It's Labor Day Weekend!

Chloe and I hope everyone has been having a wonderful holiday weekend!  This is the last hurrah of summer, and the last time to take a summer vacation before school starts.  At least that's what Chloe and I've heard all over the television the last couple of weeks.  So, Chloe and I decided to give Aunt Pat a vacation.  Just from the blog, though.  We're still spending quality time together on our walkies; squishing her between us while we sit on the sofa, hanging out in the living room, etc.

Aunt Pat didn't take us anywhere fun.  I don't count my trips to the Rehab Vet, even though I enjoy them, as vacation fun.  Aunt Pat said it's because it's been so hot out lately she doesn't want us getting sick.  I understand that, but for heaven's sake, the car has air conditioning!  I gave her my best let's "Go For a Ride In The Car" look.  Silly me, I thought that stopping at the car door, and planting my forepaws so she'd have to stop and encourage me to move, would've made my desires well known.  Guess not. Guess I'll have to start barking at the car door next.

Instead, we've continued to help Aunt Pat freeze vegetables...and sample them for quality control.  We've been making a game of it.  Aunt Pat has been throwing the beans, either raw or once they've been blanched and cooled, from the kitchen into the dining room.  I'll get up and run after them.  Sometimes I don't find them right away so I'll have to hunt around for them.  Aunt Pat hands the beans to Chloe.  She doesn't want Chloe to get hurt if we both go after the same bean.  A two dog pileup in the kitchen wouldn't be pretty.  We certainly don't want to add to the Labor Day accident statistics.  

Preserving the Bounty Of The Harvest

I love this time of year!  The garden is in full bloom, and we're harvesting...well, we would be harvesting carrots and beans if Chloe and I hadn't eaten all the plants and carrot sprouts.  Aunt Pat is happy that at least we won't touch the lettuce and spinach.  We...okay, I tried it and didn't like it, so I spat them out.  Whatever I eat, Chloe has to try, so she's not a fan, either.  She'll eat a piece of lettuce or two that Aunt Pat may drop from her salad, but Chloe prefers the grated carrots.  Chloe will paw at Aunt Pat until Chloe gets all the carrot slivers from Aunt Pat's salad.    
 

Since Aunt Pat can't grow everything she wants at home, she goes to the Farmer's market and farm stands to get fresh fruit and vegetables.  Chloe and I would love to go with her to sniff out the best produce, but for some reason she won't take us.  Aunt Pat says it's because dogs aren't allowed at the Farmer's Market, but I'm not sure she's telling the truth.  She has seen dogs there, but I guess the hot pavement and the crowds wouldn't be such a good thing for Chloe and me.  

Last week Aunt Pat came home with lots of green and yellow beans, and carrots, as well as sweet corn.  They smelled wonderful-I sniff every bag that comes into this house to make sure all the food is the best quality...and to see if maybe she'll share the bounty.  Anyway, Aunt Pat likes to freeze the produce, so all the beans have to be washed, snapped and cut up, before they get blanched.  Chloe and I are always eager to help, and I barked repeatedly, err, reminded her.  Chloe did too, if I didn't bark, then Chloe would jump and hit Aunt Pat in the backside, then sit down and look very cute. 

 Aunt Pat got the hint.  Aunt Pat threw us a few pieces of each color bean, while washing them, and after they'd been blanched and dunked in their ice water bath.  I'm glad they got the ice water bath and not me.  They were delicious!  Don't worry, we left a few for the humans.

I've Been So Relaxed...

since Aunt Pat took us to the Groomer on Thursday, I haven't felt up to posting about it.  Chloe and I love to see everybody, sniff the latest gossip, get pampered, and have a nice break from our humans.  Yes, we love Daddy and Aunt Pat,  but sometimes it's nice to have a little "me" time. I'm sure the same is true for the humans, too.  We had so much fun!  We got there before D, our dear friend and "the boss", so there was a little more levity in the air.  When Aunt Pat left, she peeked inside the back and saw Chloe up on the grooming table sharing a bark, err, joke with her Groomer.  Oh, the hilarity!

And yes, the top photo is my "after" shot.  There isn't a noticeable difference from before and after, unlike Chloe.  Here's her "before" 

You can see she's not too thrilled with having her photo taken in this state.  Here's her "after" photo

Much better!  We were both pretty tired after we got home.  Chloe had to lay down under the dining room table to rest even before Aunt Pat took her harness and leash off. 

 Me, I couldn't wait to get my first biskee for being such a good girl while I was out.  My blue bandanna really brings out my highlights, don't you think?  I'm still wearing it, much to the surprise of Daddy and Aunt Pat.

I Got a Package!

When the UPS man pulls up in his big brown truck, it's normally a package for Daddy or Aunt Pat.  But yesterday, it was for me!  Granted, it was addressed to Aunt Pat, but it was really for me.  Daddy went out and helped the guy because there were two big boxes!  I was so excited, I even got up from the sofa and barked!  I don't always get excited about stuff like that, since that time of the afternoon is our usual nap time...and who doesn't enjoy a good nap!

Daddy and Aunt Pat opened the boxes, and out popped this! A new dog bed for me!  This one is special- it's an orthopedic dog bed.  It's made of foam so it'll provide extra support.  I can use it, since I have arthritis.  Daddy and Aunt Pat had a little struggle putting it together, since foam isn't always easy to move.  I went over and gave the innards a good sniff, and wanted to let the humans know I appreciated their efforts.

Once Daddy and Aunt Pat had it assembled, Daddy took it upstairs.  Aunt Pat moved one of the beds that was already in her bedroom, to the den, and Daddy put the new bed in Aunt Pat's room.  I didn't get in it until Aunt Pat got in it first.  I thought I'd let her go first, to be polite, and to make sure it was okay. I let Chloe get in it before I did, because she looked so excited.

  It rained yesterday, and whenever Chloe gets wet, she'll run around the house, and roll on the rug,.  Chloe tries to make drying off a game.  I chased her a little.  But, eventually we got upstairs, and as you can see, Chloe really went to town.

   I waited a little while, but I tried it out.  I even slept in it for a while last night.  It was pretty comfortable.  I still want to sleep in Aunt Pat's bed, but until she lets me in, this bed will do nicely.

Oops I Did It Again...

The humans think I tweaked my groin muscle again, but they're not sure how I did it.  I needed a lot of persuading to come up the stairs to the bedrooms Saturday night.  Usually I'll get a couple of extra treats and maybe a massage if it's been raining or really humid to persuade me to come up at bedtime.  If I need extra pain medication at bedtime I'll get that as well.  But, Saturday and last night I needed a lot more help to get up the stairs.  I was pretty stiff after taking my early evening nap and Daddy had to give me a push up.  It's really just the stairs that bother me.  I'm squatting okay, eating-ask Aunt Pat how I outmaneuvered Chloe yesterday to get the rest of her dinner, and otherwise am my normal self, so I don't think it's anything more than a tweaked muscle.  I go to the Rehab Vet Wednesday, and they said to come in a little early so the doctor can examine me. 

In the meantime, I'm not doing much.  A little light gardening here and there helps pass the time. 

On This Date One Year Ago...

our little Katie went to the Rainbow Bridge.  Although we miss her, we know she's in a better place...laying on her back in the sun; enjoying all the tummy rubs she wants; eating all the kibble or human snackies she wants without any tummy upset or gaining an ounce!  They say everyone leaves a legacy, something that they give to the next generation. Katie's legacy lies in the lessons she taught us.  I know there have been many books written on this subject from other dogs, and this may be more of the same, but a little reminder now and then is a good thing.  Katie taught us to take pleasure in, and to appreciate the little things in life, like a good nap, a hearty meal, a scratch behind the ears, play, a nice walk, laying on your back with the sun shining on your tummy...you get the point.  Chloe and I aren't the same dogs we were a year ago, especially Chloe.

You see, Katie and Chloe were very close. 


Katie acted like a mother figure to Chloe.  She took Chloe under her paw and mentored her in how to be a dog.  In the year that Katie's been gone, Chloe seems to have matured somewhat.  She's a bit calmer and her manners seem to be improved, and we've been seeing more of her personality emerging.  Today, when the guy came to clean the air conditioning, Chloe didn't get as crazy bouncy as she has in the past.  She stood on her hind legs to greet the guy, but she stepped aside to let him pet me.  Chloe seems to smile a lot more than she did, and is more relaxed.  Granted, some of her calmness may be naturally due to her getting older, but I'm sure Katie's presence over the years has a lot to do with it.  Although we miss Katie, I think Chloe has figured out that the best way to remember her, is to enjoy life and those in it.

The Amazing Chloe!

Chloe's been practicing her Houdini impression the last few days. When Chloe and I went to the Groomer a couple of weeks ago, that Chloe got so excited, she slipped out of her harness.  Daddy was very scared, but he found Chloe sitting at the door of the shop, waiting to go inside.  Daddy and Aunt Pat thought it might have been a one-time occurrence, but it wasn't.  One morning Aunt Pat had us out for a walk, and she saw our neighbor at the end of the street's dog, Lucy.  Also, the people who live on the other side of them have a dog that looks like a mini version of Chloe, her name is Zoe.  Zoe was out for a walk with her human as well.  Chloe got so excited, she jumped around, a lot.  The next thing Aunt Pat and I knew, Aunt Pat was holding an empty harness and Chloe was running down the street to say hello.  By the time Aunt Pat and I caught up with her, she was introducing herself to Zoe and her dad, and running around the yard and playing with Lucy.  Aunt Pat I haven't seen Aunt Pat run that fast in a while.  Heck, I haven't run that fast in a while.  A few days later, Chloe did it again while out for a walk with Daddy.  So, Daddy took Chloe to Petco, and she came home wearing this.

Despite her smile, Chloe is less than thrilled with her new harness.  She's tried to get out of it, but so far, hasn't succeeded.  Last evening when we were out for walkies, Zoe ran out from her people's back yard, with her people running after her.  Chloe would have loved to run around with Zoe, but try as she might, she couldn't jump or wriggle out of her harness.  In the photo, Daddy had just brought her home, and she's still excited from the trip.  In the days since, whenever time for walkies rolls around, Chloe tries to get away from Aunt Pat when she holds the harness up for Chloe.  Chloe's taken to turning her head into the bottom rungs of the kitchen chairs so Aunt Pat can't get the harness over her head.  She'll learn to accept it, like I've accepted mine.