Family Backpacking Trip

Oh man. My mom has not been good at helping me keep up with my blog! She claims to be too busy "looking for jobs" but really all she does it look at her computer all day and then get cranky. Anyways, I have been having a wonderful summer! Lots of exercise and social time, and of course, keeping up with my naps wonderfully. This really is the life...

So, here are all of the pictures from my first "backpacking" trip. Of course, for me it wasn't "backpacking" because my parents recognize that manual labor is not something I chose to participate in. My dear brother Zeus is obviously the muscular one in our family, so he carried my food for me. (I've got him wrapped around my paw already!) Unfortunately, my parents forgot to pack the adequate amount of bug spray, so we ended up leaving a day early... the mosquitos this time of year were awful! I felt especially bad for Zeus because those flying blood-suckers LOVED him. Poor brother ended up with huge sores all over his snout.

Sleeping in the tent was great! Even mom and dad joined in for the puppy pile!

Zeus doesn't do mornings.

This log managed to tangle me up.

And when I fought back...

more logs got involved...

And Mom had to save me.

Zeus taking a break from fighting off mosquitos.

Even in the mountains, one should always be ready for their close up. Good thing I was prepared, and looked my best.

Dad and Mom

If nothing else, Zeus has impeccable posture.

These are all of the backpacks that my family had to wear. (I dodged a bullet on this one!)

Being the responsible puppy that I am, I had to help put away our gear.

...But mostly, I just watched.

Thanks for reading! I'll try to blog more often. Feel free to "follow" me so that you get an email whenever there's a new post.

*Licks*
Lupa

A Breath of Fresh Air

Well, I'm sure you've all been dying to know what this little pup has been up to... sorry to keep you waiting, but I took the weekend off and went on a mini-vacay with my parents up to the mountains! I've never had a vacation before, but if they all include mountains and puddles and my best friends, then I definitely want to do them more often.

My family and I went with our really great neighbor, Harvey, and his people up to their cabin in Winter Park. Harvey was very generous to invite us on this exceptional excursion. There was hiking, hot tubing, eating, playing, and tons of open space for me to run! On the hike, my mom and dad actually let me off the leash and I got to show them how good I really am. :) Of course, I know how to stay on the trail and go slow enough so that the two-leggers can catch up. The best part of the trip was all of the water I got to play in!! There was a creek on our hike, the puddle by the cabin, and water bowls in the house! I really love to get wet and splash around...especially if there is dirt or poop to roll in after. Ahhh the joys of being a dirty dog. And, since I did so good last weekend, my parents said we can try this thing called backpacking and camping next weekend. I think that means there will be more puddles and more mud to roll in.


Here are the pictures!

Lovely evening in the mountains.

Happy 3 year anniversary Mom and Dad! 

Ready for adventure!

A sweet breath of fresh air and wind in my hair...

Strawberry Lake... but I didn't see any strawberries.

Zeus, Mom, and I :)

Harvey and his mom love me for sure.

I told Mom to try to capture the serenity of the moment with this shot. 

Can you say "happy dog"? Zeus told me that hiking was fun, and he was right!

I would have smiled, but this was like the 20th picture on this same dock...

I was done with pictures, but my people just adore me.

:)

Come on in, Harvey & Zeus! The water's great!

There were tons of pretty columbines.

Harvey has his people trained right...look at that dog bed! 

I found another puddle!

What a ruff life. Love you all.

On a side note: I found a dead bird when I walked my people last night. It was delicious. My mom is a real party-pooper because when I tried to drop it on her foot so she could enjoy it, she let out this scream that made the people across the street stare at us. Oh well. I can still taste it in my mouth :)

*Licks* Lupa


Oh and almost forgot, this was the Toy with Claws' response to going on vacation without her:

Attempt at becoming a stow-away... failed.

Have a good rest of your day!

Dog Heaven is Filled with Dog People

So, last Saturday was probably the second best day of my life. (The first was when my mom and dad decided to take me home with them...but that's another story.) I got to go to a dog heaven. Dog heavens are special places where all the dogs run free and get to play with whoever they want, and what's even better is you are surrounded by dog people. In case you don't know, dog people are the best people. 

Dog people:

1. Don't get mad if you drool, shake mud, or even pee when you greet them.
2. Always give you a pat and maybe a scratch behind the ears.
3. Are friendly and talk to your parents while you get to sniff their behinds.
4. And, most importantly, show you respect and consideration by speaking directly to you and knowing when to back-off if you are feeling grumpy.

Anyways, we were at this dog heaven and we turned a corner and there glimmering in the hot afternoon sun was a HUGE puddle! I love puddles and jump in them every time we come across one on our walks, but this, this was the biggest one I've ever seen!! I immediately dove in and made some dog friends along the way. Here are the pictures from that wonderful day...

Zeus and I getting in the puddle.

Big brother Zeus

I love the water, but it does nothing for my hair.

Zeus brought along his best friend, Harvey. He's the white one.
 

Yes, I know how to pose for pictures. And, no, I was not ready for my close up.

Nothing beats rolling in dirt after swimming. Nothing.

That's me and my mom. I think she's obsessed with me... but I don't mind it.

*Licks* Lupa