Lazy day....

Boy, oh boy!  It got really hot outside!  I mostly stay in when it's like this.  Being too hot isn't good for pups like me.  I'm nice and comfy on the big bed in the bedroom!  It's a good spot, 'cause I can see out the windows and keep an eye on the neighborhood!

But, guess what?  We all sat outside today!  That was fun....  there is a big tree out back and it has lots of shade.  So, Mom and Dad were sitting out there and I wanted to be out there, too.  And now I can because I have a long, long, long leash!  It attaches to the tree, so I can be out there with my pack, but I can roam around if I want to.  I sat in the sunshine for a little while, but my spots got  hot, so then I went to lie down in the shade.  There were birds and squirrels and chipmunks to watch, too!  I tried to catch the chipmunk, but he was too fast for me.  And there was a nice, smelly breeze, too.  I kept my nose working hard!  Oh, boy!  I hope we do that again soon!

We are lucky to have a mature maple in the back of our house.  It keeps us shady through the hottest weather and sunny in the winter.  Here is what it looks like in the fall.

The weather changed drastically from a chilly start to May to a scorching end.  We put a couple of outdoor lawn chairs under the tree to have morning coffee and tea - the temperature had not yet gotten unbearable and there was a pleasant, light breeze. 

I recently got a "tie out" for Harry - a long weather proof lead that we can wrap around the tree.  That way he has some freedom to move around - which he did, quite a bit.  He looked as though he was surveying his kingdom.  "And all of this.....is mine!"  His nose was working overtime, held to the air and wiggling around like it had a mind of its' own. 

We stayed out for over an hour - until the heat started really kicking in.  The forecast is for it to cool down a bit next week, so hopefully, we can spend more time outdoors in the  comfortable shade.

 

Saturday in the park...

Oh, boy, I am soooo tired!  We had such a big day yesterday.  I missed all my naps.  We were in a BIG park ALL day long and I couldn't close my eyes!  I was just too excited and didn't want to miss anything!  

It was nice and warm and sunny, too!  Lot's of people came up to see me.  There was a little girl, too.  She reminded me of my hooman friend who visits her grandparents around the corner from my house.  Some of the people knew me already!  They met me last year!  

I jumped in and out of the car a million times!  I had ice cubes and biscuits.  I only got a little irritated when a big puppy thought that he could take my water bowl.  It's MY bowl.  The rest of the time I just watched a whole bunch of dogs go by - big ones, little ones, noisy ones.....

I'm glad that people took my books because when they do that, they help my buddies at Almost Home Dog Rescue of NJ.  Thanks!!!

We spent the majority of the day at Allaire State Park.  We got there at 6:30 a.m. and it was already packed.  Luckily, it was a gorgeous day.

Harry, as usual, would not allow himself to nap, so he was as exhausted as we were by the time we headed home.

Many, many thanks to all the kind people who bought books and donated to Almost Home Dog Rescue of NJ!  Harry and I hope you enjoy the books!  Although specifically aimed at a young audience, I have been told that adults enjoy them, too.

While the books are available via the internet at Barnes & Noble and Amazon, I can offer discounted pricing. Just contact me via junivolz@gmail.com.  Free shipping, too!

If it takes forever, I will wait for you

Oh, hey, I just LOVE food!  I look forward to each one of my meals and treats every single day!  But, sometimes I save them.  Yep, I do.  Want to know why?  Because I love them so much!  

See, my Mom goes out after my middle of the day walk.  She does this almost every day.  But just before she goes, she gives me my dental bone.  Oh, boy!  I love my dental bone.  But, I'm sad when my pack isn't all together.  So I wait.  I wait on the bed where I can see out the window.  I wait with my dental bone.  I smell it.  I lick it a little bit.  Sometimes Dad comes in and gives me tummy rubs, but I make sure he doesn't take my bone away! 

I can see out the window so I know when Mom gets home!  And then, when she is, I'm happy again!  And that is the best time to relax and enjoy my bone! 

Harry lives for his treats.  However, he has taken up the habit of saving his dental bone until I get home from the gym.  Once I am safely back indoors, give him a "hello" and a tummy rub, THEN he will happily chow down.

My previous beloved was a very smart boy. (Steve)  He figured out strategies, had a sixth sense with wild animals and he even made a joke one day.  Really, he did.  But I have never seen a dog that understands the concept of delayed gratification.  Why, Mr. Spotter, you are quite an intelligent boy!
 

Mustang Harry

I love car trips!  I hop right in, no problem!  Just our car, though.  I don't like anyone else's.  Me and my pack!  Oh, boy!  And guess what?  Our car has its' own room!  And Mom and Dad were doing stuff in there yesterday.......they had all kinds of plants and pots and dirt and stuff.  

They had the door open to the car's room, but I just peeked out.  I've never been in that room before, so I was a little scared.  

But then a neighbor lady came by and she walked right up!  I usually walk right up to her at her house, but this was the other way around.  Well, I had to say "hello!" It's the polite thing to do.  So I went into the car room!  I walked right through!  And that made her happy, too!  Then I wasn't afraid anymore.  There's lots of smelly stuff to sniff in there!  It was fun!

Now that spring has officially sprung (a bit earlier than usual) we decided it was time to do the annual garden supply outing....for pretty pots full of flowers throughout the summer.  We set up a table and pots and a big bag of potting soil in the garage.  We left the door into the house open because if he can't see us, Harry barks up a storm.  So, there he was, peeking around the corner, but too timid to come in. 

One of our neighbors happened by.  It is someone Harry is familiar with, we see her all the time when on our walks because she is also an avid gardener.  That did it - Harry HAD to say "hello" to her, he couldn't resist!  So he conquered his fear of the garage and marched up to his human friend!  Then he stayed out there with us until we were too tired to do anymore.  Such a silly boy.
 

Happy Adoptaversary, Baby!

Oh, I know what you are up to.  I'm a pretty smart pup!  Yes, I am!  I want to go inside and I do NOT like my picture taken.  So, don't even try.  Don't.  I don't like it and I won't look.

 Harry has never, ever liked to have his picture taken.  We have to be stealthy...or I have to hold him with all my might - which isn't much!  I hoped that after our walk he would be a little subdued, and my husband has a new gadget - it doesn't flash like the stupid phone does.  But Harry still knew we were trying to take his picture.  Three years ago, he came to our home, his forever home.  We love you, Pootie.

What's ailing me?

I went to the dogtor the other day.  I didn't get to see the kitty that stays there this time.  I got poked and squeezed.  But I got lots and lots and LOTS of treats!  So, even when my nails were clipped, I only complained a little, tiny bit.  

I didn't feel too good for the rest of the day.  I was kind of sleepy.  But I was a good boy and ate my supper and went for a big walk.  

I felt just fine again this morning and did my wiggle worm.  That made Mom happy.  She put some stuff in my ear, though.  I was afraid.  But it didn't hurt, so I won't mind if she has to do it again.  

Wow, I never got so many treats from the dogtor's office!

Yes, Harry had his check up.  He doesn't mind seeing his doctor - everyone is very helpful and friendly.  And instead of putting him on a cold and slippery metal table, the doctor and his assistants get right down on the floor with Harry!

He needs to lose 2 pounds.  That means longer walks and less treats, although he was lavished with treats at the doctor's office!  And, being a floppy eared dog, he has a slight ear infection in one ear.  Since Harry can be a little "dramatic," I was afraid the first time I had to clean out his ear and put medicine in it.  But he did just fine, without a single whimper!

Harry was a little out of sorts for the afternoon, but he had several vaccinations he needed.  This morning he was back to normal, making me laugh with his wiggle worm antics.

Hopefully all is well with our Mr. Spotter!

How's the weather?

Wow!  Things have been funny here lately!  One day it's nice and warm and all the flowers look happy. Then the next day it's freezing and I'm back in my heavy winter coat!  And one night everything happened!  It was cold.  It was really, really windy.  I got scared and my insides were shaking.  There were those monster boomers outside.  Then stuff started hitting the windows!  It was like someone was throwing rocks at the windows!  I tried to make myself as small as possible.  Mom kept petting me because I was shaking.  I think I was awake all night long!

When it was time for my morning walk, I didn't want to go outside.  But I did, 'cause I'm a good boy!  A lot of the flowers had their heads down on the ground.  I guess they got scared, too!  But the sun came out and the flowers picked up their faces again.  Those little flowers are brave!

Harry wasn't the only one afraid of the weather.  The wind was howling, making it sound like the whole house would just fly off its foundation.  And we were concerned about large tree limbs.  Besides wind and rain, there was lightning and thunder.  Sometime in the middle of the night, there was hail.  Poor Harry was huddled in a ball next to the bed where I pet him until I fell asleep.  I'm not sure if he did.

In the morning, there were some tree limbs down, but less than expected.  There were still bits of hail on the ground, too.  The spring flowers were drooped and I would have bet that they were goners.  But, by noon, with the sun shining, they managed to stand up again.  The temperature has been fluctuating wildly - one day warm and sunny, the next day winter returns.  It's difficult to know how to dress properly.   Today is blustery, more like March than April. 

Guess we will just have to wait for one of those magical May days......warm breeze, birds singing, sun shining.  Sure wish it would hurry up.