Bully Gurrls

A New Toy, the Backpack

2012-02-24T06:04:00.003-08:00

When Taricha was younger I had made her a backpack out of old cargo-pants. Not only did she outgrow it in a couple month, but it was really only for fun and wasnt made well enough to carry anything. At the time she seemed to enjoy toting it around.

This winter we've been bored senseless and I wanted to try out some serious back packing in an attempt to wear Taricha out. (so I can play video games in peace!).

No idea where to begin or what to expect when picking out a backpack. The choices out there are TOO MANY! I didnt know how it would fit, how we would like it, or durable it was, etc etc. Why not start at the bottom and figure out what we do and dont like..... sooo. We bought a 20$ pack in size L off ebay, "Outward Hound". I figured it was a good place to start since it was mainly, cheap.

For twenty bucks, we are both impressed. Been using it almost two months now and its just now starting to show wear. It only just had a hole rip from a bottom seam but I dont blame the pack, we were running through bushy winter backwoods including a few lake dunks.

There are many things I instantly liked and didnt like about this backpack.

Cons: Doesnt seem to fit right around her large bully chest and neck and I dont think its a size issues, its a design issue. Straps dangle and dont tuck away or too many. Canvas in the middle sucks up hair but the rest repells it...

Pros: Durable. lots of pockets. Inside one pocket is a keychain/hook or something. Handle on the back for easy grabbing.

Time to start shopping around for a better one now that we know a thing or two. Suggestions welcome :)

Taricha isnt carrying anything heavy, yet. Two months of this one and we've only just worked up to a water bottle in each side, her leash/harness, poo bag and extra treats/food being held in the pack. She certainly knows when she's wearing it, that I'm messing with all the time, is more tired after a neighborhood walk and I swear she likes it. I hope she feels like it's a 'job'.

Wordless Wenesday

2012-02-22T09:13:00.000-08:00

Running Wild

2012-02-19T07:20:00.001-08:00

Good weekend.

Creeks

2012-02-16T05:55:00.000-08:00

In our city, which is a sprawling suburbia, its hard to find a decent field or any space what so ever outside of the established parks. Thankfully, its littered with walking trails that follow trash filled creeks so most anywhere we go, there is a trail nearby that provides some entertainment. This one happened to be between/under/around a liquor store, 10 car dealerships, a hardware store, a bridge or two and a highway. And a lot of really cute geese that leave adooorable piles of green shit all over the walking trails.

Taricha had every intention of eating every single pile of poop no matter how much I tried to nearly bribe her away with treats.... so we ended up walking on the creek intself and taking our time to admire the scrap wood piles and plastic bagreenery.

Really hard to look regal with that face, Taricha.

PS. Puppy playdate from the other day =O!

Vday

2012-02-14T05:43:00.000-08:00

more like blah day.

Shadows

2012-02-12T09:43:00.000-08:00

Taricha and I moved again. Bigger and better house with one less roommate. Its been an adjustment but its for the better. The two of us have enjoyed spending the last few weeks here exploring on our daily walks in this strange warm winter.

The only downfall is Taricha sincerely misses having those doggie roommates to play with daily. We're making it a point to have more playdates and are on our way to one right now with an adorable Manchester Terrier named Deigo.

Saturday Morning

2012-02-04T06:02:00.000-08:00

Rainy. Cold. Miserable.

We're sleeping in.

Wordless Wenesday

2012-01-18T06:13:00.001-08:00

Beast meets Beast

2012-01-17T06:54:00.000-08:00

This is Kelly the Surinam red tail boa. I've always been into reptiles, since a kid. Over the years they have come and gone. From monitor lizards to burmese pythons and frogs.. Mostly gone the last few years as I just didnt have time for a huge collection anymore. For whatever reason though, I saw this guy and couldnt resist. It seems like a good time now that we're settled.

Taricha isnt quite sure what to think of him and kinda just stares endlessly.

Kelly the snake stares right back..... endlessly.

And then Taricha and I went off to the park and it was a great day.

Winter is Coming.. ?

2011-12-30T05:59:00.000-08:00

Kansas has always had strange weather, never consistent. This winter is already turning out to be a miserable one. Its just dreary and cold, nothing else to it. No snow, not even ice to pretty things up, not a lot of sun. Just a dead listless cold.

I think its starting to drive both of us crazy. Our house is TOO small and at the end of the day it feels like your trapped in a box. Taricha and her roommie dogs spend most of their time finding toys, bringing them to me, tugging for a minute, then running off to find another toy. Lets say that gets old when the room to play is a 10ft by 10ft area and a hallway of two steps length. You want to run and chase it? Oh, you cant, no room!

The dog parks have been our only winter saving grace. Taricha and her roommies will go bonkers the moment we get there and in about 15min, theyre both panting and forgetting about the cold.

We need more activities to do elsewhere. Last winter we had a larger house (she's spend half the day just zooming around it), and she was still a puppy so it was easier to entertain her. This year she's bored of most simple games and there's no room to romp. What else is there to do in the middle of winter?

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-07T15:51:00.000-08:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-23T05:27:00.000-08:00

On Size..

2011-11-08T06:58:00.000-08:00

Our last vet visit over a month ago resulted in Taricha being called fat. I took this to heart and have been watching every little thing Taricha decides to stick in her fat mouth.

It was originally harder than I thought because every place we visit tends to have people who want to feed her. My mother's house has 5 people with table scraps and children who leave food sitting out, the pet store clerk and the coffee drive thru lady have biscuits, the back yard has sticks and most importantly, our doggiee roommates have food that sits out all the time (because their owner just does what he does.... First thing I did when I moved in was talk him out of feeding the dogs Ol Roy but thats as far as my advice was taken). I started to feed her about 5ft away from the other dog's bowls and with a little vigilance and a few 'no's' when I hear her starting to root in their bowls and she seemed to get the idea.

Aside from watching the 'extra' intake of food, I switched Taricha from an adult food to a large breed food. She has lost noticeable weight and is looking very good. Enough for other people to mention that her hips just arent quite as wide. We'll keep this diet up and see how things progress. Taricha's energy level hasnt changed, she's still an extremely lazy dog.. Especially on rainy days, she wont even go outside because it'll get her paws muddy. Ohe noes!

Taricha two springs ago as a fat puppy.

And yesterday.... !

Exploring the City

2011-11-06T08:46:00.000-08:00

Taricha and I have been living in the big city for a while now. All things have been an adjustment but things are going swell. We try to get out and wander around as often as possible as there is always something to see, something to smell and something to eat.

Today called for wandering around the Plaza.. Most other times of day, this place is way too busy, bustling.. kids, dogs, horse drawn carriages, street performers, crowds of loud people. Today it was empty, guess everyone is using their daylight savings time hour to the most. It gave us great opportunities to sit and watch the geese playing in all the Plaza fountains.

I WANT THE BIRRRRRDDSSSS!

Bullies.... and Gurrrls

2011-11-02T07:09:00.000-07:00

Clean is Good

2011-10-18T10:35:00.000-07:00

Long overdue bath day.

Taricha is 5 shades whiter.

Lazy Days

2011-10-14T22:02:00.000-07:00

Our new house is all hardwood floors. Its been an adjustment on many levels... I have to clean more, Taricha cant romp in circles without slipping around, barking carries... louder and most importantly comfort is an challenge. Ive purchased several beds, blankets, pillows and various things to make sure the dogs are comfy in every room of the house. The house is basically theirs afterall.

For whatever reason, Taricha still decides my bed is the most awesome place and she never ceases to amaze me with the variety of positions she deems comfortable. This one is rather new and I find it quite hilarious.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-12T08:40:00.000-07:00

Car ride!

2011-10-03T06:52:00.000-07:00

or nap time?

Im just big boned...

2011-09-28T20:30:00.000-07:00

Taricha and I wandered into our vet the other day. We were a little overdue for vaccinations, Taricha took her shots with an easy stride. Infact the only thing she noticed going on was the lack of treats being fed to her.

The exciting part of the vet's office is finagling Taricha onto the scale, holding her still and waiting for the big number to stop moving. She weighed in at a whopping 101lbs at one year and eight months old.

At which point the vet and two different techs decided to tell me that she's getting fat and should consider changing her food and lightning things up. Whaaaaaat! No!

I admit that over this summer she's put on a lot of thickness.... a lot of meat if you will. She's.... solid. But I guess I chocked a lot of it up to her breed... American bulldogs tend to be very WIDE dogs...

Infact all her thickness makes for a great pillow...

For now we're not changing anything drastic but I have cut out a minute amount of daily kibble and watched her more closely to be sure she isnt ninja'ing the other dogs' food. (Which is left out all day every day per roommates request.)

Taricha and I celebrated our first year together recently. Happy Gotchya Day and all!. The spoiled dog she is got a brand new leather collar decorated with metal pin studs and a shiny new ID tag. Taricha is the envy of all the girls on the block.

Arrrrr

2011-09-24T13:28:00.000-07:00

Halloween time, Fall time.... the heat breaks.. ! My favorite season and Ren Faire is in town.

Everyone at Ren Faire loved the 'pirate dog' and Taricha got so many head-pats that I think she wont need anymore for months to come.

2011-08-22T05:10:00.000-07:00

Taricha with her new roommates, Kara the 2 year old boxer/beagle and Kanji the 13 year old Shiba Inu.

Taricha has adjusted to city living fairly well over the past month or so. Having our own back yard is a saving grace when living in such a compact house. (Though they turned the yard into a mud pit over the last week of rain.) Kara and Taricha have become best friends, constantly wrestling, constantly shredding toys together, they've even snuggled a few times.

I'd like boxer/beagles more if they didnt have endless... endless energy.

But she's still super cute.

ZzzzZzzz.

Gettin hot in hurrrr

2011-07-14T21:15:00.000-07:00

Its been getting really hot in my room at night, ill wake up sweating and roll over and complain and fall back asleep. Tonight I find out why.. .Taricha is sleeping sprawled completely flat out over the floor vent.

Thank you... Ill sweat over here while you enjoy that frigid air flow...

Wordless Wednesday (mostly)

2011-07-13T06:53:00.000-07:00

Taricha and I officially moved from the quiet suburbs.... to the loud downtown of Kansas City.

Lots of adjustment going on, Taricha has new doggie roommates.

Their pics later.

For they are adorable.

Weeeeee!

2011-06-09T18:43:00.000-07:00

I'm big on taking Taricha everywhere possible with me. The coffee shop, the cigarette shop, friends houses, whatever. She LOVES car rides and with the single phrase "car ride?", she's an ecstatic disaster, ready to go go go go. I dont even need a leash from the door to the car, she bolts straight for it, go go go!

And then enjoys the ride... as uncomfortable as it looks.

Of course, wherever we go people point, smile and stare at her window-hanging antics. Every stop light, someone is rolling down their window to say hello and every parking lot, someone asks what kind of dog she is. (or offers, is that a pitbull?...)

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-08T09:16:00.000-07:00

hugs!

Invasion

2011-06-04T06:24:00.000-07:00

What am I...

supposed to do...

with this...

THING?

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-01T11:00:00.000-07:00

From out of this world

2011-05-29T11:58:00.000-07:00

Thanks Bill <3

Puppyface

2011-05-28T07:24:00.000-07:00

It doesnt seem so long ago that you were so tiny. I could almost lift you!

Now you're packing on the beef and you can knock me over with a tail wag...

but you still have that awesome puppyface.

Nearly Wordless Wenesday

2011-05-18T07:24:00.000-07:00

What happens to neighbors balls that find their way into my yard.

lol Webcam

2011-05-14T15:13:00.000-07:00

Playing with our webcam in the lap of luxury.... my bed. We so lazy!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-11T08:34:00.001-07:00

BUsy buSy

2011-05-07T05:53:00.000-07:00

I havent meant to skip writing for the past few weeks but it seems like we're caught up in our own little world lately. My health is failing and with many trips to the Doctor, they dont know exactly whats wrong. They keep sending me away with lots of fun pills while saying, try this one! Taricha has had to put up with a lack of activity during all this.... no long walks, no parks no nothing... It's been boring and Taricha likes to let me know that by barking IN MY FACE.

Thankfully the kids try to entertain her a little. Like soaking her with the hose. She loves it.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-27T08:11:00.000-07:00

New Kid?

2011-04-24T12:22:00.000-07:00

My younger sister popped out another child the other day. Taricha has been awfully curious of every noise but thankfully she gets 'it' and has been ever so gentle and quiet when the baby is around.

I dont like kids. I'd much rather dogs. Dogs dont suck your soul away. So here's some more bulldog vs bulldog from the other day.

Mah wrinkles are sexy!

The English are Coming!

2011-04-21T12:33:00.000-07:00

Taricha had a date today with a friends English bulldog. His name is Winston and he's the cutest wiggly-thing ever. Winston is half Taricha's height but he's got just as much BULK and has no issue tossing her around. They've taken over the backyard.

Its a good day and we are full of bully smiles!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-20T05:15:00.001-07:00

Empty Parks and Rainy Days

2011-04-19T15:57:00.000-07:00

My personal favorite time to visit the big nearby park is when its empty. Like when it's rainy and cold during the weekday. Taricha would rather it be bustling with activity but this gives me the chance to meander about and not worry about anyone or anything bothering us.

Today was silent and still. Barely the sound of birds.

Whaddya mean I can't go that way?

No More Homeless Pets KC

2011-04-14T13:50:00.000-07:00

Today's a good afternoon to point out that we love No More Homeless Pets KC I'm pretty new to the dog world and have been so surprised about how friendly, inviting, up to date and COOL everything and everyone have been. NMHPKC is a local affordable Spay & Neuter clinic that recently opened their full time Health clinic and their making great strides around town.

I had Taricha spayed here last year and it's where we visited just yesterday when she was feeling down. Its across the highway and down the street, the facilities are open, inviting, clean. Everyones always been nice and the best part, they take part in all kinds of FUN things around town. .

Just the other night, a friend and I went to a rockabilly show at a local watering hole. Lots of people, bands and vendors.... all a giant benefit for No More Homeless Pets KC and I wasn't aware of this until we arrived there. It was an awesome surprise. People were rocking out, drinking, donating and helping the doggies and people like me... who need to use these kinds of facilities when we're flat broke! Who knew an organization could be this cool? PS. They're totally active on FB and I luff that.

Yay Pills!

2011-04-13T19:21:00.000-07:00

camera phone baaad

The vet was great. We were in and out and Taricha had a hell of a time saying hello to everyyyyone. The waiting room was devoid of other animals, but ohhh the peoplepeoplepeoplepeople. She declined to give a urine sample, of course... so the very nice vet sent us on our way with a giant bottle of antibiotics for a, most likely, UTI. So we'll see how that goes.

The largest bottle of pills ever

Random Sickness!

2011-04-12T09:50:00.000-07:00

At some point yesterday I noticed Taricha squatting four times in a row to pee. Highly unusual. The rest of the day she continued to ask to go outside frequently and every time, she'd bee 3-4 times in a row. Well she didnt pee every time, being the worried owner I am, inspected every pee and mayyyybbee a drop would come out. Towards the end of the day there were tiny specs of blood in her pee and on her rear. Fuck.

Taricha was acting fine otherwise yesterday, still happy go lucky nothing bothers her! I went and bought cranberry juice thinking this is most likely a urinary tract infection. I managed to trick her into drinking a third gallon via soaking bread and kibble in it. This morning I did the same thing. Then again midday. But all the juice aside.... she's still trying to pee frequently and there is still blood. Now today, I swear she's waddling funny but that could be my imagination since she's always had a funny bulldog waddle.... and she's acting mopey and sad....

Why you look so sad?

One day of this is enough and we are off to the vet in a few hours. I thought we would escape these kind of problems for at least a few more years.... she's still so young!

Cant take the heat?

2011-04-10T11:36:00.000-07:00

Taricha has been laying on the tile allllllll day with her feet up on the stairs.

Gettin Nuts

2011-04-08T10:12:00.000-07:00

I dont take Tbags to the dog park very often because its just.... too much, too big, too busy. Then again, sometimes she just needs to let loose and go basaltic. Yesterday was beautifully spring like, rainy and cold, and I figured the park couldn't be that busy, why not go. It was great! Only a handful of other dogs, felt like we had the place to ourselves!

Her funny stalking pose. (doggies heading our way)

The rest of our day was brilliant. She slept and I got to do whatever I wanted!

Magnolia Trees are Icky!

2011-04-07T09:33:00.000-07:00

There is a single huge Magnolia tree thing in my front yard. It flowers for about a week all pretty like then in about a single day, dumps everything. As pretty as it is, Taricha didnt like walking all over the wet petals. Utterly refused to sit down for a pretty photo. Life is so hard....

My mailbox is indeed purple.

How to enjoy a nice day

2011-04-05T18:05:00.000-07:00

An old toy becomes new with some rope and good weather. Taricha has crazy toy and then dont let go drive. We had some difficulty playing in a small camera-view. Usually we'll rip-roar across the entire yard......

/7

Two houses down has this tiny fluffball that is outside 24/7 and YAPS 24/7..... so I apologize for the YAPPPING in the background!

Woot!

2011-04-01T22:14:00.000-07:00

Days like today make all the blood and sweat (often literally) over the past 6 months feel like it's been worth it. Taricha and I jumped in the van with my sister and her kids to head to the park. We'd been to this park many times before but never had it been such a bustle. Taricha chilled with me when I wanted to chill and ran circles around the park when I wanted to run.

Tons of itty bitty children were running a muck in little squeely herds.... Taricha was highly interested at every turn in the kids, but we kept ourselves together and she listened to me... and gave in to chilling out. Distractions? What distractions! Totally. Awesome!

Cant wait to hear about everyone's doggie adventures this warming season!

Gloomy Wordless Wednesday

2011-03-30T12:40:00.001-07:00

Her Pillow

2011-03-26T06:56:00.000-07:00

Taricha is such a morning dog. Its annoying because I'm not. She gets me up like clockwork between 7.30 and 8am by moving around in bed so that her entire front half half is sprawled across my back and her head on the back of my head. So I get up, feed her, let her out and go back to bed. She comes tromping back into my room eventually, usually bringing a toy with her to chew on while I sleep another hour or two.

Lately her morning chew toy has been her main pillow.
Taricha will go into her kennel...
Grab it, pull it out and shake it until its dead.
Then proceed to find (make) a hole and destuff.

I dont mind that she shredded the pillow, or any pillow, because I made it. Im the kind of person who cant justify a $50 dog bed from the store that may or may not get demolished, especially when I can make a way cooler version for way cheap. I prefer felt-ey or wool-ey type fabrics for the outside cover and a hip pattern, skulls, polka dots, swirlies! The inside is a cotton slip holding all the fuzz. Takes about 5minutes to sew on the machine and costs about $5 per pillow.

When she's had her fill, Ill restuff and resew so she can destuff it again later.

I apologize for strange photos but it's the best I can do in my bedroom, which is dark, very red and has red lighting!

So if you hadnt noticed, we're huge DIY'ers around here. From braided toys, to backpacks to pillows. We are very curious to hear about other doggies' DIYs!

oh Look we're bouncin around toooday!

The evidence is on your mouth....

2011-03-24T10:14:00.000-07:00

I left Taricha alone for about 15minutes today while I took a shower.

I shouldn have known better to break the habit of taking her into the bathroom with me. She juuust looked sooocomfortable all curled up on one of her pillows!

When I came back out, she was still laying on her pillow with some red gunk around her mouth. "What the hell woman?" I ask her. All I get is that guilty, I did it look. At first I'm thinking it's blood, minor 10 second freakout as I imagine she shredded Rufio the cat....... then I realized I'm an idiot and that she just got into something delicious somewhere in the house.

When I enter the kitchen I find a ripped bag of old strawberries that were in the trash can. She ate them all. A bunch of moldy gross strawberries. Of all the things within reach she could eat, why the nasty stinky strawberries!

Oh.... now... She just finished puking it all up on the back porch.

PS: Forgot to put the photo in the first go around. Now it's here!

Sunshineeeee

2011-03-21T14:38:00.000-07:00

We could both lay out on the porch for hours.

I knew bulldogs had issues with overheating, or not being able to stay cool. I didn't quite think it was horrendously bad though? Yeah know I thought just make sure on super hot days she didnt get crazy excited, always go out with water and just keep an eye on them. I thought it was super hot days, not 80 degrees

She's been panting hard nonstop, refuses to run around or play outside, practically had to drag her on a walk and every time I turn around, she's laying on the coolest spots in the house, which is any tile floor! She cannot possibly be so hot that she doesn't want to do a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g, this early? Maybe she's not used to it? Well... maybe I just have a lazy dog.

Hyacinth!

2011-03-20T17:24:00.000-07:00

We do hope everyone is enjoying their hopefully nice weather.

Today became a really lazy day somehow. Both of us had low energy and just lounged about the yard, poking around to see what was finally popping up. My fave purple hyacinth are some of the first to show their pretty little heads.

We have many plans for the garden this year..... let's find the energy to get up and do it!

Grossssss. This was a sneaky one! She isnt supposed to lick!

Ooo shiny rocks!

2011-03-18T06:45:00.000-07:00

I try to keep our walks different by changing up our route or just wandering about. Today we 'found' this rock statue dedicated to Chief Blackfish thats only two blocks from our house.

Best $16 Ever

2011-03-17T07:40:00.000-07:00

We haven't really written much if anything since we started the blog, not regularly anyways! And its not that I've been busy, it's just that I'm easily sidetracked. Like a squirrel. There is that!

Taricha and I have been enjoying the super nice weather lots! (despite a random day of random snow. How random?) One problem we started coming across is distractions. Winter walking was easy when we were the only crazies outdoors. Now it's nice, everyone is out and the simple buckle collar we were using for walks wasn't cutting it. She was pulling more despite various methods of getting her to stop. Maybe it's her breed, but I could yank on her neck all day with a collar and she wouldn't feel it, notice it or care. Her neck and shoulders are probably her strongest body parts and I would not be defeating them easily. (not counting that mouth of hers.... sheesh)

Unless I bought one of these, best $16 ever!

I really had no idea that walking could be THIS easy! It's near magical. I've heard people go nuts over the Easy-Walk harness (or any front clipping harness) but I thought it was unnecessary until now.... and now I understand. From the get go, she pulled a total of three times and realized her entire super strong front half was going nowhere. Easy street. She's paying attention to me more, refuses to put tension on the leash, distractions are still distractions and we have a long ways to go in that area but at least she keeps walking when I ask her to!

Oooh and happy St patty's and all that shizznazz!

a mostly Wordless Wenesday

2011-03-09T17:20:00.000-08:00

I've been busy lately. Trying to re-arrange the house because my younger sister and her family of three children (one being newborn) are in the process of moving in. Taricha and I are not fans of this idea. While she does okay with the kids generally, she does sneak food from their hands or faces any chance she gets. There have been a few play tackles when the littlest one decides to run across the house squeeling like a pig and their toys look awfully chew-able when left scattered everywhere. I'd have to be ON Taricha nonstop with the children living here and neither of us want that. So needless to say, I'm looking into a new, but temporary, living situation!

Waiting for Spring!

2011-03-06T07:35:00.000-08:00

The week has been a long one. The weather doesn't know quite which way it wants to go.

A visit to the dog park, the pet store, park with the kids, walks galore and yet we're still not quite getting our pent up energy out. Strange version of cabin fever. Maybe we need better hobbies.

If all else fails, movies are great. Taricha and I watched Hachi: A Dog's Tale the other day and it was one of the best movies we've seen in a long time! I laughed, I cried! We recommend it on your next rainy day!

a Wordless Hump Day

2011-03-02T06:10:00.001-08:00

Door Closing

2011-02-28T14:50:00.000-08:00

There is this door in the middle of the house that drives me nuts. It's kind of a separator. The living area, kitchen, bedrooms are all on one side while the other is the laundry, garage, basement and storage. The animals arent allowed on the garage side unless we're passing through. So in order to keep the cat out of boxes in the basement and the dog out of dirty laundry...... I keep this door shut as often as possible.

No one else does. People tromping in and out all day and night, this door gets left open twenty times a day. Arg!

So I figured instead of griping at everyone else and being a b!tch. I'd teach Taricha to do it! We've only been working on it a few days, using what she already knew which was to target a note card taped to anything with her nose.

Now this video here, we finally took away the notecard and we're happy to report she still 'gets' it.

My current goal is getting her to do this from a greater distance. She gets frustrated easily. I mess up easily and have a hard time being consistant. Practice will make perfect and I'll post another video when we have this perfected! Which is soon. Taricha loves this kind of stuff. SEE THE BUTT WAG!

Say Heyo to Coffee with a Canine who was awesome to feature Taricha and I this week. We are true coffee junkies around here. Even down to our coffee cup tattoos. So pop over and read some doggie stories with your daily coffee... or bowl of water!

The Bestest Weather..

2011-02-27T15:55:00.000-08:00

It was noon today when the two of us crawled out of our cave for a walk. It didn't feel like noon.

The air felt like something out of a horror movie. Almost spooky. It was cold but it was refreshing. Light but dark. So foggy yet sprinkling rain at times Plus snow on the ground. The park was eerily empty.

A few laps around the park and we hit up our usual run-around spot. The skate rink. Too wet to do much but chase each other around. It's what we do best.

Every time we come to this skate rink, its full of trash. (plastic bottles, shoelaces, food, whatever). Thankfully Taricha finds it all for me and we make the place pretty again.

Now it's nearing evening time and its thundering, tornado watches and all. Good 'ol midwest. But the day isnt over, we had a special visitor.

Sir R. , her original owner, came by to say hello. It's been a few months since Tbags has seen him and I was totally shocked by how thrilled she was! All her manners were shot out the window with one word from Sir. R and she was a wriggly jumping ball of puppy loving goodness. It was so cute how happy she was that I being the softy mommy I am... let her just have her fun with him. I hope Sir. R is happy with his new coat of white fur.

Speaking of inches...

2011-02-25T18:35:00.000-08:00

Two days ago we were at the park, 50+ degrees, gorgeous. Later that day the evening sun was awfully delicious to lay around in.

Then today happened. Five inches of snow ontop of an inch of ice.

Miserable day! We aren't fans of the cold.

The worst part is, it's supposed to skyrocket back to the 50's any moment now! Pft!

/sadface

Gave her an inch and she took a mile!

2011-02-24T12:18:00.000-08:00

Taricha doesn't get left outside by herself pretty much ever. I smoke like a chimney so her bathroom breaks are a good excuse for me to go outside and do that. On a typical 'break', Taricha walks down to the yard (two flights of stairs), does her business in a timely manner, comes back to the porch and chills with me. If she doesn't have business to do she stays on the porch. (Unless there's a squirrel sighting in the yard. In which she forgoes walking two flights of stairs and takes them in one giant leap... then returns to the porch when the prey inevitably escapes.)

Yesterday was a nice enough day. Other dogs were out in other yards, birds in the trees above bein loud, windy, fresh, sunny. She seemed content to just lay on the porch and watch and listen to what was going on around. The backyard isn't in full view from inside the house but the porch is and I figured she would be okay by herself for a few minutes while I piddled around inside.

For whatever reason I was distracted for literally a whole five minutes. Not long. I return to the porch to find Taricha not lazying about as I thought she would be. "Taricha come heeRRree!" her usual recall... no sound no nothing from her!

Usuuuually she zips right up the steps with a-butt-wagging. So this means she's probably doing something she isn't supposed to be doing. Upon walking into the yard I spy this AWESOME new hole in the lattice of my porch with a giant dog head sticking out.

I yelled "HEYYYY!"
She ZIPS out.

Taricha had the BIGGEST smile on her face. Muddy from head to toe from crawling around in that tiny space. Stands right infront of me. Just stands.

When I move towards the lattice work to inspect the damage, she takes off into zoomies of doom. Like she KNOWS she did something she wasn't supposed to. Mischievously, she repeatedly zipped by me, again and again, stop and aim for the hole, I'd body block and then she'd take off again to run another zoomie lap around the yard.

I fully admit that my porch is not in a..... like-new condition. It's been slowly falling apart, this winter being rather harsh so this cheap lattice keeps breaking. But still, it wasnt bad enough for a knee-high-truck-wide dog to crawl though! She had ripped off several pieces and drug them under the porch with her.

I like to put thoughts into her head and think she's smarter than she is. This porch fiasco was probably a conspiracy. Maybe she'd been waiting and watching the weak spot in the porch for a while and stole her moment of truth... knowing she had a very rare completely alone-moment. Or a rabbit was under there, tempting her into sin. Oh I am still so furious (on the inside) but I simply can't blame her!

I fixed the porch with my trusty staple gun and blocked it off with lawn ornaments. Meanwhile Taricha was stuck in the garage drying off the muddddd. Oh I guess it was just another day!

Our First Wordless Wenesday

2011-02-23T11:22:00.000-08:00

When sickness came around...

2011-02-21T13:23:00.000-08:00

Our house is a constant bustle of going-ons. Not only do four adults live here, but our friends, significant others and relatives (and relatives children) are near constantly in and out. Everyone works hard, everyone plays hard and half of us attend school in between. This living situation is awesome for Taricha because she has a constant string of people to play with and sneak food from. She's still my shadow but everyone enjoys visiting with her as they pass through the house.

Loves kids, their faces are covered in food.

I've been really sick the past week, caught whatever this is thats going around. I was curled up in bed this morning dealing with coughing fits of doom. Miserable and lethargic. Taricha started rip-roaring through the house making an awful racket. Up and down the stairs, up and down, through the kitchen, around and around. She's bored! The stuffed kong I gave her an hour earlier lasted a whole 10 min and I was feeling helpless to entertain her further.

It suddenly got quiet and I thought maybe she found something to chew on, probably something she isn't supposed to have. Just as I'm about to get up and investigate, my phone goes off with a text from a roommate, "Stole the dog, back later."

YES!

And now I can go back to bed too.

I eat food

2011-02-16T14:02:00.001-08:00

Poor Lady

2011-02-15T12:09:00.000-08:00

This nice weather needs to stay, mk? Who do we talk to about that? It makes for muddy walks, everything melllltingggg and such. Taricha comes home from every walk splattered in mud and slush. Her belly turns from white to black. Such is life.

Today out and about on our midday walk around the neighborhood... the trash truck rumbled around the corner outta nowhere and scared the bajeezus out of Taricha. I've never in her life seen her scared like this. She immediately put *me* between the truck and herself. She stood there with her tail tucked and eyes glued to the truck. (I giggled quietly and let her just stand..) The standoff soon ended as the truck gave into her stares and rumbled off. We took off the other way but Tbags kept turning around and looking for the truck as if it would come back to get her.

She's heard, seen, been in and around all kinds of noisy vehicles without any issue before. I wonder if its just the surprise of a fast loud truck zippin around a corner during our previously very quiet and peaceful walk.

Shhh!

2011-02-13T16:29:00.000-08:00

I put one of her beds in the sun but the floor is obviously way awesome-er.

Beeeeutiful day today and we spent most of it outside in some way shape or form.

DIY Hula Hoop

2011-02-12T18:51:00.000-08:00

Taricha is a moderately intelligent dog despite how she may occasionally run head-on into walls. She is extremely food motived. When it has been coming to training, we've been working mostly on basic things, loose leash walking, heel work, turns, spins, jumping/downs, paw crosses, touching, targeting, food manners, people manners and a pretty good sized list that goes on. Only recently did I decide to step it up and start adding objects into the mix. A makeshift jump in the living room, chairs and books, a large yoga ball and now awesome hula hoops. (youtube is great and gives us things to aspire to like this.)

Upon attempting to purchase a hula hoop from the local superstore, I was extremely disappointed to discover that I couldnt find just a regular stinkin hoop. They had water filled ones, jelly filled ones, light up, dripping in tassels and sparkels! Is this what America has come to? A plastic hoop isnt good enough, it has to have BLING? But I digress...

So we made our own with the awesome help of this site. I followed the directions to a tee. Three hardware stores later, I found the correct size tubing (Lowes ftw). Enlisting the help of siblings, we used tree trimmers to cut the tubing, a craft heat gun to melt it and a few hours to tape up 8 various sized hoops (100ft ish). Probably spent too much money on neat colored electric tape but we dont have to talk about that...

Taricha kind of gets the basic going thru the hoop, awesome I get a treat but has a hard time getting anything else without obvious sloppy luring. But hey, it was our first go. She tends to pick up on 'big ideas' faster after a couple rough first days of flopping around. (psst, I dont know what I'm doing)

A short vid of our first go with some foot to paw bonus at the end!

I cant wait to get Taricha outside with these hoops! She's not a jumper, she's not very agile and really only cares about FOOD but.... we'll get there. If all else, we consider this good exercise when outside still sucks.

What other objects and fun things should we start picking up and playing with?

Singin the bluesss...

2011-02-10T15:20:00.000-08:00

Man sitting around the house gets really old really fast. I'm currently unemployed (with prospects on the horizon) and it's been SO bitter outside that I cant even spend my free time romping with Tbags. I'm sure she appreciates that I've been spending every waking (and sleeping) moment with her for a few months and sure it's done great for our training and relationship. But jeeze we'd at least like to change it up a bit! Spring couldn't come any sooner.

So bored that we've been cleaning the house and training while doing so. Taricha finally leaves the vacuum alone! No woofin and growlin! I was SO fed up with cleaning hair today (emptied the floor cleaner tub approx 4 times...) that I decided to humiliate Taricha and see how she liked being covered in someone else's things.

Now that I've seen her in a hoodie, I really like it! Thinking about making her an actual dog-hoodie now? Yeah that sounds fun! (too dorky to match?) Taricha, being the classy lady she is, didn't appreciate my sense of style and moped around looking.... mopey.

Rufio the cat must have the same sense of style as Taricha. He entered the room and flipped sh!t at the sight of her. Immediate puffball of doom. I never thought I'd be one to dress my pooch up. In fact, I always laughed at and made fun of the girls who put outfits on their ~~rats~~ little dogs. Dog in a purse? Gross! Dog in a pink tutu, how gay! Now that I see how hilarious (and flipping cute) it can be especially on my beefy hound, it's going to be a more regular occurrence. At least it's entertainment to watch the cat get pissed off.

How we spend yet another snow storm.

2011-02-08T21:42:00.000-08:00

Cat Menace!

2011-02-05T20:39:00.000-08:00

Taricha and I are both entirely exhausted. We've been rollin around all weekend like a couple of yahoolagins. Playing in the snow, shoveling moooore, attempting to sled, car rides, stores, parks, kids visiting, cleaning, bath(!!!), lots of outdoor learning (above freezing!) and everything in between. We're going to go zonk out now and leave this awesome video in our place.

Entertaining One Self

2011-02-03T09:29:00.000-08:00

While I was piddling around the internet, looking for ideas of things to do indoors because we're bored out of our skulls; Taricha decided that was way too much effort and a large cardboard box was the best idea.

Busted....

Nows a good time?

2011-02-02T06:02:00.000-08:00

Only a little chilly..... /cough

2011-02-01T14:03:00.000-08:00

As with most of the midwest, we're in the midst of a snow storm. Hasnt stopped all day and it just keeps coming but like snow would stop a she-beast bulldog. (12" on our back porch now. Snow at the belly!)

Boredom and two old leashes and I created a pulling harness. The idea was to throw it on her, load up the sled with snow (or children) and Taricha would pull through the snow to her heart's content. Didn't go so well. One, she'd rather simply eat snow. Two, it was our first try at really pulling and with all my coaxing an' hoopin an' hollarin... she still didn't really do much but lean into it and give me sad-eyes. I'm disappointed she didnt catch on but we shall try again and again.

We only spent a few minitues outside because by golly its nasty cold.
Quick, run inside!

Dog on Dog Day 2 n 3

2011-01-31T09:15:00.000-08:00

I have come to a few conclusions over the weekend while doggy sitting Ms. Brooklyn.

Two dogs is twice as hard as one dog.
I don't want a second dog for a while.
A muddy back yard sucks but the garage makes a great mud-middleman.
Taricha (and I) have a lot further to go with training than I wanted to believe.
Taricha needs more socialization. She started to get possessive and bossy. (highly unwanted...)
Rufio the cat looks hilarious when he's a huge puffball of rage. (see below)

The only way to stop the madness is food.

Sharing a strong urge for toys.

I felt sorry for Brooklyn, she wants the toy so badly.

... but moving Taricha is like moving a brick house.

POOF

Ms Brooklyn left late last night. The cat soon returned to normal size. Taricha zonked. Got up to pee and eat this morning and proceeded to zonk back out. I love an exhausted dog... maybe I have time to do the dishes and clean before she's back to harassing me....

Dog on Dog Interaction! Finally!

2011-01-29T14:36:00.000-08:00

Since I've had Taricha, she's been a dog all by herself. Every dog interaction we've had so far has been pretty allright. She plays, she gets beat on mostly (Taricha tends to be the submissive type from every dog interaction I've seen her have), she will play, romp, and she moves on. Sure we've gone to the dog park here or there. She sees other dogs from distances at parks and walks, some leash interaction at pet stores, etc etc. We really just haven't had a chance to hang to do much more than that, for dog interaction. Her attitude towards dogs has never been a problem and for that I am BLESSED.

For some reason or another I volunteered to take in a friends dog this weekend.

Meet Brooklyn, a 2 year rott/mutt girl. Brooklyn is currently passed out on my lap while Taricha is passed out in her kennel due to them having been doing the photographed above activity for the past three hours straight.

I admit to taking a chance when offering to watch this girl for the weekend. I didn't really know how Taricha would react to another dog on her turf simply because we've never done it before! When they met, on leashes outside in the street, Taricha surprised me by erupting into growls, while wagging her tail profusely and practically destroying me in the process. (holding 100lbs of raw muscle back.....)

Thankfully... Brooklyn is a total sweetheart. We went for a walk with both dogs up and down the street. Some scoldings from me towards Taricha. A quick loud "STOP" seemed to snap her out of it when she started getting over-zealous. Lots of turning around and going back and forth up and down the street. (oh and I bet the neighbors think we're idiots...) Before we knew it... they were walking side by side and doing just fine. (treats and clicker? COMPLETELY out the window, btw. I even broke out the ~~$100 bills~~ hotdogs but to no avail.)

Another thirty min later, they're best friends, my back yard is a MUD PIT OF DOOM from chasing about (a foot of snow just melted...), they're both having the time of their lives and gracious be, Taricha hasn't said a bad word towards Brooklyn since their meeting.

While their fighting has looked vicious and all, they've both been excellently nice to each other. They stop when one makes noise and no blood has been drawn. (whew!) I'm especially impressed with Taricha, with really no free doggie playtime like this since she was probably a puppy 10 months ago...

The only downside is. they will NOT leave each other alone and *I* do not exist. Granted, I move rooms, they both come with me but still ignore me while in the room..... Play, Play, Play, Play, PLAY OMG PLAY. I felt like I had to separate them eventually, so I did, both looked exhausted and this is how nap time begun.

I wonder what will happen when I wake them both up and let them go for round 2....

(It's going to be a long but fun weekend!)

Cutest Couple

2011-01-28T16:53:00.000-08:00

This looks like a lot of fun! Taricha and I submitted a photo just now, happy voting!

Modern Dog Cutest Couple Photo Contest

Fun to just browse too....

Vote for us by "liking" our photo here.

Who knew walks in January would be rad?

2011-01-27T16:30:00.000-08:00

Taricha was bugging me more than usual today. I try my darndest to make the woman happy but you can only be cooped up inside so much before you start to go bonkers. Which is what she does. Barking, growling in a playful manner, attempting to nip at me but knows better and then gets more frustrated, bouncing and growling! throwing toys in my lap and generally NOT leaving me alone? oh it just goes on. Stopping this behavior is a cinch, I leave the room, shut the door, 15 seconds later I come back and she gets the idea and settles. (Its an ongoing process. I want her to communicate when she WANTS something so I'm never 'upset' at her bugging me behavior.)

But... all the training aside... one morning inside doing nothing is enough take 'the idea' of staying calm right out of her head and she was communicating as best she knew how. I agree'ed. We decided to head out into the great cold beyond....

Now, we go for walks everyday. Usually up and down the street, around the block once or twice and back home. Couple times a day. We've been wanting more but it's awfully rough when its been so bitter and snowy, yah know? Today was a good break in bitter, 40 degrees! *gasp* so this walk quickly turned into a long walk.

Feels like we both needed it. From the get go she was focused on me. I love that! We were on the same wavelength from the moment our feet (paws) touched the front steps. We wanted to get OUT!

She fancies always jumping onto and walking along next to me at this wall around the corner.

Taricha is mildly leash trained, we usually have 'tension' on the lease but never enough that I cant hold her with a SINGLE finger. She usually watches but moves on from distractions. An occasional over enthusiastic dog in a house and or yard got her pulling harder and tail/butt wagging but she gets over it with some "come on"'s and leash tugs. Back to walking nicely with a little tension here and there. (I think she LIKES the tension, as shes more prone to walk very close to me if I keep it somewhat tight but not by any means yanking or holding her there close. Maybe this is a breed thing, she likes to 'push' or 'pull'. We use a simple buckle collar, so tension I guess isnt bad, kind of hits her on the shoulders/chest most of the time... she SEEMS to want it?? Maybe I imagine it? Maybe not.... oh my goodness we're getting sidetracked...) We did great today. She listened to me, she followed, I let her sniff and I sniffed with her. (well sorted, I looked interested!) We... connected!

2 miles later.. we hit a park and relax. I smoke while she watched a few passerby. I love my neighborhood. Lots of older bundled-up couples, jogging moms and a few misc dog and owner combos. This park is allllllright.

Watching

A cute Jack Russel terrier thing was yapping at us from across the park while we sat. The poor lady looked distraught but did the right thing (I hope?) and just kept on walking. Her dog kinda followed, stop to yap, follow, stop to yap, little yanking going on. They wandered off. Poor Taricha just stood there butt-wagging, looking back to me, a few whines... maybe wondering with big brown eyes why I wouldn't let her go play with that little yappy toy over there.

Long way home, we are tired, cold and about done...

We found a dead squirrel but opted not to take photos as it was awfully mangled. I managed to get her to skip past it and keep going by starting to jogg. Also lost my lighter due to a hole (apparently.....) in my pocket.

Oh it was just tons of fun and it felt great to spend a few hours out and about just doing our thing. We REALLY really cant wait for the nicer weather to come around. (These kind of walks will become a daily excursion!) It was great to come home, lap a bucket of water and have both of us just collapse on the bed in a heap. Exhausted in that good way.

She loves head n neck massages bestest. This is happy face!

And sleepy face!

PS: Thank you to all the friendly neighbors who shovel their sidewalks! We are eternally grateful!

I Eat Snow

2011-01-25T15:48:00.000-08:00

Taricha decided today was a more than awesome day to eat the more than usual amount of snow.

Fuzzies

2011-01-24T19:47:00.000-08:00

The sky parted, the sun came out and the temperature rose above freezing for the first time in what feels like months! We happily spent a few hours runnin a muck around the neighborhood! We even had time to clean the backyard of all the poo! Or what we could find.... the foot of snow is still there.

Yar, so it was nice-ish. Still cold, we spent a lot of time indoors.
Indoors playing with Rufio.
Who's Rufio?

He is Taricha's ~~chew toy~~ best friend.

Last fall, my youngest sister brought home this itty bitty palm sized kitten in her pocket. At first, he was deathly afraid of the dog and the dog was eagerly NOT afraid of him. So the poor fuzzball spent the first few weeks tucked in my sisters room. Eventually he grew some balls (literally) and decided he wanted to explore the house, of course coming in contact Taricha at every turn.

It took very little effort on my part to make the two get along. A few days of "Stop" and "Leave it" towards Taricha when she got over-zealous and pinned poor Rufio... or saw him run and got up to pursue. A few days of treats (for BOTH of them) to coax contact without teeth. A few days, all it took. They now get along like two peas in a pod. If one is nearby, by golly, the other will be near too.

They romp, they cuddle n sleep, they play with the same toys!

I like to think that Rufio thinks he is anything but a cat. Perches on shoulders. Investigate strangers. Tugs on toys, chases and tackles. He follows people, talks to you and involves himself in everything going on in the house at all times. If Taricha is getting a training session (clicker n treats!), Rufio is RIGHT there, waiting, watching, getting in the way! (ie, running in, pouncing Taricha's tail during nose work and disrupting the whole process). (or getting into the treat pouches when Im not looking) I've tried to get the darn cat to work for treats, but he's a little scatter brained for it. Loves treats, but scatter brained!

I like to think that most dogs really do get along with cats.
How do your dogs and cats interact and live together?

a Video of Taricha and Rufio goin at it!

Finding our place in the world

2011-01-22T20:22:00.000-08:00

Today was a day that made me think about how we got to where we are. Taricha has completely taken over my life. I refer to her as my "fuzzy shackles" when conversing with friends because thats.... what she is. I call her lots of bad names come to think of it, always in a loving tone and I always do mean it in that teasing- nana- baby talk- loving sort of way.

Fatty, thunder thighs, farty mc fart, beefy, anchor, beast, stinky, fuzzball (think Wookie), 2x4, bean butt, drool face, snorty <- to name a few family safe words. I dont know why I make fun of her for being fat because she doesn't have an once of fat on her solid built body. Let's move on....

I make fun because I care. After receiving her last September from a friend of mine who didnt know what he was getting into with a new puppy, I've come to believe she came to me because I needed her and she needed me. She is now my shadow, the light of my life, that bond can only get stronger from here. As much as I poke at her and often dream of the days when I could stay out all night drinking, disappear on road trips and skip jogging when I was feeling lazy.... I don't regret taking this wonderful ~~dog~~ demon into my home.

I was trying to mention today, right? Yeah, Today. An opportunity came my way, one I've always dreamed of.! I was asked to join with a band and be their merch girl. This particular band is well known, they tour most of year, have been around for years, have like 7 records. This is a serious paying gig with opportunities! I would be on the road for a few months with four sweaty guys in a bus, loud metal shows every night, selling T-shirts n buttons with my chest and wearing heels for hours and hours. This described scenario is my opportunity but is not necessarily my dream. That is simply to pack up and travel and experience what there is. Traveling with this group would just... hit the spot. I'm 25 years old, no college, dead end jobs (depending on the week...), no man, no children, no real goals or direction, too many hobbies and now........... this ~~DOG~~ DEMON!

It hurt to turn this down. Sure, I could have found someone to 'watch' Taricha, boarded her, gave her away, (stuffed her in my suitcase and taken her with me?)... but before they even finished asking if I'd take them up on the offer, I knew I'd take this smelly dog over touring any day. As Taricha and I cuddle in bed now, I type away here, I don't regret the choice to stay here and find our way, together! Who would have thunk you could feel this way about a dog! She's an obligation I knew I was taking on when I took it. She's here to stay.... and we have one hell of a long road ahead.

Taricha isnt even a year old yet. OI OI OI!

So no, I cant stay out tonight and have another beer. I have to get home and let puppy out of her kennel. And sorry, I cant go buy those new shoes because I need to buy dog food instead.

But yes you can cuddle in my bed. Yes! lets go jogging! Yes lets romp. Yes lets impress everyone with our skilzzz! Yes, Taricha will be there when I need her!

Kids n Stuff

2011-01-22T08:46:00.000-08:00

We're taking it slow today.

In fact, neither of us have actually crawled out of bed yet.

So here's a photo in the meantime of my niece and Taricha.

Other plans n things...

2011-01-20T17:59:00.000-08:00

I seem to have left out a minor thing about my blogging goals here. While cute pictures, videos and stories are great and I will be posting plenty of that.... I also want some 'serious' posts. A simple objective, once a week post a 'real' entry about something awesome. I don't have any literary claim to fame and I will be writing like I talk. Taricha will write like she barks. Strange (big) things are a-foot.

We dont have a shortage of ideas.

Planning for the future!

2011-01-19T20:50:00.000-08:00

This afternoon brought another round of snow. We were on the edge of cabin fever before, I can imagine we will be swallowed whole starting tomorrow. I suppose this leaves us with a lot of time to think. What will this year hold?

"Stuck inside... again?"

(yes, that is a balloon hanging from the ceiling)

Im still a new dog owner. When it comes down to it, I really don't know what I'm doing. Through much much research lately (much help from the snow), my mind is a spinning with ideas and plans and THINGS. I want the two of us to go FAR.( I want a lot of things but I have to remember, baby steps. )

Finally out and all she wants to do is eat snow

We are really doing great as is. For only being in our home for about 4 months, Taricha has come from chewing my doors to laying down and waiting at the door. From chasing the cat up and down the house to cuddling with the cat on the floor. We walk on a leash most excellently, including distractions. (L2Heel soon) We're around 20 strong 'tricks' with the clicker. Her eyes meet mine constantly, even at the dog park from a distance she turns to 'check' on me. She is my shadow and this is how we want it.

Owning a dog is a constant uphill learning experience. So even though we have made progress and I love how things are, there is SO MUCH MORE to DO!

Goals!

- Impulse control when people arrive in the home
- Impulse control when meeting new people out and about
- Walk more (once a day isn't enough and I'm lazy)
- Learn to and train to cart and weight pull
- Take training to more new locations
- Learn fetch as opposed to fetch-tug
- Find doggy play dates

Snow on the table? NO WAY

All of these so called goals are quite realistic. They're all very simplistic but yet important things to us. Taricha is highly HIGHLY friendly towards NEW humans. Every new human could possibly hold the holy grail of all tug toys and she has to find out! So a LOT of our work is going towards socializing her PROPERLY. Thats neither here nor there....

My greatest goal this year!

The two of us will be able to go to our local coffee shop patio. Taricha will lay down at my feet and calmly stay there for the duration. Through distractions, food and comings and goings.

If all else fails, sticks are guurrreat.

Of trees and squirrels

2011-01-19T11:14:00.000-08:00

At some point during this winter, a family of squirrels has moved inside the back corner of our roof. Using our two huge oaks, they scurry on the roof, IN the roof, across the yard and along the fence.

Of course, driving a poor puppy crazy.
Never even had a chance.

(Note, seeking squirrel extractor.)

De-stuffing

2011-01-18T10:16:00.000-08:00

Taricha goes through stuffed animals like the world is ending tomorrow. She goes bezerk. She MUST shred it, stuff her face in it, destroy it, pull everything out, rip it, pull everything out again, rip more (the sound of the ripping makes her hysterical), check it all to make sure that the stuffing is out and then finally runs off with the empty shell of an animal....

A previous victim left for dead.

Todays victim.

Taricha's classic one ear up alert mode.

Score!

So what if it's almost a month late....

2011-01-17T15:26:00.000-08:00

My puppy is still a puppy but she continues to get wider. My story as follows explains.

For Christmas, my younger sister was very awesome and made Taricha a sweater. Not only is it logical for warmth, it would be highly fashionable to have my dog walking next to me in a skull sweater. We would match!

Taricha suffers my attention, as most dogs do. She suffered me stuffing her beefy chest into this mildly snug sweater. We just giggled and she just sat there. We took it off and hadn't really had a need to use it since. It was SO CUTE!

Now, the end of January. Its suddenly frigid outside. Windchills below zero. Our lovely suburban home is located on a hill, among other rather steep hills, causing the wind to be even worse and sweep around in bursts.

And she doesnt fit her sweater.

I cant even stuff her upper arm through an arm hole.

Since Christmas, her arm/leg muscles have grown SO much that it -just- doesn't fit!

I am incredibly sad and I guess it'll just have to be put away for some future dog who needs a sweater.

My girl is wide.

Allo World!

2011-01-17T14:48:00.000-08:00

We havent blogged in a long time! So the two of us decided its about that time again, so walah, doggie bloggie!