Jaildog

Dad, Apollo, and I went to help the local MDA office at one of their Lock-Up fund raisers today. Since Dad and I were in charge of taking pictures of all those who were "arrested", I couldn't help but take a picture of my puppy!! Apollo actually preferred lying in the jail to lying on his blanket. Of course, I had to evict him when the detainees came in for their mug shots!

Becoming Friends

Seems like Cody is changing daily and growing like a weed. I never know what to expect. Sometimes he so hyper and if you take him into your lap he just wants to nip and wiggle. Today we had a double miracle. Pepper was sitting by my side on the couch and I picked up Cody and put him in my lap and Pepper didn't move away. Cody sat there quietly, then layed down in my lap and went to sleep. Togetherness at last! I hope it lasts. They were also playing together again today as can be seen in the pic below.

I think Pepper is becoming more like a big brother to Cody since we've been able to leave the front door open and let them go in and out on their own. Cody loves being outside and seems to stay pretty close to the house. I was worried about him going through Charlie's fence and Angel, his Jack Russell attacking him, but, Cody turns out to be pretty much of a whimp. Angel barks and Cody runs like lightning for the house. A loud vehicle goes by and Cody runs like lightning for the house. A helicopter goes overhead and Cody runs like lightning for the house. I imagine he'll get over that before long, but right now it's better this way until he grows big enough that he can't get through the fence.

Two More Backyard Beds

Even More Puppy Pics

It doesn't take long for the new kid on the block to learn the routine.




Breakfast Moochers



Supper Moochers

Merle's Nose Job Update

Merle got his stitches out today. There was some inflamed area where the bandage had been taped to his cheeks so they said not to bandage it anymore, but to leave it open and just clean it and apply Altabax ointment each time. They didn't have the results back on the infection culture they took on Wed. He is to go back in one week for another checkup. Stay tuned.

The Front Yard Water Feature

Garden of Faith Now Available

My latest book, Garden of Faith, has finally been delivered from the printer. Anyone interested in receiving a copy, please let me know. I have already put a copy in the mail for Peggy/Eric and Alice/Fred with an extra copy for Peggy to deliver to Jody at church. If you know any friends who might like a copy, the price is $12.95 plus $3.00 shipping (It would make a nice Christmas gift too.). Just refer them to my email address or my web page http://www.creativewordspoetry.com. Garden of Faith will join my other books on Amazon.com shortly. Thanks.

More Puppy Pics

I was telling Esther in chat tonight that Cody is really growing. When I took him to the vet two weeks ago for his first shots he weighed 4 lbs. I weighed him again tonight and he weighed 7 lbs!

Pig$ On Parade

Well, the Pigs on Parade Auction was held on October 12th. They auctined off 64 pigs and raised $257,000. That works out to $4,015 per pig. A little too rich for my liking...so we won't have a Pork Bench in our front yard.



Fred, stop cheering!

Merle's Nose Job

Most of you already know that Merle had the basal call cancer taken off his nose Tuesday and that he did okay. I have a photo of his stitches taken when I changed the bandage yesterday afternoon, but Blogger would not upload it yesterday or today saying there is a problem and they're working on it. He says he hasn't had any pain, only a little itching, but it is sensitive to touch. He did have a little swelling beneath his left eye today, but so far none of the bruising which sometimes accompanies this type of work. He goes back next Tuesday to get the stitches out.

Puppy Progress

I learned this morning that we have predators in our yard big enough to carry poor Cody away! This guy (and I always thought owls were nocturnal) was on the ground in front of the porch when I went out to get the newspaper this morning and flew into the tree when I opened the front door. I went right back in to get the camera! He had to have been at least 15 - 18" tall sitting up there. Even more reason not to leave Cody in the yard unattended (although I don't know what I could do except yell and maybe scare the bird away if he dove for the pup).



Here are a couple of photos taken in the yard recently when Cody was being lazy.








And these two are to maybe show how Cody is growing since Peg thought he was so tiny compared to Pepper in my first photos.



Pepper tries to tolerate Cody, but usually runs to higher ground or jumps into our laps when Cody comes flying at him. Cody loves to nip and jump on Pepper and is generally a royal pest to the old guy. Pepper did snap at him today though when he was eating out of the dry food dish and Cody came bounding over (as I told Peggy, he doesn't just walk or run anymore, he gallops) to investigate. Pepper snapped and Cody ran for the corner, sat down, layed down, and then skulked into the bathroom to hide. Maybe that will help if Pepper can let him know who's boss. And yes, Pepper is jealous of any attention we give the pup and wants to be right under my arm or in my lap if I'm playing with or petting Cody.

Anyway, I am well trained to take him out often, as soon as he wakes up from a nap and about an hour after eating, so I'm doing well on my house-breaking... now Cody is a different matter. Like I said, I'm trained... he isn't yet, although he does know what he's supposed to do when he goes out and I'm no longer carrying him out but calling him and having him follow me out (or run after Pepper if they go out together). That's about it from Puppyville. More later.

The front bed had some old tired bushes that I removed to do this...

More Landscaping

This was just a bed of gravel.

Fun In Seattle

It's been a couple weeks now, but for those of you who don't know (and for those who just want to relive it) when Cheryl and David Buxton were visiting us we all went to brunch buffet at the world famous "Salty's on Alki" . The view out the rear of the restaurant is of the Seattle skyline.




Here's the view of the front of Salty's. David, Chunnan and alie decided to go for an after brunch walk along the beach.



Later, Chunnan (since he only ate 11 plates at brunch) was still hungry and tries to pull off David's ears for a snack. But Chunnan didn't think David's ears were tasty without ginger sauce, so he tossed them into the water.



911 was called and the Scuba Police saved the day and returned David's ears!

Work and more

So, the resort has picked up for the last 3 weeks of the season. In fact two weeks ago, they fired the executive chef. So, technically there are 4 of us that run the banquets. Pretty crazy.

However, I do work a second job to pay the bills at the Holiday Inn. I only work like 15-20hours a week, but the experience is good. In addition, I start a new job November19. after my trip at the Regency Hotel in Portland. My stepbrother is the executive chef there. Of course I have to tell people that I am just a friend of the family, because they have a thing about family working together. They think there will either be favortism or he will be too harsh on me. And yesterday I met with him and got a tour of the kitchen. He told me that I didn't get hired because he knows me, but because I was the most qualified applicant. SO, that makes me feel good.

Let's see. Our new roommate just moved in. Seems like a really nice guy. Have had some good conversation with him and appears to be someone I could befriend. So, we will see how it goes.

I guess that's it for now.
Me.

PS. I am horrible with birthdays and anniversaries, so my congrats go out to everyone.

Happy Birthday Peggy! - October 9

Happy Graduation!!

Well its official...Apollo and I attended the 2007 Graduation Ceremony for Summit Assistance Dogs today. Much to everyone's surprise, I actually spoke for a few minutes at the ceremony. They had emailed and asked me to speak for the graduating class a few weeks ago. In my heart I wanted to do it and actually wrote out a speech, but chickened out and said no. I didn't tell anyone here that they had asked or that I wrote something out because I didn't want them to be disappointed in me when I chickened out. Well the lady they had asked after me couldn't make it to the ceremony because her daughter went into labor so I got up the nerve to do it. It probably wasn't great, and I almost cried in the middle of it, but I guess it went OK.



Apollo's puppy raiser, Lisa, presenting Apollo to me with Apollo's advanced trainer, Wendy, presenting our diploma and a quilt throw that one of their volunteers made for each of the graduating dogs.



Me speaking at graduation.

Puppy Prayers

Now I lay me down to sleep.

I promise not to make a peep.

If you will only let me out,

I'll run and play and will not pout.

I will not bit upon your toies.

I will not snag your Sunday hose.

I will not piddle on the floor.

I'll try to make it to the door.

I will not dray the rugs around.

I will not chew the shoes I've found.

I'll be a good boy day and night

If you will only treat me right.

Amen

Happy Anniversary!!

Happy Anniversary David & Chunnan!!

Happy Birthday Cousin Darcy!

I hope you have/had a great day.

And I hope you actually read this. We would all like you to join our family blogging fun.

Fred

Landscaping David's House

I have a little finished at the house. Here are some pics. This bed was just gravel beforehand.