PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS.

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

3. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

Max vs the Frog

Max has a fascination with lizards and frogs. He has tried so many times to get a good up close look at them but of course they don't stand still for long. When he has had the opportunity he quietly lays down and just observes, studying their every move.

Last night Ken was cleaning up the patio and he heard a noise coming from the corner. After several attempts to direct the frog out the patio door with a broom failed, he grabbed a vase that we had under the potting station and captured him. Before he was safely and humanely released in our neighobrs lush tropical back garden, Ken let Max have 60 seconds to get a good close up look at the frog.

Every time the frog jumped...Max jumped

 

So Max settled in for a good look

More Max

Stopping to take a drink from the frisbee, Max looks like he's glowing! He's earned the drink after a day of playing hard on the beach

Bounding through the sea grass

Ever the princess

 

Sadie sleeps on the sofa with her head on the pillow...of course. Spoiled? Nah! She's a princess and you wouldn't expect a princess to sleep on the floor would you?  

Pedicure for two

Yes I've read your emails and heard your comments so here they are in all their glory, Sadie and Max!!

Sadie showing off her pedicure and sporting the bandanna from the groomer

Max is showing off his pedicure.

I think the groomer gave them happy pills, they absolutely hated going in there but came out with smiles and happy. Max has a blue bandanna, of course :-)

Funny how the same floor looks 3 different colors. Its probably closest in color to the top photo.

You give me gum gum dumb dumb

Do you ever imagine what your dog's voice would sound like? I think Max would sound sort of like the Easter Island statue from the movie Night at the Museum. But instead of give me gum gum he would say, dumb dumb, you rub my belly dumb dumb. This scene never fails to make me laugh!

Little Legs Big Heart

When we take them places, inevitably someone will comment on Max's short little legs. Sometimes the comments are quite rude like "who chopped off his legs" or "what the hell happened to his legs"

These typically come from old men. Depending on my mood for the day (how many cups of coffee have I had?) I respond with varying degrees of niceness.

"why is he so short" I respond with "why is your nose so big?"

"who chopped off his legs, he's so short" the response is "so you're calling attention to his shortness in an attempt to draw attention away from your short...." and this is where Ken drags me away before I can finish the sentence.

Whatever the case, Max is my gupper...thats part guppy and part puppy, he may have short little legs but he has the sweetest little heart.

Leaping Lizards

I love the way they prance and pounce through the water with such determination and speed. All that matters in the moment is retrieving the toy...or in this case...the flip flop...and being the one to bring it back to shore and get the "good dog" praise.

When we went to the veterinarians last week, they remarked at what a beautiful and shiny coat they have, such healthy dog fur and skin. Of course we had given them a puppy bath the night before but I have to say they really do have amazing coats.

We've been really lucky too, not a single flea or tick even with all of our adventures into the woods to get to the gulf of mexico for their swim. Of course we use Advantix but I've heard people say their dog still gets fleas....of course that makes me start singing that song from the commercial....there ain't no bugs on me, there ain't no bugs on me, there may be bugs on some of you mugs but there ain't no bugs on me.

Rolling In the Sand

On this day at the beach we took a break under the shade of the mangroves. Sadie and Max took advantage of the time to really roll in the sand and get as dirty as possible. It worked! They were caked in sand by the time they finished rolling around.

I've cleaned things up around the blog a bit, gave it a fresh new look. The header is temporary and I'm working on a new design I hope to share within the next month...I have to fit it in with my other projects! We hope you enjoy the look of our new home as much as we do!

Determination

Sadie runs through the water determined to pounce on me and give me kisses. This was one of the shots I snapped before stashing the camera for safety and accepting my wet dog Sadie love.

And the winner is....

Max was the victorious one this round! Congratulations Max. The really weird thing about all of this is that when we play with a ball or the Cuz in the house, Max LOVES to chase after it but rarely brings it back. Typically, Sadie gets frustrated with him, runs over and takes the ball from him and brings it to us then looks at him as if to say "you are suppose to bring it to the humans if you want them to throw it again dummy"

Yet in the water, Max wants to be the one to bring it to the humans. He wants to be the winner!!

So Much For Shared Victory

Once back on dry land the great debates begins over who gets to bring the spoils to the human for the next round of "retrieve the flip flop"

Sharing The Victory

Its hard to see but in their mouths is a black flip flop that we used for a toy for them to retrieve in the water. No matter who gets to it first the other will grab on and help bring it ashore.


Even when they reach the shore they both still hold on, wanting to get credit for retrieving the object, sharing the victory all the way!

Is she snorkeling?

Thats Sadie with her head under the water looking like she is snorkeling. Actually in a way she is, she has reached the toy first and in her rush through the water she has pushed it down under the surface and has to retrieve it, its all part of the game!

You can see the water flying from Max's back legs as he kicks hard to try to catch up. They are very competitive but do a great job sharing.

A happy Max

When Max gets tired of running around and playing or when Sadie is getting the better of him, he has a habit. He runs to me, runs through my legs, around to my side and then gives it a shake covering me with water. If Sadie is in pursuit, he will run through the legs and around the side and jump up on my leg as if to say pick me up, and protect me. He will also do this when he is feeling shy or tired. Just like a little child, he runs to his Mom.

Waiting to give chase

Max is in the back, Sadie is in the front. They are looking back at Ken waiting for him to throw the toy into the water so they can chase after it. Two wet and happy dogs!

Give It A Shake

From the time Sadie and Max were little I taught them to shake off the excess water on command. From the bath tub, the sprinklers, the swimming pool or the gulf of mexico these two LOVE the water.

In this photo series, Sadie came running up to me soaking wet and I said the magic words "Give it a shake Sadie" and she obliged! These photos captured the action of her shake and I just love the faces she makes during the shake and how sweet her face looks in the last photo as her ears sail back down into place.

Speedy

Max may have short legs but he is FAST and an excellent swimmer. While Sadie is usually faster because her longer legs get her off to a faster start, Max has the bushy tail advantage that helps him paddle through the current.

Bitch Slap

Sadie and Max started playing in the water, presumably to determine who would get to claim victory and bring the toy back. They were moving so quickly and honestly I don't think I could have snapped this shot if I was trying but the title says it all so perfectly. You can see the water flying from Max's paw on the other side of Sadie's face. Don't feel bad for Sadie, she has been on the giving end of the slaps just as many times.

Chasing Dinner

When we went to the beach, we didn't intend to let them play in the water but it was so warm and the LOVE the water so we let them and they never hesitate to jump right in.

We didn't bring their usual toy so we used the first toy they learned to retrieve from the water, a flip flop! In the second photo you can see the splash of it hitting the water as they bound through the surf to chase after it.

Occasionally they will see a fish jump from the water and chase after it too....