A lot of this n' that

Ups and downs in Emberville.  Weather has been mostly hot and humid.  This photo was taken in the angled morning light, and it downright looks as humid as it feels.

Ember was off to day care Thursday morning, and I was off to my own workout with the trainer.  He's on vacation next week, when we'll have the holiday.  Grandchildren, funny how they land high on anyone's priority list!

It's deck weather, i.e. Summer!  Ember curls up on a deck chair during "last call" before tucking in to bed Thursday evening.

Friday was cool in the morning so we got a leash walk in before it got Summer-hot.  We've had a couple of accidents where Ember has chosen to drop a plop in the basement, rather than go outside.  Yikes!  I had been thinking she might be ill, or going at daycare, but no!  So, cleaned up after discovery, and reiterated training message of not here, outside.  I don't care if it's hot or raining... outside!

Friday afternoon I took leave of my senses and volunteered to host Carl on Saturday.  Why?  Because his people are planning a lake with inflatables outing at a state park, and dogs are not allowed on that part of the beach/lakefront.  Carl would not be happy leashed on shore, and it seemed like too many moving parts to the plan, which includes the foster kiddo and a friend, and the other grandparents, so... puppy pool in my backyard is a better choice for Carl than being in his kennel at home the whole time.  

Photoshoot Saturday, amid a whole lot of wiggles and waggles

You may remember that Ember chewed up two puppy pools last Summer.  This is a new puppy pool, big enough to fit two dogs.  I waited until about 1 p.m. to bring it out and fill it up.  We had a lot of dog greeting energy to wear off first.

Two pups sharing a bone.  Sometimes it amazes me how well they get along!  I can't take a picture at the same time as I'm giving hand signals to the pups, but I did manage a couple of "two puppies sit" and one "two puppies down" positions, for which they got synchronized treats.

Synchronized chilling, canine style.  I tried splitting the x-pen into two compartments.  This experiment lasted about five minutes before they figured out the divider wasn't attached and could just be pushed aside.  Once they were in one big pen together, they played nicely, and in this particular rest period, curled up and napped nicely.

 

Out on the deck, Carl takes his Doberman guard dog heritage very seriously (he's a dobie / GSP mix).  When you look at the two dogs, side by side, you can definitely see the breed differences.  Carl is tall and lanky; Ember is all lab, shorter and stockier.  The tails are different, the snouts are different, the eyes are different.  But still people will ask if they are related.  Only by human, friends, only by human. 

I told Carl it was his job to terrorize the squirrels.  But the squirrels made themselves scarce.  They know a serious chaser when they see one.  Ember doesn't bark at them.  Carl not only barks.  He chases them up whatever they can climb.

By the way, it was 90F out there.  So the chilling inside was partly cool down.  They kept me busily refilling water bowls and opening and closing the door all day long.  But they graced my life for the day.

Meantime, the kids were out on the floating playground.

This was at a nearby state recreation area.  It's set up like the Japanese TV show "Wipe Out" which I find unwatchable!  Definitely not my jam, but the foster grand kiddo and his friend that they took with had a great time.  When my son came to pick up Carl, he remarked that he will be feeling it on Sunday!

Turns out with the number of kids that they let on at once, there's no way an adult is going to make it through the course.  Son gave up and spent his time on course as an impromptu lifeguard, fishing kids out of the water and getting them back on course.  Muscle man used every last one.

I would say the whole family had an active day, be it me with the canines, or them out in the water!  And I know I made the right choice for me.

Life is good.  Keep on Sparking!