Yippee! Parker is here!!!!!!!! More ball throwers! Dov can really throw it. He doesn’t try to trick me like Papa does. When I look up at Dov or Anne with my beautiful brown eyes, they can do nothing but throw the ball for me!
They arrived on Christmas Day, and we had a nice Hanukkah celebration with latkes and everything. Parker liked playing with her gifts better than with me sometimes. Can you believe that Phaedra and I got nothing? I couldn't either! Go figure! 
The tent was set up right next to the camper on the pad. It was great for them and close to me. Phaedra wanted to sleep with Parker when she spent the night in the camper. She got kind of heavy sitting on Parker, though, so Mama made her come to bed with me, upstairs.
Even though Parker had a little cold, they were still able to go lots of places and leave us alone all of the time. She's such a good little friend even though she left me home when they went out. They walked on the beach, looked for shells, and built sand castles! I never got to see the Gulf while they were here. Not fair at all!
Everyone but Phaedra and I went kayaking and saw sea stars and birds. They had fun, but I heard Papa say something about Anne and Dov taking the scenic route and something about the shortest distance between two points. I sure did not understand. But I think everyone should take the scenic routes through life. After all, that’s where all the good smells are, right?
One day, they 
visited the only “real” campground on the island. I think it is kind of snooty. They won’t let Phaedra and me camp there. So what if the campground has a lot of exotic birds and a breeding aviary. We wouldn’t chase the birds - not too much, anyway. What I heard about why the birds are there is that people just abandon these beautiful birds at Periwinkle Park because they can’t handle them or don’t like hearing their noise. Because the owner of Periwinkle Park raises birds, they figure someone will take care of them. A 79-year-old lady, Libby, does a show daily trying to educate people about how having a big bird like these isn’t a good idea for a pet. All of my people got to hold birds and feel their talons and feathers. I would have barked and barked. Papa says that is why we can never camp there! Too bad, though. Parker had a great time and I would have, too.
Anne really liked going out onto the drive at sunset. Papa took them out while Mama stayed back and cooked. (I think that is the first time since we got to Sanibel that she cooked. You know, she says she wants a house without a kitchen. How could we get treats if she didn’t have a kitchen?) Well anyway, we kept her company. They saw many rosette spoonbills and woodstorks. The weather was perfect.
When everyone went to the beach we were left alone, again. Parker, Dov and Papa went in the Gulf, but 71 degrees was too cold for the smarter ones. They brought back lots of shells, which we got to smell. That was yummy. No eating though.
Parker left with Anne and Dov on Friday on their way to Charleston. I didn't want them to go, but one good thing happened for Phaedra and me. We finally got to go sightseeing. Still, we all miss them already and wish they were still here! 
Phaedra and I want to wish everyone a very happy and healthy New Year.
Zoe over and out!!!!!!!
