Category Archives: Golden Retrievers

13

Jun. ’14

Pups, Party Hats and Linus

I have been thinking about the post I made last night.  The whole pup bday thing really needs a little more description it was so unreal.  I have seen so many photos of dogs (and cats) wearing hats, kerchiefs, shirts you name it, that I keep on trying to get our pups to wear something besides their collars.  They just don’t like to wear anything, in fact they delight in taking things off that I have put on them. 

In the pictures I posted last night one might be deceived into thinking that Bonnie loved wearing her party hat while Belle absolutely hated it. The truth of the matter neither of the pups wanted to wear the party hat it’s just that when I was crazily snapping pictures Bonnie happened to be so enthralled with Belle’s reaction that she forgot to try to take her hat off!

Picture treats, party hats, a very patient husband/assistant, new toys that they weren’t supposed to see yet, and Lucy and Linus kitties who wanted in on the fun but from a safe distance.   The pups found the toys we bought them and they were just as interested in playing with the toys as they were in trying to take the party hats off that I kept putting on them. At the same time Greg is trying to get them  to sit pretty so I can take (cue the music) a most perfect Golden Retrievers with party hats on and smiles included picture that you will probably never see of our pups…

So even though they didn’t want to wear the hats, they still turned 2 years old, they still loved their toys and from all accounts had a happy birthday.

Side note this morning. Bonnie who doesn’t usually like tummy rubs all of a sudden decided they are the best thing since peanut butter stuffed Kongs.

 Linus had a bday this month as well he is now 1 year old,  He still likes to pounce, and bite, and snag you as you walk by him but he is growing up and is learning the fine art of snuggling and is teaching me where he likes to be petted. How do I know it’s a preferred place? He snuggles in for more instead of biting the hand that pets him. 

from our house to yours, that’s all for now!

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28

May. ’14

Changes and Vacation Fun

Well after a couple of weeks it’s apparent that having the crates upstairs isn’t the best thing since cheese and peanut butter stuffed Kongs.

The pups just couldn’t get used to sleeping upstairs especially Belle so Greg and I rethought it and decided to move the crates back down to the dining room on the 1st floor. They went right back to their routine and are happy pups once again.

Bonnie loving her crate!

Bonnie loving her crate!

While Greg and I took a trip a weekend trip to Iowa the pups took their own vacation to Mid-Day Play where they had fun playing and swimming.

Swimming Fun! photo courtesy of Mid-Day Play

Swimming Fun! photo courtesy of Mid-Day Play

It takes two! photo courtesy of Mid-Day Play

It takes two! photo courtesy of Mid-Day Play

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14

May. ’14

Early Morning Tennis Ball Fun

Belle decided this morning that we needed to play with her tennis ball. I was working on the computer enjoying my morning coffee when my arm was nudged and I heard a thump. I looked down and there was Belle looking expectantly up at me tennis ball at her feet.

I threw the ball and off she went to get it. She was trying to squeak it as she brought it back to me, not quite getting the squeak, she dropped it and I threw it again. Bonnie got to it first this time loudly squeaking the ball all the way back to me. Belle looked at me with very sad eyes. I petted her and told her that it was ok and to go get the ball from her sister. She did and the game continued. At one point my throw was off (ok let’s admit it my throw is usually off) and it ends up under the recliner. How much does Belle love her tennis ball? So much that even though she is my cautious pup she totally trusts me to tilt and hold the recliner while she grabs the ball.

Needing a break she takes the tennis ball to her cushion where she took time for some squeaker practice. You should have seen the look on her face when she was able to get noise out of that ball. In the loud squeally voice that means fun to her, I told her “Yea! Belle, You did it!” She then ran to me for a quick cuddle before heading back to get the ball before her sister did.

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10

May. ’14

Margret Abbott's avatar

As I write this I am listening to the clank, clank, clank of pool balls hitting one another. Linus has discovered our kid size pool and air hockey table. His new favorite game is putting his paw in the pocket where the balls are stored and batting them around.Image

Yesterday was a rainy morning and Bonnie was clearly dealing with some rainy day blues! Image

This week brought change into the pups lives, we didn’t think it was going to be a big deal but once again we discovered something new about our pups, Belle doesn’t like change.  We moved their crates to our upstairs hallway freeing up space in our dining room and moving the pups closer to us during the night.  At first they thought it was great fun finally being able to go upstairs when it had previously been off limits.  Both Bonnie and Belle explored our bedroom, the bathroom and esp. their crates which were now in a new environment.  That first night after the last potty time I said what we always say “Ok, pups bedtime!”  and Belle ran into the dining room and looked first at the spot where Bonnie’s crate used to be then at her spot then looked at me with a confused look on her face as if to say “And where would bedtime be?”  I said ” come on, upstairs!”  and up we went.  I had made sure that their blankets and stuffingless foxes were in their crates and in they went.  Both pups were uneasy but Bonnie settled down pretty fast. Belle kind of whimpered then with much sighing settled down.  

The  next morning we came downstairs and began our morning routine.  When the crates were in the dining room it wouldn’t be  unusual for the pups and Linus hang out in the crates so in an effort to make a comfy spot  I put a blanket on the floor where Bonnie’s crate had been.  Belle settled down on the blanket but clearly was still confused. Image 

Last night it went better, although since we have had the pups I have assumed any noise in the night was Miss Bonnie but I am learning that Belle is quite the restless sleeper. I know though that given time both pups will settle into our new routine and will think it’s the best thing since peanut butter and cheese stuffed Kongs!  

 

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24

Apr. ’14

This and That

We have been very busy with the 2 legged people in our lives over the past few weeks. Our son in law’s father passed away suddenly so I spent several days helping out with our two oldest grandsons so the adults could take care of everything else.   Greg came down for the visitation and funeral and helped out as well.   Besides spending time with the kids I got to know our Granddog Patch better.  He is a Brittney spaniel mix with a big, big heart who loves to play.  At 8 months he tops both of our pups and is going to be a big boy.

While we were gone our tax refund check came and it had been placed up high where our pups couldn’t get to it…well we learned the hard way that things need to be place higher up than we thought as Miss Belle decided that she liked the crinkle of the envelope.  Greg took what was left of the check to the bank along with the joke about you know when your dog eats your homework… The bank referred us to the IRS. We are in the process of replacing the check.  Oh Pups!

Easter was this past weekend and we had a lot of family and extended family and friends in and out during the weekend.  Because our 5 grandkids are still very little (6 years-to almost a year) and our pups are still very boisterous the pups while the kids were up and about spent a lot of time in their puppy pen where they had a steady stream of company.

 Lucy Kitty is shy and pretty much hung out in the basement but she did venture upstairs during the late evening hours for her cuddles and gentle tummy rubs.  Linus Kitty on the other hand was up and around the action much more. He clearly favored our 5 year old grandson who enjoyed cuddle time with Linus during our early morning snuggle times.

As I write this Bonnie has been ringing the “gotta go out” chime in hopes that her sister who isn’t quite ready to wake up will go out with her. I answered the summons and let Bonnie out but she wanted right back in so that’s my indication that she wants Belle to go out with her.   Give her a few more minutes Bonnie pup.

Due to medication I am on for a bout of bronchitis I had trouble sleeping last night and Lucy kitty kept me company.  I was in a room and had the door almost shut when Lucy wandered in and upon hearing Linus who wa coming to investigate stood up on her hind feet and shut the door so Linus couldn’t come in.  Lucy clearly wanted some alone time with me, which was just fine.  She is good company and listening to her rumbly purrs serve to help me relax and get sleepy.

I would love to hear about the special 4 legged family members in your life.

 

 

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27

Mar. ’14

Tennis Ball Fun With Belle Pup

Belle and her favorite tennis ball.

Belle and her favorite tennis ball.

This morning I heard the familiar thump, thump, thump, of Belle’s tennis ball. My signal that she wants to play catch. So the multi-tasker that I am, I threw the ball for Belle with one hand while petting Bonnie with the other. When Belle lost the ball under the sofa I moved the sofa so she could find the ball and low and behold we found a treasure trove of tennis balls and chew bones! Bonnie upon realizing her petting time was on hold for a minute came over to take a look. Belle lined up the first three balls for easy access then started wagging her tail even faster, why you may ask? Because she found her all time favorite tennis ball. It’s old but still intact and more importantly is an easy squeaker. Belle is squeaker challenged and tries very, very hard to make the tennis balls squeak. Bonnie is a champion at tennis ball squeaking and continually gives Belle squeaker lessons. The lessons are starting to pay off and the look on Belle’s face when she can make the ball squeak is priceless. Well, Belle just placed her tennis ball on the chair where I am sitting and Bonnie just came up for another cuddle so that’s my cue!

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10

Mar. ’14

Updates and Changes

Cuddle buddies

Cuddle buddies

Since our last post several things have happened.

Bonnie is no longer afraid to jump into the van. Greg figured out a can’t resist treat and played “find it” by tossing cooked chicken closer and closer to and finally into the van. At one point our slightly stubborn pup was up on her hind feet firmly on the ground with her body, neck and finally tongue stretched as far as she could go to get that yummy treat. The next time the treat landed far enough in the van that she had no choice but to jump in. They repeated this several times and that’s all it took.

Belle loves going to Rural King. When Greg gets home early enough from work, he has been taking Belle to Rural King. They walk around and explore the parking lot (she is on her leash) then venture inside where there are lots of people who want to greet her. She is a little cautious when meeting folks but after a couple of seconds she is all about the attention they are giving her. And if they want to throw in a tummy rub, well that’s ok too.

We have decided to switch gears with our training and are no longer attending Canine Good Citizen classes. We haven’t given up on our goals of having the pups tested but have decided to work on the skills on our own and continue on from there.

This past weekend the pups had fun playing and cuddling with our oldest Grandson who came for a weekend visit. When we returned from taking him back, the pups looked all over the house for their buddy.

Last but not least the pups are totally enjoying the large mud puddle in their puppy pen courtesy of all the melting snow. No explanation necessary except to say that I have been waiting for the snow to go away, (Sh…we won’t talk about the possible several inches of snow we are suppose to get tomorrow night into Wednesday or the next system they are hinting about on Sunday/Monday) and mud puddles are a part of that process so pups splash away!

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06

Mar. ’14

In the Beginning

As you know I started this blog a few months ago for our pups Bonnie and Belle and our cats Linus and Lucy.   I have another blog titled Random Thoughts From My Everyday World that have several posts about the pups from when they first joined our family to when I started this blog.  Feel free to go to that other blog should you want to read about the early days with our cuddle bunch.

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