Dog Park!!!!

Mom and Dad took me to the dog park for the first time on Sunday! They hadn't taken me before, because they wanted me to go to obedience classes first so I'd be better about listening to them. And, I have to say they were also being a little overprotective, because they worried about what might happen if there were irresponsible dog parents there with dogs that aren't as nice as I am. But, thankfully, the trainer at my classes helped calm their fears. Moms and Dads can be so high maintenance sometimes.

Anyway, I was so excited when we got there. I couldn't wait to get out of the car! I started to climb to the front seat to get out, which I never do, but then Mom told me I had to wait for them to open the back door. As soon as we got inside the gates we met another Golden. Her name was Bailey, and she was a very sweet girl. She was like me and was more interested in visiting all the humans in the park than playing with the dogs.

Here is a picture of me, Bailey's butt, and another dog.

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After I met Bailey, I decided to divide my time between sniffing the perimeter of the park and saying hi to the humans. It was only after I got all my initial sniffing in that I said some hellos to the other dogs.

You know what was the best thing about the park? All the balls! There were tennis balls scattered all over the ground. I went from one to the next, trading them out as I found new ones. And, you know what else was great? There were several dog parents there who were trying to get their dogs to play fetch, but they weren't interested. So guess who they played with... Me! I was so cute and so enthusiastic about their tennis balls that they just couldn't resist. One lady had a ball launcher and she threw her dog's ball for me over and over. Her lab would just look at the ball as it sailed away and then go on to do something else. How could he ignore a ball?! I just don't get that. Mom says I have no control over my urge to retrieve and that they could throw a ball for hours on end, and I'd still run after it no matter how tired I am. Anyway, the lab's Mom said she was glad at least someone was enjoying it.

I got kind of tired and hot after a while, so I took some short rests in the dirt in between getting up to chase more balls. Ha. And Mom thought the bath she'd given me on Friday night would last.

It was hard for a dog to take a break though. These guys came and visited me while I was resting. Check out the Great Dane. He's huge!

I was pretty pooped when we left and was ready to head home for a nap. I can't wait to go back though! Maybe next time they'll take me to Fort Woof.

Grass...

Right now the grass in my yard is perfect for camouflage. I like to roll in it really thoroughly and get it all over my fur so that I blend in with the lawn. I am stealth. I am one with the grass. I am Camo-dog.

First, you have to look around to make sure no one is watching before you start.

Then, you drop and roll. Make sure you get all sides and stretch out your body to acheive maximum coverage. It's hard to see in this picture, but I've got a really good first layer going.

Are you paying attention? As you can see, I am in the middle of a roll here and have only added the first layer on my face. Don't forget to get the grass on your nose and around your mouth.

Once you've got a pretty good layer, then you can take a break and lay there for a bit. You've got to get in the right frame of mind, you know? I like to take the opportunity to meditate.

I am one with the grass. I am one with the grass. I am the grass.

Once you have achieved your desired level of grassiness both inside and out, feel free to enjoy your accomplishment as you so choose. Depending on my mood I like to sit back and relax or feel the wind in my fur in a good run around the yard.

Of course, humans do not have the same appreciation for nature, and thereby grass, as us dogs. This is unfortunate, as it does not allow for the enjoyment of all your grassy efforts indoors. But, I suppose this is the price we pay for their treats, er, I mean companionship.

It's a Start

So even though I have not yet received a brand new bed or sofa, Mom and Dad did get me a new toy. I got to pick it out. We went to Petsmart on Saturday for my trick class (I'll have to write about that some time), and afterwards we went to the toy aisle to find me a new toy! Whoo hoo! Mom and Dad walked me down the aisle and I looked at everything. We narrowed it down to three toys. Unfortunately Mom and Dad did not have the forsight to bring the camera with them so I could capture the whole thing for my blog. Geez. Anyway, I was trying to decide between a great big moose, a squirrel, and a pheasant. I liked all of them and was excited when Mom squeaked them for me. It was too hard to decide! So they layed them down on the floor in a row in the middle of the aisle and when Dad said, "Okay," I went over and picked the one I wanted. I went right for the pheasant. Goldens are bird dogs afterall. Here's a picture of the bird and a couple of me playing with it. I'd include a video, but I haven't quite figured out how to put those on my blog yet. If only you could hear the beautiful squeakiness of my new toy. It's so looouuud!

(Thank you Mom!)

(What, are you still taking pictures? Can't a dog play in peace?)

(Mmm, this pheasant's pretty tasty. Can I get some au jus over here?)

(That bird wore me out. I'm ready for a nap.)

(Mr. Pheasant: "Trapped...can't escape...please heeeellp!")

A Note to Mom and Dad

Dear Mom and Dad,

I have done some online shopping since my last post and have come up with some dog beds that I would like (to make up for the cats having 5 and me having only 1!). First off, I am being quite considerate of the design aesthetic in our bedroom and have chosen a bed for myself that almost perfectly matches your own.

(Yes, this is really a dog bed.)

Now, I would also like my very own couch for the living room since you do not allow me on the human furniture and the cats have a comfy bed in there. This fellow looks particularly comfy on his own couch, complete with cozy blankie and pillows. I'll take mine in blue.

In addition, I think that I should also get some new toys. You know what I like...plushies with squeakers, balls, and perhaps a couple of new Kong toys (the kind you can put treats in for me, of course).

I would appreciate prompt action on your part in order to remedy this situation. Thank you.

Your dog,
Avery

Injustice!

After my last post I started thinking about some things. You know how I said I'm not allowed to play with their toys? I don't get that. How come they get toys with feathers and I don't? I like feathers! Their toys are so nice and bite-sized too. No fair. Not only do they have some cool toys I'm not allowed to play with, but they have more than me.

(The cats' toys. Look at how many they have!)

(My toys. See! I have way less than they do!)

And they have more beds to snooze on. Five actually. I only have one! What's up with that? I've tried sleeping on their beds before, but I don't fit very well.

(Take a hint Mom and Dad!)

You know, they also get to sleep on the human bed with Mom and Dad at night, while I'm relegated to my bed on the floor. I did sneak up there one night a couple of months after Mom and Dad got me. Heh heh. Mom woke up to roll over and Dad said to her, "Avery's up here." She thought he was talking in his sleep (he does that sometimes) and she had to reach over him to feel me before she believed him. I don't know how they slept through a 65 lb. dog getting into bed with them. Darn it if they didn't make me get down though. At least I got some hugs and petting out of it.

And another thing - when Mom and Dad go out those cats get the whole house to roam in, and I have to stay in one room all by myself. I mean, yeah, they turn on the radio to keep me company and I always get toys and a Kong with treats, but still. It's not fair that the cats get the rest of the entire house and I just get one room.

Hmphf. I'm going to have to have a little talk with Mom and Dad about all of this. It's just not right. I mean really, do the cats wiggle their whole butts with excitement when Mom and Dad come home? Do they bring them toys? Do they sit on their laps? Oh wait, they do actually do that. But do they do tricks on command? I think not. Injustice I tell you!

My Sisters

I thought today I should introduce you to my sisters, the cats. As I mentioned, we aren’t all buddy buddy but we get along fine. We sniff noses sometimes but mostly ignore each other, although I do have a funny habit of being extra interested in them sometimes when I have to go outside. When Mom and Dad hear them meowing at me because I'm in their faces or see me follow one of them around they know I'm getting antsy and have to go out. Anyway, other than that I just do my own thing. I do sometimes try to play with their toys, but Mom and Dad will never let me. Darn.

On with the introductions! I was going to do it myself, but since they don't really talk to me that much I'll let them do it themselves.

Angel:

Yawn. I was in the middle of a nap when that dog woke me up. I am the oldest at 6 1/2 and have been with Mom and Dad the longest. They got me when they lived in Florida. I was living at the Humane Society of Pinellas County because the people who owned my mommy didn't want kittens. I don't know why they didn't have my mommy spayed, but hopefully they did it after we were born. Anyway, I was six months old when I went home with Mom and Dad. Mom grew up with kitties and has always been a "cat person," but Dad had never had a cat before me. Needless to say I have converted him, and I think I hold a special place in his heart. He's very protective of me and doesn't like it when my sisters try to harrass me. I'm not crazy about playing with them. I just want them to leave me alone and let me sleep. If they want to sleep next to me though that's okay. I'm kind of meek and they don't listen to me sometimes when I try to stand up for myself. I also get startled by sounds easily and really hate the noise plastic bags make.

One of my favorite things to do is to sit on the couch with Dad in the morning and knead his belly before snuggling down next to him. I also love my bedtime snuggling with Mom and Dad. I'm not really a lap cat and I hate being held, although I am very docile about it when they make me.

My favorite things, other than snuggling, are sleeping and eating. I sometimes like to play, but my sisters usually butt in and take over. I do better when they aren't around.

Yawn. I'm sleepy. Back to my nap. Zzzzz.

Lucy:

Hey! I'm Lucy, short for Lucyfur. I am a 4-yr-old tortie. I'm the most independent of everybody, and I like it that way. Not that I'm not lovey, it's just on my terms. I especially like to get attention from Mom when she's brushing her teeth. She thinks it's funny. Mom and Dad adopted me when they lived in Maryland. I'd been found in the wheel well of a truck by the guy who'd been driving it all over the place all day. He took me to a shelter but I ended up on kitty death row. Ugh, I shudder to think about it. Luckily, these people from Tails of Hope came along and rescued me and found me a foster home. Mom and Dad got me though them.

I'm kind of a tough cookie after my experience on the street. I bullied my older sister for a while and sometimes I still like to chase her around despite her protests. I was really naughty when I was younger. Ha, my name fit. I've eaten through speaker wires, a phone charger, many electrical cords, blinds cords, various household items like rubber bands and string. What can I say? I live dangerously. Mom and Dad have to Lucy-proof everything electrical or with string-like parts to make sure I don't chew through them or swallow bits. Mom tells me I could really get hurt, but whatever. Like I listen to her!

Chloe'd better hurry up with her intro. I'm ready for a wrestling match. Bring it on small fry!

Chloe:

Hi! I'm the baby of the family. Aren't I cute? I know, it's almost unbearable. Lucy says I'd better hurry up, so I'll give you the short version of my story. Mom found me when I was just a baby, only about 10 weeks old. I was living underneath the stairs of a building all by myself. Well, not really all by myself. There was a dead squirrel under there. Anyhoo, I was a wild girl and there was no way I was going to let her catch me! The night she found me she had trouble sleeping all night cause she was worried about me. She tried contacting every single rescue group she could find, but nobody could help since I was wild and couldn't be caught easily. Mom came by and left me food when she could and tried to befriend me, but I was too scared. After about two weeks she finally got help from a campus feral cat group. They loaned her a trap and helped her set it up. They lured me in with yummy smelling tuna. Lucky for all of us I was so hungry it didn't take me too long to go in the trap. It scared me when the door fell and I realized I was stuck! Mom had all intentions of only keeping me til she could find a rescue group to care for me. Dad knew better though. As soon as Mom caught me he knew she wasn't going to want to give me up. That was over two years ago! Mom named me Chloe after the place where I was found. The building I lived under is a courthouse (C) and it is surrounded by four streets named Hickory (h), Locust (l), Oak (o), and Elm (e).

I was absolutely terrified of people and it took Mom a long time to get me to trust her. She bribed me with lamb flavored baby food and other yummy treats. She also sat in the bathroom with me where my cage was and would read out loud and left the radio on for me when she wasn't around so that I'd get used to human voices. I slowly started to trust her, but it was really my big sister Lucy who helped me know it was okay. I was her little shadow from the start. I followed her everywhere and felt safe with her. I learned though her that Mom and Dad are pretty cool. Now I'm Mom's baby, and I loooove to be cuddled by her. I have her totally wrapped around my little paw. She and I have a very special bond.

Okay, well I guess I'd better go. Lucy is starting to doze off, and if I pounce on her now it will be extra fun!

More Snow (Yay!) and TV Watching

So you know how I was so excited on Thursday about the snow? Well, I woke up Friday morning to even more snow. Whoo hoo! It was great. Mom and Dad were home all morning because there was ice on the roads near our house, so they took me for a long walk on the greenbelt behind our house. I was so excited to see even more snow! I had to roll around in it a bit before we started our walk.

(I wish it was even deeeeeeper so I could really bury myself in it!)

Mom tried to get a picture of my face, but I was too busy looking in the direction of our walk. We're going that way, right?

I was kind of tired out after the walk, so I needed a bit of a cool down. This snow stuff is great!

Sadly, the snow had pretty much all melted away by Friday night. What a bummer. After such a let down I needed some time to veg in front of the TV and forget my disappointment about the snow. Luckily, there were dog agility competitions on! Now, I'm not much of a television watcher really. I generally prefer to nap when Mom and Dad are watching boring human shows. But shows with animals...that's a different story. So I settled down with Mom on the floor (on her lap, of course) to watch the dogs compete.

First we watched the flying disc competition. That Border Collie was great. My cousin Summer is a Border Collie, but I don't think she can catch a disc like that.

Later came the Small Dog Agility. As you can see, I was not as impressed with this part. Bring back the big dogs!

Finally...my favorite. The Diving Dog competition. And, although you probably can't see it in this picture, there's a Golden competing! I was of course rooting for him to win.

I've never had the chance to try anything like that. Mom and Dad haven't been able to take me swimming anywhere to see if I really like swimming or not. I know, I'm a retriever, so I must! I do like the water. I have a doggie pool that Mom and Dad would fill up for me when it was hot, but it's not deep enough to swim. I mostly just got in and laid right down in it. That's exactly what I did at a hot dog eating contest in October. The humans threw pieces of hot dog into a kiddie pool and the dogs were timed on how fast they ate the pieces all up. I didn't wait for the hot dogs. I got right in the pool and promptly laid down in it. Everybody laughed at me. I don't know why. It was hot! I was being the smart dog that I am and was just trying to cool off. I probably would have won that hot dog eating contest, but then the Doberman who went after I did snarfed those things up way faster. Darn. Next year maybe. Hmmm, I think I should start training now. I'd better go tell Mom to stock up on the hot dogs, because I want a lot of practice!

My Adoption Story

So today I'm doing two posts. I was going to just write about how Mom and Dad adopted me, but then it snowed, so I had to include that too! Here is the story of how I came to live with my family:

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Mom and Dad were looking for a doggie for a few months but hadn't found one that fit their needs. See, they already had three kitty cats and didn't want to bring a dog into the family unless they knew that the dog had a history of living peacefully with cats. My sisters (the 3 kitties) are like their children, so they not only felt extremely protective of them for their phsyical safety but also wanted to find a dog with a gentle and mellow personality so that the cats would be as comfortable as possible. For that reason they wanted a dog who was older and therefore more mature. They looked and looked, but didn't find any dogs that fit the bill. The hard part about adopting a rescue is that a lot of the time there is no background information available and they wanted to be sure that their new dog was good with cats.

After a few months of going to adoptions at Petsmart and looking online at Petfinder.com they still didn't have any luck. Then in June my mom got a call from her friend who told her that her friend's fiancee worked with someone who was looking for a home for her Golden Retriever (that's me!). She said she had moved from a house with a big yard to an apartment and said she didn't feel she could keep me anymore. She was going to take me to the pound if she couldn't find a new home for me soon! I don't know why. There are lots of rescue groups out there and I am sure that a Golden Retriever rescue group would have made sure I found a good home. Anyway, after a visit and more discussion Mom and Dad decided to bring me home. I was perfect for them, if I do say so myself. Mom and Dad took things really slow with introducing me to the cats and it took them a while to feel comfortable around me, but now we all get along great. Not that they come and snuggle up with me or anything, but they do their thing and I do mine and that's how we all like it.

My former mom did a very good job socializing me and giving me some basic training, but she neglected my health. She said she "forgot" to bring my vet records when she met up with Mom and Dad to give me to them. They later found out that she didn't forget, she just didn't really have any. She took me for my first couple of rounds of puppy shots when I was a baby but after that no more vet visits. I wasn't on any heartworm medication and I had never had a rabies shot! Mom and Dad took me to the vet right after they got me and luckily I had a clean bill of health. Now of course I am up to date on all my shots and am on heartworm, flea, and tick preventative. I also got neutered and microchipped.

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Here is a picture of me right after my surgery. My sister Lucy is checking me out.

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This is me sitting on Mom's lap just a couple of days after they adopted me.

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(I LOVE to sit on people. If you are on the floor, then I am on you. I kind of forget how big I am sometimes.)


And that is my adoption story.

It's Snowing!

It's been snowing all afternoon at my house! We live in Texas, you know, so snow is a rare thing, but I LOVE the snow. Mom took some pictures of me in the yard today. Those of you who live up where it snows all the time will think that it looks pretty sparse, but for me it's a lot!

Here is a picture of me after I first went out. I had to do some good sniffing and looking around before I did my, "Hooray it's snowing" run around the yard.

After running around like a wild man, I settled down to take in the beauty of the falling snow (and the birds sitting on my fence).

After all that playing and sitting in the slushy snow I was pretty wet, so Mom made me wipe my feet when I came inside.

I wish it snowed more often! Of course, I guess I would have to endure more frequent paw wiping, but I think I could deal with that.