Happy 7th Birthday Finnegan!

Today was my 7th birthday and I had a blast. I got to go on a motorcycle ride with my dad! I posted the photo on my page. Dad said I was so good. Then I went for a walk with my mom. It was raining so we skipped the beach walk BOL! But soon as it clears up, mom says we can go to the beach. Then I got some yummy treats, which I shared with everyone. And of course mom got me a new sweater! We played outside and inside today. It was a good day!

Finnegan


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Happy Birthday to my sweet boy Finnegan. We are so happy you are in our family. Time flies when you're having fun, I can't believe you're already 7!!! You came to live with us when you were 2. You'd already been in 2 other homes, their loss, our gain. You weren't trained and you were rambunctious. Our 2 seniors Georgie & Molly had to have a lot of patience with your puppy energy!!! So Winston came to live with us so you would have a playmate. And boy have you had a lot of fun together. We've taken so many vacations together with your favorite being at the beach.

You've always been so kind. When Georgie had difficulty walking once, you supported her with your snout under her chin. When NeeNee joined our family and was frightened of everyone, you played with her so gently. You have a heart of gold! Every time everyone comes in from outdoors, you wait at the door until everyone is in before you relax. Whenever we leave the house, we tell you that you are in charge because we know you'll take care of the others.

You, Winston, Lily and NeeNee went through training with Uncle Matty. You were the star pupil. You are so well trained that we now can walk without a leash since you know voice and hand commands. I'm so proud of you.

We moved to Oregon a few months ago and you have settled in. You're loving all the new places and things to do, especially with all of the new outdoors space and smells.

You hold a special place in my heart, you big ole lover boy. I love how you jump up into my lap for some loving in the evenings. I can't imagine life without you. I hope you enjoyed your special day, a day that we celebrate you Finnegan!!!

love mom

The Hunt, and then some...

Woo hoo, we really got wound up last night right before bedtime. Dad let us (Finn, Winston & Lily) out to go potty. And right across the lawn between our back steps and the guest house was a SKUNK!!!! All three of us charged across the lawn and surrounded the skunk. Mom was in another part of the house and heard dad bellowing at us. She ran outside and saw all three of us around it. She started yelling too! The skunk had his tail up and was stamping his feet. Mom saw me shake my head. Winston decided he better back off. Lily thought she might charge the skunk, but with both mom & dad yelling, she decided she better go to mom. I was the last to leave, and the only one to get sprayed! Pee Yew!!! Of course, even though it was midnite now I had to have a bath. Everyone was so hyper it was hard to get everyone settled down. Lily had to go in a crate for sleeping and Winston kept pacing for hours. I was a lot more sobered from the experience after having a bath suddenly, so I curled up and went to sleep. To dream of the next hunt!!!

Finnegan

Hawk Fight!!!

Tonight when mom & I were taking a walk, there were 2 hawks fighting. They were on the street with their wings spread out, screeching, running at and hitting each other with their beaks. There was another one behind one of them on someone's lawn. That one also had their wings spread out but wasn't moving around too much. Mom stopped our walk before we got to them, but I wanted to go get them!!! Of course I was on a leash so couldn't reach them. My jumping around made them stop. Then 2 of them flew into a tree, and the other one flew into another tree on the opposite side of the street. We had to walk right through where they were fighting so mom was a little worried they might swoop down and attack us or something. But she didn't have anything to fear, I would've taken care of them!!! We didn't see any evidence of something they may have been fighting over. Mom says it was probably 2 guys fighting over a girl. BOL! We continued on our walk without any more action.

Wish we would've gotten pictures of me trying to get the hawks! I would've looked so brave for Uno!!!

Finnegan

Happy 6th Birthday Finnegan!!!

Happy Birthday, sweet boy! I can't believe you've been with us for 4 years already. You joined us right before your 2nd birthday. I don't think you've slowed down much. We've been through a lot together, and you've always been my boy, always looking after mom. I have a secret for your birthday present. We didn't get to do much today since Winston had his little surgery yesterday. But you're gonna love it...we're going to the beach this weekend. WOOHOO your favorite thing in the world. I know you're going to be so happy. So Happy Birthday Finnegan. I look forward to many, many more.

love mom

Grooming Day

Winston and I went to our new groomer today. It was our second visit there. It was a different lady than the one who groomed us the first visit. Mom thinks they are doing a super job. She didn't get any pictures, but she says we're starting to look a lot like schnauzers now! And she keeps sniffing me and telling me how good I smell - sheesh! I don't know what all the fuss is about.

After grooming we went to a new park. There were so many new smells there. We had to stay on leash because I kept running all over the place to sniff everything. But it was ok because it was a great place. I hope we go there every time we get groomed...hint, hint...

Tonight, mom started pulling out all of these bright, shiny things called Christmas decorations. It makes me nervous when she starts going into her closets and digging through stuff. Last time she did that she packed a bag and went away for Thanksgiving week. But she assures me that this month, there will be NO travel. We're going to have Christmas at home! Whoopee!!!

Back in the Groove

Fall is here in Northern California. We've been having temperatures in the 70s this week. Great walking weather. All the trees are full of nuts and berries, and the squirrels are everywhere. This is prime squirrel hunting time.

It sure is a change from the 2 weeks we spent in Oregon! It was cold, windy and rainy or foggy!!! We were right on the coast by my uncle's house. We got to go on a lot of walks and to the beach if wasn't raining. MY FAVORITE! But we spent time with lots of family having big dinners, getting lots of pets. So even though the weather wasn't the best, mom was really happy to be with her brothers and their wives!!!

Since I've been home I've been finding dead animal carcasses/bones. Mom & dad don't know what they are - probably squirrel they think. They have caught me twice with them lately hehehe!

Also, one night mom opened the back door to take us out for our last potty. It was about 11:30 pm. I shot out the door as fast as I could and didn't even hear mom yelling at me. I wouldn't go back to her, so she came out with a flashlight looking for me. I was standing over a POSSUM! It wouldn't move and neither would I. We were behind the guest house, so mom thought she'd go around the other way to get me. In the meantime, the possum rolled up in a ball, I got bored and wandered back to mom. Now she won't let me out after dark! Sheesh!

But life is good. The holidays are coming so I know mom will be in a good mood! And we'll probably get some good eats.

Would you vote for me in the World's Coolest Contest?

Vote for Finnegan in the World's Coolestdog pictures & breed info

The Hero Dogs of 9/11

Mom wanted to share this video about the search and rescue dogs who helped after 9/11. http://www.thedogfiles.com/

Life goes on...

Last night I read in Schnauzer's Rule that my old friend Hayley has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. She was my first Valentine when I first started on Dogster. She was a very pretty schnauzer and so sweet. She used to get diary of the day a lot back then. We even exchanged Valentine's that year. I posted the one she gave me. So sad. I know she had a heart murmur for some time so maybe she ended up having problems like Annie. Her family loved her very much and I know she will be missed. Hugs and love to you my new angel friend!

Today is kind of getting back to normal. Last weekend, mom had a huge birthday party with lots and lots of relatives. Winston & I had a great time visiting with everyone. Alauna is only 5 so she dropped food sometimes so we got extra snacks. And mom thinks we probably got some treats from some family members, but we're not telling! We showed off with our good manners. People stayed for days and there was a lot of coming and going around here. Of course we didn't get our regular walks. But I guess the hugs and treats made up for some of it!

Today, the last person left so we got our regular walks. Now it's just us and mom during the day. Just how we like it BOL!!!!

All healed up!

My foot finally healed! Mom had me wearing that collar for a couple of days before she went on vacation because she didn't want anything to happen while she was away. Our housesitter Vicki watched me very closely though. She put that dumb collar on me for 2 hours one night because I was licking it a lot! But when mom got home, she said it was completely healed up. I'm back to regular walks too, thank goodness. My foot had been pretty sensitive so I had to take short walks. But no more!!!!

Now mom says I have to go in for grooming this week. She says it has been a couple of weeks longer than she would've liked since my foot had to heal. Most of the hair has even grown back where the vet shaved my foot! Well, the only good thing about grooming is that I get lots of hugs and kisses the first day...before I get back outside anyway.

Thanks again to all my friend for their sympathies and good wishes. Mom says PoP works!

Finnegan