Tango helps at work!

First thing in the morning, here at Golly Gear, we print out orders, fill and pack them. When Tango is here with me, he's a big help! When he's not trying to steal a toy for himself, he walks through the racks with me picking the items for orders. He's a big help, as you can see. Sticking his fuzzy head in the bin, making sure the squeakers work and all the limbs and ears are securely attached! - Fran

Politics-free Zone!

Dogs only! I'm tired of people supporting either party ranting against the other on social media. So let's talk dogs! Tango is currently chewing on his hoof, being a very good boy! He had a great night last night at Agility class. I've been working on a couple of tricks with him, and working on him playing with a toy in public. (Not as easy as it sounds!) Tango can roll over - just one way now, but it's a start! Anyway, last night at class he actually played with his toy! He was so revved up he actually blew past me! That's Tango's worm. It's a wriggly, gel-like thing. Don't ask me why he loves this thing, but it's the toy he latched onto. So, until we can transfer the love to something a little more palatable, Tango's blue worm is the toy of choice! - Fran

Brave little flower

Every spring I buy a pot of pansies for the back yard at home - pansies are Hope's favorites. Plus, the shape of the flower resembles a rough Brussels Griffon face! Well, maybe when Tango's not so scruffy. Most years the rabbits eat the pansies, or they get too much water, or not enough water, or something else happens so that they don't last very long. But this year we were good about watering just enough through the hottest summer we can remember. We weren't going to let those bunnies chew up the results of our hard work, either! So we put the pot on a table where Dax's nemeses couldn't get at the pansies. And here in September, the plant's not looking great, but it's still blooming! - Fran

Catching up

Anyone else going through Olympics withdrawal? I must confess I did not work at full strength during the 17 days of the London Olympic Games. Too distracted by news, pictures and videos from the Games. Streaming video 24 hours a day may not have been the best for my sleep pattern! I did make time to eat, sleep (some) and train Tango, though.

But now it's back to normal. - Fran

Are you an Olympics nut?

Opening Ceremonies for the London Games are tonight - I'm excited! Here's a fun idea: let's hold our version of Doggie Olympics! How high can your dog jump? How long can he jump? Can he spin in a circle both ways? Can he crawl on his tummy? How fast can he go through the weave poles? Sounds like a great weekend party to me! - Fran

Ready?

Two paws on, two off the yellow! Getting ready for an agility trial tomorrow. Tango finds it impossible to stay still. While his paws are still, some part of him has to be moving. In this picture, it's his head. Oh well, you get the idea! - Fran

Hot, hotter, ...did someone say hot?

Tango doesn't even want to chew on his Himalayan Chew!

It's never a good thing when weather in your area makes the news. Usually in the Chicago area, this happens in the winter after a blizzard, or in the spring after violent storms. But we're making news this summer with the heat wave. If the temperature reaches triple digits (fahrenheit) today, which there's no question by any of the meteorologists that this will happen, this will be the first time that we've had three days over 100 degrees. Add stifling humidity. Stepping outside from an air conditioned building is like hitting a brick wall. I'm a healthy person, thank goodness, but I have a hard time breathing in that. I'm sorry for the people who have asthma or other respiratory ailments. Dressing for fashion on days like today is just plain stupid. A light t-shirt and shorts with a hat and sunglasses is plenty stylish, thank you! And makeup? Why bother? It will melt within a minute.

The dogs don't even want to do anything. Take a cue from them! Stay cool, keep your dogs in the A/C with you, and drink plenty of water! - Fran