Return to Normal

Well folks, life at the Tempesta residence is returning to normal since Brooks was picked up this afternoon. What this means in a nut shell is a few things. The gates in the doorways have been taken down. We don't have to hide in the computer room or bedroom to escape the little guys. But most of all, it means that ALL the attention given to the pets is given to me and Coco. NO SHARING!!!!

I can't complain about a lack of attention. You were a little bit gruff at times and when you growl, the folks don't like to get down with you. I'm so laid back that they fall all over me, even when they had all those puppies. Brooks was the only puppy that we really got to play with and he was starting to grow on me, once he stopped trying to nurse. That was the big disadvantage to looking like his mother.

OK, I'll admit that it felt good to have him tailing us up to the woods. It reminded me of the times we'd venture up in the woods with his Mom. Of course, bowling him over during play was a big ego booster, if the folks didn't catch us.

Ah, yes, I did get yelled at a few times for treating him too roughly. Hey, if you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch. Isn't that what they say?

Yes, Coco, that's what they say, but it really doesn't apply here. He was just a little tyke trying to keep up with us. Have you forgotten what it's like to have the energy and enthusiasm of a puppy.

All of this is just so much chatter. I'll tell you what's on my mind. Our times in the swimming pool have been few and far between since the puppies arrived. Now that Brooks is gone, I'm waiting for the pool to be open to us a lot more often, and I mean A LOT MORE OFTEN!!! A few hours every day at least.

We will have to see what happens. I sauntered out to the family room, intending to take a quick nap on Brooks' bed, only to find out that it's already gone. Not everything about getting back to normal is positive. Just like when Freckles was here, when she got a cookie, we got a cookie. And when Brooks got a cookie, we got a cookie. You are going to have to hone your begging skills or we're going to waste away to nothing.

You called her Freckles, her name is now Molly, did you forget?

Yes, it was just a slip of the tongue. I know her name is Molly......... Molly. Molly. Molly. I've got it now.

Oops, gotta run, it's suppertime.......suppertime.......suppertime........

Labrador Psychology 101

Coco and I are cracking up over the events of the last couple of days. The puppies are starting to go to their new homes and the old man has been crowing about the smaller amount of poop that will be produced. with three puppies gone he expected the "puppy output" to diminish by about a third. Hold on while I try to control myself, I'm laughing so much.

Yeah, that was what the old man thought. However, he didn't take the ingenuity of the lab pups into consideration. They knew that some of the mini pack was being moved to new quarters and figured that maybe it was because they were not "producing" enough. So.......they got together and decided that if they really tried, they could increase "output" by 50 to 60 percent. The result was that the amount of poop that had to be cleaned up this morning was about the same, or a little more, as before.

And......it's a riot watching the old man trying to scoop up the mess with all the pups clawing at his hands and stepping in the poop. I think it's a good thing that we Labs don't understand those words. A lot of this is working in our favor because I think that they appreciate us older, house broken dogs a lot more.

You all should be here to watch the show. I have to surpress my howling with glee as I'm sure it will only drive the old man berserk!

Life After Freckles

Hello from Jodie. Things are starting to get back to normal now that Freckles has moved to her new home. I think Freckles is going to be fine. The people who took her away were VERY friendly to me and Coco and you just know that people like that are fine. Of course, Coco and I are not shy about greeting guests, but some take it better than others.

Yup, everyone knows I'm a licker. It's something I've always done and I probably always will. Some people don't like it but Frank and Olive didn't mind a bit and I really like that in people. We had a good thing going with Freckles. She was an excellent pack member and she was fun to be with. Another good thing is that she had a deep, loud bark and when she wanted a cookie, she let the folks know. They were very free with the cookies while she was here, trying to fatten her up a bit. Well, when she got a cookie, we got a cookie. Nice, huh?

I have to admit that I may have added a few ounces while Freckles was here. I did notice that her dish always held more food than mine and Coco's, but that was because she was eating for nine, at least at first. I also noticed that the cookie train has slowed down quit a bit since Freckles left, but I'll not complain. Coco and I both hope to see Freckles again one day.

That, sounds good to me. We still have the puppies and all that goes with them. Most of the time we're separated so we don't get a good chance to play. When we do, they are a bit uncoordinated so we can't run too much. With all the canine bodies around here, the folks have been pretty good about giving us our normal share of attention. Horning in from time to time to make sure works too.

That's all for now from four legged duo at this address.

I Guess this is Good bye!!!

Today is my last day with my foster folks, Helen and Paul. It is with mixed emotions that I say good bye to my eight beautiful pups, my great friends, Jodie and Coco, and the folks that made this all possible.

From Freckles Blog 2

I will miss Helen and her attention and how she showed me how to play ball. We had some good times together and I'm sad.

From Freckles Blog 2

So, in a little while I'll be going home with Olive and Frank. I met them a couple of weeks ago and they seem like really nice people. I won't have Jodie and Coco, but I'll be getting ALL the attention there, with no other dogs or puppies to share in the affection.

The last few months have been very rough on me, but the last few weeks have been grand and I look forward to this new chapter in my life. I will do my best to make Olive and Frank very proud of me.

Bye to all,

Freckles

WOW!!! What a day!

What a day I had yesterday!!!! I heard Paul and Helen talking about taking me somewhere to have me tutored. Oh! Great! I thought. A young lady like me could use a little self improvement. Perhaps I was heading for obedience training, though they would be the first to admit that I’m a VERY obedient girl. Training to be a hunting dog??? I didn’t know.

So Paul got me in the car and we headed out, only to head up at the place that pokes and probes and gives me needles. What’s up, Doc? Perhaps I should say “What’s up, Vet?” Anyway, it wasn’t too bad at first as I met Diesel, a very handsome Boxer. Then, some lady came out and took my leash from Paul and led me out back.

More needles and soon my head was spinning. Then I slept, and slept, and slept. When I awoke sometime later I had the WORST hangover. Ugh. As time went on I gradually woke up more and more, but was still a bit “drunk” when Paul picked me up later in the day. I think I was glad to see him, but I’m not sure I showed it because I was still somewhat groggy. He took me home and I was glad to be there, but I was STILL not myself. I was afraid to lie down because I thought I’d never get back up, so I very slowly paced back and forth. That was quite a feat when you consider that I was walking like a drunken sailor. They offered me food and drink, but I couldn’t take anything. Finally, I did go to my bed and slept like a rock. I awoke my old self, famished and thirsty. Helen gave me food and drink and now I’m feeling quite good. I have a pinch in my tummy from time to time, but not too bad.


Helen and Paul were talking about my puppies and mentioned that when they get to their forever home they would also have to be tutored. At least that’s what I thought they said. At any rate, I’m having another great day at the Tempesta household with my puppies and my two BFF (Best Friends Forever), Jodie and Coco. More later.

Freckles.