Tahoe Finds Buried Treasure

Yesterday's jaunt out in the fields behind the nearby Rec Center had been so pleasant that we decided to go back again today. Tahoe and Ashley were super excited!

Tahoe

Ashley - what happened to her ears?

After running around a bit, Tahoe found something buried beneath the snow....  a tennis ball! Tahoe loves to find tennis balls when we're out on walks.  It's like buried treasure that he loves to pounce on and dig around and play catch with.  Once he finds a ball, it's very difficult to get him to let go of it. I literally have to tackle him and pry it out of his mouth.

I've found gold!

Finder's Keepers...

Gimme, gimme, gimme...

Going... going...

Gone!

Snow Dogs!

Today (with a little encouragement and help from my dad) I took Tahoe and Ashley out of the house for the first time since Wednesday's snowfall.  Although Tahoe is a bit advanced in years, he is still a VERY energetic dog that LOVES TO RUN.  Keeping him under control while staying on your feet in normal conditions can be challenging.  Keeping him under control while staying on your feet when there is snow and ice on the ground... well, you're better off just falling on your face and getting it over with.  So based on experience, I knew that in order to take Tahoe and Ashley outside, I would need to take them somewhere where Tahoe could run free and off leash.  So I took them to a nearby Rec Center that has several open grassy areas and fields. Tahoe ran laps around Ashley and the fields!

Snow, Destruction, & Dogs

A snap-shot of the last 24 hrs...
Snow started falling in our area around 4:00pm on Wednesday, January 26, 2011.  The roads were slick and traffic was blocked for miles.  It took me over 2 hours to travel 7 miles and, based on news reports, I was one of the lucky ones.  Once home, I started to prepare dinner.  I had just started to crack an egg to make fried rice when the power went out... the time was 6:30pm.

4:00pm, 1/26/11: The snow starts to fall...

4:30pm, 1/26/11: Roads are blocked with accidents and traffic.

7:30pm, 1/26/11: Damage to our tree from the weight of snow.

11:30am, 1/27/11: The wandering Brit after the storm.

11:40am, 11/27/11: An abandoned & damaged car.

11:47am, 11/27/11: A down tree (and fence).

Ashley, coping with the conditions.

Tahoe, restless and tired.

Thursday, January 27, 2011... Anyone who has spent time in the DC metro area during the winter knows that people in Washington, DC and the suburbs surrounding the city go crazy when there's any sort of snowfall. It's almost as if everyone forgets how to drive and make rational decisions. Working at a college, on occasion I am a lucky recipient of a day off due to inclement weather aka, "snow days." This is basically the school's attempt to keep its students and staff safe by keeping them off of the roads and away from dangerous DC drivers.

So, home all day with the power (still) out and nothing better to do, I decided to read the horoscopes in the paper. (I should preface this by stating that I don't typically check my horoscope or Tahoe's. I think I was starting to go a little stir crazy.) Tahoe was born on March 10 so I read today's horoscope for Pisces. I've included it below:

"You are prone to getting stiff if you stay in the same position for too long. Experiment with movement. Get up, stretch, bounce around. This is true both physically and metaphorically."

Typical Tahoe & Ashley...

I'm too sexy... for this couch

Tahoe's reaction to the above: "Oh brother!"

When we first got Ashley, I wasn't sure how Tahoe would react.  Being an older dog (he was 7 at the time) and set in his ways, I thought he might have a difficult time adjusting to a new member in the family.  All in all, he's adjusted well to the roll of "big brother" and he puts up with her and her constant shenanigans.  Seriously though, I truly believe that the companionship of another dog during the day while we're away at work has increased Tahoe's quality of life. In March Tahoe will be 11 years old!

A State of Ecstacy

Today, Ashley continued her assault on her new Christmas toys...
Here she is in an ecstatic trance after de-stuffing another toy.

Christmas in January x2

Tahoe and Ashley are such lucky duckies. They both received belated Christmas presents today from Grandma.  Each received a small bag filled with plush toys, tennis balls, and treats. One of the treats was a type of chicken strip that Tahoe and Ashley wolfed down in under 5 seconds.

Presents!

Tahoe and a jumbo tennis ball

Ashley eating a chicken strip

Ashley removing the stuffing

Thanks to Grandma for the special Christmas surprise!

Winter Promenade

Tahoe and Ashley were very happy to get outside and walk today.  The weather was warmer (mid-forties) and the wind was very light.  Ashley was especially happy to be out and about because, as it turns out, she really needed to do a bit of business as a result of last night's busy bone. (Eew!)

During our walk, we greeted and passed several different dogs. The funniest dog that we saw was a little brown yorkie that probably weighed no more than 5lbs. As we walked by, that dog squealed and made such bizarre noises - the little guy couldn't bark properly.  Those little dogs sure are crazy! I much rather prefer Tahoe and Ashley's size and assertive barking sounds.

Tahoe near the lake

Ashley on the move

Tree graffiti - I didn't do it... I swear!

Ashley at the playground

Sunset at the lake

Christmas in January?

Today we celebrated Christmas with my brother and his family. (Our annual Christmas celebration and gift exchange had to be put on hold until after we returned from Guam.)  Although Tahoe and Ashley were not present for the yummy turkey dinner and gift exchange, they were the lucky recipients of two gifts, sure to keep them busy for hours.

What could it be?

Busy bones!!!

Thanks Mike, Cynthia, Allison, and Christopher!

Funny Face

Tahoe and Ashley are so funny...
Sometimes when they really want something (like a ball), they'll sit at attention and bite their flews. For those of you not familiar with doggy anatomy, the flews are "the pendulous hanging parts of the upper lips." (Canine Anatomy 101).

Below are recent flew shots.  While they might not land Tahoe and Ashley a trip to Paris like Hepburn's Jo Stockton, they sure are unique and funny faces.

Daydreaming

I caught Tahoe daydreaming today. I bet I know what he was dreaming about...

Mr. Daydreamer

Or maybe he was dreaming about...

Bones, bones, bones!

Back on the Trail

This weekend, I was (finally) able to get out and walk the dogs. It's been pretty chilly and windy so I had to bundle up with multiple layers, gloves, a scarf, and a hat - I certainly don't want to get sick again. We had a light snow fall on Saturday morning which left a pretty dusting on the trail and on the frozen lake.  Tahoe and Ashley were happy to be out and about. 

At the lake

On the trail

Crazy Tahoe

Tahoe

Ashley

Sick as a Dog

You've probably noticed that the blog has been a bit quiet lately.  Unfortunately, after returning home from Guam I got sick with some silly bug I caught from Babu, or maybe it was the long flights and drastic change in weather...  who knows.

Poor Tahoe and Ashley. They've been keeping me company and comforting me with their snuggles and snoring but I'm sure that they are wanting to get outside to sniff and run and play - I know that that's what I'm wanting to do (all except the sniffing, of course).

So here's to Vitamin C, Advil PM, and getting healthy again soon!

The beautiful weather I left behind in Guam

A comforting and watchful eye

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I can't believe it's already 2011, can you?
I hope that everyone has a wonderful year in store, full of happiness, and unexpected surprises and delights!