Fate and family reunion

We traveled to the cities this weekend for W's surgery. Things went well and he's recovering. Lots of fun adventures! We saw turkeys in the business district.



Found a super cool dog park.



With it's own pond.






Lots of room to run!



And a good bully stick from Chuck and Don's to end the day.



Meanwhile, back at home, M was back at home hitting the pumpkin patch with her school.







And a birthday party for her BFF E!




Today we met cousin B and Uncle G for lunch at a neat little Italian deli, Cossettas...and another trip to the super cool dog park because B loves puppy parties!



Ezzie decided it would be fun to jump in the pond. Naughty dog!



We weren't supposed to go to this dog park today. We had another one all picked out. But it fell through because we don't have an annual permit. As fate would have it, it was meant to be. Ezzie was reunited with her sister, Eddie. It was the craziest thing, but it was also so obvious. We noticed there was another beautiful tri Aussie at the park. She looked just like Ezzie. I asked her owner the age of his dog. He said it's his son's, and she's 6-7 months old. From a vet, and originally named after a beer. What are the odds?

Ezzie and Eddie.







Ezzie's sister, Eddie. Isn't she beautiful!



Bear never gets jeoulous of Ezzie playing with other dogs, but he seemed less than impressed with the connection between Ezzie and Eddie. Poor Honeybear!

They are back together again, snuggling as I type. Just the two of them. ;)

Beautified

Ezziegirl



Honeybear



The pups both got a bath tonight. After a slightly rainy morning and yet another trip to the dog park, it was a much needed cleansing.

They spent the weekend playing hard!




We've been working on boundaries on the house. The pups are not allowed in the kitchen if I'm in there making something. They are supposed to stay off the laminate. As you can see, Bear cheats!



Ezzie and Bear love the dog park. It's going to be a long winter!



Happy girl.



Bear on the move.



They were really tired on the way home from the park.





Bedsnack time.

Ezzie and Bear, together again.

Ezzie and I traveled out of town this past few days for a conference.  We stayed with a friend that has a five month old female puppy, Juno.  The dogs hit it off right away and had a great time playing and socializing.  They were both matched fairly close in size.

I had a little scare with Ezzie while we were in Bismarck.  The first night we stayed, she had a terrible time trying to sleep.  She woke up around three in the morning, panting, clearly uncomfortable, and inconsolable.  She tossed and turned in her crate.  I took her outside for a while and walking around seemed to help a bit.  When I brought her back in, I let her sleep in bed with me and tried to calm her down by petting her and talking to her.  She continued to pant and whine.  She finally collapsed from exhaustion after an hour or so and slept for a while.  Of course, I was also on Google researching all sorts of unmentionable and terrible things that could be wrong with her.  Not to worry, she was just fine when she woke up a couple hours later at 5:30am!

I called Cassie to see if she had ever experienced this type of behavior with Ezzie's mom, siblings, or other dogs.  She recognized it right way...gas pain!  Of course, it all made sense!  The first thing Ezzie did when she got to Juno's house was eat all his food.  Gah!  My poor baby pup!  I felt terrible for letting her get to the food.  No more sharing dinner with a friend for her!

Notwithstanding her misadventures in food thievery, I'm pretty sure she had a good time.  Juno was a lot of fun, but she plays more like a wrestler than a dog. 

The reunion between Ezzie and Bear was priceless and I sure wish I would have had the video recorder on.  Bear was outside when Ezzie and I got home.  We walked out on to the deck and saw Bear way across the yard, looking at the neighbors' dogs.  When he turned and saw his Ezzie was home, he busted into a sprint and ran like a speeding bullet.  They met each other halfway and broke into happy rolls, tugs and snuggles.  It was very cute!

Today Ezzie and Bear played while we got the leaves raked.  And holy cow were there a lot of leaves.  I wouldn't trade the trees for the world, but fall clean-up is not my favorite time of year.

This afternoon we went and checked out the agility trials at the canine club.  I can't wait until Ezzie and Bear can start working on agility!  The dogs all seemed like they were having so much fun.  There's no doubt in my mind that Ezzie will excel at agility - she's an airdog.  Bear loves to do anything Ezzie is doing, so I'm sure he'll get by just fine too. 

Zagg nabit!

Turns out that Zagg screen protector isn't so indestructible after all. Note to company: your product is no match for Miss Esmeralda Sky! Love it that there's a lifetime free replacement in the product. We might be going through a few of these.

Today Bear had his distemper and microchip at Minn-Kota PAAWS. What a great organization! Northwest Minnesota Australian Shepherd Rescue, the organization that placed Bear for adoption, helped us set up the appointment and even worked with us to give the shot and microchip over the noon hour so we wouldn't have to leave Bear there alone. Thanks Brenda! I was more than a little stressed about leaving Bear in a strange place so early into his adjustment at our house. It all worked out well and Bear seems to be taking it in stride. In fact, he weighed in at 27.6 pounds, about five pounds more than he weighed when he first came to live with us a few weeks ago! I'm pretty sure it's all muscle.





Maybe they could just share...




They just love to snuggle.

Falloween fun.

One of the best days of the year is just around the corner! M has a few rummage sale costumes (rummage sale costumes are the best kind, fancy and almost always only worn once) to pick from, but Ezzie and Bear are undecided. Ezzie knows what she WON'T be wearing. ---->

Can't you almost just guess what she's thinking?!





I'm happy to report that I finally found a brand for chicken treats that manufactures in the USA. Go True Chews!




The puppies are taking advantage of our unusually beautiful weather.

Let's play!




She threw it for me, not you!




Duel!




To the death!




Winner. Story always ends the same. ;) Ezzie is such a bully.




Honeybear don't care. He's in it for the fun, all smiles and smooches.




Best friends.




Really bestest friends ever.

Another Day in Pupperdise

Esmeralda and Honeybear are complete polar opposites; they compliment each other perfectly.  Ezzie is more of our wild child and Bear is totally mellow.  While Ezzie paces the house, looking for whoknowswhat, Bear is content to just lay around and take in the scenery.  Ezzie is the dog that plays rough, chases the ball, and keeps everyone on their toes.  Bear approaches with caution, snuggles, and is always looking to see approval.  The best part is that in spite of the differences, they love to be with each other.

Snuggling.

Eating a bully stick. (Bear doesn't even seem to mind that Ezzie likes to "trade" sticks when hers is just about gone!  He looks at her like she's the best thing since chopped liver. 

Checking out things in the grass.

Eww!!  Disgusting things in the grass!

They are both so patient with little kids.  They never, ever tire of playing with their girl... They follow M and her friends everywhere!

I can relate; she is pretty cute.

Bear thinks so too. He loves to cuddle with M on the couch. 

  And he even tolerates being asked to pose for a picture!!

And tomorrow.....Next session of Puppy Kindergarten begins.  Yay!