Dogs in Hawaii - Always Cheerful?

Tom and I disappeared for a week from Daisy's life, leaving her in the capable care of her cousin and aunt. How did it go? Well, more on that later.

For now, we'll concentrate on the dogs we met while on our fabulous vacation in, yes, Hawaii! We visited the Big Island. While we did spend most of our time swimming and snorkeling, we also ventured out on the land a bit to see what the dogs were up to. First, we discovered that most dogs do not go out during the daytime on weekdays at all. Are they sleeping off a wild weekend? Staying cool? It's hard to say.

But, come Friday afternoon, they emerge. The first pup we saw was 20 yards out from the shore, swimming with his human companion in a prime snorkeling spot at Honaunau Bay, called Two Steps for short. This seemed to be a regular activity for the two. (Tip for snorkelers: Leave the dolphins be. They need their sleep time during the day.)

We also spotted a couple of Basset hounds (see above) who had stopped for shaved ice one evening in Kailua-Kona Town. And this individual to the right was part of a greeting committee for kayaks at the Kealakekua Bay. He had just finished his job and was off to a nearby party.

Is it possible to generalize about Hawaiian dogs? Probably not. But they did all seem awfully mellow and good-humored, even when they had been charged with guarding someone or something. It's probably the warm air and all that salt spray that makes for a positive outlook and good temperament.

Daisy's theme song

Daisy and I co-composed a song about our escapades. It sort of has a wannabe Kings of Convenience breeziness, and Daisy consulted by whining or snuffing at certain chord progressions. The lame lyrics are all hers.

Play Daisy, Day by Day (mp3)

List of things Daisy has learned to do in her parents' absence

Tom and Sally are off to Hawaii, taking in sites like the Wai'po Valley. Meanwhile, Daisy has decided to reveal a repertoire of super-canine skills, previously unbeknownst to her parents:

• Balance an eel on the tip of her nose, Father William style
  
  
• Compose and perform guitar ballads full of suspended seconds
  
  
• Sleep uninterrupted, save vigorous squirrel dreams, for thirteen hours
  
  
• Solve the mystery of 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42
  
  
• Make banana pancakes
  
  
• Rescue three small children from riptides, and simultaneously block their sandcastle from waves
  
  
• Dig a CO2 sequestration pit big enough to end global warming
  

Being a modest dog, she'd probably rather I didn't tell the world about her deeds. Good thing she can't read.

Vancouver dogs -- rugged, yet pampered?

Just a week later off I went again, this time to Vancouver. While there, I had the opportunity to observe another very dog-friendly city. Just like Manhattan, people and their dog companions stepped out on the town morning, noon and night. But when the weather turned nice -- the best all year, I was told -- then there was no holding back.
Everyone in the city, it seemed, headed out to enjoy the sun and fresh air. And most seemed to be on their way to Stanley Park for the waterside greenery.

Vancouver dogs really do appear different somehow from those in Manhattan. They have that Northwest ruggedness, well-groomed but with a slight scruffiness that comes, perhaps, from the Pacific ocean air. Or maybe all that delicious salmon. It's good for one's coat, you know, even if not for one's breath.

But they have more of an air of sophistication than Montara dogs, who may live a little closer to the earth. We have fewer sidewalks, for example. And perhaps dogs are a little less pampered down here on the Coast.

New York dogs - sophisticated? spoiled? or simply urban?

Oh my! Look what day it is. Sorry to have disappeared like that.

You've probably been wondering what's become of us. One of us, Sally, has been traipsing around an awful lot. Tom and Daisy have been very patient about staying home on their own.

And I have missed them. So while in New York, I snapped some photos of the many dogs out walking in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. So many dogs in New York! Here are a few:

Taking the subway

Out at night

Walking in groups

For the highlight of the week, I visited Mara at the American Kennel Club headquarters. What a remarkable place! The walls are lined with handsome dog portraits, all of the utmost quality. And what did I see the moment I stepped off the elevator, in the most coveted spot at the entry? A beautiful Saint Bernard, of course!