Puppies First Bath

 

People are finding it hard to believe Frick & Frack are puppies. It has something to do with them already being over 80 pounds. But their behavior...pure puppy!

After we picked them up from the transport, they needed a bath in the worst way. There had been a half dozen puppies on the transport, so while most of the dogs were potty trained... they all wound up smelling like the puppies. Stink-a-roo!

Jeff and the boys changed into their swim trunks and took the dogs to the front yard. Frack went first, because he was closer when Jeff made a grab for him. He'd been so accustomed to bathing Rogue -who had a get-this-oevr-with-quick temperment about bathtime - he'd forgotten that you have to wash a dog's head last. They'll be as calm as they can until you spray water on their face!

So, though I wasn't dressed for the occasion, I comforted Frack while they scrubbed him down. The Hyppster's had stopped by to visit the pups, so got in on the action. Which included Miss Tina snapping pictures of us when she wasn't laughing.

Frick was much more understanding about it...probably because he'd seen his brother do it and we'd figured out some of the how-to's.

Not sure they're looking forward to doing it again!

Puppy Power!

Our new dogs arrived from Texas in a giant trailer with a shipment of twenty other dogs. Most of them already had homes, thanks to the great rescue work of Great Pyraness Rescue Society and SPIN. Jeff & I were leaving for our anniversary trip the next day, so the plan was for our pups to be fostered for a week until we got back.

The boys were so excited the puppies were here, they really wanted to meet them. So, we headed out for some play time and to thank those who spent the three days transporting the animals. Talk about a labor of love!

While we explained who we were, the boys headed straight for their dogs. Their markings, and the fact that they were together, made them easy to spot. A dog approached each boy, and the rest was history. Hayden & Frack bonded from the first, just like Bayley & Frick.

On the ride up there we talked about other names. Ranger, Baron, Sampson, Foster, Bandit... But as soon as the boys met them they decided to keep the names Frick & Frack. (Uncle Dan is not as impressed by the names, and has dubbed them Friction & Fraction.)

They fit right in with our family...they can't sit still for a family photo attempt either!

And as you can imagine...we couldn't leave them with the foster. She's lovely, but they were just so sweet and started to cry when they were put in a dog run. And we're suckers. Totally. The boys swore up and down that they would take care of them while we were gone...but it wasn't until Pop Pop gave the go-ahead that the decision was made. Frick & Frack came home to stay.

Who's The Cutest Girl?

And does anyone know how to turn photos in blogger?

Pool Party

As soon as the boys got back from Camp Iwanna Hot Tub, they jumped in the pool! When the weather nears 100, I set up a pool in the backyard in the morning, figuring that it will be warm after naptime. It worked at the old house, but the trees keep things shady...not that the kids seemed to mind a cold pool!

I told them that if they would leave the water in the pool, it would be warm for tomorrow. But apparently the fun of having a pool is splashing the water out of it, and then drowning the lawn. Who knew?

Is this a contender for awkward family photo or what?

Puppy Love

Frick

Our hearts have been heavy since losing our Rogue, but things are brightening. At the end of the month, we'll be welcoming two dogs into our family. We wanted a pair of dogs, one for each boy. We'd assumed it would be an easy process to rescue two dogs, but the selection in local shelters seemed a bit terrier heavy. We waited, and waited...and even discussed buying dogs from a breeder.

We'd had such a good experience rescuing Rogue, we were really committed to rescuing again. The boys agreed, so we decided to wait for the right animals to come along.

When I saw a pair of Great Pyranees on Petfinder, I thought they were too cute to pass up. Frick & Frack charmed Jeff too, so we investigated the breed and decided to apply for them. They are in Texas now, making their way to us soon.

Frack



But the boys have decided they don't like their names, which I think are cute. But Bayley has a point, they're only good names when you say them together. Plus, he was concerned people might think he's cussing when he tells them his dog's name.


We have some options for those who care to weigh in ::

Stryker & Blaze
Fritz & Max
Samson & Bandit
Fennway & Calloway (Fenn & Cal)
Sabre & Parry
Baron & Ranger
Deschutes & Cascade (Shooter & Cade)

Gilbert Ranch

Hayden's cub scout den attended camp at Gilbert Ranch where they got to do the usual camp stuff - archery, hiking, BB guns - plus wild west stuff like panning for gold, using a washboard, and riding horses.

His den attended with the other Webelos 1 den in Pack 566, so it was double the friends. Hayden is already trying to talk them all into joining Bayley's troop when they cross over.


When Hayden & Jeff packed up for camp, Hayden wasn't so sure about riding a horse. But when it came time, he decided to go for it. And he had fun!

Happy Birthday Hayden!

Turning nine is a big deal. Such a big deal it took forever for Hayden to decide what kind of birthday party he wanted. He settled on a Beyblade party. (Beyblades are...tops. Really expensive tops.)

Now, there is no Beyblade store I can con into taking in a dozen boys for a party, so we had to figure it out for ourselves. Thank goodness for Pinterest. I found some ideas and set up a Beyblade tournament for the boys.

They had a great time...and then they ran upstairs to play the Beyblade game on Wii. OK...I'd allowed for a longer party, thinking I could send the kids outside to burn off the sugar I was going to feed them. It rained! How rude.

 Hayden's party was before his birthday this year, which meant he got two cakes. The Costco flag cake...and the candy cake. Kit Kat, m&m's and cake. Sugar explosion!

Happy Birthday Bayley!

Bayley was really looking forward to all the superhero movies coming out for summer, so much so that he thought it would be fun to have a movie theater birthday party. Since I knew Hayden was having an at-home party, I jumped at the chance to have smoeone else do the clean-up.

The strangest part of the party... was that I didn't get to go! And it was wicked cool. The Avengers 3D run was over the day before the party to make room for a newer release...but the theater offered to have the party before the box office opened so that the kids could see the movie in 3D in a PRIVATE SHOWING. Yes, these boys were rock stars with their own theater. So cool!

I wanted to go for the private theater aspect, but Jeff actually wanted to see the movie, (and really didn't want to take Grace to swimming lessons) he won that coin toss. Which is why...there are no pictures. Suffice it to say, it was fantastic and still talked about.

His party was two weeks early, so by the time his big day rolled around he was ready for cake. Chocolate peanut butter cake. Thank goodness Hayden has turned into quite the bakers helper. It was quite the order!

For breakfast on his big day we went to IHOP where the boys managed to down two of the largest breakfasts the place makes. It was...boy vs. food! No surprise they weren't interested in lunch.

For dinner he opted for Red Robin, and lucky for us Aunt Christina & Natalie were free. Grace and Natalie are getting to be great friends...probably because they share the same love of fruit. Everyone else in the place is all about the fries, and these two are eating grapes from home.

Bayley was in such a good mood, he let them put the balloon ears on him and sing - which the girls appreciated. I think he was still happy about the Skylanders & Pokemon game.

Rogue the Wonder Dawg

"I guess you don't really own a dog, you rent them, and you have to be thankful that you had a long lease." - Joe Garagiola

My eyes are heavy as I type this, saddened by the loss of our sweet pooch. A few months ago we learned what we thought was the arthritis of old age was a tumor.

Pain meds and prednisone bought us six weeks of having our puppy back in fine form, and then he slipped back. The tumor had grown.

Because the boys hadn't had a chance to say goodbye, we opted for another, stronger, course of steroids. Every day of the last two weeks has been a blessing. Seeing Rogue gain his energy and strength for a while, as well as having our private time to tell him what he meant to us.

Today he seemed fine, until after lunch when he started throwing up. At first I wrote it off as his overzealous consumption of Grace's hot dog bits. But after his second spell, I knew something was off. Though he didn't complain, he couldn't seem to get comfortable, unable to decide if he wanted to be inside or out.

Eventually he came in, having more trouble with walking than usual. Within the hour his breathing was laboured. We thought this might be it, so made an appointment with the vet. The boys each took some time alone with him, and Jeff left work. But after I helped him up one last time, he went and laid by his favorite chair. And as I held him, he rose above us.

Jeff was saddened that he didn't make it home in time, but glad that we were able to give Rogue a peaceful, loving goodbye.

We will miss you, black dog. We will miss the way you introduced yourself to the neighbors (through the fence), the way you thought the blankies I gave you were food, how you loved the smell of baby so much you were able to predict my labor. The way you'd jump for ice cubes, burrow your nose in baby carseats, and dance with us in the kitchen. How you would bark like crazy at the doorbell, and then check the pockets of whomever was at the door for treats. No, I won't have to yell for you to shut your beak, chase you back in the house when you wander to the neighbors, or wonder if Grace ate her dinner or if you helped. But I will miss every moment I don't have the opportunity now.

Thank you for teaching us how amazing it is to be loved by a dog. Forever.

Luau!

The boys and I talk about going to Hawaii all the time. One day, we'll make it there. But to keep our daydreams sparkling we attended a luau hosted by our gym. Okay, so we went because there was a drawing for a free trip to Hawaii and we were sure we'd be the ones saying Aloha.

The weather was in true Oregon June form. That is...it was sprinkling. We sat in wet seats, but for the most part we were dry. The kids got to try kahlua pork snadwiches, coconut rice, pineapple coleslaw...and weren't impressed. Neither was I, but I assured them food at an actual luau is much better.

The entertainment was lots of fun. For the last month they've been offering hula lessons, and making it particularly easy for the kids to take the lessons. They had them during date night, and if the kids were in the play room during lesson time, they'd take them out for you.

The dancer did a traditional performance, then had the kids (and a few brave adults) show off their newly acquired skills. So cute!

Then it was time for what we sat in the rain for - the fire dancer! My kids love fire, but they're very cautious about it. Probably all those lectures about our fire pit. The idea that someone would play with fire, dance with fire...well, that they had to see.

It was great, but not something I'll be putting on my list to try! I'd catch something on fire!