...must come down. Dad here; I shanghaid the Droid this morning, as Charlie and Max are still crashed out under the covers. As the rain has finally stopped in Arkansas, we decided to take a little jaunt out to Pinnacle mountain last night and get our climb on. I have been clamboring up that pile of rock with various dogs for thirty years, and Zach and Alex made their first ascents in a backpack before…

On a dark southern highway Humid wind in my fur Out cruising with Miss Ellie Her normal rumble a purr I hear a bark in the distance As dad pulls up the drive What sounds like a cacophony Is Mia losing her mind inside Dadadadadada, da... (Guitar build up) Welcome to the Casa del Whackos Such a lovely place, if you can find a space Living it up at the Casa del Whackos Where a…

When Hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans back in the summer of 2005, the flood of refugees and their stories of despair into the surrounding states was devastating. Getting the family heavily involved in the relief efforts alleviated the stress and anxiety somewhat; doing something is always better than doing nothing. It was during this time that I was playing basketball with some kids, lunged for a rebound and heard a BANG behind me and…

Rainy day in August; always a good thing at the Casa, as it not only breaks the cycle of viciously humid days, it also forces dad to slow down a bit. I like to GO! GO! GO! as much as any dog, but sometimes it's good to hang around the house for a bit, the siren call of the road somewhat muted by the rain drumming on the back porch. The hummingbirds are undeterred by…

Psst! Hey dad! are you awake? Good Lord, Charlie, it's 0430! Go back to sleep! Mom will slap us both naked and hide our clothes if you get Mia and Max riled up! I can't go to sleep without a bed time story; tell that one about how you found the me in the crate, but leave out all the gooshy parts. Charlie, that's not how bedtime stories work; you know perfectly well that they…

One of the most incredible smells on this planet is that of wild mountain sage, and there is no better place to experience it than at the North Rim of the Black Canyon in Colorado. The canyon as it is at some points deeper than it is wide, hence the term "Black", as daylight never reaches some points of the Gunnison river a thousand feet below. The variegated rock formations lining it's vertical walls are…