...before Charlie eats it all?
22 hours ago
Friday, May 13, 2011
Monday, May 09, 2011
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Woof?!
... not Charlie, that's for sure!
One morning, bright and early, a few weeks ago, we discovered new neighbors next door... along with everyone else in the neighborhood. Last to arise, I awoke from a sound sleep to an uproar of throaty vicious barking, growling, and teeth-gnashing. Charlie had discovered two big dogs next door (on the other side of the chain link fence) and was doing his best to convince them to leave. They weren't taking any of his lip, and the sound of these three "junkyard dogs" having it out was truly frightening!
Now, several weeks later, it's become a sport. Charlie checks for (the appropriately named) Tank and Thunder first-thing when he goes outside. If they're there, they all race to the fence and bark furiously, tails wagging. Every so often they take breaks... at least Charlie does. He'll jump down the terraces, run around, up the stairs and then fly back to the fence for more.
Rounds One and Two
After a few good rounds of barking Charlie takes a longer break - he goes back into the yard & sniffs flowers, does business, just generally strolls around... while Tank and Thunder stand at the fence and quietly watch him. Every once in awhile they'll let out a calling bark that sounds like "come back!". And if he ignores them too long, they whine pitifully. In awhile he'll respond -- back he goes for another barkfest. And on and on, until finally I make him come inside.
On Break
One morning, bright and early, a few weeks ago, we discovered new neighbors next door... along with everyone else in the neighborhood. Last to arise, I awoke from a sound sleep to an uproar of throaty vicious barking, growling, and teeth-gnashing. Charlie had discovered two big dogs next door (on the other side of the chain link fence) and was doing his best to convince them to leave. They weren't taking any of his lip, and the sound of these three "junkyard dogs" having it out was truly frightening!
Now, several weeks later, it's become a sport. Charlie checks for (the appropriately named) Tank and Thunder first-thing when he goes outside. If they're there, they all race to the fence and bark furiously, tails wagging. Every so often they take breaks... at least Charlie does. He'll jump down the terraces, run around, up the stairs and then fly back to the fence for more.
After a few good rounds of barking Charlie takes a longer break - he goes back into the yard & sniffs flowers, does business, just generally strolls around... while Tank and Thunder stand at the fence and quietly watch him. Every once in awhile they'll let out a calling bark that sounds like "come back!". And if he ignores them too long, they whine pitifully. In awhile he'll respond -- back he goes for another barkfest. And on and on, until finally I make him come inside.
Friday, May 06, 2011
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Sunday, May 01, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Amalie
Over the weekend a friend came to visit with her daughter, Amalie. Charlie has met Amalie once or twice before, but we've never really allowed them to mix much for fear that he would overwhelm her.
Amalie, however, loves loves loves Charlie, so as the initial frenzy of company abated and Charlie quieted down, we let them mingle and ultimately engage in some supervised play.
It went better than I ever could have imagined! Amalie was wonderful with Charlie -- she understood when to pet him and when to back off, she knew how and when to tell him to "Stop" and "Sit," and she redirected him to his toys when he needed it. Charlie was great with her -- he listened, obeyed (mostly ;) ), and played nicely. I think they both had a blast!The highlight of the play session was a rousing round of "Chase Charlie" (known by Amalie as "Chase the Charlie"). This is Charlie's absolute favorite game, and Amalie indulged him, chasing him around and around, through the kitchen and back through the living room, again and again. I don't know who had more fun -- Charlie, Amalie, or we onlookers!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Over the Rainbow...
It's almost too sad to say, but Charlie's sister Sophie crossed over the bridge Saturday morning. I won't go into detail, but she was quickly getting worse. She did manage to consume a box of Snausages and one of T-bones, and then surrounded by her loving family at home, was gently helped across the bridge.
Sophie was active and happy almost to the end (she chased a squirrel on Monday and a rabbit on Thursday!) and for the last month was able to spend almost all her time with her mom.
"We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle; easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we would still live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan." -- Irving Townsend*
Thanks, everyone, for your warm support. I know it helped!
-----------
*Thanks to KT, who posted this after Lady crossed over.
Sophie was active and happy almost to the end (she chased a squirrel on Monday and a rabbit on Thursday!) and for the last month was able to spend almost all her time with her mom.
"We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle; easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we would still live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan." -- Irving Townsend*
Thanks, everyone, for your warm support. I know it helped!
-----------
*Thanks to KT, who posted this after Lady crossed over.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Peanut Butter Heaven
Charlie's nails have gotten long and he's fussy about letting me cut them, so today he went in to the V-E-T's, so the techs could trim him up. Unlike his sister, Sophie, Charlie does not like going there.
He was fine in the parking lot... he willingly went in the front door... at the scale he started to quiver, but got on for a weight check... however, when it came to going in the back for the nail-trim, he refused. And he wasn't just kind of balky; he really refused --- an all paws down, "there's no way you're getting me in there alive," kind of refusal.
"Nom, nom, nom..."
It took treats in front of him and a push from behind to get him in the back. But, once there, he settled down and started to enjoy... the petting... the cooing... the PEANUT BUTTER!! Yes, they got out a jar of peanut butter and a big tongue depressor and started scooping.
"Another scoop of peanut butter, please."
After the second glob, I think Charlie ceased noticing that anything was happening to his paws, he was so in heaven.
"Nom, nom, nom..."
He was very alert to the peanut butter, however, and managed to snatch a whole glob off the stick at one point, necessitating some adjustment in technique.
"Mmmmmmmmm..."
All in all, it was a very successful trip! Charlie's nails look great and, who knows, maybe next time he'll BEG to go in the back for a nail trim? :)
He was fine in the parking lot... he willingly went in the front door... at the scale he started to quiver, but got on for a weight check... however, when it came to going in the back for the nail-trim, he refused. And he wasn't just kind of balky; he really refused --- an all paws down, "there's no way you're getting me in there alive," kind of refusal.
It took treats in front of him and a push from behind to get him in the back. But, once there, he settled down and started to enjoy... the petting... the cooing... the PEANUT BUTTER!! Yes, they got out a jar of peanut butter and a big tongue depressor and started scooping.
After the second glob, I think Charlie ceased noticing that anything was happening to his paws, he was so in heaven.
He was very alert to the peanut butter, however, and managed to snatch a whole glob off the stick at one point, necessitating some adjustment in technique.
All in all, it was a very successful trip! Charlie's nails look great and, who knows, maybe next time he'll BEG to go in the back for a nail trim? :)
Monday, April 11, 2011
Ups and Downs
I'm sad to report that Charlie's sister Sophie is starting to have some days where she doesn't feel as well as before. At first Karen thought maybe she'd gotten into something, but Sophie's recheck at Purdue showed that the chemo doesn't seem to be helping. Sigh...
At the park.
Still, Sophie seems to be mostly feeling well. She went to the park Friday and chased a squirrel off-trail and into the woods, causing Karen to have to yell like crazy to get her to come back.
Hoping for squirrels.
So please send some fresh Power of the Paw to Karen and Sophie. Let's hope they get a lot more good days together -- days where Sophie feels like doing all those things that would get her in trouble if she wasn't being spoiled rotten! :)
Still, Sophie seems to be mostly feeling well. She went to the park Friday and chased a squirrel off-trail and into the woods, causing Karen to have to yell like crazy to get her to come back.
So please send some fresh Power of the Paw to Karen and Sophie. Let's hope they get a lot more good days together -- days where Sophie feels like doing all those things that would get her in trouble if she wasn't being spoiled rotten! :)
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Sister Sophie Update
Charlie's sister, Sophie, continues to do well. She's had her second round of chemo, and her bloodwork looks pretty good, and she acts great!
Her uncle visited recently and took these great pics of Sophie:
Her uncle visited recently and took these great pics of Sophie:
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Can Someone Explain This?
As a puppy, Charlie chewed on and swallowed his stuffed toys and dog beds so relentlessly that we limited access to them for his protection and our sanity. That went on for a few years, until his buddy Charlie in Australia sent him a Roo. He proved to be more trustworthy with Roo than before, so I pronounced him all grown up, and other toys and a new bed followed.
Now Charlie is much better with toys and beds than before... but not perfect*. For example, he ate Roo's nose and ear. And I feel like I'm constantly saying "No" or "leave Bugs alone" or "here, chew on the nylabone instead". But it doesn't actually happen all the time... just in certain circumstances.
It took me awhile to open my eyes and become conscious of a pattern, and I don't fully see it yet. But here's what I know: Charlie is completely trustworthy with toys and dog beds most of the time -- when he's alone, or at night after we all go to bed, or when he's hanging out quietly with one of us somewhere, e.g. in the living room or kitchen or office, etc. He just carries them around and lays his head on them.
But every night while we humans eat dinner (after he's eaten his own) and/or watch a movie or whenever we work a crossword puzzle together in the living room, Charlie picks up a stuffy, plops down at our feet and commences toy destruction (and consumption) until redirected.
What's going on? Is Charlie trying to get us to include him? Is he just kind of revved up in the presence of his family unit? What??
I haven't figured it out yet. So far, it remains just one of those things that puts the exclamation point in "Charlie!"
---------------
*To Cassie, Noodles & Jed/Abby: Yes, I'm sorry to say that Woolly Bone, Bugs and Flying Cow, too, have new orifices and slightly fewer pieces than before. But Charlie says it's just part of his "breaking in" process and proof that he loves them.
Now Charlie is much better with toys and beds than before... but not perfect*. For example, he ate Roo's nose and ear. And I feel like I'm constantly saying "No" or "leave Bugs alone" or "here, chew on the nylabone instead". But it doesn't actually happen all the time... just in certain circumstances.
It took me awhile to open my eyes and become conscious of a pattern, and I don't fully see it yet. But here's what I know: Charlie is completely trustworthy with toys and dog beds most of the time -- when he's alone, or at night after we all go to bed, or when he's hanging out quietly with one of us somewhere, e.g. in the living room or kitchen or office, etc. He just carries them around and lays his head on them.
But every night while we humans eat dinner (after he's eaten his own) and/or watch a movie or whenever we work a crossword puzzle together in the living room, Charlie picks up a stuffy, plops down at our feet and commences toy destruction (and consumption) until redirected.
What's going on? Is Charlie trying to get us to include him? Is he just kind of revved up in the presence of his family unit? What??
I haven't figured it out yet. So far, it remains just one of those things that puts the exclamation point in "Charlie!"
---------------
*To Cassie, Noodles & Jed/Abby: Yes, I'm sorry to say that Woolly Bone, Bugs and Flying Cow, too, have new orifices and slightly fewer pieces than before. But Charlie says it's just part of his "breaking in" process and proof that he loves them.
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Sister Sophie Wednesday
"When a dog is this sad...
...the only thing to do is to take her to the park."
Charlie's sister Sophie just completed her first round of chemo and continues to do well. Apparently she didn't get the memo about being sick. ;)
On a sad note, her best friend, Steeler went to the bridge on Saturday. She had a long (16 years!) and happy life, but it was time for her to move on. She will be missed!
Godspeed, Steeler!
...the only thing to do is to take her to the park."
Charlie's sister Sophie just completed her first round of chemo and continues to do well. Apparently she didn't get the memo about being sick. ;)
On a sad note, her best friend, Steeler went to the bridge on Saturday. She had a long (16 years!) and happy life, but it was time for her to move on. She will be missed!
Monday, March 07, 2011
Embarrassment of Riches
On Friday, a package arrived for Charlie -- his MangoMinster 2011 3rd place Cracker Dog prize from Jed and Abby!
It was a box chock-full of wonderful treats, picked out just for Charlie by Jed and Abby and their mama. Charlie and I opened it together, and he checked each item out, one by one.
They know he is totally food-oriented, and they sent a jar of yummy chewy sweet potato chips. One of Charlie's favorites! Plus some Chewnola bars. He's never had them before, but he loves his after-dinner retriever rolls, so he's sure to love these, too!!
[sniff] [sniff]
[sniff] [sniff]
Nom, nom, nom...
They also knew that, second only to his stomach, are Charlie's teeth. He knows how to use them and make them count! So to give him a legal way to exercise them, Jed and Abby sent a Durabone!
"What's that, Mom?"
"Never mind, I know what to do with this!"
And last, but not least, there was a colorful new stuffless stuffy! Charlie has a tendency to eat toys under some circumstances, but he loves to carry them around and lay his head on them, and we supervise him pretty closely.
"Here... I'll just take that."
"How do I look?"
Master of all he surveys.
Thanks, Jed and Abby (and their mama)! You were way too generous, but Charlie loves everything!!
It was a box chock-full of wonderful treats, picked out just for Charlie by Jed and Abby and their mama. Charlie and I opened it together, and he checked each item out, one by one.
They know he is totally food-oriented, and they sent a jar of yummy chewy sweet potato chips. One of Charlie's favorites! Plus some Chewnola bars. He's never had them before, but he loves his after-dinner retriever rolls, so he's sure to love these, too!!
They also knew that, second only to his stomach, are Charlie's teeth. He knows how to use them and make them count! So to give him a legal way to exercise them, Jed and Abby sent a Durabone!
And last, but not least, there was a colorful new stuffless stuffy! Charlie has a tendency to eat toys under some circumstances, but he loves to carry them around and lay his head on them, and we supervise him pretty closely.
Thanks, Jed and Abby (and their mama)! You were way too generous, but Charlie loves everything!!
Friday, March 04, 2011
Cheese Please!
A couple of weeks ago, I asked Charlie's sister Sophie what flavor biscuits I should bake for her and Steeler. The answer came back "Cheese!"
"Are they done yet?"
So I made my way over to Sugar's blog, where I found a recipe for Cheesy Bones. They were easy to make, and the cheesy aroma of them baking drove Charlie and me crazy!
"Surely they're ready now."
They smelled so good that Charlie and I both tasted them. I think they'd be better with a little salt; Charlie found them perfect just the way they are. And Sophie and Steeler? I have it on good authority that, like Charlie, they gobbled them right down!
Sophie and Steeler say "Cheese!"
Sophie, hoovering up a biscuit.
"Nom, nom, nom..."
So I made my way over to Sugar's blog, where I found a recipe for Cheesy Bones. They were easy to make, and the cheesy aroma of them baking drove Charlie and me crazy!
They smelled so good that Charlie and I both tasted them. I think they'd be better with a little salt; Charlie found them perfect just the way they are. And Sophie and Steeler? I have it on good authority that, like Charlie, they gobbled them right down!
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Noodles Sur-Prize!
Noodles and Sunshine recently held a MangoMinster 2011 side event -- A Rose By Any Other Name. We had a great time composing an entry, and Charlie was fortunate enough to take second place.
Today a package arrived for him in the mail... his prize!
"Can I help?"
"No, really. Let me help!"
"Hey! It's a wascally wabbit!!"
"C'mere, you!"
"What?"
Thanks, Noodles and Sunshine! We had a lot of fun playing, and Charlie loves his prize!!
Today a package arrived for him in the mail... his prize!
Thanks, Noodles and Sunshine! We had a lot of fun playing, and Charlie loves his prize!!
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