Monday, October 19, 2009

Last days at the beach...

Well, Mom says we're headed back to New York on Wednesday. (Oh, and for those of you who think we've been on vacation, not quite. We're now just splitting our time between Islands. Not bad, huh?)

But Mom says I need to get back to New York because I've become a bad-ass Marsh Puppy. We were back over at Buddy's yesterday and he and I took turns dropping a rubber ball off the the dock so his Mom would have to scoop it out for us with a net. Great fun. Of course, it was high tide, so no pluff mud, but I still ignored Mom and wandered into the marsh, even took a little dip in the creek...


And look at my tail! It's so overgrown, it looks like a feather. And my ear hairs are so long, I look more like a marsh bunny than a city-slick Cairn terrier. I think there's a haircut in my future this week... Plus when you shake me, enough sand falls off to build a castle. 

Speaking of which, it was wide and flat and empty when we went down yesterday, but we still liked this photo and wanted to share it with you. Pull up a seat!

Here's another one of the little 2-leggeds I befriended. They're all over the place and so happy to throw the ball over and over for me. 

Like this little girl. She played with me for hours. The little Sheltie didn't want the ball, instead, she'd herd me back when I ran off to get the ball, yapping her head off the whole time. 

Here's the dog run we went to this weekend, when it was too cold to go the beach in the morning... Don't you love the name?

Tons of trees to leave pee-mails on, nice muddy mulch, sand to dig in, and tennis balls everywhere. There are even drinking fountains with two basins, one for people and one for dogs.

C'mon Mom, throw the ball already!

Okay - back to the beach....

Mom saw this little sign on the porch at the Iron Fish Gallery and she just loved it. I'm declaring it a birthday greeting for Asta's Daddi George! Good advice for all of us, right?

Okay, this last bit is for Clive's Not-so-little Man who loves dolphins. Mommy had to borrow these photos from Flicker, because she never had her camera with her when these things happened. 

First, on the boat ride over to Daufuskie Island, she saw a wild dolphin leap out of the water and fall back on his back!  It was very exciting and in all the years she's been coming to the South Carolina Low Country, she's never seen a dolphin behave like that. 

Then last night, she had dinner with one of Granny's old friends and Buddy's Mom and another friend. The ladies were all sitting in the sunroom,  overlooking a tidal creek that's right off the deck when Mommy shouted! There was a dolphin just feet away flipping his tail and splashing the water. 

Dolphins in the Low Country have developed a "habit" for lack of a better word, where they strand small fish and shrimp, usually at low tide, by slamming the water with their bodies and tails to stun their dinner, then running it up on the marsh mud where they'll lie on their sides and feast. They are NOT in danger when they do this, although this is referred to as strand feeding. And you only see dolphins do this here in the South Carolina lowcountry. Scientists say it's a learned behavior. Anyhow, the first thing Mommy thought was "WOW! Would Not-so-little Man LOVE to see this!"

Next post: Back in New York City!

17 comments:

Dexter said...

Petey! You appear to have become some sort of back to nature dude. Muddy paws, overgrown furs... what next? Maybe catching your own food. Hey, you are a terrier after all.

Slobbers,
Mango

Unknown said...

Oh! My humans would have LOVED to have seen the dolphins too - they have a real thing for dolphins!!

What an awesome holiday you've been having, Petey - am so jealous - all those amazing adventures on the beach!

Hsin-Yi loved that sign you found - she says it's so true!!!

Molly the Airedale said...

How neat to see a dolphin so close!
You've sure had a fun vacation, Petey!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Mason Dixie said...

Looks like you have been a busy pup. any rendezvous with Rosie lately?

Gus said...

I'm sure that all the organic skin treatments are making your complexion soft and glowing, but a haircut and manicure is probably a good idea before you see Rosie again.

gussie

Lorenza said...

Hi, Petey!
Yes, I think it is time for you to be back at New York! Haaa! Yes, I am envy!
Dolphins!! Wow!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

I love your tail!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Hamish Westie said...

Hi Petey
We have much in common. My tail is nearly a feather at the moment too. And we both enjoy mud and beaches. Gail is really impressed by the dolphin pictures. We sometimes see them at the mouth of the harbour here in Aberdeen, but not nearly so close.
Cheers, H.
PS You said you have a friend who is looking for good Scottish male names for a Westie. Hamish, may I say, is an excellent choice, although, at least in Aberdeen, it does seem perhaps a little TOO popular. I have met Westies in the park with the following also excellent names: Angus, Fergus, Finlay, Jock, Billy, Dougal.

Maxmom said...

Hey there, Petey
You humans might be 'working', but you certainly have had an awesome holiday - chatting up all those little dudes and playing endless ball games! Who cares what you look like when you are having such fun.
Those dolphins really are truly amazing...very intelligent creatures. It was wonderful that your mom got to see them. Did you bark?
Have a good trip back to NY city.
Licks
MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA

Agatha and Archie said...

Try to get in one more giant mud bath before you go......Love A+A

Martha said...

Hi Petey, yes we can see you are letting your personal grooming go. You need to get back to New York City and get to the groomers!!
Your coat will need a thorough going over to get rid of all that sand.
We loved the little sign for Asta's Dad's birthday - our mum is currently repeating it to herself!
love you lots
Martha & Bailey xxxx
ps you are very lucky to see dolphins - you need to strap the camera to your mom so she always has it!!!!

Clive said...

Petey, we were so excited to read about those dolphins. Your Mom was so lucky to see them - we would truly love to have been there! She must make sure to have her camera with her next time!

You have had such a fun few weeks at the beach - but I guess the big city beckons - I got 'done' yesterday at the groomers so I understand how you feel!

Safe trip back and thank you so much for sharing the dolphin story wtih us - Murray has your birthday card beside his bed and loves looking at you, me and that dolphin kissing him!! He says 'goodnight' to us all every night before he turns the light out!

take care
Clive

Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu said...

It's always sad when great vacations come to an end, but yours has been truly fabulous, Petey!

So, your Mom is thiking of coming to Paris for Christmas? We expect her t get in touch!

And we hope that our friend Mica is doing OK.

Scruffy, Lacie and Stanley's Place said...

Well well...we're thinkin' we should just forego the Burgh this winter and move down there...OMD...it's so bootiful down there and truly lovely at this time of the year...of course we um probably wouldn't be let off lead...as we'd never be seen again, but Lacie would love to flirt with those dolphins...perhaps they'd catch a meal for her and fry it up on the beach???

Speaking of Lacie,Petey...she's in the Naughty Corner....she um sank her teeth into Mumsie's arm yesterday...details of this horrific occasion on our blog...I'm glad I didn't do that...

Pawslaps,

Scruffman

Arran, Arthur and Mum said...

It looked soo great at the beach and the dog run Petey! I think you look good with the longer furs! Kinda like a people man beard.
Dolphins too! Lucky!
~lickies, Ludo

Eric said...

Petey Pal, Please make sure you apply the Pluff Mud Mc Duff (all in the course of busy ness research)befor you leave and morph yourself back into a city slicker. And live by that saying on the sign...so say all of us. Safe trip home. gentle kisses for Mica and Mommi.

Wiry loves and kisses Eric xx

Dughallmor Beagles said...

Wow Petey....so much crammed into one post, i don't know where to start!
You're gonna miss those little 2 leggers aren't you? And your friends at the cool dog park...and the pluff mud....and the dolphins....and your cool neighbours!
I simply LOVE your feathery tail, infact, loving your whole island beachy Pete look....but you'll be back to the original Manhattan slickness by now i'm sure, it's ok though, you scrub up nice :o)
So i'll see you again soon, ok....
Lotsa love & smooches, and special ear-rubs for Mica,
Your wee wifey xxxx