Hot Dog!

Charlie's back to normal today, but yesterday was another story!

We'd had two 100+(F) degree days here in Portland, and even though the house didn't get above the mid-80's, we all felt like taking it easy and quiet. So when Charlie did the same, we didn't think too much of it.

But yesterday, when it got cooler, Charlie didn't return to his usual bouncy bitey playful self. He stayed conked hard all morning. He didn't bark at the mailman. He drooled - way more than usual. And when he refused lunch, we knew for sure it was time to go see the vet!

The doc did some tests to make sure, but immediately knew what was up - heat stroke! So Charlie spent yesterday afternoon there getting re-hydrated (and petted and coo'ed over). He's feeling much better today, and we're very grateful to all the great people at his clinic for the care they gave him!

So all you doggies out there... be careful of the heat this summer and drink lots of water! You don't have to be in a hot car to have a problem.

I feel better!

Dog Cup Soccer

Charlie and Gabbie decided that humans shouldn't have all the fun. They want to play soccer, too!


Kickoff!


Off the ball attacking


Dangerous play


Arguing with the ref... ?

Friends

Charlie is not often friendly with other dogs. When we tried to introduce him to Lefty, the two of them acted like dogs-from-hell, wanting to take each other apart.

And when sweet, imperturbable, best-friend-through-the-fence Ramsey came over, Charlie acted so ferocious, that Ramsey decided he would just go home, thanks all the same.

So we're grateful that Charlie and Gabbie have such a good time together!

They run and leap and play and bite and make dogs-from-hell faces. And then one lies down and the other lies down along-side.

It's good to have friends!

Close, but no cigar...

Charlie loves to carry these little rolled chews around, hanging out of his mouth like a cigar.

Eventually he lies down and chews them, but until then, it's like having a furry dog version of Winston Churchill wander around the house. But without the smoke!

Positions

When reclining on the floor, Charlie often favors an... unusual (to my mind)... position.

His head goes one direction. His front paws go the other direction. And his back legs go the direction of his head. It looks contorted and uncomfortable, but it's always the position of choice.

When he wants to make sure he can see what's going on, he goes for the flattened frog position ...

And late late at night, when he's totally relaxed and fast asleep, he'll roll on his back and stick all four paws in the air.

What about you, doggies? Do you lie these ways, too?