Dear Dog Diary:

A summer dog day at DogDiary. That's me, Doodle, hanging 20 toes on the nose of a SUP board. My big bro Dude is right behind.  Photo copyright: Barb Ayers DogDiary.org — A summer dog day at *DogDiary*. That's me, Doodle, hanging 20 toes on the nose of a SUP board. My big bro Dude is right behind. Photo copyright: Barb Ayers DogDiary.org

Can you believe summer is almost officially over? Labor Day weekend is our summer farewell party. Boy, that went by fast! It's not over yet, but it will be....

Here in the Columbia River Gorge, we live in a national scenic area between Mount Hood and the Columbia River. We hang out where Hood River (a.k.a. Dog River) meets the Columbia.

It's a magical place for outdoor sporty types - water dogs, windsurfing dogs, SUP pups, mountain-biker dogs, snow dogs, avalanche dogs, hiker dogs, kayak dogs, dogs that camp, fish and dogs that give back.

We're a tight-knit community of pets and people - cool dudes and dudettes - kite surfers, orchardists, artists, high tech engineers, snow birds (the human kind,) small businesses, families and kids.

We live in the windsurfing capital of the world! Here's how the humans do it. I know, weird, huh?    Photo by Trudy Lary — We live in the windsurfing capital of the world! Here's how the humans do it. I know, weird, huh? Photo by Trudy Lary

Here's how we dogs do it. Those are my bro's Elvis and Dude sailing at Hood River Event Site with our mom. (Dude and I are still at it, we'll share pix soon from King of the Hook.)     Photo copyright Barb Ayers DogDiary.org — Here's how we dogs do it. Those are my bro's Elvis and Dude sailing at Hood River Event Site with our mom. (Dude and I are still at it, we'll share pix soon from King of the Hook.) Photo copyright Barb Ayers DogDiary.org

This was back-to-school week in Oregon. Teary-eyed kids headed back to class. Tourists packing up rigs for their drive back home. At last, we hounds get more room to roam. Hooray for us!

Part of me is excited - fall means harvest in our farming community. Pears and apples falling to the ground.... Warrroooo! Pears are my favorite - juicy, tasty, sweet. Hood River County is tops in all the world for producing pears. Among other things.

Me and my bud Simon on Elk Meadow Trail near Mt. Hood

Can't you just feel the spray on your face? Just another ho-hum waterfall - one of so many here.

Happy vines mean happy wines in Hood River.

People drive the Fruit Loop through Hood River County, where you tour family farms and fruit stands and get a country life experience.
Not sure what all the fuss is about, but my mom's into our wine country and all the microbrews they make here.

Isn't this an awesome place we live in? This is a farm in Parkdale in the upper Hood River valley, which is pear central. Fruit grows here under the watchful eye of Mt. Hood.   Photo copyright Barb Ayers DogDiary.org — Isn't this an awesome place we live in? This is a farm in Parkdale in the upper Hood River valley, which is pear central. Fruit grows here under the watchful eye of Mt. Hood. Photo copyright Barb Ayers DogDiary.org

And, here, we're famous for waterfalls and sunsets. We probably have unicorns, too.

Even though I'm a dog - we're not great at detecting colors - even I can get stoked about a Gorge sunset. What's not to love?    Photo copyright Barb Ayers DogDiary.org — Even though I'm a dog - we're not great at detecting colors - even I can get stoked about a Gorge sunset. What's not to love? Photo copyright Barb Ayers DogDiary.org

Fall means colorful leaves, wacky costumes, turkey day, fireplace weather and indoor sports! After tourists go home, it's a locals' summertime.

Dude loves fall. All those rattly leaves..... he's way into touch, sound and smell.   Photo copyright Barb Ayers DogDiary.org — Dude loves fall. All those rattly leaves..... he's way into touch, sound and smell. Photo copyright Barb Ayers DogDiary.org

Doxie camo. It's me, Doodle. Hey, where did my ears go?

In any season, we're happy to share the ride of life with you. It's more fun to hang 20 toes on the nose of life - with our people - dog people.

That white stuff on the front porch will be here before we know it....

HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND! Now, get out there and PLAY!!

My toes on the nose of our front porch last December.   Photo copyright Barb Ayers DogDiary.org — My toes on the nose of our front porch last December. Photo copyright Barb Ayers DogDiary.org

Toodles,

Doodle

Daily Ablutions*, Boxer-Style

Boxers are known for impeccable grooming habits, despite that wet stuff that flies out of our jowls after a satisfying head shake.

I lick my paws and use them to wipe my face.

This is me getting my muzzle folds and ears cleaned by Sophie, which she does at least daily. I prefer to have a big drink of water, then go over and clean her face.

Dear departed Liz used to do both of us every day, but we have just picked up where she left off, and take care of each other.