Baby It's Cold Outside

shopping at Mud Bay

I can't believe it's so cold.  Our little pond is frozen all around the edges and there's ice on the rocks.  I've been able to crush down the ferns by rolling in them and they actually stay down.  Mom has to bring the hummingbird feeder inside at night since it won't thaw during the day and those poor little guys need the sugar water...there aren't any flowers left for them to feed from.  I even got a new coat with puppy dog feet all over it, Mom made it reversible...isn't that special...naturally for a special dog. I wore it today when we went to Mudd Bay to buy a new pooper scooper...after 30 years the old one had just rusted apart.  Last time I went to Mudd Bay, I got lots of treats from the people there but this time I only got one! Did try to do some shopping for myself in the barrels they have that are just chock full of cookies but Mom made me move along.

my new coat

After Mudd Bay we went to Starbuck's.  I never get to go in there because it's a place with food so Mom came out and let me out of the car to do a little bit of obedience work on the sidewalk.  Now this is becoming something new.  Last week she took me to a shopping center and we did some work there and just kind of wandered around.  Once again, I couldn't go all the way to the end because there are eating places.  Don't get that!  Maybe they think I'll try to snatch some kid's food or something.  Not me!  I'm a good girl.  The shopping center had these machines that kids ride; Mom said you put money in the slot and the thing rocks or slides or does some stupid thing.  Kids love them. I DO NOT! They make scary sounds.  Of course Mom had me walk by them a few times.  I'm thinking she's going to take me back there.

helping with leg lifts

Sunday was just the coolest day ever!  We went to a Porti party!  There were only a few people there when we arrived so I got to run around with a dog named Betty while things were being set up.  Then Dad took me outside into this BIG fenced place where there were about 3 others like me and more just kept coming and coming!  I was chasing this one little brown girl named Pearl around and believe it or not she was way faster than me!  There was another brown boy named Maui who belongs to this lady from Dad's sailing group.  I guess this was the first time her friend had seen so many of us together.  They stayed through the meeting and party.  Sarah and Mom were running an obedience ring so Mom thought it'd be a good idea for me to try it.  The things I do best are: a
very fast recall,  good sit (for 1 min with Mom across the ring) and a good down (for 3 min with Mom across the ring).  Gotta work on heeling and keeping up, but there are just so many good smells on the ground.  Remember...I've been tracking! And besides, I have to keep her busy.  What would she do without me around?  Sit on the couch and read.

Monty's new bowl

I am helping her with her exercises for her knees.  When she gets on the bed to do them, I hop up and hold down her upper legs or lie on her stomach.  I think it's a big help because she keeps telling me "good girl".

Monty got this special bowl to eat out of...it's supposed to slow him down because sometimes he almost chokes he eats so fast!  Mom's been timing him...he went from 1min 45.19 seconds to 2min 39.64 seconds.  Guess that's good.  All I know is that I finish before he does now.

If I don't get back to you, have a Merry Christmas!

                                                               Juno