• Surf Dog Diaries - dog blog
  • The ride of life with a dog
  • HANG 20 - DOG BEACH, CA
  • HANG 20 - DOG RIVER, OR
  • ABOUT US
  • BarbAyers.com
  • GIVING BACK
Menu

Dog Diary

The ride of life with a dog
  • Surf Dog Diaries - dog blog
  • The ride of life with a dog
  • HANG 20 - DOG BEACH, CA
  • HANG 20 - DOG RIVER, OR
  • ABOUT US
  • BarbAyers.com
  • GIVING BACK
×

Dogs ride the ups and downs with us. Real life Surf Dog Diaries

Meet writer dogs. Rider dogs. Best dog friends. Surf the couch, the www, or a wave. Wave back at us!

It's all about the ride. The ride of life with a dog.

Doodle’s eyes - the day we met. Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org

Doodle’s eyes - the day we met. Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org

New Year, new life. My doxie, My Doodle. So Mighty! Our rescue story.

Barbara Ayers January 3, 2020

What a new year is all about: new hope. New life. The chance to begin again. My Doxie Doodle's rescue story.

Read More
Tags surf dog, surf dogs, Surf Dog Diaries, dog blog, doxie, dachshund, Doodle the doxie, Dog diary, Dog Beach, Columbia River Gorge, Hood River, Colorado River, advice from the dog, rescue dog, dachshund resuce, pet rescue, animal shelter, adopted dog, dog mom, Surf Dog mom, New Year's resolution, cute dog, stray dog books, animal rescue story, secret life of pets, New Year story, doxie wa wa, chiweenie, rescue dogs, Dog Diary, dogdiary.org, surf dog mom Barb Ayers, Barbara Ayers, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Hood River OR
Surf Dog Diaries patriarch Elvis shared basset insight with his dog mom Barb Ayers for 13.5 years (95 in dog years.) His legend and advice lives on through the secret surf dog diaries.   Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, www.DogDiary.org

Surf Dog Diaries patriarch Elvis shared basset insight with his dog mom Barb Ayers for 13.5 years (95 in dog years.) His legend and advice lives on through the secret surf dog diaries.   Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, www.DogDiary.org

Wise old basset hound thoughts by Elvis

Barbara Ayers February 25, 2017

As I look back and think about what stands out most on the ride of life….

...about what gave me hope that dogs and people will continue to evolve as a species - into one caring community across the world....
... taking better care of each other and our wild kingdom...
...about where I put my energy and tried to make a difference…

It’s in listening to my nose, trusting my gut, simply doing - not overthinking.

Elvis and his human primate, dog mom and aspiring author Barb Ayers.    Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, www.DogDiary.org

Elvis and his human primate, dog mom and aspiring author Barb Ayers.    Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, www.DogDiary.org

It’s in showing basset hound solidarity.

Showing up, for life, for each other - in being present and steady and trusted.

Occasionally offering profound thoughts and guidance, via loving looks and long, please stop that stares - to my human, who flaps around on a meteoric shift from high to low, with wild racing thoughts that sometimes conflict and who talks waaaay too much.

Frankly, it’s a good thing I can tune her out sometimes. Now of course, I say that with love in my heart. She’s only human.

Bassets don’t work that way. We don’t drag around rambling thoughts that have no beginning or end.

Eat. Play. Pee.

We begin and end our days the same. We sleep, crap, sniff, snuggle. Eat. Play. Pee. We sprawl on the sofa. We don't multitask. We don’t over dramatize like primates and people do.

That’s where I think I’ve helped – in rescuing my mom - supporting her with my strong male presence - a loving, solid base of unquestioning support. I am always there – grounded, profounder - in an ungrounded world - that flaps around on a meteoric shift from high to low. Mom welcomed me into her jagged but purposeful life.

The least I can do is give back - sound basset hound advice.

The Surf Dog Diaries editorial team / family surf club - L to R: Barb, basset Elvis, bagel (basset/beagle) Dude, doxie wa-wa/chiweenie Doodle.    Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org

The Surf Dog Diaries editorial team / family surf club - L to R: Barb, basset Elvis, bagel (basset/beagle) Dude, doxie wa-wa/chiweenie Doodle.    Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org

I know my dog bros Dude and Doodle feel the same way.

If you're a rescue dog yourself, you know how much they need us.

Meeting kids at parades and on dog walks - you look right into their eyes (in our case, eye level, from a surfboard viewpoint) - and you see all that puppy energy in there, so much love and wonder - I hope they never lose that.

Don't grow up. Ever. Period.

Surf Dog Diaries: we are dog writers, dog authors, dog psychologists, advice columnists for our rescued humans.   Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, www.DogDiary.org

Surf Dog Diaries: we are dog writers, dog authors, dog psychologists, advice columnists for our rescued humans.   Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, www.DogDiary.org

Just showing up - being present – that’s what it’s all about.

Sharing the ride of life.

I don’t get hung up on the what ifs, where-to’s and whereas's. You shouldn’t either.  

Love ya,    

Elvis

Thoughts from heaven, Surf Dog Diaries

Tags surf dog diaries, surfing doxie, surf basset, Elvis the basset, Dog diary, best dog friend, basset hound rescue, surfing the ups and downs of life, coping with pet loss, cute animal story, cute dog pix, Dog Beach in Ocean Beach, Dog River, Visit Hood River, fur kids, fur baby, secret diary of a dog, secret life of dogs, secret life of pets, my secret diary, advice from the dog, I love dogs, I luv my dog, must love dogs, 2 feet 4 paws, author dog, writer dog, heart of a dog, Columbia River Gorge, dog people, dog person, dog mom Barb Ayers, Barbara Ayers, www.dogdiary.org, the ride of life with a dog, dog philosophy, dog river, Doodle the doxie, Dude the dog, dog friends
Dude, DogDiary.org senior citizen reporter

Dude, DogDiary.org senior citizen reporter

About seeing. By Dude, the blind surf dog.

Barbara Ayers June 17, 2016

I could see for many years. But now that I'm blind, I see better than ever. Tips for better living. For people, of course. Dogs get it.

Advice for humans:

Take time to smell "the roses" (your words, not mine)... you know what I really mean.

1. Get right in there with your snout, and breath it in - deeply.

Life is Good - with smell. Oh yeeaaaahhhh. 

Scent is the strongest of senses, triggering more emotions and memories than vision, hearing and touch. It sounds weird, but ask any dog - any day. Blind dogs in particular - we are scent hounds.

For navigation, I zeroed in on my seeing eye dog brother Elvis. In particular, his stinky basset butt. Who needs eyes when you've got that super charged GPS unit guiding your way? 

Your human author friends know the importance of smell, too - they heard about it in writer's classes.

Dude "no eyes, no problem" Ayers - apres SUP (standup paddle boarding) session

Dude "no eyes, no problem" Ayers - apres SUP (standup paddle boarding) session

2. More Heart. Less Head. (Humans, repeat after me....)

Don't worry about all that dumb stuff. You know, the irritating small stuff you obsess over? Note to people: almost everything you think about is dumb.

Let it go. Be free. This is the most important point.

Don't worry about how you look.

3. Jump all in. Give your whole heart. Don't hold back. If you have baggage, get over It.

Learn to trust.
Learn to give.
LOVE. 

Me and my dog brothers are rescue dogs. We all had at least two moms before finding the third, the keeper. We wasted too much time worrying, running away and being bad dogs. Don't do that.

Listen. (Selective dog listening counts)
That's me, in the middle, in a two dog jibe - a downwind turn on a windsurfer. In the Columbia River Gorge. At this point, I still had one working eye.

That's me, in the middle, in a two dog jibe - a downwind turn on a windsurfer. In the Columbia River Gorge. At this point, I still had one working eye.

4. Surfing is life. The ups and downs - they ARE the ride.

Without downs, the ups aren't up.

I was in a lot of pain - glaucoma. Not treatable in dogs like it is in humans. I lost one eye several years ago. A year later, the other one went to heaven. So then I was totally blind.

It didn't change a thing. I'm a surfer, through and through. 

Step up to the nose, walk the board, adjust your weight.

Ride that wave. Strut your stuff.

5. Showing up is 99% of life.

Don't stay home.
Don't chicken out.
Don't be a no show.
So now I'm a blind surf pirate. How cool is that? At Doggie Dash, an Oregon Humane Society fundraiser.

So now I'm a blind surf pirate. How cool is that? At Doggie Dash, an Oregon Humane Society fundraiser.

6. SHOW don't TELL. Show you care. Life is short!

With a ratio of 1:7 human:dog years, there is not a moment to waste.

Life is short. Tell them you love them.

Speak. If you can't speak, use what you've got. Dogs are all about body language. Use your body. Your language.

Make your move. 

My favorite thing - windsurfing the Gorge. See it, smell it, feel it.

My favorite thing - windsurfing the Gorge. See it, smell it, feel it.

Now get out there and ride the waves of life. There's room on board with me!

Dude (the Dudester)

Surf Dog Diaries reporter
Tags surf dog, blind, Barb Ayers, Hood River, Oregon, Dog Beach, Dog Beach in Ocean Beach, Surf Dog Blog, Surf Dog Diaries, Dude, advice from the dog, beagle, basset hound, surfing, dog people, surf dogs, hang 20, dog blog, dog diary, Dude the dog, SUP dog, windsurfing, DogDiary.org
Older →

Surf Dog Diaries.com

Featured
The smell of the river at sunrise will change your life
Jul 15, 2023
The smell of the river at sunrise will change your life
Jul 15, 2023

Dogs and people on the river. At dusk, coyote swims by as you zig jag turns through river glass, reflecting earth and man and sky. River bamboo swallows your wake - as if nothing ever happened.

Secret spot. Shhh! Don't tell....

 

Read More →
Jul 15, 2023
Celebrate your indy spirit on Independence Day with Doodle!
Jul 9, 2023
Celebrate your indy spirit on Independence Day with Doodle!
Jul 9, 2023
Read More →
Jul 9, 2023
TwinsRETOURCHED_edited-1.jpg
Jul 7, 2023
From Cat House to dog house. Cat takes over the dog blog (Part 4 - last in a series)
Jul 7, 2023

So there I was, living at Cat House, surrounded by 25 felines of every size, sense and sensibility. Waiting to be rescued. Elvis stopped by. In 13 seconds, my life forever changed. I was picked out - picked up - by the basset alpha of Surf Dog Diaries. In no time, I was in the car in a box, on my way to my new home with my new surf dog family.

Read More →
Jul 7, 2023
Elvis & Tiapsretouched.jpg
Jun 24, 2023
I met Elvis at Cat House and he took me home. Based on a true story.
Jun 24, 2023
Read More →
Jun 24, 2023
Doxie Doodle's ear flapping windsurf ride. (GoPro video)
Jun 17, 2023
Doxie Doodle's ear flapping windsurf ride. (GoPro video)
Jun 17, 2023
Read More →
Jun 17, 2023
Cat takes over the dog blog (part 2)  Based on a true story. By me, elegant tabby cat.
Jun 10, 2023
Cat takes over the dog blog (part 2) Based on a true story. By me, elegant tabby cat.
Jun 10, 2023

Dear Dog Diary - In the Beginning - 1991… I remember the day She first picked me up. It was in the Cattery at the jail with all those other kitties.

Actually, it wasn’t bad, it was San Diego Humane Society – but it was still jail. That place in between. For homeless kitties.

Read More →
Jun 10, 2023
The secret surf dog handshake! Our new rescue pup steps on board!
May 29, 2023
The secret surf dog handshake! Our new rescue pup steps on board!
May 29, 2023

A new rescue pup, a chiweenie, adopts us on Mother's Day.. He mastered a surf board faster than all four generations of low rider rescue dogs before him.

Read More →
May 29, 2023
Kihei on a hot stove.jpg
May 12, 2023
Mod Squad of cat’s 'n dogs - based on a true story. By the tabby cat. (Cat takes over the dog blog, part 1)
May 12, 2023

Elvis, the big ol’ droopy eyed saggy basset hound, swayed around the house, scraping against the walls of the dinky beach cottage. Walking for any length of time ate up his one-big-energy-surge-of-the-whole-day, and he used it to find just the right spot in the sun to plop down for his daily nap. I guess if I carried 70 pounds and a massive square head with neck flaps bearing down on two inch legs, I’d be a super mellow stoner dude too. 

Read More →
May 12, 2023
2022 Gaslamp Xmas Pet parade.jpeg
Jan 12, 2023
Christmas spirit is inside us - every day - we crazy dog people!
Jan 12, 2023
Read More →
Jan 12, 2023
Dad n Doodle snooze-small.jpg
Mar 13, 2022
Dear Grandpa, I love you - from your grand dog.
Mar 13, 2022
Read More →
Mar 13, 2022
Boomers - remember the Flying Nun? Doxie Doodle's ear flapping windsurf ride. (Surf board GoPro video)
Aug 20, 2021
Boomers - remember the Flying Nun? Doxie Doodle's ear flapping windsurf ride. (Surf board GoPro video)
Aug 20, 2021
Read More →
Aug 20, 2021
I love my dog. You do, too. Together, we go - surf dog summers are here!
Jul 29, 2021
I love my dog. You do, too. Together, we go - surf dog summers are here!
Jul 29, 2021

Windsurfing is our first passion as surf dogs. We love to sail the Columbia River, right in our Oregon front yard.  My three dogs sons - Elvis, Dude and Doodle sail with me in Hood River, Oregon, the windsurfing capital of the world.

Read More →
Jul 29, 2021
OB Law license plate in the bookshelf-small.jpg
Apr 24, 2021
O.B. Law - throwback to another surf dog place and time
Apr 24, 2021
Read More →
Apr 24, 2021
Mar 28, 2021
First day of spring. In spite of COVID.
Mar 28, 2021
Read More →
Mar 28, 2021
blue sky pekks out_stretched best small.jpg
Feb 14, 2021
Hi, my name is snow. Remember me? Snowmeggadon, in words and pictures
Feb 14, 2021
Read More →
Feb 14, 2021
Feb 7, 2021
Snow dog day - Snowmeggadon in Oregon's front yard 2017
Feb 7, 2021

Snow day in the Columbia River Gorge - a DogDiary photo essay

Read More →
Feb 7, 2021

Surf Dog Diaries  |  Barb Ayers, San Diego, CA and Mosier OR.  |   All content and images (c) Barb Ayers, copyrighted, all rights reserved