My people got my show schedule for Shakespeare's "A Comedy Of Errors" which will run on the Boston Common this summer from July 31 until August 16. I, of course, will be the lead dog on opening night. An estimated 75,000 people will come out to see the show over the course of the next couple of weeks, so I should be a very famous dog by the end of the month. I'm very excited! And by that, of course, I mean my people are very excited. Here's my schedule:

Friday, July 31 8:00 PM (Opening night)
Saturday, August 1 3:30 PM
Sunday, August 9 1:00 PM

Come on out and see me. Tickets are free and all the information you need is at The Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. For those of you out of town, if there aren't any issues with media rights, I'll post a couple of short video clips on my website after my performance so you can see me too.

Now... Where's my Shakespeare hat?

Fingers crossed... Nothing is official yet, but I have an exciting opportunity coming up. Yes, my friends, I may be making my big break into acting soon. My people came across some information on the internet about a local theatre group putting on a production of Shakespeare's "A Comedy of Errors" later this summer. Of course, if you know Shakespeare, you know he has greyhounds in many of his plays. This particular production needs some help with a greyhound actor, and of course I'm happy to help.

We got a little more information today. Rehearsals for me will be later in July, with actual performances being mostly the first couple of weeks of August. There's talk that Raynah may be helping out as well. I'm more distinguished though, right? I just hope I get to wear a Shakespeare hat. And maybe a vest. Here's a little more about the show:

COMMONWEALTH SHAKESPEARE COMPANY TO PRESENT
THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
ON BOSTON COMMON JULY 31—AUGUST 16, 2009

(BOSTON ) Commonwealth Shakespeare Company Founding Artistic Director Steven Maler today announced that the company’s 14th annual free Shakespeare on the Common production will be The Comedy of Errors, to be performed July 31—Aug. 16 outdoors at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common, in partnership with the City of Boston and Mayor Menino. The program, which has become a beloved civic institution, will draw an estimated 75,000 people over 16 performances. The detailed schedule, as well as casting, will be announced in the coming months.

This marks the company’s first Boston Common production since regaining its independence from the Citi Performing Arts Center, in a well-publicized split last fall. Commonwealth Shakespeare Company is once again a non-profit organization, as it was prior to that relationship, which started in 2004. The Company is responsible for raising the entire budget for this year’s production. “We’re about halfway there,” said Maler, “and after seeing the outpouring of support in the wake of past challenges, we’re confident we’ll reach our goal. Many people - from the Mayor, to the business community, to the 500,000 people who have seen our productions - have made it very clear that they value what we do. It’s not an easy time to be raising money, but we are reaching out to people and getting positive support.”

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company operates with a full time staff of two, including Maler. In addition to the annual Boston Common production, the company plans to continue offering Shakespeare-related programming, like the King Lear panel discussion with Ken Starr produced with the Federalist Society last May, and the Shakespeare Salon with author Anita Diamant and actor Jennifer Dundas last June.

About Commonwealth Shakespeare Company
Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, best known for its annual free performances on Boston Common, is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the works of William Shakespeare in vital and contemporary productions to the people of Boston. For more information, or to make a contribution to support the work of CSC, visit www.commshakes.org

Now, the only real question is, if I hire an agent, do I have to give him/her 10% of my total treat earnings?

Here's a little lesson for other dogs or people who may not be well versed at riding in the car. It's by no means a full comprehensive guide, but just a few tips to make your experience a little better. As you may know, I am now a pro at riding in the car, and my people know this. I am offered a car ride frequently simply to showcase my skills.

Ajax's Tips To Create The Best Car Ride Possible

1. Lesson one. The car is essentially a moving dog house. Treat it as such. Be sure to claim the back part as your own. It contains a full bed to lay down on, and as such, it is the more desireable location. Let the humans sit up front.
2. Don't waste your energy up front. You may or may not have a long way to go. Make sure that if there's something stinky outside later on in the trip, you have enough stamina to stand up and investigate. Don't be overly aggressive with the things you've already seen / heard / smelled before. Besides, who doesn't like to lie down and relax. Be comfortable!
3. Sticking your nose on the window usually makes it open. This is especially true if you can work up a little bit of a wet residue on the window.
4. If your people leave you in the car, bark for a while to make sure they know you're still there.
5. Stick your head out the window when possible. If snowing, you get bonus piles of snow on your nose that make you look cute.
6. Make sure you make the most of the people's close proximity to you. We all know that the people don't hang out in the crate with you at home. When you're in the moving crate (car), remember that they're stuck in there with you until it stops moving. Be sure to make sure they remember to pet you. The headrest in the middle of their seats is a good place to position yourself for easy petting access. Even better -- if they already have an arm there, use it! It can be a headrest:,
   or even just a place to prop yourself up so you can look happily out the window:
   .
7. When you get back home, make sure they know if you weren't ready to be home yet by staying lying in the back of the car even if they tell you it is time to go inside. If they ask five or six times, you've made your point and then can go inside.

If you have any questions, or need clarifications, email me. I'm a pro.

Look what I got yesterday - a matching leash and collar set made especially for me. The stripes make me look so distinguished, although Shane called me a sissy. How could a fast dog like me be a sissy? i am  trendsetter!

A whisper came through the dark. "Ajax."

Another, more forceful. "Ajax."

No longer a whisper, her voice rang out, "Ajax!" Then again... "AJAX! Wake up!"

Uuuuuuugggghhhh. What do you people want from me? My internal clock said it was only 4:32 AM. Even for a work day, this was too early to be waking up. I lay peacefully motionless, hoping they would just go back to sleep and leave me alone. It didn't stop. "Ajax, let's get up. It's time to get up." My head was lifted with a foot, and then she got out of bed. I was stifled at the reasoning for this disturbance.

Reluctantly, I gathered myself and followed her downstairs. I was hardly even excited for dinner (I call breakfast "dinner" too). By the time I had finished my walk, it was not even 5 AM and I was not getting to go back to bed. The people were awake, the lights were on, and they were in the midst of leaving. Not long after, they explained it to me (they talk to me a lot like I'm always listening). "Ajax, I have to go to the airport and I won't see you for a few days, but I'll be back," she began. Then he filled in. "But I'll be here with you. We will play together this weekend, okay? You just have to wait until I get back from work. I'll try to come home a little early."

All I know is that I didn't hear the word "dinner" or "bed" in there anywhere, and that's not promising. Anyway, it looks like I'm without Cassandra for a few days, so I'm making a wish list of things that I would like to do with Shane while she's gone.

1. Sleep, please.
2. Beach day!
3. Dog park
4. Walk in downtown Salem or Boston.
5. Go on a field trip with my friends Rose and/or Brutus.
6. Explore the fenced in baseball field down the street. Maybe chase a ball.
7. Learn to skydive.
8. Practice my tricks and turning on the fireplace.
9. Ride in the car... anywhere.

I have big plans and big hopes -- mostly that food will be involved.

From my time walking around the neighborhood and the city I've noticed there's been quite a bit of interest in me. Everyone wants to know all about me -- to hear my life's story. Mostly, I just want them to pet me. But... because everyone seems so nosy and interested, I've put together answers to the most frequently asked questions that are asked (usually in the third person like I'm not there) while I'm out on walks and meeting new people in a little segment I like to call "A-FAQs". (Get it? My name is Ajax, and A-FAQs rhymes with my name which is appropriate because these are all frequently asked questions about me, Ajax the dog.)

1. How old is he?

My birthdate is November 29, 2004. You do the math. I'm a dog.

2. Was he adopted?

Yes.

3. How much does he weigh?

My racing weight was 80 lbs. I'm currently trying to gain about 5 pounds or so because I'm a little on the thin side.

4. Did he race?

Of course I raced. We all race. That's what we do.

5. Where did he race?

Raynham-Taunton Greyhound Park (www.raynhamparkfun.com). I really wish it was Wonderland, because that's much easier to say. My last race was on July 26, 2008 and I got last place.

6. What was his racing name?

My racing name was Steel.

7. What is his name?

My name is Ajax.

8. Oh! Ajax like the cleaner?

No. Just Ajax.

9. Ajax like the web technology?

Nope. Just Ajax.

10. That's after the greek mythological character?

No. It's just my freaking name.

11. There's a soccer team in Europe called Ajax...

(showing teeth and growling)

12. What kind of dog is he?

Are you serious? I look exactly like the dog on the side of the giant busses. I can't believe I have to actually tell people this, but I'm a greyhound.

12a. He isn't grey, though...

First of all, that isn't a question, but even if it was it would be a stupid one.

12b. Is it true that there are no stupid questions?

No. That's not true at all. People say that so that they don't look dumb.

13. You're a good boy, aren't you? You're sooo pretty! Aren't you just a sweety?

Yes. Yes I am.

14. Is it a boy or a girl dog?

There are two ways to tell. Look underneath me or smell my breath.

15. How did Ajax learn how to write a blog?

How did you NOT know that I was a greyhound?

16. Can you sit?

No. And I'm not especially interested in learning.

17. Ajax, do you want to go for a ride in the car?

Yes! Yes! Yes I do! I really really do! I want to go now. Please let's go quickly! Come on, let's go! What are we waiting for? Let's go ride in the car!