team. (Plus Candice Wiggins went to school in La Jolla - always got to pull for the hometown folk!) That's it for today. Hope this finds all my blogging friends doing well. Enjoy your week!

Happy Birthday Very Best Friend

With a warm heart and bursting with pride, today I'm wishing my person - my very best friend - a Happy Birthday! I love him with all my heart and know that he loves me just as much. I treasure every minute I spend with him - there aren't enough minutes in the day for the two of us to be together. We are inseparable - we are best friends! Happy Birthday!