Pre-Spring Day

Wow - can you believe how beautiful it is today? We just got back from an hour long walk and I'm sure I could go another hour with those two young pups and they'd still have energy to spare. Yikes.

After thinking about some of our more recent posts, I realized that despite all of the growling and snarling, etc., etc., etc., he's really a great dog. He just cannot be placed with a family with another dog.

He is soo cuddly - like an animated stuffed teddy bear. He is the most loving dog and loves to be snuggled and loved. You've read before how much he loves my husband and all men. He has deep and soulful eyes. Not to mention his fur, which you could have fun with a hundred different ways. A little mousse, a little fluff here, a cut there....fabulous dahling.

While I, as mom and chief disciplinarian, am loved by Chance, he loves the children more. He will roll on his back for a cuddle and a scratch. He'll crawl into their laps or even try to jump into their laps if they are standing. But even that is getting to be less of an issue. He jumps a lot when he first greets you but then he settles down nicely.

He has come a long ways since his journey began here at Grade Lodge. He waits patiently inside the house for who ever to bring his food in from the garage. He sits halfway thru the kitchen and scoots sideways on his butt to the place where we put his food bowl. I really ought to record that for you - too funny. He's doing his "bizniss" outside. Today he actually held it until we got to the field where he #2'd without the usual poopy dance and no, I won't record that for you.

He sits when he knows treats are coming. He's even walking tons better on the leash. He responds very well to the "pennies in the Pepsi can" shake thing. (As do my brother and my cousin - oh, sorry about that - I'll pay for new...um...undees)

He and Te'a play like crazy fools until both collapse into puffing fuzzy piles on the floor. Then they lay next to each other and chew on one another's ears. As I type, they are playing in the hall like they haven't just been on an hourlong walk. C'mon you guys!

He gets along with most dogs. Most dogs. My dogs are his pack and he feels safe with them. He also LOVE LOVE LOVES my neighbor's Airedale, Kasey. Probably a Fluffy Dog thing.

He's not a big fan of the really big dogs - Newfs in particular. Perhaps in their largeness, they are a tad intimidating. I get that. He was not a big fan of my cousin's puppy this weekend. I kind of get that. Puppies can be chewy and annoying, bouncy and bouncier.

My brother was here with his black lab, Jessie and my cousin with his 10 week old Dobie pup, Emma. The humans had a good time catching up and reminiscing about holiday dinners, our parents and Gramma T. The older labradors visited politely, nice to see you and all that. The ones who had the best time were Drew's puppy and Te'a.

Here they are on their way to chaos in the backyard. C'mon kid, let's go play....

Here is Te'a showing Emma some of her more clever manuevers....This is called the "bunny hop" and if you do it correctly you are able to clear the basketball hoop weight by a mile. Te'a is pretty good at it.

On Sunday there was still a little snow left on the driveway and Te'a was having a great time tiring out poor little Emma as she careened up and down them and then down the driveway.

KOWABUNGA, DUDE!

So that's the latest and greatest from Grade Lodge. Pretty good stuff. Oh, and with all of these pictures and words about our dear (Shandy) Chancey, here are a few more. He's also kind of getting better about posing for the camera.

All together now.....Cheeeeeeeeeeeese!

Well, the puppies finally crashed on the floor and everyone is curled up in here while I type away about our adventures. So now I must go and attempt another adventure - dinner. Complete with Chicken, mashed 'taters and cauliflower - yum!

The second post of the day today is a little story that my friend Amy sent to me. It's a heartwarming "tail" about a dog from a shelter - just to warn you you may need a tissue to get thru to the end.

Woof!

PS - this didn't occur to me until I was brushing him just a little while ago - THIS DOG DOES NOT SHED!!!!

WOOF WOOF