Run, Jump, Tug and Eat Bacon

Our dogs love to have us play with them. Tsar likes to jump up and pull on Rob's hands. He only does it when Rob's wearing gloves because he can get too rough for bare skin. He doesn't do it with me. He and I play chase the stick or run around and bark.



Tsar is a big dog and likes to play rough games if given a chance. Just a word will put a stop to it if he starts getting too rough.



Fudge is much more active than Tsar. He loves to run



He's not one of our better retrievers. He usually lets Samba chase the object and start back with it. Halfway back, he'll take it away from her and bring it to us expecting praise.




Doesn't he look happy?















Fudge is our very best jumper. He can jump straight up and get as high as Rob's shoulder. It's a strange feeling to be talking and suddenly have him at eye level.



He jumps for no reason. He just enjoys it. In the evening when I'm watching television, if I move suddenly, Fudge will start to jump and spin. He thinks if I'm moving, that means a treat for him.



Tug is another favorite game. Usually he plays it with Sky, but now and then we play with him.



After a busy morning of active games in the yard, Morgan lkes to head out for her favorite snack, bacon.


What can be better than seeing that little white box coming out the restaurant door and heading for the car?









What a great start to another day.








Are my dogs spoiled, darned right they are.

Look What Came Today

It started out as a gloomy morning. Everyone slept till 6:30, then went out and had breakfast. Rob made coffee and I stumbled into the kitchen to watch the news. Rob had to go into the office for a while and promised to cut my hair later tonight. He decided to take Morgan and Fudge to the office with him. Morgan is always a bit confused in the morning until her pills kick in. Today she decided she wasn't going to let Rob get away without her and curled up on top of his bags to wait.


With Fudge gone for a couple hours, it was much quieter around the house. I had a second cup of coffee and was just heading upstairs for a shower when all the dogs ran toward the door, barking. I peeked out the window to see the mail lady driving away. When I stepped onto the porch, there was a big box addressed to me.


Gaylen sent me a Birthday/ Valentine gift.


She knows me better than some of my family. She covered all my interests. Cross stitch supplies.


Doggy fabrics for sewing projects.


Soft yarn in my favorite colors .


Mug, napkin, teabag holder and coasters for my tea break.


Scrapbook stickers and a take along picture frame.


According to my furry friends, this was the very best part, treats for dogs and people.

Boy, Gaylen, you know how to brighten a gloomy day. Thank you.

Now, it's hair cutting time. When I met Rob I had very short hair. I like it that way, but since moving to Missouri I haven't been able to find anyone who cuts it the way I like it. Right now it's much longer than I like and it gets in my face and drives me crazy. I like to be able to wash it in the shower in the morning, then not have to think about it again all day.

Last week I asked Rob what he'd think if I got a brushcut. He thought for a minute, then said it was almost that short when we meant, so if that's what I wanted, go for it. I took a few days to think about it and tonight Rob is going to cut my hair about 3/4" long. I'll wear my big earrings and lots of hats and it should be fun.

China, Here We Come

It's cold again today, what happened to our spring like temperatures? We all went out to play this morning and Bailey, our resident excavator remembered the hole she started last week.



Since she's taken a few days off, there's a lot of work to be done on this new project.



While everyone else ran around and chased sticks that Rob threw, Bailey continued to dig.



Man, this is really tough work digging this hole all by herself. Can't a girl get some help around here?



Noah is a good brother. He's willing to stop play and help his sister. She is keeping a close eye on him, however.



The Good Dog Fairy missed us again this year. Next year I think I'll leave all the lights on and maybe leave her a yummy snack, like we would for Santa. If anyone runs into her, would you please give her our address and tell her we're waiting.

Party Time

Rob and I went out for lunch today to celebrate Valentine's Day. Morgan went as usual and we invited Fudge since it's his birthday.


We don't usually have doggy birthday parties, but it's Valentine's Day and the weather is nice and it's been a long winter, so we had a party for Fudge.

I didn't bake a cake. Instead they had Frosty Paws and special cookies.


Doesn't that look good enough to eat? We held it outdoors to avoid some of the mess.


Did someone say there's a party?


Samba, our Alpha dog didn't waste any time getting into hers.


The birthday boy was interested, but he was too excited to finish his.


Sky's a food hound. This was his first ever Frosty Paws and he thought it was great.


Tsar can't eat frozen things. The cold makes him sick, so he stuck to yogurt.


Morgan got comfortable to eat hers.


Norma Jean liked it, but was so excited that she only ate a little bit.


Lola thinks it tastes pretty good.


Noah entertained himself by tossing the container around, then pouncing on it.


Bailey held hers tightly and finished every drop.


Tess seemed to enjoy her treat.


Fudge got into it.


Here they're finishing up the Frosty Paws. This was the most quiet they've ever been.


Tsar was the first to get a cookie.


Four sisters enjoy their cookies.


Rob trying to make them remember their manners.


Is there any more?

Consider having ten two year-olds with sugar highs running around the house and you'll have an idea of what we experienced this afternoon. Now they're all stretched out in various spots around the house sleeping it off.

My Funny Valentine

Some women get flowers and candy from their sweethearts on Valentine's Day,
but I have a 24/7 valentine.
On February 14, 2005, in Parks, Arizona, Jake and Mandy became the proud parents of three sons.

This is Fudge at four weeks of age.


The day he turned eight weeks old, Deerpark's Chocolate Legacy,
better known as Fudge, came to live with us and our lives haven't been the same since.

Fudge can be silly, obstinate and infuriating. He can be totally in tune with me or totally out of step, but every evening he climbs on my lap and snuggles for a while before going off to get into more trouble.





Fudge is a strong personality and he has clashes with the rest of us on a pretty regular basis, but he's always ready to make up and try something new.



Fudge is a great jumper and a world class spinner. He spins so fast we have to reach out and stop him before he crashes into something.
















Fudge has won Best of Breed in conformation and has earned two legs of his Rally Novice title, but he has also performed his medley of favorites for judges on more than one occasion. His moves include jumping like a pogo stick, spinning like a top and rolling over on his back with his paws over his eyes.

Fudge is the sire of our puppies, though he acts like a puppy himself.



In the Portuguese Water Dog community there is a tale that on or about the third birthday of a naughty PWD, the 'Good Dog Fairy' pays a visit and from that time on the dog will be a well behaved member of the family and community. He or she will follow commands, not jump on people, will give up stealing and racing around as if fired from a cannon. The Good Dog Fairy was due at our house a year ago. She must have gotten lost. We're wondering if she'll show up this year and turn Fudge into a model canine citizen.


Somehow I don't think so.



Happy Birthday, Fudge and Happy Valentine's Day.