Lake, glorious lake!

Me swimming at 4 months old

Spencer's diary : I have been thinking about the lake the past few days. I did not get to go to the lake this past Sunday. It was pouring rain. Mom took me walking in the rain. Just the two of us. We both had our raincoats on, it was kind of fun. But I miss the lake.

I first went out to the lake when I was 4 months old last summer. Sophie ran into the water the minute mom let her out of the car. I walked slowly towards the water with Sidney and mom. Mom had a life jacket with her, she was going to put it on me. I have never seen so much water before. Then Sophie started swimming away from shore, and Sidney got into the water. Mom was slowly walking into the water. I was skeptical at first, but then I slowly walked with mom, and then before I know it, I was floating and swimming. It was just like walking. Mom was telling me good boy. So that was how I learned to swim. 

Sophie and I having fun in the water.

We went out to the lake every Sunday morning last summer, and my swimming skills got better. I could turn and get into the water paddling with no splashes. Sophie is still the faster swimmer though, just because she had been swimming longer.  Mom will put Sophie in the car when she is done swimming, and let me have extra practice time.

Today is Sunday, and the weather is perfect. Mom and dad took me and Sophie to the lake. I was so excited I could not sit still in the car. Dad even went jogging with us along the shallow water.

Dad runs with me and Sophie

The water was cold but I love it. I wish it is summer all year round so we can swim all year round.

The highlight of Sunday swimming is of course breakfast at McDonald's. Mom always get us a sausage muffin. Usually I am very tired by then that I can barely open my eyes, but as soon as we pull into the drive thru, I have to stay awake to eat my breakfast.

We always get a quick bath in the front yard when we get home. I really do not like taking a bath, but mom said no bath, no swimming. So I just stay still and get it over with. It sure feels good getting all the sand off me. Time for a nap.

Me swimming at 16 months. .

My first dog show

My first AKC ribbon. Third place too.

Spencer's diary : We woke up early that day, ate breakfast, and Mom put me and Sophie in the car. I knew we were not going to the dog park because Sidney and Sunny did not go. I just prayed that were not going to the vet. So it seemed that we had drove quite a while and I knew it was not to the vet, and since it was still dark, I fell asleep.

Sophie woke me up when there was daylight, and she told me we have to be going to a dog show. I could not believe it. We got there and Mom let us out to pee, and I smelled all sorts of smell. Mom then set up our crates, and we went into a large hall with a lot of dogs all in their own crates. Sophie was in a crate next to me but I would rather be in the  same crate with her. I watched all the people and dogs go by. Sophie barked every time someone got close, but I felt safe in my little haven. Mom then practice with me some and I got lots of cheese and chicken nuggets. It was so much fun. After my first run, Mom gave me a whole pack of salmon. I could not believe it. Fish is my absolute favorite, and I like dog shows more now just for this. I also got a whole box of wet food after my second run, and got qualified too. Mom was hugging me so tight I had to lick her for her to loosen me up. It is not bad getting a third place too. Mom told Dad and I bet he was so proud of me.

We then got back into the car, and I could not believe another surprise. A dog park? I ran and ran even though I was tired. Well, it was almost dinner time although I already had lots of treats. I thought we were going home, but we went to this place, and Mom and Sophie was trying to get me to walk up these hollow stairs. No way! They tried several times, and Mom finally went back to a lady and told her that I would not go up. So she gave us another room downstairs. We went in and Sophie told me that we will be sleeping here for the night. Awesome! I got to sleep on the bed with Mom.

Me and Sophie on the hotel bed

We had grilled pork chop, plus wet food for dinner. I was very tired by then. It was also storming and raining and we all got wet when we went out to pee before bed. Sophie slept on the floor and I slept on the bed with Mom.

I woke up and licked Mom up at 5:45 am because I needed to pee. I got wet food again for breakfast, but where is my milk? I kept asking Mom where is my milk, and Mom kept telling me to wait. She went out for a little while later and came back with milk for me and Sophie, a hot waffle and a hard boiled egg. Sophie only likes her milk, but I eat everything, waffle and egg was good.

Mom then packed up and put us in the car. We stopped by the dog park to pee and poop. Sophie said we were going back to the dog show. I could hardly wait. More cheese and chicken nuggets. Mom also gave me a piece of ham out of her sandwich and some pasta for lunch. I was tired and took a nap in my crate. Mom told me it is ok to sleep in my crate and I felt safe. I had a comfy bed in there and a bowl of water. I only had one run today and it was late and I was tired, but I got a second qualifying run. I got another pack of salmon.

Mom told me that we were going home. I was so tired that I fell asleep right away. I woke up later and it was pouring rain. Sophie was awake but I went back to sleep. I woke up when the car stopped. Mom got out and she told us she would be right back. I looked around and this was the place where I had puppy school last summer. Another surprise, Mom came walking out with 4 bags of pig ears, my favorite chew. Can this day get any better?

Mom got back in the car and off we went. We stopped again. At McDonalds! Mom bought me

My second qualifying score for Rally Novice.

and Sophie hamburgers for dinner. I was so happy. We were finally home. Sidney and Sunny missed Mom and I had to pee!

I missed my backyard and I laid outside after my hamburger dinner and I thought about my 2 exciting days. I had so much fun, I cannot wait for the next dog show.

I am bone tired.

Me sleeping in the backyard

Spencer's diary : I really cannot wait to go to a dog show. Sophie said she gets to eat all kinds of food, and stay at a hotel. She said sometimes when mom is hungry and gets a hotdog, she gets one too. 

This weekend, Sophie did not have any dog shows. We got to go to the park Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday was fairly warm, and I really did not enjoy it very much. I was tired even though I only ran for 45 minutes. Mom dropped all of us off at home and took Sunny to the vet. Sunny came home so scared he thought mom was going to put him down. I am scared every time I have to go also. If Sophie does not go with me, I am not walking into the door. Poor Sunny was so worn out when he came home.

Sunny enjoying his beef livers

We got to go to the park Saturday again. I ran for an hour, and I got to go tracking. Mom started to teach me how to go through obstacles in the field. The dead branches were taller than me, and I really did not like them in my face. The scent seemed pretty easy to pick up, so I closed my eyes, and put my nose down. It worked very well, and mom said I did a good job. I came home and told Sophie that you really do not need your eyes to track, but Sophie said that she keep her eyes open for rabbits. I was very tired Saturday, so glad mom made rice with beef, chicken livers and green beans for dinner.

I was very surprised Sunday morning when we got to go to the park again. It was a chilly morning, and I ran for an hour. Sunny is recovered from that horrific trip to the vet and he was relaxed and sniffed a lot at the park. Even though Sophie is 5 years older than me, she runs faster than me. I run after her all the time, and I am using my skills that I learn from agility class, like jumping over logs and branches in the woods, in order to keep up with her. We then went to McDonald's and we each got half of a sausage muffin. 

Me bone tired.

I am really tired this weekend. I am wondering if dog shows are just as tiring. But I love activities. I just love to play in the weekends, and rest on Mondays when mom goes back to work. I need to take a nap now, looking forward to dinner and our Sunday night treat (grill beef livers). 

Santa, please stop at my house

Spencer, me, our foster sister Polly, Sunny
and Sidney at the park.

Sophie's diary : I have been a really bad girl, Santa, and I am so so sorry. Yesterday we went to the park with my new foster sister Polly, and I was jealous that she was walking beside mom, so I growled at her, but she growled back at me and I was so mad I jumped on her. Mom told me to stop and I bumped into mom's hand and now her hand is all bruised and swollen. I know I am a really bad girl.

Today, I got mom upset again. We went walking today, and first I barked at the German Shepherd behind the fence, and then I dragged mom down to the next house to bark at the Papillons. I dragged her so bad that she fell down. I knew I was in trouble right away, but I told her that I am just showing off my skills so Polly can learn. Mom made me sit there next to the Papillons barking and I was so ashamed that my baby brother Spencer was looking at me being punished.

Santa, I know the turkeys are cooking in the smoker, and all I ask for is turkey for lunch tomorrow. I know I have been a bad girl, but I promise I will be good. Please stop by our house, since all my siblings have been good.

I am so glad that I prayed for a new baby brother early this year, because after yesterday and today, I know Santa is not going to bring me a new baby brother for sure.

Polly, our foster sister, is staying with us and I have been showing her how to bark at the neighbor's dog. I also let her play with Spencer because mom said she is a guest. Mom also said that if I am being bad again, she is going to put the cone back on my head for Christmas and New Year. She even took it out to show me. Do I need a reminder?

Our foster sister Polly

Santa, all I want for christmas is food and more food, some rawhide chews are also good. I also love my three dog bakery cookies, sweet potato chews, duck strips and lamb treats. My siblings are all good, so please Santa, bring them all the goodies so I can eat some out of theirs because I know I do not deserve any treats. I promise to be a good girl. By the way, we are at the house with the smoke coming out of the smoker. I just want to make sure you can find us.

I love livers!

This is me!
Courtesy : Chuck Haines Photography

Sunny's diary : Chicken livers, beef livers, and the most special of all -- turkey livers. I love livers! I feel so special this time of the year when mom saves the turkey livers for me, just for me.

We always get an extra meal during the holidays. On Thanksgiving day, we had turkey and dressing for lunch, and turkey and mash potatoes for dinner. I was so excited to see my turkey livers. My crazy siblings surrounded me and wait, I ate the livers first. I might be old but I still have a clear mind!

Mom sometimes grill beef livers for us, my siblings eat their piece in two bites, but I like to savor mine. I like to eat it upstairs so I do not have to worry about my siblings, plus I like to enjoy my food in peace.

Me holding my beef liver!

My baby brother Spencer loves fish, so mom has been making salmon once a week. I am a dog, not a cat, and I am carnivorous. Why would I eat fish? On those nights, mom will make me grill livers. They are the best! I like burgers and steak too, chicken is ok. But nothing beats grilled chicken livers.

When mom travels for work, she always worry about me not eating. She always make chicken livers ahead of time and Uncle Chris will give them to me at dinner. Since I know mom is not there to watch my dinner, I eat as fast as I can.

Sophie is my crazy sister. One time mom took a tub of livers out to defrost for dinner, she got up the counter and ate the whole tub raw. Yes, I am a dog, but I have standards. I do not eat anything raw. Do I hunt? I love the aroma of grilled livers. I know mom loves me a lot! I also stay out of trouble. When my siblings steal food or make a mess, I would go hide in my crate, so mom knows it is not me!

I am waiting for my next turkey livers, Santa Claus is bringing them to me.

I am Growing Up!

This is Me! His Royal Highness Spencer.
Courtesy : Chuck Haines Photography

Spencer's diary : I am almost 10 months old, and I am growing up! I have learned a lot growing up, especially in the last month. I started marking on our daily walks, and I have started lifting my leg when I pee. I am also more interested in the pretty golden retrievers in my class. Mom also said that I am not chewing up her pillows as much (for now?).

I have a big sister Sophie, who always watches over me. She taught me a lot of things, including lifting my leg when I pee. I am still scared of a lot of things, including going to the vet, and taking a bath. I am also scared of things that I have not seen before. I saw a fire hydrant along our walk one morning and I started barking, then Sophie told me that I only have to bark at things that moves. Good advice.

I got into my first big trouble a couple of weeks ago. Mom was preparing our dinner, and while waiting for the chicken on the grill outside, she went upstairs to feed my feline siblings. Well, I was really hungry, so I got up the counter and grabbed my bowl of food. It fell and smashed to pieces and all the food was on the floor. Sophie and I started eating and mom was screaming at us. Sophie knew we were in trouble and she went hiding in her crate. I looked at mom and I knew I was in trouble. Sophie told me that we have to lick her when we get in trouble so she will not get mad anymore. So now I learn one more thing.

I started agility classes about 2 months ago, and I have learned all the equipment except the teeter. I am just afraid. I am afraid of the weaves too, but one night, mom brought Tilapia as my treat. I was desperate since I love fish very much, so I was just being brave and went through the weaves. All the other dogs in the class are older than me and I just stood and watch sometimes. But I love activities, anything is better than sitting at home.

Sammy drinking out of our water bowl.

I think I am a big boy now because I no longer chase Sammy. I still want to play, but when I nip at Sammy's behind, he gets upset. Sammy likes me a lot, he rub against me and wants to cuddle. He also thinks he is a German shepherd. He hang around us and sleeps with us. 

Thanksgiving 2013