In our first installment of Owners and Pets, we covered Presidents and Pets: A T-Boy Odyssey Into Why They Loved One Another. Part I ended with a request to our friends, families and readers to consider sending us photographs of their own sacred pets, including those who had passed away, but will never be forgotten. This should help others to understand; when our pets love us, we tend to love them back. I’ve noticed in cinema, when male and female actors sign a contract to play in a film, they specify things that their character will never do. Male actor Martin Sheen writes, that he’ll never throw the first punch or take the Lord’s name in vain. Female actors often say that they’ll never appear nude, and a body double must be used. But, the overall crime that they’ll never commit, is that they will never kick a dog, in particular when the dog is down. It has been noted by PETA, the Humane Society and animal rights groups that the abuse of one’s pet, often leads to the abuse of a spouse or abuse by a parent of their own children. It is one of the most terrible crimes in human history, to abuse a child and animal who are vulnerable, as well as any vulnerable creature throughout the world.

Let’s close with a lyric by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Though the words were written by Paul, John later commented, See what {Paul} he can do when he sets his mind on it.

“And in the end
The love you take
Is equal to the love you make”

– Lennon and McCartney

The End, Abbey Road, The Beatles

Pet Owners who Love Their Pets: Precious Pixs

Tommy

Owner: Jim
Seattle, Washington

Beloved pound pooch Tommy loved to go on road trips. During his life, he traveled to 6 states and one Canadian province. He loved the view from Crater Lake.

Cinnamon

Terry
West Side LA, California

Cinnamon was my sister’s dog – friendly, playful, smart – a border collie/golden retriever mix. She was raised with cats and learned to make meowing noises to get attention. Every time I visited she would greet me enthusiastically and hang with me all day. When my sister was killed by a drunk driver the family decided I should take care of Cinnamon, which I did happily, bringing her to California from her home in Florida. We shared much joy, and she supported me with love during hard times. She would anticipate “dinnertime” by prancing excitedly around my legs, her nails clicking on the kitchen floor like a tap dancer. I would grab her leash and say: “Wanna go out? Wanna go out?” and she would leap and dance in circles by the front door in her eagerness to go for a walk. She always had my back. While walking her in public I would notice I was talking to myself, so I would then say: “Isn’t that right, Cinnamon?” We had many wonderful years until, sadly, I finally had to put her down at age 18.

My mom and I have been active with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) since we lost my sister, and it remains one of the causes I support.

Posie the Dog

Owners: Annalies and Marty
Outlook, Washington

Tillie

Owner: Brent
First Hill of Seattle, Washington

I have two kids, three grandkids and one dog. Whose picture do I carry in my wallet? You guessed it, my “dog-ter,” Tillie!

Ziggy

Owners: Annie and Raudi
Portland, Oregon

The Dog with Three Names

“You want to take him home?” We didn’t imagine ourselves having a dog as newlyweds in a one bedroom apartment. But how could we pass up the offer for a sweet Border Collie who greeted us like he’d known us forever?

Ziggy once known as Tab by his original owners, and more recently Street, was an unexpected gift from Raudi’s uncle. He had once belonged to our cousin and they were looking to re-home him as he had a habit of running away. After running away from our cousin, he was turned into the Humane Society a year later by a free spirit who said his name was Street. You might imagine his life was hard but we know he was well taken care of, possibly too well, as he was 40 lbs over weight.

We couldn’t help but say yes to Raudi’s uncle to spontaneously take him back home to our little apartment in Portland, OR. We only felt it right he have a new name for the next chapter in his life. He loves the beach, hiking the PNW, and anywhere he can be free off leash chasing his ball. One thing we’ve learned while having him is you can take the dog out of the street, but you can’t take the street out of the dog. Oh, the stories he would tell if he could talk!

Min and Kitskin

Owner: Barb
Lynnwood, Washington

I’m captivated by my two wonderful cats, Min and Kitskin. I believe that cats are more intelligent than many people believe. When I get upset, my cats surround me, purring and comforting me. They rush to see me when I come home.

Bella

Owner: Shari
Outlook, Washington, USA

Josie McJosersen

Owner: Paul
Mill City, Oregon

This is Josie. Josie McJosersen. We adopted her 4-years ago. The only dog I’ve ever had that was “my dog.” She belongs to all of us. But I’m her favorite.

Bessie the Cow

Owner: Wyatt
The beautful town of Outlook, Washington

Micah, a Maine Coon

Owner: Bethany
Rancho Park, California

Big Pussy

Owner: Susan
NYC, New York

Introducing Big Pussy,* the ginger tabby who rules my life. He came to me as a pandemic adoption, and has brought me vast amounts of love and companionship. For a while there, he had a crush on the stuffed animal. Once he realized it was not reciprocated, he turned his attention back to me. *Note: He was named in honor of one of Tony Soprano’s capos.

Gretta

Owner: Mike’s Trucking Company
Lower Yakima Valley, Washington

Gretta is the most recent addition to the Roskamp and Mike’s Trucking Company family.

Annie and Satchel

Owner: Peggy
Ballard District of Seattle, Washington

Of my uncle’s pets, who is currently living in an assisted living home in Seattle: Annie is a 10.5 year old dog, and Satchel, a 3 year old female cat. They are best friends! Satchel goes on walks with Annie too. However, she and my 14 year old cat are NOT best friends! While my son, Chris’s cat, also likes Annie the dog, she likely wishes she’d never met Satchel. They spat a lot! I’m always happy to share pictures of my baby. In fact, I have two kids, three grand kids and one dog.

Tonka and Tinker

Owners: Raoul & Jackie
Whittier, California

Crown Corgi brother and sister from the same “popular” Mom a year apart. They are under-stimulated sheep herding dogs so they compete on who first sounds the alarm for the intruder. It’s comical when they take a walk with their ears out like radar to survey the terrain — their arch enemies are the bulldog and boxer who live next door. People smile when they see these full-bodied “security” dogs with their little feet. Raoul wrote a song about them.

Buckles

Owner: Noelle
Mill Valley, California

Buckles is part Blue Heeler and part McNab, a cattle dog mix from Mendocino and raised in a few beautiful places including the Eastern Sierras and later on in Marin County. 

If you were to look up the following in Webster’s Dictionary.

A dog that loved chasing a ball, following a scent, bringing joy and a smile every day to someone new or an old friend, this is where you’d see a picture of Buckles!

Although he’s not with us physically, his spirit lives on in our hearts.  His legacy is to wake up each day and bring joy to someone and for those of us who spent a moment or longer with him… this can be ours… bring joy to someone today and Buckles will smile on you!

Bella the Cat

Owner: Akiko
Universal City, California

Fionna

Owner: Camille Schaefer
Tacoma, Washington

Traveling Boy suggests to all voters throughout Pierce County: “Remember to vote for Camille Schaefer, as she’ll become YOUR Judge in Pierce County Superior Court, and will take a solemn oath on the US Constitution in treating all people with kindness and equality.“

Molly and Udon

Owner: Janet
Los Angeles, California

Rescued cats: Gentle Molly is near sighted and bumps into things. She was bullied by her brother and sister who both died prematurely. Now she gets along with her new friend who understands.

Tangerine, Puff, Natasha & Everdeen

Owner: Weave
Vancouver Island, British Columbia  

I love my dogs more than any human I know – terrible to say but it is true. There’s something about being loved back by a non-human that helps us better understand the universe.

Cali

Owners: Tony and Vanessa
Hacienda Heights, California

He loves to guard the garden of Tony and Vanessa. He hates coyotes and raccoons.

Charlie

Owners: Robin and Gary
Grandview, Washington

Charlie loves to wait for us, sitting on his official armchair.

Marlee

Owners: Lisa and Josh
Tri-Cities, Washington

Marlee is feeling a little excluded. In her 13 years in Washington she has covered a LOT of miles and has visited more wineries in WA that a dog probably should?

Oliver the Bunny

Owner: Bri
Lynnwood, Washington

I love Oliver so much.

King

Owners: Mike and Maggie
Whittier, California

The territorial barking guard dog of Mike and Maggie. His bark is bigger than his size.

Peamon

Owners: Tim and Yachiyo
San Diego, California

He’s old and grumpy. And a gigantic #@$%hole! (ha) but he’s our #@$%hole!💕
He sleeps 23 hours a day. And still controls our lives.  Unless he wants something, he totally ignores you. He’ll watch you clean his cat box, just to make sure you do it properly. 

Buddy the Therapeutic Dog

Owner: Heather
Whittier, California

Petty asked if Heather could care for Buddy when Petty’s husband passed away. Heather didn’t have time for Buddy; but when she was told that she could return Buddy if things didn’t work out, Heather decided to take action. Heather has not returned Buddy ever since.

Heather works in a funeral home so she meets people who are distraught and Buddy has remarkably turned into a sensitive therapeutic dog. I guess he earned his keep.

Cedric and Delphine

Owners: Deb & Ed
Burbank, California

Cedric came to us from the breeder, the very kind Amber Sharp, as the smallest puppy of a litter of thirteen. With no milk from his mother, he was fed from a bottle, while sitting on Amber’s lap. He was pampered and rambunctious, craving attention he never received from his mother, brothers and sisters. Amber gifted him to the CEO of Mike’s Trucking Company in Outlook, WA, who gave him to us. Our lives would never be the same again. We finally had a child of our own; and a very demanding one at that. Some people consider Dalmatians to be of lower intelligence, but not Cedric. It was a proud day when Cedric graduated with flying colors at the Burbank Dog Training School, scoring a remarkable 22 out of a possible 100 points.

We found Little Delphine at the Burbank Humane Shelter. She had previously been discovered in a rough part of town, wandering around in a Kmart parking lot; starving, dirty and using the last of her strength in order to stay live. The sad irony is that she was using the last of her strength in order to return to the criminal owners who had abused her.

Quite literally, she was only skin and bones. When we took our first walk with her, she would lunge at empty garbage cans. Upon feeding her with prescribed medicine, we would place the pills in a fingerful of peanut butter, and carefully stick it into her mouth. She would become confused, preferring the substance on her wagging tongue. We could tell that she had been taken away from mother when she was far too young, for she had never been taught how to suck on anything at all. Delphine had complicated medical conditions. When we placed a bowlful of food out for her to eat, recommended by our veterinarian, the amazing Dr. Laurie Leach, Delphine would charge over to it, but would have difficulties digesting it. T-Boy photographer, Deb Roskamp, also one of the first family nurse pactioners in the US, thought Delpine might have been poisoned by a dispicable owner. But that made us love her even more.

I had often fantasied that someday I would find this deplorable person, and remind whoever he or she may be, of all the terrible things that they had done to Delphine.

But, what good would it do? Perhaps this person had also suffered from abuse, too.

“I remember the proverb, ‘There is no such thing as a bad pet, only a bad owner.‘”

And there you have it, the article is complete!

With special thanks to friends, families, writers and readers – owners who love their pets: Barb; Shari; Annalise & Marty; Terry; Wyatt; Brent; Annie & Raudi; Akiko; Jim; Uncle Mike & Mike’s Trucking Company; Susan; Camille; Paul; Noelle; Peggy; Bethany; Bri; Tim & Yachiyo; Weave; Lisa & Josh; Robin & Gary; and inspired by Emily, who loves vulnerable pets more than anyone else we’ve ever known.

God Bless you all!

Post Script:

Some dogs spend hours hiding in the corner of a secluded room while avoiding contact with other humans and pets. There are also dogs that consistently avoid being petted by their new human parents. Centuries of coexistence have genetically tuned dogs to trust humans. However, when that trust is breached, pet dogs are often left emotionally broken, confused, and fearful. Abused, neglected, and eventually abandoned, these dogs need more than just love and care. Pet parents who adopt abused dogs often report back, saying that their newly-adopted dogs are showing signs of behavioral issues.

Common Signs of Abuse Physical scars are often easy to treat. However, many dogs of abuse develop long-term emotional problems. These behavioral issues usually take months of emotional nursing to rectify. Following are a few common behavioral issues that are often noticed in abused dogs: Extreme Separation Anxiety • General Distrust Towards Other Dogs and Humans • Signs of Extreme Submissiveness (tucked-tail stance, ears back, wide-eyed glance) • Unprompted Aggression.

WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the largest animal rights organization in the world, with more than 6.5 million members and supporters. PETA exposes animals suffering in laboratories, in the food industry, in the clothing trade, and in the entertainment industry.

Advocating For Animals | Nonprofit For Animals; List of Animal Welfare Nonprofits Los Angeles | DeepSweep.

No man can be condemned for owning a dog. As long as he has a dog, he has a friend; and the poorer he gets, the better friend he has. – Will Rogers

You think dogs will not be in heaven?  I tell you, they will be there long before any of us. – Robert Louis Stevenson

Stay tuned for Part 3 in the T-Boy series, where we discuss more about US Presidents and their Pets, Frequently Asked Questions about Pets, and a 25 Question Trivia Game about Animals, who we love.

The post Pet Owners Who Love Their Pets: Precious Pixs appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Anger Management Test

I was excited. My wife was returning from a week-long trip to the Philippines. I was supposed to pick her up on Tuesday. However, Monday started a long list of misfortunes.

Since LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) is an hour’s drive away, I decide to fill my tank with gas on Monday. Wouldn’t you know it? My car decides to die on me right at the pump. I call for help and the lady who is overseeing the pumping line pushes my car towards the parking spot ahead of me. As she pushes, my steering wheel jams and I could hardly turn. Up ahead I see a red, shiny $1M Ferrari. (Of all places, why would anyone park his Ferrari in front of me?!?!) “Lord, you gotta be kidding! Where’d you hide the hidden camera?!” We miss it by a few inches. My heart is pounding. Looking at the bright side, I guess if the Ferrari owner saw me, he would have had a heart attack!

Road Assistance comes over and the ER car mechanic tells me my starter is the problem. So I bring it to Mr. P, a mechanic who goes to the same church. Surely good ol’ Mr. P isn’t going to RIP me off like the other mechanics in the area, right?

Mr. P is hospitable and he’s joking around and we exchange banter like we are best buddies. I picture this scene of us smiling, my balloon says “he’s a swell guy for helping me out like this” while his balloon says “how much can I RIP from this bozo?”

He said he needs to check it out first. His son drops me off at my home. Soon Mr. P calls me and says It is going to cost me almost $700. I swear I heard a piece of paper going “RrrriiiP! — sucker!” He also says it would be ready after lunch — so picking up my wife was not gonna happen. Mr. P could have quoted me a million bucks because he knew I had no choice but agree to any price he dished out.

That evening I’m messaging my wife about her needing to take Lyft to get home. She’s frustrated, I’m frustrated … we’re not in a good mood. A few hours later, she tells me there’s something wrong with the plane’s hydraulics. She’ll arrive on Wednesday instead. “Well, at least I can pick her up now.”

Tuesday morning Mr. P phones in and tells me the car will be ready by lunchtime as promised. I’m thinking I might have misjudged him … maybe the parts were expensive … so I ask him to check for anything else that needs repair. After all, I wasn’t rushing for anything anymore. Less than an hour later he gives me a long laundry list of what needs to be done. The total would only be an additional $2,500. I nearly Puke. So that’s what Mr. P stands for!

“No thanks! Just change the oil and whatever else would fit my budget of $1,000 and that should be enough.”

Just before closing time, I decide to walk the 2 miles to Mr. P’s shop. He volunteered to order an Uber for me but I would have none of that added to my bill … I needed to exercise anyway. A quarter of a mile away and I get this cramp on my left calf muscle. “Lord, you gotta be kidding! Where’d you hide the hidden camera now?!” You should have seen me limping and hobbling as traffic whizzed around me. I swear I hear someone yelling — sucker!! Miraculously, I make it in less than an hour. Mr. P’s mouth starts babbling like a salesman. His words enter one ear and out the other. The total bill is — Ka-Ching! — $968.87 — just $31 under my budget. My face drops. I just pay the guy. I didn’t want to cry in front of him. In my mind, I’m scratching his name from my list of nice people in church.

My wife messages me again – she won’t be arriving on Wednesday after all. The electrical system at the Philippine airport is acting funny. She has to continue to enjoy an all-expenses paid accommodation at this luxurious hotel. Sigh! Some girls have all the fun!

So finally Thursday comes around. To surprise my wife, I decide to take our two corgis with me. Big mistake! Instead of jumping up to the backseat, those pesky little mischievous canines-from-hell decide this is fun-time! They run around the car taunting me to chase them. “Lord, you gotta be kidding! Where’s the hidden camera?!” I clap my hands, stamp my feet, I whistle, I make puckering sounds and those pranksters look at me smiling with their tongues hanging out. I waste 10 minutes and finally grab them by their leashes and carry them into the car. They’re laughing at the back as I start our long journey to the airport.

Surprisingly, I get to the airport 30 minutes early so I park in a street 3 minutes away from the arrival area. All is “quiet in the waterfront” when my wife texts me that they had just landed. I’m elated that this chapter will be over soon.

A minute later, I witness a policeman gather traffic cones and starts cordoning off the street that leads to the airport. Oh no! I see cars detouring to my parking area. Then, even the detour is cordoned off. Then cars start piling and blocking my way out. Before it gets any worse I decide to pull out and start heading for a distant detour — 5 miles away. I notice several blinking black government SUVs being escorted towards the airport. I figure it’s this government big shot who’s causing all these disruptions.

In the meantime my wife is texting me … complaining that she had to go through immigration, customs and now she is randomly chosen to go through yet another line because her baggage tags belongs to her original Tuesday flight. She is fuming mad but I am calm in my thoughts of revenge: “Hey Mr. Big Shot Bureaucrat! You messed up everyone’s day, you messed up my schedule — prepare to die! Ratatatattat!”

At long last I turtle-pace in the LAX traffic to my wife’s gate. She is all smiles. The dogs are unusually quiet but obviously happy (I guess the 2 long hour wait snuffed the punk out of them). The drive home is a lot faster than I expect. All is good. I am glad because I still have time to spare to pick up my grand kids from school. But when I get there, my daughter is already waiting to pick them up. There obviously was a miscommunication. Did I let it bother me? Nah! I’m already an expert in misery!

Yes, I had a bad week but I can’t say I had a terrible week — my car’s working, my wife’s home with her corgis, the grand kids are home. Life is nice and dandy. It helps a lot if you face your daily foibles with a cheery attitude. So many hot buttons yet not one hot enough to burn me down. How’d your week go? Did you pass your Anger Management Test?

Impatience is the breeding ground of anger and anger is only one letter away from danger.

TGIF people!

Raoul

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Phil of La Habra, CA

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Wyne of Mandaluyong, Metro Manila

PARTING SHOTS

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines

Thanks to Garie of Kainta, Metro Manila

I found these

THE TRAVELING BOY

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.

The post Enormous Hand appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Man’s Best Friend: The Good, the Bad and the Noisy

Thursdays are my busiest days. It really distracts my flow of thought when people call me on Thursdays for the most trivial of reasons. So it really bothered me when Tonka and Tinker were unusually noisy today. Our corgis were in a Thursday barking mood. The slightest sound, would trigger one to yip! and the other would yap! and the cycle would continue forever. If I grow deaf early I will blame them.

At one point, I wondered if there really was something I needed to pay attention to, so I poked outside the door and they ran outside to check the parameters.

“Nope! No thieves! Check! No postman, check! No neighborhood dogs — all’s clear!”

They were barking for nothing. Nothing!!! I looked at their puppy eyes and pointed my finger at them “Quiet! No barking!I” With their ears rolled back and their saddened eyes I was pretty sure they got the message. Professor Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, would have been proud of my discipline technique.

I go back upstairs and continue my work. A few minutes later they go at it again. Ayayay!!! Give me a break!!

Then I remembered a conversation I just had with my wife last Sunday. I said, “One of the reasons why I don’t think people should neuter their dogs is because their lives are so short. Having offspring would mean having a successor to carry the baton.”

And then my wife said something I didn’t expect. She said “Oh no, these two are the last. I will be too old to care for any dog when that time comes.”

Her remark hit me like a brick. I got nostalgic.

I remembered the unbearable grief my sister and her husband went through when their restless little monster of a shih tzu (Boris) passed away. I could see their funeral procession a mile away. I remember my good friend Ed and his wife Debbie. They had 2 dalmatians (Delphine and Cedric) that died a few years apart. I remember the last one had incontinence and pooped all over their beautiful home. I could not understand then their devotion to these animals. And how could I forget Zoe, our own shih tzu who never learned to poop outside and would eat her own poop to hide the evidence. Boy! I still miss that smelly pup. I remember his wide eyes asking me to play while his mouth dribbled with poop.

Thank God for our dogs, our cats, our birds, our lizards — why did God create them? Because He wanted to demonstrate the meaning of unconditional devotion … something even our people friends fall short of. We don’t deserve their loyalty. Yet we treat them like … like … dogs! I never thought I’d say this but with all the love they give us — we should really treat them like kings.

I guess the next time Tonka and Tinker shatter my eardrums, I should just bow down and say — long live the king!

Am I making sense?

TGIF people!

Raoul

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Joe of Los Angeles

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Joe of Los Angeles, CA

Long live the king!

PARTING SHOTS

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Hannah of South Dakota

Thanks to Maling of New Manila

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

I found these

THE TRAVELING BOY

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.

The post Counseling Breakthrough appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Silly People

It’s hard to believe there are a lot of silly people in America. You see them everyday.

• Silly people are slaves to their little masters.
• Silly people actually volunteer to have a master.
• Many actually spend big bucks to acquire their masters.
• Silly people pick up their master’s hair, clean their mess and feed them gourmet dishes.
• When the masters come beside their slave, silly people are trained to give massages.
• Who dutifully take their masters out in the morning and at night? Silly people, that’s who.
• When silly people go on vacation they do everything they can to take their masters along with them so they can parade their silliness to the world. And if that isn’t possible, they have to find baby sitters or worse — book their masters in an expensive hotel.
• Silly people have evolved up the food chain and learned to walk upright with 2 legs yet they are willingly subservient to their four legged masters.
• Silly people can talk — they say things like “sit, down, wait, beg, roll over.” In contrast, their masters have a very limited vocabulary; they bark, grunt, howl and growl.

It’s crazy why silly people want to have a master! They’re expensive to maintain. They waste your valuable time and drain your savings especially when they get sick.

We have 3 cats and 2 dogs in our home and those animals shed lots and lots of hair. And the hair (especially the soft cottony ones) are so light they go airborne like the Rono virus. Guess who vacuums the dander? My daughter who brought in the 3 cats? No way! My wife who adopted the 2 corgi dogs? Never! It’s poor, forsaken, forgotten, unlucky me.

Our house used to be immaculately clean. Now there are scratches on the wall, on the chairs, the sofa, the floor, the entertainment center, etc. Cat toys, dog toys, litter pellets, etc. have turned our abode into a war zone.

Are you a silly person? I never wanted to be a silly person —- but I guess I am now. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?

TGIF people!

Raoul

Hey, we went to a huge Corgi Beach Day 2 weeks ago where 1,500 corgis had a huge party.

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Peter Paul of S Pasadena, CA

Videos of the week

FUNNY: A cute video of animals and their food.

SERIOUS STUFF: Tom L. of Pasadena, shared this troubling video about the CCP’s plan to rule the world.
It’s pretty long. Do you agree with its analysis?

Parting Shots

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Diego of Mexico City

I hope you like this dog joke collection

The post A Dog Riddle appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Photos by Raoul Pascual

If you’re ever in Southern California, Huntington Beach Tower 22 is famous for one thing. It’s open to dogs! And every now and then there are big dog events like Corgi Beach Day which took place last April 2, 2022. If you want to be part of the Corgi “in crowd,” you need to be there. This year, Corgis arrived from as far away as Texas for one very big reason: to partay! partay! Then partay some more!

We arrived early at 8:30 a.m. and found street metered parking still available a few blocks away. The sun never fully came out to tan the visitors so most of the hundreds of beach goers wore sweatshirts and jogging pants. Vendors selling dog-wares were hurriedly putting up their tents. Food trucks were firing up their grills. The other early birds were staking their claim at the best patches of sand. I guess the Corgis sensed this was going to be a big event because their tails were wagging, and their tongues were hanging out.

The brave Corgis and their owners and masters ventured into the raging waters. Die-hard surf boarders with body suits were already catching their waves when we got there. This was also an opportunity for the Corgi masters to show off their Corgi accessories: wigs, hats, body costumes, sunglasses, carts, colorful leashes, shoes – you name it – as long as their Corgis allowed it.

Corgis come in all shapes and sizes. But just in case you didn’t know, there are two main types of Corgis: the Pembroke Welsh Corgi (made popular by Queen Elizabeth II) and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi (believed to be bred by Nordic settlers in SW Wales). Both have small furry short legs (they don’t walk, they scurry) and large ears that stand upright like radars scouting for predators. They are, in fact, herding dogs – often referred to as heelers, meaning that they would nip at the heels of the larger animals to keep them on the move. So, it’s their God-given duty to keep people (and sheep) in check and guard the premises. They naturally bark out danger warnings with every shift in the sound barrier. But today, since it was partay day, most of the Corgis left their megaphones at home and played nice to each other.

These intelligent Corgis come in earth color shades where some are fluffy, others are brindle. I believe the further away you go from the black and sable Corgis, the further away you are from the pure-bred Royal Corgi. Naturally, our very own two Corgis are pure-bred (and we have the papers to prove we spent a fortune for them). Hey, when you’ve spent an arm and a leg on something, you need to brag in order to recuperate your loss, right?

They do shed like crazy! Thank God for vacuum cleaners! They have insatiable appetites. My wife serves them the best dog food money can buy but has to limit their intake to maintain their healthy 30 pound weight otherwise they would eat all day. Strangely, they love vegetables like green beans, broccoli and especially bok choy. I guess Los Angeles Corgis are also turning vegan.

But back to the Corgi Beach Dog party. There were trophies lined up for upcoming contests. I believe the contests were based on skills and good looks. But we didn’t stick around to watch them because our socialite hounds had to go to an obstacle course contest a few blocks away. We did see a woman in leotards teaching the crowd to discover their inner Corgis by doing Corgi Yoga. Yup! You heard that right – Corgi Yoga! Corgis were walking around wondering what their human masters were doing but I didn’t see any Corgis stretching although I did see their masters reaching for the sky – with their feet!

As we were leaving the party just before lunch, hordes of more Corgis were crossing the street to join the Corgi frenzy. The organizers said they were expecting 1,500 corgis. Just think about it. That’s 1,500 sheep herders with radar ears and hidden blow horns. Imagine the chaos that was about to happen. I remember the Biblical scene of Abraham and his family leaving the chaos in Sodom and Gomorrah. The angel instructed them to escape and not to look back or they would turn to salt. Fortunately, I didn’t look back and I didn’t turn into salt. The local news came after we left the Corgi celebration. I’m sure everyone had a blast … especially the Corgis.

For more information:

• Facebook pages: Agility Corgis, San Gabriel Valley Corgis, Southern California Corgi Community
• So Cal Corgi Beach Day
• If you want to adopt a corgi, go to: Queen’s Best Stumpy Dog Rescue
• Instagram: @SOCALCORGIBEACHDAY
• The Corgi song:

The post Who Let the Corgis Out? appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Sleepy

Sorry guys. I’m going to have to let you down this week. I’m so tired and sleepy. So no thoughts to inspire or challenge you today. My schedule’s out of wack because the work from last week sorta lingered these past few days and I just want to go to sleep. Those late night work have something to do with it. But you know what? Even though I’m tired, I am satisfied that I accomplished something. I truly enjoy what I do. I’d rather be busy than bored and watch videos the whole day.

I listened to the news as I worked so I am concerned about the 2nd wave of COVID with the Delta variant. I heard about the protests in Europe from people who don’t want to wear masks. Why doesn’t the mainstream media cover that? I heard about the floods in China where thousands were trapped and drowned in the underground subways. I heard some excitement about the Olympics. I liked the Sports news but hated the politics. I feel sorry for Japan who lost so much hosting this event full of empty seats. I heard illegals are still pouring into the country because the southern borders are way open. The real damage to our society are the thousands who have tested positive and were release to the rest of America. Governor Cuomo of NYC is in the hot seat. His party has turned against him. Interesting behavior in display — the big bully is now being bullied. Hard to sympathize. The economy is sluggish — lots of ups and downs. Gas prices are still up. When was the last time you stepped into a mall?

Question:

When you voted for whoever you voted, are you surprised at the current events? Why or why not? No judgment here. I just want to know.

I think I’m going to have nightmares.

Let’s end with something positive. I heard Disneyland is open. Broadway is open. Movie houses and concerts are happening. Air travel and road traffic are getting back to normal. Chicken thighs are on sale at Aldi’s at 99 cents a pound.

TGIF people!

Raoul

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Peter Paul of S Pasadena, CA for this joke.

Videos of the Week

Thanks to Ray of Glendale, CA for this provoking video.

Sound of Silence … Disturbed
Ray said this won a GRAMMY. It’s a different take on that classic tune … one more serious, more dramatic, more visual. WARNING: It’s pretty dark but very artistic.

TOBI the CORGI
Thanks to Jackie of Whittier, CA for this adorable video. My wife and I are hooked on the escapades of Tobi the Corgi. He has a lot of videos. I think we watched them all.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Mel of Washington DC for these jokes.

Thanks to Peter Paul of S Pasadena, CA for this joke.

Thanks to Don of Kelowna B.C. for this joke.

The post Pregnant Explanation appeared first on Traveling Archive.

What a Dump!

In the opening scene of the movie “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” George and Martha Washington walk to their humble home, unlock the front door and see the horror of their dirty house. “What a dump!” Martha exclaims — giving us a glimpse of the battle what was to unfold in the movie.

This past week was a “dump” of cinematic proportions for me — one battle after another.

A newsletter I was working on had to be sidelined because of an emergency. A major website that I manage (Travelingboy.com) crashed and the backup didn’t work. The guy who worked on the server gave me false hopes and he confessed later that he didn’t have any solution. He wasted valuable time. The problem was exacerbated because my trusted assistant (named W2) was not available. W2 contracted a very bad case of Covid and is on his 3rd month now in the hospital. The irony (though not conclusive) is W2 was safely isolated in his home but got infected the one time that he and his wife stepped out to get vaccinated. No telling when W2 will be able to resume his duties. I could have really used his help.

A book that I designed and ready for print turned out to have the wrong specs because the publisher changed their default template after I started working on the book.

I also got my first traffic violation ever! I didn’t follow my own sacred driving rule: “If you want to go fast, just follow the fastest car on the freeway.” I was talking to my wife and I didn’t realize the other drivers were following me! Thanks to my speeding ticket I have to pay a huge amount and go to traffic school. What a dump!!!

Where was God to allow this to happen to me? Hey, if you can blame God, you probably believe in the prosperity gospel. It’s the problem-free philosophy. Hakuna Matata! False preachers promise Christians a life of happiness and wealth IF you donate to their private jet. News flash! If you hear your priest, pastor, leader, talk like that or look like televangelists Jim Baker or Jimmy Swaggert — RUN FORREST RUN!!! There is no guarantee that life will have no worries for the rest of your days when one becomes a Christian. The only guarantee is that God will never forsake us nor abandon us. He will walk us through our dark days.

It’s easy to enlarge the dramas in your life and bypass the blessings along the way. I could have lost the thousands of articles and images on that website. W2 could have died. I am happy to report that W2’s getting better and the Traveling Boy website is finally up and running.

I could have had to start the book design from scratch. Thankfully, my client figured a way around the restrictions so the book is scheduled for printing. I am now able to work on the newsletter and other stuff that has been piling up.

I could have had an accident on the freeway. I could have been strip-searched, locked in prison for the rest of my days playing Hakuna Matata with my harmonica, but all I got was a fine.

Indeed, God blessed me instead with “minor” problems.

This is what King David wrote in Psalm 30:4-5 when he was fleeing from his enemies. (This was one of my Mom’s favorite verses.) David knew he could trust God:

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.

I hope your days are bright, enjoyable and blessed. And if you are going through a valley of despair, look up! Someone’s watching over you.

TGIF!

Raoul

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Peter Paul of S Pasadena, CA for this joke.

Video of the Week

Thanks to Luz of La Habra, CA for this pleasant video.
This isn’t a joke but I (surprisingly) never heard this song before and couldn’t stop singing this song after I had listened to it. Hope you like it too.

HARVEST MOON

And if you want to hear a cheery tune, don’t forget our family video of “My Corgis and Me”. I added the lyrics and chords. CLICK HERE.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Mel of Washington DC for these jokes.

Bill Nye
BS Mechanical Engineering = Cornell University

Dolph Lundgren
BS Chemistry = Washington State University
BS Chemical Engineering = Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm
MS Chemical Engineering = University of Sydney
Fulbright Scholarship Recipient – MIT

Thanks to Rodney of Manitoba B.C. for this joke.

Thanks to Don of Kelowna B.C. for this joke.

The post Penguins in a Truck appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Susan George on “OUR CITY TONIGHT” TV

Watch Screen Legend Susan George’s interview on Canada’s “Our City Tonight” with host Jim Gordon who offered perinate questions about her career in which few of us were aware of.

Random Acts of Canine Kindness

Cedric the Dog takes a well-deserved break after his failure to shut down a puppy mill in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

You want a friend in Washington? Get a dog. – Harry S. Truman

MORE Dog Quotations

Together in Spirit – The Best Friends Animal Society

At the core of Best Friends Animal Society’s work is the dream that one day animals will no longer be killed in America’s shelters.

MORE

On Raglan Road

By Patrick Kavanagh

On Raglan Road on an autumn day I saw her first and knew
That her dark hair would weave a snare that I might one day rue;
I saw the danger, yet I passed along the enchanted way,
And I said, let grief be a fallen leaf at the dawning of the day.
On Grafton Street in November we tripped lightly along the ledge
Of the deep ravine where can be seen the worth of passion’s pledge,
The Queen of Hearts still making tarts and I not making hay
Oh I loved too much and by such by such is happiness thrown away.
I gave her gifts of the mind I gave her the secret sign that’s known
To the artists who have known the true gods of sound and stone
And word and tint without stint for I gave her poems to say.
With her own name there and her own dark hair like clouds over fields of May
On a quiet street where old ghosts meet I see her walking now
Away from me so hurriedly my reason must allow
That I had loved not as I should a creature made of clay
When the angel woos the clay he’d lose his wings at the dawn of day.

Learn the history of On Raglan Road and see the beautiful woman who inspired it.

MORE

Send Deb your favorite travel poems

ED BOITANO ON “OUR CITY TONIGHT” TV

Last Sunday, the hit Canadian TV series Our City Tonight interviewed Traveling Boy editor, Ed  Boitano. The main focus of the interview was how Traveling Boy was able to survive during the C-19 pandemic when few people have been traveling.

Hosts Jim Gordon and Leeta Liepins offered praise and asked pertinent questions on how Traveling Boy was able to pivot during the pandemic by bringing in new categories and episodes to the site. This includes travel cartoons, international recipes, celebrity suites, travel trivia, foreign film reviews, and travel-themed polls, with the most recent, Places in the Heart; a deeply personal series by staff writers about destinations that dramatically impacted their lives.

MORE

My Corgis and Me: Chords and Lyrics

A few have asked for the lyrics of my Corgi song. So here it is with simplified chords. I used this simple chord progression of only 3 chords to teach my grandkids to play the guitar. The chords are in the key of A but the original chords were in the key of C so if you want to play along with the recording, just put a capo on the 3rd fret.

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

MORE

4 Things to Consider as You Start Traveling Again, According to Rick Steves

The legendary travel writer and TV personality shares tips for ethically returning to travel.

Courtesy Stacey Leasca 

Rick Steves wants you to know that travel will make a comeback, it just might look a little different than you remember.

In April, Steves sat down for a wide-ranging interview about the future of travel with Fund for Education Abroad, an organization that provides scholarships and ongoing support to students who are underrepresented among the U.S. study abroad population. And, as you may suspect, Steves is just as ready as the rest of us to get back out there and explore the world again.

MORE

Covid-19 Direct Relief

Covid-19 Direct Relief addresses the courage of health workers on the front lines, honoring them with meaningful support, and the people most at risk in this pandemic are cared for — regardless of politics, religion, or ability to pay.

DONATE to DIRECT RELIEF

JetBlue Plane with Mint Business Class Suites

Courtesy of Business Insider

JetBlue Airways’ swanky new business class suites have landed.

The New York-based carrier marked another milestone towards launching flights to London having taken delivery of its first Airbus A321neo with the upgraded business class seats that flyers will enjoy on transatlantic flights later this year.

MORE

Airlines Testing Touchless Technologies to Ease COVID-19 Concerns

Courtesy: Mina Kaji, Gio Benitez & Sam Sweeney

As air travel hits record numbers since the pandemic began, U.S. airlines are testing and implementing new technologies aimed at reducing contact — both with surfaces and with people.

MORE

Germ Protection: Pack this Next Time You Have to Go Through TSA

Nakefits are lightweight, waterproof sole protectors that adhere to your feet and stay on for hours to protect you from germs, fungal infections, slipping and hot surfaces. Pop them on before going through TSA to give your feet protection. Or take them on a trip and pop them on before entering the hotel spa or sauna, taking a barefoot yoga class, or using the pool or hot tub. Available in a range of sizes suitable for children and adults, Nakefits can be easily removed without any pinching, peeling, or irritation of the skin. For further information, visit NakeFit USA.

The Complete List of All U.S. National Parks

Courtesy of Madeline Bilis

The United States just added a new national park to its roster of incredible public lands: New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. This West Virginia park runs along 53 miles of the New River and encompasses over 70,000 acres of the beautiful wooded gorge.  Plus, it offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, climbing, and whitewater rafting.

Its addition to the long list of U.S. national parks made us wonder — just how many national parks are there?

MORE

How to Take Your Own Passport Photo

Courtesy: Caroline Morse Teel, SmarterTravel

After paying $15 to have an awkward photoshoot in the aisle of a CVS, only to have my passport photos rejected twice (once for being too dark and once for being too bright), I decided there had to be a better way to take your own passport photo. Turns out, snapping your own passport photo is easier, cheaper, and much more convenient than going to a “professional” (a.k.a., the cashier at your local drugstore). Here’s a few tips:

MORE

How to Stay Safe While Traveling

With travel set to resume as coronavirus restrictions ease, travelers should inform themselves about the cleaning procedures at hotels and Airbnb properties before choosing the best option for them. Ask about cleaning protocols, be on the lookout for red flags such as accumulations of dirt and grime, and inspect surfaces in the bathroom and kitchen, recommends Brian Sansoni of the American Cleaning Institute.

MORE

Americans Are Willing to Give Up Love and Chocolate for Travel

We’re catching flights, not feelings in 2021

Courtesy of Patrice J. Williams 

Would you do anything for love? According to a recent study, travel-starved Americans are willing to give up L-O-V-E if it means they can hear those beautiful words: “This is your captain speaking.”

A recent survey conducted by Booking.com found that Americans are ready to hit the road and are finally seeing some light at the end of this year-long tunnel. More than 70 percent said the success of COVID-19 vaccines have them feeling hopeful and “optimistic,” while just over 60 percent have realized travel is crucial to their emotional well-being. It’s clear they’re ready; we’re ready. But how ready?

MORE

MORE

Less Will be More in Post-Pandemic Travel: Airbnb Chief

Smaller cities and more family time will gain favor over global tourism permanently in the wake of the pandemic, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky predicts. “They’re not yearning to see Times Square” after months of isolation from normal life, he observes.

MORE

JetBlue Passengers Will Be Able to Take an At-Home COVID-19 Test

No nasal swab required

Written by Stefanie Waldek, Courtesy of JetBlue

With COVID-19 testing restrictions impeding both domestic and international travel, JetBlue is providing its passengers an option that might help them travel more freely. The airline has announced a partnership with Vault Health to provide its passengers with easy access to an at-home COVID-19 test that could be used to enter specific destinations with coronavirus testing policies in place.

9 Tips for Traveling With Kids During the Pandemic

First tip: take a deep breath.

Courtesy of Wendy Altschuler, tripsavvy.com

Traveling with kids is often challenging even when there’s isn’t a pandemic to contend with. Kids require extra gear, entertainment, snacks, downtime, and a careful eye to make sure they’re safe while out and about. Now, more than ever, it’s imperative to practice social distancing, good hygiene, and to wear a mask when venturing through airports, getting food on the road, using public restrooms, or where there are groups of people present. Whether you’d like to plan for a road trip, a flight on a commercial airline, or a staycation in your own city, here are tips for traveling with kids during a pandemic.

MORE

Most Stressed States

It goes without saying that 2020 was a year like no other, from COVID-19, to a very tough election season, the US has seen one of its most stressful years on record. With this in mind CT Shirts have analyzed Google Search data and cross referenced it with population and average household income to reveal the most stressed states.

SEE KEY FINDINGS

Health Passports: The Future Of Travel?

Courtesy: Justin Hayward, Simple Flying

MORE

Being on the ground in over 180 countries means you get the full story.

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MY CORGIS and ME

by Raoul Pascual

Intro: AM7  DM7  AM7

Verse 1

       AM7
It’s easy enough to crack a smile   when
                                                     DM7
Tonka and Tinker occupy the streets
                           AM7
With their little feet.

Verse 2

AM7
People come out to catch the scene
                                                     DM7
of Two little tongues hanging out to say I am free
                                AM7
    Won’tcha follow me?

CHORUS

DM7                              AM7
Two Corgis were made I believe
DM7                          AM7
To bring sunshine for all to receive
DM7      E                AM7   Go back to intro
My Corgis              and  me

Verse 3

AM7  
Two furry hot dogs, so proper and clean
                                                                          DM7
Pampered to death like the King and Queen of a movie scene
                            AM7  
With me in between.

Ad Lib

DM7                                               AM7
Pitter patter    pitter patter     off  they go
DM7                                                       AM7
Left to right and right to left     their pelvics flow
         DM7                           AM7                            DM7                 E    (pause)
A ha haaa  (echo)    A ha haaa  (echo)    Ha ha haaaa (echo)    Ha ha haaaa

Repeat Intro and repeat chorus then fade.

The post My Corgis and Me: Chords and Lyrics appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Men and Little Men

Father’s Day

I was just talking with my male friends and somehow our conversation gravitated to our need to keep busy at home … at least to have the appearance of keeping busy. One of the guys was semi-retired and he said his weekends were actually busier than his week days. He is forced to go shopping and do errands with his wife. Another said he would spend hours away from home because at least he was free to manage his time. Wives, did you know you have this effect with your husbands?

Why do house chores only come from the wives? Why don’t husbands have a list for their wives? One guy said that he was trained not to give orders. He found out early in their marriage that each favor he would ask of his wife was reciprocated with 3 from her. Another said he preempted everything that needed fixing rather than admit it was an order from his wife. When I mentioned it was Father’s Day this Sunday, we all laughed because now we would have to work double time to make our wives happy. Happy Father’s Day! Good luck!

Home Camping

Many have asked me to report on our Home Camping this past weekend. It was a huge success. Here are some lessons learned.

• Share your itinerary with the parents first to get their cooperation and approval.
• If you have a partner, be sure you are in agreement on what needs to be done. Lift each other up. Don’t disagree in front of the kids.
• Don’t be too strict with your schedule (thanks Rick of Covina, CA for your great advice). Allow the parents to hand them over at their convenience. Just go with the flow and remember to have fun.

Pickled Eggs:

• Do put your eggs in “one basket” – when it comes to boiling 13 dozen eggs, it’s easier to dump them in a vat and cook them at the same time.
• I was afraid I bought too many eggs but several dozen eggs was actually perfect. I got about a dozen 32 oz jars of pickled eggs.
• Make sure there is enough room in the refrigerator for at leat 2 weeks of marination.
• Letting the kids watch the procedures in a video helped get them interested.
• The hardest part is removing the shells. Immersing the hot eggs in cold water didn’t help that much. It was too delicate to trust my kids to do it and it took me 2 hours and my thumb was all sore.

More Lessons:

• We taught them to prepare all the meals. They learned to make salad and cook corned beef, pork chops, salmon, toast, bacon and eggs.
• No they did not handle the knife. They were afraid to.
• We let the kids pray before meals and we got some insight into their world.
• We learned subtle family dynamics — who’s the alpha child and who needed a boost in self confidence.
• We taught them how to act properly with our cats and dogs … how to always be in control.
• We shared Jesus’ The Parable of the Prodigal Son. They didn’t know what a parable was and that Jesus actually told stories. They learned to look below the surface of events. We assured them of our love and God’s love.
• I shared my Pink Ping Pong Balls joke (see last week’s TGIF Joke) and they kinda got it after I explained what was happening. Now it’s an inside joke between us.
• When my wife and I got tired, and needed to recharge, we were glad they could occupy their time with video games and educational cartoons like the Magic Schoolbus and audio stories like Paws and Tails.
• I gave each of them a riddle to find $10 for spending money.
• Then I showed them how to determine the best products in a grocery store. We bought chicken, ice cream and bananas.
• The highlight of their time was the video recording of my song (My Corgi and Me) which I am sharing below.
• After they learned the song, I showed them how to play it with their kid guitar. Who cares if we sounded terrible. We had fun. We recorded it.
• We realize this is just the start of a new (more meaningful) relationship because when they were leaving, they asked when we would do it again.

I encourage all of you to do your own Home Camping. It gave the parents much needed date time. If you have another parent willing to do this, take turns being the host. Hopefully, do it when your kids are still impressionable … when they still listen. Camp with no more than 2 or 3 kids at time so you get to know them individually. I can’t believe we accomplished all of that in one weekend (Saturday AM to Sunday PM). This is a weekend we will never ever forget … a weekend our boys felt special and loved.

Please share if you do your own Home Camping. You will have the opportunity to shape their character. Let’s start a generation of well rounded citizens.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. ” — Ephesians 6:1-4

TGIF people!
Raoul

Thanks to Mel of Washington, D.C.

Video of the Week

This is the recording of our Home Camping. It’s about Tonka and Tinker, our two corgis, who bring smiles to all who see them walking in the streets. My grandkids took the video and joined my wife in the singing. I hope you like it.

If you are interested, I put the lyrics and the chords HERE.

Father’s Day Parting Shots

Thanks to Kathy of Bend, Oregon

The post Reincarnation appeared first on Traveling Archive.