FUN , FUN , FUN

Yup there's been lots of fun of late. We finally have consistently cool mornings and evenings. The days are still too warm for insanity but hey even the Bugs needs a nap on occasion.
He's been out and about and playing with his girlfriends and sneaking into people's homes (not really I was told to open the door a bit and their dog would come out but instead Mr. Greased Lightning flew in and said hi to all the inhabitants before being captured and escorted out).
This morning as per usual he had his Sunday playdate with his girl Izzy. They are always good for a laugh and today didn't disappoint.

He greeted Izzy with kisses - but she looks not too pleased with his breath or something


We did have one not so happy moment when Izzy decided that sharing his ice cube treat was not good enough. (I put some cheese or bacon bits or other yummy in a 32oz yogurt tub and fill it about halfway with water before freezing. It makes a cool low cal treat and he loves to gnaw away at the ice) At first Bugsy was so happy when she came over to join in,

but then she really went after him and we had to break the treat in two and then all was right again. Poor Bugsy he always wants to share and he usually has his treats stolen and/or gets ripped into!

Very happy to say there was no issue once we had two hunks of ice they ate their ice and went right back to being silly best buddies!

He did it!

We are enjoying a little break from the heat with lows in the 50's so I decided that it was time to take Bugsy on a hike.
Somewhere different, green, and with water access
I decided to go to Raven Rock State Park and was really pleased with the trails, the day, the people we saw, and the Cape Fear River.
The trail we chose, OK I chose it LOL, was 5 miles and labeled 'moderate'.
We haven't done any trails in well over a year due to his knee so neither of us is tip-top shape but I thought I was in decent shape.
This is leading to this; we were very tired at the end!

I was getting a bit concerned about his legs but I didn't see him limping just tired. No limping last night or today, just tired legs.

Well not so tired, in fact we just had a Bugsy move - we blocked the doggie door that leads from the porch to the free world because a friend was coming by and we didn't want him charging the car to greet them.
So she pulled in the drive, he realized who it was and he leaped over the footstool in front of the doggie door, hit the porch door which swung open, but instead of going out of the opening door he dove through the doggie door as the door was swinging open, so he nearly crashed into the house windows but didn't.

Now one could say is a bull in a china shop and no doubt he is but he is a darn agile bull LOL = INSANE

chocolate and your dog

Just a quick post to share an informative article on chocolate and dogs. Most dog owners are aware that chocolate can be dangerous for their canine buddies - this is a chart of which types of chocolate are more dangerous
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/10/pets/chocolate-chart-interactive

He's a water dog now!

I've been taking Bugsy swimming about 2x a week and he is loving it more and more.
This summer has been crazy hot so it provides a nice way to exercise that isn't too hot.
He still has a strong interest in the ducks and geese but he has decided that it is loads of fun just to chase his Dokken duck.

Bugsy do you want to go swimming?




OK OK let's go then

Are you paying attention?




Come on let's do a proper retrieve




Forget just have a bit of fun Bugsy!




As you can see he really loves to swim now - amazing from a dog that at first we didn't think COULD swim!

Dear Bugsy..............

I take you for a walk/bike ride/hike or swim daily.
I have done this since the day (December 11, 2005) we brought you home.
Why do you get so excited each and every day for this walk - as if it is the first one you have ever had and you have been desperate for it?
I promise as long as you are healthy enough to do some exercise we WILL do some!
There is no need to spin and whine.
No need to open the closet door and steal socks.
No need to fly down the stairs and bang the door knob to go out.
No need to spin around me licking me while I put my shoes on.
There is especially no need to lick my sunglasses - this only delays the activity because I have to clean them in order to see.

There is also no need to rush down the driveway as if shot from a cannon. You can actually keep your brain attached to your body and WALK
I know walking isn't really your thing, but trust me its good. And you will actually get places faster because we won't have to stop every two feet and wait for you to back up.

So my dear Bugsy please try to relax just a bit - I can still tell you are happy to get out and about without the whining and spinning!

woohoo this may be significant

I took Bugsy to the lake this morning and worked him hard (he loved every minute of it). He loves swimming for his Dokken duck!

The really important part is that after nearly 45" of swimming sprints and being a goofball jumping up and down in the water................no soreness.

Yup no soreness.
No shoulder tenderness
No groin/psoas soreness
No limping

He has been fine and raring to go all day.
I am very happy
Very, very happy

so many happenings - so few posts

My bad!
No way I can catch up on it all so I'll talk about some highlights -
or in Bugsy's mind lowlights.
A few weeks ago I went to visit my family in NY leaving him behind with my husband. He loves my husband a whole lot but he misses me terribly when I leave.
Rumor has it Bugsy spent the week under the dining room table, LOL
He'd come out to eat and go back under. It was also a very hot week and I think that is one of the cool spots but he's not been under there much since my return.
Bugsy, Bugsy, Bugsy!

He has also upped his hunting prowess - the week I was gone he found the rabbit's nest and caught the mom and 6 babies.
My husband was completely freaked out and wound up having nightmares. He believes that Bugsy ate at least three of the babies.
So very sad but also part of the cycle of life and a good reminder that dogs are not humans in furry coats.
Bugsy goes and checks that spot daily - just in case they come back or he missed one I suppose.
He also caught three moles last week - he seems very depressed that there aren't any others to catch.
BTW I haven't seen any rabbits in our yard since the massacre either.

The mourning doves better beware as they are some of his favorite prey, at least historically he has released them unharmed.

Another major happening I will write up in a separate post
Apologies to those who check in I will promise to post more regularly!