Mission Accepted

Foo finished off his tour of NASA's Johnson Space Center by reading up on all of the voyages gone before him. He hoped someday to make a trip himself. What a road trip that would be!

Sounds of Space Silence

Foo shouted into the gigantic engine thruster of the rocket hoping for some cool spaced out echoes. Strangely he was scolded by a group of school children who said he was being too disruptive.

Size Matters

Inside the rocket barn at Johnson Space Center, Foo got to get up close and personal with the rockets.

He figures this one might be big enough for his winning personality.

Rocket Foo

Foo got his picture with one of the rockets at NASA. He was even more excited to lean that he was color coordinated with it.

But the thing is that the rocket in the background is just too small, so Foo is secretly plotting to stow away on this one. Shhhhh.... don't tell.

Flag it Down

Foo was happy that he would be going to space for his country! He wondered if he'd get to put it on some planet and claim it for Foo-dom!

Things Are Smaller in Space

Foo was a little concerned at first when they told him that this was the International Space Station. Unless they were going to use a miniaturization ray, he just didn't see how they were going to do it.

But when he saw the life-size module, he was much more relieved, understanding that they didn't miniaturize anything until they were actually on it. Phew. That made more sense.

Foo-ston We Have a Problem...

One of Foo's favorite parts was visiting the control center where the people guide and talk to the astronauts while they're up up and away.

Foo was so fascinated by all the lights and colors, it was nearly impossible to get him to leave and go see everything else.

Perfect Fit

Foo took a tour of all the spacesuits to try to find the one that would fit him best.

In the end, he found that this helmet was the perfect fit. Aye, aye Captain. Foo's suited up and ready to go!

What Does This Button Do?

Foo was incredibly excited when he got to see the actual cockpit of the rocket on his tour. He just couldn't wait to stop pushing all the buttons!!

Room for Foo

As Foo prepared for his space journey, he was instructed to take a tour of one of the old rocket ships so he could find his most comfortable place to sit. He liked this window seat very much.

He also went to find the space potty and had a few concerns about how it would fit him. He didn't want to get sucked out into space after all.

Weightless Foo

Foo was thrilled when he got o go into the antigravity chamber with this astronaut. Foo did have a little trouble controlling his position in the space, hence the extreme Foo closeup.

Don't Blow Up

As Foo prepared for his journey into space, he got to see one of the rocket engines up close. He expressed a little concern in private that it looked a little like a giant grenade so he hope it wouldn't blow up.

Foooooooo innnnnnn Spaaaaaaaaccceee

Foo was so excited to visit NASA and the Johnson Space Center. When he signed in, the told him he would learn how to prepare to be an astronaut. He really wanted to be the first Foo Dog in space!

Chicago Style in Houston?

Upon hearing that there was authentic Chicago-style deep dish pizza somewhere in Houston, Foo simply had to go check it out for himself. Although it was decent at Star Pizza, it just wasn't quite the same. Foo said the toppings were alright, but the crust simply lacked substance and that buttery goodness he so loves to savor. Alas, he'll just have to order it and have it shipped from the Windy City itself.

Woofin' at the Dog Park

Foo and his good friend Winchester had a grand old time playing at the dog park. They particularly like climbing up onto this raised platform to look out over the whole space.

But when the suggestion was raised that they try something new and different, there was confusion and fear all around... just for a minute or two.

In the end, Foo was the only one brave enough to tackle the dog tunnel. Winchester just didn't have any pipe dreams.

End-of-Year Excitement

December became a very exciting month for Foo at his house. His favorite author, Victoria J. Hyla, got published with her first book, In Death We Part; he got to watch the Texans make it into the NFL playoffs for the first time; and he found a new Texan fan who was just his size and dressed even crazier.

Texans Foo-tball Fan

Next to nature shows, Foo's favorite thing to watch is Texans Football... partially because his  name is in "football" and partially because he has a really cool Texans outfit and platform so he doesn't miss a single play.

Put Me in Coach!

Meet the only person who is a bigger Texans fan than Foo. Jonathan always comes dressed to watch the game, but Foo is ready to play! Foo makes an excellent linebacker!

Foo-Tube

Ever since the TV was set up outside on the back porch, it has been nearly impossible to get Foo to stop watching TV. He particularly likes nature shows about lions. He's kind of a remote hog. Honestly... you could lose a finger trying to get those things from him.

Execute Him!

Because of Foo's deplorable, carnivorous behavior toward the centaur, Foo was set to be executed in the town square not only for that, but for being a slobbering rodent. At the last minute, he apologized to everyone, and luckily they let him go home.

Centaurs Are Friends, Not Food

Foo hadn't realized how hungry he was until he went to get his picture taken with this centaur. Needless to say, it didn't end well. There was blood, lots of it, before the authorities got involved. He needs to remember to eat lunch next time.

How Llama Are You?

Foo is not llama at all, in spite of the fact he always attracts them. This one wanted to get a little personal, but luckily his friend Beans was there to get him quickly to safety.

Noble Accessory

Foo continued meeting new and interesting people at the Texas Renaissance Festival, including this quiet, ghostly lady in blue who really wanted to take Foo home with her, but he had other plans.

Favor for Foo

As the knights prepared dutifully for their joust, Foo requested a favor from his favorite knight. Sadly, the knight blew him off in favor of a pretty young maiden. Happily, the knight proceeded to get skewered during the joust.

Barbaric Bravery

Foo was so happy to find his friend, Beans, thanks to the helpful garden mermaid! As soon as he did, his luck continued and they were led bravely back to the festival by this resourceful barbarian who knew exactly where to take them!

Mermaid Rescue

During Foo's search for his way out of the gardens, he ran into a really helpful mermaid who apparently could swim in the ground. She held him up high and blew her magic shell horn, and lo and behold, Foo found some friends again!

Foo-mily Reunion!

Like he seems to do everywhere he goes, Foo found another one of his cousins in the garden. The big golden brethren tried his best to get Foo to stay and play a while longer, but he really needed to get out and back to the Texas Renaissance Festival. He knew there was more to see.

Thar Be Dragons Here!

As he frolicked merrily through the garden at the Texas Renaissance Festival, Foo stumbled upon this magical dragon. Immediately, they became fast friends, and the dragon agreed to take Foo on a wild ride around the forest and garden.

The trip was fun, but at the end, Foo had lost his way and couldn't find his way out again.

Foo-sel and Gretel

While walking through the magic gardens at the Texas Renaissance Festival, Foo came upon a glittering house made for Foo. He was wary about the house at first, remembering the tale of Hansel and Gretel, but one quick lick determined that it was, indeed, not made out of candy.

Big Foo-t?

On Foo's adventure in the magic gardens at the Texas Renaissance Festival, he waged a battle of wits and weaponry for a day and a night before victoriously stumping and thus defeating this gigantic beast that tried to stomp Foo into oblivion. (It was actually no match for the mighty Foo, but he requested the story because it was better for the blog.)

Metal Tree... Very Pretty

... and the metal flower is sweet, but Foo found out that the fruit from the metal tree was impossible to eat. When he found this tree in the magic gardens at the Texas Renaissance Festival, Foo almost chipped a tooth trying to eat the fruit before others were able to pry him off.

Arrrrrrrrrrrgh! Thar Be Pirates!

Foo took no heed of this silly sign at the Texas Renaissance Faire. Foo wondered just how scary can pirates be if they're all cute and fluffy like this??

But then Foo met THIS pirate lass and he had to revise his opinion of pirates.... scary... no... intimidating... a little bit, yeah...

Foo Kilt It

Foo insisted that only real men wear kilts, so he promptly found a Foo-size version and proved he looked very dashing in the tartan plaid.

Foo looked so good that he even convinced his good friend Jonathan to try one on as well. Och aye, stopping wondering what they're wearing under them!

Shake Your Money Maker

Foo disagrees that money doesn't grow on trees, especially after finding this one that was sprouting 20s... Oh wait... it's already a dead tree, but it's covered in vines.... Foo recants his previous statement. Money doesn't grow on trees after all. It grows on vines!

Stick it to 'Em

Foo was honored to be able to get a picture with the Rare Texas Stick Fish. It was truly unlike any stick... er... fish he'd ever seen. Ignoring protests, he licked it and remarked that it tasted a bit woody.

Brewing Up Good Times

As Foo tends to be a beer divining rod, he bee-lined for the authentic beer brewery at the Texas Renaissance Festival. Oh did it smell good, and they were selling beer that Foo loved to say: RAHR!

Dragon-Parrot Foo

Foo and his good friend, Beans, met a man with a fine dragon parrot at the Texas Renaissance Festival. The foursome fast became friends, but Foo and the dragon seemed to have their own language so it kind of left everyone else out of the conversation.

Skyline a la Shedd

Foo thinks this is one of the best views of the Chicago skyline, and he's not wrong. Thrust out into Lake Michigan, the Shedd Aquarium provides a great perspective of this beautiful city.

Order Up a Tux!

Foo was feeling just a bit underdressed when he met this group of finely tailored feathered friends. Regardless, his feet were feeling kind of happy. Cha cha cha.