I’m ready for my close up!
Really, could anything be more picturesque than a walk through the beautiful Stanford campus? Here I am posing in front of Hoover Tower (no political leanings implied) and Memorial Fountain on a gorgeous spring day.
Did I tell you it’s just a short walk from my house to the campus?
You know that phrase, “lucky dog”? I’m pretty sure they invented it for me!
The first walk of the morning is always a treat!
After a restful night, I have a spring in my step that can be hard for my peeps to keep up with! They are still sleepy, sometimes in sweats, but not me. Up and at ‘em, says I!
I have my favorite spots to water on our block. God help the dog (or biped) who crosses me! I don’t welcome outsiders to my territory!
There are a few exceptions. My buddy Archie, who lives around the corner, and my pals Ewa and Jack. But in the early morn, we usually run into construction workers – some who bring their dogs to the job – and other walkers, who I try not to let bother me, and… squirrels!
Those squirrels! It’s pure instinct to pounce on them but so far, I’ve never caught one, not even when I try my best to climb the trees they are scaling!
After a brisk walk, breakfast is a treat.
As for the rest of the day, who knows what may come my way?
It’s not every dog who has the run of the Stanford campus in his own backyard. Lucky me, I do.
I started the day bright and early today with a brisk campus walk at 7 a.m. I have a few favorite spots I like to show my walking partners – the historic sandstone and tile old quadrangle where freshman girls become Stanford women by kissing a senior under the full moon; the sparkling new science quadrangle with its contemporary interpretations of the original, mission-style architecture; and the Papua New Guinea sculpture garden with its Rodin-inspired carvings of totems, animals, and even The Thinker!
My favorite spot of all is the little-known cactus garden that Mrs. Stanford planted near the proposed site for the new family home. Sadly, in the throes of grief over the death of Leland, Jr., the new family home never was built. Instead, a mausoleum occupies the site, housing the remains of Mama, Papa, and Leland Stanford, Jr.
Mrs. Stanford’s Arizona cactus garden is just a stone’s throw from the mausoleum, off the beaten path but not far from civilization. This time of year the succulents are in bloom – prickly and colorful. Some of the plants look like something out of Dr. Seuss … or The Flintstone’s!
Next time you’re on campus, check it out!
Even though my legs are kinda short, walking is one of my favorite activities!
Whether I’m walking through the nearby bay lands or trotting around the block, I think I’ll always have energy for another walk. The exercise is great, but my favorite part is all the different things I get to smell while I’m out and about. I always take time to smell all the messages left by my neighborhood friends so I’m up to date on the latest news; it’s not just time for me to go to the bathroom, it’s time to socialize! (People do that too… right?)
Sometimes while I’m out, I even see another dog! Although unless I know them really well, I’m not really interested in playing. I’m a lone wolf, I like to go at my own pace.
