We are a family that camps because it allows us to unplug while surrounded by nature and we can simply BE! Be with our family members, be with our dogs and just chill. It forces us to relax! And the dogs do too!
Today during one of the boy's play sessions outside, Dude stayed back. He is usually the first out the door so I couldn't understand what he was up to. The puppies had just jumped back into the pen and were winding down for their siesta. He is like a grumpy old man that simply walks away from young puppies - usually the opposite side of the hose.What could keep him so memorized? That's when he laid his cards on the table....
As part of our holiday house cleaning extravaganza, we deep cleaned the couches and opted to place blankets over the cushions. With dogs, kids and way too many meals eaten in the living room, we finally got the fabric back to a pristine state and wish to keep it that way. The dogs actually seem to prefer the comfy blanket addition, so it's all good.
I swear this dog is my husband in the canine form. He is very much attached to him, following every step he takes from the movement he walks in the door after work. And during the day he takes on the role of family protector - defending the yard with all of his mite! If there is anything from a squirrel to a noise from a car door closing he will alert us all with a bark. You can actually see his body relax once my husband get home. They say people start to look like their dogs - well Dude definitely takes on their persona!
When Baby gets into one of her playful moods - Watch Out! She's the one to watch. She becomes all feisty and such and will wrestle and play with any dogs that crosses her path. She will actually chase them down to keep the fun going.
Between the website and our homeschooling, I spend 5 out of 7 nights a week on the couch working on my laptop. Dude's favorite spot is right beside my leg with his body just under my lap board. Between the heat from him and from my laptop, hot flashes are inevitable!
Dude is SO spoiled! Brad loves all of our dogs, but totally favors Dude. That's his baby! He is always given the biggest pieces of food scraps, is carried up to bed early in the master's bed, gets the best napping spots on his lap and with just a whimper is removed from any quardened situation. Big BABY!!!!
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.
When I try to describe just how tiny Dewey is, I don't think people really understand. He is UBER tiny!!! He has made it up to 2 lbs 4 oz but he is skinny like his daddy - which really defines his tiny frame.
What possessed Dude to find this as his new look out spot is beyond me but when I walked into the living room I had to take a double-take. The top of my sofa table???
We use a dog pen as a way to gate off our back deck to contain the dogs while we are doing our homeschool work. They often lay out there, basking in the sun, chewing on a twig or leaf and then of course, defending the yard. There is an apartment complex at the bottom of the hill behind us which always brings us new neighbors with new experiences. When ever one of the maintenance men drive by in their golf carts there is always a group bark but lately, some new neighbors have been walking their dogs along the other side of our fence. Needless to say our dogs have NOT been too happy.
We have family in town and are celebrating a late Christmas together. You know you have an AWESOME family when they include your dogs in their holiday gift list! This year they got a bag full of new toys and this adorable little cap that we just had to try on Dude.
Years ago I read Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus and will never get the description of the man's "cave" out of my mind. Every man has some sort of cave and retreats to it almost every day.
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.
Dude of course has been here the longest - but at the same time has taken on the roll of the alpha-male. He watches over the rest of the dogs and the pups like true leader. I think he knows that he is my husband's favorite - the MAIN man in the house.