It's that time of year

Poor Charlie. He feels the heat more than the other boys. He prefers the temperature to be about 32 degrees. He'll sit out in the backyard all day if I let him. Snow or no snow, just enjoying the temperature. It's been in the 80's here this week, and muggy. We finally had central air installed (for Charlie) on Tuesday. We've been in this house for 5 1/2 years. We had the furnace part installed when we got the new furnace, but did not install the compressor until this week. Charlie is in heaven! He has camped out by "his" register and of course is not sharing. Doesn't he look happy?

Charlie got combed out today as well, halfway at any rate. He gets combed regularly, but there is one day every year where the ,majority of his hair decides to come out. Today was that day. I got his back and sides done today and he lost patience. I can't blame him, we were working at it for almost 2 hours. I wouldn't like someone pulling my hair for that long. I could have shaved the 3 little dogs and still not gotten this much hair. You can see Petey trying to sneak through. That hair is packed in that grocery bag.

Combing Charlie always reminds me of my maternal grandmother. We had a white dog with longer hair growing up (Angel). Grandma Mikki was a weaver and she was always asking for Angel's fur to weave into something. Angel was not as big as Charlie is and didn't have as much hair. I don't think Gram ever got enough to do anything with. I think of them both as I work on Charlie. He surely would have enough to give to make something out of.

Bailey is coming along. He is learning his manners fairly quickly. His biggest problem is remembering he cannot do whatever he likes at our house. Mostly he likes to pester Charlie. So, Bailey knows how to sit and lay down. He's learned to do his business outside most of the time. I was holding him in my lap last night. He was almost sleeping. Next thing I know, my shorts are getting wet! Seems Bailey got a little too relaxed. I was laughing so hard, I couldn't yell at him. He surely didn't mean to do that.

The other little boys have accepted him. They have been chasing each other around the yard. I think Bailey has found his place in our little pack.

Here's Boo helping me pack for my sister's wedding and Petey looking as cute as ever.

His name is Bailey!

If there was ever any doubt before, I'm sure about it now. I must be crazy.Honey and I have decided to adopt another dog. This time an 8 month old puppy. His name was Morgan, but we have changed it to Bailey. He is a rescue dog. He was not abused, but was certainly neglected. He is a Shih Tzu who came to us by way of Honey's sister. Here is his before picture. We went to the vet and got his shots and then on to the groomer. What a difference a haircut can make. He weighed in at 10.5 pounds at the vet and 9 pounds after his cut. Amazing!

So much to learn. He was litter box trained, but not house broken. He also had no manners, none of the things you would expect from an 8 month old. No sit, stay, or down. No leash training, just a lot of energy. Soooo, we have been working on Bailey's manners. He is doing great by the way. He has that willingness to please that I must say Charlie (my Pyrenees) never really had. Bailey is almost potty trained now, although he still occasionally forgets he's not allowed to mark in the house. That is becoming less and less often. He can sit and lay down. He will wait at a door when you open it and he's starting to get along with the other boys. Initially he did not care to run with the pack, that is also changing.

He's the sweetest little thing when he's not getting into trouble (like any puppy). I'm so excited and have such high hopes for him.

The puppy bed

So why is it dogs are never happy with what they have? They always want what the other dog has. Petey and Boo have been pretty good about sharing their bed. It's hard to tell in this picture but BooBoo is on the bed behind A and Petey. Well, recently the boys have decided they both want the bed to themselves. Typically the late comer (meaning the one who didn't get settled in the bed first) will get up on the couch and snuggle into the blankets. Not a bad choice. We have a down filled throw that has become the all-time favorite. Now, they will snuggle into the throw, but keep an eye on the bed. If it has been vacated, it certainly doesn't stay that way for long. Boo has gotten so that he will come get me if Petey is in the bed. Silly boy, I'm not kicking him out. You have to be a little faster. Well, they learned that as well. We frequently have a race now. who can get in the bed first. I would get another bed if I thought that would solve the problem. Those silly little boys will decide one is better than the other, just like the bed has somehow become better than the blanket.

What have we been up to?

I'm still trying to figure that out. I looked at my last post and realized it was 2 weeks ago. Where have I been? Well, the weather FINALLY turned and it has been nice. It's been in the high 60's and low 70's. The boys and I have been out for walks every night, cleaning up the yard, all those spring requirements.

Charlie and Cleo have been shedding up a storm, so I've been trying to keep up with them as well. Not that Cleo will let me comb her willingly. Cleo (Poops for short) is Charlie's cat. In a previous life Charlie and I would travel the country together in a pickup truck and trailer, working the motorcycle shows. When I decided to stay home and get a real job, Charlie would get lonely when I went to work. He would just HOWL when I left every day. So, remembering that dogs are pack animals, we got him his very own cat. No more howling, just like that. Amazing. Now, Poops was a friendly cat, once upon a time. She was little then. We got her from the pound and at about 10 weeks old. She is very playful, but doesn't like to be held (or combed). She will let me pick her up for about 2 seconds, mostly until she realizes what I am up to. She'll let me pet her when she is waiting for a meal. She will play with me, for as long as I want to play and she will sleep with me and the little boys every night. She adores Charlie though. She will rub up against him, lay down between his front paws, purr for him. She greets him at the back door when he comes in. Cleo is just Charlie's cat and that's all there is to it.

Spring Hearts

I've been playing with my sewing machine again. I suppose that's to be expected. I heard about this technique to make applique pieces so I thought I would try it out on these little hearts. I have a little coat in mind. Poor BooBoo may have to made a girl's coat. I think he's man enough to handle it though.

We're headed out to clean up the yard today. There are still quite a few winter leftovers to get picked up, branches and stuff. I need to start figuring out my vegetable garden. You know, how big to make it. How many tomato plants I need (and that is need you know). What else besides the tomatoes, if anything, and how to keep the boys out of the garden. I think they appreciate how it smell of the vegetables growing. I'm most concerned about Charlie though. I'll have to keep an eye on him. I think he can still see a little bit, but I hate adding new things or moving things around in his environment. He's sure to run into them.

The boys are resting now after a wild romp outside. Well, Charlie is anyway.

We're making a baby quilt

It's just a little one for baby Maggie. If it gets too big, she will get lost in it. I bought some very soft fleece backing for it. Pink, of course, with roses on it. The boys have been trying it out the past couple days just to make sure she will like it. I suppose I should go back and get some blue for Goliath so he doesn't get jealous. Although, probably not with roses.


It's almost peak walking season and the boys are getting restless. We've been playing the In and Out Game quite a bit in the last day or so. Well, except for when it's raining (here's the rain face). They race out and around the garage to see if Nova Next Door is out. If he is, they start the race up and down the fence and barking. If Nova is not out, they start barking for him to come out. Yup, it's time to start walking them more.


Last year, Petey needed the exercise. He was up to 18 pounds. Now, he's a good size shih tzu to begin with so don't be alarmed. He's down to his fighting weight this year. He's back to 15 pounds again. It must be all that up and down the stairs with me. Boo is not so ready to follow me around, not until he's sure I'm staying somewhere. Petey follows me everywhere. Even the scary basement.


I think Boo prefers to race around the first floor. He'll come in and start running. Poor Petey doesn't have a chance of keeping up with him. I think if Boo had a little more room, he could run up the sides of the couch. Probably a good thing he doesn't have the room to build up that kind of speed.

Raincoats

I'm sure I have mentioned how much the little boys like the rain. Charlie is not a big fan either, but he tolerates it. I think it takes longer to get through his double layer coat. Petey and Boo, make no bones about it. They do not like going out in the rain. They will get all excited about going out, running to the back door...until I open it and they can see what is going on out there. At this pint they will turn tail and clear out. I have to hunt them down again and force them to go out. THEN, they will stay on the back steps and look forlornly at the door. Can you imagine the cruelty? They might find their way under the steps, if they really have to go. Usually not though. They will typically stare at the door, waiting for it to magically open.

So, (heavy sigh) I have made the little boys raincoats. They are sooo cute, well I think so anyway. I'm not so sure they think so. We'll have to work on this a little. I don't think they will understand right away. Yes dear, the coat will help keep you from getting wet. Yes dear, you can see with the hood up. we had a practice walk over to see Diane Next Door. That went well.

Then in our own back yard! Penny came out. (She's the little copper colored, long-hair wiener dog behind us). The race along the fence was on! Up and down, up and down. What great fun! Petey, however, lost his coat in the scramble. It was like Peter Rabbit trying to get away from Mr McGregor. I'll guess I'll need to make a few minor adjustments.