Wordless Wednesday: What are you looking at Mom?

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Monday Mischief: Mining Snow Cookies

Scooping up snow cookies when the snow is fresh is easy. However, as the snow crusts over with melting and refreezing there is more work involved for the same tasty product. Mom loves to capture us at work.

Don't get me started on the distractions of the tourists taking pictures or the competition who messes up my neat sites for snow cookie removal. She can destroy any sight in moments.

Wordless Wednesday: Snow Dog

Blog Paws is hosting the Hop

Katy's Fort

What to do when there are lots of people at your house? Retreat to your own personal fort. You can see and observe all the action, but they have to work real hard to get to you.

Katy the Sentry

Mom has called me a stalker and Bailey says that is not a complimentary term. However, I am a sentry. It is my job to patrol the wall. On the other side of the wall is a friend I never get to play with, but we do meet nose to nose from time to time. We share information about the state of the neighborhood. One time I was very surprised when a beagle head popped almost completely out from under the fence. I learned the beagle was just visiting.

Mom has been using treats to train me to stay away from the fence. She does not want to create problems with the neighbors who so far have not been interested in a play date. I love my treats, but it is so hard to resist checking on my friend.

So just to clear the record I am not a stalker, no matter what Mom says.

Meet My Fuzzy Bone

Birthdays are so cool.

This is my new fuzzy bone. Mom said something about replacing the old fuzzy bone, but this is my bone. It works well as a squeeky, chew toy.

It also can be used as a pillow when chewing on a real bone.

Bone also provides some protection from bone stealing brothers. Two fuzzy bones can be distracting and give me a chance to get away with the real prize.

My New Birthday Ball

I got a new ball for my birthday. I just started playing with it when...

Bailey took my new ball!!!

After some discussions, I got it back.

Happy Birthday Katy!

While it is here, I am finally three. I am celebrating my birthday the first time! Bailey and I had the zoomies this morning. We kept leaping on the bed to get Mommy up. Daddy had to leave early so Mom said we would be celebrating tonight. Imagine having to go to work early for a meeting on my birthday! Dad and Mom did sing some silly birthday song though.

Bailey says he has seen my presents and there are some great gifts. It is not fair I have to wait until Daddy comes home. Mom promises there will be some special treats and fun during the day. It is raining so we will not be playing much outside. Bailey says the place we are going walking this weekend is fun. There are woods and many wonderful things to smell. I hope the weather is good so we can go.

I am not sure I can make it until Dad gets home. I feel a zoomie coming on.

Katy and Grandma

My Mom was up to visit at Christmas, so she and Katy did meet. However, the house was crowded and Katy was overwhelmed with the changes to the house and the number of people who seemed to find a all her favorite spots fun to hang out in. Bailey enjoyed Grandma's attention while Katy hid away from all the excitement.

Mom usually makes a spring or summer visit. Last year she came for her granddaughter’s graduation, this year around Mother's Day and her birthday. She came by the house for a birthday lunch and was determined to meet the newest doggy grandchild.

Some people have suggested Katy may be shy by nature. However, I have seen signs that Katy really wants to join the family gatherings, she just is afraid of the outcome. I have tried a strategy of placing her on her favorite couch, petting her and comforting her and having someone sit in a chair next to the couch and just scratching her ears or lightly petting her. This strategy has been effective. She has licked a few of these people and when released even tried to overcome her fears and approach them. She has seen Bailey get lots of Grandma love and she wants in on Bailey's action. Bailey is content to let Katy stay on the outside looking in. He is more than happy to have the guests to himself, especially Grandma. Bailey's reaction has encouraged Katy to try even harder to overcome her fears.

She is making huge progress. It is hard for outsiders to see, but I can see confidence that was not present in September.