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!

 

Evil Squirrel

The truth is that I wanted it to be this way, but it wasn't, really. Yes there was the squirrel, chattering and watching, and yes, there were Gabbie and Charlie, all in the same place at the same time. But I think Charlie has squirrel-blindness. No matter how hard I try to point them out, or how close they come on our walks, or how prominently they run the fence and chatter, Charlie just doesn't see squirrels.

Two of them had a little fight on our roof last week, and since the roof is at eye level in our up-terraced back yard, Charlie and I got ringside seats. But did he watch? No, I couldn't even get him to acknowledge the squirrels. Our previous goldens used to run back and forth under trees and phone wires, having a great time, apparently expecting the little beggers to fall into their mouths. And I know Gabbie can see them - she about pulled my arm off once on a walk trying to go after one. But not our Charlie. Maybe the guy needs glasses!

The Jawbone's Connected to the... Cuz

Run and Jump and Play

There's nothing like hanging out with a good friend on a pleasant day!

 

How to Make Charlie Really Really Really Happy...

Take 1 big sweet potato/ yam:


and cut into 1/3" slices:


Microwave the slices until they're soft (sounds crazy, but it took 10 min. for these):


Bake (raised on a rack) at 200-250' F (95-120' C?) for hours (4 in this case) until they're dry but still flexible (note: they didn't ooze at all):


Cool.    (Note that at this point, the 2 end pieces are missing, having been commandeered by the quality control team of Charlie & Gabbie, who pronounced them 'fit for consumption'.)


Feed & repeat:

"Gimme that!"
I don't know if they're as good as Sam's Yams, but they're a whole lot cheaper & Charlie likes them just fine!!

 

Bored

What I See When I Look up From Doing Dishes...

"How 'bout a round of Chase Charlie?"

Hi, Pouncer!

Ransum Note

Deer Gabyz moM,

U lefft yur shurt here yestirday and now it is myne. If u want it bak u bedder bring Gaby bak rite away. Otherwize I eat the shurt. And u know i can du it.

- - cHarLy
 

Catching Up on Pmail

Charlie Gets a Callback

After an earlier audition with Uncle Ben, Charlie got a callback to try jamming together!


Will the other band members accept him? Will he get the gig? Stay tuned...