Thanksgiving Pictures!

I know I'm doing terribly at updating this blog lately.  There's just been so much going on...I've finally 'finished' my kitchen renovation.  (I say 'finish' because there are still a ton of little touch-ups I need to do.)  Work has been hectic.  I had to visit the family on Thanksgiving.  And then I hosted a brunch AND a holiday party last Saturday.  I am tired!

I took the dogs with me to visit family last Thursday.  The drive down was miserable.  Owen, Minaki, and Ryleigh were all seatbealted into the backseat, which they did not approve of.  There was whining, hectic activity, and someone got sick (twice).  But they were so happy to get out of the car at the end of our 2 hour ride and stretch their legs!

All buckled in for our long car ride!

Obviously they all love seeing my dad.  He strongly denies enjoying the company of any dog, but it's so obvious that he loves them.  He pretty much does whatever they ask...which basically means he plays with them 100% of the time they're around.  Owen in particular loves my dad (and he's only met my stepmom twice, but already loves her too.)  Thursday night when I was trying to go to bed, I called to all the dogs to go downstairs with me, get down there and realize I'm one dog short.  I go back upstairs and Owen is just hanging out next to my stepmom.  I had to physically pick him up to get him to leave her side.  The little stinker.

Anyway, as can be expected in a new place and with the regular schedule interrupted, we did have a few accidents at my dad's house.  Nothing that couldn't have been prevented if I had been a little more vigilant.

Friday morning, my nephew (6yo) came over for the day, and I had promised him the night before I wouldn't leave until he got to play with the dogs.  Boy am I glad I did.  The ride home was like the embodiment of heaven...everyone slept the whole way.  :-)  But back to my nephew playing...he loved the dogs, and they all loved him.  For those of you who have been following my blog for a while, or who have emailed me lately about Owen, you know he has a history of biting me (yes, only me).  And if that concerns you (which it rightly should), you should just see how he interacted with my nephew.  Granted, he has a dog of his own at home, which he told me has bit him in the past so maybe he just knows how to handle it, but I coached him how to be gentle with Owen.  Owen didn't get defensive at all, didn't growl a single time, and didn't display any signs of fear or anger.  So yes, Owen does have a history of biting, but I 100% think his issue is just with me, not with other people.  And even then, he and I have been working like crazy on becoming a better team, and we are succeeding magnificently.  It's been nearly 4 months since he's displayed any sort of aggression toward me.  I think he'd make a wonderful pet, so I hope someone can look beyond his past and see the lovable boy he is!  Ahh...I got distracted again.  So anyway, my nephew enjoyed playing with all the dogs.  Ryleigh and Owen were giving him tons of kisses, which he thought was just the funnest thing.  Minaki was a little shy at first, so my nephew was chasing her around the house.  Finally I told him if he just sat down on the couch she would probably come over and sit next to him.  So he did, and sure enough within a few minutes Minaki was right next to him.

At one point, he had had enough kisses on the face.  So his solution was
to pull his hat all the way down.  That didn't stop Owen from checking him out!

So that purple rag is Hardy's favorite toy in the whole world.
It used to be one of those long, stuffed, squeaker toys, but has long since lost all that.
Every time we visit my dad's house, Hardy goes right to the TV stand where that toy is stored,
and barks at my dad until he gets it out and plays.
Unfortunately this time Hardy had to share his toy with Ryleigh and Minaki.

Sorry for the poor quality photos...my phone is not the greatest!  I did take my actual camera with me, so if I got any good shots on there I'll be sure to update this post!

Annual Dog-Room Winterizing Day!

Wasn't it beautiful outside this past weekend?!?  I took advantage of it Saturday, and spent the day winterizing the dog room.  I had intended to do it last weekend, but ended up just not having enough time.  So thankfully the weather was nice so the dogs could hang out outside with me.  It took longer than I had intended, but only one trip to the hardware store!  And the dogs now have a cozy room to play in during the winter.  (I know, just in time for this random heat wave, huh?!)

My assistants (from left to right: Ryleigh, Minaki, Owen).
Their duties included: jumping on me while I was carrying heavy things, putting fresh muddy paw prints on the newly cleaned floors, and stealing the garbage I was throwing on the ground before I could put it in the can.  They all deserve a raise.

Lined up during the union required break (from top to bottom: Hardy, Minaki, Ryleigh, Owen).

Ryleigh went above and beyond her specified job duties, and also assisted in digging a tiny hole next to the stairs.

Trick or Treat!

This year, we went as Beanie Babies!  I was worried about people not knowing what Beanie Babies were anymore, but I've seen 2 other people who also dressed their dogs the same!  (I can't blame them...easiest costume ever.)

Minaki was my star, she's the only one who apparently got good pictures.

My Hardy

Minaki again, giving me a Glamour Shots pose.

Owen looking all fluffy.

Minaki and Ryleigh.  They spent most of their costume time trying to eat each other's tags.

Minaki

For about a week or so, I've been letting Minaki sleep in bed with me at night.  She'd just been really adamant about not going in her crate for quite some time now, so finally I just gave in.  Well, last night for seemingly no reason, she just hopped out of bed and ran off.  I thought maybe she needed to go outside so I went to check if she was waiting by the door, but instead, I found she had hopped into a laundry basket full of extra blankets I use for the dogs!  What a goofball!  She ended up sleeping in there all night, then hopping back in bed just before I got up for a few morning snuggles.