Family Fun Day

Today, mom and mommy loaded us into the car and off we went for a nice ride. Our moms were hoping to capture some good pictures of the snow covered peaks around our area. But, because there was a haze, they were disappointed that they couldn't get any good shots. Brother and I were just happy to be going for a ride with them.

We rode around some more and ended up at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Preserve. It was fun for brother and I because we got to see and smell some new things. Mommy let us point out things that we wanted to take pictures of. Here are some shots of the preserve from our perspective (ya, know, low to the ground):

Dreaded Shot Day

Last week we got a card in the mail from our vet's office reminding us that it was time for Prinnie's annual shots. Prinnie did her best to try to convince us that she didn't need those dreaded shots, but we weren't buying her excuses. We explained to her that it hurt us too that she had to have shots, but that they would keep her from getting some of the horrible diseases that she could get had she not kept her appointment. Being the smart little dog that she is, she didn't believe for a second that her getting a couple of shots was actually going to hurt us, but she acquiesced and decided she would go to the vet's. She decided that the discomfort of a pin prick was better than getting parvo, distemper or what ever.

Today was THE day. Once there, Prinnie had to announce to everyone in the building that she had arrived. When it was time to sit down to wait her turn, she saw a potential to make a new friend. Snoozing on top of a cat tower was a good sized kitty. Prinnie marched right over to the cat and nudged her with her nose a few times. The cat, in turn, rolled over and gave Prinnie the "you're intruding on my nap" look. Prinnie proudly came back to her mom's chair and proclaimed "I have an new friend and her name is Muffin".

Prinnie and Muffin

She's Come a Long Way

When Prinnie joined our family a little over 2 years ago, she was a frightened six year old breeder dog who had recently had a litter. She had to be spayed before the shelter would let us bring her home. She didn't have a clue about how to play with balls, toys or other dogs. She didn't like to be held and ducked her head if one reached out to pet her. She wouldn't make eye contact with anyone. Oh how far she has come. It's been a real joy watching her blossom into this little ball of happy energy who now loves our morning and night snuggle time routines, looks at us squarely in the eye with these cute little head tilts when we're talking about her favorite things and runs to scoop up her favorite toy (a green whale) to either take out side or lay down and snuggle with.

Today she took another step forward. We were out in the yard and she scooped up whale and ran by her mom with it. Some how, they wound up in a little game of tug! Now, to us, that is HUGE because prior to today, if she felt any form of a tug from one of us, she would just drop the toy and walk away. Not today though. Yayyy!

Later on in the day, Prinnie was barking at her brother with her "he's got my toy" bark. Then all of a sudden, here she comes with a little ball in her mouth. She dropped the ball and it bounced and rolled behind the rocker and she actually pounced at it, snatched it up and dropped it and pounced at it again, then took it to her bed.

Yes, she's come a long ways.

Speaking of coming a long ways, please visit Scarlet at animaldoctor.blogspot and offer them your support and encouragement. They have come so far in trying to get a quad chair for Scarlet and now it's held up in customs.

Zoomie Time!!!

Yayyy! After what seems like an eternity of gloomy clouds and rain, we had a beautiful sunny day. One of those days with a bright blue sky and an occasional puffy white cloud passing by. Prinnie couldn't believe her eyes when she looked outside this morning. After a week of lying by the sliding door, wistfully watching the rain pouring down and only quick ventures out to potty, she could actually go outside to play. She gleefully yapped at Digby who was only too happy to join her for a romp in the yard. After a couple of quick games of chase, Digby was happy to "hang out" on the patio. Prinnie on the other hand, couldn't contain herself. She spent the next several minutes doing zoomies all over the back yard, around palm trees, up one side walk and back again, through the patio and back in the yard until Mommy was finally able to corral her to ask her if she wanted to go for a car ride.

Of course, that meant more zoomies before both dogs could be safely harnessed into the car. Off we went for a ride by Lake Elsinore with Digby enjoying breathing in the fresh air.

How I Got My Name

The first picture is Prinnie I with mommy's daddy taken in 1922. The one to the right is Mommy with Prinnie II (ME, he he!!) in 2010

Scribbler Award

My very BFF, Siku Marie (White Dog Diaries Online), gave me this "Superior Scribbler" award today, and I must say, it was an honor. My family and I LOVE the way Siku and her mom scribe their blog, so when they offered the award to us, we were humbled. Thank you Siku. See you in the stars tonight my friend.

As with every award, there are some rules that need to be followed:
1. Each Superior Scribbler (SS) must pass the Award on to 5 deserving blogger friends,
2. Each SS must link the author and name of the blog from whom he/she received the award,
3. Each SS must display the award on his/her blog and link to the post which explains the award,
4. Each SS is asked to visit the post which explains the award and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List, and
5. Each SS must post these rules on his/her blog.

My brother and I enjoy the blogging world so much, and would like to pass the award on to:

1. Jack, Jill and Kona over at Random Ramblings
2. Benny the super cool schnauzer over at The World of Hansel
3. Mack and Sally Ann over at Big Bubba Blogger and Bothersome Baby Blogger
4. Casper the eskie over at Casper's Adventures
5. Joey and Kealani over at My Boo Bear

A Perfect Snuggle Up Day

We don't get much rain here in Southern California, so when we do, my mom and mommy rejoice saying it's just what the gardens need.  But what about my agility course?  Don't they understand that when it's raining like this my brother and I don't get to go out and practice?  They tell me that it's a perfect day to just snuggle up and enjoy each other's company.  Sure, OK, what ever!  An energetic girl like me gets bored.  Mom and Mommy must have sensed my growing restlessness and asked brother and me if we wanted to go for a car ride.  Now, those words are music to my ears.  I was so happy and excited that they had a hard time getting my harness on me because I kept dancing in circles and doing zoomies.  Finally, harnesses on and seat belts buckled, off we went to Mom and Mommy's favorite place-Starbucks and then to the gas station.  While we were out, the rain and wind picked up--a lot!  I told brother that I hoped he was a good swimmer because I thought we would need our water wings as we might have to swim home.  Now safely home and dry, Mom and Mommy might just be right after all....it's a perfect snuggle up day.    

The Lion Queen

Our little miss Prinnie's fur is growing out so much that instead of looking like a typical little eskie with free-flowing locks (like her BFF Siku), she looks like a lion with her mane....

Peanut Butter's Purrfect Gift

You can spend a fortune on cat beds, toys and gadgets, but the most coveted prize is the box that your well-intended gift came in......

Snuggly Sleep

One little eskie needing more nap time....

The Weekend in Pictures

Through pictures, we share our weekend.

Agility Practice

This beautiful Sunday morning, Prinnie and Digby begged to go outside and practice on their agility skills with the new course given to them by Siku Marie. Both were excited and cooperative (of course, the pouch full of treats helped!), and did really, really well. After about an hour, we, the parents, were tired and in need of a rest, but the furry duo would have none of that. They ran and jumped (most times just in mid air and no where near the hurdles) and hurriedly ran to us for a treat. Once the pouch was depleted of their motivator, they lay together on the grass, looking proud and accomplished.

We have a long way to go, but they are doing so well that we are considering offering our yard to our neighborhood canines for a weekly round of agility training.

SuperWoman and Dog Treats

Today was classic - truly.

We started out by preparing a bag of Barkery treats, readying them to be shipped today to an eskie a few thousand miles away that isn't feeling well. We felt it was important to get the treats out in today's mail rather than waiting until Monday.

As we pulled up to one of the two post offices in our city, we looked at one another and sighed "oh no". It was now after 1pm and they were closed. "No, it can't be", Shar said. I repeated her words, but it didn't help. Here we were, with a box ready to go (and paid for thanks to Click-n-ship labeling), and beginning to realize that the other post office was probably closed as well. We would have to wait until Monday to ship the treats. That just wasn't acceptable. We pulled out of the emptying lot and began to drive away. A few miles later, we spotted a USPS truck driving the same direction as us. We looked at one another, and without saying a word, knew what we had to do.

We chased after the mail truck, and within seconds, pulled along side the big white rolling box. We rounded the corner and saw the light ahead - it was red! YES! As I pulled up even with the driver (I'm thinking all along that we would ask the driver if the other post office would by chance be open), Shar rolls down her window, motions to the carrier, and within a split second rips off her seat belt, slams open the car door and throws the box filled with treats in the side window of the USPS truck. The carrier, now thinking that she has just been the recipient of a terrorist package being thrown in to her vehicle, looks at us with eyes wider than the blue moon of a few days ago. When she realizes we are just trying to mail a package and not blow up her truck, she begins to smile. The light now turns green, and the cars ahead slowly begin to nudge forward. I am laughing too hard to see thru the tears streaming down my face, and from what I can decipher from the mail lady facial expressions, she is getting a kick out of the entire 20 second exchange. I look over to her one last time and give her a thumbs up; a way of thanking her for not calling 911 and leaving the box of treats in the middle of the road. She returns the thumbs up, and is visibly laughing as she drives away.

Bottom line? The mission was accomplished - it just took a little creativity and a very spontaneous co-pilot! Never underestimate the power of a woman on a mission!