A day in the life of Wilson (and George)

Wilson: Folks ask me what George and I do all day and so I decided to write this report. As most of you know I am a dog, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, 3 and a half years old and I live at Crystal Beach Texas with George. And now for awhile we have Tramp, another dog, a visitor from Houston. He is a mix of sheep dog and something else and is about 11 years old. Tramp has known me since I was a small puppy so we are old friends. I hope his visit will be short and so far we have been getting along just fine.

So what do we do every day? Most days George gets up around 6AM, which is way too early for me. So I stay in bed and move over to where George had been sleeping. Yes we share the same bed. I am a big dog, 125 pounds so I usually get to sleep where ever I want to.

George gets up and makes coffee and then gets on the computer to read the New York Times on line. Yes the Times that liberal newspaper. But he also actually reads the Houston Chronicle in person and also the Washington Post on line. And to keep his prospective he reads Jack Rain's various conservative rants in his emails. And he also reads the Quorum Report and other on line newsletters. That keeps him busy until I am ready to get up and go out side to relieve myself. So I wake up and lick my self to get clean and then I roll on the bed and make noises.

Now days it is dark at 6:30AM. George also thinks there are skunks still out in the early morning so he is reluctant to let me out in the front yard. But I can bark, scratch on the door and generally make it clear that I need to go. If it is cool, George gets a coat, gloves and a hat and flashlight to spot skunks. Tramp also need to go so the three of us make a quick trip to the front yard.

Then we are back in the house until the sun comes up. When I see the first rays I go to the door and ask that we go out again. This time we need to head for the beach where I can smell every dune and stick, mark everything I can find, go to the bathroom again and even run on the beach and try to knock over Tramp. We have lots of fun early in the morning on the beach watching the sun come up. And George gets some exercise along with us dogs.

After the walk we get in the golf cart and go to TJ's, the convince store to get coffee and the Chronicle. They keep treats there for dogs so I love to go to the store. Beside it is fun to ride in the golf cart and look for other dogs. Most of the guys at the store know me and some even keep treats in their auto just to feed me. I love the Deputy Sheriffs who drink coffee at the store as they usually also have treats for me. So you see I have already eaten before we even get back from the trip to the store.

When we get back home it is around 8AM and I get to have breakfast. Two cups of dry dog food and a can of no salt green beans. Yes, green beans, low in calories and fat and makes me think I have had lots to eat. I get this meal twice a day. Now it is time for me to have a nap while George watches the Today show and reads the Chronicle. Tramp also naps. Such is life.

Mid morning I decide it is time to go out again. This time I go visit the construction crew who are building a new house just down the street. They sometimes leave food lying around. A week ago I found three newly cooked hamburgers in a sack that I just assumed the crew left out for me. So I took them. The crew was not happy and tried to catch me to get back their lunch. I thought they were playing with me so I ran around and had fun and I ate the lunch anyway. See, it is fun on the beach.

I have also been known for visiting folks at their houses and checking to see what they might have to eat. I have a history of eating people's steaks, hamburgers, cakes, biscuits, eggs, other dog's dog food, etc. You might say my reputation is well known around our neighborhood.

OK, after the mid morning hunt it is time for me to have another nap. George is on the computer or working in the new storage room and I am bored so I just sleep.

George eats lunch, watches Ellen and finishes the paper and reading his emails. We then lie down and have a nap. This is important for George, cause without a nap he get grouchy in the afternoon. A half hour nap is all that we need.

Then it is time to go to the post office or the "Big Store" here on the peninsula. This is a big deal for me because I get to ride in the car and hang my head out the window. I see lots of interesting places and things that way. We have cows near by and horses and interesting places where folks play "8-liners". In fact Crystal Beach has its own little old gambling strip. But don't tell anyone it is suppose to be a secret from law enforcement, but if I know about the machines I assume the TABC also knows.

Sometimes we have to take the ferry and go to Galveston. This is not a short trip, although it is just 12 miles away from out house it takes about an hour to get there. First we have to drive the 10 miles to the ferry and then we have to wait for the ferry. Sometimes that is 30 minutes or more. The folks who operate the ferry work for TDOT. And they have problems keeping more then two ferries operating. George says they would have problems managing a two car parade. If you live on the Bolivar Peninsula you learn to dislike the folks that run TDOT.

After the trip to the store and post office we get to go for another walk on the beach. Sometimes George drives the golf cart and Tramp and I run along side it to get more exercise. I can run very fast and if I want I can beat George in the golf cart. Almost everyone who lives down here has a cart. Most do not play golf, just use the cart to drive around to the beach or visit folks at their beach houses.

Then we watch the nightly news. George like Katie Couric and I like Brian Williams on NBC. After the news we get ready to join our neighbors for dinner. Sometimes George cooks other times they cook. And of course Tramp and I are welcome to join them for dinner. They have a little happy hour and they keep treats for me so I have to be good. Like I cannot put my nose on the table or try and take their food. Some even have a little beeper that send a sharp beep to my ears if I get too close to the food.

After dinner George watches TV or talks with his sister or brother and their families. Sometimes he reads a book. I go out one more time around 9PM and we really do watch for skunks around that time. I have seen them but so far have not been sprayed. George keeps tomato juices in storage just incase I get too close to a skunk.

I then go to bed and stay there for the rest of the night. George joins me after the late news and sometimes watches Letterman but that is our day. Of course I may hear something go bump in the night which makes me wake up and bark. That wakes Tramp and George also, but I only do that once in a while.

I hope you enjoyed my report.

Wilson March 25, 2007