Recently in Juneau & Me Category

This was in the Wignall Animal Hospital's newsletter, and I thought it was great. Some of you have perhaps seen these before, but here are THINGS WE CAN LEARN FROM A DOG:

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Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
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Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
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When loved ones come home, always run to great them.
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When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
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Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
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Take naps and stretch before rising.
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If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
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Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
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On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.
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When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
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No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout...run right back and make friends.
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Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
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Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
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Run, romp, and play daily.
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Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
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Be loyal.
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Never pretend to be something you're not.

As for Juneau, she is into fervently chasing squirrels to the point where I no longer let her off the leash in the backyard. Last week she ran up an embankment on one one side of my yard, ACROSS A MODERATELY BUSY STREET, and behind a school. So I now keep her on the leash when I take her out back in the morning. One day I was half asleep when I took Juneau out back, I had my running shoes only half on, and I badly twisted my right ankle on the back stairs. Juneau still later insisted I take her over to Middlesex Fells for a long hike. I hobbled along for a few miles. Juneau chased squirrels. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. (I will post a new picture of Juneau within the next day or so.)

Juneau surveys her kingdom - the Skyline Trail in Middlesex Fells. She is a great hiking companion. Sometimes all I hear are her tags jangling somewhere off the trail. But she returns as soon as I call. And she made me a proud master yesterday. Another hiker with a camera insisted on taking Juneau's picture. "Cutest dog I've ever seen," she said. I tend to agree.

Juneau is still light as a feather at 14 months, but my puppy is growing up.

With my transition back to sports (and mostly nights) after 15 months in news, Juneau is a happy dog. I am now be with her most days. Her clock is messed up, though. I usually get home around 2 a.m. Juneau greets me at the door wired for a sprint. I try to calm her so the rest of the house doesn't wake up. I take her out in the yard for a few minutes, then sit with her for an hour in the living room until she settles down. I get to bed around 3 a.m. She licks my face around 7 a.m. wanting to go out. (Master Dave is getting tired.) I take her to a playground near my house for 15 minutes, then go back to bed until 10 a.m. I then take Juneau for a hike in Middlesex Fells. The dog is doing fine. At this rate, though, I will collapse in a month.
(I will post updated pictures of Juneau within the next day or two. I'm trying to get my son Matt to take a picture of me holding Juneau, so everyone can see how much she has grown. She is about 14-months old, and yes, still terrified of Matt.)

Juneau and Me attended the ninth annual "Sato Rescue Reunion" at Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem on Saturday. Perhaps Juneau had shared a flight from Puerto Rico with some of the rescued dogs in attendance. Many of the rescuers were there (perhaps even Juneau's rescuer). Rev. Annika of the Heartlight Peace Ministries gave the Sato Blessing. Naturally, Juneau was terrified of any stranger, regardless of her kind intentions, placing water on her forehead. So I picked up Juneau and held her so she could be blessed. Believe me, we need all the help we can get.
Several in attendance commented on how well-trained Juneau seemed. In fact, I merely dropped her leash to eat a watermelon slush (as you can tell by Juneau's panting in the picture, it was a hot day) but Juneau remained bolted to my side, like she always is in a crowd.
I bought a "Sato Rescue" T-shirt, which I wore later that day while walking around Boston. Thinking I rescued these dogs, a woman walked up to me in Faneuil Hall and commended me for my fine work. She works for an airline on which these dogs fly up from Puerto Rico.
Finally, we are seriously considering adopting another dog; one that will not growl at my son Matt and also keep Juneau company. So far, I'm the only holdout in the family on this idea.

Sorry for so few updates. Juneau and Me have been busy vacationing for two weeks. She is snoring beside me while I write this, exhausted from another hike through Middlesex Fells. She otherwise has had much pent-up energy since being stuck in a car for 12 hours last Friday during an attempt to cross the George Washington Bridge. Juneau was riding with my wife Maura and youngest son Matt. They were to meet me and daughter Annie in Philadelphia. Traffic didn't budge for three hours. The habitually nervous Juneau paced in the back seat. They finally turned back. (Annie was visiting colleges in New York and Philly.)
The previous weekend, my son Danny's pitbull Kaia stayed at our house. I'm leery of pitbulls, but Kaia has exhibited only sweetness and obedience in the two years I've known her. I frequently walk her. She is well-trained (unlike Juneau, whom I've spoiled). Kaia weighs 70 pounds, but insists on sitting on my lap. Being so big, Kaia is a little rough on 30-pound Juneau when they play. (It looks like Vince Wilfork wrestling Wes Welker.) But they do play. Juneau isn't so keen on another dog sitting on my lap, though.
Next Saturday, Aug. 15, is the Save a Sato reunion at the Northeast Animal Shelter. Juneau and Me plan to attend. I'll post pictures.
Well, Juneau is waking up. Time for another hike. Need to make the most of these precious final few days of vacation.

We've been dogsitting a 1-year-old Bichon Frise named "Charlie," who belongs to a friend. Juneau doesn't seem to mind. She does seem to actively seek the affection of family in Charlie's presence. Jealousy?
A few times when Charlie jumped on my lap, Juneau came right over to rest her head on my shoulder.
Walks in the woods are difficult. Juneau likes to ZOOM! Charlie's steps are tiny. Charlie also has one of those retractable leashes I have difficulty mastering. And he must stay on the leash. On walks in the woods his leash keeps getting stuck in the undergrowth. Usually I lose sight of Juneau while I untangle the mess. But Juneau is always waiting a ways up the path. At least so far.
On July 4th I took Juneau to the fireworks in Wakefield. The fireworks didn't scare her, just all the people. I had to carry her a half-mile back to the car. She is getting heavy. I am getting old.
We have Aug. 15 circled on our schedule. Juneau and me will be attending a "Save a Sato" reunion at the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem. The rescuers from Puerto Rico who save these dogs will be there. I want to thank them for saving Juneau. She has her issues, but she also has a gentle heart.