A Good Weekend

This past weekend was a good weekend.  I went hiking with my dad at Great Falls, attended a Penn State men's volleyball game, watched Casablanca, and of course... walked and spent time inside and outside with Tahoe and Ashley.  I also went shopping and purchased Ashley a new doggie bed to replace her old stinky one. (The verdict is still out as to whether she likes it or not...)

Ashley chewing a bone on her new bed

With the milder weather, Tahoe and Ashley seem to want to spend more and more time outside these days.  Both of them love to stand in the backyard and soak up the sun rays and breathe in the fresh air - who can blame them? (The nicer weather has also kept me busy and away from my computer and this blog. *Sorry*)

Ashley watching Casablanca

Of course, as I write this, we are in the midst of a tornado watch and rain and thunderstorms have been rolling through all day ~ go figure!
So a new week begins... and February 2011 comes to an end.

Int'l Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day

Did you know that today is International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day? (I swear, I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried.)

It seems that the concept of "dog biscuits" was first introduced during ancient Roman times when dogs were given stale bread pieces for snacks. Later in the 19th century, hunters gave sporting dogs hard barley meal biscuits for energy on a hunt. Such biscuits were later upgraded to include vegetables, meat, and bone meal.

The dog biscuit industry has improved dramatically since the time of ancient Rome. Today, there are thousands of varieties of biscuit flavors and types to choose from. I think modern dogs have a lot to be thankful for.

Tahoe likes it!

Down the hatch

Yummy!

Valentine's Smoochy

Remember that cute little dog toy that I featured in a picture on my blog on Valentine's Day? I had purchased two "smoochy" dog toys - one for Tahoe and one for Ashley. What happened next is documented below...

Innocent and happy-go-lucky "smoochy" toys

Ferocious Ashley tugging her smoochy

Wily Tahoe pouncing on his smoochy

The horror!

The aftermath of stuffing

*** Note: No living smoochy's were harmed in the making of this post.

Heat Wave

The weather has been very warm and mild for the past couple of days.  Today, I think it reached 69 degrees F!  With the warmer weather, my dad decided to play with Tahoe and Ashley for an hour today in the backyard.  They got to stretch their legs, get fresh air, and enjoy the warm sunshine. 

When I got home from work, we went out for a walk by the lake.  There are still a few areas of dirty snow piles and mud from the snow melt but, all in all the conditions were pleasant.  We saw three or four different dogs and dog owners during our walk... I'm surprised that we didn't see more with the weather being so nice. I hate to say it but I think we might be done with the snowfall for the winter.

Tahoe on the trail

Sunset at the lake

Happy Valentine's Day!

Throughout the world, millions of people celebrate Valentine's Day with their fur-babies.  So, that made me wonder... do you think that dogs feel love? Many experts believe that they do (check out this excerpt from Masson's book) and many experts believe that they don't. For me, I think the answer is quite obvious - Tahoe and Ashley wear their hearts on their wagging tales everyday. Call me a crazy dog lady if you like but, I know that my dogs are all about love. So today, in honor of Valentine's Day, let's all take a cue from dogs - be present in the moment and follow your heart.

Love like a dog - with all your heart 

And, to my dear husband...

Hu guaiya hao!

Jack

I had an opportunity to see Jack the Bulldog at the Georgetown basketball game today.  I got a great snapshot of him in his little g-town t-shirt... he's such a cutie!  Whenever he's nearby, Brian just has to pet him and say "hi."  So... in lieu of being able to greet Jack in person, this one's for you, Brian!  Happy Valentine's Day!

PS - GU defeated the Golden Eagles - 69 to 60. Go Hoyas!

Special Delivery - Part II

Another special delivery arrived at the house today - this time, it arrived while I was at work.  Again, the package was addressed to Brian.  After having received a box full of yummy Greenie treats yesterday, Tahoe and Ashley couldn't resist... they just had to open the box to find out what was inside.  What do you think they found?

Checking out the box...

Hmmm... Tahoe, can you read that?

Oh my goodness... this smells good!

What in the world is it?

Ashley knew what it was right away.  Born and raised in Maine, she knows a Maine lobster when she sees one. This time, the special delivery was meant for me. (Awe... how sweet!) It was a delivery of 2 fresh lobster tails, clam chowder, and chocolate truffles.

Babu enjoying genuine New England Clam Chowder

Ashley taking a closer inspection

Lobster tail - it was delicious!

Thank you Brian! It was a wonderful (Valentine's Day) treat.
xoxo, Jen

Special Delivery

Tahoe and Ashley received a special (early Valentine's Day) delivery today. Well, technically, it was a package addressed to Brian that was meant for Tahoe and Ashley.  So what do you think they received...?

Ashley is sniffing it out...

Their noses are going crazy!

Is that what I think it is?

GREENIES! Hooray!

Yum yum yum yum yum!

A box full of large Greenies!

Tahoe and Ashley say: "Thanks daddy!" (They sure do love their Greenies)

Defrosting

We've had a bit of a dry spell with three consecutive sunny days.  While the sunshine has helped to melt much of the snow, there are still patches of snow, ice, and slush on sidewalks and trails.  Plus, with all of the snow melt, grassy areas are soft and muddy. I haven't taken Tahoe or Ashley out as much as I should because of the slippery and soggy conditions. 

We did, however, manage to make it out for a walk on Sunday but it was so muddy that I needed to give both Tahoe and Ashley baths afterward. I don't have the time (or energy) to walk them AND give them baths everyday so... much to their dismay... we have not gone on a walk for the past few days.

The lake, defrosting

Tahoe, jumping with joy at being on a walk

Superbowl Update:
Well, it seems that Tahoe has a knack for making football picks.  He came very close with his selection of Green Bay winning by 9 points... personally, I think he confused the 9 with the 6 -- easy mistake for a dog to make.  Also, I think that Ashley didn't understand the instructions. Instead of selecting the winner, she simply predicted that Pittsburgh would score 25 points which, was spot on. (We may just have to test their skills again for March Madness...)

A Little Rant

Why does Ashley have to be let out at 2am every morning to go potty?
Why does Tahoe insist on sleeping on my pillows next to the headboard?
I love my dogs but... sometimes... I could use a really good night's sleep.

Oy vey! (Jack the Bulldog)

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So, tonight's the big game.  As an addendum to my posting on February 4, in addition to making picks, Tahoe and Ashley also made points predictions. Tahoe believes that Green Bay will win by 9 pts while Ashley is confident that Pittsburgh will win by 25 pts or more!

Depicted above: The point spread and the process of selection - very scientific.

Super Bowl XLV

Super Bowl XLV is this Sunday and Tahoe and Ashley have decided to take part in the game frenzy.  Both have made "picks" on which team will walk away as Super Bowl XLV Champions!

Ashley's tennis balls

Tahoe's footballs

Tahoe deciding...

Ashley deciding...

And the picks are in...

Tahoe has selected the GREEN BAY PACKERS

Ashley has selected the PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Ashley making her pick!

This is what Ashley thinks of Tahoe's pick!

Breaking News...

Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinaire... did not see his shadow! Let's bring on Spring!

Actually, during his 125 years of weather forecast prediction, it seems that Phil has only been right 39% of the time. Hmmm... looks like Tahoe might just argue the "shadow-prediction-thing" this year.

Tahoe sees his shadow

Dental Care

Did you know... the month of February is National Pet Dental Health Month! Keep your pets happy and healthy by regularly brushing your pet's teeth and by regularly visiting your veterinarian. 

Ok, I must admit that I've never been very successful with brushing Tahoe's or Ashley's teeth.  That said, I do provide them with rawhides (which helps reduce plaque) and greenies (which cleans teeth & freshens breath) and... most importantly... I take them for regular check-ups to the vet.

During our last visit to the vet, we actually discovered that Tahoe had two rotten teeth.  The rotten teeth were extracted and Tahoe was back to his "normal" rambunctious self within a few days.  I'd hate to think what might have happened if we hadn't taken him for his annual vet check-up -- rotten teeth can lead to infections and potentially serious health problems, if not addressed.

Tahoe

Ashley