The Island

I mentioned a while back that I was away and that I was headed to Vancouver Island - Well I wanted to share some of my adventures with you all!

We always bring Rikki along because she loves it! Lots of dogs, people, and quality time with her humans! First we had to get there!

So we packed up the car and off we went! Rikki loves car rides!

But she wasn't a huge fan of how much stuff we brought!

She really liked the ferry too and loved feeling the cooling wind through her ears!

Once on the island she help us set up tents!

Okay so maybe "help" is an overstatement...

The rest of the time her days consisted of.....

Waking up in the morning to play fetch!

 

Napping

Watching the Sunset

And being cute!

She also went swimming for the first time! It was the weirdest thing, we've been trying for two years to get her to swim to no avail. Then suddenly this year I just tossed the toy out and she started swimming! We were SO EXCITED! Now we can take her to beaches on the mainland more often now that we know she'll actually swim! Here is the video we took of her first swim! (unfortunately I never got a video of her swimming after that - all off leash- as my phone stopped working for some reason) But hope you enjoy watching her first swim! :) 

We also saw the RCMP Musical Ride, and it was really neat! Having ridden for 6 years I know how hard it can be to even do a small portion of show never mind the whole thing! And a few horses were being a little hot-headed during the show which was pretty funny - it really shows that these horses are not "push-button" guys and that it takes lots of work to keep them under control and listening during the performance when they have to get SO CLOSE to the other horses etc. 

The reason we go to the Island every year is for our family Reunion! Family comes from all over to congregate at the "Family Farm" to camp, eat, swim, talk and just enjoy being a family! I've been there every year since I was born - I haven't missed a single one! And I love that kind of tradition! Theres usually up to 100 people and 20 or so dogs, and everyone has a blast! 

Here are some pictures of the Farm! It is right on the water and we often fish and crab-trab, and our Uncle even takes us out on his boat to some of the smaller islands!

And last but not least one of my favorite parts about the island this year....

I got to see Izzy and her family! :D

You may remember my foster pup Chika (Now Izzy), who ended up having her hips not develop the way they should have and she had hip dysplasia and needed surgery! Well we helped raise enough money for one hip, and it's looking so good the vets think it's possible she may not need the other hip done! 

I was so happy to meet Troy, Sarah, Lily and dear Izzy again! It is so great to see her running around and playing with the other dogs not a worry in the world :) Here are some photos from that day! Look how big she is! :D

And I brought along a special treat for Rikki and Izzy to share! Bowser Beer! :D

Well that was my trip to the island! I had some great adventures, and Rikki did too! And I can't wait till next year! :D

Dog days

Well summer is slowly on its way out and it's no longer the blistering heat we've been having a bit of, but instead just the "regular" summer heat, it's not too hot inside for the pups but they like to be outside hanging out :) 

These dogs are both such loves! They both think they are 20lb lap dogs - LOL! 

And Casa LOVES having his face smooshed and petted and will happily sit there for hours gazing up at you lovingly while he just soaks up the attention!

And Davies, not to be outdone, loves scratches behind the ears and between the shoulder blades, where its harder to scratch through his thick fur. And of course they both love bum scratches :) 

They've been loving antlers and they are both great at sharing! Even if they both want the same one, they take turns! 

Same thing when they're playing they take turns being the chaser and chasee! 

They've been good boys and are eagerly awaiting homes of their own! 

Casa Also has a funny quirk where he Howls when he hears sirens! It's adorable! He is very easy to stop otherwise I might not find it so darn cute! But here have a listen for yourself! :)

I'm Back! (And new fosters!)

Well I don't even know where to begin with my blog posts! I have so much to fill everyone in on! The trip to the island, my new craft projects, and of course my new foster dogs are just a few!! 

Of course I think ill start with the most important - My Foster Pups! 

That's right - plural! I have two lovely buddies with me :) 

Casanova and Davies! 

They were both with the prison program for 2 months where they received awesome training and socialization! They are both awesome dogs! And they are definitely good buddies and get along extremely well so I am super excited to have two TG doggies here! Love to help as many as I can! 

Now onto the dogs...

Davies is a 1.5yo karelian bear dog x border collie and it shows! In looks and smarts! He is a sensitive dog but very smart so he catches on to what he is asking very quickly so it's not often he needs to be asked more than once for something. For example he is very food motivated, and when he and Casanova are having a meal he finished much faster. But Casanova is more concerned about what I'm doing than the food so will walk away from his bowl to come see me. So of course Davies tries to sneak a bite of Casanova's food - and from across the room I just said "Ah, Ah!" And Davies stopped, looked at me, and them went back to his own bowl. From across the room a food motivated dog can be told not to eat the other bowl of food?? If that doesn't show his smarts I don't know what will!! He had a rough start to life so is enjoying a puppyhood he never had! Sometimes he can get a bit excited when I wake up, or come home and may try to jump up, but he mostly jumps, as in not so much on people as just standing on his hind legs like he's hopping/jumping but he doesn't usually put his paws on people but due to the jumping possibility it's probably best he goes to a home without small children. He is a wonderful pup! He does not have separation anxiety but would love to come with you wherever you go! He rides well in the car and walks very well on leash! 

Casanova is a 1yo Rottie cross. Maybe shepherd, maybe lab - we don't know 100% but he is a sweetie all the same! Like his namesake he is a love! :) He is a big puppy who just wants bum scratches and cuddles all day long! He can get a bit excited at times and try to jump up, but is learning that the faster he calms down the faster he gets what he wants... Cuddles! :) But due to the jumping possibility it's probably best he goes to a home without small children. He is a big pup who I don't think realizes he's not a 20lb dog haha - he would love to sit in your lap if you'd let him (though I don't recommend that as he's an 80lb dog!), haha! He rides well in the car except he will sometimes try to put his paws over the window edge or come into the front seat, so a seatbelt would be great for him - because he is not anxious about car rides, he loves them! He just could potentially be distracting if he is not secured. He walks very well on leash! He also has this funny habit of rubbing against bushes! He just loves to rub against them on morning walks hagan as you can see in the picture of him on leash he has bits of the bush along his back haha! 

If you have any questions about the dogs please leave a comment! 

I will post more soon along with pictures! :)