MAN IN THE HOUSE!! MAN IN THE HOUSE!!

Hello all! Jodie and I played host yesterday to Buddy, a male Lab-Bulldog mix and it was NEAT having a male in the house. He was only about 2/3 my size, but he was a bundle of energy. When I think of our situation, with me and Jodie spayed and Buddy neutered, his being male really didn't matter at all. Still, it was fun having a new dog in the house, even if it was for only one night.

From Buddy

From Buddy

Yup, all was going well until he wanted to "Mark" his spot on the coffee table. The old folks got him before the deed was done, but he ended up in the crate anyway. I have to admit that he was an amiable pooch and being in the crate didn't bother him at all. In fact, the only time his tail wasn't wagging was when we was asleep.

From Buddy

He was telling us about his situation. His owners in south Florida split up, with his Mom moving to Pennsylvania with her parents. After awhile, he stopped getting the care he used to get and became an "outside dog" chained to a tree and living in a doghouse. Then the "Dad" felt he could no longer take care of him and took him to the SPCA.

From Buddy

And that's when the dog poop hit the proverbial lawn. The Mom found out about it and wanted the dog with her and her 4 year old daughter. Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida picked him up and moved him along the "pipeline". Somebody named Sandy brought him part way where our old folks picked him up and he spent the night. Then, this morning they took him, (alone....they left me and Jodie home....hrump) up to Dunnellon Airport where he boarded a plane for Brunswick, GA. Can you believe that? In Brunswick he will board another plane for Florence, SC, where ANOTHER plane will pick him up and bring him further north. The plane rides are courtesy of a program called Pilots N Paws. This afternoon he should reconnect with his Mom. He's already a happy dog, I can't even imagine how happy he'll be later. Course, he'll have a 4 year old to play with. Wish the old folks would get a 4 year old for us.


I disagree, Coco, a 4 year old is too young. Pulled ears, kid playing in our food and water, not being able to rest when we want. Perhaps we can request an eight year old. That's about all for now. Back to our dreary life of swimming in the pool, playing fetch, eating, and sleeping. Ooh, this is making me so tired.

From Buddy

From Buddy

Me, too, Jodie. Coco here....over and out.

Thinking of our Vacation

We've been home for over a month and we sure like being home. There's the freedom of running around the yard without a leash. There's also the pleasure of getting in the pool almost every day. Not just the pool, but being blown dry and toweled off at the end. It's a real treat, believe me.

You're right Jodie, but it's also nice being home when we can go out whenever we want and come in whenever we want. When we're on the road, we sometimes have to wait a while before they stop and take us out. Then we're always on a leash. Often there are great smells at these "rest areas", but we're rushed along to do our business. At home, we also have a lot of nice smells as there are squirrels, birds, deer, raccoons and armadillos that often visit. We can take our time and smell as long as we want. Then, when we've had enough, or when it gets too warm, we go to the door and are let in immediately. I've got a nice fur coat and I really enjoy the air conditioning.

Here are some pictures of our 2009 Summer vacation. What memories!

OOPS! We did it again!!!

Yes, Jodie and I are in the doghouse again. The day started out fine, breakfast as usual and then we were let out to do our business. Of course we did what we had to do, but it was early and not hot, so we stayed outside for awhile. I am a dog and I have to do what my instincts demand. So I went back to the mushroom thing that smells so nice to me. A quick roll over the thing and I was smelling pretty good. Jodie came over and took a sniff and she did a roll over the smell too. AHHHH, it doesn't get any better than this.

All was fine until we went in. Then Mom had a conniption fit! I can't understand why she hates the smell of the mushroom. It's a natural smell. It's as natural as the green apple scent that SHE chooses to wash us with. I may bitch, after all, I am a bitch, but I enjoy a bath so the "punishment"is not much of a deterrent to us. A nice bath, a quick blow down, and a brisk rub with a towel. I hope that mushroom will still be there tomorrow.

What a Day!!!!

Today started earlier than normal and we had early access to the yard. As I was making my rounds of the "back forty" I discovered a most awesome scent. It was so good that it took my breath away and I'm sure that it's so because Mom took one whiff and it took her breath away, too. Then, for some reason, she took me outside and gave me a bath. Water and shampoo and a lot of brisk scrubbing. AAAHHHHH!

From Dogs

I was standing around minding my own business and Mom grabbed me after Coco and gave me a bath too. I admit that it was nice, but I didn't find the source of the aroma.

From Dogs

In the afternoon, the folks had company and Coco and I were completely ignored. Oh, the guests would pet us from time to time, but we got no attention from the folks. Though I have to admit that we got our supper on time, in fact, a tad early. Finally, when the guests left, we were let out to patrol the premises, chase away any squirrels, and keep the home safe.

Yup, and then we went back in the woods and I showed Jodie the place where I found the smell. I had a really good roll and Jodie got some on her too. AAAHHH, this was good. Then I decided to go in, and scratched the door to get someone to open it. Dad came to the door and he liked the smell too. In fact, I was only a foot or two in the door when it got to dad and it took his breath away. Next thing you know, I'm back outside getting ANOTHER bath. Twice in one day! Is this great or what. After Mom finished the bath, Dad took over and blew us down with the air compressor. This is where the fun ended because Mom took over again and put those weird drops in my ears. Wow, do I hate those drops. What do you think, Jodie?

I'm against the ear drops too. It ruins the experience of a perfectly good bath. There's another thing I've been thinking, Coco, that maybe the folks don't like the smell as much as we do.

Well, I can't agree with you there. That smell is SO AWESOME that they must appreciate it. You know, we smell like flowers now. Do you think we can find the smell in the dark later?

Oh, I KNOW I can find it, I'm just not too sure that we should. I heard Mom tell Dad that we're going back on the leashes tonight.

Just Waiting on Dad!

Yes. indeed!!! Jodie and I are just waiting for Dad to finish what he's doing to our pool so that we can go for a swim. These are the dog days of August, and us two dogs are making the most of it.

We're having a great summer after all. Up in the morning, we have breakfast and then go get the paper and come in for a treat. Play in the pool for a while, then chase the ball. Back in the pool for another stretch and then back to playing ball. SOOOOOOO good!

Actually, I'm the one who brings in the paper. Then I DESERVE a treat. The folks think that if I get a treat, Jodie should too, even though she does NOTHING for it. She's right about the pool, though,.....DEVINE.

AM I in the doghouse again?

We haven't been back home too long and I'm in trouble already. I mentioned earlier how nice it is to be home and free. We go out without a leash and we can investigate the whole yard. Occasionally I find something that smells a lot better than the green apple scented dog shampoo that Mom favors. This morning in my travels I found a source of eau de pew. It was so good that I rolled on both sides. Darn if the old man didn't notice. It was back outside under the hose to get another shampoo. I don't know if he realizes that I'm not averse to having another bath. Let me see..........there's water..........the shampoo...........the rinse.............the air hose blowdown........and the towel dry. The worst part would have to be the shampoo, but it doesn't sting my eyes and does smell pretty good. So, if the worst part is still pretty good, the whole idea of a bath is not punishment, but a treat. I wonder if I can find that spot tomorrow?

I think I may be a more refined Lab than Jodie, because I do not appreciate the rotten stink that she brings in the house. Oh, I'd like another drying and toweling, but I wouldn't lower myself to roll in some decaying carrion laying in the yard. I'm happy enough with the treatment I get after swimming. Besides, when Dad was outside washing her, Mom was inside scratching me. Ha!

Back in the Pool

Around 12:30 AM, Sunday, the motorhome pulled into the driveway and the door opened. Coco and I were coaxed to exit. Normally, Mom or Dad exits first and only after they reach the ground are we allowed to follow, and then only with a leash on. What a treat to just run out of the camper and run around free. Whee!

That's not the only treat, Jodie, being able to walk into the woods alone to do our business is nice also. I wonder how they would like to be led to the bathroom on a leash and urged to go with someone looking on. We had some good times on the road, but it's really great to be home.

From August 5

A REAL treat is getting back in the pool. The Dad has been working on this since Sunday and finally got it to the point where we can swim. You may not realize this, but I have greatly improved my fetching over the summer. Coco could always beat me to the ball in the water, but now I'm a formidable opponent. Sometimes I beat her to the ball and sometimes she beats me.

From August 5

I'll admit that Jodie can beat me to the ball on land, but the only time she beats me to the ball in the water is when I let her. I am like an otter in the water. Jodie does well enough on the surface, but has she ever gone to the bottom for a toy? Of course not! I, Coco, the pool otter, can cruise along the surface or swim to the bottom to get a toy. Sometimes we get to the ball at the same time. Jodie, tell them who gets the ball when it's a tie.

From August 5

OK, she gets the ball, but only because she goes crazy and nearly drowns me. I have to back away to save myself. And going to the bottom is no big deal. All she really does is get lots of water in her ears that requires Mom to put stuff in her ears. Phoey on that.

From August 5

If we're at the beach and all we do is swim, then I swim. If we're chasing the ball, then I mean to get the ball it's as simple as that.

One of the nice things about the pool is that after the dip, Dad blows us down with an air hose and that feels fantastic! Then, we get a great rubdown with fresh towels. We end up pretty clean and almost totally dry. It makes me feel invigorated, too.