Strong Finish

For as crappy a handler as I was on Satruday, I got better on Sunday. Sunday's std course was wide open and FAST. Like really FAST. She tore up this fast course and we ended up 17 seconds under time. It was a fabulous run. She followed suit in jumpers, and finished the day with QQ 17 and 21 pts. :)

Also, we wanted to wish Chelsie and Ace's grammie a happy birthday. Grammie was very happy with her birthday present of a QQ and 21 pts!!!

Photos

Well, for as good as last weekend was, today sucked...well, actually her handler sucked - and it started very early. Tomorrow will be a better day.

First, at 6Am this morning, I was going through my email and looked at an email from Red Roof Inn that said "Your survey for your recent stay at the Inn in Middleburg Heights". Uh, that was where we were staying tonight. I think what happened was that when I clicked submit for the online registration, there was an error I had to correct and the date defaulted back to Wedensday's date, the day I made the reservation. Oops. Luckily, they had a room for us (although not first floor and I had to haul Ace's wire car crate up the stairs) and graciously applied the no-show charge they hit my credit card with to the room tonight. On top of this, I went to check into the room, and realized I had no driver's license. Last night, I went to the park and just took my license and forgot to put it back in my purse. This would not have been a problem, except that we brought grammie's mini van to the show. Thankfully, grammie was with me and she had an ID that matched her CC...grammie will be driving home tomorrow.

On top of all of this, my handling SUCKED. We were 0-2. We dropped a bar and had an off course in std and then I sent her into the wrong side of the tunnel on a move I have perfected. In the middle of a front cross, I realized I was not supposed to be doing that front cross...right as she went into the wrong end of the tunnel. Thankfully, my friend Stacey did the same thing...we laughed about it - and I found out all my friends were making fun of me for that dumb move...She was a good girl. Her handler's handling left a lot to be desired.

And then, there is Ace...little Ace. His sister Ella was there today, and they enjoyed 2 periods of rough, tumble extreme lab play. Enjoy the pictures of then and now, and pray for better handling tomorrow.

Ace (Morning Star's "Going the Distance") and his sister Ella (Morning Star's "Total Elation") on May 15, 2010

Reunited! July 17, 2010

Two worn out puppies makes 2 very happy mommies!!! It was very warm out there and when you run around like maniacs...well, your tongue hangs out of the side of your mouth. It should be noted they are sitting this because it was at the end of play period #1....

Weekend in Toledo

This weekend, Chelsie was 4-4 in her competition, earning 2 QQ's and 25 pts. Courses were wheeled VERY tight, which was why we didn't get very many pts, but she ran well, ran clean (obviously!) and had a great time. For her efforts, she was rewarded with a plain donut from Tim Horton's which she graciously shared with her little brother.

These QQ's were # 15 and #16...we need 20 to get to MACH. We are at 509 pts, with750 needed for MACH. So...the MACH counter is down to 4QQ and 241 pts. I would LOVE to get her MACH at one of my club's last 2 trials in Novemeber, but that might be a bit agressive - I would have to pick up one more trial in August, September and October to even have a shot. We will see how she does this weekend, what trials are going on and make a decision from there. All our Wild Weaver friends have been so supportive of us throughout our agility career...our beginning instructors are still amazed at what we have accomplished, given our start. Because of this, as well as their support though Chelsie's injury, it would be nice to come full circle with all of them. Something to think about.

Very proud of my little girl this weekend - she worked very, very hard for her mom. :)

Agility Photos - First Trial Back!

Below are some photos I had taken at Chelsie's first trial back from her injury. These were taken May 15 at the Cleveland All Breed Training Club trial in North Olmstead, Ohio. This was Chrisite Bowers std course. We nq'ed on the run...mom cut a turn too tight and she knocked a bar, but got a big cheer from all her agility friend to welcome her back and congratulate her on a terrific first run.

I was very happy to see this picture - she cleared the jump easily with her back legs tucked up nicely and read where I wanted her to. You can see that she is looking straight at the next obstace, which is exactly what she should be looking at. The look of pure joy makes me feel good too...

Coming out of the chute...this is a blind exit, so she has to find me..

I took an extra minute and gave her a little extra loving because I was so proud of her. Then we were off to find her treats...and I let her stick her nose in the treat bag.

This weekend is our first trial in Toledo. Rumor has it that it is a very nice facility, similar to Cleveland. This is a very good thing! We are also trialing in Cleveland next weekend, and then will have 3 weekends off before heading back to Cleveland to trial in August.

Hope everyone is having a great day!

Weekend Wrap Up

I hope everyone out there had a nice, long weekend. My weekend started Thursday night and I can't believe I am still scrambling to get things done before tomorrow....including making my bed with all 11 pillows..

Here is the readers digest version of the weekend...

1. Friday - chips y salsa y margaritas with my friend Lisa, puppy play group with Ace on Friday night.
2. Saturday - on the water by 8 30 (at boat at 7 30), errands and yardwork (it was hotter than moses while I mowed) while grammie kept the babies
3. Sunday - repeat of Saturday, except add Uncle Joey's annual 4th of July party in there
4. Monday - repeat of wakboarding, errands, chores

Wakeboarding went awesome. Worked on getting some air in between my board and the water. What I found out is that it is exhausting. :)

Also got to spend a little time hugging my puppies. On Saturday, little Ace was 20 weeks old. He will be 5 mos old on July 13. Growing up so fast, but is a really good puppy. He is in puppy play group with a bunch of other puppies from our agility circle - no doubt his favorite time of the class was when he was chasing Lucy the Jack Russell terrier all over the yard. He is currently trying to "help" me with paperwork. His sister had a good weekend too, and has been very helpful in entertaining him so I could deal with the paperwork that seems to have taken over my life...

I hope everyone had a great few days. For those of us here in Ohio...try and stay cool. :)

Cofirmatory Testing

I heard back from Be the Match, and the inquring medical service has accepted me as a potential donor. :)

Be the Match!

This afternoon, I got a phone call from "Be the Match". Anyone have any ideas of what this means?

Many moons ago, I signed up to be a bone marrow donor, for a number of reasons I won't get into at this point. This afternoon, I received a phone call that I am among a group of potential matches for a patient. Initial criteria is match of 5 or 6 different characterisitics of your blood (not sure what they all are) , with 6 of 6 obviously being the best. For this particular situation, there are a number of us that are a 6 of 6 initially, me included. Further testing will be conducted on each donors blood sample to determine who is the best of those of us that have a 6 of 6 match.

I gave a health history to the lady over the phone - obviously, I disclosed my current situation to her regarding my blood count. My guess is that it will probably eliminate me from the group, which is totally understandable. But then again, it may not, as my most recent blood counts have come back normal.

So right now, I just wait - this is obviously something that will resolve itself one way or another fairly soon. Suiffice to say, I was very surpised when I listened to the message on the phone and of course, called back right away. My guess is nothing will come of it, but if it does, I will certainly be happy to part with some of my healthy bone marrow. :) Until then, I will say a prayer that the right donor comes along for this individual and they are completely healed from their illness.

For information on donation, visit http://www.bethematch.org/.

A VERY BAD BOY

Ace has had a rough few days. Good thing he is cute.

Yesterday, he started singing to gramma at 4 AM. At 5AM, when she let him out...she forgot the sprinklers were on. What grammie? You want me to come in out of the sprinklers? I am having way too much for the that. Its not funny...but I can't help but laugh thinking about my poor mom dealing with a soaking wet dog at 5AM. He was pretty obnoxious the rest of the day as well. My poor mom had a full day with things to do and was exhausted...and what did she find when she got home from her errands? My dad and the dogs asleep. Go figure.

Fast forward to this morning....while I was in the shower, he destroyed my glasses. Fortunately, I had an extra pair and my insurance covers all but the frames. Suffice to say, from now on, he will be eating breakfast in the crate while mom showers. My glasses have been left in the same place since I have had him, and they have never been of interest to him until this morning. My cell phone has always been of interest (and has a few little teeth marks here and there) but never my glasses. I told him he was lucky he was cute or I would have WORN HIM OUT...

Oh Ace...my little Ace. Good thing you are cute, esp when you cuddle up with mommy...

Coming Home...

After three straight weeks of traveling, I am very happy to be coming home tomorrow....esp given that earlier this evening we were under tornado watch here in Indiana. When I left work at 5 30, it was miserable hot and humid with clouds rolling in. A vicious line of storms came in and we had a light show not like anything I had seen in awhile. Luckily, we were inside at dinner while most of this was going on. I also took a quick trip to Petco and B&N after dinner...have a new toy for each of the kids tomorrow to celebrate mom coming home.

While I was gone the first week, I came back to Ace having 4 adult teeth on the bottom and 2 on the top. Last week, we added 2 more adult teeth on top. Who knows what I will come home to this week. He has officially grown out of having his panel in his crate - and needing his panel in his crate for that matter. He is doing very well with housebreaking, and unless he had an accident my mom hasn't told me about, I think we can officially call him housebroken. We are still not ready for him go all day with no potty break, so his auntie Carol will probably come through the end of August - by then, he should be able to go 8 hrs fairly easily. My parents are up in the hood quite frequently, so that will help as well - but for right now, it is just much easier on the mama to know that the puppies will have a "break" in the middle of the day.

Both dogs are doing well. Chel is becoming a little more agressive in telling Ace to buzz off, and will actually lunge at him while pulling her lips back if he has crossed the line - and believe me, he does cross the line! But she also will pick up a toy she knows he likes and walk at him with it in her mouth...and will then engage him in submissive play. For the most part, Ace is doing well also...the boy is a real little YAK in the morning. Brings new meaning to waking up full of himself...not mention the volume factor involved. In his mind, waking up is an opportunity to bark. Loudly. Excessively. Usually, within 15 minutes of finishing his breakfast, he has had at least 2 timeout cuddles with mom...ie, getting pinned into submission. After that, he is quite happy to chew his bone or lay on the bed. He goes in his crate like a champ, which makes my life a lot easier. Chelsie always HATED her crate, and therefore I always HATED leaving her in it. I don't relish putting Ace in his crate, but it sure is a lot easier knowing he doesn't HATE it.
Both have started class at a new facility called Incredipaws and that is going well. It is hard for Ace because he wants to play with all the puppies! Chelsie has her first 2 day competition since hurting herself this weekend, and I am very excited. Little Space will get to go as well.

In the event anyone cares about the mama (smile - I know you all do) I saw my rheumatologist on Monday...and left him 5 vials of blood, which was swell. I have been MUCH better about taking my medicine, but am still incredibly fatigued. Granted, I have been busy, but this is a different kind of tired. I wear out easily and seem to require naps at a much higher rate than I used to. Clearly, I have new limits that have not yet been defined, but it is very frustrating. The blood tests are simply follow up blood tests to make sure nothing has changed. My elevated antibody counts will be what they were before, but he wanted to make sure there was nothing else involved. My rash is starting to show itself here and there, but nothing to the level it was a year ago at this time. My guess is my bloodwork will come back fine, I will continue to take the medicine and see him again in 6 months. Hopefully, I can figure out what my new limits are, because how I am currently functioning is not sustainable on a long term basis. Yesterday, I came in on a 6 30 AM flight and was asleep by 7PM. Probably won't be doing that in the future!
And now, I leave you all with what you want to see....photos of Ace. You will note Ace's necklace...it is actually his flying disc - which has clearly seen better days. I looked into purchasing a new flying disc for him...the dumb things are $21 at Petsmart. Sorry buddy, you will have to continue to play with your ripped one. Not that you care...you seem to love it no matter what!

Chelsie and Ace's Week

Playing with the kong at his Aunt Carol's house...

So, it seems despite me being gone, my puppies are having a pretty good week. As I correctly predicted, Chelsie is going everywhere with grampie and got an empty peanut butter jar as a treat the other day. She has also had a harassment free week. :) Grampie takes VERY good care of her...I got a call from him on Tuesday night because the bag of food marked "dinner" did not have pills in it and he thought it should. She gets her pills at breakfast. Yep, hard to be a Chel.

As for Ace, well, little Ace. Here is a note I got from Carol, his pet sitter who is watching him. She comes and lets him out every day and he loves her. Here is a recap of the Ace man's day from Carol - note, she took himt to half his puppy class in my absence - she teaches the class we are in at 6 30 and she went early so he could play in his 5 30 puppy class.
FROM CAROL
Morning started at 5:30, out to potty, breakfast and back to bed!!I was hoping for a lazy morning, had been up extra early the past few days.Able to sleep til 8 !!!WOOHOO
Went for a walk, helped me fill the bird feeders.
He does need to get out and socialize more with strange places, dogs, people. Even though he knows me, he is acting insecure. Jumps on me all the time for reassurance. Hackles come up and he barks at noses, horses, different things. He comes around nicely and could be going through a puppy shyness. See if you can invite yourself over to different peoples houses once a week or so, to see different places, people, dogs, whatever. Its a BIG world!!
BUT, he really is doing well, he is trying hard to listen and be good!
Got home this afternoon, another walk and play with the puppy Kong I made him.
Left for WW early, he got to play in his puppy class for 1/2 hour, then I needed to get ready for my class. He did very well in class. He did refuse tunnel twice, Annette said he was doing that. We were doing small combinations. Jump-Tunnel.
We did a front cross after tunnel to jump. Then we did jump, with a pull to chute. Then jump and front cross to chute.
As far as I was concerned, he was the star of the class. He slept in crate for over an hour while I had class, ran Porsche. Then before we left, I got him out to say hi to everyone in the Run Thru class. Home for dinner.
My gelding was right at fence, so I went out to pet him, and Ace would *woof* and run back. He would come up behind me and try to jump on me for support. I kept telling him to get off. He finally came up behind me a was able to sniff horses leg through fence. Then he was got within a foot of his nose. GOOD BOY!!!

He just crashed in crate!!
Have a good time Mom!
Carol, you rock.

                         Playing at Carol's house...obviously, she lives in a more "rural" area than we do.

BAD Blogger....BAD, BAD, BAD!!!

Yeah, I have been a bad blogger. I know. I will turn in my blogging card if my readers wish.

We have been busy...to say the least. As I type this, I am sitting in a hotel room in Virginia - marking the first of three weeks of travel. This week, Chelly Bean is with her grampie and Ace is with his pet sitter Carol because grammie is in Ca. I have had reports on both, both are doing very well. I miss them immensely, but I don't think they miss me!!!
Here are a few pictures, because I know that is what everyone wants to see. More to come later.

Baby Ace @ 15 weeks

Baby Ace @ 16 weeks

Award for Exellence in Writing

WARNING - TISSUES MAY BE NECESSARY

Not by me, but by my 11 year old cousin Jennifer.

As many of you know, my cousin Michelle lost her hubby in the line of duty 5 years ago. Recently, she rode 300+ miles from East Hanover, NJ to Washington DC on the "Police Unity Tour" and raised over $5,000 for care of the memorial in DC that has Mike's name on it. The ride went into DC to mark the begginning of police week 2 weeks ago.

As you can imagine, life has not been the same - the girls were 9 and 7 when they lost Mike. Below is Jenn's award winning essay in the Solano County Reading Association's Annual writing contest.


My mom sat on the couch and cried as she remembered my father. My dad was a good man with a big heart for his family. My family always went to church, dinner, and on vacation together. We were close and loved each other.One New Year's Day when we were camping in our trailer, my sister and I were awakened by my tear-eyed mom saying she needed to tell us some news. I had a feeling something was wrong when my grandparents sat at the table in tears.

I thought my dad must have been in the hospital since my grandparents had made the two hour trip during the night. As we sat on the couch, my mother announced the tragic incident that occurred the night before. She told us that as my dad helped a driver stuck in the mud on Hghway 17, setting out flares and calling CalTrans for backup, a speeding driver crashed into the back of the CalTrans truck. The truck then rolled forward into my father, causing internal organ injuries. She said he lay there until an ambulance came, hoping to rescue him, but unfortunately God had already taken him to Heaven. Later that morning, policie officers came to bring my family and me to our home.

Since that day, I have felt like my time with my dad was cut short. I felt sadness and a piece of my happiness had vanished. My heart knew he was gone and in Heaven , but my mind doubted he was actually gone. Ever since that day I have felt jealous of other peoples' dads but now I know to be happy for others and to realize how special my father still is to me. On the day we went to the funeral home to say goodbye, I remember kissing him and breaking into tears because I wanted him to respond to me when I said good bye.
I learned to lived for the moment because you never know how long you have left. I know now, you need to tell someone you love them when you feel the need and I would tell anyone who lost a parent that it takes time to recover and not to constantly cry. I feel blessed to know my dad is in Heaven with God and I will see him again. Although it was hard to realize it at the time, I know God did this for a purpose and one day I may come to realize why God took my dad from me. Until then, I will wait and treasure my memories.
- Jennifer Walker, April 2010, Age 11

BACK TO AGILITY!

We had a great day Saturday in Cleveland - all of us.

Our first run was our standard run - mom's timing was off on a front cross that caused her to take a turn too tight and drop a bar, but the rest of it was beautiful. She got lots of cheers when she came off the course from all her friends, many of whom told me if you didn't know she had been hurt, you never would have known. I was very, very happy and let her stick her nose in the treat bag so she could inhale them all at once.

We moved on to jumpers, where she got a record setting 8 pts! The course was wheeled very generously - meaning more yards and therefore more time. I just wanted a clean run - the course had some tricky spots - but was thrilled when all the bars stayed up. And then to find out the course time was 47 seconds (our time was 38.45) was the icing on the cake. Again, she got the opportunity to stick her nose in the treat bag and inhale again.
Also, we got to see Ace's sister Ella! She lives in Cleveland and her sister Reggie competed today at the trial. Ace enjoyed over an hour of play time with his sister (broken into 2 sessions), and they just went nuts. This picture below says it all...no question, Ellen, the breeder, had her hands full!!

Moose Baby

Baby Ace on his 3 month birthday, 5/13/10

Baby Ace and his sister on his 3 month birthday on 5/13/10.

                      And one for the ages, to celebrate our return to the agility ring this weekend!!! Ace is going to the trial also, and will see his sister, Ella this weekend, as she lives in Cleveland and will be at the trial. I will be sure to post pitcures.

What puppy?

With the exception of Little Girl (who weighed a mere 15 lbs last week), Ace and his siblings are getting close to the 25 lb mark. They were 12 weeks old on Saturday. Ace has lost his roly poly puppy look and all of sudden has HUGE feet and paws that are way too big for his body. It is definitely the start of the gangly puppy stage.

He is doing pretty well training wise for a 12 week old puppy. Some of his habits are less than desirable - he is a garbage mouth to the n'th degree (tonight's treat was ripping goose poop out of his mouth along the path by the river, which was just "fowl") and when he doesn't get his way, his first instinct is to reach out and chomp whatever is closest - your hand, the couch, my computer bag. Last week, I had Chelsie at Medvet for an eye exam - it was free for all service dogs, and as a TDI dog, she is considered a service dog - and some lady was there with her 6 month old lab because she thought he had swallowed a sock. He had. At our current rate, we will be there for Ace swallowing some sort of foreign object.

Here are some pictures from this weekend. They are not really all that great - but please keep in mind I am usually trying to either take something away from him he shouldn't have or take something out of his mouth. Just as soon as I correct him for one thing...he is off to the next. Oh the joys of a 12 week old puppy.

His sister in hanging in - becoming a little less tolerant and has actually told him to buzz off a time or two!!!

Hangin' In

We are still attempting to settle into a routine over here, but so far, things are going well. Ace had his first puppy class tonight, Chelsie her first agility class since hurting herself. All went well. Wednesday's are going to be really long days - I have to leave work at 4 to get to Gahanna by 5 30. But its just for this session.

Little Ace man continues to grow. Mom was negiligent to the hurt he was inflicting on the big puppy's neck - his constant harassment resulted in 2 hot spots on Chelsie's neck. Poor thing had to go to the vet for the second time in 5 days (she had a mass aspirated last Friday that turned out to be a fatty mass common in labs) Dr. B shaved the spot down so it could heal up and sent her home with 2 weeks of antibiotics. Ace goes on Friday.

It is definitely more work to have 2 dogs right now, but the timing was right and I was ready. As for the little terror himself, he is spicy, saucy, spunky, spirited and a sweetheart all wrapped up into one package - esp right now because he is asleep in his crate. He is growing up so quick - he will be out of the baby kennel this weekend and into a portable crate at night...

Hope this finds everyone well!

Picture Post

I know I have been slacking in the picture department. I have forgotten what it is like to have a 10 week old puppy - they require constant supervision. He is really doing great - housebreaking going great (he has really gotten the hang of going to the door over the past few days and we have not had an accident in the house in nearly a week - and we have never had a no 2 accident in the house) He is very agreeable to going into his crate, which makes my life a ton easier. I am clicker training him, which is going very well also - he sees the clicker and I definitely have his attention. We are really good at sit, down and touch..still working on taking the treat nicely.

His sister is his best playmate, and most of the time she is very willing to play. She is also not afraid to tell him to back off, which is very nice. He needs to learn he can't be a little jerk around other dogs. He wants to do what she does, and I used this to my advantage this morning, when I sent Chel outside to do her business right before a downpour started - he went right out and did his business as well.

Both dogs start class on Wednesday night - Ace a class for puppies younger than 20 weeks and Chelly Bean...AGILITY!!!! YAY! They are back to back, which will be nice, but will also require some serious organization on my part - esp because they start at 5:30 in Gahanna. Yeah..downtown to Dublin to Gahanna with 2 dogs (one of them being a 10 week old puppy) by 5 30. By week 2...we should have it down!

As for miss Chelly Bean...she gave me a scare last week. I found a mass on her rib cage...Dr. B aspirated it on Friday and it is just a fatty mass. PHEW. I have  decided to enter her in a trial in May for one day only, just to see where she is. We have been jumping over our jump in the basement, and she seems to be doing really well. I will watch her to see if we need to add an anti-inflammatory to the mix. She weighted 57.5 lbs at the beginning of April, and with her full return to activity, gained a pound and weighs 58.5. I am pretty sure it is muscle mass, given the activity she encounters on a daily basis trying to keep her brother off her.

Here are some photos!

I'll Show YOU, SQUISHY YELLOW PUPPY!!!

Dear Waffle,

For 10 days now, I have been pestered...pestered by that little flea. I barely wake up in the morning and he is ALL OVER THE PLACE! Trying to eat my food when mom puts its down, hanging on my scruff, barking at me...but finally, tonight...IT CROSSED THE LINE.

We were out in the yard, mom mowed the grass and was weeding. She had brought some toys out for the flea, and then put my rope kong down for me. What happened, you ask? You got it...squishy yellow puppy tried to TAKE MY ROPE KONG! That was it...I had enough! I yanked it out of his mouth and told him about it...and then I started running after him. Take that! And that! And that again! Take down, three times!!! He went running into mom's lap after that...but he got the message and then left my rope kong alone.

Begrudingly, I do admit, I am sort of attached to the little fellow...even if he hangs all over me and tries to steal my toy. If I really want to agitate him, I take his stuffed carrot and squeak it in front of him. When other people besides mom are around, I fake like I don't like him...won't even look at him. Both grandma and Carol, our pet sitter, say that - mom says she knows better and has video evidence to prove that I play with the little booger.

Mom says not too long from now, he will be as big as I am...hmph. But you and I, my dear Waffle, know who will always be at the top of the dog chain. That's right my sister, you and me.

In sisterhood of black labbies,

Chelsie Belle

One Week Later....

Ace has officially been here for one week! And we have all lived to tell about it.

Overall, he is a pretty good dog. It has been so long...8 years to be precise, since I have had a puppy. Housebreaking is going pretty well - his accidents come during play time when he is running around like a raving lunatic and then has an OMG moment...and just pees wherever he is. :) Thankfully, those are fewer and farther between - only because mom watches him like a hawk.

The best way I can describe him is that he is full of spunky, spirited puppyness! He has one speed when he is awake - full throttle. He loves to chew on his toys, the coffee table, the couch, shoes - Chelsie was never a shoe chewer. Good thing most of the time I put my shoes away.

Our first week went very smooth, all things considering. I had work functions 2 nights this week and had to be at work at 8AM - god bless grammie and grampie!. I was up very early both mornings to give him lots of play time, so at this point, I am pretty exhausted. He gets up once a night, but goes right away when I take him out and goes right back to bed as well. Probably the funniest thing about him is that he is a TERRIBLE eater. For those of you that have seen my belching, farting trucker eat, you know that she practically inhales the dish. Not him. He is too distracted to eat. Eats for a few bites, then wanders off for a minute, comes back, eats a little more...too funny. Right now he eats three times a day.

I have a wonderful pet sitter who comes and lets him out at lunch and is really working to help me train him. I do agility with her and take great comfort in knowing she is caring for him.

Pictures to come...this chica is worn out!!!

Photo Opps...

Overall, we had an amazing day. Hopefully tomorrow is half as good as today. He is really a nifty little guy. His sister is still not sure about this, but she is getting used to it. Here are some photos over the last 2 days.

Resting in a puppy pile with his brother and sisters - he is up against the pen. The one next to him is his brother, Blue (Morning Star's Red While and Blue "Blue") the balck one is Ella and the one in the front is little girl. Rosie left shortly before this was taken.

His mom, Amber. She loves her firsbee and her weave poles, and is very content to curl up in her chair.

Hard at rest in his kennel in the car. He really settled down nicely in his kennel on the ride home.

Meeting the GRAND PAW for the first time.

With his grandma.

First night of family bonding. We were all exhausted.

Attacking the frog. He looks like a wild man.

Rare moment...both are sitting still.

Trying to figure out the 30 foot drag line.He soon realized this was a good thing.

To quote Carrie..."adorable cuteness" - he found the newspaper, determined it was a mean, evil, nasty thing that must be destroyed.

Newspaer destruction is hard work. When he is tired, he is perfectly content in his baby kennel. There is a big boy kennel next to this one with a divider panel for potty training purposes. He was alone for an hour today..no accidents.

Playing in the grass with his sister. This was also a big day for his sister...she got a new pink kong from David...she lost her other one, which she LOVED - he got her a new one and with our release to full activity on Thursday, she was able to chase it to her hearts content.

Better enjoy this spot while you can still get in it, little buddy. Under one of the chairs at the kitchen table.

                                                     Resting in his sisters spot on the couch.