My ears

I have to have my ears cleaned out.  I don't like it very much.  Jim uses ear cleaner and cotton balls and q-tips.  He thinks it is very important that I have clean ears.

 Jim and I did some work outside.  Jim is digging up dirt and I bring him the tennis ball.  He throws the tennis ball over the house and I run to get it.  It is the best game ever.

My Toys

I have a whole toy box filled with toys.  I have plastic toys and fabric toys.  I love all my toys.  Today Jim put my chicken, my duck and my alligator in the washing machine.  They were getting dirty because I chew on them then drag them on the floor.  Now they are nice and clean.  I need to chew them to get them smelling just right.

Shrimp for dinner

This morning Jean took me for a nice hike.  Then she threw the ball for me.  Next I found a stick to chew on.  Then Jean left to help Jim with pictures.  They went out for dinner and had shrimp.  They brought home the little shrimp tails for me to eat.  They are so tasty.  Then we played  more ball.  It was a good day.

My bedtime routine

When it is time for bed Jim takes me downstairs to go outside.  The first thing I do is run to the pond.  There are lots of frogs that like to sit on the rocks outside the pond.  When we go outside they all jump in the pond.  I like to watch them jump in the pond.  After this we go inside and I go straight to my bed.  I do not get a bedtime snack so I have to wait for breakfast.

Hanging out with Jean

Today Jim went to work.  I stayed home with Jean.  We played lots of tennis ball.  It was a fun day at home with Jean.

Another Hike

Today was Jim's golf day.  Usually on golf day I just mope around the house.  Today Jean was off work so she took me for a nice hike on the trail.  Then when we got home I we sat outside and enjoyed the day.  I found a piece of wood to chew on.

Saying Goodbye Again

This morning TJ and Pat packed up all their stuff and gave me hugs and told me goodbye. They got in their car and drove away.  They told me they wouldn't be back until Christmas.  I don't know when that is but I think it is a very long time away.  I think I have to wait for snow before I can see them again.  I had a really good time when they were here.

Another Hike

TJ and Pat are still here.  I get lots of loving when they are here.  I am so lovable.  We have family hugs.

Jim and Jean took me for a hike on new trail we had never been on before.  I was a wonderful day for a hike.   There was a little creek for me to get a drink.

In the afternoon TJ and Pat took me visiting.

A good hike

Today Jean took off work.  This is good because when Jean takes off work she likes to hike.  And when she hikes she likes to take me.  TJ and Jim also came with us.  Pat had to stay back and do some errands and work.  We went to the Lewis and Clark Trail.  It was a new trail for us.  It was a great day for a hike.

A surprise on Saturday

Yesterday Jim and Jean packed up their backpacks and sleeping bags and tent.  I was excited I love going backpacking.  But they left me at home.  I was concerned because I am much more experienced at backpacking then they are and they needed me.  Plus I was worried about how long they would be gone and who would give me dinner.  Then I had a big surprise.  TJ and Pat came through the door and hugged me and kissed me.  I love, love, love TJ and Pat.  They are my people.

My Toys

I have a lot of toys.  I just love my toys.  I carry them around the house and leave them places.  Sometimes Jim or Jean pick them up and put them back in my toy box so I can start all over spreading them around the house.  Sometimes one of my toys rolls under the furniture where I can't reach it.  I just look and stare and whine until someone rescues it.

Golf Day

Jim plays golf many Thursdays.  That means I am home with Jean who just sits at her computer all day.

Jean took me for a run in the neighborhood at lunchtime.  We ran 4 miles.  I saw my friend the husky who does not like hot weather.  I did not see him all summer but now that it is cooler he likes to sit outside.  He doesn't bark, he howls.  I like the husky.  Jim finally came home and we did some work outside.

My Wednesday

Jim left this morning to run errands and go out to lunch with his friends.  Here is what I do when Jim is gone:

That's what I do.  I lay on my bed and sulk.  I waited and waited and waited.  I didn't even go into Jean's office to help her.  Then here is what I did:

I just laid on my bed and waited for Jim.  Then I heard a car and looked out the window.  Jim was driving up the driveway?  I ran to the back door.

Jean let me out and I ran to greet Jim.  I was so happy he was home.

Then Jim put on his work clothes and we went outside and worked.  Jim is digging up the yard.  I don't dig because I am not supposed and I would get my paws muddy.  I helped by chasing the tennis ball.

I spent the rest of the afternoon outside with Jim.  After dinner Jim and Jean took me for a walk.  It was misty rain so I had to be rubbed down with a towel when we got home.

My work

Jim and I spent the day working outside.

Here is Jim's work list:
Replace boards on the deck
Stain the deck
Power wash the house
Stain the fence
Stain the shed
Dig up the yard

Here is my work list:
Chase the tennis ball
Chase the tennis ball
Chase the tennis ball
Chase the tennis ball
Chase the tennis ball

This is very hard work.  After we work we need a rest.

Kettle Korn

Tonight Jim was having a snack.  I usually give him my cutest face to see if he will share.  I haven't gotten many snacks all year since this silly diet thing.  Sometimes he will give me a bite.  Tonight he was eating popcorn.  I don't really like popcorn but I was still giving him the look.  He said, "you don't like popcorn".  He gave me a piece.  It was delicious.  Turns out I don't like plain old popcorn but I love kettle korn.

Beautiful Weather

Jim and Jean got up very early this morning.  It was still dark out.  This means my breakfast was early.  I like an early breakfast.  Then they left for a race.  Jean ran really fast.  Jim rode his bike.  When they came home they took me for a walk on our favorite trail.  There are so many good smells along the trail.  They let me take my time and sniff.  We saw our friend Kathy running on the trail.  She didn't have her dogs with her.  I like Kathy and I like her dogs too.  The weather is very nice.  Jim and Jean even put on jackets.  I have always wear my beautiful coat.

Ribs

Today Jim went to work.  Usually Jean works but today was Jim's day to work.  Jean works at her desk at home.  Jim leaves in the car when he goes to work.  Jim and Jean went out for dinner and Jim bought home a little white take home box.  I always stiff these boxes to see if there is something good inside.  Tonight it was ribs and french fries and Jim shared with me.  Yum.

Another Project

Jim and I always have a project to work on.  When we finish one project we start another one.  The good part is that most of our projects are outside.  I love being outside with Jim.  We are repairing the shed.  It needed some new boards and a fresh coat of stain.  Jim works on the shed.  I bring my ball to him and stare at him until he throws it.

Watching the Cardinals

We are Cardinal fans at our house.  We like to watch the Cardinals games.  Usually they are on TV in the evening.  After a hard day of work we like to relax in the evening and watch the game.  Today the Cardinals played in the afternoon.  We watched the game then we went outside to work.  After dinner Jean took me for a walk.

Playing with my alligator

I love my alligator.  I carry it around the house and chew on it.  TJ and Pat gave it to me before they left me.  I am used to being left but that is okay because Jean and Jim play with me and feed me and take care of me.  They just don't let me sleep with them.  There are going to be more storms tonight.  I am not looking forward to storms.

More Thunder

Today I helped Jim outside in the morning.  We weeded the garden and checked on the vineyard.  This afternoon Jim was staining wood in the sun porch.  I stayed inside and watched him from the air conditioning.  Tonight there is more thunder.  I  stay real close to my humans when there is thunder.  I think I will sleep in Jim and Jean's room tonight.  If TJ and Pat were here I would snuggle safe in their bed but I am not allowed to sleep with Jim and Jean.  There is plenty room for me in their bed but they won't let me sleep with them.

A good Sunday

Today was a good day.  I helped Jim in the vineyard in the morning.  We made the fence higher to keep those hungry deer out.  Jim does not like it when the deer get into the vineyard and eat his grape plants.  Jim and Jean took me for a walk before dinner.  I got to see me friends in the neighborhood.  I met a new friend who is a husky puppy.  She wanted to play with me.

My Toys

I love my toys.  I love my tennis balls when I can get someone to play with me.  When no one will play with me I love my chicken that Tiffany gave me.  I also love, love, love my new alligator that TJ and Pat gave me.  I like to carry it around and take a nap with it and chew on it.

Today Jim and Jean took me for a nice long walk in the neighborhood.  I got to see my friend Maddie the Great Dane.  Maddie is very big but she is a little shy at first.  She loves me.  Then I play with my friend Sammie.  She chased me around her yard.  It is finally cooler here so it is fun to run and play.

More Heat

It was another hot day.  This means just a little bit of chasing the tennis ball outside and a whole bunch of laying around in the air conditioning.

A little work on a hot day

Today was another hot day.  I went outside with Jim to work.  Jim put me inside after a while because I was hot.  I didn't mind.  I laid on the nice cool floor in the basement and watched him.

 Then Jim came inside and we took a nap.  We can take naps in the middle of the day if we want because we work so hard.

Closed Doors

I do not like closed doors.  When Jean is on the phone she will close her office door.  I know that she is not trying to keep  me out.  It must be Jim who makes too much noise for open doors.  When her door is closed the first thing I try to do is open it.  Sometimes if it is not latched I can just push it open with my head.  But that didn't work.  Next I just stand by the door and whine.  Sometimes she lets me in.  If that doesn't work then I just lay down by the door and sigh.  Jim and Jean took me for a walk through the neighborhood after dinner.  I saw my friend the great dane.  She always acts shy at first then she wags her tail and kisses me.