The New Hire Questionnaire at my new job asked:

“11. What else would you like everyone to know about you?”

My answer:

“Other than my wife, my little 8 pound dog is probably my best friend. And, no, I’m not embarrassed to admit that one bit.”

All my answers were sent around yesterday.  The best thing is that a few people have asked about Charlie and I’ve gotten to show off some pictures.

Charlie has a new cousin. Well, not so new anymore really, but new to the blog. Her name is Birdie and she is really really cute long-haired Dachshund. Loren and Charlie got her in December, so she must be almost 6 months old by now.

Boy does she ever have puppy energy. I mean she never ever sits still. And that drives grumpy “old” Charlie crazy. Sometimes Charlie will play with Birdie:

But mostly he just growls at her and even bares his teeth! It’s been like that since the first time they met – she’s psyched to play, he’s having none of it. Tonight Charlie (dog) and I went over to visit Loren and Charlie (person) for dinner and he wasn’t in the mood. She was so excited that she jumped off the couch and nearly landed on her head when we walked in. On the other hand, he wouldn’t let her close to him. She tried her best all night to get him to play. I wonder what it is.

So far, so good, with the whole full-time-job thing. I actually don’t mind going into work! Charlie’s been OK – more than OK, actually – particularly because Elizabeth was able to work from home yesterday and today. Tomorrow, though, we’ll both be at work all day, we’ll see how that feels for him. I do miss hanging with my little guy. Taking him out for regular walks and our daily trip to the dog park were nice distractions and got me off my ass and away from my desk.

On another note, on Sunday, we went for a family hike in Runyon Canyon Park. For those of you not from LA, Runyon Canyon is a very popular little hike right off Hollywood Blvd. The main hiking loop is about three miles long. From the start you either go counter-clockwise up a steep dirt trail with lots of uneven height steps and then down a mostly paved “road” or you go clockwise, up the mostly-paved road and down the dirt trail. It’s very dog friendly, but we questioned whether or not it would be too strenuous for Charlie. In December 2007, he did do the Cowles Mountain hike in San Diego with my parents and I (picture below from the top) so he should be able to do this one too, right?

We did bring him (what would a “family” hike be without one member of the family) and I am happy to report that he killed it. We went up the dirt trail. Some of the steps were taller than Charlie but he managed to jump up nearly all of them. He missed one and had a little fall, but that didn’t stop him from trying again and making it! Stupid me forgot the camera, but next time I’ll bring it for proof.