Sunday, March 20, 2011

Sideways Tommy

It’s been stormy all day. Poor Tommy. He hates the rain, but his wild energy needs to be burned off or he'd drive the cats and me crazy. So, we stepped out into the pouring rain in the last hours of daylight. After about 30 minutes, the rain started coming down in sheets, and the wind kicked up. It was kind of scary. So I ducked for cover at the Altadena Country Club.

Possessed Tommy (I need to work on my camera skills.)

The flags cracked in the wind, a sound that made me think of Pasadena Adjacent. She always posts cool video clips with interesting sights and sounds. So I turned on my Droid’s camcorder app.

Unfortunately it’s been years since I’ve videotaped so I’ve forgotten the essentials, like not turning the camera sideways.

This is god-awful, but it stars Tommy. And even a sideways Tommy is worth viewing.




I have an idea what he’s eating–or trying to eat–when he licks the cement patio. What’s your guess?

31 comments:

  1. Ok, now my neck hurts. But no sacrifice is too great when it comes to my favorite ear.

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  2. You've def come under the unique influence of The PA. 1 benefit of the storm apparently is you had to stay inside more which gave u time to update your blog. Wasn't yesterday the 1st day of Winter??

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  3. Hiker, sorry about the hurt neck! Thanks for your dedication to the Tommy fan club.

    Cafe Pasadena, I could've sworn the rainy season was over but yesterday proved me wrong. I'm hoping it was winter's last hurrah, but who knows?

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  4. I say well done! I'm impressed you could make your video work. I can't even do that. Scout climbed a tree once. Really! I had my phone out and was trying to figure it out, but then she jumped down and I still never figured it out.

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  5. This rain has been torture for our three

    Kari
    http://dogisgodinreverse.com

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  6. A. I watched the video first and howled with laughter because it was so bad.

    B. Then I tried to figure out technical aspects such as; "I bet she's using her I-Pod video feature. Easy to screw up on the angles, or put your thumb over the lens or try to get the dam thing to turn off...click click click.

    C. Then I read the post and discovered I was the inspiration.

    D. Then I decided, really, it's not all about me, it's about Tommy

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  7. Margaret, you are too kind. We should both work on our camera skills so we're ready next time - because I would really like to see Scout climb a tree.

    Kari, it must be especially bad for Big Carl. The little guy could be swept away in these rains!

    PA,
    A: I'm really glad my horrendous camera skills made you laugh.
    B: You know your stuff.
    C: Yes, you were the inspiration so it's all your fault!
    D: Tommy is the center of the universe, so it's always about him.

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  8. Tommy's a star. And clearly a SoCal dog.

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  9. Jean, clearly he is. I call him my SoCal ghetto dog.

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  10. I used to walk my dogs up there, take a rest with them and then walk back. They're in puppy heaven now.

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  11. PIO, Altadena is a slice of heaven, so your pups got the best of both worlds.

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  12. He found a snack!! Shelter and a snack? TLJ just found a new favorite stop on the walk! You weren't kidding about his energy, though - he sure looked ready for zoomies as soon as you started walking.
    And that poor ceremony set up! Hopefully it had just wrapped up...Tommy even looked a bit sad looking out at it!

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  13. There'd been a wedding so did Tommy find ricepaper confetti? I loved your video - and what a lot of rain!

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  14. I think it was wedding cake, maybe just the white icing. Poor bride and groom. Probably not the weather they were hoping for.

    Definitely a favorite stop, ForPetsSake. There's a golf course right there and I can't tell you how tempting it has been to let Tommy off-leash there.

    Bellis, the weather has been crazy! Are you back from your trip?

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  15. Boz licks everything, including sidewalks, chair legs and bushes, just to find out what they taste like.

    I've shot video but I haven't tried to upload it. No idea how. I suppose I could figure it out...

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  16. Petrea, Boz and Tommy are kindred spirits.

    Oh, yes, you could easily figure it out. It was just like uploading photos.

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  17. You're right it's not exactly the video that one would make viral, but being a Tommy and Susan fan it doesn't matter. Tigger watched it and liked it although it's been rained MORE her in San Francisco, so Tigger wants to know why Tommy is complaining. BTW when do you move into your new house?

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  18. It's been pouring buckets here, too - for weeks and Walter hates the rain, too. I have to drag him out to go potty or he will hold it in for days! Poor TLJ! I can empathize! At least LA doesn't normally have a lot of rain. Tommy would hate it in the Bay Area where it rains for weeks!

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  19. Oh and I just turned my laptop sideways and watched the video! I thought it was just fine! :)

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  20. LOL...got it! He is a star like his namesake...never know what he will do next. Keep filming him.

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  21. Hi Sue!
    We love your stories of Tommy. I am so happy that he found you to teach and protect him. This was a nice reflective side of Tommy that we do not usually see and I loved it.

    How gorgeous is California even in the rain?

    You are awesome. Keep the positive energy coming our way!

    Love
    Kristen, Brady and Foo Bear

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  22. wedding cake may be a possibility. Ants may be the other thing Tommy is going after. And like Boz, many pups will lick just about anything just to find out what it is. I mean, really, how do you know what it is if you don't TASTE it first? ;-)

    I've got to second Liz' comment...we unofficially had over 5" of rain in the Bay Area Thurs...I didn't even BOTHER trying to get the dog out or she'd be washed away by now!

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  23. Terri, Liz, Brian, Trish, you're the Bay Area crowd. I was up there Thursday and yep, it poured all day. It wasn't much better here, but that's old news. We're finally getting some sun. Hope you are too.

    Kristen, California is gorgeous even in the rain but I'm ready for the sun again.

    Thank you all for watching Sideways Tommy, the video that will never go viral. (Terri, I think you've given me an inadvertent challenge.)

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  24. tommy is so dapper, and you are so witty! thanks for opening my eyes to the world of canine tommy lee jones and your fabulous blog :)
    aleksandra
    follow our foster: loveandaleash.wordpress.com

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  25. Hey Aunt Sue, it's Sam. I read your blog all the time but I never comment so I figured I should do it at least once. This article reminded me of a a discussion we had a while back:

    http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2003/03/caring-for-your-introvert/2696/

    By the way, are you coming to New Orleans for Jazz Fest?

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  26. Sam, so nice of you to drop by! That article is hilarious, and one I can definitely relate to. You too, I suspect.

    Sadly, I won't make it to Jazz Fest. I couldn't find an affordable flight. Plus, I didn't want to travel so soon after moving. Maybe I'll visit late summer or fall?

    aleksandra, I'm off to vote for Gonzo Bunny-Ears!

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  27. I hope you and your honeys are all having a lovely weekend in your new home, Susan. Here's to some good running weather for Tommy.

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  28. Shell, I thought Saturday was the start of a long, hot, dry summer, but today was all moisty, as Petrea would say. It was actually perfect running weather for Tommy. I just wish I could keep up with him.

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  29. Tommy The Pitbull at the Country Club, what a guy! I loved the video, it was bad but totally dope.

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  30. A belated reply to your comment, Paula, but just had to say "bad but totally dope" makes me feel kinda proud.

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  31. birds of a feather flock together - they look almost like brother and sister

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