Sleepy Head

We now know what Athena does while we are at work.

Athena 12-12-12

Holiday photo of Athena.

Happiness Is...

Happiness is walking a beautiful black lab in the beautiful white snow.

For the Love of Dogs

The top image appeared on my Facebook feed this morning. It made me remember the first time I was aware of truly loving an animal. I was about 7 or 8 years old. Our first family dog was named Buffy but she was mostly called Buffer. I remember her lying on the living room floor and my dropping down to her level, embracing her, and then resting my head on her. She was an angel and I absolutely loved her. The warmth she caused me to feel is something I'll never forget. 

Picking Athena Up

We picked Athena up from Auntie Ruth's last weekend after having boarded her for Thanksgiving weekend. We were all happy to be reunited.

Odin & Shelby

At my brother Pete's house in Arkansas for Thanksgiving. His dogs Odin and Shelby are very sweet.

Athena's Bumpy Night

Athena woke us at about 3:30 this morning. She was panting heavily and yelping up a storm. At first we thought it was her foot that was bothering her. Her back right leg was quivering and as Dale held her I tried to look at her paw. She yelped and tried to squirm away and cried again when I touched the joint of her leg. It turns out her tail was what was bothering her the most. We brought her to the emergency vet and they did an x-ray and determined she had sprained her tail. I was surprised to find out that dogs have bones in their tails. I thought it was cartilage. Shows how much I know. Anyway, they gave us some pain killer for her and she seems to be doing fine. We're thinking she fell off the couch during the night and landed on her tail but I guess we'll never know...

Athena's Beauty Treatment

Athena went to Auntie Ruth's for the first time  yesterday for a bath. She'll be going in again this coming Wednesday to be boarded for Thanksgiving weekend but we wanted to get her in for a preliminary visit just to familiarize her with the place. The groomer said she was really good for the bath but that she had a little trouble getting blow dried.  Maybe it was the sound that she didn't like. The groomer said she had to call in some help to hold her still while drying her off. Regardless, our girl looked and smelled great when they brought her out to us. She also got a scarf. They always gave one to Sophie when she got groomed and they always looked very cute on her. The patterns were usually holiday themed so I was expecting something Thanksgiving related for Athena. Instead the scarf has pink and orange teddy bears (what the hell?).

Athena and the Frisbee

Dale and I took Athena over to St. Joe's field today. She had a wonderful time chasing the Frisbee. A second or two after Dale releases the retractable leash you can hear a little thud. That was my shin being hit. Ouch. Don't worry honey, it's okay. I know you didn't mean to...

:-)

Remembering Sophie

I found this on Facebook the other day. It made me smile. Sophie used to make this same expression on many occasions.

Halloween 2012 - Athena

We had to offer a treat to get Athena to sit still for this photo.

Athena's Halloween Walk

I took Athena on a walk after school. She saw this display in a neighbor's yard and barked like crazy. Dale said he thought it was all due to the Micky Mouse vampire. I think it was the giant spider that did it.

Athena - Halloween 2012

Halloween 2012

Athena - Halloween 2012

Athena

Halloween 2012

Athena - Halloween 2012

Athena

Halloween 2012

Sophie and the Frankenstein Monster

As a small puppy Sophie was sometimes afraid of the dark. There is a particular two block stretch near the cemetery on which she didn't like travel when dark although this got somewhat better as she got older. There was also a plastic light-up Frankenstein monster that would appear in a yard near our house around Halloween that she didn't like either.   It was usually in the early morning light when she'd  hesitate as we came within a few houses of it. She was all to eager to get by. I haven't seen this particular household display this Frankenstein in a number of years but just a few nights ago  I spotted it again while walking Athena. It brought back memories and really made me miss Sophie. I snapped this photo of the creature:

Athena Loves Vegetables

Dale cooked up some yummy frozen vegetables for Athena tonight. Here she eagerly awaits them as they are prepared for her.

Athena Eats Ice

I dropped an ice cube while making a martini tonight. Athena bolted into the kitchen. Sophie was never intrigued by ice so I figured Athena would sniff it and walk away. Instead, she devoured it.

Athena Watches Me Make Dinner

Athena and the Frisbee

Dale took Athena to St. Joe's yesterday and texted me writing:

"Athena has a skill! I took her to St. Joe's to run a bit. She found a frisbee. I threw it, she caught it and ran back to me and gave it to me to throw again!"

We took her back again today and she found the same frisbee. Here's some video footage of her retrieving it.

We never tried playing frisbee with Sophie although we did attempt to get her to retrieve tennis balls. Poor dear wasn't very good at it. She rarely brought the ball back and if she did, she wouldn't let you have it back.

Fall

Fall is a wonderful time for walking.

A Beautiful Day to Walk Athena Part 2

A Beautiful Fall Day to Walk with Athena Part 1

Companionship

Athena provides wonderful companionship as evidenced here. As I'm often fond of saying, life really is just better with a dog.

Getting Ready for Bed

Athena starts to wind down when we do. After her evening walk she usually gets up on the couch or bed and waits for us to go to sleep.

Athena's Excellent Adventure - Dale's Blog

Dale took today off and got to spend some quality time with Athena. The following bits and photos are from his blog.

"Just bought an Off-Leash Park Dog License:"

"Guess who gets to go to the dog park today!? These two!"

"Today Athena made her inaugural visit to the dog park at Minnehaha Park."

"May squirrels were terrorized. Many butts sniffed. Many chases ensued. She is now passes out on the couch. Such a lightweight. Gratuitous picture of Athena too pooped to keep exploring. She kept touching the leash with her snout to let me know she was ready to go."

Treats

Athena loves Beggin Strips. I think they're the only reason she lets us put her ear drops in. Tonight should be the last treatment for her ear infection.

Good Company

Dale's working from about 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. today so I'm on my own this evening. It's nice knowing Athena's around to keep me company. It's been two weeks since we picked her up and brought her home. I'm so glad she's here. I've missed having a dog.

Athena Likes Green Beans

We discovered tonight that Athena likes green beans. 

Athena's Toy

Athena loves to try and get you to throw this toy so she can catch it or retrieve it. Sophie loved to go get things that were thrown to her but she would never bring them back. I threw the toy Athena is chewing on in the picture and she brought it back about three times before she started nawing on it.

Athena's First Week

I can't believe it's been a week since we got Athena and I'm amazed at the ease with which she's settled into our lives. Here she takes a well deserved rest.

Walking with Athena

I've enjoyed being able to go dog walking again. Today Athena and I took a short jaunt through the neighborhood. Gorgeous day for it. There was lots to see, hear, and smell.

Athena - Caught on Video!

Athena and I on the front steps.

Athena's Vet Visit

Dale and I brought Athena to the vet today. This was her first visit since she's been with us.  Dr. Schuld gave her a good report and says she looks fantastic. She was being treated for an ear infection when we got her. The doctor said the left ear still looks inflamed and told us to keep treating it for about a week. We also got her a bordetella shot and a city dog license.  She's good to go!

Funny

Found this on Facebook today.

Athena Likes Brocolli

It's confirmed. Athena, like Sophie did, loves broccoli. This is the second night we've steamed some for her and she snarfed it up. It's good  and good for her!

While Out Shopping for Athena...

Yesterday while shopping for food for Athena we came across this Mr. Bill squeaky plush toy at the pet store. I remember Mr. Bill from watching Saturday Night Live as a kid.  Poor Mr. Bill always got into some unfortunate mishap at the hands of Mr. Hands and always ended up saying "Oh, nooooooo...".  What a perfect toy for a dog to eviscerate.

Athena Settles In Nicely

The day we got Athena was a gorgeous beginning to the Labor Day weekend. There was literally not a single cloud in the deep blue skies. Wow, that was just about two days ago now. She's settling in quite nicely and we are overjoyed she is here with us.