A Poll

Be sure to check in at Dogs-N-More. Chan and I have posted a couple pieces on choosing collars and harnesses for your pets. We also have a poll running till July 30. Be sure to check off your answers.



In our next posts we'll let you know where to find some good deals on collars and leashes and toys. If you have a favorite store, let us know. Everyone likes to find a new spot to shop for their friends with fur, feathers or fins.

Who's A Water Dog?

Our goal for this summer has been to get each of the dogs to the lake and see if they like to swim. None of mine had ever been to a large body of water and although they enjoy splashing in their wading pool, a lake is a whole other thing.

Yesterday it was gray and rainy all day, but this morning it looked like it might be a perfect day for the lake. The temps stayed right about 80 and there was a breeze and puffy clouds. Sky, Tess and Norma Jean have already been there, so today we took Noah and Samba. Of course Morgan came along, because Morgan always goes everywhere with us.


I put life jackets on Samba and Noah. Even though Morgan chooses to stay on the boat, she wore a swimming harness for safety. If she should fall overboard, it has a handle that makes it easy to lift her back on deck.


They were all interested in watching the water as we headed for the cove where they swim.


Doesn't Noah look sharp in his jacket?


Samba was ready to play in the water.


Splash was first to show off for his visitors.


Noah swam right out to Rob.


Morgan, as usual chose to sit on the boat and watch.


Noah swam after the water frisbee.


He grabbed it and headed back with it.


With no hesitation Noah went right into the water, even jumping off the side of the boat once. He wasn't terribly interested in retrieving, but enjoyed just swimming around.


Samba loves to retrieve and she went after the frisbee.


I threw it out a little farther each time for her.


Suddenly, the big surprise of the day. Morgan came off the boat and into the water.


She swam after the frisbee.


She grabbed it and brought it back.


Gracie swims like an otter. She just glides thru the water.


Samba and Splash were swimming out together to grab their toys.


Morgan and Samba have always been competitive. When I throw a ball or frisbee they both race after it, but I never expected that Morgan would try to compete in the water.


Splash and Grace couldn't believe that Morgan was swimming. This is her fourth trip to the lake and the first time she's gotten into the water.


Suddenly she thought she was a water dog and was swimming quite a way out to retrieve her toy.


She brought it back each time.


Now the competition was heating up.


Morgan actually beat Samba to the toy.


The next time Samba was there first.

Each time they brought it back, they started barking for me to throw it again. I threw it farther out each time, but they didn't quit. Finally Rob called them in because we had to start for home.


Morgan was amazing. I never expected to see her swim like that.


She was pretty tired and slept on the boat ride and in the car coming home.


Splash and Grace relaxed in their favorite spot.


Noah was sorry to leave. The lake was a lot of fun for everybody.

These dogs made me so proud today. It's hard to express how much. Having never been in water before, they swam and retrieved like pros. What great little animals they are and how lucky I am to have them in my life.

National Ice Cream Day

Maggie and Mitch, the ones who told us about watermelon a few weeks ago, announced on their blog that yesterday, July 19, was National Ice Cream Day. Rob and I both love ice cream, so this was one holiday we weren't going to miss.

Yesterday, after doggy dinner, we loaded Fudge and Sky into the car and headed for Andy's for ice cream. We decided to give the dog's their treat first. That way they'd be satisfied and we could eat ours in relative peace. It worked out perfectly.

We pulled into the parking lot and Rob went to get the ice cream while the boys and I waited in the car. They kept their eyes on him all the time.


He got each of them a dish of vanilla.


Sky dove right in. Nothing shy about this boy when it comes to food.


Fudge was distracted by the people driving by who slowed down to watch them and called out to us, but he tried his.


We kept them apart, Sky on the pavement and Fudge in the grass.


Fudge is a pretty dainty eater and is slower than Sky.


Sky eats much too fast and he was finished long before Fudge. He was willing to give Fudge some help, but I didn't allow sharing.


Fudge decided this was really good and forgot about the people standing around watching him.

And was it good you ask? Well, here are your answers.


Sky says: It was really good, may I have some more?


Fudge says: Man, that was great.

Rob and I ate ours and we all decided that ice cream is too good to only have it's own day. We should definitely have National Ice Cream Month

Speaking Cat

My dogs understand English a lot better than I understand Dog, but I'm working on it. I understand more than Rob does and I can interpret sometimes for him. I'm pretty rusty on understanding and speaking Cat. My neighbors are away for a few days and I'm on cat duty. Ashes isn't a friendly climb on your lap type cat, but we get along OK, especially if I'm doing the feeding.


This morning when I went over to check on her and fill her bowl, she met me on the front steps, meowing loudly and walked to the back of the house with me. She went to the back door and looked inside. I understood what she was saying. She was asking where her people were and when they'd be coming home.


I sat on the deck with her scratching her ears and stroking her. I told her that her family would be home soon, today or tomorrow. She finally calmed down and decided it was safe to eat her breakfast.


I stayed with her while she ate and she looked up now and then to be sure I was still there.


When she finished her breakfast, she came over to thank me. She seemed calmer and I left her sitting in the sun in her pretty yard.



My neighbors are really into gardening and their back yard is beautiful. We often go over and sit on their deck for a glass of wine and a chat. It's nice to watch the birds and chipmunks playing in the yard. Here's a peek.


This is taken from the deck.


Ashes likes to hide behind these Caladium. I think they provide her with shade to nap.


This one bothers me. I love Bouganvilla. I've tried to grow it ever since I saw it growing everywhere in Trinidad. I can get it to grow, but I can't get it to flower. Please, if anyone knows the trick to making it flower, help me.






This Rose of Sharon was buzzing with bees. I had to take this shot quickly and carefully.


As you can see, their yard is relaxing with spots of bright color. Of course, they don't have ten dogs helping them garden. They have one very small dog plus Ashes.

I am happy to report that Ashes' family is home and she is purring away in the sun. I can put away my Cat dictionary for awhile.