Traveling Machine

We were up very early this morning. We drove for ten hours. We traveled 799 miles. It was a very long day!

We drove from Texas, through New Mexico, and across Colorado. We're spending the night in Casper, Wyoming.

We saw beautiful mountains. We saw flat top mesas in Texas. We saw the jagged Rocky Mountains in New Mexico and Colorado. Now we're seeing the buttes of Wyoming.

We have also seen a lot of wildlife today. Five antelope crossed the road right in front of us early this morning. This evening, Mom took this shot of an antelope. He was across the hill from our room.

Pronghorn antelope are amazing creatures. Antelopes are the second fastest land animal in the world. Only the cheetah can run faster than an antelope. Antelopes can run more than 60 miles per hour.

If you would like to learn more about antelopes, go to http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/kids/animal-facts/pdf/pronghorn.pdf

North to Alaska!

We have spent the last week saying goodbyes, packing, and loading up the truck. This morning we started our adventure to Alaska.

We drove all day, and we're still in Texas!

We drove 560 miles today. It will take us 4,600 miles to get to Prudhoe Bay in Alaska. That is a LOT of driving!

Tonight we are in Amarillo, Texas. It is a great place. Palo Duro Canyon is just a few miles away. We camped there a few years ago.

Palo Duro Canyo is the second largest canyon in the United States. The Grand Canyon in Arizona is the only canyon that is bigger.

We traveled across the high plains this afternoon. Palo Duro Canyon drops down 800 feet below the canyon rim. It is a wonderful place to watch the stars. Many animals also live in the canyon, including the Texas Horny Toad, deer, barbary sheep, and roadrunners.

To learn more about some of these wonderful Texas animals, visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_p4000_1181.pdf

It's Crazy Around Here!

My Dear Friends,

I probably will not blog regularly the next few weeks. My mom is moving her mom back to Texas. Dad is retiring at the end of the month. We're getting ready for our Alaska trip. It's crazy around here!

We'll be back to writing again VERY soon! Until then, I'll miss you.

With love,

Roxanne

Can Your Dog Become a Canine Good Citizen?

Being a Canine Good Citizen is fun. You and your dog might enjoy it, too!

I like it best when I get to do tricks. I can jump over a stick. I can jump through a hoop. I can climb a ladder. I can yodel a song.

Sometimes when I visit a nursing home, some of the people are afraid of me when they first see me. I am a very big dog.

I have learned to sit politely in front of people. If they move a little closer to me, then I put my head in their lap. As soon as I do, they aren't afraid of me any more. They begin to pet me. I love to be petted!

That's really what being a therapy dog is all about... love. A Canine Good Citizen loves people. Most people also love dogs. Whether they are young or old... whether they are sick or hurting... petting a dog can make them feel better.

Would you and your dog like to join in spreading love around? Your town may already have a therapy dog organization. They need handlers and their dogs to visit hospitals, nursing homes, and special need facilities. Therapy dogs can also help children learn to read (see http://www.tailsofjoy.org/readpdfs/qualitiesreadteams.pdf).

If you would like to learn more about therapy dogs, check out these great books from your local library:
Therapy Dogs by Linda Tagliaferro
Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby's House by Barbara Gail Techel
The Adventures of Sheila the Therapy Dog by Debbie Fedorovich

If you would like to train your dog to become a Canine Good Citizen, check out these books from your library:
The Canine Good Citizen: Every Dog Can Be One by Jack Volhard
Citizen Canine by The American Kennel Club

I'm a Canine Good Citizen!

I did it! I passed my Canine Good Citizen test today. Here's a picture of me in my graduation cap.

The test was fun. I think that Mom was more nervous than me.

The teacher who gave me the test was very nice. She brushed my coat. She tickled my toes. She petted my head.

She asked Mom to walk around with me at her side. I sat. I came when Mom called. I laid down and stayed until she said that I could come to her.

The teacher banged a pot to see if I was afraid. She had Mom and me walk around a group of people. The teacher's husband took me away from Mom for three minutes. He was also very nice.

The hardest part of the test was when the teacher brought out her dog. His name is Eagle. The teacher walked Eagle by us. I wanted to touch noses with him but I just sat next to Mom. She was very happy with me and gave me LOTS of hugs and pets.

Now I am a Canine Good Citizen. I can go anywhere in the US and work in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and all sorts of places. Mom ordered a jacket for me. I'll show it to you when it arrives.

It has been a VERY good day!

To learn how your dog can become a Canine Good Citizen, click here:
http://images.akc.org/pdf/cgc/GK9GC1.pdf

Wish Me Luck on My Test!

Saturday is a big day for me. I will take my Canine Good Citizen exam. I must pass every part of the test. Mom and I have been practicing so that I will be ready.

It is a hard test for a Golden Retriever. I must sit next to Mom when a stranger and another dog come to greet us. I cannot say hello to the stranger or the dog unless Mom tells me that it is okay. That is VERY hard for a friendly Golden!

All of the other parts of the test will be easy for me. I must sit, stay, and come when Mom tells me to. The teacher will brush my fur to make sure that I like it. (And I do!) She will pick up my feet and look in my mouth to make sure that I don't bite.

The teacher will use a wheel chair or make a loud noise to see if I am afraid. Mom will leave me with the teacher for a few minutes to see if I am calm.

I took a test like this several years ago for Critters for Christ. I took the test so that I could go into nursing homes and visit sick people. Critters for Christ is a Texas organization. I am taking the Canine Good Citizen test because it is a national organization.

I will tell you tomorrow if I pass my test. Wish me luck!

Jupiter Lost a Stripe!

Jupiter has lost a stripe! One of the bands along Jupiter's equator has disappeared. It is known as the South Equatorial Belt (SEB).

The belt began to fade last year. Now it is completely gone.

The stripe has faded before but it normally doesn't disappear. Scientists think that the stripe is hiding under some clouds. Jupiter is a very stormy planet.

Sometimes Jupiter's stripe comes back quickly. Maybe you will be the first to see it! Remember that you can take a photo of Jupiter. Just visit our Thursday, November 5, 2009, "Beautiful Moon" post to learn how.

To learn more about Jupiter, go to
http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/62211main_Jupiter.Lithograph.pdf

To learn more about Jupiter's lost stripe, go to
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/20may_loststripe/

Photo courtesy NASA.