The early bird gets the what now?

Joey may look like a sleepy-snoozy dog, but he is actually making sure his morning walk is first on the morning agenda. He doesn't quite get the 'five more minutes' game I tend to play with the alarm clock. He knows what the alarm means: get up, get dressed, get walking. He tries to be demanding and fortunately for me, his most effective persuasive device is cute cuddily-ness. He's good at it, and did eventually get his walk - five or ten (maybe fifteen) minutes later.

Doggie Friends

This is Joey with his best doggie friend, Layla. He actually kind of loves her, but she doesn't like him in, you know, that way. Being that Layla is one of the only other dogs I see on a regular basis, I really wanted them to get along. It took a little time, but now they really are a tiny pack. They have such different personalities, it is really fun to hang out with the two of them. Plus, spending time with her is apparently as exciting as about four long walks. We get home and Joey pretty much sleeps the whole rest of the day (dreaming of who do you think?)

Before and After

It has been a long time since we posted anything here. I've been caught up, you know how it is. Joey wasn't too thrilled with tonight's activity. I don't know if you can see the middle picture much, but we cut off a ton of hair. He doesn't look much different!

I'll try to get some more pictures up soon. We haven't stopped taking them, so there's plenty to choose from! I think he's recovered from the indignity of his haircut and hoping for another trip outside. (We'll see.)

Upside Down

Joey loves to sleep on his back. Of course that sentence would be just as true if it ended with the word 'sleep.' I can now easily gauge how boring or interesting I am being by his level of consciousness. Here he is considering a nap, but I am willing to intermittently rub his belly so he's holding off. I took the picture upside down 'cause he looked so hilarious. Its like he's jumping up and laying down at the same time. He also looks like he's smiling. I like that. He often has a serious, steady look -see the Halloween photo- and we watch the tail wag (tiny blur) to assess his excitement. Right now he is curled up on the couch waiting for me to do something more interesting than type at the clicky-shiny thing and take him for a walk.
Gotta go!

Cone Free!

Yes the cone is gone. He is feeling much better and I am so happy to see my whole dog! It was weird to have to choose between his head or his body. This is his shirt. It isn't a costume, but it is what he wore for Halloween. I thought we might be decorating his cone like a flower of something. This was much nicer! He loved seeing all the kids. He got lots of petting and admiration, and yet his ego seems relatively uneffected. We were relieved to notice that he isn't too interested in chocolate. I guess its not too surprising, since the candies we handed out didn't smell like the inside of a chicken or the back of another dog. Small blessings I guess!

Special Patrol Unit has a rant.

I'm pissed. You know me, I'm Special Petrol Unit, a.k.a. 'Slimey,' a.k.a. 'S.P.U.' I'm a fancy-shmancy A.K.C. brand beaver-shaped doggie toy. I have a squeaker inside, which I know you love. Don't deny it! I am meant to be licked and chewed on for squeaky, chewy fun. Yes, even grabbed by the head and shaken violently. I am not a tug of war toy - NOT!! You think that cone-collar is humiliating? My insides are on the outside, okay!? I had to have a bath and so am no longer coated with a thick film of your drool. This is not cool. Now I sit, languishing in the sewing bin, waiting for my turn to get stitched up and back in the game... (sigh) ...I miss you, Joey.

The Cone!

Never let it be said that there isn't a consequence to licking one's own privates. Poor Joey. It has been a long evening, and he was totally unsuspecting. We drove in the car (he loves it), we went to the pet store (very fun, lots of other dogs, got to pee inside without anyone getting too mad), and then swung by the vets (yowzer!). He's had a weird reaction to his neutering stitches. I noticed it and thought I was over-reacting, but when it got inflamed and red I took him in. Vet says antibiotics and no licking for two weeks (two weeks?!?! What the...). He took the med with no problem. He's sulking a little bit in the cone. You know, honestly its not a bad look. He keeps getting stuck on the carpeting though... Its going to be a long two weeks.