Conway says,"Scram!"

Hide and Seek

Top Ten

Yesterday was what Don at the local beach calls a ten - he figures you get ten perfect summer days. After hanging out at said beach I came home and hung out with the boys. (I believe this photo was taken after the wrestling match between Oliver and Fitz; Fitz has some moves, including taking Oliver's front legs out from under him. Of course, Oliver has some moves of his own - he can still fit the whole of Fitz's neck in his mouth.)

Go Big or Go Home

Conway wasn't content with a smaller stick. The nice part - this was eventually
broken into several smaller sticks for all to enjoy.

2 Doods and Susie

Sunday Morning

It's quiet - Suann has gone off to visit a friend and the boys and I are just hanging out. Oscar continues to be patient with Fitz while Oliver's patience is growing each day. He is desperate to play but isn't quite sure how to do that without hurting Fitz. Conway? Let's just say he's a work in progress.

Each day seems to bring new learning. This morning's lesson: if you walk under Oscar's lifted leg a bath is sure to follow.

Old and Young

Oscar is the most patient dog of all.

Susie's Home

One of the things the older boys know is the train brings Suann home. If I know what train she's on I look at them and say, "Susie's home," as it rumbles into the station by the house. Upon that decree they head to the front door. Yesterday I was reading on the guest bed, the doods spread about me when her train arrived. Conway and Oliver leaped from the bed, leaving Fitz behind.

Saturday @ 297

Hanging out with the doods

Run!

Staring Contest

Sometimes it's about the tail

Piet!

Piet is here for a surprise visit. Can't wait to see where he sleeps tonight (he sacked out on the treadmill while we were watching TV).

3 Doods

Summer 2013

2 Doods and Oscar

Summer 2009

Stranded...4 Years Apart

Oliver 2009

Fitz 2013

Side by Side

We've been trying to figure out how much Oliver and Fitz look alike.....

Tell us how you feel about Fitz......

Accessorizing

The pads on Oscar's feet seem to have lost their grip so we got him some socks. 

Thawing

Not sure if Oliver knows Fitz wants to be just like him or not but overall he's been a good sport.

Neighborhood Watch

Fitz versus the Sprinkler

Yesterday, I finally broke down and used the sprinkler to water the various plants in the back yard. It got the hosta a much needed drink and provided some hilarity as Suann and I watched Fitz engage with the sprinkler. At one point I debated about running in and getting my camera but decided I didn't want to miss anything. He barked, he sniffed, he bit the hose and eventually stuck his whole head into the stream of water. He was quite surprised and we delighted in his joy of something new. 

Sleepover!

Suann and I had dinner plans last night and the people we were visiting have a "sensitive" Havanese so we left Fitz with our sister-in-law Kim. Originally it was just for a few hours but our nephew Ian was working until ten and was bummed Fitz would be gone when he got home. A negotiation ensued and we left Fitz for the night. Ian was very happy.

                              

Uncle/Nephew

Oliver is Fitz's uncle. They are equally comfortable hanging out on their backs. 

Got Toys?

While I will admit to not going crazy in the purchasing toys for the Fitz - we have plenty of leftovers, not to mention gifts from kind friends, I got a chuckle the other day when he settled in with three of his favorites: an old sneaker, a dishtowel and a stick. He was a happy fellow.

Three Doods Minus Oscar

We spent a lot of time out back today - there was a nice breeze earlier and the hotness hadn't yet settled in. Fitz is desperate to hang with the big boys - it has become a bit of a mating ritual, "How far can I go before they get angry?" Oliver is very tolerant, almost interested. There was an attempt at a good old fashioned chase around the pool table the other day but it ended quickly when Fitz squeaked. Today, as Oliver was getting on the couch out back Fitz made a leap for his tail as if to swing like Tarzan. He missed. This photo surprises and pleases me because Conway has his own invisible fence - get too close and he growls a bit. Fitz keeps pushing though - he is determined to make friends. 

As for Oscar - he's upstairs enjoying some alone time. I'm not sure he even realizes there's another dog in the house.

Chasing Balls....But Not Retrieving

Is it possible both Conway and Fitz have attention issues?

Hanging Out

Settling In

It's shaping up to be a lovely summer. Fitz has settled in - he has slept through the night a couple of times, Oliver seems to be thawing a bit and there is much joy about 297. There is something to be said about having a very enthusiastic puppy around. Fitz bounces from place to place and is quick to dart back to the safety of my feet should he hear an unfamiliar noise. Each time we go out he ventures further away. Today we discovered he could climb the stairs.

Piet was here today (the rest of the family too) and he took his cue from the other three - a sniff here or there and then off to play with Oliver. I'm fairly certain there is a lot of canine eye rolling going on. How many times can a puppy hear how cute he is? Thanks to the Feldmeths Fitz heard it a whole lot.

First family photo

Smiling Fitz and Obedient Conway

Cocktails with Suann

Meet and Greet

Fitz came home today. It was a rather tame meeting of the canine minds. Phew.

The Sweetness of Dogs

by Mary Oliver

What do you say, Percy? I am thinking

of sitting on the sand to watch

The moon rise. Full tonight.

So we go.

and the moon rises, so beautiful it

Makes me shudder, makes me think about

Time and space, makes me take

Measure of myself; one iota

Pondering heaven. Thus we sit,

I thinking how grateful I am for the moon’s

perfect beauty and also, oh! How rich

it is to love the world. Percy, meanwhile,

leans against me and gazes up into

my face. As though I were

his perfect moon.

Countdown to Fitz

Today we are 2 doods and Oscar. On Thursday we become 3 doods and Oscar. There is a second crate set up in the boys' room and we occasionally throw out variations on the Fitz name ("Fitzy!" "Fitzhugh!") and tell Oliver that soon he will no longer be the last one to receive his treat but do they have any idea what's coming? No. Can't wait to see what their reaction is when they realize he's not going home.

I call this photo, taken yesterday morning, "The Calm Before the Storm."