Roxy Makes a Good Bed Warmer

Yesterday, our dog Roxy joined my husband on the bed and did a great job keeping my side warm for me until I came.  She went in her own bed before I even cam in, such a good girl.

Fun Times During These Hot Days! by Roxy

I am the one on top of the obstacle.

It's been so hot lately, in the 90s every day this week, that my mom decided to take me to doggie day care so I can be more active.  Otherwise she figured I would just lay around the house
ALL day.  She takes me on an early morning walk and then drives me to doggie daycare.  I like it very much.  It's fun to be with so many other dogs and have a big place to walk and run around in (my house is quite small).  There are two big indoor spaces and the outside space has shade in the morning, an obstacle to climb on and a pool.  I have not gone into the pool yet but like watching some of the other dogs play in the water.  Although it is hot, I am definitely more active at doggie daycare than I would be if I were at home.  I am not big on walking outside when it is upper 70s or higher.

I recommend doggie daycare to all dogs.  Woof!  Woof!

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Hunting Success by Roxy

My mom calls me Wild Thing and Nutso sometimes when my wolflike-features arise.  I was so happy on my early walk yesterday and today because I finally actually caught my prey.  Yesterday I got hold of a chipmunk on the way to the park.  Mom was very mad that I went for the chipmunk even though I didn't actually kill it.  It ran away when I dropped it but mom said I was mean.  Then she reminded herself that God made me with these instincts and I was just doing what God made me to do.  I think she was mostly disappointed in herself for not protecting the little cute chipmunk better--after all, she was holding my leash.

I am so proud and happy!

I almost got a squirrel on the way home when I jumped up a tree at full height, but it managed to get higher before I got him.  Sorry no picture, mom didn't have her camera with her. 

Today, dad was holding the leash when I rummaged in the bushes and caught a sparrow!  That one I did kill.  Maybe I should be nicknamed killer, although I don't look mean, do I?

I felt like celebrating so when mom and dad went out for about an hour to play Pickleball, I went after mom's fury black slippers that were ontop of her dresser.  I had great fun tearing apart the one and was ready to start on the other when they came back and went crazy yelling at me calling me a very bad dog.  I didn't get pet by either one of them and both of them yelled at me and kept at it until dad finally decided to take me for a walk to the mailbox.  I am in big trouble now--I may need to find a new home.  Mom did say she was glad no screens were ruined, but that from now on I have to go in my den (cage) when they leave because I can't be trusted.

I only slipped up today.  She had those slippers there for a long time.  She got them after I tore up her other pair of slippers like these.  She mentioned something about them costing $70--they are Indian moccasins that she liked a lot.  I think she should let me have the other one too.  What good does just one slipper do her?

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Porch Time With My Dog

I love relaxing on the porch with Roxy after our evening walk waiting to watch the sun set.  Temperature was 52 degrees.  Really look forward to having more porch time when summer arrives!

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My Dog the Exercise Trainer

It used to be my cat who would come around by me when I exercised, but she gave up the job to our dog, Roxy.  Here I am trying to do donkey kicks with my dog under me.  Notice I'm using my one hand to pet her so only leaning on my left hand to do these.

Exercise can be tiring.  This is Roxy's favorite place to stretch out and relax.

Do your pets exercise with you?

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Our Dog Crossed the Rainbow Bridge Last Monday - So Sad!

Dear Abby Dabs,

We are so sorry you dislocated your shoulder January of 2017 and that you were in pain for a couple years. You were so tough and stubborn and we just wanted to have as much time with you as possible. It was so hard to watch you not be able to enjoy so many of the things you used to be able to do. Yet, you were a trooper and still wanted to please us! When you finally reached the place where you could not longer get up or walk through the house even, we knew it was time to say goodbye. Tell Mr. Moe and Manny Boy we miss them too and say "hello" to them for us. We know they would be ready to greet you as you cross the Rainbow Bridge.

I came home from work early Monday and we spent the day remembering all the joy you brought us during the ten years we had you.  You were the best dog we could have ever had and are so grateful to God for bringing you into our lives.  We rode through State Rd. park on the way home from saying goodbye to you, then did the Snow Rd. walk even playing the crossing game in your honor and then we went to Fernhill park strolling down memory lane with happy thoughts of you.   We looked at all the pictures of you we had on the computer and our videos as well.  It was fun looking back over you life with us.


Dear Mom and Dad,

I love you both very much.  Dad, I love you most because of all the time you spent with me and always encouraging me to walk with you and giving me lots of treats--even when mom thought it was too much.  I especially loved our walk to Bartells every day for lots of years where I got treats from Beth and Linelle.  It was really fun doing double high five with Beth and then going on through the park and around Parma High School on the way home.  Thanks for all the porch time with you, too.  I especially liked seeing all my loose fur flying away when you brushed me out there!

When I was hurt, you always carried me around whenever necessary without one complaint.  You both gave me a happy life and a wonderful home!  I even liked Spunky Doodle and Manny Boy even though they were cats.   You even laid with me on the floor when I could not longer get up on the couch or my chair even when it was so uncomfortable for you.  You are a great dad--best I could ever have hoped for!

Mom, thank you for your great belly rubs and hip massages and for giving me the Metacam with breakfast every morning to help me cope with my arthritis.  Also, thanks for the radiation treatments you took me to for a while there when I was still going for walks.  It did help a lot.  I loved all the time you took with me teaching me those neat tricks too.  It was fun!   I know it was your idea to let me visit the nursing homes and I really liked that!  It was fun making friends with the residents and brightening their day.  I especially remember Marlene, Ginney, Apple and Olga because they always had treats for me!

Sorry I barked during the night in my last days, waking you up.  Thank you for bringing the water to me so I did not have to get up and walk over to the bowl.  I am so grateful you rescued me and I was able to live with you for so many years!  I will remember you always and watch over you.  I thought I was a goner when I was attacked by two dogs on our evening walk in Jan. of 2012, but your prayers and faith pulled me through.  I knew I just couldn't give up because there were more good times to have.  After all, I made a full recovery and count the 7 years I lived after that as bonus!  I lived to be 105 in dog years, not too bad!  Don't be heartbroken for too long--enjoy life as long as you can and make the most of every day!  Arf!  Arf!

Thanks to all our friends who sent us condolences and sympathy.  It is comforting and appreciated!

Check out Abby's videos on YouTube at:  Abby's Video Playlist

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Limping Along for Christmas but Happy Just the Same

Christmas morning (cats upstairs)

Christmas Eve morning, I noticed Abby (our dog) came limping to breakfast and walking much slower than usual.  Then when it was time for her walk, she just sniffed around by our bushes, then walked as far as the sidewalk and sat down.  We knew for sure something was wrong so called our vet and they said they had an opening at 9:00 and of course recommended that we bring her in to have her checked out.

We lifted her in and out of the car and the vet turned her leg and neck in all directions and proclaimed, nothing seemed broken.  We increased her daily Metacam dosage to the max allowed for her weight and put pillows by the furniture that she jumps off of to soften her landing.  All we can do is just take her out to do her business to rest her leg and see what happens.

Cookie from Moochie's

I am pleased to report that it seems to be getting better.  She still limps along, but much quicker than the first day and acts normal in all other ways.  For Christmas she gobbled up her special cookie before Gerard even could see it.  We put her new dog tag on along with her Canine Good Citizen tag with her new Links-It holder.  But the present she liked best and that the cats were

Blue Senior Turkey & Chicken Grill

interested in too was the Blue Mountain Senior wet canned dog food.  Oh, she was so excited for that and the cats both came over too trying to get some.  We gave her half on Christmas and she'll get the other half of the can today.

Here's just a short video to show how she is limping along this morning.

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Wordless Wednesday--A Look of Love

Best Friends

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4 Friday Fragments: TV, Exercise, Dog, Question

Friday Fragments is hosted by Half Past Kissin' Time for bloggers to post a list of short things on their minds that aren't really enough for a whole post. I have a few this week:

TV Day

When I was home sick on Monday I had a TV day with my cat and discovered an interesting show I never saw before:  "Sell This House." 

Exercise

I learned this week that there are even treadmills for dogs. Check out Amazing Girl Gets Shelter Dogs Moving to see a doggie treadmill.  I am so tired of waiting for warmer weather to go walking that I started walking around all of our 8 floors before work to get a half your walk in.  Not too many are there when I arrive so I can even sprint down some of the hallways! 

Houdini Dog

I put a jacket on Abby, our dog, when the temperature is below 20, but this week, she managed to get it off while on her walk. I have no idea how she did that because I had it under her harness!  She came back with the harness in place but no jacket. Guess she decided it wasn't necessary.

Which Fish?

For Sunday School this week, our lesson is on Jesus saying He is the "Bread of Life" after feeding the crowd of over 5,000 with just 5 loaves and 2 fish. Since the boys like to eat, I thought I'd bring some bread and fish. Should I bring tuna or sardines? I'm thinking the sardines look more like the fish the boy had.  UPDATED 3/9:  I used some rolls and sardines.  Half the boys actually liked sardines and ate them!  I only had six there when we split up the food among us.  Caleb said, "You should teach at my school because you have such creative ideas and there would be more kids." 



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Wordless Wednesday: Wish He Didn't Have to Go

Quiet time with my daddy before he has to leave for work.

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Monday Mischief: Abby's Fun Adventure

This is Snow Road Park  where I ran.

Hearing about the lost doggie in our neighborhood saddened me very much, but also reminded me of a very fun adventure I had on August 8 of 2009, shortly after moving in with Karen and Gerard  which I thought I would tell you all about today for Monday Mischief.

Saturdays are always good for me.  I was up early with Gerard and went on two walks in the neighborhood even before Karen had breakfast!  Then, we all went to the Metropark nearby.  I recognized the trees along the park road and got very excited!  At first, things started out a bit slow because Karen kept making me wait so I would not pull on the leash, but then I got the hang of it and since I was doing so well, we crossed the main road and continued on the next section.  Now here comes the best part of all!

We went over to a bench to take a little rest and everything was very nice.  Karen was holding the leash, but all of a sudden, like magic, it just came off so off I went!  Can you really blame me?  After all, I never get to run free in the city and the park was so big and beautiful, so much to explore!  I ran and ran and ran down the road and out into the wide open grass.  It was so much fun!!!!

I heard Karen and Gerard calling me to come, but I was having way too much fun and they sounded kind of upset too.  I took off around the bend and had ran free like a wolf!  After a little while, I turned around and headed back to a nice guy who was working on the shelter.  I stayed with him until Karen and Gerard caught up to me.  Then I stayed with Gerard while Karen went back to get the car because they did not trust my leash anymore.

Before my training class at PetSmart, the trainer helped us pick out a brand new red collar and a new red leash that is thicker than my old one.  In our class that day, we worked on the "come" command.  I did really good in class with it!  I even won the challenge against Odot because I came and sat before she did.  I love competition and getting those treats!  Killer and Chewy were both friendlier to me.  We got to walk a lot and I ate some of Killer's treats that were just laying on the stool.  I am a treat thief--ha ha!  Everyone thought it was funny except Killer who was a very small scared dog with lots of issues.  I was not afraid of him at all.

This was the biggest mischief day I ever had in my life and will never forget how much fun it was!   

(This story is on page 32 of the book Karen helped me write using Blurb as a surprise for my dad on Father's Day:  Abby Finds A Good Home!  From Death Row to Adoption.

Joining up with Monday Mischief.

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Leaves by Abby (Writer's Workshop)

It does not make me happy when my daddy leaves me. I always like to be with him but he has to go to work Monday through Friday. I am used to this and do not bark when he goes. When my mommy leaves for work too, then I just lay down and dream about when my daddy will return to take me for a nice long walk.

I am sure to give him a big welcome home greeting at the door when he comes home. We usually go to the park and I see the leaves beginning to change color. It is very pretty. Soon though, it will be too dark for us to walk in the park when he gets home from work so I am making the most of my park walks, sometimes even doubling back! I love to watch the high school teams playing tennis and it rained one day, we took cover inside the shelter at the park with a bunch of nice high school girls who were on a track team! I got lots of pets that day!

Hope you enjoy some beautiful leaves in your neighborhood and you are not separated from your loved ones too long. Woof! Woof!

This post was inspired by one of Mama Kat’s Writers Workshop prompts this week: Write a post inspired by the word "leaves." (We're actually doing two of the prompts this week so we'll have another one up tomorrow and then link up both.)

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AWW Mondays: Look What I Found!

Hey mom, please buy this big bowl of dog biscuits for me, Woof!  Woof!

Two weeks ago Bartels & Busack (our vet) had an open house to raise over $1,000 for three animal shelters.  There were lots of baked goods, mums, and raffles for gift baskets but Abby found this big bowl of dog biscuits.  She got a few free ones, but not the whole bowl.  We spent $6 and won a a $5 discount on our next trip to the vet.  They didn't make much on us.

Find More at pics that will make you say AWW: Aww Mondays and Jodi's Journey.
Also part of Bozo's Pet Pride.

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Look What I Made! by Abby

I bet you thought I was going to write about my big poopers I make when I go out now, but that isn't it. When I had to stay at Bartel's after being attacked by the two big dogs, they helped me make a craft for my mom and dad which they gave them on Saturday when I had most of my stitches removed, so we both got surprise gifts that day! They liked it and put it right on our little table in the dining room. It's a plaster heart with MY paw print in it!  

(50 cents per legitimate comment goes to Caroline's Kids Pet Rescue for February in honor of cat appreciation month!)

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Rainy Season is Here and Gerard's Ready

Rain doesn't bother me--Karen will dry me off

Over the past week or so, it seems like every time it's time to walk the dog, it's raining.  Our dog, Abby, doesn't mind walking in the rain at all.  She'll even took Gerard on an hour to an hour and a half walk in the rain when he had the day off for his birthday.

This is much better!

That's why I bought him a raincoat for his birthday this year.  He had other jackets, but not that were waterproof so he really came back soaked.  Walking in the rain isn't hear so bad if you are prepared for it.

I have a long rain coat too that is really good for rainy days.  It's not very warm, but it's big enough for me to wear a jacket under it.

Do you wear a rain coat?

Stop by Pet Pride for other post about pets.

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We Have It So Tough by Spunky, Manny and Abby (Writers Workshop)

Just so you know, we all like living with Karen and Gerard very much. The perks and good times far outweigh these few complaints mentioned below. The only reason we brought them up was to participate in Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop prompt: A day in the life of your pets...how bad do they have it?

Riding on the Stuffed Turtle, Zippy

Spunky Doodle says my life is tough because:

 

·         I have to wait to be fed last and then I have to work to get my food out of the little Kong.

·         Manny sometimes chases me and it’s a constant battle for me to make sure he knows I am the boss around here.

·         Our humans remove me when I am comfortably lying on the new living room chair.

·         I get blamed for everything that goes wrong around here.

·         Gerard always yells at me to get away if I try to read with him at the table.

(If you missed the video of me having fun before Karen left for work, I hope you will watch it:  Fun Before Work by Spunky Doodle)

 

I'm waiting for my breakfast!

Manny says my life is tough because:

 

·         I can’t go outside on the porch anymore.  My other house used to have a high porch that I could lay out on in the sun.  I miss that sometimes.

·         Sometimes I am tricked into going in the pet taxi and then find myself at the vet!

·         I hate being picked up and sometimes Karen gets it in her head to do that.  It really makes me mad!

·         When I go to bed next to Karen’s legs, she’ll sometimes move them and disturb my sleep or Gerard will pull at the covers and flip me off!

·         When I get all comfy lying on Karen watching TV with her on the couch, she gets up only to lie down again on the bed.  Why can’t we just sleep on the couch together all night?

(If you missed the video about how good I am, hope you will watch it:  My Good Boy, Manny )

 

Starting on a Walk . . . finally!

Abby says my life is ruff because:

 

·         I do a lot of waiting around for my humans—they are gone a lot and won’t let me outside without them at the end of my leash.

·         I do not have any other dogs to play with and the cats won’t let me play with them.  They run away if I try.

·         I am not allowed to curl up on the new living room chairs even though they are very comfy.

·         My humans wake me up at 4:30 a.m.!  How silly is that?

·         Karen put up cardboard around all the litter boxes so I can’t get my cat poop treats anymore.  See:  Litterbox Fences Solve Poop Problem

(Woof, Woof! I have a video too I hope you will watch:  Why Is Abby So Excited?)

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Happy Birthday, Abby!

Today is Abby Dabby Doo's birthday! She is seven but we have only had her two years and what a wonderful dog she is! We both love her so much. She is very friendly and loves to meet people, chase squirrels but if we tell her to not to, she'll listen to us and just keep going along. She is so good about staying downstairs and leaving the upstairs area just for the cats. She does chase after them and they feel comfortable around her. She gets along well with most other dogs and rarely barks--only at certain ones. I think she wants to meet them close up actually. She does great at following a schedule and looks forward to her walks. She is a very good fitness trainer--some days she just takes off and would probably walk for hours if we had the time. We only give her bones for special occasions such as this!

I remember what a big decision it was for us when we decided to get a dog.  I had so many concerns but knew Gerard really wanted a dog and I liked dogs too so we took the plunge.  We found Abby on Petfinder and have no regrets at all.  We are so happy to have her in our little family!  Dogs adjust to schedules quite well.  If you are considering a dog, we suggest you visit your local shelter or take a look on Petfinder.


Abby says:  Karen read to me yesterday and Gerard taped it for their book blog. I hope you will go see it. I was very attentive but lost interest toward the end. It was called Please Take Me For A Walk by Susan Gal.

How do you celebrate birthdays of your pets?

Related Posts you might enjoy:
Disappointment Turned To Joy (the story of when we decided to get Abby)
Abby Demonstrates How To Use A Kong (I didn't know what a Kong was until we got a dog!)
Abby Loves The Park--Especially With Snow
Why Abby Is So Excited
Aha, Abby Gave In--I Win After All
I Was A Hit At The School

7 Things We Learned This 13th Week of 2011 (poll, comments, Firefox, animals, blogs)

Comments

I was surprised to learn from our poll that most people (20 out of 29) do check back to view comments in a day or two after they leave one. I generally don't but did a couple times this week. I usually leave my email when making comments, but not always. If I'm in a hurry, I'll sometimes just use the Google thing which does not show my email then. I guess it is worthwhile to respond to comments with a comment on the blog then so I will continue this practice.  I always respond by email if I have the email address.

We are pleased to say that we got 500 comments during March (No, we didn't, April Fool!) but seriously, we did get 317 so will donate $159 to Canine Lifeline.  For April, we will donate 50 cents per comment to Samaritan's Purse to be used to send supplies and relief to Japan to help with the recovery from the earthquake and Tsunami.

Firefox 4

Thanks to Kathy over at The Junk Drawer, she gave me this link that tells how easy it is to move the tabs down if you prefer instead of having them at the top: How To Change And Move Firefox 4 Tabs. That right click sure is helpful! All you do is go to the end of the tab row, right click and unmark the "tabs at top" option.  (Thanks, Rebecca, for letting me know the link to the post wasn't working--it's fixed now.)

Cats and Dogs

I'd LOVE to go to work with Gerard!

When playing the Free Kibble Trivia, I learned that 1 in 5 U.S. companies let employees bring their dogs to work and studies show that the humans are happier and more productive!! We can't bring Abby to work with us; can you bring your dog to work? This is a statistic that I definitely question.

I also learned that the Detroit Tigers have a cat mascot! I like that!! Now I like that team more! So glad baseball season has started again--now that is the final sign that spring is here!

Check out the pet adoption story contest over at Freekibble.  The winning story will be published April 8.

New Blog Views

Over at April Showers Blog Design I learned that there are 5 new views we can choose from for viewing Blogger blogs. Check out her post: Cool New Ways To Read Blog Posts. I don't think I like any of them. Have you tried using any of these new views? What do you think of them?

Click this link to find more Friday Fragments or link up your own!

Hey, It's Time To Get Up by Abby (Writer's Workshop)

It was cold this morning--good for sleeping, but then I saw the clock and it was 15 minutes past time to get up.! Two things flashed in my brain:  (1)  I'm hungry--time for breakfast! and (2) Then it's my walk time!  I know for sure that if they sleep on, my walk will get cut short and I do not like that!  So, I nuzzled Gerard and he woke Karen up and all was well.  Gerard thanked me but I was just doing my job so I got my normal walk in! 

Manny normally starts meowing which wakes them up, but I guess he wasn't as hungry this morning as usual so I had to step up to the plate!  We all work together pretty well around here.  Still, Gerard says we should get an alarm clock but I think us pets do a good job of waking them up in the morning.  Woof!  Woof!

What do you know for sure? Please leave a comment as this is the last day for comments to count for 50 cents each to be donated to Canine Lifeline--My Favorite Charity that saved my life! I owe them big time! Woo Hoo!

This post is in response to Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop Prompt:  "What I know for sure."
Also linked up to Pet Pride with Bozo.

Can't Let That Pool Go To Waste

Last summer when it got really hot, we bought a little pool for Abby Dabby Doo, our dog. She wouldn't go in it so Gerard finally picked her up and put her in to cool her off. After all, she has such thick fur, we thought she would like it. We were disappointed when she didn't so just gave it up and put it away.  Here is a video of Abby trying it out for the first time:




At the end of a very long hot spell last week, Gerard decided to make use of it:

 

Even I came out and after taking his picture, and sat on the ground next to the pool dangling my feet in and splashing some.  The water was cold at first, but it really felt good on such a HOT day.  Thought this would give you a mid-week laugh.

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