Time Flying

Here is Gus at about 8 weeks old....

Gus today about 8 weeks later at age 4 months...(same bed)

Taken Today - he looks all lab to me!

First day of Skool!

Gus no longer fits in his travel crate so we have been getting him acclimated to riding in the back seat. I am lifting him into the car which is a challenge as he is about 35 lbs. But the real problem is getting him out. He is uncertain about the down procedure. This morning he jumped out by himself but it was a slow uncertain maneuver and I sat patiently waiting for him to make the decision.

I took Gus today for his first day of doggy daycare. I was so nervous about leaving him and how he would deal with it all. I knew it would be good for him and a great place to spend the day when I have a long work day. When we pulled into the lot and I opened the door - he walked to the door - put his nose in the air and hopped down without any hesitation - like he'd always been doing it. Once inside, he didn't look back at me at all. He just eagerly went to the back to meet his other canine pals!

He spent about 4 hours there today. The reports from Barking Hound were that he had a great time and did well. He was in with the small dogs even though pound wise he outweighs them, but they are more forgiving than the larger dogs. He is still learning about his canine peers and how to play. But Gus is really easy going guy and great with other dogs and I knew it was going to be a great experience for him. When we got home, he was so exhausted I had to carry him out of the car!

Dagny & Gus

From a series of

Dagny & Gus 030
Originally uploaded by heighlo

photos of Dagny & Gus playing together at the end of May. Go here for more pictures. At the end of their play, their share a bit of rest.

Watching

What I see every morning is this picture:



My favorite is when gus and dagny sit there - side by side. Maybe I will catch that one day but it took me a week to get this one! Gus was 15 weeks last Thursday and was 34.6 lbs! I am crazy about him. He is learning to be a great dog but still has fabulous moments of goofiness reminding me how much of a puppy he still is. While at the vet for his last puppy shot last week, the vet was examining him and all of a sudden - he began feverishly chasing his tail. And then stopped like nothing had happened.

It fills my heart to see him and Dagny together and watch them interact with a language I don't understand. I didn't expect Dagny would actually LIKE him. And she does and it makes me adore her all the more.

Ridiculousness

Virginia man sheds 80 pounds eating at McDonald's
From Associated Press June 20, 2008 1:25 PM EDT

QUINTON, Va. - A Virginia man lost about 80 pounds in six months by eating nearly every meal at McDonald's. Not Big Macs, french fries and chocolate shakes. Mostly salads, wraps and apple dippers without the caramel sauce.
Chris Coleson tipped the scales at 278 pounds in December. The 5-foot-8 Coleson now weighs 199 pounds and his waist size has dropped from 50 to 36.
The 42-year-old businessman from Quinton says he chose McDonald's because it's convenient.
His inspiration came from his two children and from the story of a blind war veteran who rode a tandem bicycle cross-country.
Coleson says his goal is to get back to the 185 pounds he weighed when he married Tricia Summer. Their 10th anniversary is Saturday.

Peace

As I type, Gus and Dagny are sweetly sharing a dog bed. Dags is snoozing and Gus is busy chewing a rawhide. Gus' tail is covering Dags belly. I would love to capture the moment with a photo but know my moving will disturb the peace.

Camoflage

Considering sending Gus to military school. Just until he figures out that running at top speed and body checking Dagny while she is in mid-poop is uncool. Seems Reasonable.

Catchup

I am so behind in posting of late that I am trying to catch up a bit.

Right now I have a moment where I am still awake, not working, I can tap into my neighbor's wireless connection and Gus is snoozing at my feet. This is unusual. Well a few things are not unusual - like me using my neighbor's wireless connection b/c I can't figure out how to get my new router working properly. I do this when I can get a signal.

But Gus sleeping at my feet hasn't happened in weeks - since he was an itty bitty baby. He is usually so bratty when he is tired he just starts chewing and getting into trouble and only can sleep in the crate. Today he is exhausted from his adventures - going to the dog store to get a bath (just for the experience of it), learning to walk on a leash outside, and of course, eating sticks. He is very good at the last thing. I am glad he is figuring out how to sleep while things are going on in the house. I adore having him sleeping at my feet!

Emergency Back-Up Dog

I told Dagny that Gus is just the emergency back-up dog and that she has not been replaced.

He is just the vice president to her presidency.

Just the understudy.