Nope - I won't do it!

Saturday Rob and I decide to visit our son and his new bride at the campground at which they were staying. We wanted to do some hiking - great trails at Raccoon State Park. We get there and the newlyweds were so (and I mean SO) happy to see us. They were rather bored as they explained it.

Well, we set out for a hike. Down to the lake we go and the dogs go for a bit of a dip in the lake. Brin is really the only one who will get deep in the water. Pru and Neo stay ankle deep. We then decide to head to the ramp to watch the boats launching (this can be an entire afternoon's entertainment in itself - all the newbies attempting to launch and/or pick up boats - always good fun!!). Out of nowhere and with the sun shining, comes this rain. We all stood under the trees for a bit thinking it would pass. But alas, the sun disappeared and the rain got steadily harder.

We then decided to head back up the hill to a shelter house near by. So, I take off up the hill - not really in a run (for those who know me this should be a great visual :)) with Brin right by my side. We reach the top and I then attempt to run to the shelter.

That's when Brin put on the brakes. Nope, she was not about to run. The water wasn't ruining her hair, she wasn't concerned about her clothes getting soaked (I was wearing a white shirt - grrrr). Oh no. She refused to speed up - barely a trot is all I could get from her. All the others and their dogs were well passed us - and we had been the first up the hill.

Needless to say, I was soaked, hair was soaked and Brin, well she went and rested - raising her head and smiling at me every once in a while. The girl just cracks me up!!!

Oh the joy of .....

Walking - yep, that's right - Walking!! As noted in an earlier posting, we have begun walking our precious pack each evening after work. Well, I have added a 2 mile walk to my lunch routine. And, I am loving it!! I even walked in the rain this week. You read it right - in the rain (well with an umbrella :))

The babies are enjoying their evening walks too. I must say that I am amazed at how much faster they can get back into shape than we humans. After only a week of walking they are ready to run. So, now is when the training becomes invaluable.

I have it so much easier than Rob. Poor guy must walk Neo and Pru, so he has double the training to do. But, in my defense, Brin is quite the handfull. She is going through her 'bullying' stage and feels that I am NOT the Goddess of her world but rather her play thing. So, I am working hard on retraining her to obey and respect. She has even begun to refuse to sit when I give the command -- I have to physically force her into a sit. We'll see who wins this war of wills!! So, as you can clearly see, I have my hands full just walking and training the one!!

But regardless of the trials, the walking is fabulous. Rob and I have wonderful chats and so enjoy the time together (even after 25 years together!!). The dogs are getting exercise and socialization. And we are all getting the training so badly neglected (shame on us :( ) So, this is a WIN WIN situation. And we all love those!!!

Morning Kisses

Remember when you were first married - or were in that special relationship - and waking up with that someone special and those wonderful morning kisses? Well, I can top all those feelings and memories!!

Picture yourself awaking to the kisses - the wet and slobbery kisses of a 150# plus English Mastiff. That is how I was awakened this morning, and I must say that I very much enjoyed it!! I'm not sure there is anything better than for the soul than to be loved so purely. And of course (for those who really know me well) there is nothing better than giggling as you awaken. I am a morning person anyway - and to come into the morning with kisses and giggles - -

Well, does it get any better than that?

Fat Owners = Fat Dogs

Yep - that's right - Rob and I are officially fat AND so are our dogs. Well, Neo and Brin are overweight (more politically correct than 'fat'); Pru is trim as always. So, with this realization in mind we have decided to get back into shape - all of us!!.

We began our walking regimen this past weekend. We have a one mile track that we have plotted and we have been faithfully walking this each day (four days running -- well, walking :) ). And man am I sore!!!!!!! Not from the walking but from walking the dogs!

Rob usually takes two of them and I take one, Brin. As a reference point let me share that Brin must be touching me at all times; so, walking her means walking with her constantly rubbing/pushing on my legs/hips. She does not pull - or run ahead. Nope. She stays right with me - right at my side - pushing against me with her 150# + body. To counter this pushing I have positioned the gentle lead on the opposite side of her face so that I can direct her away from my side a bit. But, she's a stubborn one and pulls her head back and cuddles up by me once again.

I now have pain in my hip and cramps in one foot from pushing back against her for balance! And my shoulder is sore from trying to pull her head away from me to give my body a break from the pushing. Cracks me up!!!

Now for Neo and Pru: Neo does not like his gentle lead and spend the first few minutes doing acrobatics trying to get free from the lead. Rob has been watching and paying attention to Ceasar's show (The Dog Whisperer) and is now training Neo to accept the lead. So, Neo has been progressing each day and now only fights the lead for a few seconds and then walks right beside Rob as trained. Neo is such a good boy. Well, that is unless another dog comes our way. Then we have all out war! We're working on that too.

Pru does not fight the lead, does not pull, does not push. She walks just perfectly. Her only issue is also with any other living animal. So, she spends her walks ever on guard - watching all around for any 'intruders' into 'her' space. It is truly humorous to watch her eyes as we walk. She has appointed herself protector of the pack.

Yesterday must have been National Rabbits Day. We saw too many to count and so did the three dogs! Needless to say Pru alerted all of us to their presence and then began prancing (she looked like a show horse; she was high stepping!!); Neo raised his hackles and went on attach mode; and Brin bounced around at the thought of a new playmate.

It is all worth the effort. Rob and I both feel better and the dogs are sleeping and eating better. And the humor in the memories -- well, that's the icing on the brownie we eat when we finish the walk!!