Snow, Snow, Snow

snowy muzzle

Boy howdee...We have a bunch of snow in Bellevue.  I know, I know, there was snow in Bend at my birth home but I don't think Nadine let us play in it because we were so young.  There will be lots of pictures on this blog because Mom says I look good with a white background.  Trouble is my eyes look yellow or green...the picture edit programs deal with red eye but not other colors unless Mom hasn't figured that out yet.

Brenden, Corbin, Aaron and me

I told you we have 5 girls but I also have 3 boys who live across the street.  We visit a lot and Brenden likes to have me do my tricks.  He's really a nice boy and so are the other two, Corbin and Aaron.  Aaron was a little nervous around me at first but he's gotten a lot better.  Brenden came over this morning and asked Mom if I could come out and play.  Mom put me on the long leash so we could watch the kids sled and I could bounce through the deep snow.  Dad came out, stood in the garage and told Mom to let me go.  I did a really fast recall and plowed right through the snow...did it a couple of times, boy that was fun even when I slid on my face because I was going too fast. Maybe I'll get to go out later.  The boys went up to the park to sled and I came in to get the snow off my coat.  No hot chocolate though!

digging

One of the great things to do in the snow, of course, is to dig and I had a go of it on the deck.  It's hard to know where the deck is and where the ground is, but I figured it out because I'm so smart.  Actually I've already shown them my digging skills and didn't even need to have Monty show me how.  There's this neat trick...you dig one hole and while they fill that one, you start another. Just keep going back and forth.  It gives them something to do.

fetching the paper

The other thing Dad's been working on is teaching me to retrieve on command...What's the deal?  They already have a retriever.  Oops, forgot, Monty doesn't retrieve so I guess it's my job to show him how.  Anyway, Dad read about using a spoon with peanut butter on it to teach me to open my mouth when he says "fetch", actually, it's easier to just lick it, yumm. I'm learning though and Monty is too.  The last couple of days I've been taking sections of the newpaper back and forth so they don't have to get up and walk across the living room...LAZY.  Gonna have to let Monty do some of the paper delivery since it used to be his job and he's feeling a little left out.

     Stay warm,

                                               Juno

First Field Trip

This is our group logo

Totally exhausted!  I couldn't even balance my butt on the stairs tonight.  Just had to lie down flat.  Why? you ask.  Well, let me tell you. Like I wouldn't anyway.

some of my classmates

My Pup' prentice group met at Redmond Town Center this afternoon to practice stuff we have to do or know about in order to be therapy dogs. The first things I noticed when we got there were the smells, mm mm.  My nose was just a going.  Mom said it was from the restaurants on the 2nd level. My classmates started arriving and it was very cool to see 11 of us sitting around the center court in our red vests waiting for our teachers Annemarie and Becky.  There were lots of people walking around and they all smiled at us...see we're therapeutic already.  O.K. so down to business...we split up into 2 groups and my group went with Becky to ride an elevator.  This elevator was different from the one Mom and I have been going to but I did O.K. Not great but O.K.  Don't think I'll ever jump with joy to get in one of those things. HOWEVER...we went back to the center court and there was ANOTHER elevator but this one had glass windows in it so I could see the outside and it didn't make so much noise.  Much better. 

I'm watching for my friends

After the elevators we worked on going up and down the stairs and stopping every 4 steps.  Remember, I told you we have to slow down so nobody gets hurt.  There was a little time left so we went in pairs to go in a store and act like we were buying something and then go into the bathroom with our owners.  We went with Charlie, a very young golden retriever, and his girl.  Mom can't remember her name but she's very nice.  We went into a bath shop and it was very warm, Mom liked that a lot.  The smells weren't as good as the ones in center court though...no garlic and meat smells.  On the way back to the car we went into Borders Books and this nice man and woman talked to Mom and admired me.  They even knew what a Porti is!  As I said, VERY nice people.

We don't have a class until March so Mom is going to have to be creative about getting me out.  We might go back to Redmond Town Center.  They have lots of dog friendly places and they are all marked on their directory.  Lake Washington School District is there and that's where Aunt Nancy works.  Maybe we'll visit her since the school district is marked as pet friendly.

                                                          'til next time

                                                                                       Juno

Monty's Turn

Uncle Mike wanted to know why Monty, my golden housemate, didn't have his own blog so I decided to let him have a say once in awhile.  It's his turn today, wonder what he'll say.

4 of the girls



the 5th one

 Monty here, you know I'm of English background and came from Ontario almost 5 years ago.  When I joined the family there was another golden here named Homer.  Homer was a good buddy but didn't really play much because he was getting old.  Last June when he was over 14 years old he went for a ride in the car and didn't come back. I'm glad there's another of my species here now even if she isn't just like me.  It's probably good that she isn't since I'm an oxymoron...not golden, don't retrieve, don't swim.  I am a kind soul and love my family especially the 4 little girls and one big one.  Dad is trying to teach Juno to fetch a dumbell so I shocked him by wandering in and every time he said fetch to me, I just did it!  They were surprised.  With the right incentive, I can surprise them...this incentive is competition.

Juno always wants to curl up with me and at first I didn't really like it but now we are doing just fine.  She does get a little rough but Mom taught her to ease up.  We went to the dog park the other day and Dad took us across the enclosure so Mom could call us.  Juno is almost as fast as I am and her legs are quite a bit shorter.  She keeps up with me for awhile at the beach but then kind of wears out.  Last time we were there we played with a group of neighbor dogs: 2 yellow labs, 2 goldens, an airdale, and Juno.  Sure got her tired...Mom and Dad always say the "A tired dog is a happy dog."  I think it's "A tired dog makes happy owners."

I'll turn this over to Juno for awhile so I can go take a nap.  Just thought Uncle Mike was right...I should have my say now and then.

                                                       Bye for now,

                                                                                Monty

I'm worn out!



Watching


 

Rodeo and me

Well, WOW!  Yesterday was a very exciting day.  In the morning Mom took me to a basketball game.  Not professionals...3rd grade girls coached by my mom's niece, Meg.  I saw lots of kids, Mom's sisters, Betsy and Jacqui, and her sister-in-law Wendy who took the pictures of me at the game.  I was really good...of course...as you will see in the pictures.  The yelling did get me excited but the girls made many baskets and tied the game.  Think I'll have Dad come to the next one.

               


Resting at the game

After the game, I got to play with Rodeo in the parking lot.  He is really fast and loves to chase a frisbee.  Whew...he wore me out.

My spiffy red vest

THEN...I did get a nap but at 3:35 we headed out to Woodinville and Crystal Creek Farms.  Remember, I am going to learn to be a therapy dog. It was absolutely pouring, but  I'm a water dog.  There were about 12 of us young pups enrolled in the training, everything from  little Shitzus to a Mastiff and mixed breed rescue dogs. Mom had to listen to a lot of information and I sure hope she understood it all because I was busy watching the other guys and air scenting every time somebody new came in.  We got this keen little red vest to wear, a fancy new leash and an ID pouch for our credentials, whatever those are.  I just go along. Next Saturday we go to Redmond Town Center to practice stuff, not sure what yet but guess I'll find out. This morning we went to the underground parking place at our library and got in the elevator.  The parking place was empty and a little bit dark, but that elevator, yuck.  I didn't want to go in there but I did and then we WENT UP!  I was glad to get out...I walked around and admired myself in the glass windows then we walked down the stairs stopping about every 4th one, see I can count.  It's important to go slowly so no one gets hurt.  Finally we went back to the elevator and just sat in it while Mom made the door open and close.  I think we will work on that again this week.

Coach Meg and me

               More later...maybe tomorrow

                                                              Juno     

A Change in the Backyard





Was just thinking about some changes my folks made after I was here awhile.  They have these flower beds in the back yard with little fences around them to keep Monty out ( remember, he's a wuss).  One of them is right between the kennels...I love to run around and around the kennels and make the gravel fly, then jump the little fence, dig in the flower bed, jump out and continue my "Go Dog Go" exercise. Welllll, Mom and I went to the beach and when I came back there was a change in the fencing!  A couple of times I made a mistake and slammed into the new fence, oh well.  Wonder what they'll do when they have to work in those flower beds.  Heard them say, "Wonder what she'll do when the sprinkler system comes on." whatever that is.

old fence (for Monty)



new fence















Monty and Me

 This is the frog my Aunt Annie gave me for Christmas.  Monty keeps chewing the "hands" off so Mom amputates them and sews him back up.
That Monty can be pretty tough on things. He has this bear that had to have a leg amputated.  I don't think he would be a good therapy dog!

                                  Later, 
                                                       Juno
                                                                                                           








                                

Welcome to my blog!

Mom kept saying we'd do this blog thing and now she's finally gotten around to it.  I am a Portuguese Water Dog and came from Bend, Oregon to Bellevue, Washington the weekend after Thanksgiving.  That was quite a trip, or so I'm told, slept all the way.  I live with a Golden Retriever named Monty who is really a great guy...he snarles at me but there's nothing behind it. Mom and Dad call him a wuss and tell him to man up, whatever that means.

 Mom keeps telling people how smart I am...TRUE. Just finished my Puppy Manners class...that was a blast cause we got to play with other puppies.  There was this little monkey face pup who had to be in a pen at play time because they were worrried she'd get hurt, I asked to go in with her but they didn't let me.  Saturday I start learning how to be a therapy dog...I think that sounds like a good thing to do.  Guess we go on field trips to fire stations, hospitals and libraries...won't that be cool. Tell you more about it when I find out.

Ready to go

Annie and me

Can you see my eyes?

Just had a bath today and feel great.  At least I did until the clippers came out.  That's going to take getting used to.  Thank goodness they're taking it slow.


                      'til next time,

                                                       Juno