Looking For My Snuggle Bug

After what has been the most stressful work-week of my life, I'm looking forward to spending some couch time with this face:

Isn't it amazing how relaxing it can be to curl up, zone out and waste away the weekend with your special fur-friend? I can't wait!  Hope you all enjoy yours!

A Few of Our Favorite Things

The next few days Daddy is away visiting family, so we are left to our own vices, I mean devices.  I already promised Coco that we could do whatever she wants.  To figured out what our calendar will be filled with, I'm making a list of Coco's favorite things.

5.  Snuggling
Mostly on weekends.  Mostly while watching Investigation Discovery with Mommy, but sometimes in bed with Daddy while Mommy does all the chores.








4.  Chasing Small Animals
This includes squirrels, turtles, neighborhood cats, opossums, and the occasional raccoon.  Oh, and once she was hot the the trail of a hog while visiting Great Grandma and Grandpa in the woods, but I can't confirm that it was in fact a small hog.

3. Eating
Eating just about everything she can con you out of.  She frequently uses this face.  We've become immune, but have to warn guests against the perils of her pout.





2.  Playing with Cousin Madam
It doesn't even matter if Madam Star is playing back.  Just being around her cousin makes Coco happy.  I think it makes Madam happy too, even if she doesn't show it as readily as Coco.

And Coco's Most Favorite Thing to Do:

Playing Fetch.  Coco could play fetch all day long.  Her favorite things to fetch are tennis balls, fabric swatches from all destroyed toys, and West Paw toys. She's a fetching fool!  When we go to the dog park, she doesn't like to play with the other dogs (except when Madam Star is there) she just wants to play fetch.  So this weekend, I'm sure we will have our share of hours of fetch.

While we will miss Daddy (I already do) we will have tons of fun without him. We already have a play date planned with Cousin Madam Star to play fetch!

Sleeping Dog Face

I am such a sucker for a good ol' sleeping dog face, aren't you?  This is one of my favorites:

I just can't get enough of Coco's slumbering mug.  Here's another: 

There is something about that face that makes me so happy.

tbt: My Baby is Growing Up!

Where does the time go?  I found this picture of Coco when we first got her, when she was just a few months old.  I can't believe how much she has changed!

5 Fun Things to Do with Your Dog on Spring Break

Since I am lucky enough to get the week off, (yay Spring Break!) I've been think a lot about how Coco and I can spend this time together.

Coco understands that Spring Break means relaxing.

So I have put together a little list of things to do with your dog over Spring Break.

1.  Take a hike. 

Usually the weather during the break is nice enough to go for a little hike.  Of course you'll want to make the distance appropriate for both you and your pooch.  

2.  Learn a new trick.

Coco can usually learn something new in a day or two, provided we have the right kind of treat.  This week I think we are going to work on cleaning up her toys.  We started this a few months ago, but it was harder than we thought, which is good.  I like to challenge her and stimulate her brain.  

3.  Go for a run.

We run pretty regularly with Coco, but Spring Break is the perfect time to explore new areas and running trails.  Coco really enjoys running with us, so she loves this suggestion--I checked.  

4.  Play an indoor game.

If the weather is less than ideal, there are still plenty of games you can play with your pup. Try some of these:

Rainy Day Games

5.  Do what your dog loves.

Whenever I have time off, I do what Coco loves: play fetch.  We get a ball and a stick and we play fetch.  Then we take a break and I make her sit and stay and sit down and we play fetch some more.  There is nothing like doing something that your dog loves!

Happy Valentine's Day!

So lucky to have these two...

Wordless Wednesday

"That treat is.so.close."

Picture by Rochford Photography

Vintage Dog Photos

I love these vintage photographs taken with people and their dogs.  It reminds me that not much has changed in 50-100 years.  We still love our dogs and still love it when they look adorable.  Enjoy!

How about this cute dog? Just a regular member of the family...spending an afternoon running errands.

pic via terribly cute.com

Or this one? A kid, his and his chicken.  What more could he want?  I love how this all seems so natural. I don't know, maybe it is.  Either way, I love it.

pic via tasteart.com

This one reminds me of Coco looking out the window at the squirrels. Dogs are so curious.  Bus so are we, aren't we?

pic via myfotolo.tumblr.com

This may be my all-time favorite photo.  It really shows the compassion people have for their dogs.  It has captured a kindness and sweetness that just melts me. 

source unknown

I like being reminded that my life with Coco isn't anything new, that the generations before me have loved their dogs just as much as I do mine.  They probably didn't spend as much money on theirs...

So Cozy

Could life get any better?

As I'm looking at Coco next to me, I don't think I have ever been that comfortable in my life.  And even though that chair is supposed to be for humans, it seems to fit her little brown body perfectly.  

On a similar note, have you ever wondered what kind of body shape your dog would have if he/she were human?  No? Just me?

It's Christmas Vacation!

While Mommy has off from work (for two whole weeks!) Coco and Mommy get to spend tons of time together:

They snuggle together.

They wait for the mail-carrier to bring bone shaped Christmas gifts.  

 And they wait patiently for treats to bake.

Isn't vacation the best?

Friday Night with Family

Last night Bill's daughters and son-in-law came over for a visit.  The best part for Coco was that they brought their dog with them.  Remember Scout?  This was our first time actually meeting Scout and after seeing how well she and Coco got along, I'm sure it won't be the last.

Scout and her humans (and Coco photo bombing) 

After our recent trouble with unfamiliar dogs, I was a little concerned about how the two would react towards each other.  However, they were quick buddies pretty much from the start.

These two were so cute running around the house chasing each other.  Coco rarely finds a dog who will play with her until she's wore out. Scout certainly managed! I just can't get over how adorable they are.

Waiting for a treat.

I guess whether you are a human or a dog, it is good to spend time with family!

A Puppy for Christmas?

The decision to get Coco took a lot of thought and planning for us.  However, for many, especially around the holidays, it seems to be an easy decision.  Children (and some parents) fantasize about a cute little puppy under the tree.

But a puppy for Christmas isn't always a good idea.  After the holiday high, shelters are over-run with unwanted puppies that weren't the best of ideas.  

Our friends at The Uncommon Dog have put together this infograph to help parents decide if getting a puppy for Christmas is a good idea.  Since pet overpopulation is such a concern in many communities, making a decision like this one is critical! 

Wordless Wednesday: So Fetching!

"I've got a ball; who wants to play?"

The Best Compliment

Last night Bill said that he married the best dog mommy in the world.  That's a first-rate compliment if I've ever heard one.  I'd rather him admire my dog-parenting skills than just about anything.  So glad I married this one!

Picture by Stuart Rochford Photo

A New Stranger Danger

For the last year or so Coco has been in the bad habit of lunging and barking at strange dogs and their humans.  I'm sure this is a sign that she is afraid (she can be somewhat timid and submissive), but it sure does give people a bad impression of her.

Around people and dogs she knows, she is the sweetest thing on the planet.  She'll turn over and let the dog next door sniff her privacy till the cows come home, but let her see a dog she isn't antiquated with and she turns into Cujo.  She's never actually hurt another dog (and I don't think that is her intent).  She seems to be saying "I'm gonna bark this loud so you stay over there." And it works. Because I won't let her anywhere near those dogs.

I hear that this kind of stranger danger isn't uncommon, and my vet has given me a few techniques to help.  But I will admit, I haven't been the most consistent with her training.  It is becoming obvious that it is needed.  She is getting a neighborhood reputation for being mean.  That breaks my heart.  This dog? Mean?

Does anyone else have this problem? Please tell me I'm not alone.  What have you done to overcome stranger danger?

Mommy and Daddy Got Married!

We went on vacation to Maui and got married.  After 11 years together, we figured it was about time.  But the whole 9 days I was gone I missed my Coco.  And even though we had a great time, it was really nice to come home to her brown little wagging body!

Now that life will be getting back to normal, you will be seeing a lot more of me and Coco.

Playing Catch Up...

Mommy has been very busy recently, thus the lack of posts, but I wanted to catch everyone up on what Coco has been doing...

That about sums it up! Some things never change.  

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Today is a very special day, grandma's birthday!  How should we celebrate? A tail thump to the thigh? A slobbery kiss? A snuggle on the big chair!

We love grandma!

Coco? Pet of the Month?

Over at Just So Squeeable! Coco is up for pet of the month for September! We are very excited and hope you all go vote.  And hope you check out the site.  All of the pets are so cute!  Look for the green box and cast your vote :)

Vote for Coco!

Happy National Dog Day!

So, I hear it is National Dog Day.  In celebration of my beloved Coco, I'm going to share all the reasons I couldn't imagine a single day without her:

her pretty pink nose
her skimpy little legs
how she likes to hold things in her mouth when she gets excited
how she twitches when she sleeps
how she's your very best friend if you have something to eat
how she both protects and annoys her little sissy
she's so sneaky
she loves, loves, loves to snuggle (just like her mommy)
she loves, loves, loves, to play (just like her daddy)
she won't steal your food (usually)
she knows where the good lovin' is (mommy's side of the bed)
she never runs away
she loves her daddy as much as I do
she is always waiting on the mat when I step out of the shower
she doesn't get impatient with me when I'm brushing her teeth
she likes to wear bandanas (even though daddy says it makes her look silly)
she is always more grateful than I am, always
for a dog, her manners are pretty good
she'll do anything for a treat
she loves me almost as much as daddy does

Picture by Stuart Rochford Photo

No wonder there is a whole day devoted to them!