Mud Hole Redux!

Dog heaven! Another mud hole. Life just doesn't get any better than this.... if you're feeling down, try a good wallow in the mud. It will lift your spirits and restore your soul. From personal experience, it works better than chicken soup!

Down and Dirty

Are we disgusting or what? Roxie's so muddy, you can hardly see the white on her neck and face!

I feel sorry for dogs with "helicopter moms." They never get to experience the pure joy of getting down and dirty. I wouldn't trade my life for all the dog bones in China.

More Mud Holes!

We found some more mud holes! There's nothing quite as invigorating as a good wallow in the mud.

The best part of any walk is finding disgusting things to get into. Roxie found a dead fish and was able to roll in it before my dad caught her. I though she smelled good but my mom and dad said she stank so they gave her a bath. We hate baths so better her than me!

Only In California

Where else can you go from snow to green grass and sunshine all in the same day? Only in California! We love to go on long walks in the country. We get to chase ground squirrels, look for mud holes, and run up and down hillsides. Those city dogs don't know what they're missing!

Another Snow Day

Brrrr! It was really snowing. Thank goodness I have a warm black coat. I love to play in the snow but it's harder to bound through the snow banks. When we get home, I curl up by the nice warm fire and take a nap.

More Christmas 2009

My dad has a funny sense of humor. This year, our Christmas lawn display was sled dogs. The sled dogs were supposed to be delivering presents but my dad changed it around. He put Sarah Palin in the driver's seat. Then, he made some signs about mushing into 2012 and starting the Iditarogue. I didn't quite get the point but lots of people told him it was pretty funny!

Christmas 2009

Roxie got to pose with some of the family under the Christmas tree. I don't like to have my picture taken so I hid. We got lots of presents, though.... plenty of chew toys and toys with squeakers, my favorite kind. Thank you, Santa!

Nothing Like a Good Mud Hole!

We went on a long walk and look what we found: a mud hole! Roxie and I got to wallow in the mud. We had so much fun until we got home. Then, we were given baths with shampoo and everything. I like the smell of scummy pond so much better than shampoo.

Saturday Walk With the Family

We got to go on a long walk down by the river on Saturday. Louie and Lizzie and the granddaughter came with us. The weather was nice and warm, the grass was green, the sky was blue, life was good.

When a bicyclist came by, we had to get off the path. Other than that, it was a perfect, leash-free day.

Sneaking Onto the Bed

Since Bina passed on, I've been able to get away with more than I used to. Lately, I've been sneaking onto my mom's side of the bed in the mornings. People beds are much more comfortable than dog beds.... why didn't I try this before?

Roxie Likes the Park

We live four houses away from a nice, green park. Every day, my mom and dad take us down to the park. We get to play with all the neighborhood dogs and retrieve balls. It's a lot of fun.


Bina used to be the official "Park greeter." She would go up to everybody, introduce herself, get petted, and sometimes, beg for treats. Everyone knew who she was and what a sweet dog she was.


My dad told Roxie, "You've got some pretty big shoes to fill." Even though she's gone to school, Roxie barks at some people and some dogs. My mom says she's still a puppy and she needs more training. She plans to enroll her in the next available class and may even try an agility class with her. I think those plans are perfect. It will keep Roxie busy and get her out of the house. Maybe there will be some peace and quiet in my future, after all!

Roxie Thinks She Can Drive

Aussies think they're SO smart... my dad went into a store to get something. Roxie jumped into the driver's seat of his car. Maybe she thought she could drive but I had the last laugh. She couldn't figure out how to get the car started. So, even though she was ready to go (like she always is), she had to wait until my dad came back.

Does This Look Like a Sweet Face To YOU?

My mom says Roxie will grow up and turn into a sweet dog just like Bina. I think Roxie is BIG trouble. Does this look like a sweet face to you?

Bones are for Outside Only!

My mom and dad are very clear about the rules: bones are for outside only. Roxie still tries to sneak back in the house with a bone from time to time. If she was as smart as my parents think she is, wouldn't she realize she always gets caught and quit trying?

Roxie Graduated From Middle School

After puppy kindergarten, my mom enrolled Roxie in middle school. My dad tried to take me as refresher training but I hated it so much, he finally left me home. Roxie graduated at the top of her class with 134 out of a possible 135 points. She did really good on her "down stays" because my mom used a secret training technique. She put Roxie on "sit stays" and "down stays" while two boys from across the street rode their scooters and skateboards all around her. I'll give her credit, she caught on pretty quickly.

Uncle Paul Was at Roxie's Graduation

Uncle Paul came all the way from Seattle to attend Roxie's graduation from kindergarten! Roxie adores Uncle Paul. When he comes to visit, she continues to kiss his face until he's finally had enough and tells her to stop.

Roxie Passed Puppy Kindergarten

My mom and dad made Roxie, the new puppy, go to kindergarten. They said she needed to learn how to get along with other dogs. She passed and posed with her class for a graduation photo. She's the second puppyfrom the right.

Passing kindergarten hasn't made it any easier to live with her. She keeps pouncing on my and trying to get me to play. She doesn't seem to realize I'm a mature 9-year-old lady. Playing like a puppy is beneath me!

Roxie's First Visit to the Snow

My mom and dad took us up to the mountains. It was the first time the new puppy, Roxie, had seen the snow. We had a good time running around and romping in the snow. Then, our parents made us pose for pictures. Of course, Roxie is always very photogenic while I'm not! I cowered in the picture so my mom refused to post it! Ugggh!

Vicious Puppy in Town

The new puppy has a vicious streak. She picked up a knife and threatened the family. OK, not really. I made that up. My dad posed her with a knife in her mouth because he thought it was funny. My dad took a picture of his injured arm and claimed the puppy inflicted this injury with the knife. I know better. The new puppy is smart and she has razor-sharp teeth but she's no terrorist!

Roxie Teaches the Granddaughter to Enjoy Shoes

In addition to the new puppy, our family has a new granddaughter. Alyssa was born December 5, 2008. While the new puppy was busy destroying SEVEN pairs of my mom's shoes, the puppy was also teaching the granddaughter to enjoy chewing shoes, too. What a pair! I do my best to avoid them at all costs!

Puppy Learns from Bina and Me

So, my mom and dad took the three of us on a boat ride during the summer of 2009. Bina's on the left, I'm in the middle and the terrible new puppy is on the right. The puppy, Roxie, fell out of the boat at some point. My mom realized there were only two dogs on board and she went crazy. My mom and dad looked around and saw a tiny black head swimming a long ways behind the boat. My dad did a sharp U-turn and we sped back to rescue Roxie, a small puppy swimming alone in the lake. Roxie's still here so you know how things turned out. As my dad says, "She's a swimmer!" But, the puppy needs to learn from Bina and me. You're supposed to stay IN the boat, not fall out of it.

A New Puppy Joins the Pack

After Bina's diagnosis, my mom got the hairbrained idea that we needed a new puppy. She figured I'd be sad and lonely when Bina left us for good. She was right but I'd never admit that to her! In any event, she spent months trying to find an Australian Shepherd puppy. My dad wanted a purebred which sort of hurt my feelings since I've been told I was the product of "unauthorized breeding."

It was a perfectly lazy summer evening when my mom and dad showed up with an obnoxious new puppy they named Roxie! So, not only was Bina sick, but now, there was a rambunctious puppy in the house!

Well, cute only gets you so far. This puppy chewed up SEVEN pairs of my mom's shoes, THREE pairs of glasses, and all of my mom's contact lenses. She's chewed holes in several walls, and shredded the floor-length curtains in the bedroom. My dad says, "The cost of the dog is insignificant compared to the cost of the damage the dog does!"

What a Difference a Year Makes!

Wow! It's been more than a year since my last blog post. A lot has happened.... some good, some bad. I stopped blogging when my house mate, Bina, was diagnosed with congestive heart failure on November 1, 2008. Life really changed with that diagnosis. Every morning and evening, my mom gave Bina lots of pills for her heart problems. We stopped going on bike rides and long walks. We made a lot of trips to the vet. Finally, on December 10, 2009, Bina's heart gave out and it was time to say goodbye. The vet came to the house and the family gathered around Bina one last time. My people were so sad, they couldn't stop crying. Bina was their loyal family dog for 14 years. She had a great life with much love and many experiences but they knew it was time to let her go. She will be in their hearts forever. Here are some pictures from the last walk we all went on (yes, there are three of us canines; I'll explain in a subsequent post).