A huge, massive, GREAT dane apology for being SO late with my yap-dates from my time in the USA. If you really want to nose, it was so busy barking all over the country, I just never got around to getting paws onto my computer. The States was an incredible experience, and I had a ton of fun-pawed up perfectly with a visit to over a dozen organisations that serve up with dog adoption and promote sterilization. If you really want to sniff it all out- and you will- you'll have to wait for the documentary and the book, but let me give you a brief a idea of what I got yap to.

I didn't dare go back to Alcatraz as I've done my share of bars- and I quite ADORE the present state of my parole- but while in the Bay Area, I joined at the Pet Pride Day - a multi Agency Adopt- Athon - one of the largest pet event in Northern California and organized by SF Animal care and Control. There were plenty of sniffs and those Halloween costunes- Oh my gosh- what American dogs get up to!!
I shared a fun evening of water and biscuits with Muttville - the coolest organization that gets the 'oldies' (like me) adopted and visited Contra Costa Animal Care and Control- another jacked up station for pets in the area.
I joined Tony LaRussa's great no-kill adoption center called Tony LaRussa's Animal Rescue Foundation to select an Oscar - now thats got to be one of the fanciest, greatest 'shelters' I have ever laid my fur on!
I joined Animal Radio - the most-listened-to animal show in America to make a bark about dog adoption, and before heading out of Northern California, selected his Oscar at the Monterey SPCA. Hey, Carmel Beach is one dog-garn cool beach, and finding golf balls on Pebble Beach's 7th hole was a treat. (Give thanks to hackers!).


Heading down to Oscar territory, I joined The Rescue Train for their 'Race for the Rescues' 'race' around the Rose Bowl to not only celebrate World Animal day, but to raise funds to help support seven non-profit rescue groups, and to cool off, did a photo shoot at the Hollywood sign. Hey, a mutt like me needs practice before I strut my mutt-self at the Academy awards in 2011!! I even posed on the Hollywood Woof of Fame - and there it was 'Oscar'- along with Rin Tin Tin, Lassie and Strongheart.
I shook paws with the second most famous in the whole woofing world- PLUTO- at Disneyland, and then headed down to Huntington Beach to SUUURF!!
The Surf Dog Surf Competition at Huntington Beach... Mmm, I can catch a ball...but catching a wave was, well, a little more challenging. I presented 'Abie' a professional surf dog from San Diego-with the winning Oscar - and best of all- Abie is also from a shelter! (Pound Hounds Rock!)
Yapping about San Diego-it was great. I got to watch the Pet's Rule Show at sea World and even got to meet all the 'Actails'. If I knew cats could run up and over ropes at a given call, I'd probably have a little more respect for them! Hey, I'm a dog, I gotta be a dog!)
I hooked up with the Helen Woodward Animal Center for their Pet Walk on Halloween. What a great pack of people! I was on the panel to judge the best costumes, and that was pretty entertaining. A scar crow won, but I would have chosen Mickey Mouse. Fancy meeting him twice in one week!
Las Vegas was a rip- or did I mean to say, 'Strip'. I got married, gambles the night away (Kyote Poker is my favorite) and visited the Lied Foundation for the annual fundraiser over howl-oween. While in the area, I shook a paw over the Grand Canyon, and chased some cowboys and Indiana in monument valley national Park. It even snowed so for once I wasn't looking for a water bowl!

New Yorkie was so cold my nearly froze my tail off. The sight of the liberty was liberating. Imagine it represented liberty of all! Anyway, due to bad weather and traffic in 'Mutt-hatten' I missed meeting the Mayor's Alliance for NY City's Animals, but I did get to see what NYC Animal care and Control does. Dedicated people and staff with an accent I can barely understand. I'm not complaining-I loved the Big Yapple and they were fascinated by my breed. (Its still my secret!)

Miami was quick and easy. Got my export papers sorted and had time to pop into the Humane Society of Broward County. Another jacked up shelter with the coolest shop. It was the first time I had time to go shopping before heading out to Puerto Rico. Yipppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. See you in Central America!

By the way, I traveled to all these places in the cabin! I even got served an option of chicken and rice, of veggie pasta on most domestic flights. Upstairs beats downstairs anytime!


Special barks of thanks to those in the Land of the barks and Stripes!

Nancy Janes of the Romania Animal Rescue (we visited them in Romania, remember) who went out of her way to take me to as many organizations and shelters while we were in san Francisco- and rounded it all off with a veggie Pizza below the Bay Bridge. And to Rory- Nancy's husband who held camera's, carried leads and drove straight, left and center whenever I barked - thank you - and your camera skills are almost hotter than me. Thank You Rory!
To the team at Sea World who allowed me to meet the stars of the pets Rule show, Thank you. I know I peed on stage, but promise never to do it again-unless I'm invited to watch a cat do the tightrope right below my nosetip! That really got me going.
To my bestest friends who accommodated me in California- Dennis, Robert and Giselle - don't forget that all the fur is a token of appreciation. maybe you can make an Oscar coat ('; (Just joking- THANK YOU)
To Karin, George and Bonnie at the Coachman's Inn in Carmel and who looked after us so sweetly. The fireplace was really something special and your kind hospitality really warmed my heart. From its depths, thank you.
To Jack at Bobbi's World Kennels for graciously organizing all Oscar's papers from the land of the Free to Costa Rica. If you ever need Mr Know-it-all-pet-trave; 101, he' s the Top Dog! To Dr Nelson at Bayview Vet Clinic who will finally put my lineage to rest and who offered to take my DNA so that I can track down the pack of my paw-fathers, gosh, thank you. I can finally find peace- and debunk those million and one guesses that everyone thinks I am. I am not on Sesame Street, or a Disney Character - I am Oscar- soon to find out exactly what I am...right to the very last toenail. Watch this space!

To Elvis who graciously agreed to marry Oscar simply because 'Hey, this is Vegas-we marry anyTHING!' Thanks also for changing your lyrics to 'Aint Nothing but a Pound Hound. I promise to never let anyone see you shake your microphone like you did in the church! ('; .
To Richard Nielson of Vision Airlines for giving me a free flight from Vegas to the Very Grand Canyon. WOW...WOOOOOOOOF! 2 amazing experiences in one day that I will never forget. Thank You. ( Angelica, thanks for helping out too- and to Pilots Brian Fuller and Terrance Eleazor for allowing me to shoot, click and snap in the cockpit for the sake of the upcoming greatest documentary in the whole woofing world... You drive me happy. Thank you. To Goofy, Snoopy, Micky and Pluto for asking me for my pawprints, don't worry, you'll be in my acceptance speech at the 'Oscar's' for all your character!
And last but not least, to the usual legendary performers. The coolest gear in the world- ROGZ- who decorated the homeless and let a destitute dog have its day (This is a very moving experience by the way - and the gratitude is more than you can imagine). To UPS for making they all arrived in time from South Africa, and lastly, to Pedigree, who not only supports many of the shelters I visited, but who also keep me wagging strong.