My Mom Went on Vacation and All I Got Was a Lousy New Collar, Leash, Canteen, and Treat Ball.... TREAT BALL?

Fast-drying nautical blue mesh with little shark pictures... "ho hum".

"...yeah, ok."

"Hmmmm... what's this?"



If you're ever in Bloomington Indiana, stop by T&T Pet Supply -- they have great stuff!!

 

I Should Leave More Often

While I was away, the blogosphere exploded with activity! There's been a virtual storm of awards, with some even blowing this way!

Sami & Baylee, Huskee Boy and Chef gave us the Arte-y Pico Award. This award "was created for bloggers who inspire others with their creativity and their talents, and for contributing to the blogging world." Wow, we're honored to accept! And even more honored to pass it along to:

- While Walking Duncan - a daily blog by a wonderful writer regarding his life and experiences walking Duncan, a golden retriever who looks a lot like Charlie
- Greg/Brooke/Charlie/Opy -- i.e. Dogs with Blogs - if you don't know them yet, then you should. They have literally created a worldwide community of dog bloggers.
- Sophie Rules the World - a beauty AND a beast... what more is there to say about the uber-talented Ms. Sophia La Brador?
- Dogs Eye View - L^2's fabulous blog with some of the best photography around, and
- Meeshka - whose cartoons and attitude keep me in stitches (and nodding in agreement).

These are five very creative and artful blogs, without which it would be a much duller world!

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For those who wish to accept the award, here are the rules:
1. Pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve an award for creativity, design, interesting material, and contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.
2. List the name of the author and a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.
3. Show the award and put the name and link to the blog that awarded it to you.
4. Show the link of the Arte Y Pico blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.
5. Display these rules.

And there's an award from Curt of While Walking Duncan (which, by the way, you should really check out if I didn't make that perfectly clear before).


I'd like to pass this one along to:
- Lab Tails, an engaging blog about breeding and raising labradors and the lessons learned therein
- To Aire is Divine, the adventures of Bogart, an Airedale exploring his new home here in Portland (from which we learn a lot)
- Sparky, a fun blog written by a very talented Canadian teenager
- Pippadogblog, the adventures of a Spanish dog with two British ex-pats living in Spain (& Gibraltar)
- El Diario de Lorenza, the life of a (the sweetest ever) dachsund living in Torreon, Coahuila Mexico, and whose grandmother makes the most amazing dresses
- It's Hammer - Beau's Brother, whose tenacious mom, Susan, continues to hunt for her beloved English Setter, Beau, and uses this blog to help spread the word
- and The Daily Coyote, a totally addictive daily blog about raising a coyote pup in Wyoming.

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The rules of accepting this award are as follows:
1) Put the logo on your blog.
2) Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4) Add links to those blogs on yours.
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.



I only wish I could pass these awards on to many more blogs, because these are just a few of the ones I love.

And Now for Something Completely Different

Meet Sophie, Charlie's sister. His real sister, as in littermate.

Sophie on her air vent
I've just returned from a trip though Indiana with my siblings, seeing the old homesteads and visiting the old haunts. While there, I got to spend a few days with Sophie and with her mom, our good friend Karen. And I got to meet Stephanie, the woman who bred Charlie & Sophie's litter, raised them for the first 8 weeks or so, and still has their mom Abby.

Sophie (right) and her best friend Steeler
Upon meeting Sophie, the resemblance to Charlie was striking. Because just like Charlie, Sophie squints and smiles (while wagging vigoously) when she's really happy to see someone.

They have the same look to their face and similar smiles. Both have below-the-ears unruly flyaway (but I mean that in a good way) ear hair. They both paw. A lot. Both are constantly hungry, not bothering to chew in their haste to wolf down food. And both carefully cultivate a serious mournful stare which they milk for all it's worth.

Sophie, working it
Unlike Charlie, however, Sophie is a licky dog, and she loves to give dog kisses. Also unlike Charlie, she doesn't drool, and she's not bitey. Until you rev her up... then, watch out... yep, just like Charlie.

Sophie on her deck
Like Charlie, Sophie is completely "glued" to her mom (and vice-versa) and follows her everywhere. I tried to convince her to come home with me, but I don't think she was even tempted.

 

Shhhhhh....

Charlie doesn't quite know it yet, but boating is in his future.

That's assuming he's willing. And Charlie is so fearful of so many things that I'm worried he won't be. Willing, that is.Yesterday we started the introduction process by taking Charlie to the Columbia River Yacht Club to visit the boathouse & start getting comfortable with the surroundings.He sniffed all around, went inside & out, poked his head into the boatwell (but wouldn't go farther), and even met Cheyenne, a golden retriever girl who explained everything to him (including that she's the boss).
The goal was to have a good, non-challenging, non-scary time and I think we succeeded.

Next step? Start getting Charlie used to the boat with the engine off. And excited about "going for a ride" in it. Oh yeah, and figure out how to fish him out if he falls in the drink. 'Cause, oh baby, when we finally do turn on that engine, I want to be prepared!

 

Heaven in a Box

"More stuff, mom?
"For me?
"Oh, YEAH, baby!"
"sniff... snort... Dog, these smell good!"
Moving on to the eating portion of the program.
"Mmmmmmmm..."
Thanks, i-pets! And thanks, Freda, for turning us on to them last year. Charlie loves those clear-basted chews.

 

Do You See What Charlie Sees?

Can you see them?

How about now?

Now?

We are entering what has to be Charlie's #1 favorite time of the year.

The cherries are starting to fall, and Charlie's ready!
Raking will not be required.

 

4th of July

Not Charlie's favorite holiday. And the big fireworks haven't even started yet.

Clean Bill of Health

"Mommmmm... let's go!"

"C'mon, let's GO!"

"OK, I'm ready! Are we going someplace FUN?"

"Uh oh..."

"I weigh HOW much? I TOLD you I need to eat more!"

"I'll play nice if you play nice..."
(And we'll just skip the part where Charlie got his temperature taken followed by the Bordetella intranasal vaccine and the nail clip, but suffice it to say it was not his favorite part. Except for the treats afterward, of course.)

"Mama, they tortured me back there!"

Free at last!

Thanks, Dr. Tokar, & everyone at Powell Boulevard Vet Clinic!