Tug of War

MY Stick!

Picture Perfect

Last week, Gabbie came over, and Charlie tried to show her how to use the camera to take a self portrait. It didn't really work, though... big puppy paws are just not very good at pressing the right button at the right time.


It worked a lot better when they took pictures of each other.













Finally, they let me have the camera back to take a picture of the two friends relaxing together.

A Good Time Was Had by All

Today Charlie had his first lunch outing.

Portland is one of those great dog-friendly places where dogs are allowed at some restaurants' outdoor patios.

We happen to live near one such brewpub, and today was "not-too-cold, not-too-hot, just right" in temperature, so off we went.


Charlie was interested in everything (except his water bowl) and very well behaved. He growled a little bit when he saw a pug at a nearby table, but who wouldn't?

"That's a real good pickle! Mmmmm...."

After lunch, we walked home together.

At this rate, he'll be ready for The Lucky Lab, whose patio is filled with other dogs, real soon!

Devil in Disguise

Charlie is one of the most challenging golden retrievers I know. He's just a bundle of pure energy. He's also willful, stubborn, pushy, bitey, domineering... Why, if I didn't know better, I'd think he was part husky.

But he's also one of the sweetest, most loyal, playful and loving dogs I've ever been owned by.

Just look at that face...

Could that dog do ANYthing wrong? I don't THINK SO!

Landscape redesign

Charlie loves his backyard.

He jumps the terraces and explores through the shrubs and bushes.

He patrols for intruder cats.

He forages for cherries that have dropped from the neighbors' tree.

He finds Pouncer's secret lairs and scoots her back to the patio.

And he redesigns.

Never content with the gracefully arching branches of the azaleas, nandina, roses and rhododendrons, he grabs them in his teeth and pulls until they're his.

Then he races with them around the yard, playing "Keepaway."

I'd rather do the work myself, but who can be cross with such enthusiastic help!?

Mother's little helper

Today I decided to finish putting in the gladiolas. And Charlie decided to help. In his own high-spirited way.

I put down the tray with the bulbs in it and turned to start digging the first hole. Up came Charlie to investigate. He snatched the biggest, most beautiful bulb and off he went. He raced to the other end of the yard and stood there, just daring me to come get him. So I did, figuring that if he was running, he wouldn't have time to chew and swallow.

So we played "Chase Charlie." I chased him up one side and down the other. Around and around the yard we went, until finally he was tired. When I told him to "down," he did. And I was able to rescue the precious bulb, wet but uneaten.

What a helpful dog!

Three Cheers for Cherries

At first I wasn't sure what Charlie was doing back there. He was hanging out in the back corner of the yard. And when Gabbie came over, the two of them hung out there together more often than not.

It seemed to involve some foraging, so I thought "Aha, they've discovered a cat's favored 'business' spot." Upon closer examination, however, I modified my hypothesis.

And a final test confirmed the new theory...

Charlie LOVES cherries!

I've Been Tricked!

"Hmmm.... what's this? Maybe I should help!

Want me to, Mom? Huh? Huh?

I can hold it down with my paw. Or I can open this little bag of stuff with my teeth."














"Better look at the instructions...
F O R F R E E S T A N D I N G P E T G A T E S M A L L
Huh? Do I eat it or chew it or bark at it or what?"



"WHAT?

This is WHAT??!!

MO-OM, this is definitely NOT what I had in mind..."

Havin' company over

"Hey Gabbie! Wanta come over and play? Yeah, right now! Can your mom bring you? Ok... see you soon. Bye."

"Get this spot right here. Mom! Gotta make the yard all clean and nice."

"Oh, won't she ever get here? I've been waiting and waiting. Probably for 2 minutes, already!"

"Yippee! There she is!"

"Let's PLAY!"