What have I been up to the past week? Really not much.

I am tired of fall already. Hello Winter! Bring on the snow, bring on the heater, bring on visiting my sister. These two moms are boring.

Work, walk me, bend to my will when they can fit it into their schedules, go out of town, walk me, occasionally throw me a bone or three.

TH mom is in Hawaii this week. She says its for work. I am not sure I believe her. I think she took some board shorts and was last screaming kawabunga on her way to the airport.

At least N.mom is still here.

Smooches,

Ernest

Today was the best basset type day, if you can't be with your dog family chasing sheep and jumping over Nobel Spot!

It was a holiday for Sophie and for my TH mom, but she worked anyways. I hope that Sophies mom didn't work and was thankful.

I went for a long walk at lunchtime, I played run around, worked on my comebacks, roached in the sun, ate a bisquit by the lake and then took a long nap.

It was the best day I had in a long while. If my n.mom had been using her noodle, she would have taken the camera out of her bag and taken some good campaign shots of me.

I am now considering my evening nap locations. As usual my butt will be hanging off the couch, please do not goose me.

Ernest

I am currently running around like a crazed dog (see previous entry) because I am wet.

I have been very busy this week, mostly by driving everyone around me crazy by being myself.

N.mom is not being cooperative with me today. She went out and walked/ran a half marathon today and now is not in the mood to be active. I don't know why, its not like I am dragging her on any 13.1 mile walks. I try to only take her .5 miles at time, just 6 times a day.

On the other fronts, the campaign strategising is going well. N.mom is trying to convince me it would be poor form to put a donation envelope in my Holiday card. I guess she might be right.

Off to see what meager rations are to be had for dinner. Unlike Wally and Ethel, it is kibble, a bit of sweet potato and maybe cheese for me.

later taters,

ernest

My mom needs a faster camera, the blur on your left is me, the fur on the right is cousin Scruffy.

He came to visit today!

I was so excited to see another dog. The moms are okay, but dogs are better. We ran around and I jumped on top of him and over him.

We ended with some face biting, but I am afraid if you see the pictures, you may not vote for me in the 2008 presidential elections.

Smooches,

ernest

Please, leave me alone until the rain stops.

Bassets are prone to melting.

Yours,

ernest the wet

I am home. In my honor they have turned on the heat. I am touched.

ernest who wishes he was with phracey right now

They are coming to get me today!

Bathed, sister bayed at, Nobel spot lectured to, sheep smooched, Lola bowed to and into the crate I go.

Pick up at 1100 at Miners in Yakima. I hope they buy me my own burger.

smooches,

ernest

some thingies of note:

You can now have a goat as pet in Seattle. I am excited. I am hoping that my Christmas stocking has a goat in it. I love all ruminants.

I know that n.mom had noticed this fine wine label before, but apparently a winery in Oregon has a wolfhound as a spokesdog. Is that cool or what. N.mom remembers that a olive oil/dipping sauce maker in Berkeley has a basset spokesmodel, but its not as distinguished. At least I'm not seem in a toilet drinking avoidance advert.

Interesting article on dogs and wineries here.

N.mom misses me tons. She keeps on looking for me now that she's back in the United States. She purportedly sent me many postcards, but who really knows.

T.mom said a squeaky package has arrived from Kerrio and the gang. I am so excited. Why n.mom couldn't take those things with her to Greece is beyond me.

smooches,

ernest, still a puppy, still wishing he was a ram

The good news is that I am living next to my sister…with the Nobel Spot.

S.mom and Papa Joe bought a new ram while they were at the Flock and Fiber show. The ram won reserve grand champion at the Navajo-Churro national show after they had bought them. S,mom says that proves she knows what she is looking at. Papa Joe thinks that S.mom lucked out. It is totally unfair because Raven, the new ram has a girl friend and I do not get to with my sister. I did tell everybody that it was not fair.

Today on my walk I smelled a skunk! I looked for the skunk but it was not anywhere to be found! I did see the hawk flying low. It was scary.

Love,

Ernest who thinks that now he wants to be a ram so he can have girls

The latest from Ernest -

Phrace has come into season. I need to know if it would be possible that she and I, despite having the same parents are really not related! I think that when the chromosomes split we got a totally different set. Is that possible? I sent an e-mail to N.mom and told her that I thought that I might be an alien Basset (after all my birth was not witnessed, so it is possible that I was left by an UFO. I really would like to spend time with Phrace.

and this:

Check this out:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kerrio/1407482527/

I am worried, very worried

Busy times for young bassets...

For those keeping track, I am in Goldendale, WA. I am spending time working on my campaign, chasing sheep, getting buff and not eating. I understand the camera packs on the pounds, and frankly, that is not good for my campaign.

My grandmere was upset to hear I was not eating and told N.mom to call Mama Stephanie and make sure I had lots of frosty paws. Hear that Mama S? I need frosty paws! Please!

Thanks!

My n.mom is leaving tomorrow this is her silly trip for those of you amazed by her ability to pick and up leave me at the drop of a hat. She already was in California this week, nuf said.

The best part is that she's going to see Kerrio and all the dogs! She was told specifically to wear kevlar and slobberproof clothes, but since Kerrio also promised her a working washing machine she's not worried.

I wish she could take me.

I wonder if there is some dog hair on one of her shirts?

Hmm.

TH mom promises to update my blog when she hears something good from Mama Stephanie.

I'll leave you with this one thought?

Why is it always the basset who is pictured in the pet supply catalogs eating stools, drinking out of the toilet and having other unfortunate issues?

That will change with my presidency.

over and out,

Ernest

Ernest the tiniest, aged five months.

N.mom here, just an update to tell you all....

I miss Ernest!

Really.

If I could get five minutes with you to smooch you and snuggle you and even walk you fifteen times in two hours I would.

Okay, I'm really okay.

n.mom

Faster than a scud, ernest, phrace and spot.

From Ernest - Notes from the field as transcribed by his Mama Stephanie - proof positive why he should be president.

Mama!

I was the good dog yesterday! Butter, Lola, Phrace, Uthant, Evita and I all started on our walk yesterday morning. Butter and Evita dropped out early. When we got into the woods we had a great smell. There was a deer in the back. We rallied to determine a plan of action. Just the sight of all that canine brain power persuaded the deer that its life would be better elsewhere and it left. So we continued the walk. We flushed a red tail hawk and I was not afraid.

After a bit Butter rejoined us. Phrace found some body living in the tree! Right inside the middle of the tree. It was making all sorts of terroristic threats. I rapidly appointed Uthant head of the Army and Phrace Secretary of Defense! Then I rushed the old folks (Stephanie, Joe and Butter0 home while travelling with Lola the Secretary of State. We then had had a conference and decided to do a total troop withdrawal. Total time of the war was less than 20 minutes. Pretty darn good! No casualties and the financial cost was somewhat below a billion dollars. We are still looking for oil however!

President Ernest

I am behaving much better according to electronic transmissions sent to my moms from my Mama Stephanie.

I am also teaching my half brother to do studly things, but alas, he is still too little to lift his leg.

All I can say is that three mile walks in the am are the bomb and that at Rancho Oxboro we don't need no stinkin leashes.

Oh, Fred Thompson, you can kiss my grits.

ernest-o!

I am having some issues expressing myself in a gentlemanly manner. No, not that.I am being a perfect gentleman, I just can't seem to find my indoor voice even outside.

Mama Stephanie is not amused.

They are working on techniques to get me to stop being so loud.

I'm just excited to be with my sister!

Oh, the sheep was found. Long live sheep!

smooches in a tiny voice...

ernest

Noble Spot, photo courtesy Joe Gonyeau.

Someone is going to have to tell my half brother that cats are not to be trusted.

That someone is not going to be me.

ernest

I have been tagged by my buddy Finnegan.

My TH mom came up with the answers. She can think fast on her feets.

Here are the rules:Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the questions.They must be real places, names, things … nothing made up! You CAN’T use your name for the boy/girl name question. If your name happens to start with the same letter as mine, sorry, but you can’t use my answers!

My name: Ernest the puppy

1. Famous Singer: Elvis
2. Four letter word: Eeck
3. Street: Easy Street
4. Colour: eggplant
5. Gifts/Presents: elevator shoes
6. Vehicle: Escape
7. Things in a Souvenir Shop: elephant, stuffed, toy
8. Boy Name: Edward
9. Girl Name: Evita
10. Movie Title: East of Eden
11. Drink: Evian
12. Occupation: Enumerator
13. Celebrity: El Vez
14. Magazine: Esquire
15. U.S. City: Evanston, Ill.
16. Pro Sport: eating pies
17. Fruit: elderberries
18. Reason for Being Late for Work: escaped buffalo on the road
19. Something You Throw Away: e-vites
20. Things You Shout: eeeegads
21. Cartoon Character: Elly Patterson (For Better or For Worse)

I'm tagging the General, Casper, and Mac.

Smooches from the 509!

Ernest

I am in love.

Ernest

I am facing east to make sure my moms know that that is the direction of my peeps.

I'll be gone for a while, but I have planned many blogging topics and should have Mama Stephanie keep the moms in news of my exploits at Rancho Oxboro.

One thing I did not do, was lose the sheep.

Come back sheep!

Smooches,

Ernest

I'm good to go according to my physician. I weigh 49.4 lbs with harness on and with a semi empty stomach. I guess you could say that I'm about three bisquits short of 50 lbs.

Damn skippy.

My n.mom is in DC puportedly attending very important meetings about whatever she does to keep us in kibble. I am hoping that she's going to do some scouting for my housing options. I'm not sure that I want to live in the White House until its defumigated from the current regime. She promised me to bring home tomorrow's Post so that I can read the good news of Gonzales' departure myself.

Well, I should get back to checking the emergency exits.

Ernest

Hooooooooooolllllllllllloooooooooooooo

My mom has been very busy and not blogging. She apologizes, my new basset enabled keyboard is on its way.

Other than having to wear a warm coat for a photo op, I have:

• graduated from basic obedience with flying colors
• started to behave a little better
• taken moms on lots of walks
• barked at cooling chutney
• arranged for a visit with my phracey, lolo and nobel spot
• picked blackberries for phracey
• gotten to see my grandmere and grand pere and received squeaky toys that I love
• put into short time lock down (think nicole richie) for attempting to taste walnut levain with a nice goat cheese
• refused a walk at 5:15 am because n.mom wanted to give T mom a break since she's leaving me for a t-r-i-p this week

This week should be good, except for the tooth inspection this am. I have to go to my physician to see her and show her my gnashers, get some shots, cookies and my general examination. I like my vet, the moms have a bet as to my weight.

Your guess is as good as theirs.

smooches,

ernest

Mind you its 80 degrees outside.

This is what all the smart bassets will be wearing on the campaign trail. More later.

Smooches,

Ernest

Search phrases typed into google this weekend by my n.mom:

"foundling hospital"
"school for wayward bassets"
"the dog whisperer"
"fedexing the dog to kerrio"
"doggie passports"
"daisy hill puppy farm"
"postage to Berkshire"


It has been a long weekend and I have not been a very helpful basset.

Happy birthday to my favorite General, from one wrinkly dwarf to another.

Ernest

You make the call..

Versus
Who would be more trustworthy as a presidential adviser?

ernest the puppy, working hard for you in 2008

Today we discussed presidential duties while taking our seventeen walks.

Basically, to be president I have to be willing to go down the stairs I am happy to walk up.

I need to work on this.

Ditto for other things, like allowing my cabinet and staff to go on vacation and not let it bother me. I think that as president, it is good to take naps, but not necessarily take 3 weeks off to prod cattle and harass sheep when say, the economy is taking a nosedive.

Just saying....

etp in 2008

Just posing, not eating blueberries, August 2007.

Before I got into trouble on Monday, the moms took me blueberry picking on Sunday.

I was not as enthralled as last year, but I amused myself none the less.

I am still on probation with n.mom.

I hope she will forgive me soon.

Ernest

Like, I could do any wrong?

Today I ate my n.mom's glasses while she was in the shower. I am a bit remorseful after she started crying and then cursed me to Bulgaria and back.

Apparently they were able to put on new ear pieces, but looks like she's getting new frames and lenses. The lenses cost as much a round trip ticket to DC without a Saturday night stay.

I have been offered asylum in both Berkshire with the SUMDs and in Salt Lake City with my friend Katie.

I guess she won't offer to take me frame shopping.

ernest

Today in class we worked on sit stays and keeping all four paws on the ground.

Whatever.

ernest

Caption this picture!

smooches,

the ever melting ernest

Just in case you forgot what I look like. N.mom seems to have forgotten that I am a very photogenic doode.

I was very good today. I went to the U. Village where I was well behaved at the pet store and was rewarded with a new toy. I was patient at the Kiehl's store where n.mom oohed and aahed at the new self tanners.

Hey mom, get a clue and just go to the park with me!

I even managed to slide into a hoity toity store and get a drink of water. I like a place that has dog bowls in the store.

N.mom even spent more on her camera because they let me into the store.

The best part of today was my post-work pre dinner walk. I saw the twins! Two sister spaniels that are a little younger than me. I love them and try and woo them with my good looks and manners. It sometimes works. Today it sort of worked. I think their mom was ready to go home and order pizza.

ernest

I am very awake.

N. mom has tried everything to get me to settle down. Its not working.

I have three squeakies going at time and all are fair game, including my new glow in the dark one!

ernest

I sing when my n.mom leaves.

I really sing when she leaves.

T.Hmom is not amused.

However, imagine how good I'll be at the hunt.

N.mom is back, I am so happy I took her for a walk.

I did ignore her the first fifteen minutes she got home. There was a bone and that is better than any human.

Today I also got my first wasp bite. My nose is lopsided.

ernest

I hate Thursdays. Thursdays mean obedience class.

I am not obedient, well, not very.

My N.mom is going to Texas tomorrow which means that TH mom gets to take care of me. They'll be no martingale collars and naysaying.

Thank goodness.

I wonder in n. mom can get a posting in Siberia.

ernest

This whole thing with Bush's polyps and colonoscopy got me thinking this weekend.

Who would I appoint as head of the nation when I underwent my routine yearly teeth cleanings?

I guess it would have to be my VP!

I wonder who my VP would be?

I know that Phracey, my sissy, would be my first lady (not that way), but I have yet to establish a running mate.

Anyone want to volunteer?

ernest

I realize this picture makes me look like a LFBP.

I am not one. In fact, I am on another hunger strike, so I am a LSBP.

Today they are relenting and buying me new food.

Phracey is also not eating. Great minds think alike.

ernest

Is this the reason n.mom buys so many shoes from Zappos.com?

Or could it be that she just likes shoes?

Your guess is as good as mine.

Ern

Lesson never to be repeated:

If you give Ernest frosty paws after 9, he'll never settle down.

nm

N.mom's blog has been locked by blogger.

They think its spam.

She is not amused.

ernest

From an early age, I believed in showing my gnashers.

NM here....

All you dogs, when do you go to sleep?

Ernest used to be a good sleeper. Ready for bed around 9 pm and then one could move on with ones chores without basset supervising.

It isn't happening now.

He's awake much later.

Do your humans enforce an artificial bedtime on you or do you automatically get ready for bed?

Do you have any bedtime rituals?

Thanks,

N.mom tired n.mom

Here I look like my dad. Am I not handsome?

This was my first real time riding out of my crate in a car.

I was very brave and then I took a nap.

Good thing because lockdown is about 35 minutes in good traffic from home.

Wally, I am going to think about why I am disappointed. I may be just plain jealous.

ernest

I am back. I did not have a roommate for the weekend, thus I was lonely.

My moms promise me that one of them will be home for the next seven weeks so no lockdown for me.

I think they are plotting to send me to see my sissy for the month of September, something about dissertation writing and grecian lollygagging.

As long as I'm with Phracey, I'm okay.

After a very hot night, I finally managed to finally get some sleep.

Yes, I am asleep.

Yes, I am very comfortable.

Tomorrow I go back to lock down for the weekend.

Free me.

ernest

Remember what my mom said about keeping cool. I don't think this counts.

Think of this as art photography, okay?

ernest

From Ernest's n.mom:

Dear furry ones (you know who you are),

Why in anyone diety's name are you on your couch (Ko excluded), when the floor is much cooler?

Seriously, heat rises.

smooches on your noses and frozen kongies in your freezer,

n.mom

Its hot out there, stay hydrated.

A public service announcement from ernest the puppy.

Happy Friday and smooches from a tiny basset puppy!

ernest

yes, that is my n.mom and she does not normally smile.

Picture of my halfs, courtesy Joe Gonyeau.

Those are my half brothers.

Are they not cute?

N.mom got an email from my Mama Stephanie asking if we were going through Dallas anytime soon and would we be willing to transport said tiny dog. N.mom said sure, we would make a special trip (TH mom needs the miles), but could not guarantee dog would not end up in bunker being groomed for vice president.

Here are more pictures of them and they do stack well. I am concerned that there are some gratuitious booty shots of one of them and so young!

smooches,

ernest who is sixteen months old today

Why would anyone want to wear such a silly thing on their back when it could say ---

FREE ERNEST !

smooches,

ernest

Who is the tiny dog who can't get into the chair?

That was me! Last fourth of july! Last year was wierd, TH mom went to England on our US holiday, but did not hang with Kerrio and Tealeaf. N.mom had to hold me during the fireworks. I wasn't scared, I just couldn't see over the railing.

This year, both moms are home.

Yeah!

smooches.

Ernest

What up dog?

My n. mom keeps on saying that.

I don't get it.

I am short, I do not look like "Dog the bounty hunter" and I would hide behind my TH mom if I saw his wife, Beth.

My Aunt Beth is beautiful. Dog's Beth is scary!

Looks like I got a pawdicure reprieve until Thursday. Happy day!

More later.

smooches,

ernest

My n.mom is very opinonated about many things, but typically very polite.She is very upset about a conversation she had today with someone who just doesn't quite get it.

Read about it here and tell Ernest what you would do.

For what its worth, n.mom and TH mommy are not fostering the dog, this is the second doggie that this person would have had and given up.

Sigh.

How do you ask your people to let you out?

I use a bell.

I abuse the bell when I am bored.

Tonight, I am very belly.

Between this and the sound of a very loud Henrietta, n.mom may hit the campari soon.

smooches,

ernest

I received my postcard today from the moms. They send me postcards from everywhere they go that is worth sending a postcard from - for example, the store doesn't count or work.

I wonder if TH mom will send me a postcard from the DFW airport, she could be there for a while.

smooches,

ernest

My life has seriously improved the reappearance of trout and sweet potato kibble and a new squeaky!

My first squeaky died and moms tried to find an equivalent.

They say it cost more to ship said squeaky than the price of the squeaky. It is very big and has a pronounced painful long yelpy squeak, much like henrietta, but different.

I was happy to see it.

I am no longer ignoring N.mom, she is making me more pasta.

ernest

Not having any of the chicken oatmeal kibble as my welcome home foodage.

A couple things about my experience in lockdown.

I found out that I have a vocation as a weight loss coach. My roomie, the weimeraner was in for training and weight loss. I ran him ragged. They estimated that I made him lose at least two lbs.

I rock.

N.mom asked if she could be boarded for the same reasons and they said it doesn't work with humans.

Bummer.

I ran out of food while in the hoosegow, which left the moms with a dilemna. Do they buy another bag of Pinnacle trout and sweet potato and to have me reject it because it reminded me of the slammer or do they try something new?

They tried something new - chicken and oatmeal.

I rejected it.

I am ignoring the shorter one. She instigated the whole thing. I did pee on her shoes at the end of the Furry 5K, so maybe that was an omen.

The T.H mom is leaving for Oklahoma tomorrow. She better bring me back a steak. Is that anywhere near you Wally?

I'm still on for Larry King tomorrow. N.mom saw him last year shopping at Bendels, she says he looks like a skeleton.

I am very tired, I am glad to be back in my own domain, but still wary of both of them.

N.mom signed me up for a refresher in basic obedience. I think she needs it more than me.

smooches,

ern

I'm free, tired, still a bit resentful about having to go into lockdown, but happy to be home.

I will be on Larry King tomorrow, but until then, I send you all smooches from the 98105!

ernest

Four hours until my release.

Or at least until my peeps walk in the door and wait to meet the trainer.

We're having family counseling!

Or at least a leave it/off/down lesson together.

N.mom will send a picture of my release to her flickr when I am free!

I'm really okay.

They promise me I'll be sprung on Monday and tomorrow is the last day of training.

I think they were at home for a bit but could not spring me.

I hope they didn't redecorate while I was gone.

Smooches,

ernest

Would everyone buy a free ernest tshirt? Mom will make them,if you think they'll pay for my lawyer.

An update on my status....

I'm doing okay. I have a weimeraner as a roomie. I think he's in for aiding and abetting a boxer in the theft of a dozen donuts.

I am eating (wolfing) down my food. I guess I should be greatful my moms brought my own foo foo food into the hoosegow.

I am allowed phone calls and moms think that I am going to be okay.

I am overwhelmed with the support my buds are showing me.

Smooches to all of you.

ernest

The waiting begins.

It is really only one week, but since I'm a dog, its really seven weeks. I didn't mean to make anyone worry.

I went in peacefully and so far, I am not doing any type of Paris Hilton stuff.

They even let me take my bed.

smooches,

ernest

Um, I am getting ready for lockdown. They just bought me food and now they say I need more!

Yoikes. How long am I in for?

I figure a week is really seven weeks, so I guess I'll see you all in mid August.

Waah.

Moms will promise to monitor my site and my behavior via the telephone.

They also promised me a moose from Alaska.

I hope my grandmere sends me up a toy from SD.

sigh.

be strong peeps, we will make it through this rough time.

ernest the brave

Map of my lockdown, click on the pins to see specific things.

I'm in for a while. I'm making the best of my weekend.

I'll be waiting to be sprung, Tofu burger, I'm counting on you!

smooches,

ernest

Doing my best Ko imitation.

I went to the groomer today. N.mom says my bathing room is not quite done yet and Uncle David was coming and well, she needed to make sure I was somewhere for the day.

I was tired when I got home. I collapsed on the carpet.

TH mom came home from Berkeley (I have never been, but I know it is close to Ko) and brought me fresh lemon and ricotta ravioli from the Pasta Shop. I thought it was quite acceptable. N.mom told me not to get too excited. I did anyway.

Seems that they are getting ready to ship me off to ten days of the Academy including four days of training.

Yoikes.

I think I better be better or else.

ernest

Hi mgfy name is ernest and I am eating the laptop.

that is what you get when you leave me at home by myself for three hours and I
know that one of you has already left town.

Wait until tomorrow....

(insert evil laugh).

e.dd

I am tired. I ran/walked quickly the Furry 5K.

Wally, you and I would have rocked bud.

e.t.p

Just for Kerrio.

Me and my ball.

smooches,

ernest-o!

My halfs, courtesy of Joe Gonyeau.

Here are my half brothers, I am going to call them - Huxtable and Horatio! Click here to see more of them. They do stack well. I wonder if they can stack on top of eachother!

They are cute, but my sister is getting bored with them as they are a big time suckage of Mama Stephanie and it means I can't visit Phracey, Lola and Jedi, which bums me out. After all, it is asparagus pulling out of the ground season.

I think they are spoken for, or you could adopt them, if you can pass a few small tests.

1. Can you spend 18 hours a day being watchful for said puppies eating cigarette butts, poisonous mushrooms, leftover easter candy and stray buttons?
2. Are you up for 18 visits an hour to the front lawn for ablutional events?
3. Are you willing to give up your bad habits of leaving your laptop, expensive leather purse and divine prada flats (guilty!) on the floor when you get home from work?
4. Are you willing to give up a leisurely dinner as you once knew it to let said dog out (see question 2)?
5. Are you willing to have your heart broken if this puppy decides he likes your partner more than you?
6. Do you promise not to kennel them all day and then come home and not be bothered to take them out for at least four walks before dinner? They need attention!
7. Can you provide for them a udon dinner, with extra sweet potatoes, organic cookies and lots of cherry tomatoes when they want it?

If you can pass this test, you can have one of my half brothers!

smooches.

e. the basset broker