Hey! Need any help?

Tom thought he'd do his Bible study in the sunroom this afternoon because it is so bright and sunny in there.  He forgot to count Ivy into the equation.  She's allowed on the furniture in the sunroom and so whenever anyone wants to read in there, she promptly invites herself to read along.

That's why I read in my regular reading chair in the living room.  She's not allowed in the leather chairs in there.   It's not easy to study with a 50 pound dog reading over your shoulder!

Dreaming on a snowy day

 

Silly Girls

 You should have seen the digging and rearranging and pillow pushing they did to get it "just right."

originally posted on November 29, 2005

My 50 pound baby

If I'm sitting on the couch, Ivy's on my lap. If I'm laying on the couch, Eve hops up and then I have two dogs sprawled on top of me, vying for position. Vizslas are a lot like toddlers. They like to crawl up on your lap and cuddle. They need to know exactly where you are at all times. Left to themselves, they are often mischievous and get into trouble and make messes, but somehow, you just can't get mad at them. They need a lot of attention. Just like a toddler. When they climb up onto your lap and cuddle in, they heave a big sigh of contentment, just like a toddler. They like a regular routine. Shake them up too much and they get clingy.

It's a lot of doggy togetherness and it's not for everyone. But as for me and my house, we can't imagine life without the little red devils angels.

A Two Dog Night

Subtitle:  It happens every night. . .

 

Eve in Control

 Look who's got the remotes. . .

Up and running. . .

Welcome to Vizslocity!  We're officially up and running. . .

 

Christmas Etiquette for Dogs

A Dog's Rules for Christmas

1. Be especially patient with your humans during this time. They may appear to be more stressed-out than usual and they will appreciate long comforting dog leans.

2. They may come home with large bags of things they call gifts. Do not assume that all the gifts are yours.

3. Be tolerant if your humans put decorations on you. They seem to get some special kind of pleasure out of seeing how you look with fake antlers.

4. They may bring a large tree into the house and set it up in a
prominent place and cover it with lights and decorations. Bizarre as this may seem to you, it is an important ritual for your humans, so there are some things you need to know:

a. Don't pee on the tree.
b. Don't drink water in the container that holds the tree.
c. Mind your tail when you are near the tree.
d. If there are packages under the tree, even ones that smell
interesting or that have your name on them, don't rip them open.
e. Don't chew on the cord that runs from the funny-looking hole in the wall to the tree.

5. Your humans may occasionally invite lots of strangers to come visit during this season. These parties can be lots of fun, but they also call for some discretion on your part:

a. Not all strangers appreciate kisses and leans.
b. Don't eat off the buffet table.
c. Beg for goodies subtly.
d. Be pleasant, even if unknowing strangers sit on your sofa.
e. Don't drink out of glasses that are left within your reach.

6. Likewise, your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be important:

a. Observe all the rules in #4 for trees that may be in other people's houses. (4a is particularly important)
b. Respect the territory of other animals that may live in the house.
c. Tolerate children.
d. Turn on your charm big time.

7. A big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night.

DON'T BITE HIM!!

Doggy Kisses

Ivy loves visitors.  So much so that, unless our guests are confirmed dog lovers who don't mind a sloppy, wet kiss and some paws on the shoulders, she is often confined to her crate when we have guests.  Thankfully, she has learned to accept this, not as a punishment, but as the regular order of things so having guests in our home is never a problem.  Eve is quiet and calm and friendly, so we really wouldn't need to crate her, but Ivy KNOWS when Eve is allowed out when she isn't and since she has a well developed sense of fair play, it's just easier to crate Eve, too.  She doesn't mind.

Having said that, Ivy is always allowed out and about when the kids' friends are here or when our guests are true dog lovers--like last night.  Our friends Mike and Sharon came for dinner last night.  Both love all dogs in general and our dogs in particular.  They have known Ivy since she was a little 8 week old red blurrrr and so they are used to her exuberance.  Mike especially likes Ivy. He revels in her happy, joyful energy.  Here are some pictures I snapped when they were here last night:

 

 

 

Where were you on the morning of November 20th?

MUG SHOT