The Busy Izzy

Scott Z and Heather had plans to go camping on the weekend and felt Izzy was not quite ready to be part of the great outdoors expedition.   There would be plenty of opportunities later this summer for her to be one with nature, trekking through the wilderness and making smores.  So this past weekend became the busy izzy weekend .  Friday, early evening, Scott and I picked up Izzy and brought her over for a few relaxing?? hours of play with the boys.  It felt more like the Wild Kingdom...as Bo and Otto chased Izzy all around the family room

                                             
and then Izzy took the high ground, to get a better view of things...

After a couple of hours, we were as exhausted as the dogs, it was time to go back to Izzy's house where I was going to spend the night.  Bo was also coming along, so he put on his backpack and said "Goodbye" to his buddies and off we went.

At her home, Izzy took Bo by the leash and showed him her pad...

                                                              Shared a few drinks...                   

And had a few laughs....

until they were all tuckered out

Everything went smoothly that night, we all had breakfast the next morning, then collected her stuff and headed back to our house.  

This time, Izzy did the chasing

                                                         Izzy stole Otto's nylon bone,

and he patiently watched her chew on it..

She watched over the boys when they went out..

and spent a little one on one time with Bandit

Then snuggled with Otto

and had a little group cat nap

and finally a picture of the whole Motley Crew together

(this was not achieved on the first shot..hehe)

Izzy spent the night in her own room (cage with her personal stuffies), and none of the dogs bothered her, nor did she mind being in her own little heaven.  Each slept well, ate breakfast together and Sunday around noon, Heather and Scott came to pick her up.  It was a busy weekend for Izzy, and for all of us!

Four dogs = 16 paws, all around the house.  Are four dogs a lot of work...YES!!! 

But, when they all get along, there can be lots of smiles, laughs and awws, and fun...really!

Car Ride

All the dogs love to go on car rides.  It doesn't matter where, or how long..when you say "Car Ride" they all run to the door.  Bo and Otto jump into the Escape without any problems, but lately I have to help Bandit with a little lift of his hind quarters.  Its kind of amazing that Bandit likes car rides since he has to sit a certain way, we assume, to prevent getting carsick.  He will place his body and back legs on the back car seat, put both front legs on the floor and wedge his head between the front seat and the side of the car.  He will stay this way the whole ride.

  I can't say it looks very comfortable, but he has done this for as long as I can remember..., so Way To Go Bandit and Enjoy the ride!

The Boys Meet The Girl

The pitter patter of little paws can now be heard in Heather and Scott's house.  Her name is Izzy and she is a Golden Retriever Cocker Spaniel puppy also called a Dakota Sport Retriever.  They have been watching her develop since her birth on February 22nd by checking the breeder's website.  Its been so much fun seeing her go from this

                                                                                      to this

                                                                   to this:

                                                              Complete with collar and tags!

Mother's Day, what better time for Izzy to meet Bandit, Bo and Otto.  How would Izzy like the boys, how would the boys like Izzy?
Well at first there was a lot of excitement.

Then we all went outside.  Izzy was a little nervous about the big dogs that loomed over her.  When one bounded to close to her, she would let out a high pitch cry and the dogs would back away.  That was her way of letting them know she wasn't ready yet.
But, one by one, each nosed their way into her heart...

                                                    and soon they were all furry best friends!


Especially Izzy and Bo.
Heather started throwing the frisbee for Bo, well actually its a rubber lid...but anyway,
Izzy really enjoyed following Bo, doing some light weight wrestling and then trying to carry the frisbee herself, even though it was more than a mouthful!  It was amazing how Bo quickly learned that he could not play as hard with Izzy as he can with Otto, old dogs can learn all by themselves!

                                        Let's not forget the other boys,  they enjoyed massage time....

                                                    quiet watching time........

                                                                     protection time......

                                                                  goofy time.....

                                                              blondes have more fun time...

                                                                         and running time!

                                                               Until it was all tuckered out time!

Its Spring

I know its Spring when I get postcards in the mail from our vet.  Time for a yearly checkup and any needed shots.  Bogart went last month, he did fine, and doesn't really mind the vet's office.  This week it was Otto's turn.  There is no other way to say it, he is afraid of the vet.  While in the waiting room he becomes a lapdog, vibrating rather than shaking.

Rabies and distemper were on the menu for Otto.  The assistant calls him Mr Otto, and talks to him as she picks him up and puts him on the table.  For the exam and the shots she continues to hold him tight, as I looked into his eyes.  "Its ok,"  I tell him, "Good boy".  His weight is good, a couple small chips have come off his back molars but it probably doesn't bother him, and yes, one nail is split, he has has his share of split nails over the years... but overall a good checkup and he was very happy to leave.  Bandit's turn will be next month.  I like to spread them out when I can.

What else happens every spring?  Hair cuts.
Time to snip the long belly fur, and what I call their skirts.  An area under their tails, that I am sure, creates a padding when sitting in the cold, cold snow.  Not needed in the warm weather.

                    Fur that most likely has made its way into a birds nest for great insulation.

                                   I am not a professional groomer but the outcome is pretty good anyway.

It has been a cold spring, so the bath for all three that would finish the procedure will have to wait until its a little warmer outside!