They got me again!

COCO: Look at the picture below. It will help explain a lot of what’s been going on.

 

Yup, that’s me in the lampshade, or what ever they call it. I guess I’ve been having some problem with my ear because when I shook my head, my right ear felt like a pouch swinging back and forth. When we got back from vacation I found myself on a one-way ride to the veterinarian. Hrump!!! Actually, I like Dr. Phillips, he’s kind and he doesn’t hurt me. His nurse took me into a room with Dad and the Doctor checked me out. Was I in for more shots? No! He felt my ears and then he talked to Dad. Shortly after that, they led me out back and Dad went away.

They put me on a table and shaved part of my leg and put a needle in. It just pinched a bit. They were so nice and I was being scratched nicely. Then I got REAL sleepy and the next time I opened my eyes I was in another room. I know it was another room even though I couldn’t see too well as everything was hazy. I tried to stand up or at least I thought about standing up, but nothing worked.

When I was finally able to stand and walk around, they led me out front and Dad was waiting for me. Was I ever glad to see him! I was walking pretty good, but my head was fuzzy and I don’t think I could have run, even if I wanted to, which I didn’t.

Dad took me out side and lifted me in the back of the Jeep and we rode home. Usually, I stand with my head between the front seats, to make sure that Dad knows where to go, but this time I was content to lie down on my bed in the back.

When I got home, everyone was glad to see me! Mom, Jodie, and Sandy were all over me and they were all looking at my ear, Jodie giving it a thorough sniff and a lick or two. Next thing you know, Dad has this blue thing that he wrapped around my head. OK, sometimes my ear itches, but I just can’t reach it with that blue thing on. It looks like I had a fight with a blue lamp shade and the shade won.

I suppose it’s all right. I can eat, drink, and sleep with it on, but I can’t scratch my ears and I guess that’s why I have it on. Now my ear feels a little funny, and I’d like to scratch, but it doesn’t hurt at all. Jodie says that my ear is all sewed up with bright green thread, but I can’t see it so I don’t know for sure. I did have a bandage on my leg when I came home and that was bright green so I suppose they color coordinate at the Vets.

Here’s the worst part, me and the shade are going to be buddies for THREE  people weeks or twenty-one dog weeks…….AND….there will be no pool until the shade comes off . Jodie and Sandy were very supportive at first and happy that they weren’t wearing a shade. However, when they found out that there would be NO POOL for anyone for three weeks they were not so happy. Of course they now blame me.

That’s our plight for now, but I’ll keep you posted if there is a change.

Regards and  a woof,

Coco

Another day at Dog Beach

 

JODIE: Coco and I were discussing our day at the dog park and compared it to other days at other dog parks. The only one that can compare is Dog Beach in San Diego. Is it just a coincidence that San Diego and Pensacola are Navy towns? We don’t think so!

 

COCO: It really doesn’t matter because we have a good time anyway. Throw a ball and we’ll fetch. We’ll play with all the dogs and have a sniffing good time.

 

Sandy: Well, I had a good time. Having Keaton and Kyle throw the ball is a good thing. Dad’s arm isn’t what it used to be and I like a good swim to get the ball. Heck, if it’s too close to shore any dog can get it.

 

COCO:  You guys see me with the K’s out on the raft? I swam out myself when I saw them and got on all by myself! I gave them a ball and they’d throw it and I’d swim and fetch. Then I’d swim back and do it all over again. It’s a bit hard getting up on the raft, but I  did it.

 

SANDY: Well, I think we all ahd a great time and the bath and the toweling was a bonus. When we got home, I was ready for the sack.

 

COCO: Me, too!

 

JODIE: The problem with you Coco, is that you do too much at one time. You should take it a little easier.

 

COCO: What do you mean, take it easier??? I’m fine!!

 

JODIE:  You say you’re fine, but after such a hectic day, you can’t jump up on the bed. You sit there and whimper until Dad comes over and helps you up. Isn’t that a problem?

 

COCO: Well, Dad has to help Sandy up, too.

 

JODIE: Sandy can jump higher than I can, she just doesn’t know it and she’s afraid. Have you seen how fast she can jump up there when there’s a thunder storm?

 

SANDY: Who’s afraid?

 

COCO: Oh, come on!!!! When it thunders, you shake like a leaf while Jodi and I just chill out in bad.

 

JODIE: Leave her alone, Coco. We don’t know what she’s been through before she came to live with us. She is easy to live with and gives us no problems. I think we’re lucky to have Sandy with us.

 

SANDY: Thanks, Jodie. I don’t know why loud noises bother me but they do. And, I know I don’t have the devil-may-care attitude of Coco because I’m more of a lady and Coco is more of a bulldozer running amok.

 

COCO: What does she mean, Jodie?

 

JODIE: Don’t worry about it, Coco. It’s over your head. Lets just say that we’ve been having a good time on this vacation and soon we’ll be heading home to the pool.

We’re Back !!!

 

JODIE: Hello folks and fellow quadrupeds (DOGS). We finally have something to report as news. I know that we haven't posted much lately, but there has been nothing out of the ordinary. Today I had to wait until Dad came back from visiting Wifi. I guess he was supposed to meet Wifi at “Peg Leg Pete’s”, but Wifi wasn’t there. Then he tried to meet Wifi at a McDonald’s, but Wifi wasn’t there either. He finally found Wifi at another McDonalds. Coco and I were chatting and we wonder who Wifi is and if Mom knows about it.

COCO: I don’t know anything at all about Wifi. The fact is that I know very little about very much that is human. This is what I hear all day, woof, woof, woof, COOKIE, woof, woof, woof, woof, RIDE, woof, woof, woof, woof, SUPPER, woof, woof. I think you get the idea. I’d like to tell you about the last few days, because that’s where we have the news. A few days ago, we made another road trip in the motorhome. it wasn’t too bad as it was only a day and not a very long day at that.

JODIE: Speak for yourself Coco! I don’t like even a short ride in that bus.

COCO: OK, I’m not talking for you. Did you have nay problems with the ride, Sandy?

SANDY: No, I didn’t mind the ride. They stop from time to time and walk us. We have water and treats, and get scratched whenever we get near Mom or Dad. In fact, this was a very good trip because we also had Keaton and Kyle with us, so we got even more attention. As a matter of fact, I remember seeing Jodie cuddled up on the sofa with Kyle.

JODIE: OK! OK! I suppose you’re both right. The ride is a lot easier when I have someone to cuddle with.

COCO: Fine. We were riding to the campground and we passed over some big lakes or something.

Of course I was delighted ‘cause I knew we were heading for a beach. Swimming!!! OH BOY!!! As we continued, I saw even more water and I could smell the ocean.

 

Then we stopped and Dad went into a building near a campground. When he came out, He told Mom that there was no place where the dogs could go in the water. I thought, rats, another vacation cooped up in the motorhome.

SANDY: Huh??? We went swimming yesterday.

JODIE: Well, Dad went off yesterday to look up “dog parks” on his computer and found the Bayview Dog Beach, where we went yesterday.

COCO: Yes, we went to the Dog Beach and had a GRAND time.

 

 

COCO: Did you notice how Sandy completely dominated the ball fetching? When someone would throw a ball for their dog, Sandy would out swim the dog and get the ball. She wouldn’t even let the puppies get the ball.

 

SANDY: Heh, Heh!!! I was like a shark out there! Oh, if only Riggs were there with us. He would have had a great time.

 

 

JODIE: But you have to admit that a lot of those puppies were so cute, and that brown one had a lot of pizzazz! He gave his best, trying to get the ball and he didn’t hesitate to put his head underwater to find something.

SANDY:  Oh, I agree, and if you look at the picture above, you’ll see I didn’t even try to get that ball that time.

 

COCO: You faker!!! You weren’t in that picture because you were busy steeling another ball from another dog.!!!!

 

SANDY: Uh….I NEVER stole a ball from a dog, NEVER. I DO beat them to the ball and get it before they can.

 

JODIE: I think we’ve had enough of the ball argument. On to something else. Did either of you notice that Kyle and Keaton seemed to be having a good time? And, did either of you see the little dog that jumped up where Mom was sitting and shook water all over her? Then Dad laughed and the little dog ran over and jumped on Dad, soaking his pants while the water dripped into his shoes. It was a riot!

 

COCO: I didn’t see that.

SANDY: Neither did I.

JODIE: Well, I REALLY enjoyed our day at the beach. Then mom washed us off on one of the wash platforms. Dad walked me out and tied me to a railing in the shade of a tree. Then he got the Jeep and drove over to me with towels and dried me off. He left the Jeep running so it was nice and cool when I jumped in. Also, since he moved the Jeep into the shade, I didn’t have to walk across any hot pavement.

COCO: Yup, me and the young chick got the same royal treatment.

SANDY: Young chick….? YOUNG CHICK…?

COCO: Yup, young chick. You ARE the young chick. Jodie is the old Hen, and I’m just about perfect.

JODIE: This has gone far enough, but I’ll remember your comment, Coco. Now it’s time to end this for today. If we chat too long, our typist is less likely to help us again soon. So, from the three princesses from Inverness, Fl, So long and Happy Tails to You

We’re still here!

JODIE: Yes, we are still here, It’s just that our blog person has been having a heck of a time with the changes in the blogging system and he has had little patience with our demands.

COCO: Well, it’s not like he had been avoiding us. We still play in the pool almost every day.

SANDY: And we still play fetch and he even takes us for a ride in the car from time to time, if it’s not too hot.

COCO: As  you can plainly see, I’m still enjoying MYSELF in the pool. Dad still comes out and tosses my toys in the water so I can fetch, especially underwater. Plus, he tosses the ball for Sandy and plays tug with you, Jodie.

JODIE: Oh, I’m not complaining, I’m just explaining why no one has heard from us in a while. We’re busy and having fun, but we’re also taking life a little easy in the hot Florida weather.

SANDY: Did we ever post anything while we were up north?

JODIE: Yes we did, but Dad wasn’t able to include any pictures and he was getting mad. Here’s a picture of us running free at Wompatuck State Park. That was when Dad was still letting us run free.

SANDY: You know that Dad still let me run free even when he had you two on the leashes the last week because you found some deep mud someplace and he had to give the two of you a bath…TWICE! I was such a neat, well behaved girl that Dad unclipped my leash so he could concentrate on you two.

JODIE: Well…..I think you’ve said enough for today, Sandy. Do you have anything to add, Coco?

COCO:  No, I think enough has been said for today. Someday I’ll report on the mischief that Sandy gets into, but for today I’ll just say “Bye” from the girls of Inverness.

We's been swimmin'

SANDY: Today we got a special surprise as Dad took us swimming. This was my first time swimming in this area and it was a bit different that anything I've done in the past. I swim in the pool and the surf. This was a pond. There were no steps and there were no waves, and it wasn't so much fun.

JODIE: I know that you may be disappointed, and to be honest, it was a bit of a let down for me, too. I mean.......no ball to fetch. No waves!

COCO: I knew where we were when Dad turned off the paved road. Didn't you hear me whining? I just knew that the pond was just around the corner. There was a lot of noise coming from over the hill, just beyond the pond and that was distracting.

SANDY: Yes, there were a lot of big yellow machines moving back and forth and eating big bites of dirt. If Dad wasn't right there, I would have been SO scared.

COCO: The best of the day was yet to come. When we got home, Dad gave us our supper and took us for a walk in the woods. Silly Dad attached bells to our collars so he could hear us in the woods. Surprise on him, the bells are not too loud and the wind in the trees made it difficult for him to hear.

JODIE: He was keeping a close eye on us, though, not letting us get too far away. It was lucky for us that Mom called him on the cell phone. He got distracted for only a moment and we were GONE!!!

SANDY: Well, I didn't go. I stayed close to Dad. You two try to get me into trouble and I would rather keep on Dad's good side. He was a bit mad at you two for finding that mud hole yesterday.

COCO: Yes, he was! He was even MORE tweaked when we found the mud hole again today. Two baths in two days, is that great or what.

JODIE: You know what REALLY gets Dad? When we come back all smelly and black with mud and we have the look of two deliriously happy dogs. I mean if we looked guilty or contrite he might not get so mad, but the look of sheer glee on our faces drives him to distraction.

SANDY: Well, I'm having a good time having Dad to myself. You notice that after today's bath, you two were tied out to dry off. Who do you think was getting the attention and cookie while you were out? Me!!! And I love it!!!

JODIE: You know, Sandy may have a point. Dad was pretty mad today and I think that maybe two days of mud in a row are two much. If we don't play our cards right we may find ourselves on the leash again.

COCO:  Never going to happen. Lets face it. Dad has gotten too old and too lazy to walk us on the leash, so as long as we're here and we are allowed to go off leash we will.

JODIE: I don't know, Coco. At most campgrounds we are walked on the leash and Dad could decide at any time that he would rather walk us on the leash than give us each a bath later.

COCO: Could he really do that?

SANDY: Well girls, if you'e talking about how lazy Dad is,and I AM NOT SAYING THAT, then it might be more work bathing and drying you two than walking with us.

COCO: OK, I'm not saying I will or won't go back to the mud hole. Whatever moves me at the time.

JODIE: I think I'll try a little harder to be good. Why ruin a good thing?

SANDY: You two can do what ever you want. Go mudding, I don't care. I'll be inside with Dad being scratched and eating cookies. I think that says enough.

Woe is me!!! Woe is me!!!

COCO:  Woe is me! We were all having a great time, swimming in the pool every day and then just like tha.......just like tha.......just like tha....

JODIE: Are you having some kind of a problem Old Nutty One?

COCO: Yes, I'm trying to make a point like Dad does when he says "Just like that!" and snaps his fingers.

JODIE: Please don't tell me that that you are trying to make the snap sound.

COCO: Well, of course I am. I want to explain how everything was just fine and just like that (snap) it all changed.

JODIE: Oh, our little Numb One, you are something else. You can't make the snap sound because you don't have the fingers to do it. You can't make a snap sound with your paws, silly goose. Whet's got you going, anyway?




COCO: Can't you see that????? Our pool is covered again!!! No swimming, no diving, no fun.

JODIE: Of course it's covered, we're getting ready to go away again and Dad always covers the pool when we go away.

COCO: Are we going away tomorrow?

JODIE: I'm not sure. Sandy, do you know?

SANDY: Well, I'm not 100% positive, but I think we'll be leaving in about a week.

JODIE: How did you arrive at that?

SANDY: A few days ago I saw Dad counting our cans of food. He left a few on the shelf and took the rest to the motorhome. When he wasn't looking I looked at what was left and if I counted right it will last us until next Thursday.

COCO: Wow!! I'm impressed!! I didn't think you were that sneaky.

SANDY: I resent being called "sneaky". I just happen to be quiet and unobtrusive. And.....I am VERY observant. I pick up a lot of good information by watching Mom, Dad, and the two of you.

JODIE: Such as?????

SANDY: Ok, such as you, Jodie. Don'y you think I haven't noticed how you lie beside Dad when he's on the computer and keep your eyes on him? Then, as he turns to rise, you roll over on your back wagging your tail, begging for a belly rub.

JODIE: So???

SANDY: So....when you're not there I get in your position and when Dad goes to get up I roll over on my back and wag my tail like crazy. I squint my eyes at him and he's a goner. Belly rub supreme.

COCO: Ya, blah, blah, blah. If we're not leaving for a week, why did he cover the pool so soon? Why couldn't he cover the pool the day before or even the night before? That would let us get in every last swim.

SANDY: If you haven't noticed Coocoo....

COCO: THAT"S COCO!!!! ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A FAT EAR???

SANDY: Sorry, a mere slip of the tongue. As I was saying, if you had noticed, Dad has been pretty busy working on the Jeep, the motorhome and the house. In addition, they've been going out a lot, so Dad is doing the best he can to get everything ready. It makes sense to me. I'm excited because I have never been to Massachusetts before.

JODIE: We've been there several times and I think you'll have great time. In the past they have brought us to several lakes to swim and it's a lot different than the pool. We often see fish and ducks and even get to chase geese.

COCO: Well, I'll find something to do until it's time to travel

SANDY: Yes, I know. You'll sit in front of Mom and stare at her until you get a cookie!

JODIE: Ooh, that's what I was going to say! I guess we know Coco too well.

COCO: Yeah, yeah, yeah. You bozos should talk. When I get a cookie, you get a cookie. You get the cookie without begging because I do all the work.

JODIE: When Coco is right, she's right. I'm sorry Coco. Sandy and I are both grateful that you are so diligent in your pursuit of another cookie, bone, or whatever is being put out for us. How about if we just take it ease for the next few days and we'll be on the road. Coco will have her head on the dashboard looking ahead. Sandy, you'll be curled up on a rug sleeping, and as usual, I'll be huffing and puffing in my normal state of travel stress.

SANDY: That works for me. Bye all

COCO:  Yeah, me too. Bye all and woof at ya later.

Life after Riggs

JODIE: Well, Riggs has been gone for over a week and we've wanted to mention him in our blog, but, as usual, it took some doing to get Dad off his butt. Or perhaps I should say get his butt in front of the computer to take our dictation. Today, everything fell into place.

COCO: Are you going to tell our friends how much we miss Riggs?

JODIE: That was the general idea, but we have more to say than just that.

SANDY: I have to admit that it was nice to have such a handsome guy around the pool. At the very beginning I had to snap at him once when he was giving me a lot of attention, but he never bothered me again and turned out to be a real gentleman.

JODIE: You're still suffering from the trauma of getting, knoc.....er...pregnant at your last home. Do not worry, you have been "fixed" so no male will ever be able to that to you again. In addition, I have it on good authority that Riggs has also been "fixed" so he will not be producing any new puppies either.

COCO: We've had so many males pass through here in the last few years that a girl can't be sure.

JODIE: Oh, we can be sure. It doesn't matter about the males because we three beautiful Labs have ALL been "fixed" and WE will not produce more puppies. Another thing, Riggs was not just another dog passing through on his way to a forever home. He is in his forever home with Sam and Donna and he was here for a week. Didn't you enjoy swimming and playing with Riggs?


COCO: Well, my thing is jumping and diving and I rely on a Human to throw my toys in the water. You like to play tug and chase, so you had more fun with Riggs than Sandy or I.

SANDY: I think it was  nice to have such a hunk of male Labrador running around our pool. It gave our pool some class! Besides, he was so gentle that you wouldn't think a guy that big could be so gentle with us girls. He never played rough and he even let Jodie win at Tug.


JODIE: Whoa there, Sandy. What do you mean he LET me win at Tug?

COCO: Get real, Jodie! He out weighs you by thirty pounds. If he wanted, he could tug you from here to the dog pound.

JODIE: Not so! Not so! I can even pull the toys away from Dad and he outweighs me by a ton!

SANDY: Sorry Jodie, but I have to agree with Coco. I've seen you play with Dad, and I'm SURE that he lets you win, then chases you around the pool. It's the only way he and you get any exercise. As for Riggs, if you haven't noticed, he is el primo, heavy with MUSCLE. Her chooses to be a gentleman because he is just a nice guy.

JODIE: I'm shocked, shocked, I say!

COCO: Oh, don't go all dramatic on us. Let's just say that Riggs was being extra nice to an old lady lab and let it go at that.

JODIE: OLD????  OLD????

SANDY: Give it up Jodie. You are in dog years what Dad is in people years. And you were calling him The Old Man since I came on the scene, probably earlier. I'm the baby in the family and closer to Riggs' age than either of you. If you look, you will see that, like Riggs, I'm in my prime.

JODIE: I'm old, huh? Well with age comes wisdom. I know who I am and what I can and cannot do. I get along with nearly all people and dogs and I'm generally welcome anywhere. One more thing, I AM THE ALPHA DOG AROUND HERE! And you'd better believe it. Now this conversation is over.

COCO: But....

JODIE: OVER!!!!