Monday Dog Blog: So Much Unpacking and Packing!

We've been home for a week now. 

The birds are singing, the grass is as high as my knees (although Mom did mow today!), the daffodils and forsythia are in bloom, the buds are popping on the dappled willow, the weeping cherry tree is blooming, the sun is shining, and all of our neighborhood friends (both two and four-legged are out and about). 

I've rearranged the pillows on the sofa just the way I like them and drive Mom and Mommy crazy because they have to cover the pretty sofa from my muddy paws.

In addition to getting settled in at home, we got to go to a new dog training class and it was lots of fun!

We are taking a beginning Dog Therapy training class.

Mommy says that if we could just combine our skill sets we would be a perfect therapy dog. Ha!

So, why the long face you ask?

Well, what is the deal with all of this packing and unpacking going on here?

I mean, we're happy about *this* particular box because it was full of goodies from Chewy.com.

But, Mommy and Mom aren't even finished unpacking from the beach yet, and they are heading to Hopkins for an overnight this week.

Mommy is SO excited because she will get to meet with the development folks, have a photo shoot with Dr. Rowe to be featured in the next issue in the Hopkins Children's Hospital magazine, and have an appointment with Dr. Rowe.

We are pretty excited because we will get to stay with Dad and Abbie! We haven't gotten to do that for a long time and know that they will take good care of us.

Hopefully Mommy won't pack us in this box to take us over there?!

She wouldn't do that, would she?!

Happy Monday!

Have a paw-tastic day! 

Blessings,

Tovah Rose

Monday Dog Blog: Our Last Week + HOME

Hey folks! 

We're home now, but we wanted to share a little bit about our last week at the beach.

We just got home on Saturday evening. Mommy was so very tired that she slept until 3 PM on Sunday!

Early in the week we spent an afternoon down at the far end of the island where there was SO. MUCH. TO. EXPLORE.

Mommy loves this end of the island at low tide. The beach seems endless, the sand is full of dips and ripples, tide pools are filled with warm water, and the intra-coastal waterway can be seen. 

This is the first year Mommy has been able to really explore this end of the island and walk around!

Tovah Rose really loves to be off leash and she waded in and out of the tide pools, which was very brave of her. I was a pretty proud big brother because Tovah Rose doesn't really like the water very much.

As you can see, all that exploring wore her out!

After the walk, we were both very, very wet!

It was definitely the most wet and dirty we have gotten at the beach this year, but oh so worth it!

We BOTH found a way to sit on Mom's lap and, as you can see, Tovah really sacked out!

We really got into a routine of going to the beach a lot! We had quite a bit of nice weather. Even when it wasn't warm, Mom and Mommy bundled up and headed to the beach anyways.

Tovah Rose enjoyed the screened in porch again this year.

She happily spent many hours out there.

As you can see, my sore paw didn't slow me down from working hard!

Mommy took me to the vet on Tuesday and got some medicine for me. I can happily report that I am feeling all better now. AND, we now have a vet down at the beach that we like and know we can trust if we ever have an issue again!

Mommy couldn't believe how we snuggled up to each other like this on the way to the beach!

On Wednesday--our last day at the beach--we headed to our favorite part of the beach--Bird Island, where it is completely undeveloped.

Tovah practiced her new hobby of chasing birds.

She's getting pretty good at it!

I practiced joyfully running back and forth between Mom who was walking in the dry sand, and Mommy who was wading in the water.

Mommy got an email from Shutterfly asking her if she remembered 8 years ago. It was filled with these precious pics of her beloved Asher. It was also a reminder of how, 8 years ago, Mommy was just happy to be out on the PORCH at her OWN house. That was considered an 'outing'. She knows Asher came into her life when she needed him the most, and left when he knew he had done his job. 

Mommy feels that Asher would be so excited to see her walking instead of StRolling and he'd love to walk next to her at the beach.

On the way home from the beach, Facebook notified Mommy that the above picture was taken 3 years ago to the day.

She looked behind her to discover that I'm still sleeping with my same favorite 'baby' and he makes my car trips so much better.

I really like my 'babies' on the car ride!

We were both super duper travelers and did well both in the hotel and the car, except that I kinda sorta puked on the way home. 

Anyways...

We were all sad to leave the beach, but we also know it's time to be back HOME where we belong, hanging out in our yard, going for walks and seeing all of our doggy and human friends and neighbors that we've missed.

We are so grateful to have the opportunity to spend time at the beach each year. In turn, we are grateful for the community we return home to each year.

Blessings,

Gershwin

Monday Dog Blog: Wrapping Up Our Time Here + Week 6 Update

Lap Dogs

Hey folks!

Thanks for checking in on our adventures this week.

Go Cubbies!

We are enjoying some really great beach weather.

And look at Mommy walking!

Walking Perfectly Next to Mom

And here's Mom walking with us. Notice how well-behaved we are. 

Aren't We Being Good?

We are so grown up now! This year, Mommy and Mom have been letting us walk with our leashes on, but without holding onto them. This is just in case another dog or person who isn't a fan of us might pass by.

We have been doing such a good job with our new freedom and we really like the adventure!

We aren't perfect, but we are getting really good at checking in with Mom and Mommy frequently to let them know we won't go too far.

It's like one big curiosity shop here.

Mr. Gershwin Needed a Nap!

When we get back from walks we are SO very sleepy. Sometimes we can't keep our eyes open.

I LOVE This Spot Chopper Dug for Me!

One of our doggy friends, Chopper, stopped by one day and he dug a little hole. 

I (Tovah Rose) discovered this spot, and thought it was PERFECT for me. Nice and cool and just the right size.

Exploring A New Part of the Beach (Towards Ocean Isle)

I've also been going in the water more and even getting my face and paws wet!

I See Sandpipers!

And! I have a really great new hobby:

Ha! They Flew Away!

Chasing the birds!

That Is SO Satisfying!

They know I mean business and always fly away when I go after them!

I know you all think I am just a delicate little flower, but don't underestimate me! :)

I tried to take on a crab today, but Mommy told me it wasn't such a good idea.

G Wearing Mom's Sock

My little brother seems to have a sore or irritated paw.

Mommy and Mom have been taking care of him by soaking it, putting antibiotic and steroid cream on it, giving him a couple of Rimadyl, and covering his foot so he won't keep licking it.

Poor guy looks kind of pitiful with this big sock of Mom's on. But it was all that Mom and Mommy could find at 11 PM on a Thursday night!

New Sock!

Mommy is going to take Gershwin to the vet here as soon as she can get an appointment. 

Gershwin is very happy when he has his sock on. :) 

He happily wears it and relaxes when it is on.

Thankfully, Mommy found some doggy socks that G likes and Amazon overnighted to us, since they had messed up an earlier order of hers.

G Happily Walking

Thankfully, his sore paw has not stopped him from walking on the beach.

G LOVES the Water!

Mommy LOVES to walk in the water and Gershwin walks right next to her, getting his paws wet. 

I Like to Stay A Little More Dry

I prefer to stay out of the water most of the time. Mommy and Mom think I wiggle my little butt when I walk.

Aren't We Cute From the Back? :) 

It's hard to believe we're wrapping up our time here and will be heading home on Friday.

The weather looks perfect for the rest of our time here.

Mommy and Mom plan to squeeze in as much beach time as they can in between trying to pack up, organize, get ready to head home.

Happy Monday!

Blessings,

Tovah Rose

Monday Dog Blog: Caption This + Week 5 Update

I've been taking a FB break during our trip but have still been posting on Instagram. Instagram is a lot more relaxing and stress-free than FB these days. Just pictures and captions--that I can do!

So, when I caught this pic of Gershwin yawning over his upcoming walk in the rain, I asked for captions.

We'd love to add yours to our list!

Here are two:

From Rachel--

Gershwin says: "I don't want to be tied to my sister!"

Tovah says: "See what I have to put up with?"

From Kate--

"Mooooommmmmmmm! Tovah ate my biscuit!"

The kids were pretty unexcited about heading out for a walk in the rain this week.

They act pretty put out by the process of 'getting dressed' in their harnesses, coats, coupler and leash.

Then, I managed to catch Gershwin's yawn coming on....

Such satisfaction after that yawn! Now we can proceed...

This week was pretty low-key beach-wise--we only made it to the beach one day! Our first two weeks here were very warm and mild, while this week has been cooler, cloudier and windier. 

We took one day to head to the outlets (a first for me!) where, *gasp*, we left the kids home all day and didn't even buy them any gifts!

We've walked on the beach or around the development to see the Osprey, and otherwise just hung out.

I had a massage one afternoon (I've found a therapist down here who does great work!).

I've been feeling pretty yucky overall--either from allergies, gastroparesis, or some combination of things--so that's held us back some.

As you can see from the above picture, this puddle is FULL of pollen!

Not feeling well has definitely gotten me down this week.

Thankfully, these guys continue to be the little loves of my life and great smugglers.

Who can resist a wet dog that wants to be swaddled and snuggled?

It's hard to believe we're heading into week 6 here...

Hopefully we will get some beach time this week!

Happy Monday!

Blessings,

Emily