It all started last summer (’10) when Tristian bought Isabella a little wading pool to which she has religiously responded with the proverbial dachshund “You’ve got to be kidding” look when presented with any opportunity to use it. Ashas was still pretty young when we got it and for some reason which escapes me now, we didn’t even really try to get him interested.  Mind you the water here in the pacific northwest comes out of the faucet colder than ice water, even in the dead heat of summer, so I suspect I was paranoid about him getting sick exposed to such cold water while so young?

At any rate, fast forward to this summer (’11) when we pulled the little blue puppy pool back out and Ashas showed slightly more interest than Peanut had ever shown.  In fact, the first time it came out he jumped into it himself!  Promising! For about a split second… true to dachshund form, he has proven to mostly just snoop around it, using it as a giant water bowl. If it’s a really hot day he will tolerate a quick dip to run around in a circle and let you splash of the water on his back for a cool down…

If you live anywhere near Seattle, you’ve heard of Marymoor Park.  They have one of, if not the largest off-leash Dog Park in the state of WA.  We started going there this summer to let the pups run some energy off and make new friends.  Actually, we used to go there with Sasha and Isabella before Sasha got sick but we had to stop due to her illness to avoid exposing her to anything with her weakened immune system.  Because of that, it had been a couple of years since going. The park has a beautiful river going through the off-leash area with access for dogs to enjoy the water.  All of our trips through the park and along the trails never resulted in water play for us, we have been happy to just enjoy the sights from the sidelines…we have doxies and everyone knows (most) doxies don’t do water…

Or so we thought…

A few weeks ago we met several friends and their fur-kids at the park for a puppy play-date!  Upon encountering the water area, one of my friends, Linda, who has a sweet larger dog named Roxie, decided to go in the river to let Roxie swim.  Then, another friend of ours, decided to take their miniature poodle in for an experimental swim.  Next thing we know, Ashas was looking like he was going to jump in so Tristian got in with him. Well, one thing led to another and within minutes, we were ALL in the river with our pups, Isabella included!  It was such a hoot!!!

Roxie is a pro at swimming!

This is our friend Coco!

Isabella's splashing up a storm!

That's one wet puppy!!!

This is Panda, takin' it easy!

Coco is a natural swimmer!

Little Abby is covered with ringlets when she gets wet! Too cute...

Abby is gonna get her bow wet!

Ashas is ready to go back in for more fun!

Tristian and I decided the next day to go back for some more fun in the water since they had liked swimming but to make the fun safer and less stressful for us we would invest in life jackets. They did well enough swimming but their short legs tired out pretty quickly so having the floatation of the life vests made for an easier swim!

We can’t wait until next summer… until then swim lessons are on hold. In the meantime, enjoy some clips of Ashas and Isabella doin’ the dog paddle!

Like

Unlike

Little ones sneaking and full of fright!

They run between houses and into the streets,

Giving up tricks and looking for treats!

Hoping for candy corn, caramel and gum

Licorice, tootsie rolls, Mary Janes, oh YUM!

 When all is done they depart in a hush…

Such disappointment, it’s just a toothbrush!

Tonight many ghosts and goblins abound,

And on this Halloween, a 4 legged little witch is found!

Trick or Treat!!!

Let's go for a ride on my brooooom!

Like

Unlike

A lot of colors and A LOT of leaves!  Leaves still clinging to the branches, swaying back and forth with the breeze, making their own music.  Leaves taking flight, floating through the air riding waves of wind.  Leaves swirling around on the sidewalks in a tornadic frenzy, ready to find their way into our homes and cars.

I remember as a child having to rake leaves on the weekend.  It was quite common to see families working together in the yard making leaf piles every 5 feet or so apart.  The trick being to get them sacked up before the next wind came and disrupted the neatness and order that had been created.  I remember wanting desperately to play in the leaves and kick them around, having fun as opposed to the drudgery I had been sentenced to.  There was such a potential for fun but the reality was it really didn’t feel that good to drop back into a pile of leaves, the hard ground still painfully evident below them and besides, it was such a daunting chore that came before all else and you just wanted to get it over with.  No going to ride bikes with friends, no watching TV, no heading to the park until the task was complete and 8 or 9 tightly bound, black plastic bags stood proudly by the driveway awaiting pick up on the next garbage day.

 Raking leaves doesn’t seem like a common family event these days but I saw a family raking leaves this weekend and I imagine from the looks on everyone’s faces the same thoughts were mingled in amongst their piles of leaves.  No one was smiling and there was no laughter, just the persistent battle of man v nature.  Using thier rakes to defend their yard and tame the beast of leaves long enough for capture.  The only thing that has really changed it seems, is the container of choice.   The current method of containment is now the compost can, laid to rest at the end of the driveway awaiting pickup but the recycling truck.

To all those in the situation of having to rake and pick up leaves, I give you my sympathy.  To all those who have the beauty of nature and this colorful scenery in your daily lives, I ask you not take it for granted.  After all, it will be months of winter shades of white and gray before we are able to see the beautiful colors of spring!

Even this picture I took today while out and about on  a rainy day show how the colors of fall make for a nice drive to the gas station.

Fall in Washington

Maybe the sun will come back out this week and dry things off so as least Isabella can play in the leaves!

It's too wet to play! :(

Like

Unlike

Momma didn't take me with her. :(

and still on Saturday, I just wasn’t a happy puppy …

When's Momma comin' home???

But nothin’ cures the blues like a trip to the Park!

Yay!!! Goin' to the park!

I don't know...that slide is kinda scary!

Not too high plz...

Wait a minute...what do you mean grilled hot dogs?

We had a BLAST!  I’m glad to be back home now cuz I’m one tired pup!  And Yay, Momma comes home tomorrow!!!!  I’m ready to head to bed and dream about her coming home!  And boy do I have plenty of kisses saved up for her! xoxo

Last time this happened…well, let’s just say things didn’t exactly go the way I hoped they would!

I was all ready! Let’s pack up and go on an exciting adventure!

I can go wif?

zzzz...Hollywood or bust!

How can you leave this face behind?

No one EVER takes me anywhere…I NEVER get to have any fun, NOBODY loves me…

…what do you mean Drama Queen???

How's my acting, do I look depressed??

Well, that was pretty close to how things went down anyway but in the end I was fine!

This time it turns out momma’s going to Indiana for 5 whole days with Boyfriend…(of course he get’s to go and not me, go figure?)

I’ll be fine though, I’m a big girl now and besides I get to say with the big mommy and the Bubby!  We’ll stay up late and watch movies, play with my toys, I get to take turns sleeping with each of them, we might even go to the park!

Have fun and safe travels momma (and boyfriend too)!  xoxo

Like

Unlike

I tried to find a picture of Sasha looking guilty but this was as close as I came…she was such a good girl…that plus I think she was better at not getting caught! :)

Like

Unlike

Hey La, Hey La….yes he is and seriously we’re all glad he is! Mom’s been going stir crazy waiting for him!  We all missed him but I didn’t think this through when he left, I’ve been hanging with the big mommy instead of my mommy all week and now that he’s back and I’ll be second fiddle! :-(  Only for a day or two though while mom and boyfriend catch up but until then I’m hanging with the bubby and the big mommy.

Like

Unlike