A tale of Two Kings (Tank visits the ministers of Gooberstan)

Hey, Friends, it's me, your friendly neighborhood Tank O'Saurus!

Yesterday my dad told me it was my turn for an adventure! I had no idea where we were going. But Woah, Doggies, there was a big lake there! I was woozy just thinking about going swimming! But then something really strange happened. We turned into this parking lot and I smelled doggies unlike any other I'd ever smelled before! Lots of them! I couldn't wait to meet them! And guess who was there in all his glory? Stanley! You guessed it, the King of Gooberstan! I guess he calls himself "President", but either way, he's the supreme ruler. And not only that, but he and his kind are the Kings of Terriers! Woo Hoo! So I got to meet Stan the Gooberman in person! Hob nobbing with the celebrities! Aren't you jealous? In Fact, my dad tells me that I, too, am a King, but of a different sort. That is a subject for a different post! So Stanley himself is two kings, but Stanley and I are also two kings!

Stan wore his Landseer Bannanadana in my honor!


So at this place was Stanley, by far the studliest dude among a fine gaggle of royal courtiers both male and female. Most were Dales, but there were a few others as well. Hercules the demigod was there, too! Herc is one cute pup!

And he can dance!


Hercules demonstrated how he could balance the whole world on his head.

Then he got a bigger version and balanced on his paw like in the famous stories
Then he really showed off his strength and skill!

Stanley even had some court jesters!





They served great food! I had a couple of franks, cake and some fruit! There was even Wallymelon in honor of our favorite Corgadorian Gray! I'm sure Wally was there in spirit, but we'd sure like to meet him in person!

In the main part of the Royal Pavilion there was Dale memorabilia. The humans competed to see who was worthy of getting the best stuff for their Dales. Stanley's mom scored some highly coveted Daleomabilia - easily the best of the litter! We don't have pictures because dad's camera started to act up. We missed a lot of good pictures that day. The one we wanted most was a picture of the incredibly cute pure black Dale girl that might get the honor of being the Queen of Gooberstan. She was shy but friendly and has come through a very hard life. I know that'll cause some stress eating for Ruby, Asta, and Suki. Since Stanley has already posted, I'm linking to some of his pictures. Dad's camera has died the forever death, not just the dead battery death. Dad says it will be a very long time before he can get a new one. But don't worry faithful readers! We have a huge backlog of stories to tell and pictures to share!

Stanley held court in a big area next to the pavilion, which was like the outer court for commoners. Stanley, Like Nebuchadnezzar, had a rule that no one could approach him in the Royal Chambers without being invited. I think that this only applies to Royal Official Functions (ROF) like the one I was at. Since I've never been to a ROF before, I don't think I understood the protocol very well. The ROF language was a little hard for me, too. I think it sounded something like Klingon! Dad told me that maybe I should not spend quite so much time licking their hind ends.

Stanley Barking orders in the Klingon-like official court language


A grateful subject (his mom) begging for kindly, kingly Stanley's help


The whole event was for the ministers of Gooberstan to talk finances, make plans for the future of Gooberstan and Party. There were lots of VIP Dales and their humans running around, having secret meetings and planning daring rescues of Airedales in unfortunate circumstances.

Before I left, Stanley gave me a pressie! My first pressie ever! Thanks Stanley! No pic because now there is no camera. Sigh. But it was a great pressie! It was a tough stuffie that sqeaks ans has a rope! Something for everypup! I took it home and we all loved it!

Because I was leashed and therefore could only cause limited mischief, Dad could focus on his surroundings a little. He found out that Stanley's mom knows Pooka! Pooka leads tours to China and Stanley's mom has been there. Pooka must have taken her. After a looong day of trying to learn ROF protocol, this happened:


And then we went to the Plaza, which you will read about soon, I hope. (When dad gets his act together!) There I got 1/2 hr massages by my devoted fan clubs. That's right, plural. There are stores where everything stops when I walk in and they massage me, feed me treats and coo while I relax in the air conditioning 'cuz I'm such a cool dog. Woo Hoo! Wait till you see!

Princess Meets Stan and Hercules at a Dog Park with Water!

Hi Everybody! Wow I had a fun day yesterday! But boy was I mad at my dad! He was a dork and a half. I was so mad I wouldn't even take treats from him the rest of the day. But this morning I gave him lots of licks to let him know he was forgiven and could still type for me.

Yesterday I went on my first playdate EVER! I met two GREAT Airedales named Stanley and Hercules. Stan was the bigger one - bigger than Hercules! His mom says he's not an OranguDale but close. My dad was an hour late getting me there, but the Aire-moms were really gracious about it. Dad says that if I didn't keep him up the whole night before barking, maybe he could have moved faster. But did he want our house invaded? I think not. After saving the house from the maurauding squirrels and geese I deserved better but he made a completely lame breakfast. I wouldn't eat any of it. He made a chicken tortilla soup to pour over our Timberwolf Elk. I picked out a few pieces of chicken but that was it. I have to say, though, he redeemed himself last night with a beef and cheese risotta over Chicken Soup Large Breed Puppy. That was yummy!

But getting back to the playdate - when we finally got there the two Aire-boys were waiting for us with their moms. They were so gracious. Stanley checked me out to see if I was tuff enough but my dad yelled at me before I could show him. Sheesh, dad. You're embarrasing me! It wasn't the last time...

So Stan, Hercules and I were running around, when suddenly - Suddenly - I saw it. The sea ! All else was forgotten as I made my mad dash for the water. Now I ask you - especially you fellow newfs - Wasn't that totally expected? Well it freaked my dad out. Just my being off leash freaks my dad out a little. But when I ran off totally mad like that he regressed to the level of a goldfish. He couldn't leave me alone.

Once in the water I was Queen of the Sea! Other dogs asked me how I could be so amazing in the water and we played with a lot of different pups. To really appreciate the pictures, click on them to make them bigger.

Had too much to drink, there, Stan? He Stole my ring!

I tried to break up a fight between 2 little dogs and my dad was afraid I'd get blamed for starting it so he yelled at me for that. Then he wanted me to bring the ring right to him. Sure I indulge him in that when we're alone, but here it was my own crowd! How could he embarass me like that. I kept bringing the ring to the shallow area but he wouldn't jump the 2 feet into the water like a good servant should.

Stan was such a gentleman, he came in and got it a few times for my dad to throw.


That Stan was so funny! He'd sit in front of my dad waiting for him to throw the ring and if dad didn't do it fast enough Stan would jump up right into dad's face! what a riot! Way to go, Stan! I get impatient with my papa, too and that was true vindication!

My dad liked Stan and Hercules and their moms a lot, too. Dad and I have never met an Airedale and we thought they were charming. Their moms are charming, too.

So could dad have been smart and shmoozed with the ladies? Could he leave me alone to look cool in front of the other dogs? Nooooo. He was so preoccupied with embarassing me he could barely talk. None of us have been in a dog park since that big bulldog attacked Tank and I think my dad had a little PTSD going on, so after a day I decided to cut him a little slack.

I have to live as the only member of the civilized gender with three males. Let me tell you my dad could use some civilizing, too. I learned I was a girl early on and the best way to keep the males in line was to bite them in their boy bits (Copyright Nanook). Isaac would do the funniest dance when I did that! But 'cause my dad's a boy he made me stop doing that. The guys know I still can of course...

So eventually I got out of the water and Stan, Hercules and I started to mix it up.

This time dad didn't stop me 'cause no one snarled and I knocked Stan down butt good! (Dad's note:) NO, DAAAD, Don't tell THAT story! Pleeeease! Oh, all right. (dad's note: when Princess was a mere 70 lbs she decided that Isaac needed to play with her. She backed off, got up a galloping headstart and jumped and headbutted Isaac right in the side. She bounced off and layed there, staring up at her dad. With perfect timing he held still for 3 counts, then turned and gave her the disdainful look a locomotive might give a tennis ball after a similar collision. Probably the funniest thing Isaac has ever done) OK, OK, back to the playdate. So I have had practice and we had a great time jumping all over each other. It was the funnest day of my life! On the way home, this is what happened:

Thanks Stan, Hercules, and our parents for taking us there. I hope we get to do it again soon! Ladies, I hope you can forgive my dad for his deer in the headlights imitation and give him another chance. Till Next Time,

Princess