A day in the life...

With the arrival of spring the pack and I have found ourselves outside more...taking in all of the sights, sounds and pollen.

The temps have been in the low eighties the last few days so hard play has been in the morning and late afternoon when it cools down...with lots of sitting in the shade...and a few of our favorite things in-between ;-)

A few of our favorite things...

I exchanged messages and talked to a few friends today that were a bit angry at their dogs for having done things that were deemed unacceptable behavior.

Sure none of us wants a dog that has accidents in the house...in my case there is Niki and at times she cannot help it. That she actually does so well is totally amazing due to the fact that she is partially paralyzed. For her it is all about muscle memory and the fact that we get her out so much throughout the day...plus continually working with the "potty" command has been very helpful.

Still...I am human and yes, I have at times lost my patience with her...as with the others. Of course it is very short lived...my canines friends have indeed taught me a thing or two and one is get over yourself. Growl and let it go!

My dogs are pretty well spoiled. I mean really...their life span is not as long and....have you really looked at their faces, I'm pretty sure you would spoil them as well!

As spoiled as they are...they do have to work so they actually earn their lifestyle ;-) Their jobs....oh easy enough....no rough housing on furniture (of course many people prefer that their dogs not have access to furniture)....no wrestling in the house... Commands are practiced throughout the day....down for feedings, sit and calm for going outside....potty outside...no destructive behavior, etc.

Wanted behavior must be taught...and yes....lots of praise so that they know they are doing a good job. Communication is the key.

As we bring these pups into our hearts and home do take the time to teach wanted behavior.
If we do not take the time to teach...give proper DAILY....there I have said it...they need daily exercise....how can we possibly get angry at them for doing what dogs do...it is never to late to teach an old dog new tricks....oh and by all means...spoil them a bit.

Spoiled dogs...

Having turned fifty something I must share with you....getting older sucks ;-)
I mean really....gravity does indeed take hold and it becomes such a struggle to keep things where they belong...or as near where they belong for as long as possible.

That is just the physicality of aging...if one allows the mind to age...you are doomed....
OK, not doomed just not very much fun....boring, you get the picture.
Sadly, so many of us allow our child within to wither and fade away.
Those of us surrounded by children, and or pets have the key to unlocking the child within right at our fingertips.

With children...all I have to say on this matter is turn off the TV, PC and hide all the techno games....head outside to run, climb jump (if like me your over fifty...just not too high)...finger paint....so messy and soooo much fun.

Back in the day (always wanted to write that) when I worked with people and their canine companions one of the first things I learned in watching people and their dogs interact is that many did not know how to "play" with their dogs. An attempt at picking up a ball or Frisbee...tossing it and if the dog did not retrieve, the game ended as the human walks away saying s/he just does not like to play. How very sad for the dog, more sad for the human.

I actually taught a group classes all about dog play...fun was mandatory. Several individuals (both human and canine) struggled through this four week group course....though I must share with you it was so heart warming to watch those of the most serious, again...both human and canine learn to relax and enjoy one another.

It is scientifically proven that the more of an idiot your canine friends can make you look....the more fun you will both have....really, scientifically proven ;-) As proven by the above video made for this posting. hey guys...I am the camera person and the one hiding for the dogs to find.

OK...these are just a couple of the silly games I play with my dogs...hide n seek. Gemma...loves this game and has so honed her skill at finding me...no matter where I hide....though once in a while she is a bit off.
Niki just seems to tag along with the Goldens as they run back and forth, back and forth. I could hide in the very same spot three times in a row and they much prefer the "hunt" and never seem to want the game to end. When they find me....oh happy day!
One wonders if sometimes they do it more for me for clearly they know exactly where I am.

Down stay as I hide a few treats or toys about the room, or outside. Oh boy....we are having some fun now.....oh, chase and be chased....Niki loves this, especially if I growl at her as I am chasing her.

I remember as though it was yesterday...my beloved Tasha, a bit serious...loved treat games and there was this one silly little thing we did when she was a puppy that she just never out grew...from puppy to senior. I would use a comforter folded up at the front window, this window was low to the ground, so low in fact she would rest her head on the window ledge while napping. I would often sit with her...both of us looking out the window...I would slowly put my hands under the comforter and just wiggle my hands and fingers around....she would get so very excited hitting with her paws, nibbling at my hands still under the blanket...silly little game that she so enjoyed and that made me chuckle each and every time!

Another of our favorites is agility. One does not have to spend any money, just being creative as you put a small course together....outside furniture can be used...chairs for having the dog crawl under, blocks for jumping and or climbing. PVC is found at all local home builders stores...weave poles can be made, jumps, etc.
The best thing about these games, they are interactive. Yes, there are so many toys to help your dog play by themselves, keeping them mentally stimulated, however the games that are interactive are the ones you will find your inner child and your dogs inner pup....and I guarantee there will be lots of tail wagging, and laughter.

Want to share a game you play with your dog, cat, bird, horse? Create a short video, become fans of Rocky & Bailey on Facebook and share it with us, I will post the most fun games here on the blog...the one rule is there must be lots of tail wagging and laughter ;-) On your mark...get set....go!



"The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you,but he will make a fool of himself too.

The child within...

During a phone conversation with a dear friend yesterday we got onto the topic of travel....
It is no secret to my family and friends...I have a terrible fear of flying. I used to have the ability to force myself to get on a plane....but then one day I just could no longer muster the strength.
I cannot explain the fear...it is more of a feeling of being boxed in, closed in...tight, claustrophobic.
As there are a few places I would love to travel...well at 50ish this is something that I will soon have to seriously work on...but that is a topic for another day.

I guess I am a bit of a homebody. I prefer to be surrounded by my family, friends....which of course consists of my four dogs.
As my friend and I discussed travel she was telling me of her planned trips the next few months. While I can stand and often enjoy several days without my dogs....I truly miss them if any more then that.
For those that do travel if you are fortunate enough to have found someone to care for your furry friends you are indeed so lucky.
My crew, well just not an easy pack to care for. The Goldens....piece of cake...feed, hug, pet... throw the ball and take for a walk....easy. the "Girls", well not so easy. Niki is indeed a handful....you have to make sure her bladder is empty (by manually squeezing her bladder....not as bad as it sounds). Since Gemma. is very fearful...well I would indeed need someone that was very dog savvy.

As our conversation progressed I questioned any concerns she might have about the care of her pets when she was gone. It was not meant to be taken as judgement, just a question for it was mentioned the one cat was indeed so very attached and during my friends absence behavioral issues occur that require time and patience once she returns from her trips.
As my friend was doing quite a bit of travel, with more planned I really was just wondering...
the reply was she could not live for her pets, especially this one cat.

I smiled for I knew my question was taken wrong...no worries we are indeed good friends and have known each other a lonnng time. I stated that I did indeed live my life for my dogs....with four one has to make sure there is enough money for medical care....well really....they are accustomed to a certain lifestyle ;-) The installment of the fence was for them to safely have freedom...yes, I would say I live for my pets...for my two legged friends and family...and of course just for me ;-)

I often plan my vacations so that they include my furry friends. When Niki was first injured we did have a choice....and it was an easy one to make. I was full aware of the care that she would need for however long she lived....we could put her to sleep...or surgery and lots of care for many years to come. I love her, my husband adores her....it was easy... I have no regrets...I do however get tried.....I am human and there have been times I lost my patience....I do have days where I so wish I were a better, more patient individual...pray for a Calgon moment (I know...my age is showing).
This is one of life's many little secret gifts...she (Niki ...my little cky mix) is teaching me and maybe, maybe before I die I will get it!

So...yes...I live for many things...and my dogs are indeed a part of that....what about you, do you live for your furry Friends?
One of My favorite quotes"
Dogs are not my whole life, but they make my life whole ;-)

Living your life for your pets???

That is unless your one of my dogs.
After four long months of daily leash walks, potty runs....finally the fence was installed.
The guys worked on the fence until about 6 today....then packed up and left. I walked around picking up after them, then, even though not yet complete let the dogs out two at a time. It really does not take much to make them happy....a walk, a belly scrtach....give them some room to run, romp and throw a tennis ball....now that is happiness...another good day ;-)

Don't fence me in...

Our count down until the fence is installed is less then a week away. My poor hands can use a bit of a rest. Nike and Bailey's bladders must be the size of a pea ;-) For our outings throughout the day are many!
Their daily walks on leash will continue for it is a wonderful way for the pack to spend time together, and great exercise for all of us..especially me. I can paint, draw for hours often getting lost so they make me pay a little more attention rather then getting lost in the moment.
Yes, even though so hot and humid here in FL we still manage our daily walks. they say you get used to the humidity, I have been here a few months and so far when outside I appear to to melt....funny how I seem to be the only one.

The past few months have indeed been challenging in that the two goldens just have not been getting enough exercise. Having the fence will allow them to pick up speed without having me at the end of the leash correcting them. Off leash romps are so needed. Walks are wonderful but a few crazy eights sprinted throughout the yard, a good game of fetch and of course some agility no doubt will be such a wonderful release for them.
Once my hands get a little bit of a break.....and I am so hoping that improvements will be made and the pain and discomfort lessens.

Yesterday afternoon I headed out for a few errands...since moving into the House on my list of needed items has been a pooper scooper. I pick up after the dogs after each and every BM...just so easy to do it that way....I have been holding at times up to four retractable while attempting to bend and scoop with a plastic baggie. A couple of nights ago I made the mistake of falling asleep....around 2 am I awoke on the sofa realizing the dogs needed to do their final outing. Hook all up and out we go....one after the other they pee, poop...I reach into my pocket for the baggie....yawning, sleepy and tired, bad hands, I did not realize there was a hole in the end of the bag until I felt the warmth...well you get the picture.

With that fresh in my memory I did indeed remember to stop at the local pet shop to find they only had one type...yes, for those not in the know....there are several types of pooper scoopers. this model comes in two parts. The first part is long handled and you actually wrap a bio degradable baggie at the end, the other is also long handled and you use that to scoop the poop into the end with the baggie. Looked easy enough....that is until I got it home and stood there for what seemed like an eternity trying to attach the plastic baggie. My arthritic hands just took forever to get it....I was actually laughing at myself for I no doubt if someone was watching me rather then thinking something wrong with my hands....I think they would be under the impression I were a bit slow ;-) Indeed....that as well!



Last night, just as the sun was going down the boys and I left the house for our walk around the neighborhood. I reached out for my camera and realized...while I did indeed charge the battery, I also vacuumed and needed that out lit. Maybe it is age, or me being preoccupied, I never did re- plug the the battery charger in. thank goodness for our cell phones...in a pinch they do a great job.

It was one of those evenings when there actually seems to be a bit of a breeze...very refreshing. After our walk we just hung outside the house. Watched a few birds at the lake, scanned the water for any alligators :-) Life at the moment is good!!!

Pooper Scooper...

Once locals learn that you will soon be a permanent resident of FL they cannot help but share the many tales of the local
wildlife....especially about the snakes and alligators. Of course the stories do have merit, just a few weeks ago one guy woke up and decided to do some gardening. He headed to the Walmart located off of US 1 to purchase some plants and supplies. He wandered around putting Items Into his cart, just as he was reaching for a plant....tucked behind the plant he was reaching for was a pygmy rattler and sadly for the man, he Indeed was bitten.

I listen to most of the stories and smile for I just may never encounter any of the poisonous snakes....however being surrounded by water....chances that the dogs and I actually run I\into something....well the odds that we do increase due to the fact we are surrounded by water.

When walking my neighborhood we pass a section that is very woodsy and has a sign that says "Natural Preserves"....meaning swamp land ;) As of yet the only creatures I have seen come out of this area is very large birds. It is not bad enough being told about the gators and snakes I have been told there are wild hogs, not seen any of those either....and would prefer not to for they can be very aggressive. I am not a national geographic photographer and while I love to photograph nature...getting that close and personal I can do without...this Is the reason I purchased a long lens ;-)

There are times when just taking the dogs for a quick pee has been challenging for they will spy, sense, smell something in the woods and appear frightened...more often then not I respect their senses...sometimes though, they are a little off...

Since moving Into the house, once night falls Rocky makes several trips to the door next to my studio, he growls, and growls. This has become a nightly activity....the first, second and sometimes third time he does this all the dogs take part by rushing the door, hackles up...barking ready to defend Rocky, territory, After a while, they do not bother, though Rocky continues to guard, scare away something only he sees.

The first few nights that this behavior first appeared I would put the outside lights on, look out to see what the fuss was about...never noticed anything. I have a sneaking suspicion he Is actually growling at his own reflection ;-)
Yesterday I finally got around to hanging something to cover the glass in the door...stays open during the day for I love the light coming through, however once dusk, I close it....worked like a charm for while he went to the door a couple of times he returned without a sound.

When we leave the house, before walking off the patio I do my best to survey If anything is in the grass....survey the woods out back....see nothing we all leave the covered patio where we risk getting bitten up by a horrible...sneaky and nasty critter, the mosquito. Some day's they are not a bother, other days they are
terrible....just like It was when we stayed at the beach house.

Bailey loves to roll around in the grass and every time he does this....even though before coming back inside I run my hands through his coat....attached to him Is usually a little lizard. That keeps me busy for I then must around trying to catch and release back In the yard.
On occasion a frog will also find his way inside....the tree frogs like to suction themselves on anything that does not move....especially the glass....around all windows and doors, lots of frog and lizard poop...even on the glass...frog art!






Two weeks ago...a lovely Sunday afternoon I took Niki out for a stroll around the yard...she got to play touch and kick ball...just as we were headed back to the patio I stopped for I thought I saw something in
the water. Now, I have Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis and inflammation can effect your vision, and it has In my case. Adding to the problem is the fact as we age we have a difficult time focusing...my vision at times is very blurry even with my glasses. so...on this lovely sunny, summer afternoon I was pretty certain I was watching an alligator lazily floating in the pond. I watched for a while and then retreated back in the house with Niki, got my camera and returned to watch and
photograph. Also....to get an estimate of size for I was told once they reach a certain length they can be moved elsewhere....of course while I have no fear in being a lizard and frog wrangler....I would call a professional for the gator ;-)




As I watched it appeared to sink down into the water a bit, to soon emerge enough to get a few photographs. I tracked him for a good part
of the afternoon....just snapping away certain that I got some awesome shots ;-)

Imagine my surprise when I got around to putting the card into the card reader on the Mac to see a log that through my eyes, on that sunny, summer afternoon oh so appeared to be an alligator, though it does closely resemble an alligator...don't you agree ;-)

Bad vision and over active imagination made for a pretty exciting day!

Gator sighting...

Is it ever...tomorrow more of the same....they say about 100.
We did our morning walk, numerous potty runs...several times the "girls" asked to go out on the deck....but soon returned into the air conditioned. Just too hot....the type of hot air that just drains you and makes it difficult to breath....very humid.

The heat is on...