Come On Irene

My first hurricane!! So far the weather reports are predicting that my neighborhood will get pretty beat up. However, Nautie and I are cool as cucumbers. We did notice something strange on our evening walk, though: there weren't any squirrels, chipmunks, or bunnies to spy and chase. Birds were flying super low and fast. Also, there was an eerie glow to the sky. We're not supposed to get hit till tomorrow night; but Kathleen is trying to get her Mommy to head out tomorrow morning. We live relatively close to the beach-- but really it's the big trees in my Gramma's yard that pose the biggest threat. What I want to know: how am I supposed to manage my potty schedule if we're in the middle of such a storm???

Happy Birthday!!

Happy 5th birthday to my baby boy!! As dramatic as it may sound, these have been the best 5 years of my life --thanks to him. Boy, do I love this pup. xoxo

A Great Thanksgiving

Oh, what an autumn I've had! Nautie went to toddlers in tiaras boot camp so Kathleen & I got to play at the beach. We had such fun. After a couple days apart, we reunited down in Maryland for some doggie shows. The conformation events were alright. Nautie did win her first point. However, the real highlight of our trip was our stroll through Baltimore. We got our picture taken with Santa, too.

Catchin' Up

My little sister and I sure do get along. It's true that Kathleen doesn't spend as much time with me, taking me as many places, going on as many adventures. However, I still get a lot of play in otherwise. It was easier to manage just me, especially because I was such an easy puppy. I can tell Kathleen feels badly about that aspect. But let me tell you-- when she sees us cuddled up together sleeping, or when we're both calm at the same time and sit with her on the couch, or when we're playing together on the beach-- she knows it was worth it.
I went to the vet last week because I had these little bumps on the top of my front left leg. Kathleen wasn't sure if they were little bite marks from Nautie or what. By the time we got to the vet, though, they were gone. My ears were checked too because they've been a little funky. Dr. Hynes said they were fine. I weighed in at 46 lbs. which is 2 lbs less than last time. This part was thrilling because now Kathleen's been feeding me more. I started a new food a couple weeks ago (because of the ear junk) and I seem to like it so far--it's called Earthborn. Although, to be honest, I've liked any food a lot more since Nautie hit the scene. Remember how picky I used to be? Kathleen could never get any weight on me and I always looked starved.
I'm not going to my obedience class this session. I think Kathleen and I both miss it. The class filled up super quick because I finally reached the competition level class. Kathleen's a little hesitant to compete with me. We both just want to play together and make it fun, not serious. So she's still on the fence about it... however, we both miss going together and spending the training time together. We'll see what happens at the end of the eight weeks???
We had another great snow storm last month. It was even bigger than the last one I wrote about. Only this time, they plowed our streets quite well so we didn't walk around the neighborhood sans leashes (another example of how it's more difficult with 2 dogs).
Nautie's in a show next weekend. Kathleen offered me up at the sacrificial lamb to the groomer for it!!! She put me in the lion trim so Debbie could practice the cut before Nautie's turn. I'm still a little undecided about it...
Well that's all for now, my paws are tired of typing.

I'm a big brother

After Kathleen & I fostered a kitten this spring, she realized that I would enjoy a companion (you should have seen me with the kitty, I was so gentle and patient!). So after school ended, we drove out to Indiana to pick up this special friend for moi. I wanted a real sister, one that came from my breeder, but Janet didn't have any puppies in the works for us. So she recommended a woman who did. It's funny, there's another lady that helped Kathleen find me--and Janet-- and that same lady also helped Janet and Kathleen find my little sister.
So off we went to Indiana. We were back home in three days, starting to play, potty train, crate train, etc. Kathleen has been so proud of me... when she tells Nautie (that's my little sister) to get in her crate and she doesn't listen, then I start to get in the crate. When Kathleen tells Nautie to go potty, I go, too. She's had a couple accidents in the house, and since I know it's wrong, I hang MY head low.
Nautie bites me a lot, and sometimes it really hurts. However, I'm patient; I'm teaching her how to play more nicely. But uh oh, I've also taught her to bark at other dogs as they pass our house. Kathleen's not too thrilled about that one.
It's nice to have a playmate around all the time. We sure keep each other busy. Kathleen is conflicted sometimes with how to spend her time and attention, though--she wants to play with us together and individually--without hurting my feelings or making me jealous. Sometimes I want to play with Nautie without Kathleen--so I understand where she's coming from. :)
Well, it's a beautiful day out and I'm ready for a walk; since we can't go as far as we used to (Nautie gets tired) we're going more frequently. So off we are...

Snow Day!!!!

Yippee! School was cancelled today and I got to play outside with Kathleen in the fluffy white stuff. This is the most snow I've ever seen. At first, I was a little unsure--not quite nervous or scared, just a little confused. However, once I took a couple steps out our back door I knew I had hit the jackpot. I was allowed to run up and down our street without a leash and prance all around to show the neighbors how cute I am. When my 4-year-old- neighbor showed up on her sled, I was especially excited and eager to strut my stuff. We went almost all the way around the whole block--sans leash! It was great. However, Kathleen was a little nervous that when the snow melts and the cars return, I won't understand the difference.
Either way, I was delighted to celebrate the day off from school and play in the deep snow. My paws are crossed that tomorrow will be another day to skip school and hang out.

My New Pad

Kathleen finally loaded some photos of me hanging out at my new place. Don't I look great in the autumn landscape?? All my new neighbors love me...this place is great.

Luca's Been Busy

Well Kathleen has been a little behind the eight ball with this diary thing, but I've also been too busy to remind her. We moved into a new house which has kept her on her toes! As for me, I'm loving it... my fenced-in backyard is bigger and I'm right across the street from the river. We swam all summer long--well, I swam. Kathleen wasn't interested in going in with the nettles. She tried to find out online if the nettles bothered me, but an Internet connection didn't really fall on her immediate list of priorities. I never complained about the jellyfish, so she just rinsed me off real well afterwards.
My black, silky coat however did take a small beating. I'm overdue for a haircut--maybe even a buzz--to get rid of summer's fun and sun. Now that school has started up again our old routine will kick in shortly.
I missed my Gramma at first, but I have started to ease into our new lifestyle. Plus, my Gramma comes over to stay Monday-Wednesdays nights. I am spoiled, that's for sure. Although, I'm still a sweet, well behaved pup.
Soon I'll try to update my photos...

I've Been Tagged!

I've been tagged by Shane!!

Here are the rules of this dogster game of "tag" in case you've never gotten a chance to play. When you are tagged, you post 7 random facts about yourself, compose a "new DIARY entry" along with the rules and put them in your own DIARY. Then you pick 7 furs (kitties or doggies) to tag but make sure you tell them... a simple p-mail will do fine, or a rosette to tell them, but you must let them know that they have been tagged. Post their names also in your DIARY.

Seven Unknown Facts:
1. I am a lot more calm than most stories you hear about PWDs
2. I think hangers are a gift from above, designed specifically for me
3. I don't just wag my tail, my whole butt shakes
4. When people come over I have to greet them at the door with something in my mouth
5. I've trained Kathleen to take her shoes off right away when she comes home because I can't always find something to pick up with my teeth
6. I don't like to have my front paws brushed
7. Although I don't get dressed very often, I don't mind those silly t-shirts or Halloween costumes

Who I'm tagging:
Nico
Riley
Alfredo
Nina
Kizzie
Phoebi
Mika

YOU'RE IT!!!

Spoiled Rotten

Kathleen has been spoiled rotten all summer long! She's had all her free time off from school to spend with me...and believe me, she spends ALL her free time with me. We run errands together and she brings an extra set of car keys so I can stay in the car with the cool AC running. We go on 2-3 walks a day and swim in the river several times a week. We're both starting to wonder what September is going to be like. She says she wants to go into early retirement so she won't have to battle seperation anxiety when school is in session again. So obviuosly, I'm still a gem of a pup!!
Yesterday was my 18 month birthday. I can't believe how fast I'm growing up; although I still act vey much like a puppy from what I've been told. I've also been told that I'm getting more protective of my house. Kathleen actually likes that, though. The funny part is that I still love everyone who comes over. It's just that I've started to bark this scary bark when I hear strange noises or see strange figures after dark. Another new development is my masculine shape! At almomst 47 lbs. I'm finally starting to fill out...I'd had enough of that skinny, lanky, awkward teenage stage! :) Lucky for Kathleen, though, I never hit that 'too cool for school'stage and I'm still quite a mama's boy. She loves that! :)
Well, we're off for another evening stroll...gotta strut my cute butt all over the neighborhood again! My audience loves it (and my modesty).