Bosco Dog Blog

Today was awesome! It snowed last night and this morning we got to go on a walk around the neighborhood. I just love the snow. As Joan plodded along the non-shoveled sidewalks, I would plunge my head into the snow, wiggle my head right and left, and then emerge with a snow-crusted nose. I was bouncing around happy happy happy!

Later, Joan left but then she returned and I could tell we were not going to go on our usual evening walk, but go somewhere - perhaps the dog park. I knew this because she brought up the sheet from the dryer that covers the backseat of the car. And then, I really really know we are not walking when she gets the leash but does not put the gentle leader harness on my nose! What great excitement. I jump up and down by the door because I'm so excited. I also sometimes jump on Joan, especially if she is doing other things like drinking a glass of water or eating some food. She's so into her own needs - what about mine?! I need to gooooo.....

So go we went - we drove over to this golf course across the river. Lots of people were there sledding on a great hill but Joan brought her skis. I guess she vowed the next time there was snow, no matter what, she would go. So we went....

Ha ha. That is a joke! This is skijoring and I know this dog looks a lot like me, but it is not me nor Joan. However, Joan thinks that maybe I would be a good skijoring dog as long as we have plenty of time for stopping. There was a guy at the golf course whose dog was attached to him much like this - skijoring along. I started to look at them, considering whether I should go and say hi, but then the man told his dog to keep going, so I just stuck with Joan. There also was another dog who was running around with his human. We played a bit, running around like maniacs but then his human man wanted to go so Joan and I headed off on our own.

Here is the real picture of me out there having a great time. I know it doesn't really do justice because when Joan stops, so do I usually. Well, I'm super tired now and just want to take a nap on my bed, so it's to sleep for me.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 06:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This week has been pretty tough for me. I've been alone too much for my comfort. Joan would come home from work and then go out again to dinner for various work-related activities. The only night this didn't happen was on Thursday and that night she went swimming, so she left me again! I was very lonely - I like her to be with me at all times. So then, when she returned I would lick her and nudge her so she would pet me constantly. I really wish she would let me snuggle with her on the couch. Speaking of that, since she ditched me in the evening, I decided that the velvet couch was fair game for me...it is quite cozy.

This morning she played with me for a bit - here is a picture of me with my fourth favorite toy, the rope. The rope is fourth to the green neon bone, the purple bone toy, and the purple ball. I prefer the purple ball the best. The purple bone, too, except that some dog at the dog park ripped it open so now it doesn't squeak. The green neon bone squeaks, so I like that too. I was playing with the rope because the green neon bone was upstairs, the purple ball was under the couch where I could not get it, and the purple bone is in the car for trips to the dog park! I also have a small pink ball but I really like the purple ball better because it is bigger and squeakier.

Some other interesting things happened in the last week on our walks but I'll write about those later on.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 03:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Joan went out after my dinner last night. Since she had left, I was compelled to snuggle up on the velvet daybed with the blankets that she left. I like it much better than my own bed on the floor. As usual, I usually know that I won't get caught because I jump down before she comes into the room (unless she surprises me by coming through the front door). In any case, last night she returned home and, after letting me out in the backyard, headed to the living room and went to sit down on the daybed/couch. What she immediately realized was that I had warmed it up for her. The spot where she usually sits, was all warm from me having been there. Shoot, I got caught again! She would never have known had she just made her dinner and let the couch "cool off."

On another note, she took me to the vet on my walk last night. I hate that place so much I try to pull my hardest by it (never works). And then, as soon as I enter, I start shaking all over. There was a cat in a cage and two scary people sitting in chairs and that nurse who seems pleasant but.... Luckily, she just made me sit on this black floor area, and then she told me I was 45.8 lbs. Some people think I'm too skinny. Joan feeds me this really good food and even gives me extra now because some people think I'm skinny, but the vet says I am just fine. I prefer to be slim like I am as compared to the pure-bred labs that get to be 100 lbs! I can tell you, though, that I'm always on the lookout for food - a very lab-like characteristic! The other day I tried my hardest to get a half hot-dog bun that was in someone's yard behind a fence. Joan got me to continue walking but I would have appreciated the extra snack. I can tell you that I always know when Joan gets ham out to make a sandwich. Instantly, I'm in the kitchen, up on hind legs, seeing what going on on the countertop!

Posted by Joan Hughes at 01:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Today Joan was working at home this morning on her computer. She doesn't like me walking in and out of her office constantly, so she usually closes the door and doesn't let me in while she's working. Well, she was in there for quite some time, and I thought, "She's not paying attention to me, so I'm not going to pay attention to her rules." So quick as can be, I jumped up and curled up into a ball on the couch. She knows that I go up on the couch while she is not here because sometimes I leave things I bring over there like her running shoe or a glove and, most notably, dog fur. But she can't do anything about it because she never catches me on the couch! I hear her unlock the door, and I jump down and act innocently even though the couch is warm and full of fur.

In any case, today I did not hear her come out of her office and all of the sudden, there she was, standing in the living room staring at me -- a brown curled up doggie ON THE COUCH! Oops. Since I was already caught, I decided to just stay put until she started reprimanding me. So, I got up and slinked off the couch and put on my best innocent act and the look of "I didn't really do anything wrong." She was pointing at my dog bed telling me that was the appropriate place for me. I understand that, but I rather like the couch! It is warm and near the windows so I can pop my head up and see anything that is going on in front of my territory.

In the end, Joan finally started petting me and admitted that I do look very cute curled up on the couch. Plus, I know that she hates that futon anyway, so she really doesn't care if I'm on it - it's just an issue of precedent. If she willingly lets me go on the couch, then I might think I can also go on a new couch or chair or bed....

The funniest thing is that Joan is at work right now and guess where I am? Working on the computer on the couch! Ha ha ha.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 03:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I don't think I emphasized enough how much I hate getting my nails cut. I become a gymnast, contortionist, wiggly body, whiny dog, mean, growly dog - anything I can to avoid getting my nails cut. In fact, Joan did it again today and managed to cut 4 nails on my back foot but when she tried to do the other foot, I just tried my hardest to pull my foot away as I felt that metal cutter clink my toenail. She did one toe on the front and then gave up, and I had treats and a walk. Cool. I saw half of a dead squirrel on our walk. It was just the bottom half, including tail, left. Too bad for that guy. ha ha. ;-)
This morning Joan took me to the dog park. She was SOOOO slow walking. I guess the ground was pretty much a sheet of ice so she had to hold on to the fence and walk carefully. Why are humans so slow? I had no problem running around with or without ice. However, if Joan keeps cutting my toenails I might get to the point of not being able to grip like I like!

Posted by Joan Hughes at 07:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)