Happy Birthday!

I like birthday parties.


Tiger missed out on the festivities. He took a nap instead.

Twelve Big Ones
Today my person turned 12 years old. That's 84 in dog years. He doesn't look that old.

Peaceful Coexistence

Hey, wait a minute...who invited you up here?

Or, why can't we all just get along?
I don't understand kitties. It seems the more you give them the more they want. Tiger is allowed up on the big bed - the comfiest place in the whole house. But that no longer seems to be good enough. Yesterday he curled up for a nap in my doggie bed. I had to sleep on the floor. And this morning I found him in my spot on my person's bed. What's a doggie to do?

Kitty Konflicts

I'm taking good care of Tiger


He doesn't look like he's hurting to me

Poor Tiger?
My new friend, Tiger, had to go to the pet doctor. He was bitten on the back of his neck by another kitty-bully in the neighborhood during his first outing. I never see other kitties when I'm out and about on my walks, but then again, I am mostly looking for doggies to play with.

Tiger is doing fine and spends his time relaxing on his bed and munching on shrimp-wrapped penicillin tablets. But he's grounded for the next 3-5 days until his sore heals. So no midnight outings.

Where's Tiger?

On the move
This kitty is hard to keep track of. He's quick and quiet and he hides from me. He sleeps all day and then likes to come out at night when I'm all tucked in. He was let outside for the first time and disappeared for 24 hours. And then suddenly there he was - ready for a few bites of shrimp.

Getting to Know Him

He thinks he owns the place


If only I could get just a little bit closer

Why can't we be friends?
Today we met nose-to-nose. He was coming around the corner and I was on my way into the bedroom to check him out. Polite? Maybe. Friendly? No. We sniffed each others noses and then he turned around and ran away under his bed. But it wasn't long before he came out again and hopped up on his spot on the bed where he can look out and keep an eye on me. I sit in the doorway and keep an eye on him. Sometimes I get closer and then he growls at me. My person gave me a soup bone today to help me keep my mind off that furry thing.

They Call Him Tiger

They say he's an eight-year-old half Norwegian forest cat.


One thing's for sure... he knows how to make himself feel at home

And he's moved right in
It's a c-a-t. For the moment he lives in the back bedroom. First he hid under the bed, only appearing when they whiffed shrimp in front of his nose. Now he's moved up onto the bed -smack- dab in the middle! And, he's been here less than 48 hours! I've never been allowed on that bed. I've been in a few times to say hello but all I get is a hiss or two. What I'd really like to do is to get a hold of that long, bushy tail that he whips back and forth when I'm around. But he's very well protected. What's a doggie to do?

Somethin's Fishy

Fish Fingers
Something is going on around here. All of my persons' fingers smell like shrimp! And they keep going in and out of the living room and back and forth to the back bedroom, and for some reason, I am not allowed to go with them. And there is another new smell in the house that I don't recognize ... and it's not fish and it's not bird. Hmmmm.....

Bright Ideas

Here's what it's all about - a dead duck. Doggies must retrieve the poor duck without bite marks or messing up the feathers


Here's a doggie waiting for the gun shot and the signal to fetch the bird


Here's a doggie who is being told that there are more birds to find out there


And this doggie found another bird and retrieves it to her person's hand

Still a family dog
My person has gone crazy. She spent her Sunday at retriever field trials nearby. I don't know what she's thinking but I am not sure we are on the same page. I mean, I am just a family dog and those other doggies...well they have to work for their doggie treats. Take a look at the photos and you'll get an idea of what I mean. And, with all this bird flu all over the place, I'm not sure I want any part of those birdies.

Lap Dog

The place to be
This is where I like to spend my time when I'm not out walking, eating, playing in my yard, chewing on a pig's ear or sleeping in my dog nest. As you can see, I am growing up and can now call myself extra-large when it comes to lap-sitting.

Carnevale Time

A guy named Elvis came by...


There were carnevale buns for everyone...but me!

All dressed up
There were strange goings-on in my house yesterday. It's Carnevale time and there were all kinds of strange persons running around and knocking on doors. I don't mind. I love to answer the door and meet new visitors.

Training Buddies

Yes, I'm a family dog. But I'm not the only one.


This doggie is a family dog


And so is this doggie

The family dog group
Here are a few photos of some of my training buddies. There are ten doggies and we are divided into two groups. I'm in the group that's learning how to stay-put-in-one-place on command. In other words, no wandering off or running around. The other group is learning how to fetch a dummy and all that other hunting dog stuff. Some of the doggies in my group are naughty and haven't learned how to come when called. They like to run around and say hello to the other more well-behaved doggies. But I'm not telling which of the doggies do that. You'll have to guess.

A Great Weekend

Cousins and best friends



Monday morning blues
I had a great weekend with Tacy and I was sad to see her leave. I hope she comes again soon!

Slumber Party

Lights out at eleven


Eating piggy ears earlier today

My Favorite Cousin
My favorite cousin, Tacy, is visiting me this weekend. She is sleeping over at my house from Friday to Sunday. We've already eaten some pig ears, gone for a little walk in the woods, and played together out in the yard. Tacy is lots of fun to be with even though there are long blonde hairs on my fine black suit!

The Great Escape

Peer pressure -- it'll get you every time!

Thelma and Louise Revisited
First of all, it wasn't my idea. It was my best friend, Berta, who decided it was time for us to take off and run around in the woods for a half-an-hour or so.

Berta is a 2-year-old black lab just like me who lives nearby. We've met many times on our walks in the woods. She likes to wrestle , growl and loves doggie treats just like me, too. Her persons are very friendly and think I am really cute. Sometimes we walk together - like yesterday when my little person was out with me and we met Berta on our way. We walked for about 40 minutes - sharing a stick, wrestling and sniffing.

Suddenly Berta got the bright idea that it would be fun to take off and run around for a while. I took off after her and we were both gone, gone, gone. My person came home thinking that I ran home. But no, my big person said she hadn't seen me. So then Berta's person and two of my persons went searching for us in the woods. Luckily they didn't have to search long. We were worn out and sitting in someone's backyard waiting for something to happen. As soon as I heard my whistle and my name I came running with a big grin on my face. Berta came running too because she knows that my big person will give her a doggie treat. Berta has a bit of a weight problem and she is always on the look-out for a treat or two.

It was great fun - but something tells me that we probably won't be able to make a break for it a second time.

More White Stuff

Here I am on the lookout for a doggie to play with


Not a doggie in sight

Snowbound
This winter is starting to get on my nerves! All the good smells are frozen or covered in snow. I have to stick my nose deep into the snow to find anything interesting. And the worst part is there aren't many doggies around to play with. It's the pits.

Party Time

We like to play together


We can be wild and crazy


But we can also be quiet and sweet

Guests are great
My cousin Tacy came for a visit last weekend. She's lots of fun! But she's not afraid to put me in my place when I get irritating -- after all I'm just a baby puppy with lots to learn. Tacy is a mature lady who's been there and done this and that. She likes piggy ears just like me and she likes to play with my toys.

White Stuff!

There's a lot of it - everywhere!



They Call It Snow

And it's cold, wet and wonderful! I like it!

Holiday Greetings

Look what Santa left under the tree!


There was even a little bunny just for me!

'Tis the Season to Be Jolly
I like this time of year - people coming and going, delicious smells coming from the kitchen, and there's even a tree in the living room!

I have a new toy bunny and it's just great. I chewed off its ear on Christmas eve so my persons keep it hidden and bring it out only for play time.

Snowstorm on the way. I can't wait. More news later.

Visions of Sugar Plums

Cooling off



It's a good thing
My persons were busy today baking and making cookie houses. I circled the table a few times and managed to lick up a few delicious crumbs but mostly I slept. There's a lot to be said for long winter naps - especially when you're a growing puppy like me.

Growing Up

As of 3 December, I am six months old. No longer a baby puppy!

How big?
Normally, I don't share my vital statistics but since you asked here they are: (all measurements are approximate - I wiggle a lot!)

Height: ca. 41 inches

Weight: ca. 42 pounds

Length (not including my tail): ca. 33 inches

I have all my new teeth and they are white and sharp. But, I don't chew on things in the same way like I used to. I still like to chew on tennis balls, rawhide, soup bones, sticks, and the occassional pig's ear but when someone pets me I don't chew their hand - I lick it!