Monday, April 7, 2008

WALDO TAKES A ROAD TRIP

Hello Everyone,
 
I know it has been a while since I wrote to you.  Since the Easter, things have been busy.  Mom and I took a road trip one day to our old home place in Troutville, VA.  I actually was born in a hospital in Roanoke, VA but my early puppy days were in Troutville.  Mom had moved there when she was 15 in 1970 with her parents.  After both her parents died, she  sold the home place in 2007 and we moved to our current home.  I think she sometimes gets sad over it.  She was there for so long and had so many friends.  But with me and the other guys in our family, we are meeting some great people here.  I heard someone tell Mom that she never meets a stranger.  I really do not understand what means, with me being a Bulldog, I just know Mom can talk a lot.  Mom tells us that home is where the heart is and a person has to be happy wherever they are in life. She says God takes us to all kinds of places and puts us in different situations for reasons we do not always realize.  I know she really depends on him, and is always talking to him.  I have never seen him, but Mom said God pulled me thru a lot of stuff, especially when I was a baby puppy.
 
Back to the road trip.  I thought it was just going to be Mom and me, but she dragged along some other babies.  We stopped to get a drive thru breakfast and the girl at the first window was totally scared of me. Wow, that was different.  I guess I was excited to get my biscuit and drink and she saw my teeth. I was just a happy traveler who was laughing. The girl at the second window was really cool and gave me extra dog biscuits.  It was not cheeseburger time but the butter biscuit was not too bad.
 
Once we got to Roanoke, I noticed we were going to my doctor's hospital. "Wait just a minute Mom" I said. That is when she told me I was due for my vaccinations. I asked, "mom, doesn't that include needles?" and she mumbled something about they would not hurt a big boy like me. Of course, I marched inside like a trooper. The nurses all cooed and cuddled me.  They recognize a superstar when they see one.  I did manage to mention that I was running for president and everyone said they would vote for me. I thanked them for that. They have my picture on their wall.  Outside in the parking lot, Mom saw other people she knew and saw puppies she had sold.  We even saw Cooter's sister. She was very happy with her new Mom. She was all dressed up in a cute little outfit.  For some reason, Mom dresses all the Yorkies, and the new owners continue the trait.  I was actually dressed in my preppy shirt, it is my favorite and the most comfortable to wear while traveling.
 
After we left the hospital, we went by another restaurant and got a lot of food.  I kind of mentioned to Mom that she was on a diet when she ordered so much food.  I did not realize we were going to aunt Bonnie's house for lunch.  She was ready for us, she had put her husband's blue heelers outside and I had the run of her house. However, I was mesmerized by the big bowl with little objects swimming in it.  Mom explained it was called an aquarium and it had fish swimming in it.  Wow, I guess aunt Bonnie's cat just grabs a snack whenever she is hungry.
 
Then on our way back home, Mom saw  Kelly outside his cool antique store. Our home in Troutville was only 1/2 a mile from him.  So Mom blew the car horn and swung into his parking lot.  He had a couple of customers browsing around.  Kelly has some really cool things that mom calls antiques and collectibles. His whole building is painted with all kinds of pictures on it.  He has life size statues of a horse and a buffalo. He and Mom were movie pals.  Also, Kelly had a dog named Chester who stayed with us when Kelly went on trips. Kelly has motorcycles too.  Chester used to jump up on the gas tank of one of Kelly's Harleys and they drove around together on it.  He was pictured several times in different newspapers.  He was a really cool Jack Russell Terrier.  Chester died last year and is buried in the side courtyard.  In his honor, Kelly had Chester's picture painted on the building. Kelly also has a Corvette that he and I have made plans to cruise around in it and gather voter support.  Mom laughed and said she knew we were just going to go cruising for chicks. Well mom, guys gotta do what guys gotta do.  Mom took some pictures of Kelly and me and I told her to put them here on my blog.  If you are ever in Troutville, VA, stop by Kelly's real deals.  Be sure to tell him that Waldo sent you and Kelly will give you a Waldo discount.
 
After visiting there for a while we went by the old home place which has now been torn down.  Mom said they are going to build a hotel there, have a couple of restaurants, and maybe a small office park.  She got a little teary eyed, but I told her we would just come spend the night there  when it opened.  We will always have our memories, besides Mom takes so many pictures, I am sure she has albums full of pictures of the place. I do not know if they will name the new places after me or not.  If they are smart, they will and put my picture upon a sign. LOL  Of course, I will want the presidential  suite complete with  room service.
 
I slept most of the way home.  I figured Mom knew the way, if not, she would wake me for directions. We arrived home to find everyone snoring.  After exercising everyone, Mom and  I went to bed early, it had been a fun filled day and we were both tired.
 
Okay, I have to go for now. Time to get everyone up and about.  Take care of yourselves,  be happy, and remember to Thank God for all he does for us.
 
Love,
Waldo
 
PS  do not forget to tell your friends that I am running for president, remember "cheeseburgers all around" will get this economy jump started.
 




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