Week in Rewind: June 15

Here comes the Sun. Pretty ironic song that came on while walking the dogs. Why, you might ask?  Because it's pretty darn wet and cool. In fact, the humidity is so bad that there is a mist level. And Bella's fur, no likey.

Each of the girls has distinctive fur. Mattie has the best and it lays perfectly. Trojan can easily become a big puff ball...I swear when wet, she's half the size.  And Bella, well, she's our wooly monster. Funny that the same breed can have such differences. And yes, we do trim them up in summer...a big no no by some breeders. But honestly, we would never make it through otherwise

So, I was watching 60 minutes on Sunday and the amazing story about dog intelligence and their ability to make inferences. It turns out, dogs are like 4 year olds and each has a different type of intelligence just like humans. I, for one, have witnessed this first hand. 

Trojan has always been very smart and does anything to please. Ask to retrieve the ball, and she's off. Mattie is more of my rebel.  Ask her to do something and you can see the cunning response in her eye

Bella is my problem solver. Screen door shut..watch how I open it

So, when you combine the wit and determination of all three...watch out

It's been over a month now since transitioning to home cooked meals. The girls really seem to like it. Little time consuming on my part, but I attempt to minimize by cooking double and freezing the second. Trojan definitely is doing well...but there are signs more tired...but then again, she is 10 in human years.  She still sparks up when I get home.  And loves her walks. I've grown more aware when she's next to me. Her heart still bears strong...and for that Im thankful.

Week in Rewind: June 11

We are full steam ahead into summer. The first heat wave means early morning walks and dips in the pool.  I still remember the day Trojan accidentally fell in the pool. Pure instincts took over and she doggy paddled to the steps...but not before a few wayward turns. That's when it dawned us...the pups can swim. Ironically, Trojan, my skittish dog, loves the pool. Bella tolerates it. And Mattie is a wet mess.  It keeps them cool on these hot summer days

Notice the red saddle bag on Mattie?  When first looking into the fence, we made sure the dogs wouldn't fit through it. So that first day, we let them out to run loose. And run loose they did, happily chasing each other. That is until Miss Mattie discovered the fences perimeter. She charged to the back and made her way all the way around it...like a prisoner looking for a way out. Which should have been our first clue.  As we watched, laughing that there was no way out, we watched in horror as she simply bullied herself through it. And the next thing we knew, the escape artist was on the wrong side of the fence. Now really, there is only one real option in this situation...pretend like hell that everything is ok (but under your breath cursing luck), casually making your way to her.  So, we proceeded with caution.  As we got closer, that intuitive little monster knew something was up...and off she went.  The little stinker has some serious jets.  She was caught after we dove for her...this after a chase around a neighbor's house three full times.  You want a real work out?  Chase a loose dog through the development in pure panic....at one point, tired and broken, I succumbed to the idea that it was the end. She was destined to live her life outside the confines of her prison. But alas, we caught her.  And the little stinker will forever be destined to wear a red saddle bag...like a prisoner with a home monitor. That will show her!

Week in Rewind: June 4

It's all about the positioning.  The positioning.  No pushing. It's all about the positioning. The positioning. No pushing.

Seriously, it's all about the positioning with the girls, while we are in bed.  Each night, the three of them jockey for the single best spot next to mommy.  And some nights there are multiple maneuvers until that spot is found. Once we settle in, it's every women/dog for themselves...and god forbid if I have to pee during the middle of the night....because it all begins again...and worse, sometimes it leads to a chain reaction of dog potty breaks.  (Nothing worse than a 2am potty break with Mattie suddenly awake and energized.).  Meanwhile, on the other side of the bed, the hubby sleeps perfectly free of the chaos. Just how did this happen???

And don't get me started with the snoring. It starts as a small rumble (like bees making their way to pollen)...but after midnight we gonna let it all hang out. My goodness, who knew three little things could snore that loud.  As for Trojan and that bad MVD, she may snore loudly but that heart rate still slows way down to a nice resting pace. And to be honest, I like her closest to me so can feel that beating heart. Be still my beating heart...and yes, she's not beyond pushing one of those siblings out for prime positioning.