BUBBLE BATHS ARE FUN

With a new puppy, it is always fun to watch him experience new things. Today it was a bubble bath! I had not been feeling the best today, but we still did all our normal and necessary things. We walked Dave twice, which meant two miles each time. We also did a lot of errands and even did some shopping at Jefferson Point.

Tonight after we had gone to one of our favorite restaurants: Italian Grille, we came home for a quiet evening. Since I had been chilling all day even though it was a warm sunny day, I decided to take a hot bath, a bubble bath, and relax.

Dave thought this was very interesting. He watched as I relaxed into the water and bubbles. Then he put his paws on the side of the tub and leaned in as far as he could. He stuck his nose in the water. He liked that, so he then stuck a paw in the water...even better. Next he got a taste of the bubbles. Hey, bubble baths are fun!!!

EVERYTHING FRITZ

How in the world do puppies have so much energy? This morning Dave's favorite past time was to ram everywhere he went. I placed him on the bed while I made it and he ran from one end to the other. For a 50 pound dog, that was far! When he got down on the floor, he again ran from one end of the bedroom to the other...over and over and over. His energy was endless.

Actually, we did know why he was so energetic. He had been in his cage all day yesterday, then after a brief mile walk, a supper of dog food and a run with the cats, he was back in his cage for five hours. We had a very entertaining evening in Hicksville, OH. We started with supper with one of our favorite people, Ramona and then headed for the local theater: The Huber Theater.

Our evening consisted of the Fitzgerald family from Canada. They did the most amazing show of dancing and playing all kinds of instruments. Everything Fritz was probably our favorite of the season for Huber's series. Can't wait for next year to see what they have in store.

GOOD HABITS

This morning I was reminded of another of Dave's rituals. It all started when I was trying to hurry to get ready for work and Dave was in the mood to play. Well, Dave is ALWAYS in the mood to play! I was in the bathroom putting cream on my face. He was begging to have me play with him. I reached over and found some body cream, put it all over my hands and then rubbed his face with it. He loved it. He sat down and licked and licked his face. That gave me a little free time.

Next, I began brushing my teeth. Dave was back. He stood with his front legs on the counter and back legs on the floor. He was up to my waist in height. A very big boy! He loved the idea of water and something going into the mouth. I remembered we had doggy toothpaste for Murphy, so I dug it out along with an old toothbrush. I got the toothbrush ready, and then opened Dave's mouth and proceeded to brush. At the time, he still had many baby teeth and lots of gum area. He thought that was great.

Again this morning, I brushed my teeth...with toothpaste he does NOT like. Then I got out Dave's toothbrush, spread the mint doggy-flavor all over the brush and gave his teeth the once over. Now he has all his adult teeth and they are sparkling white. He even has great doggy-breath!!!

SLICE OF LIFE #3: A DIFFERENT DAY

Today was quite a day at our house. It all started normal enough. Dave got up on time and went out just like he always does. He brought the paper in to Mommy, just as he always does. The one different thing was that he didn't eat his breakfast or have any water. That wasn't his choosing. He was not happy about that idea at all. When I brushed my teeth, he put both paws on the counter and tried to get at the water. I felt so sorry for him.

You see today was his day to go to the vet for surgery. We decided we did not want any more Dave's around...anywhere. I kissed him good-bye when I left for work. Daddy took him to the vet this morning.

About noon I got a text message that Dave could be picked up between 2:00 and 4:00. I was the designated driver to bring him home. As I was paying the bill at the counter, a little push came to my leg. I looked down and there he was. Not the usual happy, jumpy puppy. He looked so pathetic! I took him to the car and drove him home. When he went in the house he immediately went to the living room and got on the couch. I placed his blanket under him and that is where he has stayed. He nods off to sleep and then wakes up and looks at me like, "What have you done to me?" It is so sad.

I know we will have our old Dave back by tomorrow, probably, but right now he is a very sad looking baby!

SLICE OF LIFE #2: Clean Up Your Room!

In the past few years I have learned to love working with kindergarten children. You never know what they are going to say and they are so free. Today I needed to pull some sample writing from students. Naturally, I chose kindergarten writing! I was in an elementary building where I have worked with a kindergarten class, so I went to visit that class to borrow their writing.

In that room was one of my favorite authors...Abigail. Her book went like this: "Yesterday my rom was a mas. My mom, sad...Kegn up yor rom. I keb up my rom. Teu you Abigail. Tuin in."

Translation: Yesterday my room was a mess. My mom said...clean up your room! I cleaned up my room. Thank you, Abigail. The end.

The illustrations were bright with lots of details. when I talked to her about her book she had a picture of someone in bed and another person alimbing a ladder beside her. She said that was her sister in bed and her older sister climbing the ladder to the bunk bed. She told me the whole story of what happened that night. Then she said, "That is my next story!"

I love kindergarten writers...always thinking!

Slice of Life #1: Golden Days!

Slice of Life: March 1st

Again this year I am going to try my hand at keeping the Slice of Life going all month. If you are interested in finding out more, just check out The Two Writing Teachers blog.

Today started off as a typical Monday. The alarm went off at 5:30 and by 5:45 I was up and moving...slowly, but moving. My usual routine is to take a shower and then feed our two yellow tabby cats, Nickey and Oliver. This is what I did this morning. As I made my way downstairs to their feeding spot, Nickey zoomed past me as Oliver yowled all the way to the basement. I guess he wasn't happy that I took time to shower before they ate.

I filled their bowls and cleaned their litter box and slowly made my way back up the stairs. Before I left that area, I closed the door to be sure our new golden retriever puppy, Dave, allowed them to finish eating.

My husband's routine is to take Dave on his short walk to do his buisness and gather the two papers before he comes in for breakfast. As I came up the stairs, Dave and his "daddy" were just coming in from their morning routine. I took the stairs a little faster as I heard them coming in the house.

"Go find Mommy," my husband told Dave. There came that cute golden with his head held high and feet prancing. In his mouth he carried one of the morning papers. He walked right up to me and held it up as if to say, "Look what I brought you!"

How can a week go bad when you begin it with that look? What an adorable baby! Golden Days, indeed!!!

OUR NEW PUPPY

It has been a long time since I wrote. Many things have happened. One of the hardest to handle was the loss of our dog, Murphy. He was 13 years old and he died in his sleep after a month of going up and down with his arthritis. We knew he loved us and would not want us to be alone. So, in December we brought home his new brother, Dave! Dave has helped us get through this tough time. He is another golden retriever and came from Portland, IN. He is now four months old and weighs 45 pounds. He will be a BIG boy! In March he will start Puppy Classes with the Fort Wayne Obedience and Training Club, just like Murphy did. Dave knows he has BIG paws to fill, but he is up to the challenge.

We will keep you posted on Dave's adventures. One of the main reasons for getting back to blogging was the challenge by Stacy and Ruth again this year. Hopefully, the challenge will get me back into the swing of blogging! Nice to be back. Thanks, girls!