Rusty's Diary: Thurs, Friday and Sat (22- 24 Mar '07)

Thursday: I am so happy to be going to the beach again. I can smell the sea from far away. Today we found a big stick and we played 'fetch' in the sea. I was so full of energy today, I jumped, hopped, sprinted and swam. Rachel threw the stick far away and I would swim to retrieve it. I never get tired of it so we did it again and again...I spent the rest of the day sleeping in the shop. Thank God it's Friday...Double Happiness: Beach + BBQ. I can smell the BBQ pit nursing its fire and the raw food nearby. Rachel motioned me to go to the beach and I knew fun is in the air. I leaped into the sea with great gusto, with the BBQ at the back of my head. I went crazy...I ran and sprang!! Woohooo...we played lots of 'Fetch' and after 15mins, I had to go for my shower. I love the towelling down best...I love to be hugged and rubbed!! hehe. My nose led me to the BBQ pit again...and my patience was rewarded when the food was cooked...I had my share of steak, lamb and dunno-what. Did I say it was a great sumptuous afternoon? After all was done, Rachel went back to the shop. I couldn't endure the smell and kept going to her to whine, and whine and whine...finally she brought me out. I hang around the boys, hoping they'll drop me some food! haha. Saturday: Windsurfing time! This time round, YY joined us with a camera in hand. I seem to be the star as I always have to look into the camera. Am I a star? There was no wind, but we tried to windsurf, in the big waves. It was so fun. Sometimes I jumped off the board to swim arou and. Then I'll struggle to get back up again. Rachel will pull me up by my coat and I'll be happy sitting on the board again. We posed in all directions and had alot of fun. I saw 2 Chihuahuas on the beach with their owners and decided to check them out. I leaped off the board to disturb the tiny dogs. 2 of them are not bigger than my leg. haha. They were scared of me so I came back to the board. Windsurfing is so fun! I lazed in front of the shop to sun tan...after I was dry, I duped Ker Wan to walk me to the beach to pee...and while he wasn't looking, I dipped in the sea again. Sure, I got scolded. Another highlight of the day was when Peanut Butter Man came with peanut butter bread for me. I love these guys. Life's a beach!

Rusty's Diary: Tues, 22 March '07 Windsurfing day!!

Rachel thought I'm staying away from the sea after y'day's puking session, huh, no way! U know what I did? Once we reached the club, I ran straight to the sea for a dip, defying her instructions not to go. See, I do not believe her 'stern' commands anymore because she doesn't mean it ahaha...if I really make her angry, the most she does is give me a soft spanking on my face or paws. I wonder why as it doesn't hurt! I have a very thick fur coat. Anyway, I went swimming by myself, just to prove a point...I'm a sea-dog, hehe. Rachel always lets me disobey her because she wants me to be a happy doggie as well, and swimming is not destructive to anyone/thing. Plus, I get a nice towelling from her :) As usual, Rachel made me stay outside the shop to suntan (dry myself) while she does some work. This is another activity I love to do, lounging in the sun with a bone in my mouth...there's always a bowl of water outside the shop, a tennis ball, a silly cat toy and some treats she keeps somewhere if I'm a good boy. Life at The Windsurfing Shop is a beach...*yawn* 'Go Surfing' made me JUMP!! She meant it, because she went to this changing room and I alway know we are going somewhere when she gets out of the room. I couldn't hold my excitement and whined a little...she went 'wait wait...' Then we went out and she took this boat-board called 'Windglider' and a tiny 2.5m sail. We are going windsurfing! Before we went out, she made me try on this horrible life-jacket which prevented me from being able to walk. She asked me to 'go', but I stumbled...she laughed and laughed, I felt so horrible and embarrassed! Dogs walk around 'naked', my dear, we don't need 'clothes'. Plus, did I remind you that I am a champion swimmer-doggie? haha. We launched...I wasn't sure what to do after I jumped onto the board, I jumped off again. I can tell it wasn't what Rachel wanted me to do. She 'growled' at me, *snigger* Maybe I was supposed to stay ON the board? Soon I was swimming after her...hey, wait for me...I put my front paws on the board and she pulled me up with the life-jacket. I sat like a good boy while she windsurfed, further and further from the beach...Hmmm....I never swam that far before, it looks scary, but FUN. Its like sightseeing and how many doggies get to go windsurfing like me? I began to feel really cool, and so blessed to have such fun activities everyday. Did I mention that her bikinis are red and rather nice, though I prefer yellow, as it matches my Golden coat bettter? I have done this before so I did not get sea-sick this time...I'm enjoying it, baby. Rachel got tired so she lay down beside me, later on, she used me as a pillow. It's fine with me as I'm a really strong boy, and at 34kg, if I don't want to go somewhere, I'm not moving! hehe. At times, she'll sit beside me and we'lll talk, she'll ask for 'kiss' and I'll lick her on the face. Did I mention that I love the smell and taste of sea-water on her? Always make me feel at home and excited. Suddenly, she pushed me off the board and I realised I had to swim...oh, I had a life-jacket, this is quite nice...I'm floating. She started paddling and I swam really hard chasing her...so close and yet so far. I swam for a long time, but one thing I'm sure, I'm not drinking the sea-water...I cough out the water as I know it'll give me a bad tummy. Finally, I give up...I think she's making me swim hard just for exercise, so I decided to go back to shore myself. I cruised to shore and she called me to go to her. I stood at the water's edge and yelped...She brought the board nearer and I jumped on it. Yay! I can sit on the board again... It was so nice I almost fell asleep. Finally, we went back to shore, Rachel had to wash the gear and dirty dog me. I was so tired balancing myself on the board, I slept the afternoon away. Dinner is always fantastic...they spent a long time in the kitchen, I just slept there waiting...when the rice-cooker clicked, Rachel put rice in my doggie bowl, cracked an egg, doggie Supplements on top, mixed them all up...boy, my meals are made in heaven. There's this yellow 'plasticky' pill in my bowl each time, I always wonder what is it but I eat it anyway. She always says to me these will make me a handsome and strong doggie. Ahem! After dinner, I laze around the TV area and whenever there's food, you can trust me to do my work. haha. Life's a beach...

A day in the life of Rusty

I am a 4 yr-old Golden Retriever boy and recently, I had a new family. I also had a new name, Rusty. I used to be called Harvey but it's ok, I will come to you if you call me with either. I love my new home, it is big with a nice garden, lots of options for pee and poo-ing. There are some fish ponds where there are koi in them, I've to be careful not to fall in it as I don't want to smell fishy; it's very shallow but with my superb swimming skills, it's pup's play. Lots of places to walk to, and many doors but I am a very quick learner. I was allowed to go upstairs a few times to see the jacuzzi, gym and rooms, but not recently...I guess maybe I leave too much fur behind haha. I love the words 'Go Surfing' and I go crazy when I hear that. I must share with you what I did on Monday. It was Rachel's off day on Mondays...these 2 weeks she's been very busy with housework. She was mopping the floor, doing laundry, cleaning toilets and shooing me off the floor every now and then. I almost lost all hope of an outing when all of a sudden, at 4pm, she told me 'Go Running'. I took the leash in my teeth and waited for her to get changed. I was so excited. You must understand that I don't get to go surfing on Sundays. It's my saddest day in the week as I am Home Alone. I love Tuesdays to Saturdays as I get to go with her to the beach! Yippee! She's ready! Off we went...I was so excited I sprinted out of the house...Rachel told me to slow down as we have a LONG way to go...what does that mean? We trotted along...past traffic lights, roads and sniff!! roads I've never been to. I kept plugging away...dogs like me never quit, we always follow our owners till we die (not knowing it). We passed canals that never seemed to end...finally I met a pretty Golden girl, then a mixed Lab puppy and some dark-looking people who seemed afraid of me. I always wonder why because I long to love people and I never hurt anyone. We crossed bridges...sniff! I smell the sea...wow, I think we are going Surfing!! We reached the beach after 45mins of running. That was quite a distance for me. Rachel did not allow me to swim even tho' I tugged towards the sea. She brought me to this Cable Ski park where people were going round and round...I tugged towards the pond as I wanted to jump in to swim. She stood there watching and I am restless...finally we walked to the beach. On the way, she made me stop at this shower and I thought I had to take a shower now? I don't understand why she keeps pointing my mouth towards the water? I am only thinking of the sea. Can we go now? Yay! We reached the sea and she unleashed me. I ran into the sea like a crazy doggie. I was so thirsty I drank in tons of sea-water. Wow it never tasted so good. I swam and soaked, she walked and teased me to run after her...the beach is endless, i love it. I must have swam for 20mins and also drank that amount of sea water. Suddenly, my tummy ached! I stood on the beach in pain...Rachel was so worried, she started wiping the bubbles off my mouth and she took off my collar. I can breathe, my dear, it's my tummy that hurts...the water built up in my mouth and I puked big time!! Rachel fussed over me, she thought I was dying. haha...I was silly to drink up the sea. Puke I go again. Arrgghhh!! She asked me if I'm ok and to rest at a nearby bench. I lay down and nursed my tummy. Everything's churning inside. Rachel called Ker Wan and told him RUSTY cannot make it. Boohoo...I can I can, I can walk back, just watch me! I showed her I can walk...wait, I've to poo first. Call it diarrhoea...it went straight into the soil, nutrients, they call it. I was determined to walk home, what if she doesn't bring me out again? I can't imagine that. So I walked and walked...I ignored all the dogs along the way... After 50mins, I can smell our estate...yay! The gate opened and I heaved a sigh of relief! Oops, she took out the shampoo which means I can't rest yet. Rachel is very particular about clean doggies so each time I surf, I've to shower too. Did I tell you I love it when she towels me dry? I love to be hugged and rubbed!! I remember my tummy ache now...I also lapped up the entire doggie bowl of water. My tummy feels funny and I did not finish my dinner. It's a waste, especially with the egg. I'll wait till supper time, just don't throw it away ok? Goldens don't waste doggie food!

2 year Hiatus

It's been at least 2 years since I blogged! Perhaps I stopped reminiscing and being introspective about life. Or just taking a break? Lots happened...I was no longer dabbling in Sports Management anymore. Now I own a windsurfing pro shop together with my husband but of coz he keeps his job (to bring in the bacon). For the shop/biz, it's already almost 2 years...you can imagine the amount of change, work and foundation to put into this baby. I can't really blog about my business as it's not nice for my customers to hear this. That said, I must say that it's one of the best things to happen to me, and I really am enjoying every moment of it. I love windsurfing and kitesurfing, it's not a dream job, it's a dream! My business trips are sometimes races, attend windsurfing events, meet suppliers etc...always interesting and 100% my passion. Everything gets me really hyped up, I think about my biz 24/7 and there's no such thing as off day or 'after office hours'. I sincerely want to give my customers my very best, from customer service, advice and quality of equipment. I love racing...i've been windsurfing for 15 yrs and it's one of the best things in my life. Windsurfing gave me an adventurous life, wonderful friends, unforgettable experiences, a husband and a healthy body! Among all the different sports and trainings, windsurfing is still top on my list. Cycling is great, fast, finesse, techniques, tactics and i like the idea abou t good gear. Triathlons is great on pain factor, endurance, mental stamina and 'nice bod' too. Running and track stuff...enough....golf is nice social game...I don't know when I can end this...I am trying to say wind/kitesurfing are the best! I miss pain and hard training! , I'll be blogging as Rusty Harvey, my beloved best buddy Golden Retriever, whom I adopted in December '06. I endeavour to see life thru' his endearing life, as he has taught me much even in these 4 mths. Life is so much more meaningful with Rusty in my life and I can never imagine otherwise. Rusty is the most gentle, loving, endearing 4-yr old GR, all 34kgs of him! His favourite sport is windsurfing! Woof!