Typical

This is what it looks like when I let the dogs out on my day off. Fran has Tango at work, so he's not in the picture, but he probably wouldn't be anyway because he's always in motion. Ceilidh (Boston Terrier) lies in the sun, Teddy (fawn Frenchie) finds a stick to chew on, Roc (Brussels Griffon) is on alert for anything to bark at, and Dax (brindle Frenchie) eats grass (which she promptly regurgitates). - Hope

Stormy weather

The last few nights have been interesting here in the Chicago area. Lots of lightning, thunder and inches upon inches of rain. It's now the wettest July on record here. We've learned just how much we depend on electricity for simple things. Almost 20,000 people in the area are still without power from last night's storms.On a personal level, I'm really tired of it. I'd like to get some sleep tonight!

-Fran

On his way!

Teddy competed last week in his first-ever agility trial, ran two courses (1 Jumpers with Weaves and 1 Standard), qualified in both runs, got perfect scores in both runs, and won third place in both runs. I'm hoping these are just the first of lots of ribbons Ted will earn - but I'm just so thrilled with and proud of these first ones! I apologize to everyone who's been listening to me rave about my little guy for the last week - just can't help it! - Hope

Stay cool! That goes for the dogs too!

Much of the country is gripped in a nasty, long-lasting heat wave. The heat index (what it actually feels like outside) rose over 100 degrees F. the last few days here in the Chicago area. The news reports emphasize how important it is for us to hydrate and get relief in the air conditioning for at least a few hours each day. That goes for our dogs too! We have to make sure that we limit their time outside in the heat and provide lots of clean water. If you're on a walk, bring along a Water Rover so your pup can take water breaks.
My crazy Boston Terrier, Ceilidh, and Hope's French Bulldog, Dax, love the heat, though. They'd bake on the grass for hours if we let them. We end up carrying them inside because they refuse to leave the heat on their own! Silly girls....
-Fran

Dax and Teddy

I spotted Dax and Teddy relaxing before breakfast today. And to think that a year ago Dax did not recognize Teddy's existence! - Fran

Chillin' in the RV

After we arrived at our campsite last Sunday afternoon, Tango and I took some time to just chill out. This was before the storm Monday morning that knocked power out to over 800,000 people. And knocked out our internet for the better part of the week. This was, in fact, relaxing before the storm.
-Fran

Enjoy the day!

We don't get many days like today - bright and sunny, not too hot, not too windy, not too humid. Tango is enjoying a break. Life's too short - go outside and enjoy nice days! (Then come inside and shop for your little dog online at GollyGear.com....)
-Fran

Dirty, dirty Teddy

Every Sunday (when we're home) we have assembly-line dog-clean-up time: mani/pedi, tooth-brushing, face-washing, etc.
Teddy is the only light-colored dog we've ever had. And what does Teddy do after his clean-up? Rolls in the dirt, of course!- Hope

Can't win...

We've told you about the 50-year old maple tree in the backyard that was damaged in the storm last week?? Well, since there are so many limbs that come down whenever the wind blows, we decided that the tree has to come down. We got the estimate and sent back the contract to the tree service just a couple of days ago. But we had another storm last night - brief but violent supercell with extremely high winds. More branches came down - Teddy got to chew on some really big sticks! One is resting on the house and on another branch in the tree. Don't blow too hard.