I will no longer be updating Iron Guide (see below). Instead, I am now writing at my new, personal blog. Though that will be about some of the newer things I'm doing in life, if you want to see updates about Louie, Lester, and now Dusky, add me on Facebook -- there's enough ridiculously cute pictures to go around.

Lester and I headed off to the raiser meeting at REI earlier today. He was, as usual, fantastic on the bus. I sat there typing away on my laptop for nearly an hour and Lester kind of just chilled, looking over occasionally to see what was so interesting. "Little white boxes, squiggly lines, and blinking lights, riiiight. Humans. And people worry about me distracted by weird things. Ring toys, baby, that's where it's at."

On the way back, I noticed something a little odd. "Lester, um, is that a new tan?" I know REI is all about the outdoors and all, but, you know, for January, this is a little odd. I mean, really. How much of a tan can you get in an hour? And, uh, Lester? I think you stuck around in there for a little too long -- you're burned to a black crisp here. Well, Lester was mentioning the other day how he thought he was looking a little extra pale these days, what with it being winter and all. I guess we've solved that problem.

No? Not buying it? You sure?

OK. Fine. So, it's not Lester and Lester didn't get a mazungo, instant-melanoma, good-for-the-next-century tan at REI. This is Willy, Heidi's dog. Willy is as sweet as apple pie, very gentle, and super-mellow. Does he remind you of someone? Yes sir, I'm talking about Louie. Even though Willy is seeing all sorts of new stuff today ("Er, what's all these wires and all this weird-looking, funny-smelling sports gear?"), he's taking it all in stride and is as calm as calm could be. Louie was just like that -- no matter how crazy or how new a situation you put him in, he remained purely serene. Think Zen master. Louie graduated with flying colors, so I'm hoping that means great things for Willy.

Heidi and I are trading dogs for a few days, to give each others' dogs some new experiences and also maybe glean some fresh insight into Lester's dog distraction. Lester has come a long way and he's fantastic at work and at home (see above), but we've still got a few kinks to work out when other dogs are in the picture.

In the meantime, I'm going to try to come up with as many nicknames as I can for Willy over the next three days. Suggestions? Heidi's got me started with Will, Willy, and William. I'm adding "Wittle Willy" for today. Comments are open. I expect lots of embarrassing names for Willy.

Labels: Lester, Louie

Permalink | Written at 8:46 PM | Post a comment | 6 comments | Trackbacks

Wee Willy Winkie.
Permalink   | Posted by  Hobbes Dogs at January 14, 2008 6:10 AM

Willy Nilly.
Willy the Kid.
WIlly Rabbit (Trix are for Kids).
Willy Goat.
Permalink   | Posted by  Kim at January 14, 2008 8:38 AM

Willy Rabbit practically made me squirt my morning milk and cereal out of my nose! Not merely milk mind you, but milk *and* cereal. Thanks Kim. =P
Permalink   | Posted by  Kushal Chakrabarti at January 15, 2008 12:04 AM

will.i.am of course
Permalink   | Posted by  minkz at January 15, 2008 8:58 PM

no one's said "Willy Wonka" yet ??
Permalink   | Posted by  Karan at January 17, 2008 12:50 AM

Willyoufeedme?
Willyouletme______(fill in the blank)
Willard (after the newsman).
WilliamTellOverture
WillIpass?
Willuluvme?
Liz, off to GDB tomorrow for my "keeper dog!" (I see on GPS website Argent is in Phase 10....)
Permalink   | Posted by  Anonymous at January 18, 2008 5:30 PM