Sebastian: My Life as a Doodle

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Move Over Brad Pitt . . . . . There's A New Cover Boy in Town!

Sebastian Thor tapped for cover of new Doodle book

San Francisco, California – December 8, 2005 – Accustomed to the media spotlight, San Francisco Labradoodle Sebastian Thor was thrilled, none-the-less, with this weeks publication of an important new literary work. The much-loved Doodle appears solo on the cover.

The Definitive Guide to Labradoodles, (www.labradoodle-guide.com), or “How to Choose the Perfect Labradoodle for You and Your Family,” selected Sebastian for the cover after author Edie MacKenzie flew to San Francisco to interview the celebrity pup as part of her research.

Ms. MacKenzie became infatuated with her canine host the moment he fetched her, and a literary assistant, from her downtown hotel. With Doodle chauffeur Glen acting as guide, the group adjourned to picturesque Dolores Park, with its sweeping views of the San Francisco skyline, for a prepared picnic lunch and a healthy post-meal romp. It was during this casual session that Ms. MacKenzie gathered her observations and interview notes for her book. Sebastian is quoted no fewer than four times in the work.

Following the park picnic, Sebastian took his guests on a brief tour of his beloved City. He clearly developed a warm fondness for the lady with all the questions.

The photo selected for “The Guide” cover actually originated in Sebastian’s later youth. Taken during Doodle Tour America 2003, hosted by Rutland Manor’s Beverley Manners, the picture depicts the happy puppy romping with dozens of doodle buddies in San Jose’s Watson Park. He sports a jaunty kerchief given to all event participants.

The Definitive Guide to Labradoodles, according to its author, is “packed from cover to cover with everything you could want to know about this wonderful breed.” Ms. MacKenzie spent over a year getting “a complete brain dump from long-time owners and the top breeders on the planet.” Sebastian, of course, was key in this research.

The San Francisco celebrity, though, doesn’t know much about all that. He did, however, appreciate the compensation he received for his interview and modeling work. A few days after the author’s visit, Sebastian received a gift pack of gourmet doggy treats.

See the cover photo in the "Celebrity Events" section "Around Town"

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Grand Doodle Road Tests a New Grand Cherokee

Sebastian puts a Hemi through it’s paces around California

San Francisco, California – March 29, 2005 – The plum trees are in full blossom and, for San Francisco Labradoodle Sebastian Thor, that means Dad Scot is flying off to baseball spring training in Arizona and, for he and Dad Glen, an annual “road trip” where everyone meets up in Palm Springs.

This year, the celebrity Labradoodle insisted on traveling in style. When The Dads took the family Jeep in for a pre-trip service appointment, the inquisitive canine, apparently knowing the new 2005 models were on display, insisted on exploring the new car showroom. Moving rapidly past assorted PT Cruisers and Jeep Wranglers, Sebastian planted himself at the hatch of a new Grand Cherokee, its dark Khaki color a perfect match to his café mocha hair. He refused to move until he was able to drive out with the new toy.

Sebastian proved himself an excellent negotiator, when it came to working out the details of the new car purchase. Car dealers, of course, are known for their flexibility, but the salesman assigned to Sebastian had never been asked to sell the deal to a canine before. Both Dads Glen and Scot stood back, with bemused looks on their faces, as the incredulous man gave the pooch a complete tour of the car. In the end, the sales pitch, reinforced by a supply of Milk Bones, was successful and the trio pulled out of the showroom, an hour later, to the powerful sounds of a new 4.7 liter, V8 Hemi engine revving under the hood.

Traveling in a new car, the 2005 Road Trip became, for Sebastian Thor, the 2005 Road Test. The journey began at 5am, Wednesday morning, when Dad Scot was dropped at San Francisco International, for his flight to Scottsdale. Glen and Sebastian, the new Jeep loaded with luggage, assorted doggy bowls, toys and chews, and, of course, with rum and vodka for the poolside in Palm Springs, headed off to Los Angeles. Cousin Marrie’s home, in Altadena, was the first destination.

The traveling duo, with Sebastian riding shotgun, made such good time that they arrived in Altadena by 10:30 in the morning, and that included plenty of road-side sniffing stops along the way. Marrie wasn’t even home yet, but Mischief the Lab was there and Sebastian went crazy as the two greeted one another like the long lost cousins that they are. Sebastian even became so excited, that he toppled right into the swimming pool!

For the rest of the day, the house was full of all kinds of people coming and going. Marrie even made a wonderful Italian chicken dish, with Glen helping with the chopping and mixing, and there were 10 people around the dinner table that evening. Sebastian, of course, sat patiently, awaiting his clean-up chores. (Well, he sat patiently most of the time).

The next morning, it was off to Palm Springs and a great little resort there, called “La Posada.” The place is completely secluded, and secure, and the owners insisted that Sebastian be off-leash, the minute he entered the grounds. It was doggy heaven.

While Dad Glen unpacked, and set up the bar, Sebastian made friends with the 3 host canines, and became particular friends with Sirius. The two new buddies chased one another around the grounds, wrestled in the grass and went splashing through the fountains that surrounded the pool and whirlpool. Sebastian, while he loves water, does not like swimming pools, probably because the “way out” is not clear to him, but loved jumping into the fountains and sitting down in the cool basin, with the flowing water cascading over his head.

When evening arrived, it was time to go pick up Dad Scot at the Palm Springs airport. As the new Jeep rounded the last bend of the circular route into the airport, Glen asked “Where’s Daddy?” Sebastian immediately stuck his head out the window, tail wagging like mad, searching the terminal crowds for Scot.

Unfortunately, the flight was delayed by over an hour and, because of airport security, Glen had to make a continuous circle around the airport, awaiting its arrival. The routine became comical. Each time they passed the terminal, Sebastian would leap up, lean out the window, hair blowing in the wind, and search for Scot. As they passed the last terminal, and headed into the circle route, Sebastian would settle down again and take a mini-nap. When they approached the first terminal again, he would leap up and began searching once more. This went on for over an hour, with the traffic control officer waiving to Sebastian each time they passed, until Dad Scot finally appeared, wearing his new Giants baseball cap. The reunion was enthusiastic, to say the least.

The remainder of the five days in Palm Springs were spent lounging poolside. Other guests at the hotel had a miniature poodle mix, Chloe, who adopted Sebastian as her best friend. Her owners left the lonely pup alone, to wander the grounds, for many hours and she spent her time following Sebastian everywhere he went. While he frolicked with the big dogs, she would tag along behind, not getting too close to the rough behavior, but enjoying the companionship of the celebrity Labradoodle. Sebastian was gracious, allowing “his shadow” to eat his food and share his toys.

On Easter Sunday, Scot and Glen hosted a hamburger barbeque for the owners and guests of the resort. Scot made his famous “meatloaf burgers” and others brought assorted side dishes and, of course, an Easter Bunny Cake, to top off the meal.

Monday was departure day and, after appropriate “farewells,” the new Jeep was loaded up and the three travelers headed to the car wash, before starting the trip back to LA. Sebastian had never observed the workings of a car wash before, and this one allowed customers to look over a little wall, as the car traveled through the ‘hand wash” tunnel, with its automated sprays and blowers. This was fascinating stuff for Sebastian. Front paws placed on the top of the wall, he barked like mad as his new car was covered with slimy looking green foam and as strangers scrubbed down the exterior. “Be careful,” he was saying. “Watch the rims.” When the Jeep finally emerged, clean and shiny, his relief was visible and he could barely wait to pounce into the back seat, his spot when he is not riding “shot gun.”

The next stop on the Road Trip was West Hollywood. Guided by the nice lady hiding in the dashboard, (Sebastian looked for her, as the navigation system gave verbal instructions), the travelers soon pulled into the valet lobby at the Ramada Plaza right on Santa Monica Boulevard, in the heart of all the action. More new experiences! Rapidly mastering the mysteries of an elevator, Sebastian was soon at home in his two story suite, although he didn’t much like the stairs up to the bedroom. They were the “open stair” type, and chasing his blue ball up and down was a bit scary, with the treachery of a fall so visible.

Since hotel rooms are not the best place to leave doggies alone, unless they are posh resorts in Palm Springs, Sebastian got to go with the Dads everywhere. Dad Scot used to live in West Hollywood, some years ago, so this was a time to revisit old haunts. The trio stopped for happy hour cocktails, at Scot’s old regular, and even went to Rage, one of the areas best-known clubs. There, Sebastian held court in the sidewalk café, greeting guests of the club and passers-by alike, and generally endeared himself to the eclectic and fashion-conscious crowd that is “WeHo.” He did become a bit confused since, unlike in the San Francisco social scene, some folks were not particular doggy-friendly. Not knowing that Labradoodles don’t shed, they feared dog hairs would mess their sheik little outfits.

For dinner, it was off to Beverley Hills. Sebastian could not dine with his Dads, at Il Picccolino, but waited patiently in the car, watching them through the window, as they feasted on carpaccio and spinach-stuffed ravioli. After dinner, and following his consumption of left-overs, (doggies LOVE carpaccio), Sebastian did what most celebrities do in Beverley Hills. He went meandering down Rodeo Drive. Since the hour was late, the famous Dood was able to browse incognito, and went unrecognized by the few celebrity seekers who were on the famous street at that hour.

On Tuesday, the 2005 Road Test finally came to an end. Leaving West Hollywood early, Sebastian and his Dads made a quick trip home, up Interstate 5. Sebastian, clearly exhausted, slept the entire trip and, when they finally arrived, he went immediately to the big, king-sized bed, snuggled into the pillows, and went peacefully to sleep. His little legs, though, moved in his dreams, as he chased Sirius around the pool.

See photos in the "Road Trip 2005" section of "Holiday Time"