My Summer Surprise

Remember when I told you that Momma had a summer surprise for me? Well, about a week ago she finally told me what the surprise was; a baby sister. That's right, I'm now a big sister to a little fur ball. She arrived in town on Friday and is staying with Auntie Mary until Momma gets home. 

I'm still unsure of this surprise. I mean, this means that I have to share MY momma with the little runt! Then again, I love babies. I'm a great Auntie...so could being a big sister be so much different? And this means that I have someone to boss around and tell scary stories to. And I could teach her all the proper things to do as a puppy in training for Guide Dogs for the Blind. I know that I chose not to be a Guide Dog, but that doesn't mean that I don't have a few tricks hidden in my kibble bowl. And she is kinda cute...a little...I guess. If you like that sort of cute, fluffy thing. 

I don't get to meet her until Momma comes home, but she's got pictures from Auntie Mary. So, here's my new, little sister DULCIE.

Dulcie off the puppy truck on Friday

Dulcie just off the puppy truck on Friday. She's smiling.

Dulcie at Auntie Mary's house...

Here she is in her puppy raising jacket. 

She's getting use to the tie down. Auntie Mary says that she  sleeps well and  doesn't really whine. I guess that's good. She won't disturb my beauty sleep. 

Momma gets home in exactly two weeks! That's fourteen days! The days are going to go by so slowly from here on out. Even if I have to share her attention with little Dulcie...I can't wait to see her. I get her all summer!

Love and Lab Kisses,
Hilly

They're All Named

Well, my nieces and nephews are out of the whelping kennel and into the puppy kennels. They are about 7 weeks old and all have names. Now, I know the names but I'm not going to post them up here until I know that they are all out to their raisers in the next couple of weeks. Let's just say...they are all...interesting. But, three of the names that I suggested were used (though I'm pretty sure at least one of those was suggested by more than just me) so I am happy.

Momma comes home in just six and a half weeks! She still hasn't told me about the surprise that she has planned for me this summer. I really wonder what it is. She says that maybe in the next two weeks she'll tell me, but it's so hard for a girl to wait.

Shaver Lake

About a week before Momma left she and I went to Shaver Lake. It's this lake up in the foothills that was created as a dam or something like that. I think it's still used like a dam or whatever it originally was built for, but it's also used for swimming and boating and all sorts of water fun. So, Momma and I went up with some of her friends so that we could all escape the heat of our hometown.

When we got there, it was so nice and cool that we thought it would be a good idea to sit down and have our picnic lunch. Everyone was so impressed with how I didn't beg for their sandwich meat and Momma had to explain that it was all apart of the training I had a Guide Dog Puppy. I wasn't allowed to have treats from any who wasn't holding onto my leash nor wash I allowed to jump up onto counters to eat the people food up there. I fact, I wasn't allowed any people food. I'm still not really. Momma says that I would get a tummy ach. Anyway, I was a super good girl while they sat and ate there lunch and was rewarded with some cheese and carrots that Momma brought for me.

Then people wanted to go swimming. I tried really hard to vote against this plan, but I was out numbered. Lucky for me, Momma and her friend Austin also didn't want to go swimming. So, while everyone else was renting a kayak (a funny looking, little boat) and swimming, we walked along the shore. There was the really, really big rock that we had to climb to get around the shore. Momma stood there for a while trying to figure out where she could go up with me and I got really bored of just waiting. So, I just bounced up the rock pulling Momma with me. She was shocked and said that I had to be at least half mountain goat to achieve what I just did. In response, I smiled at her. Hopping is one of my specialties. I even guiding her to a safe path down the other side. Who says I couldn't have been a good Guide Dog? *wags tail*

Me standing on the big rock

Momma thought it would be nice to put my ambassador scarf while standing on the big rock.

Eventually, Momma and Austin took off their shoes and wanted to stick their feet in the water. I indulged this ridiculous notiont that getting your feet wet is fun for a little. Ok, if I'm honest...it is started to seem less and less ridiculous now. But I still do not understand putting your whole body in the water. The walked around a little more and took a lot of pictures and switched turns being in the kayak.

Me sitting on the lake's beach with my ambassador scarf

It was super hot at this time so my tongue is hanging out extra long

I did decide to dip my feet in the water for a little while

Me sitting off from the water while Momma was still in the water

By this point it was pretty hot, so we decided to go back and climb the big rock again to head back to the car. We just hung out in the side next to the car for a while eating snacks and having something to drink. Well, they hung out and ate snacks. I took a big drink of water a promptly took a nap in the back seat of the car.

Then it was time to go home. We decided to chill out at Austin's house for a while before heading home since we were still pretty hot from the lake. But it was a really, really fun day!

Love and Lab Kisses,
Hilly

Dog Beach

Well, Momma left about a week ago. I've been a little too sad to post anything up. I miss her, but I'm going back to work now after my month of being off. Arwen told me that Momma used to go away for the whole summer and was back during the school year. I wish it was that way now. I know she comes back, but it feels like fur-ever before I see her again.
But, that's enough of the sad stuff. She sends me love and cuddles everyday, so I know she has not fur-gotten about me. Plus, you guys probably don't wanna hear me mope. You all wanna hear about what a fun summer I had. I'm hoping to post once a week. Hopefully it will work, but sometimes my "grandparents" need their computers.

Today I'm going to tell you all about my first time at an off leash dog beach! It was a lot like the dog park only bigger. Much, much bigger! I was so excited when we first got there that I ran the FULL length of the dog beach. I think Momma was a little worried that I would keep running and wouldn't come back, but she is silly like that sometimes. I stayed inside the boundaries like a good dog and came back to check in with Momma often. After a while she went to go sit with Grandma and Boo and just watched me play. I guess that means that I did good!

Me standing in front of the waves...but never in them!

Then I decided that it was time to get a little dirty. And what better way to do that than to roll in the sand. Momma was laughing so hard that she didn't get a picture of me, but she says that I put my head to the ground and almost "bulldozed" my way through the sand. Then I would roll back and forth and got my whole back covered in the stuff. Hey, if Momma can use it to ex-foli-ate her skin than so can I. What Momma did get a picture of was the after effect. I was super sandy for a couple of days.

A close up of my face. There is sand all over my nose and tongue and around my eyes.

One thing I do NOT fully understand. Did you guys know that some of the dogs there were getting into the water. I mean...they were SOAKING WET from head to tail. I just do not get how anydog would want to get into that cold, wet stuff unless it was for some good reason. And I definitely do not get how they actually think it's FUN. So when the other dogs chased their toys into the water to bring them back to their Mommas and Daddies (something I didn't fully understand until Momma got me this special toy and now I'm beginning to understand it more and more) I would have to wait until they got that darn ball and came out of the water to continue playing. Even Momma seemed to think that I should think getting wet is fun. So, I humored her and when she walked out into the ocean I followed her.

I did find a few other dogs who shared my views that water is to bathed in and not to play in. One of them was a handsome, long coated Collie. He reminded me a lot of my pal Kobe...except Kobe is like Arwen and is kinda grumbley sometimes. This Collie played a lot and he REALLY, REALLY liked me. I had to tell him that Momma doesn't allow me to date. But he was cool with that and we still got to be friends.

Me and my Collie friend running on the beach.

Me jumping my new Collie friend. I'm a jumper.

A line of three us going from smallest to biggest from right to left. I'm in the middle

We stayed at the beach for about 4 hours before we left to go home. Boo, my grandma's little poodle, did a little running around. But not much. He's also kinda grumbley. All in all I had a really, really fun time at the off leash dog beach. I hope me and Momma get to go more often next summer. *wags tail*

Another picture of me standing on the beach.

Me and my momma on the beach.

Me playing with a friend. She played that "fetch" game so I just chased her when she chased the ball. My momma says that at least she'll never have to worry about me being a ball thief at the park.

Hopefully I'll be back next week with some more adventures.

Love and Lab Kisses,
Hilly

A Week with Momma

This past week with Momma being home has been so much fun! I haven't been able to do much in the way of "Pet Ambassador" business, but that's alright. Momma did say that I would get to do some work while she was here.
So far we've taken long walks every morning, I've slept either by her bed or on her bed every night, and have gone to the dog park (but there were no friends there!). But, by far my favourite thing that has happened so far is that my little niece Fienna came over for a couple of hours. She has so much energy! Momma says that I had all that energy at one time, but I dont' believe it. Her favorite game was "Auntie Hilly is a Chew Toy." She would chew all over me! Then when we started to play she would tackle me and hop around just like I would. Momma kept giggling because Fienna reminds her a lot of me. After she left Momma told me how good I was because I was so patient with Fienna.

Fienna with her puppy coat on lying in front of me while I am sitting with my Pet Ambassador scarf

Fienna looking up at me while she is lying in front of me.

Fienna and me sitting in the back yard.

Right now, we're in LA. We had to drive FOREVER to get here. And it was soooo hot that we really couldn't stop for more than a couple of minutes to walk around. I definitely think taking the train was more fun than driving because I could walk around. But I guess I'm not allowed on trains anymore. Ah well, I'm having fun anyway. There's a new kitten here who loves my chew my tail and feet (again, Momma says that I'm being so patient with the little thing) and a crotchety old dog who doesn't like to play. The kitty is fun, but the old dog isn't. But, at least while I am here we are going to the beach. This will be my first time to an off leash dog beach. I'm getting really excited!!!

Also, she says on the last day she's in town she's got a BIG surprise for me. I keep trying to guess what it is. Maybe it's a really tasty treat. *wags tail*

Love and Lab Kisses,

Hilly

Not Long Now

Momma comes home in just nine more days!!!! I've been getting ready for her visit. I got my yearly check up at Dr. Ramona's and I'm planning on getting myself and Arwen and Rosie to the groomers before she gets here so we can all smell and feel pretty. I don't like smelling like a flower, but for Momma I'll do anything! She's told me that she has some presents for Arwen, Rosie, and myself, but we'll only get them if we've all been good. Arwen doesn't have to try to be good, she just is, but Rosie and I have been trying extra hard not to get into any trouble.

Momma's been giving me a heads up of what we're going to do while she's here. First, my niece FIENNA is coming to visit for an hour or two a few days after Momma gets back. I've been told that I have to be on my best behaviour when Fienna is over.

After that Momma is going away for the weekend! I wasn't too happy that she was going to be gone so soon after she got back, but she said that she had to visit someone since they couldn't be home this summer. She did promise to bring me back something from...Philadelphia I think she called it. I bet you anything she is going to bring me back some cream cheese!

After she gets back there is a puppy meeting, but she says I can't go. *sad puppy dog eyes* I guess it's at the bowling alley and I gave up my access privileges when I decided to not become a Guide Dog but still! I wish I could go...maybe I'll talk to Auntie Mary.

Then we are going to visit my other grandparents in Los Angeles. Momma says that there are two new friends for me to play with now! A poodle named BOO and a kitty cat named CURLEY. *happy puppy ears* I'm so excited, but Momma says that Boo probably won't want to play as much as Curley wants to, but maybe my girlish charm will get him to play.

Then the next weekend is Fun Day. Now, I'm not allowed at Fun Day anymore since they ask for Career Changes to stay at home (something about it being a really big event). But she said that I will have a puppy friend for the Thursday evening before she leaves for the weekend. I don't know much about this friend, but Momma says that she and I will probably get along really well!

I don't know when, but she also says that my first Mommy is probably going to come and visit! I'll get to show her all of my new tricks and maybe go and play at the park with her. It'll be super fun if she comes to visit and I hope they can work it out!

We might also go camping! Or to the beach! So much to do in such little time!

Mostly though, Momma says that we'll be taking early morning walks, hanging out at home and in pet friendly institutions, going to the dog park (at least every other day she says!), and doing some training. I'm pretty excited about getting to strut my stuff as a Pet Ambassador this summer!

Happy Birthday Momma

Yesterday was my Momma's Birthday! Hooray! I wish I could have given her her birthday kisses for real, but over the internet had to do yesterday.

For her birthday I got her the best present I could think of...well, besides me. I've been very, very good for the past couple of weeks. I got with my Grandma Marion to work about three times a week and am a very good supervisor. I've also resisted my chewing urge and have stopped eating things at home when I don't get to go to work. Momma says that I need to keep this up and it should be her present for the whole year. I'm going to try, but sometimes a Lab has to be a Lab right? But, staying strong so far.

I hope my Momma had a good day yesterday even though I couldn't be there with her.

Love and Lab Kisses to my Momma!
Hilly

Happy New Year

I know it's a little late, but I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's!

My New Years was alright, but my Momma had gone home and then my grandparents left to go visit some friends. So, I spent a quiet new year's with Arwen and Rosie. I tried to stay up until midnight to see what all the fuss was about. Arwen says that there are lots of fireworks and other crazy things that she hates and goes nuts over. But I ended up falling asleep around ten and stayed asleep. I guess I'll have to try again next year. I don't mind fireworks really...I just don't understand them.

Anyway, hope you guys got to see the fireworks!

Love and Lab Kisses,
Hilly

Momma's Back!

Well, my Momma's back! She got back a few days ago and we've been having a lot of fun. Marley from the puppy group came to visit and we played and played. It's hard to believe he's just a baby. Then we went to the group Christmas Party. Momma made me wear these jingle bells around my neck, but that was ok. We had a lot of fun and it was great to see everyone again!

A picture of me wearing my green fuzzy necklace with jingle bells.

Unfortunately, we might not get to go up to the snow. We were going to go today, but since yesterday Momma was busy when she didn't think she would be she has to do some stuff today. So she said we would go the day after Christmas (she calls it Boxing Day. I don't know why...I guess there are a lot of boxes after everyone opens their presents so they made a day for the boxes) but now it looks like that my other Grandparents are coming in to visit that day and she already made plans to go shopping the day after that. She said if we have time we'll go on New Year's Eve and get back in time to get to sleep before Santa gets here.

Yesterday we went to the Dog Park! I'll post pictures of that later, but it was soooo much fun! There wasn't a lot of puppy friends there yesterday, but I did get to play with two friends. One of them happened to be Rosie's half sister! That was pretty cool! Hopefully we'll get to go again. Momma says that we can go more since it's cool enough to go in the afternoon.

Love and Lab Kisses,
Hilly

Not to Long Now

Alright, I know I've been a little absent from the blogging world, but it's exam time and my grandfather hasn't gotten off the computer for the whole week. He says he needed it for work and I would just have to wait until his break started.

Anyway, guess what tomorrow is! That's right! It's the 18th of December. The 18th of December is when my Momma gets in for her short visit. I'm one very happy puppy! She said she's got something yummy for me, Rosie, and Arwen. She's also got a lot planned for us while she's here.

To Do List While Momma is Here:
1. Dog Park visit
2. Long walks around the lake and through the park
3. PWAP Christmas Party
4. Picture with Santa! (I'm really excited about this one! I've been really good. Well...good enough)
5. Snow Play Day

See? We've got a pretty full schedule! I'm so happy. Momma says that I might get to meet one of the group's newest puppies almost right after she gets back! I can't wait to meet my new friend!

32 hours (plus or minus a couple of minutes) and counting...

Best Gift Ever

I know, I know. The whole post a day thing isn't working out very well. I had a little bit of a bump these past two days. I was grounded from the Internet. I decided to steal clean another pair of my grandfather's reading glasses. Did you know that dog slobber isn't good for cleaning them and the humans don't  like it when you do it? I do now.

Anyway, I just received the best early Chrismachannukwanzica gift ever! My Momma told me that she's definitely coming home for a little bit over her break! Isn't that great!? I can't wait to see my Momma again. Maybe she'll bring me back something cool from Scotland. I only have a month to wait! Oh, it's going to go by so slow.

Well...thirty days and counting.

From the Computer

Something weird happened yesterday. I was just going about my business and playing with Rosie when all of a sudden I heard Momma's voice. I know she's been gone for forever already, but she wasn't suppose to get back yesterday. So I decided to investigate.

I went over to my "grandpa" because it sounded like her voice was coming from over near him. I jumped up on his lap to tell him that Momma was home somewhere when guess who I saw in his computer. Momma! Momma was in the computer! She even spoke to me.

Now, I don't know where this Scotland is, but I know it's not in the computer. I tried to tell "grandpa" that we had to get her out of the computer because that's not where she's suppose to be, but he just laughed. Can you believe that? I hope Momma has gotten out of the computer ok. That doesn't seem like a very comfortable place to be.

Momma's Formal Training

Hey all! I'm pretty sad at the moment. Why? Because my Momma left almost a week ago for her "formal training" (she calls it "Universe-ity". I don't know exactly what it means, but based on what she calls it I assume it has something to do with the universe...). It's ok though because my "grandparents" are taking care of me while I'm gone. They're ok, but definitely not a replacement for Momma. Mostly what I do all day is play with Rosie and curl up under my "grandpa's" feet when he's working at the computer. It's weird really. I'm not quite use to sleeping in their room yet. I've accidentally gone to Momma's room a few times and slept there.

It seems like she's been gone forever already, but she did say that she would bring me something back from Scotland! Maybe it'll be a cool looking dog bed or some Scottish treats. I wonder if Scottish dogs eat different things than we do?

Well, that's all for now. Just letting everyone know that I'm alive and well even if I do miss my Momma.