One Smart Doggy

Anytime I bring a new toy into the daycare, Bandit has the need to check out what is new. He has to make sure it is not for him, or perhaps he feels it is his job to ensure all toys are child safe and age appropriate....nah, he wants to make sure it is not for him.

When I put this cube on the table, Bandit had to be the first to check it out. He quickly became obsessed. Never mind how many times I told him to leave it, he wouldn't listen. Now, I normally do NOT let my dogs play with the children's' toys, but, Bandit was very intrigued. So, I thought I would play around with it, and really test Bandit on this new skill.

It did not take long, after just a few minutes, I can tell Bandit to touch a particular color knob, and he will tap and move the correct one, (with no guidance from me) with his nose. I shouldn't be surprised, he is one smart boy, and loves to learn new games. At 9 years old, he just keeps on learning, That's my boy.

Tag, I'm It

Betty at http://joyinourlives.blogspot.com tagged me.
So, what I need to do...is go to the 5th folder in my pictures file, choose the 5th picture in that file and post it. Then I get to tag five others to do the same. Here it is.


This is a good friend of mine in another country holding a 6 day old kitten. The mother passed away, and I was helping my friend via email with the proper care and bottle feeding of the kitten. It was a very stressful time for both of us, with our time difference, my mornings were his evenings. I LOVE this picture.

Now I get to tag five others, here they are...

Still Learning

Caroline's Thoughts

The Order Of Disarray

Shirla's Life

Katt Tales

Tag, You're IT!

Jeni, Bandit, & Jessi's Surprise

These pictures are very poor quality. I wasn't able to get any decent pictures of the Aussies or their gifts. They were all just too excited and crazy. So with just a few words, I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

Jeni was the calmest of all.

See her tongue? LOL. That rubber ball makes the neatest squeaky sound.

The Frisbee was on her Xmas list. She loves it.

Bandit couldn't wait for the wrapping paper to come off. He did a snatch and run.

Here he is opening his Teddy.

Again, he quickly left the room. I had to keep calling him back.

His teddy is his favorite toy. He loves teddies.

Jessi was quick. Just a sniff... then

Off she goes.....

We barely got the duck from her to take the tags off, when she snatched it, and ran from room to room. Those Aussies are crazy, gotta love them!

Jarie's Surprise

Jarie was waiting patiently while hubby was reading her letter with a secret clue with who her secret Santa was. Did not take her long to realize there were toys in that box.

She was not quite sure what to make of the blue and white snowman. It was attached to a 3 foot long plastic stocking.

When hubby moved the stocking, it startled her, and she backed away.

With lots of toys spread all over, after opening the stocking, she couldn't choose what to play with first.

A look that says "all mine, and "I'm not sharing."

Spoiled, Spoiled, Spoiled. She had a blast. She was doing the puppy zoomies all over the house with a different toy every few minutes.

Last I posted about Jarie, I mentioned her allergies. We are still fighting that battle. She had a bare spot where she chewed and lost the fur on one side of her, and on her tail. That is starting to heal, and hair grow back in. Although, if anyone else would see her, they would ask what is wrong, as it is very obvious something isn't right. But there has been much improvement. The downside is, now she is getting the same exact bare spot on her other side. It gets so darn discouraging with her. Once we get her well in one area, then she develops something else. I have decided she really is my bubble dog, as she really needs to live in a bubble. Through all of this though, she has been a real trooper, and always happy.

Jake's Surprise

I participated in a Secret Santa gift exchange with the dogs on a message board I belong to. It was so much fun. All the dogs really enjoyed receiving their packages. Each day a different box would arrive, but I wouldn't let any of the dogs open their gifts until all boxes arrived, ( I know, I am so mean). I'll post the others in the next few days.

Jake was so happy. Look at that smile. A box just for him, with all his favorite toys. His secret Santa knew his favorite toys are tennis balls. His next favorite toy is a stuffy that grunts. That hedgehog does just that, and he plays with it all the time.

Happy, happy boy he is.

Spoiled, and he deserves it, and much more.

Jake is doing as well as can be expected. He still has a great appetite, and wants to play. He falls a bit more lately, and his legs are getting much weaker. Very hard to watch, but we take it one day at a time, and do all we can do for him. He is such a good boy, and has been such a sweet soul. He gets a little more spoiled then the others, but I always think as they age and become seniors, they have earned a few extras.

Lacee's Photo Shoot

Here she is. The little sweetheart who has stolen my heart. I have learned so much about her in the past couple of weeks. She is still very needy and clingy. Her paws never stop. Meaning, she kneads all the time. When I cradle her on her back, in my arms, she kneads the air.
She does not jump. I think it may be part neurological, and part physical. She is an excellent climber. While spending time in her cage, she will climb the bars to get up on the shelf, but will not jump. When I have her loose in the room, she will climb on and off the bed, but will not jump on or off.

She does seem to have some difficulty getting comfortable when first lying down, until she gets both rear legs sticking to one side. Her rear legs cross over when holding her. Other then that, she is one of the easiest cats I have had here. Very content to be held and loved on, and just as content to be put back in her cage when I can't watch her.
We did not have her spayed yet. Since I was able to get the shoe lace off her neck, her appointment was rescheduled for the 25th. That has now changed.

All of us here in this crazy house are suffering from lack of sleep. Can anyone guess why? With having five dogs in the house, all spayed and neutered but one (Bandit, because he competes in AKC shows), Six cats, spayed and neutered, and One female kitten, approximately 5 months old, not spayed. Hmmmm........... anyone guess yet? UGH, Lacee IS IN HEAT!

If any of you have not experienced a female cat in heat, well, you are so lucky. This is not fun. Yowling all night long last night, non stop, and has continued through today. We are all exhausted.

Her spay has been rescheduled to this coming Sunday on the 11th. It can't come soon enough. She isn't so cute right now.... well, yes she is, but; I am sooooooo TIRED!

Hello 2009

Hello and Happy New Year to all! Boy, I am glad 2008 is gone and now for a new beginning and welcome to 2009. We had many challenges to overcome, sadness, losses, and changes in 2008, but with those came good friends, changes for the better, lessons learned, and rediscovering who we are, and what is important to us.

My apologies to all who follow my blog, as I have been very sick the last 3 weeks, and really wasn't up to being on the computer much. Having a difficult time just keeping up with all the household chores, work, and dogs and cats, computer time unfortunately is last on my list. I thought I was finally starting to feel better and get my energy back, and then the last two days, I am back to not feeling so well. Not a good way to start off the new year, but I have hope it will be better then 2008.

I have lots of fun pictures to share, so hope to get to posting those soon.