Remembering Juno

Juno

September 5, 2009 - December 31, 2009

We miss you sweet puppy.

Merry Christmas

My first Christmas was filled with fun! Ornaments on the Christmas tree to investigate, new decorations throughout the house. I wasn't that interested in unwrapping gifts - watching the birds and squirrels outside was much more interesting.

It was a wonderful white Christmas! We now have lots of snow.

 I LOVE playing in the snow.

Lots of activity, travel, play, and photos.

A great weekend. We are completely exhausted.

Bath Trauma

Jake's 1st Bath

 Licking off the cleanliness

The dog who loves to swim, did not like his bath. He was shaking and trying to escape the entire time. I was just as wet when we were done. 

Up next - trimming nails...

Christmas Wrap

Wrapping presents is fun!!

It's A Wonderful Life

Hi Everybody! It's been a while since I've gotten in a good blog. That's because SOMEBODY has been hogging the computer, let the battery run low on the camera, and didn't clear the flash card in the camera to make room for new photos. Really...

Mom doesn't think I need to blog about every trip to the dog park, romps with my pals, and backyard surveillance activities. I completely disagree! I make new friends every time I go to the dog park and have played with all kinds of dogs - a great dane, saluki, deerhound, beagle, labs, mixed breeds, and many others. How is that not super exciting?

I've been playing with my buddy Leo who lives on the other side of the fence. We usually play in his yard. He's loads of fun to run and wrestle with. And mom seems very happy when I get home and plop on the couch for the next few hours.

The squirrels in my yard are a thorn in my side. I bark when I go outside to let them know this is MY yard and they are not welcome. When they're in my yard I chase after them. Little buggers usually run up a tree where I can't reach them. Some day...

This is me keeping my eye on the chipmunks in the fall:

Last week Jeff "dogsat" Chloe and me. I love playing with Jeff. He's my buddy and is a good tug partner.  

I'm also learning how to be more patient, but it's still really hard. We work on "obedience" a lot. I'd rather play.

Selective Hearing

So I ask Jake:

Why is it that you can hear Chloe's meds clanking in her med box and me turn the lid on the peanut butter jar, but you can't hear me call you when you need to come inside?

He sits down next to me and lets out a hearty belch.

'Nuff said.  That's my dog...

Food

Mom's food always smells so good, but she doesn't share. She says when I get a job and do the grocery shopping I can buy whatever I'd like to eat. For now, it's kibble in a bowl.

I'm not appreciating the sarcasm.

RIP Tigger

In memory of Tigger, stuffed toy of Jake.

In the world of Siberian Huskies, stuffed animals are toys to be de-stuffed.  Long life spans of even the best stuffed friends are rare.

Tigger lasted about 5 times longer than Eeyore.  He was brought out of the kennel multiple times per day to play tug or for companionship.  He was a great toy and killer of a find at Good Will. It makes me sad to see Tigger go.  Jake will roll with the punches and find another item to de-stuff (preferably one that he is allowed to destroy).

Being a G-rated blog, I won't post photos of the limp, cloth carcass or white fluffy stuff strewn across the floor.

Thanks for the good times, stuffed Tigger.

Love My Squeaky Toy

It has a GREAT squeaker.  Perfect for tug.  Love it!

Happy Halloween

Trick or Treat

Naughty with a capital N

Jake has been squirrely since the moment he woke up this morning - which landed him in his kennel 3 times today to chill out.  That's even with 2 walks, games of tug, a bone, and a kong filled with peanut butter to occupy his time and focus his energy.  And solely during daylight hours.


I heard mom say, "Jake, what are we going to do with you?" on numerous occasions today.

I know what we should do: send him off to boarding school for obedience until he becomes normal.

Jumping for Joy

We are all jumping for joy because Jake has been cleared to go back to the dog park.

Kennel cough gone, antibiotics done, infectivity nil.

With cousin Kylie back home, all of that puppy energy has been focused in the wrong direction a little to often.

Chloe's Day

Today was my 3rd acupuncture treatment.  First I have this acupressure/massage thing done along my spine, then I get stuck with needles.

The needles don't hurt. It just feels weird.  I focus on my Kong filled with peanut butter when getting poked.

I've done really well sitting still during acupuncture. When all of the needles are in I get to walk around. Then they come out and I'm on my way.

After acupuncture today mom and I went for a walk on a trail by the lake. Lots of good smells.

Then home with a great car ride, the windows down, and my nose out to catch the great fall air.

Buddies

Antibiotics, Oh Boy!

It was a quick trip to the vet today. Yesterday I started coughing and sometimes coughing so hard I'd throw up. I was acting a little funny this afternoon, or so mom thought, so off to see the doctor.  I didn't feel too bad - still played with Kylie all morning, ate breakfast, the usual stuff.

We were there a LONG time. It really cut into my napping. I got poked and prodded and the vet tech stuck a thermometer in my butt to take my temperature. That was not pleasant. And everyone thought I was being overly dramatic - I think not! I had x-rays taken and was poked again to test my blood. By the time the test results were back I'd calmed down and was less vocal.

No major problems. And it wasn't the tennis ball I shredded yesterday. (But I did hear mom say no more tennis balls - bummer.) I just had a bunch of gas in my intestines, maybe "gastroenteritis" and probably kennel cough, even though I got the vaccine when I was a little tike.

So now I get to take medicines like Chloe! I get them with peanut butter - yum! I don't feel too bad and I get more treats.

Let's Play!

Why are you tired already? There's still hours left to play.

I've been running around with you all day. Let me sleep.



Fun Time

Yay - Cousin Kylie is here.

Lots of play time has worn us out.

Homecoming

What a fun evening!

First, mom put on my backpack and we walked downtown to watch the Homecoming parade. When we got downtown there were LOTS of people and things to see. Lots of kids came over to pet me and play. Jeff came to see me too.

Some people took pictures of me. A lot of people stopped to say "hi" and pet me. I got lots of attention and it was FUN!!  Mom was going to take pictures of me too, so I could post them, but she forgot to put the memory card in the camera. Thank goodness for camera phones.

I didn't really see the parade. I liked the people better. When the alumni band played a song I sang along. I did a lot of singing and talking.

Mom & Jeff got food to eat, but didn't share. I did get a couple of treats though.

Then mom & I walked home.

I was a good boy. Mom said it made up for the attitude shown while putting on my harness and backpack. Whatever that means.

I'm beat. Time for bed.

Who's Blue?

So Jake, why did you decide to go near the painted siding after being told "no" 100 times?

It wasn't 100 times - maybe 25.

That wasn't the question.

I didn't go near the paint.

So why is your fur blue?

Halloween is around the corner. I'm trying out costumes. Maybe a smurf?

Who's The Man?

Me!

I'm such a big boy now that mom lets me sleep on the couch at night. When I go in my kennel at bedtime she leaves the door open so I can sleep on the floor or couch if I want. I still like sleeping in my kennel with whale and Tigger though, but don't tell anyone...

The Basement

We have a basement in our house.

I've been down there a couple of times. Mom carried me down. There's lots to explore and it's nice and cool in the summer.

I'm afraid to go down the stairs and into the basement by myself though. I don't get past the first step.

Mom goes down there a lot. I want to follow, but just don't like those stairs. Instead I stretch my head as far as possible to look down to see what she is doing.

Maybe when I'm older it won't be as scary.

Rough Day

Chloe has had a rough 24 hours - more stiff an arthritic than usual, her left side affected more than her right (opposite of the usual), weakness in her back legs, walking sideways rather than having her body aligned, and probably some back and hip pain.  Not a happy puppy.

But after a lighter work-out on the underwater treadmill and laser therapy for pain, she finally seems more comfortable and is sleeping soundly.

Tug

While playing tug with Jake, he missed the toy and chomped my hand.

Eeowww!

Ouch.

Who's That?

Watching the North Wapiti video of sled dogs ready to run stopped Jake in his tracks! He was searching for the barking dogs everywhere. He was ready to run too!

Are You My Mother?

Today Jake met a juvenile cardinal.

For some reason the bird was hopping like a robin rather than flying.  Jake was chasing it around the yard, into bushes, and barking and howling at it.  The bird would just squawk at Jake at the top of its lungs.  If Jake would move away, the young bird would hop off its low perch and run underneath him and scold. Jake never tried to pick the cardinal up or shake it.

To prevent a bad outcome, I rescued the bird and moved it to higher ground. It didn't seem to like that - clenching my finger in its beak (not painful, which I'm sure would not make the bird happy), then flying back down to the ground in another part of the yard. Finally, it hopped through the fence into the neighbors yard.

Oddities of nature.

Walking the Dog Park

I like going to the dog park.  I like walking around at my own pace, stopping at trees to sniff, and checking things out.  Occasionally I'll swim.  I especially like that my little brother leaves me alone and wears himself out.  Sometimes I like meeting other dogs (especially bulldogs), and sometimes I don't.

You don't have to look at me like I'm dying.  If you wonder what's wrong, just ask my mom.  I'm actually in good health.  I have arthritis in my hips and my spine. Because of the arthritis in my spine, my nerves get pinched and I often drag my back foot or feet.  I have a little soreness in my lower back and get treatment for that.  I'm more stiff than sore.  After I get going I loosen up and move around pretty well.

Going to the dog park allows me to get good exercise at my own pace.  I get outside and enjoy the fresh air.  I'm old. I have arthritis, and cataracts and warts. That's how it goes when a husky gets old. But I do ok and know what I like.

I like to walk. And I'll keep going to the dog park until I can't walk any more.

Dog Paddle

Today was the dog paddle at the city park pool.  Chloe was ready to leave after 30 minutes. Jake could have stayed another hour.

Chloe did well and swam for 10-15 minutes on her own. She did great.

Jake did some swimming and a lot of running around the pool to meet other dogs and people.

Mom learned that it was not wise to take both Jake and Chloe to a new event in a new environment. Trying to keep Jake in line and an eye on Chloe proved impossible. Note for next time - take one dog at a time.

Oh well. Both dogs are laying down for naps, giving mom time to relax.

Vacation

While mom went on vacation to Sedona

and the Grand Canyon

We got to stay at our cousins in Davenport. It was FUN! I played with Kylie and Ellie and did a little digging. Chloe got her own place which uncle Nate called "Chloe's Condo."

Mom said some people had their dogs at the Grand Canyon,

but that Chloe and I probably had more fun staying in Iowa.

Mom brought back a fun squeaky toy for me to play with.

Chloe was just beat and spent most of the day sleeping on her pillow.

It's nice to be back home.