MaggieMoose: Carmel Tails of A Dog's World

Maggie's pawsability thought for the day:

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."

Henry David Thoreau

  We were at Carmel by the Sea checking out this quaint community for its 'dog friendly' nature. For me personally, it brought back a ton of childhood memories of playing on these beaches with family and friends. But, back to my current mission of 'would I take Maggie here'.... I could make a quilt of all the dog photos I took that day. Like Monterey, the shops in town have bowls of water outside their doors for dogs walking by needing a drink. Boy, Maggie likes to drink a lot of water. We might need to carry some extra water to refill their bowls. We saw a wonderful sign in the window of a dog and a frisbee. The beaches of Carmel are the perfect frisbee throwing turf.

We walked in the Carmel Forecast shop where there are a plethora of souvenirs. It is the perfect tourist store. I contributed to the economy of Carmel. I bought beautiful coffee cups, a refrigerator magnet and a hot pink fleece jacket that says 'Carmel'. I love being a tourist. I know Maggie's going to love the hot pink fleece. In this shop we met Skippy and his owners.

Skippy is a 14 year old dog cruising in style with his stroller. He had everything he needed in this RV on wheels. GO SENIORS! Skippy is proof there's no reason to keep your Senior dog at home. Maggie liked that Skippy represented the more mature group of dogs. One look in Skippy's eyes and Maggie rolled over on the ground-in love. Skippy's a role model for the younger set, because he's going confidently in the direction of his dreams. Skippy's living the life he imagined; a life of forever going out and about with his faithful human family.

MaggieMoose: Monterey Tails & Flippers

Maggie's pawsability thought for the day:

"I don't believe you have to be better than everybody else. I believe you have to be better than you ever thought you could be."

Ken Venturi

  My trip to Monterey and Carmel to check out the 'dog friendly' community brought back a slew of memories. It was twofold. I had memories of childhood family fun spent in this community and I was fast forwarded to the present day thinking of Maggie. When I watched the harbor seals I thought how much their behavior reminded me of Maggie. The seals were very playful. How they seemed to love their naps in the sun. These descriptions were most definitely MaggieMoose character traits. 

I could envision Maggie's snug body melted against the rail in relaxation mode. Knowing Maggie she wouldn't be in the dog pile. She'd be up on the rail in her own little world away from the madding crowd. It reminded me of all of life's euphemisms my dad use to teach me back in my childhood's Carmel beach days. My dad always wanted to get the point across that we need to focus on ourselves first. Messages of be the best we can personally be, while always remaining kind to others. Coming full circle; Maggie already knows life's truths. She came to me fully loaded with all this good wisdom of living. She can be off on her own little world or fit in with the others. She's game either way. Just like the harbor seals of Monterey. Thanks for the memories dad. Thanks world for my gift of MaggieMoose.

CLICK YOUTUBE: Yes Maggie Seals Bark (and dogs too)

MaggieMoose: Monterey Tails-On The Water

Maggie's pawsability thought for the day:

"Being on a boat that's moving through the water, it's so clear. Everything falls into place in terms of what's important and what's not."

James Taylor

  I went with a friend to Monterey and Carmel last Saturday. I wanted to see how dog friendly these communities were for pet owners. I told Maggie if things work out then we'll go back together. Boy, did I have some tails to tell Maggie when I came home. Maggie was all ears.

It started with  dogs on the water. There were plenty of dogs on the land too, but the dogs on the water really had a bird's eye view of living the life. A fun Saturday for all critters with tails. I told Maggie about the Border Collie who led the women on their kayak sojourn as they kept circling around the inlet. 

Then there was a captain of his own sea craft zipping along with his two first mates guiding him through the harbor. These two mates were also sneaking looks at the harbor seals barking. I think one of Maggie would've fit in this vessel.

The day's dog tails on the water were topped off with the fishing boat the Chubasco coming in to dock after its trip to sea. The dog on the Chubasco boat from Randy's Fishing Trips barked incessantly at all the harbor seals while coming into port. 

From afar the dog looked like Maggie's friend Roxy, The Traveling Dog. The dog got his reward, because every time he barked the harbor seals jumped off their crowded landing into the water. Maggie and I think these dogs have their priorities in order. Everything is crystal clear and falls into place as these dogs travel across the water on the Monterey Bay with their humans beside them. 

Maggie Goes Banking

Maggie's pawsability thought for the day:

Do the thing you fear most and the death of fear is certain.

Mark Twain

Maggie at Bank of the West

  Maggie and I went banking the other day. We went to not one, but two banks. Yes, we went inside the bank! Fortunately for us our local community is dog friendly. I had ascertained this information before our expedition into the banking world. Both banks were wonderful. The staff and the customers greeted us with welcoming arms. Maggie was petted and fawned over which she ate up. Maggie also received treats at the bank for her good behavior. I feared going inside with Maggie. I had no idea how she would behave. She's only one year old. Maybe she wasn't mature enough for the business world? My fears were dashed by her excellent behavior. She acted as if she's been banking her whole life. Does her sit-stay command need a little work? Yes indeed there's always room for improvement. Maggie, like me, is very curious so, she kept looking around at all the people wondering what they were up to. Maybe she was looking for another dog like herself? The good news;  fear died with that first sit-stay of Maggie's inside the bank. A big thank you to our local banks (Bank of the West & Wells Fargo Bank in Menlo Park, CA) and to their customers. We appreciate your dog friendly attitude. 

Maggie at Wells Fargo Bank

PLAY: The O'Jays-For the Love of Money