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History file: Over the Labor day weekend, I cared for Smitty, the dog belonging to a couple I'm friends with.  I used this section to post a daily report on their dog's doings. Remember, it was posted daily so the "by the ways" got more fantastic as the days went on.  Here is the "Smitty"  report:

Tuesday, Sept 7:  A day with Smitty!  I telecommuted and worked on the computer. Smitty and I took an "extreme walk" all over the Mt. Davidson Park.  My Ex called me at 4:30 with an emergency:  She couldn't pick up the kids!  Would I do it?  This is one of the times  (In my imagination) that should have a light bar and back into the driveway.  Of course I'll do it!  Daddy to the rescue!   I picked them up, they played with Smitty.  We shopped for a quick dinner, but the phone rang just as I was getting it ready - "I'm ready to pick them up".  They did get a good Daddy meal - to go!

Labor Day:  This morning Smitty awoke early, got us out of bed and played hard.  She has been having so much fun she has started to smell like - well - a dog!   This is a job for "Super Uncle Bill"!!  The photo tells the "tail".   We had a nice dinner at the lake and left just after 9:00PM with a swift arrival time of 12:20AM for a total drive time of just 3 hours 10 minutes.  I like this driving at night!  It just wrecks me for the next day.  Smitty was perfect and slept the entire way.  No distress whatsoever.

Oh, by the way:  We stopped along the way for a little rest break.  I thought Smitty was a bit restless, and she walked into the woods.  You wouldn't believe it, but she flushed out this alien!  Amazingly, He (it?) spoke perfect English!  It seems that he is a legion commander of the "earthforce", preparing to invade.  His saucer crash landed because of a malfunction, but he and the saucer were allright.  He said he had planned to kill all of us but that Smitty was so kind , adorable and gentle, he just didn't have the heart to do it.  Having read some Stephen Hawking physics, I was able to repair his malfunctioning "Gravity Wave Generator Phase Inverter" (which makes anti gravity) using my leatherman and a little string.  He was so grateful that he said he was calling the planned invasion off.   He also said he thought Smitty was not only a good dog, but smelled good too!   Smitty saves Earth!  Bob, I couldn't resist - I just couldn't.  I gave her another treat.

Sunday night:  Today was a lazy day at Tahoe Acres - we just went noplace!  Bill and Smitty spent some time in the front yard, playing and relaxing.  It was during a relaxing period that Smitty would go out to the walk and meet children passing by, pretty much ignoring adults.  When one group of adults passed by, Smitty made an exception - they had 2 dogs to meet!!   But, both dogs were vicious - they barked fiercely and lunged at Smitty but were held back by their leashes.  Smitty stepped back and sat down!  A smart dog who didn't want any part of these mean animals. She hasn't a mean bone in her body (Excepting Raccoons!)  Smitty also has discovered raspberries!  Mom gave her one with enthusiastic results.  On her own, Smitty has learned to pluck berries off the bushes without getting stuck!  Here's a picture!
Tonight, during the fireworks, you may have read that I was concerned about her reaction.  Well, there was no problem during the show, with Smitty spending some time looking for dropped food, and some of the time actually watching the show.  The bottle rockets across the street definitely did NOT meet with her approval!
Oh, by the way: Smitty took off down the street and barked at two men on the corner.   They both ran away, but not before dropping a bag of white powder on the street.   Smitty sniffed it, grabbed it and carried it up to the beach, dropping it at a policeman's feet.  He said: "Oh, this must be Smitty!  We've all heard about you."  I may be a softy, but I did give her a treat for that one.

Saturday night:  Smitty is now a "boat dog"!!!  We headed out to see the Sternwheeler Races on the boat.   Smitty was a little unsure about this boat business, but by the end of the day she declined to be carried aboard and jumped over the bow to board!   In the evening, after dinner, we discovered that Smitty is not only very protective, but gets very excited when the raccoon family makes an appearance!  Of course, closed glass makes it very easy to get excited!  I thought she didn't growl or bark.  She sure does at raccoons!  Also, Smitty has shown NO inclination to wander off.
  Oh, by the way, when a policeman came up to tell us dogs weren't allowed on the beach, she started barking and tugging on the policeman's pants.  The policeman chased her, but she tackled three Chinese men and barked again, knocking a large envelope from them.  Upon examination of the envelope, it seems that Smitty broke up an international spy ring and saved the last American nuclear secrets from being stolen by Chinese and Russian secret agents!  I know you said not to spoil her, but I did give her a dog treat for that.  Just one, though.

Friday night:  All went well today and the canine was well played with and spent time sleeping.  She did 'Woof!" at some strangers (all men!) who came to the house.  By the way, she "woofed" as we drove along Highway 89.  We stopped, she leapt out and ran into the woods.  She emerged a few minutes later, with a  female child in tow.   It turns out that the child had been  lost and missing for 2 days and was near death.  Smitty saved her life. 

For Thursday night:  We went to Tahoe with Smitty.   She went to sleep and was so wonderful that we are assuming she has accepted us as her extended 'people family'.  We arrived a little after midnight.