Agility

Before I start, just want everyone to know that mom finally got some new photos loaded so check them out!

I like that agility stuff! Mom took me and Chloe Thursday night and I had a great time:) I got to get on and off a box, walk across a plank, go over a bar on the floor, walk over a ladder and the bestest part was going through the tunnel! I really, really liked that a lot and I was all wound up and had a hard time paying attention to mom after that cause all I wanted to do was play in the tunnel. Fortunately that was the last exercise we did.

Poor mom was tired out though working both of us, constently in and out of the crate. She said that dad or grandma have to come cause she can't handle both of us like that. It's not fair cause we don't get all the time we should. I'm soooo much looking forward to next week. I'll tell you all about the fun stuff I do each week. There was so much cool stuff there that we didn't try and I know it's all gonna be fun!!:D

I impressed daddy

First and foremost, I hope all my pals weathered Hurricane Sandy without any disasters. For those who were hit hard and lost power or homes, our thoughts and prayers go out to you.

Our weekend in the mountains started out a little rocky. We ended up going Thursday night since they cancelled our agility class and dad's helicopter lesson was cancelled due to the weather.

We got up there and it was dark so no playing outside. Later dad got mad at mom cause she didn't pack is medicines... opps!

Mom didn't sleep good at all and I know cause I was on the bed with her and she kept tossing and turning and waking me up. She finally got up at 430am and loaded us in the car and we went back home for dad's medicines. I couldn't figure out why we had to go, but mom said it was to keep her company, but mostly cause she knew we would wake up dad and let him know that she left. Yep, she's right about that. When we got back, mom went to make some nut rolls with Velma and dad went turkey hunting so us dogs were left alone for a few hours. Yes, I had to go in my crate cause last time mom left me out I chewed up a bunch of stuff. Anyway, dad came back around lunch and we hung out with him. Randy and Shuey stopped and it was nice to see them. Mom came back and did take us for a kubota ride, but it was kind of short cause it was windy and cold. Last that evening, mom and dad went to some auction and didn't get back til later so I spent a few more hours in my crate. Not starting out to be a good time for me:(

Saturday morning mom and dad got up and back to the auction for a second day. Mom promised that when they got back I wouldn't have to go in my crate again. That's good cause I have to tell you, I'm none too happy about spending the first half of our mountain trip in my crate. After all, it's my fun time too. They got back in the afternoon and as promised, mom folded up the crate and put it away. We played ball and went for another kubota ride, but again, it was windy and cold so not much time outside.

Sunday was the best time of all. I got to do some searches for dad. When I see mom get out my gear, I get really, really excited! Chloe always gets upset cause she knows she can't come and I try not to upset her with my excitement, but I just can't help it cause I love searching for people! So I did two short searches and one long search. Dad tried to fool me with back tracking and all kind of stuff, but I found him everytime and it didn't take me that long either. He said he is really impressed at how well I do and how quickly I find him. Mom said she is too, but the big test is me finding a stranger. Mom hopes that some of our team members let her know when they practice so I can practice with them. I know mom is nervous about me doing as well with strangers, but I know my job and I will do it!

Monday we had to head back home and I don't like that much. But I know that one day (hopefully soon) I'll live in the mountains:) Anyway, we didn't do much Monday when we got back. Mom threw frisbee a little, but that was about all.

Tuesday and back in the routine. We did get to ride along with mom and dad to the barn to see the horses, but the other dogs were there so we weren't allowed out. That's okay though cause they didn't stay long anyway.

The only thing I know we have going on this week is our agility class Thursday. I don't know what this is, but I bet it's gonna be fun. I'll be sure to tell you all about it!

We survived!

Well, the hurricane is passed and we all survived. We didn't even lose power can you believe it? I just hope my pals faired as well as we did. I've been thinking of everyone and hoping they're okay. If you are without power, just hang in there. Those power guys are working really hard and you should be back soon. I'll put my paws together and pray that it'll come back soon and everyone is okay.

Last weekend was a pretty busy one. Friday I didn't do anything exciting, but grandma did come to visit and she even stayed over night:) I really liked that cause she never did that before. I guess it's cause dad was at the cabin and we got up Saturday and went on a visit. Mom and grandma did make me treats and filled the bags for the residents and you know I was under their chairs hoping something would fall. But nothing did:(

Saturday was pretty busy. Mom had to stopped at the vet to pick up more food for me. God love her for spending $80 a bag for my special food. From there we went to Manor Care to visit. I got to wear my dinosaur costume. I didn't mind it except for that stupid head! I kept shaking my head to try and get it off, but mom would keep putting it back on. Not nice mom. But the residents really enjoyed seeing me all dressed up and they liked the treats we gave them. We promised no tricks (peeing on their beds) cause they are so good to us. After we were done there, we pretty much chilled the rest of the day. Grandma left and we hung out with mom. She did leave to go to search and rescue training. Only one more without me then I can go!! She has to go to 3 without me so she can learn. But we have been practicing on our own too so I'm sure I'll do fine when I go with the team.

Sunday we went to visit Country Meadows. It was nice to see them and they were happy to see us. Again they really liked my costume and called me "dinodog". When we were in the rec area, one of the residents was hitting on grandma:) I wish grandma would find a boyfriend. I think she would be happier. Anyway, when we were done there, we went home and grandma left. Daddy was home from the cabin and I was happy to see him!! We spent a few hours watching football (of course) then mom groomed us. It was a pretty quick on though. Just trimmed my nails and butt. I didn't mind cause I don't mind being groomed.

So that's about all I've been up to. Just out making people happy:) Mom was off work today cause of the storm so I've been hanging with her. We did go to the barn to check on the horses, but I stayed in the car. She was stinky when she came out cause she said the stalls were bad. I'm glad I didn't go in or I would have had to get a bath.

I guess I got you all caught up. I doubt we'll do much this week cause everything was cancelled cause of the hurricane. I was going to my first agility class on Thursday but it's cancelled. Mom said I will love agility. Can't tell you yet since I haven't been there, but I probably will cause there isn't much I don't like. I do know we're going to the mountains this weekend so that will be fun. Been about 3 weeks since we've been there and that's 3 weeks too long for me!

Power to the paw to all my pals and their families as they recover from the hurricane.

Wholly Hurricane!

Ever since I've been in PA it's been crazy weather. Last year on this day we had a snow storm. Today a hurricane, what the heck!?! I don't like this at all and really don't like having to go out to potty in it either. That wind about knocks me over and I'm a strong dog!

Mom's going to post about my weekend after the storm is over cause she's pretty sure we're going to lose power, but we wanted to tell everyone to be safe and try to stay dry. We'll be thinking about all our pals out there and let's stick together... POTP!!!

I went for a trail ride!

Just when I thought it was going to be a boring weekend after mom was gone all evening Friday and canned all day Saturday, she surprised me and spent all Sunday afternoon with me.

The first place we went was to Manor Care. I got to meet some new people, as well as my regular friends. A lot of people were going for their church service and some were taking their afternoon nap, but I still got to visit with pretty many people. Mom did something I wasn't crazy about this time though. She didn't give me treats in all the rooms and didn't let people give me any either. She said I need to calm down a bit in their rooms cause I get a little overly excited cause I want the treats so she was going to try this. I wasn't happy at all, but it did seem to work. I sat nice for people to pet me and I still did some tricks and talked to them, but no treat in the rooms. Mom gave me my treats after we left the rooms. So I guess it wasn't that bad, just something I had to get use to.

After we left there, we went to the barn. I laid down on the seat cause I figured that I would be waiting on mom... wrong! Mom opened my door, hooked on the leash and I got to get out of the car. Although I wasn't happy about being on a leash, I was happy about being able to get out of the car. We gave Tequilla a treat, then got Sophie and took her to the upper barn for mom to put the saddle one. Mom had to keep me on the leash so she tied me to a stall door and I sat and watched her. Sophie was being really bad whining and dancing around. It was making me a little nervous I have to admit. Mom finally got her tacked up then we went to this round pen. Mom tied me outside and she took Sophie inside. She made Sophie go in circles cause she was still being bad. I was getting mad a Sophie and I crawled under the fence to be in the pen and let Sophie know she better straighten out or I was going to give her the what for. After mom worked her and rode her in there a little, we went to a bigger arena. Mom took me off the leash here, but told me I had to stay with her. It was hard cause there was lots going on down at the barn, but I listened to mom and stayed right with her. I even stayed with her when she rode Sophie through a big mud puddle. Somehow I don't think mom meant to follow that close. After we were done there we got to go for a nice trail ride. It had been so long since I'd been on a trail ride, I almost forgot what it was. It was so nice outside and to be able to go on a ride with mom and Sophie just made it all the more special. After the ride mom had to put me back on the leash to go in the barn but I didn't mind cause I was able to run free for a long time. Mom said I was soooooooooo good and she was very proud of me! I try really hard to make mom and dad proud of me and sometimes I do have a little slip (like getting in the trash or piddling), but I think I do pretty good.

When we got home, of course I had to get a bath. I have to admit, I did get pretty dirty after going through the mud puddle and then in the fields. I didn't mind through cause it had been a while since I had a bath. Mom said we'll get clipped this week too.

So I did get to do something exciting this weekend after all. Chloe was none too happy, but mom said it was my turn at Manor Care and it just happened that mom decided to ride today so I lucked out. She promised Chloe that she will take her to the barn once for a trail ride too.

I'm really tired from my busy day so I'm going for a nap. I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend and I'll bark at you later in the week.

I love this weather!

The weather this past weekend was pawsome!

It was almost dark by the time we got to the cabin Friday so we really didn't get to do anything outside and I didn't mind cause it was actually a little chilly. In fact, when I went out to potty before bed, there was frost on the grass and mom said it was 28 degrees... brrrr!

Saturday we went to the property to cut grass. The frost had burned off and although it was a little breezy, the temps were in the 60s just where I like them! As far as I was concerned, the weather was perfect for running around and playing with my sissy while mom and dad cut the grass at Flint and Barton properties. Because mom and dad were cutting and weedwacking all day, we didn't do much, but it was just nice to be outside all day. I did play tag with sissy and also tried to keep her from taking a stick that I found. Like she stood a chance from getting that from me:D BOL

Saturday evening we did have company after dinner. Dave stopped by to talk to mom and dad about the pastures. He's the farmer who's going to help get them ready for when we move up there. He is one big dude! Like really tall and someone I would definitely want on my side in a fight. Even though he was really big, he was really nice:) After he left we hung out around the fire with mom and dad. It was the perfect night for it. No toads for me to chase though:(

Sunday was even nicer than Saturday and we got to do more things. We took a bota ride and hung out at the tree for a while. Mom went up into the treestand and I was none to happy about that. I tried to climb the ladder, but I just couldn't cause of the small steps. Mom did take some pix of me trying though and I'm sure she'll post them when she gets a chance. After we got back from the bota ride, we took a walk and when we got back, our friends Randy and Sharon came by for a visit. They are really nice people and I like them a lot. After they left we had dinner than just relaxed the rest of the night. It did drizzle a little so we couldn't sit out by the fire, but at least we got to do that the night before.

Monday was not such a good day. Mom woke up with one of those migraines again, but this one was really bad. She could barely move around cause it hurt so bad. Poor mom had to spend over an hour in the truck on the ride home. I made sure I didn't make a peep so it didn't make her headache worse. When we got home mom went straight to bed and I went with her. I slept beside her all day just like she does with me when I'm sick. She did wake up in the evening and felt a little better, but she still laid around and ended up going to bed early. She gave me a hug and kiss and told me how much she loved me for being such a good dog and staying with her while she wasn't feeling good. It's the least I could do for all the times she stayed with me when I was sick.

Tuesday I got to go on a visit to Country Meadows. It wasn't a very long visit cause they were watching a movie, but I did get to visit with quite a few people in a short period of time. Mom said I'm great at showing off, but I do need some work on settling down a little and letting people just pet me. She said not all the people like when I do things and just want me to sit and let them pet me. I guess I'm just too hyper, but it's something I should work on.

Not sure what else is happening this week. Mom said it's suppose to be pretty nice weather through the weekend so hopefully we get to go for walks, play at the park and just get to be outside. No mountains the next couple of weekends which stinks! But I'm sure mom will find things for us to do.

Well, I guess that is about all for now. Mom did take bunch of pix and she's going to try and get them posted so check back soon for those. Have a great week!

Verdict of the lump

My week has been pretty uneventful... all except the waiting to find out about the lump on my side. Mom has been worrying all week, but it reall doesn't bother me. Last night Chloe and I went to the vet last night. Dad went along since mom was taking both of us and also just in case it was bad news. Well, the verdict is in..........it's nothing but a reaction to all the injections I got when I was sick last time:) Mom was confused as to why it just appeared and the vet told her that it was there, but it doesn't always form a lump that can be detected right away and sometimes it won't at all. It may last for a couple months too, but the vet told mom there is nothing to worry about:) The rest of our visit was uneventful. I had to get one shot and sissy had to get the same shot and get blood drawn. Sissy really does NOT like the vet and was all nervous. I tried to tell her it was okay and that I'm there all the time, but it didn't help. At least we weren't there too long.

After we were done there, we stopped by to check on our friend Joe at Manor Care. Chloe and mom were there on Tuesday and it wasn't doing to well so she wanted to stop again since we were just right up the street. Joe was back to his old self and very happ to see me:D Mom and I felt bad that we didn't visit with everyone, but mom already did her visit and just wanted to be sure Joe was okay and he was.

From there we went to the barn. We stayed in the car with dad and mom gave the horses some carrots. We watched them gobble them all down from the window. Boy can they eat!

The rest of the night we just hung out at home and watched TV. Mom packed for the cabin and we leave after mom and dad get home from work today... YIPEE!!! I'll be sure to tell you all about it. Mom said it is suppose to be really nice this weekend so I hope we get to spend a lot of time outside.

Well, I gotta run for now. Thanks to all my pals who were praying for me and wishing me luck for my lump. Yours wishes and prayes worked!

Hot peppers beware!

There was not too much excitement this weekend. As I said, mom and dad went to visit with Ali and family Friday after work and didn't get back until late on Saturday. Barb and Carol came and let us out several times and Barb even let us play in the yard for awhile, but other than that, I was stuck in my crate:( I was so mad that I didn't eat while they were gone either and mom was not to happy about that. But I did chew up my towel so that had some nutritional value, right?

Yesterday mom and dad went to church then mom's friend Theresa came over and they were canning. Us doggies weren't allowed in the kitchen so I hung out in my crate. Not because mom told me too, just because that was a good place to chill and still watch what they were doing. After they were done with the applesauce (I did get a few bites of apples:), and Theresa left and dad went to work, mom decided to clean the peppers so they were ready for canning tonight. Mom cleaned a whole bunch of them and one time a seed fell on the floor and I went to get it, but mom yelled NO! Well, let me tell you, after what happened to mom, I am SOOO glad I didn't eat it. Shortly after mom cleaned all the peppers and got everything cleaned up, she started shaking her hand and saying it burned. It kept getting worse and worse and I could tell she was hurting. She did so many things to try and make it stop. She put this white pasty stuff on it a couple times, but all that did was make a mess. Then she took a tomatoe and rubbed it all over her hand. She did that with a lemon too. Then she took this really stinky stuff she said was rubbing alcohol and no go there either. She put some kind of oil on her hand, put on a cotton glove and that didn't work. At one point poor mom was standing at the freezer with her hand in the icebox. Nothing seemed to be working for her. We were up til like 3am and finally mom put lime juice in a bowl of ice water and put it on the nightstand. That is when we all finally got some sleep. Until... yep, you guessed it, mom moved in her sleep and down went the bowl all over the carpet and Chloe. Boy was I glad I was on the bed! Now mom not only had a burning hand, but a mess to clean up. But at least my sissy smelled fresh! The last resort was mom taking an 2 ice packs to bed and putting her hand between them. Success! Of course, we don't know if that was it or just a combination of everything that finally did it, but mom woke up and it didn't burn anymore. Thank goodness! After all that I am SOOOOO glad I didn't eat that seed!! I can only imagine what would have happened to me... YIKES!

I'm not sure what's going on this week. I know grandma is coming to visit tonight and we have to go to the vet on Thursday, and mountains on Friday, but other than that, I don't think I have anything going on. Mom is really nervous about me going to the vet because I have a lump on my left side. It's a hard lump a little bigger than a quarter. It doesn't hurt me, but mom is worried cause it's under my skin, hard and doesn't move. I know mom is thinking the worst, but I just had a whole lot of blood work cause of being sick and it would have shown up on that if something was really wrong, right? I just hope the vet tells mom all is okay. For both her sake and mine.

Well, dad is waking up so I'm going to go hang with him. I'll let you know how I make out at the vet. Say some prayers for me please. I don't want it to be anything bad.

Stinky treats

I didn't get to go to Country Meadows for a visit on Tuesday cause mom had another one of those migraine things. All we did was sleep with mom all day. I didn't mind though cause I like to cuddle with mom, especially when she doesn't feel good. But I did get to go to this place last night where there were a lot of fruits and veggies. Mom said it was an orchard and she bought me some broccoli. I ate it, but don't like it as much as carrots:) The vet said I can have veggies in small moderation since I don't get to have the good treats anymore. Speaking of treats, mom baked me some more last night and let me tell you, they stink!!! They do taste good, but they smell up the whole house when mom makes them... yucky!!

Mom and dad are leaving this evening to go visit Ali, Emi and Jan. I really wish we could go and mom said once Emi starts walking we probably can. It's just that right now she's crawling and on the floor all the time and we shed so bad that Emi would be covered in our hair. I told mom that she would have a nice warm fur coat for the winter then:) People are coming to check on us until they get back tomorrow, but I will still be stuck in my crate most of the time. I know, I know, it's my own fault cause everytime mom does try and let me out, I get into something and chew something up. Maybe one of these days the light bulb will click on and stay on and I won't do those things anymore.

That's about all that's been happening around here. We did play frisbee a few evenings cause it was nice out, but mom said it's going to get cold and rainy the next couple of days so I'm sure I'll be stuck inside. Oh well, I guess you have to take the good weather with the bad weather.

A nice visit

This past weekend we went to the mountains. We got there around 630pm and shortly after we arrived, our friend Pat from North Carolina came in. He is such a nice guy and just loves us doggies:) Mom and dad were up until like 1am talking to him. Me, I was playing with Chloe, watching dog shows and napping. But it was really nice to see him again. Oh yeah, there was some excitement Friday night. One time when we went out to potty, I heard a really weird sound from across the street in the woods. Mom heard it too and she said she's pretty sure it was a coyote! I don't know what they are, but it kind of sounded like a yipping dog so I kept wanting to go out and investigate. Poor mom didn't get a good night's sleep either cause I woke her up 3 times to go out. I never did get to see the coyote:(

Saturday Kelsey and Bandit came to visit Pat for the day. Me and Chloe played with Bandit for a few hours while mom and dad ran some errands. Can you believe Bandit and I didn't fight once?! But Bandit was bad... he peed on the chair in the house! I knew right away mom was going to be upset, but Kelsey didn't tell mom and mom found out when she sat down and it was wet. She was NOT happy!!!! I don't know if Bandit will be coming for a visit anymore:( Anyway, after mom and dad got home, us dogs went for a Kubota ride with mom and Pat. We rode to the tree, then we walked/ran the rest of the way. I didn't mind cause it was a nice cool day and that way I could play too. After we got back to the cabin, Bandit left and we all just chilled for a little bit. Mom went through a whole bunch of bottles that Pat brought her. Mom's into collecting old Coke bottles and medicine bottles. She was sorting them for like over an hour and anytime I came to check it out, she warned me not to knock them over. Trust me, that is something I know better than to do. I just wanted to see what all she got. After she was done, everyone got cleaned up then I had to go to my crate cause they were going to Clair and Velma's for dinner. It was a long dinner cause they never got back until 10pm! When they got back, we just chilled and watched tv.

Sunday it was business as usual. Clean cabin, pack up and head out. We said our good-byes to Pat and hopefully we'll see him again in December. When we got home, you know what we did... watched football. Mom did go to the barn, but we couldn't go. Later in the evening I took a nap on the bed with mom and Gizmo while she watched a show. Other than that, not much happened Sunday.

Today we got to be outside with dad while he cut grass. I'm glad cause it's such a beautiful day out, I'd hate to miss it by being stuck in my crate.

Mom said this week I'm going to Country Meadows tomorrow since I haven't been there in awhile and Chloe has a visit with Danny Thursday so that's fair. I can't wait to go see my friends and play the piano for them again:)