Dion, Puck, Rhino

Alfredo and I have been pretty social lately. I jokingly say that I become popular during the winter months since the weather is so beautiful here and pretty much terrible everywhere else, but this winter there's really no joking about it. I've been blessed to meet up with friends, some of whom I haven't seen in years, over the last few weeks. Carolyn, one of my Chi Omega roommates, took a trip down to Tucson. I of course wouldn't miss her arrival for the world. Tucson ended up being a fantastic weekend. The only downfall was the massive bruise, and I mean massive, from a fall in the Sabino Canyon waterfalls. I'd post a picture of the black looking grapefruit, but who wants to see that? No one. Here's a pic at the waterfalls though. Absolutely heavenly!

Unfortunately dogs aren't allowed in Sabino Canyon, so you won't find any pictures of the fur man here.

Okay, so back to how fantastic things have been. Carolyn's visit was excellent, Fluhr (sorry, still don't refer to her by her married name) came in a week later, mom comes next week, Kopack (another married friend who I still refer to by the maiden name) arrives in March, and Aimee potentially visits in May. Woot!

As always, when I'm busy visiting/travelling with others, Alfredo is taken good care of. The same goes for my dear friend and neighbor Stacie, who is equally as popular during the winter time. A few weeks back on my down time, I babysat her dog, aka Alfredo's girlfriend, Dion, for a few days. She's not a Boston, but she's still incredibly sweet.

I just love this picture. It was great having two watchdogs around.

I can't say they ever officially snuggled together (bummer as I was hoping they would), but they were both very snuggly with me and I could tell they enjoyed each other's company. Alfredo loved eating some of Dion's alligator jerky (which I have now bought for our home), while Dion enjoyed chewing on all of Alfredo's bones.

It was a win win situation!

Now, Alfredo sees Dion regularly which is no big deal, but something Alfredo doesn't really have experience with is hanging out with reptiles. Here is a snapshot of his first reptilian experience.

I've never seen him so interested in something. Well, until he met a hamster several minutes after this picture was taken. I'll explain that in a bit. I have a video of him meeting Puck, the tortoise, since the picture barely does justice, but unfortunately the blogger is giving me problems in terms of uploading a video at the moment. Maybe another day. For now, here's Rhino, the cute little hamster he also met that day.

I can't take the credit for taking this adorable picture, but she/he (I'm not sure the gender has been determined...we think it's a girl), is rather cute, right?! Alfredo wanted to play with she/he badly. Rhino wasn't having it. Did you know that hamsters scream when they are really upset? I imagine that Alfredo probably looked like a dinosaur to Rhino. You learn something new every day! 

Anyway, even though Alfredo is numero uno, I'm trying  to develop relationships with these other creatures. Rhino's (and now also Boot's) cage has gotten the Panizzo pizzaz, and I'm influencing the tortoise to like me with treats.

Another interesting fact: tortoises, like dogs, beg when they realize you've got good treats.

Anyway, those are Alfredo's most recent introductions, other than to the new couch, which he seems to need since life has been so eventful and entertaining lately.

 

I think it meets his approval. Until next time...