Cut Your Own Christmas Tree

Today, Bo and Otto joined Scott and myself as we set out to cut down our Christmas Tree for this season.  We are not exactly sure how many years we have followed this tradition, but it must be around 25 years minimum.  We can remember taking the kids and how they would all want to take a turn with the saw.  Sometimes they would bring along a football to toss around as we hunted for the perfect tree.  Blaze, Buck, Baron and Bandit at one time or another joined us as we trudged through snow, and a couple of times through mud.  It was usually so cold, everyone would be bundled up with hats, scarfs and mittens.  We used a variety of places but for many years it was a huge tree farm off of Hwy 67 in Oconomowoc.  After they closed, we seemed to use a different place every year and last year we used the tree from our front yard which was getting too big.  This year we planned on using Poplar Creek Tree Farm but as we drove up to it we saw the sign "Closed This Season" (online it listed it was open) so we instead headed a little farther west to Green Acres Tree Farm which is also in New Berlin.
We drove in, were surprised at how many people were there, and parked.  We were able to take the dogs on leashes (not all Tree Farms allow dogs) and started to look for the tree that would fill our Christmas Spirit.  We found one, and after a tag team cutting session and a long walk back to pay for the tree, they shook it, and wrapped it (so much easier than when it's left full), tied up on the car roof rack and we headed home.  6 hours later lights, ornaments, beads on and done!  I had pictures but can't post them at this time. sorry:-(

Halloween Dress Up

Izzy came over today and the "kids" decided to play dress up.  Bo and Otto sported Superman and Batman outfits with dignity.  Izzy, just wasn't sure.  Was she their sidekick...or Lady Vampire.  

                                           Then she became a Court Jester.

                                            I love to play Dress UP!!!!!

                                                 

                                               Izzy still wasn't sure.  Maybe a Bunny?

                                             How about a Rock Star???

                                                              MY TURN!!!

                                                  I don't think this is me.

It was so much fun playing dress up!!

Day Trip with Paws

This could be posted in my Escape with Us blog but I decided to post the first Day Trip with the dogs here.  When we went to Washington Island, we saw many people with their dogs and we decided that we would start taking the dogs along on Day Trips.
It was an overcast day, when we headed north.  The destination was Green Lake.  Initially, the dogs were super excited.  They wanted to see everything there was to see.

We made one potty stop, which turned out to be successful.  Then a couple hours after leaving home we were driving around Green Lake.  We all got out to view the lake.

Then back in the car to look for a place to eat.  Never expected  that to be a complicated task but as it turned out, it was.  Did not see any restaurants along the lake, we then headed south on the main road, still nothing.  Grab the pretzel flips, this could be a while.  We drove through Waupun, still  nothing that didn't look dark, dreary, or just plain questionable.  Drove through Horicon and yes! finally, Mother's Day Restaurant.  Lots of windows, clean, family style.  Gave the dogs some water, and went it.  Food was very good with huge portions.  Satisfied, we then found a spot for the dogs to stretch their legs and we all enjoyed the rest of our drive home.

Bo's Surgery

Bogart entered Burleigh Road Animal Hospitat at 8 am, and at 4 pm I picked him up.  In between he had surgery to remove three small Lipoma from his belly/chest.  These benign fatty lumps were not causing him any pain, they were not large enough to cause any problems, yet.  Vets will say to just leave them rather than to anesthetize a patient for surgery.  With Bandit, we did leave the lump and it was the reason he is no longer with us.  It was grossly large but he had gotten too old to have surgery, the skin was stretched too thin, and it was so uncomfortable for him that he bit at it, and well... Bogart is healthy now but as he gets older and these lumps continued to grow, they would hinder how he lies down, or possibly how he walks, so that is why he had surgery today.
Otto was not happy when Bo left this morning.  He does not like being by himself.  He cried, like only Otto can do (you know what I mean!).

Where is Bo??

                           Hurray!!!  Bo is home, now Otto can finally relax.  All is right again!

Here are his three incisions.  He is wearing a t shirt to protect the stitches from rubbing when lies down.

Playgroup time

When the kids were young finding a playgroup was essential.  It also created life long friendships.  Today, we had a little different kind of playgroup.  I was asked to let out Izzy today, but I didn't want Bo and Otto to wait any longer for me to get home from work, and I didn't want to come home let them out and then have to leave right away.  So, I brought them along with me and Izzy had a playdate!
 I pulled into their driveway, and Izzy was already at the window.  (just like the kids used to be waiting for everyone to come over)

Then we went in, and excitement was in the air.  Izzy played the good host and showed Bo around,

                                                                    and then Otto

                                   
                                    " Here is where I spend my days" she told her buddies

                                             
                                                          They went outside for a bit, then
                                                  after playing and running around...so thirsty!

Soon it was time to go home.

No, Don't Go!

Don't worry Izzy, we'll BE BACK!   

I know Bo and Otto had fun as they are sleeping soundly as I type this.

Time for a Cut

Well Izzy had a new adventure today.... Heather took her in for her First official haircut...she was super scared as they entered Petsmart (Izzy not Heather)... the automatic doors alone were a new experience... then she went in... it was like saying goodbye on your child's first day of school.. bitter sweet... two hours later she was ready for pick up... eager to leave and apparently not a fan of the blow dryer.  Izzy with purple bows in her ears was ready to go home!

Before

and After:

Nice Bows and Haircut Izzy!!!

Blue Paws

One day last week I came home to a mess by the washing machine.

 Seems Otto was bored and needed something to occupy his time, so he took the top off the Era laundry detergent and poured it out all over the floor.  The carpet was saturated and Bo had blue paws.  Funny, Otto didn't.  Guess he liked making the mess but not playing in it.

Life without Bandit

Life has gone on without Bandit.  He was the pack leader in our house but we have noticed at least one thing Bo has tried to take over..though it's not quite the same.   The night treat.  Bandit was always the one who reminded Scott that it was "Time" for the evening flippy treat.   Bandit was very persistent.  He would sit by Scott, first just stare, then paw them, and if Bandit was still ignored he would try to jump onto Scott's lap.  Scott would confirm, "Ok Night Treat". Then all the dogs would jump up from wherever they were and get their evening chew.

Bo has taken this on with a twist of his own.  The amazing thing is he is just as determined as Bandit was.  He does not give up, it starts with a stare, then a paw goes up, and if he is still ignored, both paws.  "Oh, its time, you want your treat?" which is followed by a woof and then Otto jumps off the couch and both get their nighttime chew.  Yes, this does sound exactly like what Bandit used to do, but here is the twist.  Let's say Bo decides its treat time at 7:00 pm by pestering Scott, then at 8 pm he will do it again, this time Bo will direct all his attention at me.  So, if I give them another treat, maybe just something small, then in about half hour or so, he will go back to Scott and do it again.  It's like he has short term memory loss...or he is just that smart??

Helper Puppy

Just doing a little outside yard work today at Dan's with Suzie.  It's a lot easier to pull out the sparse Lilly of the Valley stalks now, before they start to grow.  Now, you are wondering what does that have to do with a Paw Prints blog.  I was lucky enough to have a helper puppy help me.  Izzy is a fantastic digger.  I would break up some of the dirt and she would dig right in.

She took the work seriously.  Thank you Izzy for all your help!