Party Animals

* * *

It's time to reveal the winner of the Birthday Puzzler!

Oh, wait a second. We only had one response. This might put my plans for a talk radio show on hold, at least temporarily, while I gauge my ability to ask provocative questions. It's too bad, because I've always wanted to be a "shock jock," but it looks like perhaps I'm too nuanced. I guess as I get older I'm becoming more fit for NPR than for AM radio.

Wait! Did that just say "as I get older"? That's right! My birthday was on Saturday!

However, if you answered "Smarty" to Saturday's Birthday Puzzler, you don't win the Big Prize. The answer, like the question, is far more nuanced than that.

Let's review clue #2:


You notice there are three animals in this picture.

Well, there was not just one birthday on Saturday but four! (Do you feel the nuance yet?)

The three pictured above are Holly, Lucy, and Me. Below is the original picture that the cartoon is based on:


We're obviously far cuter in the original picture. "Artist's renderings" just don't quite capture it!

You'll notice if you look very closely that there's a fourth puppy who is dodging the camera - that's Pinch. Her birthday was the fourth one on Saturday. But why is her back to us? I guess she didn't want to be in the picture - she was always a little more shy than she let on.

Notice that the cartoon makes Holly look somewhat sad. Actually, she's not sad, she's just thoughtful. The cares of the world - you know, poverty, war, the urgent need for universal pre-K - tend to occupy her mind. Here is a rare photo (actually, one of about 923) from her early days:




Too much New York Times, that's what I always say. The rest of us never let the whole universal pre-K thing distract us from a good party!


So, happy birthday sisters! Isn't growing up fun?

Birthday Puzzler

* * *

Guess who turned three today?

You only get one clue:


The answer will be published in an upcoming special birthday edition of Smarty Spot. The person who guesses the answer correctly will win a life-size autographed racing photo of me (provided they take me racing, take the photo, and provide me with a pen).

Here's your second clue. But remember, you only get one, so you can only use this clue if you didn't use the other one. This photo helps to answer the birthday puzzler:


Look closely, now! And come back on Monday for the answer to the Puzzler!

Released Back Into the Wild

Apparently that last post I wrote - with a little gag at the end about taking the little one captive - was taken too literally. The child was whisked off to an undisclosed location this past week, probably to an underground bunker or treehouse. This left me and Scoche to completely fend for ourselves, with no human supervision whatsoever!

Oh, I guess if you count this guy then we had a little "quote unquote" supervision...


But actually, we had to keep him under control. Left without his female counterpart, things weren't always pretty. I suppose this is what happens when he's released back into his own natural habitat.


This wasn't so bad, but we were a little bit worried for his state of mind. He gets a little freaked out when left alone. This actually made us feel a certain weight of responsibility I for one had hoped to avoid now that we finally had the run of the place.

Fortunately, I was able to translate this into some daily routines that worked out to my benefit. You know, the walks, the bones, the tummy rubs, the long late-night discussions about life, the universe, and everything. I was able to absorb some attention that's been lacking - attention that is, and I say this humbly, owed to me by right.

Yes, it's been an acceptable week.

And yet... Yet...

To be honest, I find myself hoping that they'll bring that kid out of hiding again. I guess I have to admit it... I kind of miss the little fella.

So, if you're out there somewhere, reading this...

Come back, little guy! We miss you!


* * *

SPECIAL NOTE: Scoche celebrated her birthday this last Thursday! Happy Birthday, Scoche!