Whole lotta nothing going on

Happy Belated Birthday to mom! Her birthday was Friday and I was with her, but I wanted to post my wishes as well.

So, onto my weekend. We went to the mountains and got to leave on Thursday. Cause of a big truck fire we had to sit in traffic for a while. Dad was none to happy about it, but I just slept. It didn't much matter to me cause it was raining and we wouldn't be able to do anything when we got there anyway. And you know what? That's exactly what we did, nothing! Some of dad's friends stopped by, but other than that, we just watched TV. Friday was a little better. Mom and dad cut grass so we played. That was until it did start raining, then we went inside and took a nap. Friday night dad took mom to eat for her birthday then they went to Clair and Velma's to play cards so I was stuck in my crate:( Mom was mad cause she bought me this really nice memory foam mat for in my crate and I bet you can guess what I did... yep, I chewed it up. Well, not totally, but started to. She told me I'd have to live with it with duct tape on it cause she wasn't buying me another one. Plus, she said I can only use it now for search training when I'm resting cause she knows I won't chew it then. Sorry mom. Saturday it rained ALL DAY! We did go for a ride with mom and dad to some antique store. We had to wait in the truck, but it was nice to get out and go somewhere. Mom and dad's friends, Dave and Pam, came to visit for a while. They are really nice. Pam really likes dogs and I laid with her for a little, but Chloe hogged her up. I guess that's okay though cause I'm always the one hogging up mom and dad. Sunday it finally stopped raining! We got to go for a ride in the Kubota and I did two search scenerios. Mom said I did really well on both of them. She said I nailed my first recall, but she has to use callouts for me to keep the recall/refind going. But she said she was proud of me cause I did have a good first hit. That was my excitement for the day. Monday we headed home and poor mom was really sick. When we got home she bathed us (cause Chloe rolled in something stinky and mom said I could use one too), but she was really struggling to get us done. After she was done we all went to bed that's how bad mom felt. I laid on the bed with her even after dad got home from his meeting cause I wanted to be there in case mom needed me. Fortunately she finally fell asleep and feels a little better today.

So I did a whole lotta nuttin over the weekend, but at least I was in the mountains. Mom said I have search training this Sunday. I may be visiting Manor Care on Thursday, but mom said she's not sure. She likes to be fair with the time she spends with us and since I will be with mom all day Sunday, she said she might take Chloe for the visit. Either way is okay with me.

Well that's all I got for you now. I hope my pals had a better weekend then I did, at least a drier one! Have a great week and bark at you all later.

Strike 1 1/2!

We went to visit Ali, Jan and Emilie this past weekend. Dad went down earlier Friday so Chloe, mom and I went down after mom got off work Friday. The ride was okay until we got off the turnpike then it was traffic galore! I was in the backseat and I sat up and was checking it out. Mom usually makes me lay down, but cuz we were barely moving, she let me sit up. All I could see was cars furever! That's why I like the mountains. Once you get across the bridge, no traffic!! After finally getting out of that mess, we arrived at Ali's. It was still light outside so mom let us out to play. She did come back down when it got dark and brought us in. As usual, we stayed in the basement. Mom sleeps down there with us so that makes us both happy:) Mom went to bed pretty early cause Emilie wasn't feeling good and up crying so her and dad didn't want to have the TV just in case that would bother her.

Saturday we spent most of our day outside. Mom went with Ali to take Emilie to the doctor and dad and Jan were planting grass in the front yard so we hung out in the back. After mom got home and helped give Emilie lunch and get her down for a nap, she came outside and played with us. We played for a little, but it was kind of hot so it was short and then mom laid in the sun and we napped in the shade. Later in the afternoon after Emilie woke up, she was feeling a little better and came outside to play with us. She loves to watch us play ball, but doesn't like when we come running back to her. Mom said I'm good at keeping my distance when I run back to her. She does like when we lay down cause then she wants to pet us. Mom said I did really good with that, but she keeps a very close eye on me. I did end up with strike 1 1/2 against me though. One time when Emilie went to pet me, the ball was laying beside me and I thought she was going for the ball so I gave a little growl. I didn't lift my lip and Alison didn't hear me, but mom did. As soon as Alison and Emilie walked away, mom scolded me. Alison is already afraid of me and if she would have heard me do that, I wouldn't have been allowed back. I know it was wrong and Emilie never tries to take any of our toys so I don't know why I growled at her. It's strike 1 1/2 and not two cause only mom heard me and she didn't tell dad. I would have been in MAJOR trouble if dad heard me. Mom watches really good when Emilie is around us dogs, but she is just so afraid that one time in a split second when someone isn't looking I'll bite Emilie and then the consequences will NOT be good for me. Dad made it VERY clear what will happen if I do that. Mom has really been working with me and I am getting better, but even I can't give a 100% promise that I won't do that. So I'm hoping as mom and I keep working at me getting better with little kids, I don't mess up that bad.

Okay, moving on from my bad behavior. Saturday night started out like any other night. Mom crawled in bed and us dogs jumped up and laid one on each side of her. We were all sleeping good until we heard Emilie cry. Cause she's been so sick, mom said she would give Ali and Jan a break and she would get up with Emilie. I don't know what all was going on, but I could hear Emilie crying over the monitor. It look a very long time until she stopped and mom finally came back down. She told us she was very proud of us for not barking at all. She left us out to potty then we all went back to bed. That didn't last long at all cause Emilie got up again. Fortunately for us mom turned off the monitor so we couldn't hear it, but not so fortunate for mom cause she never came back down. I guess poor Emilie was feeling so bad mom stayed with her. She did come back down after the sun came up and she did get a couple hours of sleep.

Sunday we pretty much just hung outside. We played for a while and I was careful not to do anything wrong around Emilie. Mom, Chloe and I headed home early evening, but dad stayed until Monday. Mom made me get in the front since Chloe was in the front on the way down. I know mom likes to be fair, but I rather be in the back cause I have the whole seat to myself. Plus, Chloe likes to be in the front with mom. About 10 minutes into the drive Chloe and I switched places and slept the entire way home. We were both tired from our weekend and since the ride is so boring, what else is there to do? When we got home, I hung out with mom while she did her chores. Chloe was still really tired so she stayed inside. Mom threw the frisbee for me a couple of times before we went in which I enjoyed. The rest of the night we just caught up on shows which I watched every one of them, even ones I don't normally watch. Mom said I'm a TV holic and I was making up for not watching any TV all weekend. Sorry, I like TV:)

I don't think I have anything planned for this week. We'll probably be outside with dad when he comes home cause he's going to cut grass. Looks like the only day until Friday that it won't be raining. That means we'll be stuck inside:( But if I do anything exciting, I'll be sure to fill you in. I hope everyone was able to enjoy the beautiful weekend and stay dry the next few days!

I met the neighbor girl

Tuesday night dad was out doing yard work and the neighbor girl came to visit. Her name is Anna and I think she's 10. She is really nice and loves to play with us. She threw the frisbee a lot of times and then sat on the driveway and pet us for a long time. She knows dogs too. She was telling mom how to let us know she is boss and she was right. Pretty smart kid! Mom said she was very proud of me for how well behaved I was. She said I keep getting better and better with kids and that makes her happy:) She still keeps a close eye on me, but I don't plan on messing up, especially not with our Emilie. I know if I did anything at all to hurt her, I would be gone and I don't just mean to a new home, I mean gone! So no worries, I won't mess up and let that happen cause I want to be around for a very long time.

This weekend is suppose to be really nice outside and I wish we were going to the mountains, but not this weekend. I just hope we get to be outside whereever we are.

Well, that's about all for now. I hope all my pals get to enjoy some nice weather too. I know there is some snow falling out west and if any of my pals are there, have fun playing in the snow:)

Beware of possum!

This past weekend, mom, her friend Nancy, Chole, Gizmo and I all went to the mountains. I won't go into great detail on the entire trip because I think most of my pals read both my posts and Chloe's posts so I don't want to bore you with repeating the minor stuff.

It started Friday afternoon with a trip to the barn while some lady did something with our horses. Us dogs chilled in the car. It wasn't too long though then we headed to the cabin. When we got there mom cut the grass while we played and then we all just watched TV the rest of the night.

Saturday was yard saling day and mom let us go along. We walked around the first place with mom and Nancy and everyone loved us dogs. They couldn't believe how well behaved we were, especially since Chloe and I were on the same leash (mom throught there were 2 in the car, but there wasn't). After we went to a few more places, mom took us to Mexico for ice cream! No, not Mexico as in the country, but Mexico the town in Juniata County. Mom posted a picture of us dogs with Nancy. I had already finished my ice cream and it was YUMMY!! I'm so glad mom let me have some. Once in a while she'll let me off my diet and give me some goodies:) When we got back to the cabin, mom and Nancy were relaxing on the patio, but stupid bumble bees kept bothering them. Mom was trying to get them with the swatter and I was trying to help by biting them. Mom told me I shouldn't do that cause I'll get stung, but I wanted to help. I didn't get any though:( But that wasn't the exciting stuff. That came after dinner.

We were all hanging out around the fire (mom and Nancy wanted to make smores) and Chloe and I would chase a ball once in a while. Mom was on the phone when she saw something in the field. The next thing I know, she grabbed the fire poker and took off running and yelling. Of course I wanted to go with her, but she told us to stay so I did... for now. I watched mom intensly and saw that there was a opposum in the horse pen. Mom was yelling at it and stomping, but it didn't move. Mom started to bang the fire poker on the bars of the pen and that's when I knew it was time for me to jump into action. Mom needed my help and I wasn't going to let her down! I took off running through the field and when I got close to mom I saw the possum showing its teeth at mom and making a weird noise. I immediately tried to go under the bars to get it, but mom yelled and jumped in front of me. The possum started moving when mom was banging but when mom stopped banging, the possum stopped moving. Mom told me to sit and stay and I sat, but as soon as mom started banging and the possum started going again, I went after it again. Mom lunged at me and got a hold of my collar so now all I could do was bark. Mom banged and I barked and the possum finally ran into the woods. When mom let go of me I started for the woods, but she yelled for me to come with her back to the pation and as much as I wanted to chase the possum and be sure he stayed away, I went with mom.

Things calmed down and Chloe and I were playing ball by the patio when we both heard something behind the cabin. We were looking and finally saw it, the possum was back! Mom saw it too and immediately made us go inside. I was NOT happy about that at all! I wanted to help mom get rid of this thing, but she said the possum was sick, maybe rabid, and I could get hurt really bad or worse if it bit me. That didn't stop me from trying to get outside though. I was barking wildly and running from window to window to see what was going on. After a little while I heard a "BANG!" and I knew it was done for. Mom came back in the cabin and she was really upset, crying and everything. Mom felt really bad about having to do away with the possum, but she said it had to have had rabies with the way it was acting and she had no choice. She called several people before she did it and they all told her the same thing. I know mom did the right thing and I'm proud of her. I just wish I could have helped. The rest of the evening was calm and uneventful which after the earlier excitement, I was okay with.

Sunday we got up and Chloe and I played outside while mom and Nancy cleaned the cabin and got things put away. I settled in for our ride home and was surprised when we stopped at Red Rabbit for lunch. I love Red Rabbit cause Red Rabbit means bunny burgers! They're really hamburger and not bunnies and that is one of the few times mom let's me have something other than my dogfood. This place is really cool cause the person comes to your car for your order then brings your food to you and you eat in the car. Kind of like some show mom watches on TV called Happy Days. All I know is I love this place cause I get my burger and boy was it good!!!

After we got home we just relaxed and watched TV. We were all pretty tired after our weekend. I did get to chase the ducks off the pool once and then another time they were in the yard and I actually almost caught one when I went to chase them. Hopefully it was too close for comfort for them and they don't come back!

Yesterday it rained so we didn't do anyting and the same thing for today. I don't think I have much going on this week. It's Chloe's turn to visit Manor Care so I'll stay home with dad while he cuts grass, whenever that is. I do know that we'll soon be going on a 4-day weekend at the cabin for mom's birthday and I can't wait! I love being at the cabin:)

Well, that's about all for now. Mom did post some new pictures so be sure to check them out. I hope everyone had a good weekend and I'll bark at you all later!

On the leash

Last night mom took us for a walk. Chloe was on the leash because of what she did the last time we went for a walk, but I was still allowed off leash. That was until I messed up. We were about 1/2 block from our house when I decided I wanted to walk on mom's right side when she wanted me on the left. Not only did I walk on the right side, but I kept circling into the middle of the road. Mom told me a couple times to get in heal position, but I didn't listen. Well, mom wasn't in a good mood to start with so after two warnings I was on the leash with Chloe. I knew better than to fight it too cause like I said, mom was in a bad mood. I know mom has a lot on her plate with Sophie and grandma is mad at her (again) so us dogs should be on our best behavior so not as to upset mom more. But you know us, we just can't help ourselves. I kept a low profile the rest of the night and even laid on the sofa with mom for a while. We have a girls weekend at the cabin and we're leaving tomorrow so hopefully that helps mom relax. I like mom much more when she's relaxed and not every little thing sets her off. But I guess we're all entitled to our bad days, I know I've had plenty of my own!

I'm the good child

Yep, that's what mom said I am, the good child. You wanna know why? Cause last night she took us for a short walk. We don't go on leash cause we stay with mom and listen to her. Well, at least I do. When we were walking we got to this one house and this schauzer dog came running at us. It didn't leave it's yard and we were on the side of the road, but we did go into it's yard just a little to see it. Chloe told me it's her friend Roxie. Anyway, mom grabbed us both by the collars and took us to the other side of the street. No problem. She wasn't upset or anything cause it's just natural for a dog to do that. But what really upset her was when we were walking and Chloe ran back across the street after Roxie. I didn't go though cause I knew that was not only wrong, but dangerous to cross the street like that. Chloe was lucky no cars were coming. Needless to say, mom was really upset and when she got a hold of Chloe she put her on the leash. And that's where she stayed the entire way home. I could tell mom was really mad so I stayed right with them instead of stopping to smell stuff or walking out ahead. She made Chloe heel beside her and Chloe kept trying to lag behind. All I have to say is I don't want to make mom mad that I have to go back on a leash cause it won't be pretty! Poor Chloe had to stay on the leash the whole way to our door. My hope is that mom forgets about it so next time Chloe is off leash with me again. I like having her walking with me and smelling things with me. Hey, it's what us dogs do:)

To the mountains we did go

We went to the mountains this past weekend. It has been a month since mom, Chloe and I have been there. Dad went up a few times when he was off from his surgery, but left us dogs at home so mom wouldn't be alone.

The drive up was kind of nerve wrecking. There were storms moving through and we got hit hard about 15 minutes from the cabin. I don't know how dad could see where he was driving because I was looking out the window and I couldn't see anything! Gizmo was with us and she was crying cause the rain was so loud hitting the windshield. Fortunately it slowed down by the time we reached the cabin and then stopped shortly after. We didn't get to play outside when we got there cause everything was too wet from the storm so we just chilled Friday night.

Saturday we rode along to pick up the tractor and kubota from the garage that did get a tune up. When we got back, mom cut the grass. I followed behind her for a while, but then I relaxed on the patio. Chloe and I did play a little, but it was windy and pretty cool so I just wanted to try and stay out of the wind for a while. When mom was done, we did go for a kubota ride up the mountain and that was fun. We usually sit up by the tree for a while, but it was so windy, mom got cold after only 5 minutes so we headed back down. Dad's friend Dave stopped by for a visit, but that was the only company we had Saturday. We just relaxed the rest of Saturday night.

Sunday mom made Chloe and I stay outside while she cleaned the cabin. It was a little nicer, but still chilly. Of course we have long coats so it didn't bother us and we played. That was until dad came back in the truck and Chloe ran in front of his truck. Dad was so mad at her! After that, it kind of put a damper on our fun. I sometimes run after the cars when they pull in, but I don't run in front of them. That's just asking to be hit. I'm not sure why she does that? Anyway, we left later in the afternoon and when we got home, mom threw frisbee a little and then we just watched TV the rest of the night.

Nothing exciting happened but it was nice to get away. I think we're going back up this weekend with mom's friend Nancy cause dad has to work. Hopefully the weather is nicer so we can do more outside.

I hope everyone had a good weekend and if I have any news this week, I'll be sure to fill you in. Have a good one!

Growling is a NO! NO!

So last night mom took me to Manor Care for a visit because it was finally my turn. As soon as we pulled up, I knew where we were and what my job was. The vist started out very well. I got to see everyone since we got their our regular time and no one was in bed yet. I even met some new people. And Mary scratched my back and it felt SOOOOOO good! After that though, it wasn't good. We went to the 3rd floor to visit as usual. I only have a couple people I visit up there so it's usually pretty short. We had a new resident last night and the nurse was giving her a shot or something so the other nurse who just loves me to death was scratching my back and talking to me and petting me while we waited for the other nurse to get done so I could visit with the resident. The nurse playing with me had my head in her hands and looked me right in the eye and was trying to kiss me. WRONG THING TO DO! I don't like people holding onto me like that, let alone looking me directly in the eye. I'm sure all you dogs out there know what that means to us... challenge! Well I let her know that I was alpha so I growled at her. OOOPS!! Mom immediately corrected me even though the nurse admitted it was her fault for looking me in the eye and being in my face. I agree with the nurse on that one, but I also understand why mom was made. My job is to visit people and let them do whatever they want to me (not hurt me though). Some of the residents pull and grab and hold me and I have to be okay with all that because I am a certified therapy dog who is suppose to show NO aggression whatsoever. Mom was really upset and we're hoping the nurse doesn't tell anyone what happened or I will be out of the program for sure. I don't think she will though cause she admitted it was her fault. But mom did ream me out when we got to the car and told me if I EVER do that again, that I would not visit people again. That would make me sad because I really do like visiting with them. I didn't mean it and I will do my best never to do that again. I'm also sure that mom will keep a close eye from now on and not let anyone in my face like that again. It wasn't so much her holding me and wanting a kiss, that I get a lot from some of the residents, but it was her looking me in the eye that sent me over the edge.

So if you're a therapy dog and someone does that to you, no matter what your instincts tell you, growling is a NO NO!

These paws were made for walking

You know that old song, "These Boots Were Made For Walking"? Well my song is "These Paws Were Made For Walking" cause that's what we did Monday night. We were hanging outside with dad while he cut grass when mom got home. It was a beautiful evening so she said we were going for a walk... yeah!! We walked, and walked, and walked and walked, but I was loving it! Chloe was starting to lag toward the end, but I kept up with mom. I did stop to smell some things with Chloe and then we would race to catch up to mom. Chloe beat me every time. Did I let her win or did she win on her own? I will never tell:) Oh, I don't know if I told you or not, but guess what I do? I walk over sewer grates. Yep, I don't even hesitate now. Mom just says "walk" and points to the grat and I cross it. Mom said too bad I'm not a drug dog cause they have to walk over that kind of stuff and I don't mind at all. When we were done with our walk, we hung outside with mom and dad after dad finished cutting. Dad left to take grass to the dump and mom pulled out a chair and sat in the driveway smoking a cigar since it was such a nice night. I relaxed on the driveway watching people walk by with their dogs. They all had to walk on leashes (the dogs, not people... although maybe we should walk our people:), but when we walk with mom, no leashes for us! Mom said as long as we listen and stay with her, we don't need them. Anyway, we relaxed for a while then me and Chloe got our second winds and chased each other around the yard for a while. It finally got dark and we went in.

I hope we have more evenings like that because I love it! Too bad it's been yucky for the past three days:( Maybe nice weather will be coming for the weekend? Whatever the weekend brings for everyone, try to enjoy it!

Busy, busy weekend

This was probably the busiest weekend I've had in a long time and it started Saturday morning with a trip to the barn. Mom took both of us with her cause she had barn duty and Jada wasn't home. I was very happy to go and ran and played until I was so tired, I went in the barn and took a little nap while mom did stalls. The horse dentist came for the horses. I couldn't believe my own eyes... he had his hand inside Tequilla's mouth! I was watching him very closely to see if Tequilla would bite him and also to be sure he wasn't hurting her. He put this really weird contraption on her and it made a funny noise when she chomped down. I think mom took a picture of me watching. I was very interested in what was going on. After he left, mom rode Sophie for a little in the arena and us dogs just chased each other around. Mom sometimes gets upset cause it bothers Sophie, but she said sooner or later Sophie will let us know it with a little "love tap". I can say I don't want to feel that! After we were done at the barn (we were there a long time) we went to Agway so mom could get treats for the horses. From there we went home and just chilled for a while. I was down with that cause I was beat from playing so hard at the barn. Later in the evening mom, dad, Chloe and I went back to the barn. Mom took Tequilla out for a trail ride and we had fun. The grass was really high so I had to do my bunny hop thing again. When we got done on the trail ride, that's kind of when all the fun stopped. Mom rode Sophie in the arena to show dad how her back end isn't working right and we kept running around near mom and Sophie. She told us to get out of the arena, but you know us, we didn't listen. Dad held us by the collars, but I didn't want to stay so I slipped out of my collar. Not good!! Dad was SOOOO mad he threw my collar at me. Mom put us both in a down/stay and I knew I better stay or dad would be even more mad. I did get up once, but didn't get far still mom scolded me. From then on I made sure to behave and stay out of dad's way since he was so mad. When we got home he cooled off a little, but I still made plenty of room between us.

Sunday afternoon I had search training. Dad went along this time to be a subject for the trail dogs. Not for me though cause I can ALWAYS find dad. I was actually the first dog to go. I was suppose to find Susan, but I didn't do too good. Dad crossed Susan's trail and as soon as I caught dad's scent, I took off to find him. Mom kept calling me, but I didn't come right away. After a minute or so, I did finally come and she reset me for Susan. Well I found Susan, but I totally ignored her and went on my search for dad. Needless to say that's not good. Mom said I was really off my game cause she finally let me go find dad later in the day and it took me a long time to find him too. And my motivational search I found Susan right away again, but didn't acknowledge her and my recall/refind was no where to be found. Don't ask me what was up cause I couldn't begin to tell you. But mom wasn't mad cause she said I was trying and that's all she could ask. Plus, everyone has an off day and I guess yesterday was mine.

So that's what I've been up to. I think I might be going to Manor Care this week cause it's my turn, but other than that, I have no idea what's happening. I hope everyone had a good weekend and enjoy the spring weather that seems to finally be here!