Doodle here, your Surf Dog Diaries cub reporter. That's me, hanging 20 toes on a surfboard in today's July 4th parade.

I know it's weird. Weird is good.

Surfing streets and sidewalks is so much fun in Hood River, Oregon, the raddest, most extreme sports town around. Everyone that lives here is gnarly. Like my bro Dude, the blind dude riding the board with me.

I'm an all-American doxie wa-wa surfer. Here's proof. Just under my flotation vest, is this little red-white-and-blue beauty - my dinky doxie wetsuit. Measured and made at an old school wetsuit shop in So Cal.

Aside from the fact the wetsuit keeps me warm when I'm on the water, it also scores me big style points. It helps me get chicks. Check it out....

My bro Dude has his own custom suit - he's a surf pirate. On account of the fact he has no eyes. And still surfs. What a dude. He gets more chicks than me all the time. I guess he earned it.

Dude is 94 in dog years. He survived gnarly cancer (angiosarcoma,) beat glaucoma, has doggie Alzheimer's, was born with a bum leg - and still he surfs. He shows us all how to live. Dude can do anything. The Dude abides. 

I mean, just check this dude out! Pirates have special powers. Extra special All American ones.

I did mention weird people, right? 

This is Ruth, she's the Queen of windsurfing in Hood River. Which means a lot - this is the windsurfing capital of the world. She used to ride a mechanized windsurfer in the parade - with a laundry machine motor in it. Now this. I know - weird, huh? You can find her at the beach or at her favorite hangout, WAAAM museum, home of antique cars and planes.

Ruth is almost 90. Go, girl.

Our Dog Mom is weird. Who else would be a beast of burden for us? And let us sneak onto her laptop, to write this blog...

Here's more weird stuff- a cool old beater VW van, perfect for road trips and surfin' safari's. (If you don't know about these sweet rides, ask your DogMom or Dad.) This vee-dub hauls pizza! How cool is that?

Followed in the parade, by the original people and pizza movers - horses...

Speaking of horses - O M G! Like nothing you've ever seen before - check this out - flashy Mexican parade horses. Stop-the-parade-they-are-so-amazing-horses. I mean, like wow, I'm a dog and even I was speechless when they rode by. Normally I bark at horses. Ok, so I did bark at the other horses that weren't as spectacular, I confess.

We are so lucky to have an amazingly active Hispanic community in Hood River. They have great pride and we are so proud of them. Beautiful people, beautiful cultures, lots of heart and soul. Really somethin' special. Take a look.

Hood River is a town with a lot of soul - small town spirit that makes it bigger than a big city could ever hope to be.

Speaking of soul - we miss our soul man, Elvis. We just lost him about a month ago. He was our 2nd generation family surf basset. We flew his colors today in the parade. He was with us every step of the way. (Note to self- that's no basset on his luggage tag!)

Unfortunately Dude is the same age as Elvis. So, it's hard not to worry about tomorrow and the next day. But we are getting every last drop of sunshine out of life that we can.

This is the moment -- the only moment that matters. Life is short. Let's Celebrate Life!

This is what dogs teach humans every day!

For Independence Day, I'd like to salute my big bro Dude - an independent dog. So much braver than I am. He is the kind of guy I long to be.

Happy fourth! No, go out there this week and Be Independent.

Be sure to act weird- it's on us!

Later dude,

Doodle