Rover Romp
Dad signed up for the Barktoberfest Rover Romp in Auburn. The day started auspiciously, when he and Mongo got to park in the close parking lot, even though the attendant told them there were no spots left! It was warm when they debarked form Kimi’s jeep. First they went trick or treating at all the dog food vendors’ tables. Then the time of the race drew near. Just then the sun went behind the clouds and the cold front rolled over the racers. It started to get chilly as the participants milled around the start line. Dad started praying that his legs would not get chilled before he started the race. Mongo didn’t care about the weather.
Finally, the mayor blew the air horn that started the race. Dad and Mr. M started behind all the competitors who were unlucky enough to not have a dog with them. Within the first half a mile, Mr. M had dragged Dad to the front of the pack, when Mr. M abruptly pulled over to the side for a poop break. Dad quickly bagged it and then they rejoined the race. Within the next half mile, they were again at the front of the pack.
“Careful Buddy!”, Dad cautioned Mongo. “If you go too much faster Dad’s poor old knees will fly apart!” But Mongo pulled harder, and Dad hauled back on the leash, until Mongo veered off the course again for a pee break. Dad waited with an aire of patience that he really didn’t possess.
Dad & Mongo
Mongo was racing again as soon as his leg came away from the tree. He and Dad soon were leading again as they neared the turn. Then Mongo saw the kiddie pool. There was a loud splash, and then Mr. M was laying in the pool enjoying a cool drink. Dad took a drink from the race attendants also, as it appeared they were not going anywhere soon.
As soon as Dad finished his drink, Mongo sprung from the pool and shook. Within moments, they were back on the course in second place. Ahead of them now were a couple with their schnauzer, but Mongo and Dad had spent too much energy on the out leg pulling at opposite ends of the leash.
All they could do was keep pace with the schnauzer family until the end of the race. Still Dad and Mongo finished 2nd, and their pace for the 5Km was 24:02, which meant they made Dad’s goal of running in under 8 minute miles. Mongo however, would have to wait till next week’s race to see if he could win a 5k outright.
Rover Romp 2nd Place
Gateway Paper Products
Kimi came down from the mountain to spend the weekend in Seattle. She and Dad had big plans to go see the Flying Heritage Collection. This Saturday was the first annual SkyFair.
Dad came down from upstairs and met Kimi with a very concerned look on his face.
“I was afraid of this”, he intoned seriously.
“Afraid of what”, asked Kimi.
“Look at this”, Dad continued as he held out his hand. In it was a wad of wet chewed paper towels. “TP was just a gateway paper product. Mongo has now moved up to paper towels!”
Dad swept his forearm to his forehead in mock travesty.
Kimi smiled, and added, “Don’t worry Dad. Perhaps you could get him to go to a papyrus anonymous meeting.”
Which Way to Go?
Mongo and Dad were walking in the park. . The sun had yet to peek over the horizon. The air was cool, moist, and still. The birds were still frantically engaged in a pre-dawn chirp fest.
“C’mon buddy, lets go home. You wanna eat?” asked Dad? At the mention of the word “eat”, all of Mongo’s attentions shifted to Dad.
Then a bird whistled in the trees. It was not a typical bird chirp, but was almost like a human whistle, the type one might use to call a dog. “Fweep!”
Mongo’s attention immediately shifted to the whistle. His head swiveled 90 degrees on his neck.
“Hey Buddy”, Dad said to get Mr. M’s attention back. Mongo swung his massive head back to look at Dad and took a couple of steps towards the house.
“Fweep!” Mongo froze in place and swung his head towards the woods again.
“This way Buddy-boy.”
“Fweep!”
“C’mon.”
“Fweep!”
With a small click, Dad hooked Mongo back up to the leash. “C’mon Buddy, this could last all day.”
“Fweep!”
Mongo looked longingly back at the park, as if wondering who the mysterious whistler was, before Dad said, “Let’s go get something to eat.”
Mongo swing into a lope next to Dad. Mongo loves the word “eat”.
Mongo has fun in the city
Mongo went to Downtown Seattle and West Seattle today. He and Dad walked from Pioneer Square all the way to Public Market and back. Pioneer Pet Feed and Supply was closed. Sad Mongo…. But the Waterfall Park was open, and if you are quick on your feet, and your Dad is not paying attention, you can take a quick swim in the pond, before Dad can get a handle on you.
Then Dad will take you to Lincoln Park to dry off.
Mongo at Lincoln Park
View of the Sound
Awaiting ‘noms
Awaiting ‘noms
Mongo’s gallery
Mongolope 
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