Cosmo and the Back Window

Cosmo love, love LOVES our back window and if given the option, he would sit in front of it every hour of the day. When the sun shines in or not, he loves to look out at the squirrels, blowing leaves and anything else that makes its way past. Of course, that is the place he also sees lightening from and at that point he runs from the window, right into his crate!

My Riding Buddies

The ride home was actually shorter - By a full hour! That was a nice way to end the trip!  And the two dogs that remained in my lap for the full 7 hours? Cosmo and Dewey!

These two napped, cleaned each others ear and periodically peeked out the window to check status and location. They make perfect companions for the trip.

Cosmo's Obsession

Since Cosmo was a pup, he has been obsessed with toys. He carries them everywhere he goes and will drag each and every one out of the toy box. Once a week, we must walk the backyard and gather the plethora of toys he has scattered everywhere. It's much easier to do in the living room by the way. If there isn't a dog toy handy, he will find something in lieu of a toy (I have seen him with a tube sock, hair brush, a stick from outside and even a glue stick!) and bring it as he greets anyone that walks in the house. It's so sweet!

Today I was on the kitchen floor scrubbing and up trotted Cos with a toy in mouth. I know he didn't understand that I was busy at work nor that I really didn't have time to play. But how could I refuse his adorable request? The moment I decided to begin playing a game of toss, he was the happiest doggy on earth!

They Did Awesome!

Well, the crate cover project was worth every once of sweat and time. We came home after our full day out without a even a whimper at the sound the front door opening. Normally, the sound the door makes brings the dogs to a barking tizzy. Not this time! And they patiently waited for their crate door to open and be let out.

Cosmo is our biggest crate lover - Often seeking seclusion when a thunderstorm is coming or when he has had enough of little puppies trying to use him as a jungle-gym. When I opened his door, he looked up at me with those eyes of his with a look like, "Nope, not yet! I will come out later." Alright my man. Take your time. I have never seen you so happy and content!

Da Boys

WHAT is up with the weather in Florida??? First, the coldest winter on record and now a straight week of beautiful weather???? I know the dogs have taken note. They are thrilled with the chance to play outside and today was one that actually made them HOT. Now that's quite the change!

After about 10 minutes of running around, they all gathered around the water bowl for a quick break. This happened a few more times and then J.B., Buddy and Cosmo decided to simply look out at the others and watch instead of enduring the heated exhaustion. It was so funny to watch, all three of their heads following in unison as the rest of the pack ran back and forth along the fence line of our yard. Those silly boys!

Poor Cosmo

Cosmo has always had his own, unique set of issues and has never been a very confident dog.  Thunderstorms and firework celebrations send him right into a tail spin, putting himself right into the crate on his own. Unfortunately, it looks like a cracking fires bring him to that same level of stress. He literally crawled up my leg - WHILE IN THE STANDING POSITION - to gain refuge from the fire in the fireplace. Poor guy! We need the fire to keep warm! Fires are such a rarity that these consecutive exposures to the flames is brining him to the brink of insanity. I really do hope this weather will improve sooner than later. We have all had our fill!

The Squirrel Chaser!

I am convinced that the squirrels in our backyard have figured out that the deck restrains the dogs and that teasing them is a fun activity! They stay just outside their reach and tease my poor Chis endlessly!

Cosmos is the one who suffers the most, poor guy. He will run back and forth following them during their mind games, to the point where he is exhausted! When taunted enough, he will jump down of the deck to get them. What kind of brain power do these lil rodents have? Surly the dogs have more!?!

Cold Snap Alert!

This photo is not the best but it totally tells the story of this weekend.

The temperatures have dropped and the dogs have taken note. Today was cleaning day and I had all but one doggy bed in the wash. I walked back into the kitchen to find the boys all piled into the single remaining bed, trying to cuddle and keep warm. Look at Cosmo trying to hold on to the back for dear life! Poor guy!

Cozmosis

Rescuing him was one of the most fulfilling things we have done. Watching him grow and mature into a healthy, happy and much more confident dogs helps confirm our program is right! He came to us so timid and afraid - now he truly is part of the pack and comfy in his skin (yes, we got his skin issues resolved finally too!)

His newest trick is to antagonize Capri to get her to play with him. Back in the day, he would cower in the corner when near any dogs that showed an ounce of confidence (Which she has 12 times over). To see him reach out and instigate - siggghhhhh - I am so proud!

Keeping Guard

Chihuahuas in general are awesome watch dogs. They bark to defend their home - letting their peeps know Someone's Here! When we are at the camp ground, they normally go nuts when people walk by - especially when walking their dogs.

After two years of camping, they have finally learned that the campground is NOT their home - the camper is! No more barking at passers-by! We left the window blinds open all weekend long with no barks! YAHOO!!!!!!

Those Eyes Get Me Every Time!

Cosmo is our gentle giant. Huge for the breed, he weighs in at 10 pounds and towers over all of our other chichis. He usually stays away from our new litters since when in large numbers, the pups tend to enjoy using him as a play toy. Once we are down to a few left is when he enjoys play sessions.

Over the last few weeks, he has had to adjust to Ace, then Capri and then of course, Ben and Jerry. Four puppies ranging in size, energy level and age. Once the pups get going, then Dewey jumps in, so that leaves Cosmo with 5 little ones using him as a jungle-gym.

Today he came running into the kitchen after one of these play sessions and just looked up at me with those eyes - as if trying to tell me HELP ME!!!!! Of course I couldn’t resist and I took him out back for some one-on-one time with me – away from all that child's play.

Standing Heat

Apple is finally accepting - Watching her back into Cosmo was the sure sign that she is there. Once we quardened off the boys, her whining started followed by some actually cries. Looks like the next 12 to 14 days are going to be agonizing for ALL of us. Luckily she won't be throwing any of the other girls into heat. We are still a few months away for Cocoa and Baby - August/September for those two - that is of course if Baby and J.B.'s whoops didn't stick.

Unlikely Buds

Apple and Cosmo have become quite close with the rest of the girls out of the picture. Baby and Cocoa are still separated from the boys and of course, Ginny and Blue are with their pups.

She has been playing with the two biggest boys in the house - Dude and Cosmo and honestly, they are so sweet with her They let her chew and tug on their ears, instigate all kinds of play and of course, cuddle. Too cute!

Cosmo Has Finally Grown Out Of It!

The older Cosmo gets, the more we are seeing some of his less-than-perfect traits. His skin is becoming less sensitive to things and the scratching has lessened. He also has all but stopped his submissive peeing. It used to be so bad! He would piddle when you walked in the room or at any weird sounds.

We have family visiting from out of town and usually when new people are here the pee squirts - but not today!! HUGE accomplishment!

So Cosmo

Every one of our dogs has their own unique quirk or trait. Cosmo has a quirk that he has shown since he was an itty pup. It started out as a natural skill of fetching. He is our only dogs that fetches. He will actually bring an item to you when you enter the room, begging to play a game. Then we noticed that when ever he runs around he always has a toy in his mouth. Whether playing chase in the house or running around in the backyard, he wont dive in until he has grabbed his toy. If he isn't napping or eating he is loving on a toy. So predictable - so adorable - so Cosmo.

Cosmo's Spot

The weather has chilled and the dogs are scurrying about looking for spots of sun to keep warm. Cosmo has braved the temperatures to sunbathe on top of the kid's yard toy box out on the deck. He lays out there for hours and then comes inside for a nibble of food. The other dogs tiptoe outside to potty and run back in - He is such a strong boy!

Lovin The Springs

The dogs have loved the chance to get out and explore the park. All of the hiking trails are just too perfect for chichi's with a hankering for bugs and lizards. This afternoon we ventured out to the actual spring. None wanted to dive in but they loved the smell of the water in the air - and watching all of the boats.

Gotta love Cos!

It was a long drive out to Manatee Springs but well worth the 3 hours. To help Ginny along with her separation issues with her puppies, we decided to keep her along with a few other dogs at home with our oldest for the weekend while we took Dude, Cosmo, Baby and Martini - along with the pups.

My job on camping trips is to set up inside the camper (I am spoiled at get the AC/heat!!!) I had just finished setting up the pup's playpen when I turned around to find this adorable sight. Cosmo was so ready to turn in for the night as he had found his way into our bed - even cuddling up to our pillows.

So Ugly He's Cute

You cannot help but love him! Cosmo was dealt a deck of goofy traits - ones that we cannot breed (hence his snip-snip) but to us, he is just so cute! This over bite totally adds to his character. His lip usually gets hooked on his teeth and he looks even goofier! I will say that he is doing great with his skin condition with all of this rain! He has skin allergies that flair up when it's dry out - or from fabric softener.

Just Chillin!

Baby is back in with the rest of the non-hormonal pack. The boys of course had to sniff to make sure ;) But it didn't take long for her to be back in nap mode with her bestest buds, Mo and Cosmo.