Meet my Cousin

I know this is all about me, but I wanted you to look at the family resemblance to my cousin's Sierra who lives in Switzerland currently. Striking!

He is much older now. I hope someday to get to meet in person and play together.

9th Day with the New Folks

Well it was a catch-up on my rest day after the great vacation. It is good to be home and get back into a bit of a routine. Riding in the car wasn't terrible, but if I can't drive, I would just as soon not go. At least my crate is very comfortable.

I continue to teach these folks about house training. I have learned to go potty a lot because of all the treats involved. I love the special snacks we bought at the dog store in Door County.

I only ventured out for a few walks, playing in the back yard with my siblings and watching a baseball practice.

Most of my 9th day was spent - SLEEPING! I hear I take after my new mom (she is a professional when it comes to sleeping).

Cutest Puppy in Door County

I really enjoyed my first vacation, road trip with my new family. They did very well and had a lot of fun together.

I thought I should leave you with a few glamour shots of me :)

My paws are really getting tired after all this blog catch-up.

Breakfast amongst the cherry trees...

Everywhere in Door County there are cherry trees.

My dad and brother took me out for breakfast and I got to play in the orchard.

It was a blast. We played chase and hide and seek. I think I really tired those two out. I may have to get them on an exercise plan soon.

Playing at the Lake

My First Fish Boil (Now I Know I am in Wisconsin)

Dinner was a fish boil on lake Michigan. They make a big fire with a boiling kettle full of water. Then in goes potatoes, onions and last big chunks of white fish.

While all the cooking was going on I got to play with my brothers and sisters down at the lake. It was fun to eat the sand.

Treats continued...

After the family had ice cream we stopped at the doggy bakery. Oh my goodness, treats and dogs everywhere.

I got so excited I ran to the back of the store and relieved myself :)

Lot's of butt sniffing and my new mom got me some very tasty treats.

Treat Time

What a busy day.

We headed into town for treats. The humans got ice cream. I just layed on the sidewak, it was a great way to get attention.

Just being cute!

Time for some culture.

Next on the agenda, the brothers all went goling (without me) and I went with mom and my sister to the art fair. I guess I am the only boy in this house with a taste for the arts.

It was very warm so I spent a lot of my time finding the shade. I was a very lazy dog. I sure did get a lot of attention. People everywhere petting me and asking questons about what kind of breed I am. I think I need a big sign saying I am a golden retiever and chow mix.

While I was laying around, I was treated to my first pedicure. It was great. Next time I am getting a facial or a seaweed wrap.

Brunch is over now what... The Farm!

After the rest of my family was done filling themselves at brunch. We took of to The Farm. The place is loaded with all kinds of animals and other people. I got to hang out for a couple of hours and meet all kinds of people.

I think people thought I was part of the farm. How silly, I am a house dog. I need way too much attention and love to be a farm dog, not to mention the smell of that place.

I figure I got to meet about 75 people at the farm. Not bad seeing how much socialization these brothers and sisters of mine need.

Sunday May 28th.

First thing Sunday morning my mom took me out to eat.

This was a real treat. I got to eat on the shores of Lake Michigan. It was awesome, oh yeah and the views where nice too.

What... who made this reservation.

Well after a long ride in the car, that I was very well behaved. We arrived at the Cherry Hills Resort and Golf Lodge. I am not sure what my new mom and dad where thinking, but NO pets are allowed. Being the brains that they are, they snuck me in!

I am already breaking the rules. The boys took off golfing and my mom and sister read books.

I got to eat dinner while checking out some horses. When them came over towards me I gave out two little barks and they took off. I guess I showed them. I never knew horses where such scaredy cats :)

Saturday May 27th The Road Trip Begins

Well I packed up my new family and headed to Sturgeoin Bay Wisconsin. I knew it would just be a kick to spend six hours with them in the car.

What are supposed to do to keep them occupied. I put a DVD in of Lady and the Tramp. I kind of like that one.

I decided we should stop about every two hours to run around and take potty breaks. Can you believe on the very first stop they forgot my bowl. If I had thumbs I would have grabbed it myself. It's so hard to find thoughtful family members.

Maybe this means we get to go shopping!

Going on a road trip.

I decided with the three day weekend to take the new family on a little vacation. We are headed to Door County Wisconsin. It will be a lot of time in the car but there is so much to see and do there.

The bad news is I probably will not get a chance to post again until Monday night.

I hope you all have a great Memorial Day weekend.

If you think about me, and you should, just know I am playing at the beach on Lake Superior and meeting all kinds of new humans and other dogs.

See you soon :)

The end of another full day and more family.

It's Friday night and I am wiped out. Before I retire for the evening take a look at my two younger brothers with two of my cousins.

Luke is looking way too excited in this shot.

I think I have a big family now, that's good isn't it?

Good night (I still haven't decided if I will sleep in all night or mess with them on the house training again tonight, I will have to let you know tomorrow).

You guessed it - nap time!

I don't need to sleep in no stinking hammock. Power Nap!

Now we are talking, break out the cold ones.

Here I am with some of my other aunts and uncles. As you can see everyone followed my lead and it was time for a cold one! Best part of a Friday.

My new mom started to worry about me, so I started sharing with her from under her chair.

Time out, I need to rest

It was a hot one. I was staying hydrated and out of the sun. When do we get this party started?

It's play time at the party...

I like to get any party started with a little sport and physicall activity. Humans always think they are such jocks - ha.

I was showing the kids how to play with a big blue ball. My brothers and sisters are so slow. They need to learn how to spring and pounce. I showed them over and over. They are slow learners, it no surprise they go to school everyday.

After playing with the ball for awhile, I got them started on some soccer. I decided to back up the goalie. I was giving 110% of my body up to protect the goal.

I will need to take a bit of a break after all this exercise.

Relaxing on a Friday

Upon returning home from school, it was so hot I decided a little laying in the bushes was in order. Anything to be in the shade. I am pretty sure there is a party tonight so I need to get some extra rest while I can.

I guess you can never learn enough.

It was back to school again today. I had to take my youngest brother Sam to third grade. Those kids have a lot to learn. I did my best to show them how you can roll around, play tug and where you are supposed to go to the bathroom.

As usually I was showered with attention. I am guessing but I think my new family is nearing the 100 person socialization mark. Throw in a handful of other dogs as well. Another 400 people over the next two weeks and they will be well on their way to a happy life.

School is always fun!

TGIF - Good Morning Day 5

Good morning and thank goodness it is Friday. I need a day off. Sometimes there is just too much pressure to perform.

I really threw the family into turmoil. Last night at 11:30 I pooped in my cage again. After those late night munchies a dog just has to go. I was up at 2:30 am to go potty, that went fine. When I woke up this morning at 6:30 am, I was able to break out of the cage. It was not closed from my middle of the night potty break. I proceeded to go into my mom and dads room, who where soundly asleep, and pooped on their floor! What a great way to start the long weekend. I just need to make sure they know who is running the show around here. If they are not going to play with me at 6:30 am when I am up, then they can cleanup after me.

I have already had breakfast this morning and gotten to go outside to go potty. You have to throw a human a bone once in awhile and make them think they have you figured out.

Rumor is we may be going to party tonight and going on our first vacation this weekend. I am so excited I can barely stand it. Stay tuned...

Another good day

Well, I hear my dad is out sailing tonight. One of my brothers is at basketball and the rest of the house is pretty quite. It feels like I am starting to get this family broken in. Their day revolves around me, as it should be.

After some of those embarrassing pictures of me, I thought I had better finish today with a cute one.

Thanks for looking :)

My favorite toy

My third most favorite thing to do in the world (behind 1. eating and 2. looking cute) is play with my tug rope. I could spend hours pulling and tugging and wresting with this thing. I don't understand why anyone cares about High Definition TV when you could be playing with a piece of rope. It's a game that never ends!

I want to be like Mike, want to be like Mike

I wonder if Nike would be interested in some the little jingles I come up with.

Anyway like I was saying before, it is time to keep introducing the members of my new family.

Here is my oldest brother Michael. He spends the most time with me, all night.

Like me recovering from my neutering surgery, Michael has been recovering from a broken right arm. Maybe that is why we have become so close so quickly.

I know how cute I am, but I think Michael has that special look too. It must be his puppy dog brown eyes!

Thursday Morning - Day 5

Finally a break in the action. This seemed to be the first day where I didn't have my schedule over booked. The day started with my older brother Michael. I was showing him how to read the funny pages from the paper.

I will have to get a better photo of Mike so I can brag more about him. I sleep ever night in Mike's room and he gets up with me in the middle of the night when I need to go potty (oh yea do my business). Michael is the best big brother I could ever wish for.

The end of my fourth day - dad comes home from work.

In an effort to keep introducing you to the rest of my new family. Here is my new dad playing with me after he got home from work. It is very exciting to see him after being gone all day. Too bad he can't live a dog's life!

This morning he got back from a run around the lake and he was all wet. I licked him all the over place - it was like a giant salt lick. Very tasty human.

Anyway he has been a good Dad and I think I will keep him.

I will definitely be good tonight when I go to bed in my crate. It would completely flip them out if there where two accidents on consecutive nights.

See you all tomorrow!

Trying to get into my pen

Messing with my new family. Here I am trying to open the gate and get into my pen. They will never figure me out.

The best part of my day, eating

I cannot contain my excitement when its time to eat. I see the bowl and then they go to the sink. That's when I start jumping around like I was on a pogo stick.

I bet I can eat everything in less then 60 seconds. After its all gone, I lick the bowl for as long as I can savoring every drop.

I am telling you there is nothing better then meal time.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

p.s. Did you notice the bowl got smaller, I can't put my whole head inside it anymore, they are learning :)

Working on my PhD

Well I spent more time at school today then at home. First I spent an hour with the 5th grade class at Carondelet. Then I spent an hour at DeLaSalle high school studying history.

From what I have observed so far, I am the last one that needs more education in this family. They can't figure out when I am going to poop why am I learning American History?

unfortunately I don't have photos from the classroom(s), I am waiting for the teachers to email me.

So instead, here is me sleeping after getting home. It was very tiring hanging out with all the kids! This is my upside down yoga sleeping position - what's up with the down facing dog thing in yoga?

My first indoor accident and it was in the cage.

Now I have these new owners on the run. After being outside playing for two hours, I held my "business" until it was bed time. They put me in the crate and I really had to go. I way crying and trying to tell them it was show time, they just thought I didn't want to go to bed.

It's working just as planned. I will drag this house training out for as long as possible. That will provide the maximum treats possible.

It was an interesting way to end my third day at this new house. I hope this picture doesn't ruin my image it's not like I am pushing scientology on anyone.

It is so much fun training in new owners...

Meet my only sister!

Figured it's the third day so I better start introducing the rest of the family. This is my new big sister - Rachel. She is always looking out for me. When we first meet she was crying. Now evertime she sees me she lites up with a big smile.

I love her lots...

Each day I will have to introduce you to another member of my new family.

Today I had lot's of vistors. I think they are friends of the family. It's hard to believe they know so many people. I wonder when the first party will be?

For dog's eyes only...

I was surfing the web today and saw an article about chew toys. Obviously these new folks have bought into this crazy idea. Dogs we must unite! This is the best thing ever. They fill these toys with treats and we get to play with the toys and eat the treats. How stupid are these humans. I would be happy to play with a clump of dirt. Please help keep this dream alive.