Brushy, Brushy, Brushy

I don't understand why Charlie sheds in August. Why does he blow his coat every year just a few months away from winter? Just before he really needs it? I will never understand. I think he's an Aussie dog in disguise.

At any rate, this time of year we start nightly brushing. It keeps some of the fluff off the rug, but more importantly it keeps Charlie from biting himself too much -- because apparently blowing his coat itches.


Charlie is a little approach-avoidance about the whole thing. He races to the closet when I say "want to brush? let's go get your brush!" and then presents his rear for brushing. But he also keeps his chompers at the ready, just in case I should encounter an ouchy snag or try to brush out his tail. Both of which are verboten to me. Upon pain of teeth.

Show Us Your Teefies!

C'mon... let us see those pearly whites!

 

Red Alert

Considering...

how carefully...

Charlie watches everything...

when we go for a walk,...

it's not clear to me how this little guy...

managed to sneak up on us,...

let alone this one!

 

Feather-Toes?

Trimmers: 4       Laissez faire: 9
We're having a discussion about whether or not to trim Charlie's feather-toes.


What do you think?

 

Wash Day

"I don't know how they got so dirty, Mom. Ask them!"
"Uh - oh..."
"Ground Control to Joey & Roo - Hang on!"
"Now you guys get dry, ok?"
"Did you have a nice spin? I'm so glad you're back!"

 

More Twisty-Dog

Charlie lies in the strangest positions. His favorite seems to be with his back legs and head one direction and his front legs the other.

I'm glad he's limber enough to do it -- I know I'm not, any more!

Big Dog Tribute

We were so sorry to learn about the passing of our Australian friend, Charlie, aka Chuck-Z-Bux aka Big Dog. He was a special friend, and we loved his antics - pushing the bucket with his head, running in circles through the house and back outside again, and kvetching about "stupid" stuff -- like his SHD (stupid human dad), SHM (stupid human mom), and sister Opy.


Big Charlie was a dog with 'tude, as they say. And because our Charlie is too, they became internet buds.


His parents, of course, are the founders of Dogs with Blogs -- Greg and Brooke -- two wonderful people who've created a community out of a rag-tag bunch of dog bloggers. I know they're hurting right now, so stop by Opy's or Charlie's when you can and say a few words.

Run free, Big Dog - you're missed by more people than you ever knew!

Wishing it was Cooler

Now, at 6pm, it's still over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Portland (38 C). Charlie is very sensitive to heat -- a few years ago, before we had AC, the house got to 84F (29C) during a heat wave and Charlie got heatstroke. So... sympathize with the poor guy -- he's only getting walkies in the morning and some quick business in the afternoon. No more playing in the yard or cherry hunting until this heat breaks!

 

Fri(en)day

"Oh, will she ever arrive?"
"Is that you, Gabbie?
"Oh, yeah!!"
"Slimed?! I'll get you for that!"
"It's good to hang out with friends."

Have a great weekend, everyone!

 

Hunter - Gatherers

Charlie's Favorite Part of Summer

Our neighbors have a momentously large cherry tree, chock-full of Charlie treats* that are beginning to ripen and fall into our back yard. I just wish Charlie'd stem and pit them first!



*Note: Fortunately Charlie doesn't, himself, waste energy on chewing, but Khyra alludes to, and Charlie's favorite vet reminds us that, chewed cherry pits can release cyanide. So don't be munchin' on the pits!!

 

Sitting Around With On Friends

A little story in pictures...






Why does this remind me of adolescent brothers and sisters...?

 

Twisty

Happy 4th of July!

...now we'll just retire to a soundproofed interior room with a radio to await the 5th...

 

Too Funny

Every other night or so, Charlie gets a chew. He loves his chews and he eats a whole one at a sitting (which is why he gets smaller 6" ones and doesn't get them every night). Tonight was chew night, and Charlie settled in.


We were also rushing through our own dinner because of an evening appointment. So the plates & pots hit the floor for their "prewash" before Charlie was anywhere near being done with his chew.

Being the food-oriented kind of guy he is, Charlie raced into the kitchen and immediately started on the plates. Then, suddenly, I could almost see a light bulb go on in his head... he left the plates and raced back for the chew. Which he brought back into the kitchen and carefully set down by the dishes, where he could keep an eye on it while he finished up.


That Charlie! Always thinkin'!

 

Good Times

Treatcatcher

I've studied the picture and can't find the treat anywhere. It must be in his mouth, because he did catch it! Catching treats is one of Charlie's best-honed skills.

"I'm Sure I Heard Thunder..."

This afternoon a storm blew up, seemingly out of nowhere. The wind kicked up, and the sky darkened and suddenly cut loose with buckets of rain.


While it often rains here, Portland only occasionally gets thunderstorms. So considering his limited experience with them, I was surprised to see Charlie's response. Not waiting for the first clap of thunder (which frankly I expected too, but never happened), he immediatey headed to his place of safety.


He says he may have been wrong this time, but better safe than sorry!

 

Lucky Golden

Since today's weather was just perfect, we took Charlie over to The Lucky Lab brewpub for lunch. There, on the back patio, you can drink great beer, eat food, and hang out with your dog.

Charlie was very well-behaved, although there was a slightly tense barky moment when some cyclists arrived in full roadgear with scary cleats & helmets. Certainly a high point was when a man arrived with a box of dog treats. Now that's someone who knows how to make friends at The Lab!

Checking out the back patio...
"How 'bout some of those peanuts, Mom?"

"Good boys deserve potato chips, right?"

"Oh, woe is me... no food, no friends, ..."

"Yippeee! A new friend. With FOOD!"

"How 'bout a cold one?"