Tilly Takes on Stratton

Editor's Note: Today was another fabulous day in the life of my English Bulldog, Tilly.

Hey everyone, its me, Tilly. I am here to tell you another fabulous tale of my adventures on Earth. Today’s adventure starts off, once again, with the magical mysteries of the car. Alison got me into my duffel bag that lines the entire back seat of her car. It not only keeps this little bully safe and sound while driving about town, but it is also cushioned with 2 inches of foamy goodness to keep me feeling like I am being transported on a fluffy cloud, floating through the universe. Alas, because my space is so plush and comfy I inevitably pass out within a few moments of the car moving. Who can blame me? I mean come on the mushiness of the bed, the movement of the car, and the vibrations and sounds of the engine slowly encasing me in a warm cocoon, who wouldn’t fall into a deep sleep. After the engine abruptly stopped I woke up only to realize that we were somewhere I have never been before. Where could we be? How did we get here? Oh yeah the wonders of Alison’s magical mystery car!

Alison got out of the car and opened the back door for me. I stood there sniffing the air trying to figure out where I was. The air smelled briny like a river. Now that smell I know, but it was not home. Then I saw a mound of fur come speeding around the corner of the house. It was a new fur friend coming to greet me. He started barking at me. A loose translation in non-fur language is, 

“Come on! Let’s Go! Get out of the car! Let’s play, Let’s play! HURRY!!!!!” 

So in an instance I jumped out the car and followed my new friend into his backyard. We were running and jumping and nipping and tugging. I was so excited I forgot to even check out where I was, or who else was here!” So I asked my friend, “What is your name?” he told me, “Stratton.” I asked him, “Where am I?” He answered simply and quickly, “Home.” Home? I thought, “but this is not my home?” Stratton replied, “Not your home silly, my home! Welcome to my house!” What a wonderful, fun, and fantastic home this was, indeed! There was a dock, a river, and tons of grass for Stratton and I to chase each other. We ran and romped and played some more it was so much fun!

Tilly and Stratton

After Stratton and I ran around the property for what seemed like days the sun started to go down beyond the river and darkness was creeping in. I heard Alison yell for me and I came running around the corner. Alison was standing with the car door open and I jumped back into my cushy duffle bag that lined the back seat of the car. Alison told me to say good-bye to my new friend. Alison then informed Stratton that we would come back soon. And in a flash, we were heading home. As Alison pulled out onto the street and headed toward the highway I was lulled back into my dream world. This time I dreamed about my new friend, Stratton, and his cool house and backyard.

Sleepy Tilly! Dreaming of her fabulous day with her new friend, Stratton!

Tilly can’t wait to go back again! I wonder when Tilly will see Stratton again…stay tuned and find out!

Visiting Our Nation's Capital

Editor's Note: My family lives in the Washington D.C./Maryland area and we are fortunate enough to visit them all several times a year. Tilly loves going to see our family mainly because she adores my Mother and primarily because she loves all my young nephews and niece. One of our favorite things to do while in the Nation's Capital is to walk around all of the outside monument.s All of the visitor's really get a kick out of Tilly and Tilly gets a kick out of seeing all of the life-like statues all over the mall. Though the Korean War monument scared the be-jinxsies out of Tilly the first time she saw it, but it made for a a lot of laughs around the dinner table that night.

Well everyone it is me Tilly here to tell you a tale about my latest adventure to Washington D.C. Once again I got into the car at home, and I fell asleep once the car got moving, and when I woke up I was in Potomac, Maryland at my Meema's (Alison's Mother) house. I do not know how Alison does it but every time I am in the car something magical happens and transports me to another state. SO COOL, I always thought that Alison had magical powers...humpf!!! Once  we were in the driveway I jumped out of the car and started running around in circles bobbing my head and wiggling my butt. I was so excited to see Meema I could not contain my enthusiasm. Alison and Andy unpacked the car and got all our stuff settled into the house. I ran around the house in circles sniffing every corner to see who had been there before me. I ran up the stairs to find Alison and Andy. I wanted to hurry them along so that we could get going on an adventure. Once they finally seem to get everything put away, we all headed downstairs to get our packs to together for our venture. We loaded into the car again and headed to Janine's (Alison's sister) house to pick up my two older non-fur cousins, Zach and Tyler. I was so excited to see them that I jumped out of the car and raced to the front door to greet them. Everyone was excited to head to The Mall, and time was wasting so I nudged Alison a bit to get everyone moving. It worked too!!! My nudge got everyone moving and grooving and we were ready to go see some monuments...YIPPEE! Everyone piled into the car and put on their seat belts...like I always say safety first!!! We got to The Mall in seconds flat, well it felt like seconds to me. Zach, Tyler, and myself jumped out of the car and started to run free. It was exhilarating! The feeling of the crisp winter breeze in my snout and in my fur was one of the best moments I can remember. Alison and Andy caught up to us and Alison put my leash on...humpf! I resisted the leash because it felt so wonderful to be free, but Alison told me that I was not allowed to run free here and if I did not want to wear my leash then I would not be able to participate in the fun. I chose the fun! Zach and Tyler found a large patch of ice and they asked Alison and Andy if they could play on it for a while. Of course they said yes, and Alison even let me play on the ice too! It was so cold on my paws, but we were having so much fun I did not want to stop. After we played and slid and romped we headed toward the Jefferson monument. It was enormous. I felt like an ant next to this structure. There was a marble staircase that ran for miles. Andy, Zach, and Tyler ran up the steps and headed toward all of the sites, but when Alison and I started our trek up the stairs a man with a large green hat, green shirt, and green pants came over and stopped us. He said to Alison, "NO DOGS ALLOWED!" What the heck....the nerve of this...how could he not let me....I am so insulted! So Alison and I sat on the bottom of the steps waiting for everyone to be done with this monument...humpf!

 

As you can tell from the photo I was sulking a bit, but Alison sat with me and told me that not all dogs are as nice and well behaved as I am, and that is why I could not go up with my cousins to see what was going on. Luckily the sun was shining and the air was not too chilly, so sitting in the sun and basking in its warmth was actually delightful. Sssssshhhhh please don't tell anyone, I was definitely working it for sympathy...BOL (bark out loud!)

After some time Andy, Zach, and Tyler came back down the steps and we headed off for the next monument, FDR. Zach, Tyler and me all ran and ran and ran as fast as we could. I was having so much fun. I mean who doesn't think that being outside running and sniffing isn't the best! We walked through the FDR monument and there were statues and carved walls made of stone. There were even some waterfalls. I went over the water, sniffed it and it smelled delightful. Zach touched the water and said it was freezing, so I kept away. After walking through the space and reading the walls and seeing all of the amazing  carvings it was time to head off to the Lincoln, Vietnam War, Korean War Memorials. When we got to the Korean War Memorial I was not scared. I knew this time that the men in the center of the space were not real, but just bronze sculptures. Alison and I ran forward to catch up with Z and T, and this was the moment the adventure had peaked. As we got to the top of the wall, sitting to our left on a bench was Santa Claus with Mrs. Claus. It was really them, I could barely believe my eyes! Z and T were leering at Santa from the corner of their eye. I was too excited to be coy! I started bobbing my head and wiggling my tushie until I caught their attention. I mean who could resist a bully being all wiggly and cute. Well Santa and Mrs. Claus came right over to me and started petting me from my head all the way to my little nubby tail. Alison was talking with them, asking questions about Christmas and were there a lot of kids on the good list this year. She then asked if Z and T were on the good list?! Santa told them they were and to be good little boys for the remainder of the days leading up to Christmas. Zach and Tyler were ecstatic about meeting Santa and also to find out that they were on the good list, well it made their day! After a few more minutes with Santa we headed off again to visit a few more monuments then we headed back to the car. I think I was floating through the air! I mean what Bulldog gets to meet Santa? Z and T couldn't stop talking about the meeting and whether or not he was real, but I knew better. He was Santa and she was Mrs. Claus and this was the best day ever! When we got back to the car everyone hopped into their seats and I fell asleep. I dreamed about Christmas and getting a really big bone. I hope that Santa heard my dreams, but I won't know until Christmas morning when I can open all of the presents that Santa leaves for me. Paws crossed he heard!!!

I wonder what Tilly got for Christmas! Do you think that Tilly met the real Santa and Mrs. Claus? Check back and find out what adventure Tilly will go on next!