Claire's Dog Diaries

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-28T08:44:00.002-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-31T16:55:00.002-04:00

A few words on Wednesday...

2011-08-31T09:20:00.000-04:00

[ I tore an arm off our new kangaroo toy and tried to swallow it,

and while my Mum was taking that piece away,

Clifford and Gromit ran off with the kangaroo. ]

Mine

2011-08-30T12:12:00.001-04:00

my toys

Squeaky KANGAROO from the LEURA DOGGIE STORE, who love rescued Retrievers and Basset Hounds too.

Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.

2011-08-26T17:42:00.000-04:00

Catching Up With Mum, ...or About Sharing Love

2011-08-22T21:28:00.003-04:00

So, Mum just called me a big ball of lovey love fluff.
Yeah..she says stuff like that sometimes, Hannah knows : Mum says weird stuff sometimes.

Mum and I have been having some long overdue us time, which we call "loveytime" today
while Gromit and Clifford played big hound little hound on the dog ottoman
and the furniture that once had a "no dogs allowed" rule.
It's nice, I haven't seen Mum in a while...., ...I don't know exactly how long a while it was, it's been a little crazy around here lately.

One day we were eating peas in the garden...

24 July 2011

The next thing I know, Tim was here (the dog sitter, and owner of the sock I swallowed around this same season last year) ...which must mean something....

The whole human had family left us home alone, safe in our kennels, one afternoon - carrying nothing, as if going out for dinner..., then *poof* Tim was here,
and was here...,
and was here... .
Then.. magically one evening they all returned *poof* through the front door - the whole family, back
carrying suitcases and souvenirs from Australia. (Australia is the place Daddy!s come from.)

All I understood was I missed them, we all did. When they came through our front door that evening we pounced on them with tongues and tails. It was mayhem. Clifford even piddled a little (a lot) in the front porch.

(Dad spent the whole next day sprinkling the white powder nobody's allowed to walk on, plus the babygate went up - and we all know when the babygate goes up dogs are not allowed [and also, it scary when it falls]..., well, Gromit and I know this rule. Clifford doesn't quite get it yet but, I don't think we ever will [but that's okay because he's so cute].)

Anyway, so there we all are: so happy to see Mum and Daddy! and Hannah again, the whole family together again.
The next day was beautiful..., Mum slept like a Gromit until after noon, Daddy! played with us on our big bed with the sunbeam (and was only firm when one ever of us happened to land on Mum's unconscious body in a playful fit of delight). (It didn't seem to wake her anyway...) Dad eventually left to catch up at The Coffee Shop. I go there too sometimes; Kerr gives me water *big beautiful Golden Retriever grin*

When Mum did wake up it was back to our usual routine (when it's just Mum and us): wake up, visit the backyard, have some water and kibbles while Mum makes coffee, then go to the front balcony with the newspaper to catch the sunbeams and morning breeze floating up the street from the big Lake. We often have loveytime there.
We all like loveytime and really don't mind when Mum says silly words like that. Hannah thinks it's embarrassing (but kind of funny?), so long as Mum never does it in front of one of her friends. Despite Hannah's eye-rolls (which are apparently normal for a thirteen year old girl to do in reaction to her mother) she does it in front on Uncle Neil and Auntie Therese, but they do it to us too - even though they're allergic to us (they wash their hands often when they visit).

The day just got better and better: Mum opened all the doors allowing us on both front and back balconies (one for sun and heat, the other for shade and a cool breeze ...mmmm, that breeze... which I so love feeling through my long, beautifully golden blonde fluff.)
Daddy! came home with flowers and laundry soap (because, for once, they were the stinky ones). The flowers: Gladioli - which both Mum and I adore - we talked about it once. Daddy came and went with food and bottles of bubbly (including cucumbers - of which Mum shared with us later that afternoon).

Then the next part of "better and better": who walks through the front door? Auntie M and Uncle Ken, Rachel, and Nathan - that's who! ...Who all happen to love dogs and have a Best-friend at home themnselves, our cousin Aggie. (I've never met Aggie. She lives too far away to play.)
The dog attention was never ending - there were more dog adoring humans than we three dogs could manage. Ear scratching hands and toes to lick everywhere. I love it when they visit.

Heh heh, Clifford, heh heh heh...he bears the brunt of the extra smaller humans. For once he actually realized he is not, in fact, the ruler of the universe. Rachel is (in his world anyway.)

It was a great night, but deep down Mum and I knew she wasn't well (I always know)..and by the next sunrise it was me and Mum lying in bed together, and it hurt her to get up. The weird thing was, Clifford was there too - and not because he was spying, or trying to be the center of attention or anything - he actually cared and it showed. Both Mum and I were surprised about this. Mum says she always knew he had it in him
(I had[ve] my doubts). Clifford rarely seems to think about anyone before himself, but that day he was really was worried about Mum, even getting those little thinking wrinkles miniature Dachshunds get on their cute little heads.

Mum was sore that day, she gets like that sometimes, nobody really knows why. I always take care of her (that's one of the reasons she wanted me, me of all dogs). Golden Retrievers are made of love, she says; and I am, and I'm good at what I do. (Goldens are known to be great sharers of love and companionship.) I am a great sharer.

That day, I have to admit, *blush* I was a little torn....the kids, Auntie M (who knows how to talk to a Retriever like me, [once having a Best-friend Retriever herself - a legendary one, a black one, still very, very missed]. She's great to sit by, and so is Uncle Ken - who said I have the cleanest Retriever teeth he's ever seen and makes me feel pretty. I really like them and it's fun (and crazy) when we're all together...but, ...my love was there for Mum that day, so whenever the door opened to her I was there.

Mum's acupuncturist came over that day - a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine - and I know about China because one day Hannah left - like normal, carrying nothing....,
and the house was uncomfortably quiet for a while.
Then miraculously again, one evening she returned carrying a suitcase and souvenirs from China.
Again there was a great reunion at the door with tongues and tails.

In my language capacity of 250 (or so) human words, some of mine are about China (I don't know which ones). So, I tried to help by jumping on the bed to help with the acupuncture..., but Dad ("Dad" when he's seems in a serious mood) kept me off the bed. There was enough of me (i.e. my fluff) on the bed though for the DTCM to leave with a significant amount of Claire hairs all over her black clothes to share a little of my Golden love for some time to come. She was nice, just like Mum said, and gentle, just like I tried to be when I put her entire arm in my mouth. It was just my saying hi, and thanks, ...but Dad disapproved.

I went back to Mum, who had moved into a better position (for me to have more space in the sunbeam), and we lay together, and snoozed.
Um, and yeah.. Clifford was there too..still showing concern for someone other than himself. ????

I did my rounds with the whole family to give them updates on Mum, and so that I could have some funny stories to bring back and tell her while she dozed...but then, Mum and Dad talked and Dad got that look on his face like he does when Gromit swallows rocks and he has to bring him to The Vet. And they left, Dad carrying Mum like a floppy Basset Hound who just swallowed five rocks.

She was gone for a while, and I know time passed because I am sometimes able to count suns and moons, and when they pass. I stare out the window A LOT.

It's been so upside down around here. First with the family leaving and Tim arriving. Tim here, them gone, sun moon, sun, moon. Then they all come back, (and Tim leaves with all his socks), then more family arrive, then Mum left, Dad came and went, Nana came and went (though, she always does) (I'm not allowed to jump on her). There were as many children as dogs, aunts and uncles, but no Mum, then Dad had to go back to work, then everyone left... and it was just Nana and Hannah, dog-sitting.

Then Mum came home, and was entrusted in my care.

Nana has left, Hannah has gone to her teenage den in the attic, (where Mum and Daddy! say elephants roam)..... and now it's just me and Mum again (and a couple of hounds).

It's like "normal" again - Mum was on the phone with Daddy! last night, and yesterday through the big front window I watched Hannah come and go with Erica (the girl I like to pounce on, and who joins us for taco night: the night when lots of lettuce falls to the floor).

Normal.

Today we all wait for Daddy! to come home, Mum and I talk about gardening, and the hounds play big hound little hound. Sometimes Mum and I even sing along with the music - something we never do when Daddy!'s around (tee hee). I personally enjoy Ella Fitzgerald (two more of my 250 [or so] human word vocabulary) because her music reminds me of driving around in the car with Mum in the springtime when I was a puppy.

Those were the days, (DBH) Days Before Hounds, when Daddy! came and went from work the way he always has, and in-between it was all about Girl Time. Even Hannah and Erica were in on singing along with some of our music, and Mum could play it in the car with only occasional eye-rolls.
Sometimes Mum and I talk about those days when we have our loveytime. We talk about the early days of loveytime, when Mum would cuddle me (I was actually small enough to fit in her lap!) and thank the universe for bringing us together. That's when the paw rubbing started, and singing My Girl softly in my soft ears. That was when she started calling me her brown eyed girl and my "eyes" became another silly word: "loveballs."

Claire's knowing loveballs

Each of us dogs have different breeds of loveytime with Mum, each with their own silly words. She calls Gromit "Boober" and talks using a funny voice about his cute wobbly body and waggily tail; and, predictably, when she does that he wags his waggily tail and looks up at her with his "love eyes." Mum says that Bassets share as much love as Goldens, just in a different way. She said their hearts are as over-sized as their ears and front paws, which is why their chests are so big. They share love, as I do, by just being there..., but, while through my loveballs I see, feel, and understand - Gromit's love eyes are clouded with swirling rainbows and jellybeans like a screensaver over my dog blog.
Clifford is still coming to understand what quality loveytime is. He still sort of thinks that demanding it by rolling around on Mum and Daddy!'s faces in the sunbeam bed is how it's done. sigh. I think maybe this recent concern for Mum might have unlocked something in his wee head to the idea of quality vs. quantity. Not that this will stop him from hogging Daddy!'s lap, or curling up on Mum's toes while she stands at the kitchen counter (trying to) prepare meals, or cutting in line when cucumber is being given out. He's just a little obsessive about sharing. He is cute though, ...definitely cute.

The loveytime Mum and I have shared today has been good. So overdue, so healing - for both of us.
Me beside her and under her feet, her calling me a big ball of lovey love fluff while she helps me dog blog. She sang My Girl twice, once in each ear.
She showed me (and touched my nose to) Daddy!'s business card and told me he'd be home on Tuesday. I don't know much about Tuesdays, other than that they are the day that Daddy! often leaves for work, but are also (in my puppy days regularly) the day he comes home. I know that Tuesday is one moon from today.

She showed me pictures of Daddy! and Hannah on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge,

and told me stories about Toffee, Daddy!'s Australian dog - who also brought Dad to The Vet his second day there. Apparently she has a sore leg, (but not too sore to chase the postman). Dad's feeling a little vet-poor, says Mum - with a "lecture" about swallowing socks and barium x-rays...., as if I need to be reminded of that again.

She's been rubbing my paws, and I've been moving my loveballs around my oh so adorable way. She says I'm being most feminine, dainty, and agrees that I have the cleanest, prettiest Golden smile she knows. These are the days to remember, the ones we'll talk about during loveytime years from now.

Claire getting her paws rubbed by Daddy! earlier this summer
smiling
and being cute with her loveballs

from our playlist:
Ella Fitzgerald, Mack the Knife
Regina Spektor, Laughing With
Stars, Changes
Fleetwood Mac, Songbird

♥ Claire

Little Claire Lake

2011-07-05T10:13:00.002-04:00

Claire at Little Dog Lake, 4 July 2011

boys chasing girls

It's been a while since we've been to the lake. With Gromit eating rocks and having surgery and eating rocks and having surgery we've had to take it easy. Now that he's all mended, and summer time has arrived, it's lake time!

Little Dog Lake is great for all three of us: shallow enough for Clifford to play,

and just a little further out it's deep enough for me to swim.

There are sticks. n f t

What's also great about my lake is the large sandy beach.

When the lake is low the sand becomes mud, which feels sooo good when you get it deep in your fur.

Yesterday's beach was extra muddy because it had rained earlier in the day. I brought a lot of the beach sand home with me, and despite Daddy!'s Furminating efforts I still left a significant amount of it in the human beds (ALL human beds), and all over the floors (making the house nice and slippery).

I told Mum to think of it as "exfoliating" ...some people pay lots of money at a spa for a bed of muddy sand, ....but she's not buyin'.

It was a great way to end a hot long weekend. I hope all my furiends had a wonderful weekend too!

♥ Claire

Wordless Wednesday (well, sort of..)

2011-06-15T12:45:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-08T08:20:00.001-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-25T16:23:00.003-04:00

Claire Thoughts

2011-05-20T14:26:00.002-04:00

Mum and I were doing some gardening together the other day. I curled up on the warm step to watch for garden pests and guard the strawberries, and while I did I thought about things. Mum wondered what I was thinking about, she asked why my eyebrows wiggled around so much.

Sometimes when I think, I think about things I wish I could be doing... like running with sticks and Gromit

Other times I think about swimming and rolling...

Sometimes I think about the time I was doing something and Mum couldn't see what I was doing but she knew I was doing it...

Sometimes when my eyebrows wiggle I'm thinking about Duke ♥

Or that time I got into the mud...

I often think about Daddy!

But sometimes I'm just looking at things, and thinking about them - like the two squirrels that keep racing across the neighbour's fence. I'm going to catch them someday.... I think.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-11T08:20:00.002-04:00

Luck Dragon Claire

2011-05-10T13:05:00.001-04:00

My family says I bear a striking resemblance to Falkor, the Luck Dragon (best known for his part in The Neverending Story). Mum says it's because I've always brought good luck. I'm pretty sure Falkor is a distant relative of mine. :)

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-04T08:00:00.003-04:00

Easter Ducky

2011-04-28T08:48:00.001-04:00

The Easter Bunny brought smells of bacon and sausages, Nana and Uncle Gerry, and new toys for ME (and Gromit and Clifford too). I checked them all thoroughly for squeakers, then released the blue dog to enjoy my new pink duck with stuffing. STUFFING! YAY!
They've been giving us the stuffless squirrels and foxes lately, it's been a while since I'm had something to destuff. It was great.

Destuffing ducks is the best .

Clifford and Gromit came a hustling,

trying to take away my duckyling.

Bargain for my duck?

Can I say, "Out of luck!"

Then I sent the two hounds a scuttling.

Always Helping

2011-04-28T08:13:00.001-04:00

I recently helped to make pizzas on the barbecue. I might have licked one a little on the edge ..(just making sure it's okay for human consumption. ;) !!) I also helped with the cheese clean up, and taste testing the sliced peppers. Mum and Daddy! always appreciate how attentive I am. :)

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-27T07:52:00.002-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-13T18:47:00.003-04:00

Spring

2011-04-12T09:51:00.000-04:00

Spring has always been my favourite time of year. It's when mud is at its best, the sun is warm, and the snow is cool. I love mud. Mud and puddles of mud, and wet puddles, have to be some of the best things in the world. Right now the Tree Farm is a perfect combination of fields of snow, muddy roads, and giant puddles - it doesn't get better than this.

tackling Mum with muddy love

Sous Chef Claire II

2011-04-12T09:32:00.003-04:00

Claire and Gromit help make Snickerdoodles

Mum and Daddy! love to cook. Gromit and I are the sous chefs, and Clifford is the entertainment. What Mum and Daddy! don't love is our kitchen. Mum even entered a contest to win a new one. They talk about tearing it down all the time, and constantly complain about dysfunction, lack of storage, and the floor. I agree - the floor needs replacing and I often bring pieces of it to them to show them what a mess it is. The only thing that does work is the sunbeams.
Gromit and I sometimes pretend our animal toys are the kitchen staff, so make sure they are stationed all over the place. We watch them closely.
In the above photo were helping to make snickerdoodles. Mum told us often what a great help we were being. :)
Below, showing my attentiveness to the cheese recipes, and willingness to clean up.

helping Daddy! make cheese filling for the chicken

taste testing the cheese filling

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-06T15:27:00.002-04:00

My Cute Feet

2011-03-31T13:46:00.002-04:00

These are my paws.

(all nicely healed)

I use them for for all sorts of things, ..like jumping on Uncle Gerry, Uncle Neil, and Helen. ..Daddy! too, when he comes home from work. I use them for getting people's attention - when they're lying or sitting on the couch and I'm beside them waiting for a pat, I poke them. I can be very gentle.
I use them for running. I use them for holding down ducks. They help me get on the bed and into sunbeams - where the hounds can't go during the day, when the dog-steps are moved out of the way.
I like them rubbed, and trimmed (thanks Dad!). I hope you like them too. :)

Wordless Wednesday

2011-03-23T10:51:00.003-04:00

Flat House Guest

2011-03-22T15:30:00.000-04:00

We have a house guest for a few weeks, Stanley, all the way from Australia. He's part of the Flat Stanley Project, and he was made by Phoebe, Daddy!'s niece. He was flattened by a bulletin board, then sent through the mail to visit us here in Canada. Daddy! is busy writing stories of adventures with Stanley and quite enjoying his company.

Meet my new friend, Stanley:

We've been posing for a few photos together.

We relaxed for a while this afternoon on the balcony. Though the sun was shining the temperature outside wasn't complimentary. That's why poor Australian Stanley has blue ears - he's cold. It was also extremely windy - Stanley almost blew away a few times! (A hazard of being flat.)

Wordless Wednesday

2011-03-16T16:18:00.001-04:00

Chasing Butterflies

2011-03-04T12:25:00.002-05:00

June 15, 2009

Sunday Tree Farm

2011-03-01T13:10:00.000-05:00

A field of snow, to me, is just like a lake full of water. These perfect pools of powder at the winter tree farm are just like Little Dog Lake when it comes to swimming and leaping. I can not get enough of this stuff. Gromit and I left Clifford to "complete his mission" and spent Sunday afternoon running at the tree farm.

Gromit loves snow too, but not as much as I do. That's because he doesn't roll in it like I do. I keep telling him to give it a try, but he's just not a snow-roller.

We took a different route this time. Usually when we visit the tree farm Daddy! and Mum lead us along the curvy path through the Pine plantation. This time we went left. Gromit and I were both a little confused for a while, but it was kind of like an...adventure. The tree farm is so large, and has so many different areas to explore that I have yet to explore the whole place.

Our tree farm is a Plantation Demonstration and Assessment project, and is part of the Government of Canada's response to climate change. (Isn't that interesting Daddy! :D)

Our usual path was way over on the other side of these little spruce trees. The field was deep with snow to my chin, enough to swallow a Gromit so he stayed on the cleared roads and paths. Still, with all that snow there were huge fluffy flakes of more snow falling from the sky the whole time.

We met the same shy spaniel we've met before, a couple of black dogs, and a Shepherd. There's still more to explore, but we came home exhausted and exhilarated from a great change of scenery and good long run/leap/swim&roll.

If that wasn't already the best, once we were home (and Mum and Daddy! prepared themselves with a glass of wine) they brought all three of us dogs into the bathroom and WE ALL HAD BATHS. Now, I know not all dogs like baths, but I do - I do because I am so fluffy after a nice warm bath. After a nice towel rub from Mum, Daddy!, my stylist, dries me with a hairdryer. My Claire fur gets all poofy and soft and everyone hugs me a lot for days after.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-02-23T08:21:00.002-05:00

Family Day

2011-02-22T20:31:00.002-05:00

Thank you again for all your responses and concern about my paw licking. I am doing much better now, and my paws aren't bothering me as much. I visited the vet, who said I had an infection in my paws from the dampness, and that I am probably allergic to something I'm walking on. I have some antibiotics, and we're working on resolving the allergy concerns.

A lovely weekend away was just what I needed. Deep, fluffy snow as far as I could see, a dog friendly resort, my whole family, and best of all Uncle Neil (and Auntie Therese) were there too. (Uncle Neil is my favourite and I get very excited when he comes over - probably because he's allergic to me!) In fact, they're both allergic to all us (Gromit and Clifford, that is), and yet they're still willing to spend a weekend with us, which is very, very nice of them.
There were minnows in the fridge for ice fishing, which were pretty entertaining. And the food, o.m.g. the food, Mum and Daddy! packed enough food to feed us for a week. Where there is food, there is food dropped.

We stayed at Open Bay Lodge, on Lac des Mille Lacs where Daddy! and Uncle Neil like to go ice fishing and sledding. This time they brought along my sister Hannah.

When I looked out the door, this what what I saw...
A whole lake frozen over and covered in snow, enough for a Claire to leap and leap forever.

I would have leaped forever too, had it not been so horribly cold (nearing -27C, I think). We went out in short bursts to run around and be silly (and poop), but otherwise stayed inside our warm cabin, keeping my paws dry and comfortable. Mum and I planned our garden, while Aunt Therese knit something very interesting ~a sock~.
I couldn't believe my luck, it was amazing to watch a sock be created. It looked like it would taste really good too.

When the sledding group returned from fishing I was so excited to see them I ran right out on to the lake. I dove off the snowbank into the deepest snow I've ever played in. I leaped thought it to Uncle Neil and we ran out to Daddy!...

...where I gave him the best greeting ever.

It was a great way to spend Family Day here in North Ontario. :)

♥Claire

Sad Claire

2011-02-17T13:14:00.000-05:00

Sad Claire. I don't like having my paws in socks. :(

Obsessive Paw Licking ~ nearly raw pads

2011-02-16T16:24:00.001-05:00

Have any of you ever had this problem? Can you share any advice?

I'm licking my paws raw, and my parents don't understand why (neither do I). We don't know what's caused this, or what we can do to make me stop. I've been doing it obsessively for a few weeks now. My right front paw is very sore.
We know enough to know this could be an allergy, maybe to road salt, maybe to the Swiffer™ solution my parents use to wash the floors. It could be cabin fever from these winter months; maybe I'm bored, or frustrated with my littlest brother, or feel too strongly about emotions I sense (because of my acute emotional sensibility). Maybe my pads are just dry and itchy?

It's been a while since I've swallowed a sock, or had to visit the vet for any reason. Thanks to Gromit and Clifford our family has earned a somewhat 'celebrity status' over there at Northwest. I even have my own mention. I guess I'm about due for the spotlight.

We often use Gold Bond powder to cool/prevent hot spots, so today Mum went out today and got Gold Bond medicated cream assuming that because I react well to the powder the cream wouldn't upset me either - which it doesn't, it actually felt good when Mum rubbed it on my pads (I told her so with my eyes). Then we tried two things:

1. Mum rubbed the cream into my pads, then wrapped my paw in gauze, then taped it all up with athletic tape. She told me to stop licking them.

It felt ridiculous at first. I did not like the feeling of the tape - even though it's soft and doesn't pull at my fur - it was just too much. Plus, I looked dumb, and Gromit said I looked like a mummy. It didn't last long anyway, after one trip outside to the backyard - in the snow - and my paws looked like they were going out for Hallowe'en.

2. Mum and I go back upstairs to the bathroom, lock my brothers out (who whine at the door the whole time) and snip all the gauze and tape off my paws. She rubs more cream into my pads, which I again tell her is good with my cute brown loveballs. We then put gauze to cover just the pad, and cover that gently with one of Hannah's old socks. Mum then tapes it at my ankle, and again at the top of the sock, and I smiled. I still feel kind of ridiculous, but I think this is actually kind of comfortable.
Mum said we'll have to change this every time I go out in the (now melting) slopping snow-muck.

I think I'm feeling better, and relaxed (I look relaxed), and I'm not going at my paws...so maybe this is working. Have any of you ever dealt with obsessive paw licking/grooming? How have you resolved it? Any advice? My parents are worried about me. Thanks in advance!

♥Claire

Wordless Wednesday

2011-02-16T10:03:00.000-05:00

Little Dog Lake, August 25, 2010

Dog Dreams

2011-02-15T13:27:00.002-05:00

It's another blue Tuesday. Daddy! left this morning and he won't be back until Friday (they think I don't understand temporal measurement but I do, I do). I spent my morning sucking on my squirrel and snoozing beneath Mum's chair. I've had two great puppy dogs dreams today, both of running and rolling with my friends at the Tree Farm.

There were so many Goldens at the Tree Farm last week that Mum and Daddy! thought they were seeing Claires in every direction.

(I think Gromit was a little confused. He kept trying to chase me, but didn't know which me.)

One of my favourite things to do at the Tree Farm is roll.

After my dreamy nap, I went out in the backyard to look for for Daddy!, but couldn't find him anywhere.

I'm going to keep looking until he comes home, but it's very tiring so I'll also be taking plenty of naps.

Sweet dreams to you all!

♥Claire

Wordless Wednesday

2011-02-09T09:53:00.002-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-26T08:49:00.001-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-12T14:03:00.001-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-05T07:52:00.001-05:00

How I spent my Christmas vacation...

2010-12-31T12:17:00.000-05:00

I was pretty sad and mopey throughout most of the Christmas holiday. Unlike the Grinch, my heart has always been two sizes too big, so when my little brother Gromit got sick and had to spend many nights away at the vet hospital, all I could do was lay about feeling sad. I love having Gromit around, he's my best buddy. When he's around I have someone to roll around in the snow with, pounce on, wrestle. I could tell he was not well, and it made me worry. Mum, Daddy! and my human sister were also all very sad and worried, which made me feel even more. I wear my emotions on my paws, and in my eyes, and could not hide how sad I felt. Even with a new Christmas duck to chew, it just wasn't the same without Gromit.

Thankfully, Gromit is on the mend and is back home where he belongs. He still can't play with me like we're used to, but that's okay because he will soon. I can be patient now that's he's home. I've been laying close by him ever since, just to let him know I care.

Before Gromit got sick, we did have a great family gathering here. We had two extra children and my Auntie M and Uncle Ken stay with us for a few days, which was awesome. They all love dogs, and I got lots of extra attention. Daddy! and I also had a lot of good snuggling time on the couch together. I don't know what ever happened to the rule about no dogs on the furniture, but I'm certainly not complaining.

I hope all my furry friends had a great Christmas full of ducks, squeaking things, and leftover roast beast treats. We're taking it easy for Gromit's sake this New Year's Eve, just waiting for Daddy! to get home so we can really have our whole family together again. I wish you all well this New Year (except all the squirrels out there, of course) and best wishes for 2011!

♥ Claire

Wordless Wednesday

2010-12-22T11:07:00.000-05:00

Not so wordless Wednesday

2010-12-15T08:59:00.000-05:00

It has been a while since I updated, I'm sorry but it has snowed, bounteous snow, so I have been completely preoccupied by playing in it, wanting to play in it, rolling in it, thinking about rolling in it, and watching it fall. All I really wanted for Christmas was snow, and I got it, so I am a believer.

We've been busy too, decorating the house with things from the tree farm. Mum keeps saying she wants to do a photo shoot with me being cute beside the fancy tree farm tree we have inside our house, but then she runs out the door - then Daddy! said something about it, and he ran out the door...I don't know what's got into them.
I have been helping rearrange the decorations on the since it went up, and discovered this year that it's actually kind of tasty. We put some more tree farm things on the front balcony. It was such a beautiful day, with big fluffy snowflake falling from the sky. It slowed everything down for a while making our downtown street unusually quiet, except for the sounds of snow shovels scraping the sidewalk. I took the opportunity to listen intently for the sound of squirrel conversations.
I'm wearing my Christmas collar again and feeling in the Christmas mood. I've heard that Auntie M, Uncle Ken and my human cousin kids Nathan and Rachel are coming to visit for five days. Yay! 'Two extra kids' was also on my Christmas wish list. I, clearly, have been a very good girl this year because Santa is already treating me.

...and, of course, my close up..

I hope you all are having as much fun. Merry Christmas to all!

♥ Claire

2010-12-03T10:54:00.000-05:00

Memories of summer fun on a cold winter day.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-24T11:25:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-17T09:50:00.000-05:00

Squirrel Tracks!

2010-11-16T15:11:00.000-05:00

The little rascals think they can hide from me now, do they?!

Sideshow Clifford

2010-11-12T11:54:00.000-05:00

So, Mum and I were going to do this piece about our new paw cleaner mitt. We were getting organized and I was just about to introduce the Evripet Paw Cleaner that Mum picked up for us last week. It's almost that time of year when we're going to be coming in with snowy-muddy paws. I was pretty impressed with the package because it featured Golden Retrievers demonstrating the paw cleaner.

I just began my part, and was pointing out the paw cleaner when my littlest brother, Sideshow Clifford, decided he wanted to be a part of the production.

Needless to say, filming had to be postponed until we could clear the set.

Family Day

2010-11-12T09:44:00.000-05:00

It's Friday. I love Fridays because Daddy! comes home of Fridays. Also, Fridays lead to Saturdays and Sundays, and that's when we go to the Tree Farm.

Claire, Gromit, and Clifford

MNR Tree Farm, October 2010

duckstruction

2010-11-11T12:56:00.001-05:00

Isn't it funny that this trail of duckstruction leads directly to my littlest brother:

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-10T10:43:00.003-05:00

Daddy!cam

Claire Cupcakes

2010-11-08T15:52:00.001-05:00

mmmmmmmm

At the Tree Farm with Duke & Rufus

2010-11-08T14:59:00.005-05:00

My Birthday was a fabulous day. We went to the Tree Farm with Duke, who brought his friend Rufus (a spaniel mix) and we ran and ran and ran. Duke's Dad remembered to bring some balls and a ball thrower (which my family forgot at home).

Duke and I like walking side by side with our Dads.

When we reached the big field we ran that way...
And we ran back this way...
I ran in the trees like a bunny rabbit...
And we all ran out of the trees...Of course I caught the ball...

It was all so much fun. The humans seemed to enjoy the walk too.

This is Duke. Clearly, he's a very handsome boy. I ♥ him.

My Birthday, Part I

2010-11-06T11:52:00.004-04:00

There's nothing a girl could want more for her birthday than a new duck. Better yet, this is no ordinary duck; my new birthday duck has 16 squeakers! I am awed.

This morning Mum and Hannah decorated some Claire cupcakes to bring to my party at the Tree Farm this afternoon. They're for the humans, of course. Mum says there are special treats for the four legged ones, and some special treats for me and Duke. I can't wait!

My Claire cupcakes have fluffy blonde icing, chocolatey brown loveball eyes, dark chocolate almond noses, and cute little pink jellybean tongues. So cute, just like me.

Claire Cupcakes

November 6, 2010

One more day!

2010-11-05T16:14:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-03T10:15:00.000-04:00

Who turns TWO on Saturday?

2010-11-02T14:17:00.004-04:00

ME!
It's my Birthday on Saturday and I'm trying to find the best way to drop some hints about my special day so that nobody forgets. I've made some birthday posters that I think should do the trick.

I'm sending an invitation to Duke and some other party pooches I know to join me and my brothers at the Tree Farm on Saturday to run around and chase balls all afternoon. I can't wait!

Anatomy of an Ear Scratch

2010-11-02T10:50:00.001-04:00

♥ Claire

Happy Halloween

2010-10-29T10:06:00.003-04:00

It's Halloween weekend, which means it's time to pull out the pumpkin Kong Wubba™ that Mum and Daddy! have had hiding on top of the fridge for three weeks. As if they thought they could hide such a thing from me!? I may not be able to reach the top of the fridge, but I have Kong™ sensing superpowers. I knew what was in that bag all along.

As you can see I was very happy when Mum finally waved it in front of me.
First order of business is to attack the pumpkin Kong Wubba™ with the spirit and vigor of a vampire:
Once you've got a good grip on the little pumpkin you can start to nibble at the little stem, like this:
I had the pumpkin Kong Wubba™ under my control in very little time. I highly approve of this toy; it has a great squeaker, and the pumpkin never loses it's cute smile even when I bite into it's fluff.
I hope you all have a fun Halloween weekend! I'll be back in my butterfly wings on Sunday night to wander the neighbourhood, playing tricks and looking for treats.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-10-27T09:56:00.001-04:00

(photo credit to Hannah)

Madama Butterfly

2010-10-25T14:46:00.006-04:00

Who's the prettiest butterfly Retriever?

Claire is!

On Saturday we all went to PetSmart with our Halloween costumes for a parade and costume contest. I know I was the prettiest butterfly there, but it was actually little man Clifford who walked away with first prize with his Mr. Mustard costume!
Gromit wore his lobster costume proudly, but didn't sit still for very long, making it hard for Mum to take pictures.

I love love love butterfly. I love to chase them at the beach, I love to pounce on their shadows in the backyard. My pink wings were perfect. How adorable am I!?!?

Wordless Wednesday

2010-10-20T13:23:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-10-13T09:12:00.000-04:00

love gestures, by Claire

2010-10-12T13:06:00.003-04:00

One of the best ways to show your human you love them is to get as close as possible then shake off all you lake water. Their reaction is always to say "thank you" and squeal a little. Daddy! loves this, so I do it to him often.
You can get this process started by running into a lake, preferably after a stick:
With your fur soaking wet, run back toward your human with a cute grin on your face and give them your best shake:
When you're all done shaking, sit down and show off a little tongue. Being adorable (and having a funny little brother behind you) helps. Humans find this irresistible!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-10-06T07:55:00.000-04:00

Of course we went to the Tree Farm this weekend!

2010-10-04T11:15:00.007-04:00

Daddy! used to have a rule: no dogs in his turbo Subaru, but somehow over the years, and canine additions to the family, it has become our most comfortable mode of transportation. I've left many of my Claire hairs and window nose prints in Daddy!'s car now, making it more of a 'dog car' than a 'sport car'. I'm kind of proud of that.

Because I am the tallest dog, I can easily see out the windows and see where we're going. I know the route to the Tree Farm very well. I like to rest my head on the seat and watch every turn. Gromit tries hard to see but as you can see he can barely peek out the window. Clifford, well he's never going to be able to see so he'll have to just trust me when I tell him where we are going.

Gromit sometimes gets really excited and jumps up to have a peek, but Daddy! yells at him to get down and be safe.

This was Clifford very first visit to the Tree Farm, so Gromit and I showed him all around the paths and roads. He walked the whole way, occasionally running, springing, and leaping along.

We stopped for a while along the poplars so Mum could get a nice picture of us sitting in the leaves...but I swear I saw a squirrel so of course I couldn't just sit still and let it get away. (I never did catch it.) It might have been a branch blowing in the wind, leaves crunching,
or Clifford...

It was a beautiful afternoon at the Tree Farm. I wish all my Golden friends could join us there!

green paws

2010-09-30T09:12:00.008-04:00

It's Autumn, and there is a lot of work to be done in the garden. Gromit and I are great helpers ~Mum said so~ and have been doing our bit every day. We might not have thumbs but our paws are pretty green. Yesterday afternoon after the rain stopped we started cutting back the daylilies and spurge...
Even though the sun was shining, we had to walk under the wet caragana tree, peonies, and and lilies to get at the spurge, which made our fur get all wet (and mine cutely crimped).
After all that work we took a break to have a drink from the hose. My amazing licker slurped up most of the water, causing a rain shower to pour all over Gromit.
(Mum and Daddy! went out after to buy some Febreze™, baking soda, and wood floor cleaner because they said we made the house smell like wet dog. Febreze™ makes me sneeze; I much prefer the smell of wet dog.)
Even little Clifford is doing his part. He didn't even know what a cucumber was when he arrived on Saturday! Can you imagine never knowing a cucumber?!?!? He didn't get very wet though. His short, little furs seem to repel water. One swipe of the Shamwow™ and he's dry!

Two Baby Brothers?

2010-09-27T16:07:00.008-04:00

I don't know how to say this. I'm still in shock. So, Clifford, a red sausage dog we met at the park a couple weeks ago, has come to live with us. Yes, live with us! I thought Mum was kidding when she said something about a new baby brother. When he showed up on Saturday I thought he was just visiting, but apparently not because he's still here.

The first thing we did was try on Halloween costumes. I'm going to be a butterfly (because I LOVE butterflies) but I did't have my wings yet. Gromit is going to be a lobster, and loves his costume so much he wore it all morning. Clifford arrived with his very own hot dog bun costume. When he first came in I was convinced he was my lunch, but when I licked him I realized he didn't taste like a hot dog, he tasted like a hound dog. I spent the morning laughing at them in their silly costumes.
I won't look silly -
I'm going to be a beautiful butterfly.

He's incredibly cute, I can't argue that, and he's so small I sometimes forget he's there. Gromit is a little more unsure of the new guy than I am, but then I've been through this before. I'm just a little surprised. Mum and Daddy! really like big, strong dogs - then out of nowhere we find ourselves with a little sausage dog.

He tells me he's a good swimmer, and he likes to hunt badgers. Apparently he's related to Gromit, but his side of the family has smaller ears. Gromit thinks he needs to follow him everywhere for security reasons; Clifford is so small he needs his big brother to watch his back..

He's curious, and at first just watched us everywhere we went.

I've sniffed him, and to me he smells alright.

I just have to remember that he's not my squeaky toy.

So, life with TWO baby brothers is going to be interesting....stay tuned!

reds

2010-09-23T22:52:00.004-04:00

Our human sister and Gromit have matching fur. Sometimes they lay around on the floor together talking about life as a redhead.
People are always making comments,there's no escaping it - there's just something special about reds.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-21T21:55:00.002-04:00

It's a dog's life

2010-09-19T12:30:00.004-04:00

There are some particular dog activities that Gromit and I excel at. For instance, running; I could run forever, fast, in circles, with or without sticks, and Gromit would be right behind me. He's amazingly speedy for a dog with stubby legs. I run in silence, whooshing through the trees and long grass, while Gromit barks with every bounce. Sometimes we get going so fast Mum can't even get a picture of us, just a blur of fur.

I leap...

and gallop...

...and Gromit whacks himself in the face with his ears, hehehe.

After all that running it's important to recharge with a good snooze. I've recently started claiming my own space on the lounge. Gromit has always managed, somehow, to be allowed to sleep on the lounge, even though Mum and Daddy! have always said "no dogs on the human lounges." They provide with us with lots of spaces to curl up comfortably. We have our very own dog ottoman, and now a new Kong™ dog bed, but I want to snooze where Daddy! lays because it's just so comfy.

ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz

Wordless Wensleydale

2010-09-15T13:24:00.001-04:00

I am Love

2010-09-08T17:08:00.004-04:00

I am being exceptionally adorable right now. My Mum just said so. I can't take a picture of it because I don't want to move to go get the camera, but my head is gently resting in her lap, I'm leaning against her leg, and looking up at her sweetly with my big brown ~~loveballs~~, I mean, eyeballs. Do I know how to be a best friend, or what?!

Claire

sent from my blackberry

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-08T15:12:00.001-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-01T18:40:00.001-04:00

I can not control my licker...

2010-07-24T22:40:00.001-04:00

Geology

2010-07-15T17:13:00.007-04:00

My Daddy! is a Geologist and likes to collect rocks. I too consider myself a Geologist because I also collect rocks. This is Daddy's window sill rock collection:

This is my window sill rock collection:
Now, I'm not saying I'm a better Geologist than Daddy! is. He has been doing this for many more years than I have (I'm only 20 months old!!), and people call him a "real Geologist", but it's all about consistency and Daddy's just not out there collecting rocks like I am every single day.

I bring them to him hoping we could have a scientific talk about their properties and grains, but all he does is wave a cookie in front of my nose to distract me so he can STEAL MY ROCK! I think his Geological technique is unfair, but I do love my cookies.

I do make sure to leave my marker on my collection, as you can see here:
Our Geological connection is just another reason why I am such a Daddy's girl. Maybe one day I will also pack a mine bag and fly away on Blue Tuesday.

Gromit could probably get a job at the mine working security detail with Chops, but he seems to be leaning toward gardening, like Mom. He has always looked good in green.

♥ Claire

Wordless Wednesday

2010-07-14T09:54:00.000-04:00

I am a Lake Dog

2010-07-12T11:24:00.006-04:00

Mum and Daddy! brought us to the lake this weekend to beat the heat of the city.

Daddy! found me this great stick. I say "me" because it was mine. I shared it with Gromit - I did not let him take it from me. I've been teaching my little brother how to retrieve water sticks.

Gromit is a water dog. He thinks he is a Golden Retriever and swims like one too! We all thought he would sink, but the little guy dog paddled himself around the lake quite easily.
We swam and swam.

I don't always like to give me stick back....

...but when I do I can hardly stand the anticipation; I never know which direction Daddy! is going to throw it....

...and off I go!

Gromit and I would like to suggest to Daddy! and Mum that we go to the lake everyday.

♥Claire

Dogs and Dog Daises

2010-06-27T21:59:00.004-04:00

My ears may not be the spectacular appendages Gromit has, but they do flop around when I run, and are so soft and easily twirled around fingers.

Gromit and I visited our favourite Tree Farm this weekend to run through dog daises for the afternoon:

Wordless Wednesday

2010-06-23T09:56:00.000-04:00

Classic

2010-06-17T23:31:00.001-04:00

Downtown Dogs

2010-06-17T19:17:00.018-04:00

Gromit and I live five blocks and half a park away from Lake Superior. The air here is amazing. We are downtown dogs, but our backyard is like a small forest with it's own grass meadow.

In the evenings we like to sit on the warm back balcony, soak up solar power after staying cool all day in the old bricks and stones of our house. A bird observatory, squirrel tower, it also provides an opportunity for us to communicate with other neighbourhood dogs, especially that yappy one down the way.

The front balcony is another story. Gromit got in trouble a couple weekends ago for barking too much off the front balcony. I can't blame him; barking through the front window is one of my favourite things. There's so much action out front! As I mentioned, we're downtown dogs; as lush and peaceful it seems here, there's still the activity one might expect downtown (and let's not forget the church across the street!).

Huge trees = huge squirrel to dog ratio. Which ever way you look there's a squirrel to chase. Not kidding. People coming and going, some on bikes, some pushing strollers, and some walking dogs like us on leashes.

We roam on leashes sometimes too, down to The Coffee Shop with Daddy!, through the park with the old trees, past that place that often smells like Italian sausages... sometimes we just walk back and forth on the street so our human sister can inline skate beside us. I asked Mom for a four-set of Claire sized 'blades, but she didn't understand my eyes. She just thought I was saying, "I love you."

One day, late in the afternoon, Gromit and I were at our post on the front balcony when not one, but TWO sweet little girl Basset Hounds walked by. Mom chatted with their Mom, but the wind blew away their names, and Gromit was yelling out our phone number, so she had to shut him up. They walked on by...

Breathing Great Lake air, basking in sunbeams, barking at street business, weekend visits to The Tree Farm (and soon the Little Dog Lake); life as downtown dogs is fine. There's so much to do.

Time to go observe some birds now while the sun sets, good night all!

♥ Claire

Wordless Wednesday

2010-06-16T21:06:00.001-04:00

Claire & Gromit on the back balcony in June

2010-06-15T21:37:00.000-04:00

Aah, Monday...

2010-06-07T09:38:00.003-04:00

Gromit and I spent our weekend running
through fields of yellow flowers. How was yours?

Wordless Wednesday

2010-06-02T09:43:00.000-04:00

Hilarious!

2010-05-29T22:42:00.003-04:00

So Mum was like, "make a serious face", and so I tried (I really did), but then Gromit made that face, and I couldn't help myself... I cracked up. Too hilarious ~ he's such a goof. My little brother is pretty funny.

Gromit's Got Ears

2010-05-28T10:29:00.002-04:00

It wasn't me...

2010-05-27T21:44:00.001-04:00

I did not piddle on the nice lawn. It must have been Gromit. Yep, yep yep.

C is for Cookie and Claire

2010-05-27T15:55:00.004-04:00

Gromit isn't so good at stairs. His legs are just too short, and his body too long. He has to hop. Daddy! had a carpet runner installed so that it's easier for Gromit (and ME!) to go up and down the stairs. My human sister Hannah was trying to lure Gromit down the stairs with a cookie, and it took him SO long to get moving. I'm just not patient enough. I couldn't take having that cookie waved in front of me any longer - so I swiped it. Go me.

Claire

Claire Confessions

2010-05-27T15:33:00.000-04:00

Sometimes... I burp.

Does my tail look big in this?

2010-05-26T15:38:00.008-04:00

I am SO EMBARRASSED. Mom and Daddy! brought me to the vet today to have "vaccines" (whatever that means), and the vet said that I am PUDGY! She suggested I get out and walk more, and eat a little less food!

Pudgy! Can you believe it?!? A woman should have some meat on her bones. What's wrong with a little extra Claire?

Thinking of what's best for my health, I pulled out the fitness magazine stash for some inspiration.

This morning I could have gone for a long walk with Mom, but instead I crawled into her warm spot in the bed and snuggled with Daddy! until coffee time. I suppose that's not the right attitude to have. *Golden sigh*

while I was sleeping....

2010-05-25T17:25:00.003-04:00

Does your Mom do this to you? Does she sneak up on you while you're sleeping and take close up photos of your smiling puppy dog jowls? Mine does. I do have such lovable lips though, all wrinkly and soft. Mom did tell me that she loves the way I smile, and that made her smile ~ so I've done my job for the day.

Claire

We Have Birds

2010-05-24T12:59:00.008-04:00

I couldn't believe it this morning. I was sitting out on the balcony with Mom and Gromit and all around us were BIRDS ~ birds of so many kinds, everywhere. My neck got a little sore from trying to watch them all.

Some are even living in our house! They have babies (cute! and yummy!), but they are pooping all over our balcony, and that is not good because then Mom doesn't let us go out there.

I'm not allowed to sniff it

(or eat it), but I wanted to point it all out to Mom. Daddy! will be home soon and will hose it all off so we can lay around out there again.

It's the best bird observatory any dog could wish for.

I'm going to study ornithology so I can identify each bird, and make a list of which ones me and Daddy! can barbecue. I will catch them in my mouth.

I can't believe how many birds there are everywhere. Could there possibly be more birds than dogs?

stuffies and sunbeams

2010-05-22T11:02:00.001-04:00

It's good to stop and think sometimes, about life, and how good it is to have such great things as stuffies and sunbeams.♥

ginger toys joy (and it's not even Christmas!)

2010-05-22T09:17:00.010-04:00

The other day my Mom gave me these cute squeaky ginger toys.

Okay so one of them was for Gromit, but he doesn't know how to tear them apart yet, so I took care of that. They have an incredible amount of stuffing in them! Mom keeps sweeping it up, and I keep pulling out more (I think she likes sweeping as much as I like stuffies because she does it a lot), so it's a win/win situation.

I've managed to get the squeaker out of each of them. Somehow I fell for that cookie trade the humans do when they want what we have (I just can't resist a cookie, I fall for that trick every time!) and lost both squeakers.

I'll never tire of tearing stuffies apart. It's one of my favourite things, right up there with cucumbers. Mom says the front room looks like a scene from a great stuffy tragedy; but I think that with the amount of stuffing in these ginger toys there will be more than five acts to this play. I'll be pulling stuffing from these things for days!

floppy brother

2010-05-20T21:12:00.003-04:00

Gromit

My brother makes weird faces. This is what happens when you have more skin than dog.

Ode to a Lost Stick

2010-05-09T10:13:00.004-04:00

Has this ever happened to you? Has your human ever tossed your stick in a tree?

Does he think I'm a *&!@$squirrel@$#!*%! ???

I think I have to give Daddy! some more lessons in stick tossing.

Oh stick, sweet stick,

Where for art thou stick?

Are you in a tree?

Are you set free,

from me?

Did you get tossed,

and then lost?

He who threw you,

Made me so blue,

Until he found a new you.

I'll never forget you, dear stick-in-a-tree.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-07T09:27:00.000-04:00

Romance

2010-04-06T15:07:00.006-04:00

I have been so busy lately I haven't had much time for dog-blogging. I've got a lot to tell though; it's been an incredible couple of months! I wish I had more time, and thumbs for typing. In short:

Gromit is finally house-trained. Daddy! attached a bell on the back door a little lower than my bell so that he can ring it when he wants to go outside.
We are both molting. Daddy! bought a new noise maker covered in tubes that he uses to suck up all the hair we leave around the house. Every once in a while he shows me what he collects and asks me if I will ever stop shedding.
On Sunday both Gromit and I had baths. I am now fluffy and smell like baby shampoo.

Ah, and the best: yesterday we went to the Tree Farm where we met up with my sweetheart, Duke. We ran around, chased tails, hid in trees, and rolled in mud. Best.Date.Ever. Duke is one month older than I am, and slightly more Golden. We sure do make a good looking couple.♥

Tree Farm Play Day

2010-02-22T10:03:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was Gromit's first visit to the Tree Farm, my favourite place. Until now he was just too small to plow through the deep snow in the fields. He did very well for a little guy, and we sure had fun. He's still to small to grab my big sticks though. I love sticks!

Here he is trying to keep up with me and my stick.

Here I am jumping right over him. Nothing gets in the way of me getting to Daddy!.

Look at how fast I charge through the snow!
Gromit can charge too, and almost take flight with his ears.

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T17:12:00.002-05:00

Today for Valentine's Day my sweetie, Duke, made me a Valentine and sent me this picture of him holding it. He's so thoughtful (and handsome).

In return, I made a Valentine for him and tried to eat it.