Where The Red Fern Grows

Monty gives it two paws up!


(Mom recommends the original - just don't forget your kleenex!)

Our Christmas

Since this was Monty's first Christmas with us, we made sure to concentrate on making it a good day for him. After all, this is only one of the two days each year the pups will get to shred paper without being in trouble! They need to enjoy it! (The other is their birthday/Gotcha Day.)

Since Mom had a busy day already, visiting her Mom in rehab and feeding the horses she needed some nourishment before starting the festivities. Sam was most dismayed by the delay.

It's Christmas, Mom!


Monty on the other paw, has a unique way to beg. He knows we know he is there, so he is not concerned he will be missed if any crumbs happen to be passed around...


Monty didn't quite understand how to open the presents, but I did realize I made a major mistake this year. No more shiny paper for Monty! He spent most of his morning chasing the reflections from the paper on the wall.


Although, he also seemed to be pleased by our choices of squeaker filled toys!


Sam seemed pleased that he got to open every one's presents, not just his own!


We all had a good Christmas and hope all of you did too! Monty definitely seems happy with his first Christmas with us!

Merry Christmas!

A Quiet Moment...

Sam and his Mom spend a quiet moment together. Tomorrow is a big day for the boys, and Sam needed some assurance that he has indeed been a good boy all year!

Chasing Shadows

Monty enjoying the morning sun...

Sam's Day at the Office

I decided today that since it would be a quiet day in the office that I would take Sam in with me. I've always wanted to do this, and since most of my fellow workers are on vacation, I thought today would be a good day.

Except for a barking issue that continued through the day whenever someone came into the office, Sam was very well behaved. I think he thought the office belonged to me and he had to protect it! I managed to squeeze in a few pictures, although not as many as I wanted.

Here is Sam in front of the office Christmas Tree.

You could've done this at home...


And here he is waiting for Mom to complete her work!

He could have done this at home!


He seemed to spend an awful lot of time waiting for me to do stuff...



So I finally put him to work!

I'm making copies!


One thing that was kind of neat about today was Sam's fascination with a full length mirror in the bathroom. I realized this must be the first time he is really seeing himself, and I think he understood who it was he was looking at! When I talked to him he would look at my reflection and make eye contact.


We are getting closer to Christmas; we hope you all have your shopping and preparations done!

Meet Sam's Cousin Cody

Sam here! Sam taking over his blog to do update. Mom busy visiting her Mom in hospital, so Sam has to take matters in his own paws. Sam decided to introduce you to other cousin. Not the "alleged" cat cousin, Frisky, but his other cousin, Cody. Cody lives in Iowa, where it is cold enough to freeze Sam's butt off. Sam definitely not visiting till summer!

First off, here is Cody with Mom's sister, Becky.

Sam find it very odd that Dad's sister is also named Becky and she is the Mom of the cat Frisky. Sam very puzzled by all this. Sam thinks there is a conspiracy going on.

Anyway, Sam is glad to see Cody also likes to play with toys.


Sam is offering Cody a visit in nice warm Arizona. Here he is begging to come in before he freezes his butt off. Look at this! He has been sent outside without the proper gear!


Sam also update on Grandma. Grandma still in hospital and still sick. Mom and Dad says she will be spending Christmas in either hospital or rehab. Mom very sad about this. However, she is slowly on the mend but it will take time. Sam wants her to get better quickly, 'cause Grandma always sneaks the Sam an extra cookie. Don't tell Mom, though!

Too Cool

After over a week of worrying, things are starting to look better for Sam and Monty's Grandma. She has a long road for recovery, but things are definitely starting to look up.

I wanted to share something with you that I got as a free sample in the mail. These are really too cool! First you take an ordinary Christmas tree, like so:


...and then add a pair of specs from here...

And look what happens! Keep in mind, the haziness in the picture is from shooting through the glasses with the camera.

Do you see the reindeer? You may have to click on the picture to enlarge.

Very Late Update

Hello, Everyone! I'm sorry for the lack of activity on our blog lately - Sam and Monty's Grandma is in the hospital, and we've been rather distracted.

Aaron did mention that I should post an update on Sam. We've had great news! All of the tumors have come back as benign, which was a great relief to us.

Sam got his stitches removed last Saturday, but decided to do a little self-surgery and managed to re-open one of the sites. We had to bring him in for more stitches.

We do think this was all part of Sam's master plan, though. We had mentioned the word "bath", and you know Sam, he will do his best to avoid one!

Pssst.....

Just in case someone might ask you later, I had nothing to do with what happened to the pumpkin pie...

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Sam happily discussing his follow-up treatment at Dr. Kerne's. Thank you, Michelle!

Woofstock 2010

Woofstock almost didn't happen for us today. Sam had a follow up appointment for his surgery, so bright and early this morning I took him to Dr. Kerne.

Here is Sam discussing his follow up treatment with the his favorite vet tech, Michelle. His stitches all look good, and they will be able to be removed next Saturday!


After that, I decided to drive up to the park and see how things were going at Woofstock. Sam was quite happy to have a car ride, and even happier to be out and about in a park!

Welcome to Woofstock 2010!


There were so many vendors and booths spread over the park! There were demonstrations for fly-ball, agility and K-9 Police!

Shopping!


...and a band playing on stage. These guys were excellent!


I always enjoy looking at dogs and was completely amazed at all the different kinds that were there

Goldendoodles...
!

Bull Terriers...


Fluffy dogs...


Could this one be related to Sagira?


Sam and I also spent some time watching the police dog demonstrations. These exhibits never fail to amaze me! How precise and well trained the dogs are, and so devoted to their handlers!


This poor guy didn't stand a chance - the dog threw him around like he was a towel! I bet he is glad the dog is muzzled!


There were also lots of games to play!


Sam is very good at games, and won himself a bag full of prizes!


I was a little disappointed to not be able to take Monty - I had looked forward to doing this with him, but am still glad I was able to make it with Sam. We didn't stay long, but still managed to have a great time!

Sam Update

Sam is home! Dr. Kerne didn't get all the lumps, she was worried about Sam after discovering how much she had to cut away to get the four she did. She sent three of them in for biopsy - please keep your fingers crossed!

This is Monty waiting for Sam to come home. Sam's Mom spent most of her day the same way!


...and here is Sam. You can see the surgery sites - one on his side and one above his hip, as well as the one on his leg she was able to wrap. There is also a fourth right above his tail, but it doesn't show in his picture.


Sam will leave the stitches alone if we tell him so, which is why he doesn't have a cone collar on. He did have the Official Surgery Shirt on to help protect them (Monty is finding them fascinating!), but Mom sent him outside this morning without rolling it up first, and Sam is a boy dog... Let's just say it is currently in the wash.

Sam was sent home with pain medicine and antibiotics. He is very sleepy, and is spending a lot of time snoozing. Mom is just relieved to have him back. Sam will need to go back in for surgery to remove the rest of the bumps after these heal, and we are worried about the results of the biopsy.

Sam

Aaron tells me not to worry, everything will be all right and I know he is right... but my little guy is going in for surgery, and I do worry... because I love him.

Sunday Blogging - Monty Edition

It's been a while since Monty has had a post of his own, so we thought we'd share a few pictures of him today.

Hello! Remember me?

Now, Monty is a very active boy, and doesn't always like to sit for photos like Sam does, but he is learning.

Is this a good picture, Mom?

Monty loves to play! Sam is a little too quiet for him at times, but if you give him a toy or a spot of carpet he can entertain himself for hours!


Monty loves his toys!


He also loves it when Mom "rumples" him!


Now, Monty does have a special friend. We gave him "Wendella" the first day he was here, and he absolutely adores her. He carries her with him wherever he goes!

Maybe we should have named him "Linus"?


Monty and Wendella snuggling...

Hey, no cameras please!


Of course, Monty considers himself a great explorer and can't wait for us to take him on wonderful adventures!


Next Saturday we are bringing Monty to Woofstock! With the weather finally getting cooler here in Arizona, it should be a really great day!

Presents!

Sam and Monty had an exciting surprise in the mail today - a package from Yoda! Sam was so excited that he began ripping open the box before I even managed to find Monty. Since Monty has yet to learn this skill, we decided to let him finish opening it.


I like how he spits the pieces out in a neat little pile next to him.


Sam also pulled that tags off of both toys:


Yoda sent two rope toys for the boys. Both of the boys would like to say thank you for these great presents!

Thank you, Yoda!


Yes, thank you, Yoda!


After that, the boys went to the their "spots" for some serious rope chewing.

Sam in the living room...


...and Monty in the pool room.


Sam's Mom would like to thank Yoda too! The boys are very happy!