Speed's Dog Blog

Saying Goodbye to Our Friend

This month at BLC, we said goodbye to our dear friend and trusty shift supervisor, Speed the greyhound. Speed’s sudden passing was a shock to all of us. However, in the midst of our sadness, we were overwhelmed by the response of those who knew and loved our favorite office companion. Many of you have reached out to pass on your happy memories of Speed’s signature office greeting (a pointy nose in your crotch) or his inimitable overbite. To commemorate Speed’s life, the Bayou Land Conservancy Board of Directors have generously donated a tribute plank to be placed on the Spring Creek Nature Trail. We will miss his presence at the office, but feel so much gratitude to all of you for your kind words and support.

Sniffs and Wags,

I finally stopped shedding!

This must mean summer is coming to a close, and I can take longer walks outside. Mom is excited because National Public Lands Day is right around the corner. It’s the perfect time of year to get outdoors, wag your tail, and give back to the public lands you use year round.

We’ll be celebrating National Public Lands Day with our Clean Up and Cool Down event at Lake Houston Wilderness Park. Mom said there are some invasive plant species that need to be removed, and trash in the waterways to clean up. If you’d like to help her out, you can sign up here to join us on Saturday, September 28th at 9am. You’ll even get a snow cone for helping out, thanks to our friends at Kona Ice. I suggested a beef flavored snow cone, but I guess they don’t make them yet? Anyway, I hope you humans will help give back to the lands that provide so much for us every day.

 Wags and Whines,

It has been crazy around the BLC office this summer. My co-worker, Melissa has been busy planning my favorite event of the year. The 5th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival will be held on August 29th at the Star Cinema Grill in Vintage Park. This year I am really excited about a film about a fellow mammal, called Grizzly Country. A man named Doug Peacock is truly an American Hero. Not only did he serve in Vietnam, but he also spent years of his life out in the wilderness observing Grizzlies. He says it is important to protect the habitat of all wildlife and he fights for all wild causes! He sounds like a super-hero to me!

 If you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, you better hurry. Melissa tells me they are selling fast. I promise the night will be inspiring and memorable, plus Mom is going to be one of the emcees for the evening. This is an event you will not want to miss. 

Sniffs and Wags,

Your Favorite Canine Blogger, Speed

Happy World Environment Day Everyone!

Speed Here! Excited to teach you a little about what I learned today! Mom tells me Environment Day is an important one because it encourages global awareness to protect the environment. The UN calls it the “people’s day” for doing something to take care of the earth; I think they forgot about furry friends like me. I enjoy taking care of the environment too! But, I understand I cannot do much without opposable thumbs ☹

This year’s theme is air pollution, Mom tells me that it is important for today to be centered around the environment and its relationship with people since air pollution comes from five main human sources. Household, Industry, Transport, Agriculture, and Waste. My co-workers say that I pass gas a lot in the office. Although, I like to think of them as surprise gifts for my office mates, I hope they aren’t causing poor air quality in the office. Maybe I should read up more on what I am contributing. It is also vital for you, my non-furry companions, to know about your waste levels, to learn more about today and air pollution visit worldenvironmentday.global.

 Stay eco-friendly everyone! Sniffs and Wags,

Happy Earth Day, Everyone!  

I love celebrating Earth Day because Mom takes me on long walks AND I get to chase squirrels, all while smelling the wonderful spring smells! Speaking of smells, Mom and I would like to take the time to remind everyone to be a responsible dog walker. Even though I think all my “presents” should be displayed proudly in a museum, it is very important to pick up after me and all dogs. Fecal pollution in our waterways is a huge problem that is easy to prevent. Mom buys these bags from Amazon so she is never in a crappy situation. Besides stepping in my works of art, leaving my deposits behind can cause higher levels of E. coli in our bayous due to run-off. Eventually that run-off flows into our drinking water. I don’t know about you, but I like my water poo-free. So, I encourage you to be like Mom and purchase little baggies for your dog, too.

 Wags and Whines,

Happy New Year, coming straight from the BLC office. My favorite place to sleep!

#NewYearNewMe. This year I have made a resolution to get out and socialize more. I do like my naps, but I want to get out and meet more friends. Last year, I met my dear friend Oscar out in the woods. Oscar is living his best life as an opossum, and this year, I resolve to live my best life! What about you? Is your resolution to get outdoors more, maybe it is to give back, or meet new people? I’d like to tell you about some of my favorite people in the world, our Spring Creek Greenway Ambassadors. As of 2019, we are 205 strong! That is 205 humans helping to make the world a better place, and sharing all the good that BLC does. These people truly are superheroes! If you would like to become a Spring Creek Ambassador, you can sign up on our website. Here is a link https://www.bayoulandconservancy.org/ambassador-program. The next Ambassador training starts on March 21st with an orientation led by my very own superstar Mom, Suzanne.   She hopes to see you there. 

That is all for me. It’s time for my nap. Okay, okay. I promise, after work I am going to the networking event at the dog park.

Sniffs and Wags,

Tuesday, November 27 is #GivingTuesday. Will you help us reach our $1,500 goal by making a donation on Facebook, or on our website? Do you know how many bones I can buy with $1,500?!

Mom says that ALL proceeds will go toward helping us preserve land along streams for flood control, clean water, and wildlife. I do love exploring our public preserves with Mom, and visiting my forest friends. Remember this guy? 

Oscar and I still stay in touch on Snapchat. He is enjoying life on the Spring Creek Nature Trail with his family. I hope I get to see him when Mom and I #Optoutside this Friday!

That is all for me today! Have a lovely Thanksgiving, and while you are giving thanks, don’t forget about #GivingTuesday!

Sniffs and Wags,

Howdy friends!

Have you heard about the Spring Creek Greenway Ambassador Program? It’s BLC’s free adult nature education program. We are in our 5th year. That is a really long time in dog years. Oh, in other news, I just turned 8 years young. Mom gave me a giant cookie to celebrate, it was amazing!  Best Birthday EVER!!!

This is the picture Mom took after she showed me my birthday present! 

I digress, back to the Ambassador Program. Ambassadors are a group of humans who get free training on some of my favorite things: BLC, flora & fauna, our preserves, and playing outside! Mom even teaches one of the classes, so it must be super-duper. If you like to play outside, you should sign up for our ambassador program. Besides, why be inside when you could be playing out here! 

Look how happy I make Mom!

Signing up is easy to do. Just click here.

Now it is time for my fourth nap of the day. Okay, fifth.

 Your favorite caning blogger,

Speed

Ruff Ruff! Did you know our 4th Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival is one week away? I am excited to tell you all about our summer fundraiser. The festival is so much fun, from what I hear. Mom says dogs aren’t allowed to go inside the movie theater. So, I can’t go, but you should.

We are showing several inspirational films about environmental issues. My personal favorite is Canis Lupus Colorado. It’s about my ancestors, the gray wolf, and how a group of activists are trying to re-introduce them into the wilds of Colorado.

If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, I highly recommend opening up a new window on your computer and buying a few. Here, I will even give you a link to make it easy http://bit.ly/2FcydoM.

Well, what are you waiting for? Get your tickets before they are all gone!

 That’s a wrap,

Hello. My name is Bernie. I am a 6-month old Betta fish. At BLC they call me “The Office Fish.” I like having a title, I think it suits me well. My responsibilities are extremely important because I guard the office on evenings and weekends. Somewhat similar to a guard dog, but more intimidating since I have fabulously colorful fins. I have been practicing my intimidation skills on the dog, who I hear referred to as “The Office Dog”. I don’t particularly like that I have to share a title with him, but apparently it’s “corporate policy”. All of my practice has paid off because I make him leave every night!

Frankly, I enjoy the alone time as I am somewhat of an introverted fish. In addition to guarding the office, I spend time outlining my memoirs. This is a particularly arduous task since I have a fish’s memory. For now I will serve as guest blogger for the Dog as a way to keep track of my daily activities for my manifesto. I’m hoping it will help me remember my harrowing adventures and gain an avid readership.

Well, that’s all for me. I’m off to listen to my favorite band, and muse, Phish.

Ta-Ta for Now!

Happy summer, everyone! I hope you’re enjoying yours so far! I’ve been pretty low-key lately, but I am hoping to book my vacation soon. I am thinking a nice relaxing trip to the Outer Barks...I mean, Outer Banks!!! 

Around here, the BLC office has been buzzing lately. We have 3 new humans that moved in a few weeks ago. Mom told me they are called interns, and they live in our conference room. Their names are Kayla, Rhett, and Deidre, and they are staying for the whole summer! I have a very important job over the summer, to check on them at least once a day. Sometimes I let them pet me, other times I just touch them with my cold, wet nose.

Although we have only known each other a short time, I already think we are going to be lifelong friends, and they smell nice too! Sometime Rhett and Deidre come back smelling like the woods. Mom and Becky take them out to our preserves to do very important conservation work. I don’t go with them, since I’m busy supervising the office! Plus, I prefer the cool A.C. I barely want to go outside to pee, but Mom says I don’t know how to flush the toilet (as if she does!). Instead, Kayla and I work our tails off designing all sorts of cool flyers, and posting on social media, and writing blogs!

Well, I’m off to search for travel deals! 

 Sniffs and Wags!

This month, my blog is a little different. Mom and I wrote this one together!

The day I met an opossum!

It started out as your normal leisurely stroll along the Spring Creek Nature Trail: lots of sniffing, a chase of a squirrel, and a tepid whine to let everyone know, this is MY TRAIL. Then out of nowhere, an opossum appears on the trail, just meandering about. Recognizing a fellow mammal, I gave the greeting of my people. Then, for the longest time, the opossum just laid there in the middle of the trail, almost as if he was playing dead? For a second, I thought he was dead. I mean, he didn’t look alive. His eyes were closed, body curled up, and he started to stink, you know like when you’re dead! At last, he wiggled a little and perked up! I was overjoyed to meet a new friend on the trail! I said hi, and he introduced himself. He told me that he was born and raised in the area and currently resides in the woods along the Spring Creek Nature Trail. I told him all about the trail, and how a bunch of volunteers built it. He was happy to know that we kept the trail a natural surface, instead of using concrete. We both agreed that concrete hurts our paws. The more we got to talking, we realized how much we have in common. We both really like Mom, we love the woods, and we are both very adorable! 

According to Mom, opossums are an under-appreciated part of our ecosystems. They’re the only American marsupial, and they eat TONS of ticks. I’m pretty sure ticks are scary because my mom makes a funny noise when she sees one on me. They love deciduous forests with easy access to streams, which makes the Spring Creek Nature Trail the perfect home for them. Opossums also only live about 1-2 years in the wild, which means opossum years are waaaaay longer than dog years. Mom says opossums don’t like confrontation with humans and dogs, but also have lots of teeth, so I should give them space when I see them. This is difficult for me because my nose is so long, and it’s how I say hello! Who knew that opossums were so important?

Anyway, all this excitement has me pooped (and I know all about poop). Time for my 18-hour afternoon nap.

Here is a picture of me showing my co-workers how to play possum

Sniffs and Wags!

Your favorite Canine Blogger, Speed

I recently had the pleasure of meeting a colleague and now compadre a few weeks ago. Her name is Sadie, she is Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve’s Office Dog. It was exciting to know there are other pups out there like me! After an introduction, and a few sniffs, we had a nice discussion about strategy and best practices for maximum office dogging.

I explained how I write a monthly blog for BLC. I told her that she would be featured in the next blog post. She thought this was so cool! I think I really impressed her!!

Sniffs and Wags!

I’m just going to come right out with it! We just got our 5-year re-accreditation! It’s true, we even got an official certificate!  

It took a lot of hard work, but we did it!  I have to give a special tail wag to our Conservation Director, Becky Martinez, who did most of the work. For the past year, she sat at her desk typing away, and gathering files day in, day out. She talked a lot about conservation values, and land, and some other stuff I don’t understand. Becky is super smart!

Since I share an office with her, I really know how hard she worked. Sure, during this time, I didn’t get my normal amount of head rubs. And, yes, there were plenty of days when I had to give her little nudges of encouragement with my wet nose. Not all of my efforts went over so well, but I understood. It was all for a good cause, and now we have our land trust accreditation seal.

So, you may be wondering what re-accreditation means. I know I was, so I pawed through some Land Trust literature to learn more. This is what I found out: a land trust must get re-accredited every 5 years to ensure that they are meeting national standards, are upholding the public trust, and ensuring that conservation efforts are permanent. Hmmm….

Well, it’s time for my daily treat, so I must go see Mom. I think Becky deserves a treat too, don’t you?  

 Sniffs and Wags

Speed

It’s me, Speed!

Guess what today is?? Today is the Chinese Lunar New Year and this is The Year of the Dog! This means it’s my lucky year, and I get unlimited treats for the next 365 days. Right, Mom!?

 Yesterday I got to go on a field trip to my FAVORITE place in the entire world. NATURAL PAWZ! It was so much fun! I got to meet the nice ladies who live there, and they gave me a treat bag full of goodies. They also gave Mom a coupon so she can buy me cool stuff! Rumor has it that you can get these gifts too. All you have to do is sign up to become a Land Lover member, and we will send you all the deets. After all, it’s your dog’s lucky year too!

 Sniffs and Wags

2018 has been off to an exciting start. I have been greeting a lot of visitors in the office. Mom says they are stakeholders. I got really excited because I thought they were going to give me steak, but after a few sniffs I realized there must be 2 different kinds of “Steak-holders”. It was not a total bust because they gave me head rubs, and I got to meet lots of land owners, volunteers, and donors who wanted to discuss how they can help us preserve more land in 2018. I found out that we are going to complete the Spring Creek Nature Trail this summer, and we may even have a trail run next year. Mom said I don’t have to race since I am retired, but because I have so much experience, I am excited to go on a few reconnaissance missions to be sure the trail is safe for runners.

Happy Napping,

Speed

How did a tree get inside the office? Who knows! What I do know is that I got to help decorate it, and Mom said I am NOT allowed to hike my leg on it (bummer). Why are we decorating a tree that grew inside the office, again? Mom says that it’s the "Holidays”, and it is a tradition to decorate something called a Christmas tree. Well, whatever the reason, I think I did a pretty good job if I do say so myself!

I almost forgot, I am supposed let you know that everyone who lives here at the office will be going to their other homes for a whole week starting on December 25 and they will all be back on January 2. Mom and I have lots of fun activities planned during the holidays including napping on my dog bed, smelling delicious food, and passing gas in mixed company. We will also go on a walk for “First Hike of the Year!” You should go out on a hike too!  I really like hikes. I don’t know about you, but I think I like this thing called the Holidays. 

Wishing you lots of milk bones under your Christmas tree!