Friends and Accomplishments

Happy End of 2013!

As today draws to a close, I thought I'd reflect on my accomplishments in 2013. Here is my list:

1. Chased a BAZILLION squirrels and rabbits.
2. Hung out with my BFFs more.
3. Saw Grandma, Grandpa, and Giant frequently.
4. Went to Brianne's house for FUN!
5. Learned "shake" and "leave it." I'm so smart!
6. Went to Camp Pawprint & met lots of KIDS!!! They gave me TREATS!!! I LOVE THEM!!!
7. I pestered Cymry enough that she gave me her toy. YES!
8. I met new friends through "running group."
9. Went snowshoeing with Mom & Dad!
10. Completed an official 16K.
11. Got to go to Dogtoberfest with Mom!

Ok, I probably should stop there - I feel like I missed a bunch of things, though. Mom would probably add that I "started to mature." Ha! What does SHE know? :)

Per my previous posts, you know I've had quite the exciting month. Well, it continues! I got to stay with some of my best friends again this week. My Mom & Dad take care of two fun dogs, Kaepo & Maya, multiple times a year, and us dogs have really bonded. Well, all of us but Cymry (OF COURSE!). Again, Cymry doesn't like anyone (BORING!). Anywho, we had a great time playing in the fenced yard, chasing wildlife and jumping in snow!

Here is a photo of Kaepo and me:

Aren't we the cutest? We are sitting pretty nicely, too. Mom didn't even have to use a treat. We happily sat for this photo! Then, we got to go play!

I hope you get to do lots of fun things tonight to celebrate the end of 2013! I'm about to snuggle up with Mom & Dad...couldn't convince them to take me out for hours in the below-zero temps tonight (boooooooooooo!), though. Bye!

**JIS**

Celebrations!!!

Hi again!

Oh man, it got SOOOO cold outside today. Mom is such a trooper - we went for a run and everything! Of course, my old sis, Cymry, didn't go - her paws got too cold. Whatever! (Could she get any older?!)

So...we celebrate Christmas in our family, and this year, it was pretty awesome. For starters, we got to go spend a few days at Grandma & Grandpa's, which is ALWAYS SUPER FUN!!! I mean, we get to run around outside (OFF-leash!), people feed us random yummy treats, and we get lots of snuggles. I even claimed one of the couches as my very own!

What made this year even more special, though? Meeting our new doggy family member!!! His name is Gage, and he is about 5 years old. And, guess what? He's a HUSKY, too!!! He lives with my Aunt Kara and Uncle Zach, but I get to see him when we visit. Here's a video of us playing:

Aren't we just the best of friends? OF COURSE, Cymry doesn't like him, but she doesn't like ANYONE. Boring ol' lady. Ugh, she can really ruin a fun playtime. But, I still love her - I love everyone!

Well, I just wanted to share this with you. I'm so excited for tomorrow - it's the end of 2013!! I am just super thrilled to see what 2014 brings me! Hopefully, it'll be more of my favorites, like snow, squirrels, Mom & Dad, Grandpa & Grandma, Giant, Brianne, Gage....(...drifted off into space...).

**JIS**

So...much...SNOW!

Why hello there!

Sorry I haven't written in awhile - I've been VERY busy with doggy guests, learning at doggy class, and SNOW!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, that's right, SNOW. Have I told you how much I love living in Wisconsin? Well, I do. I love it so much, especially this time of year. I just can't get enough of playing in snow - Mom taught me that word last winter. I didn't know there was a special WORD for it! Just super fun. My favorite thing to do is jump into the snow, and then start sliding around. It's best if you can bury your head into the snow first. Really makes it a different experience. I could play in the snow for HOURS...ok, who am I kidding? DAYS!!!

Here is a video of me enjoying our first big snowfall:

Doesn't it look FUN?!?!?!?!?! I just don't understand when other doggies don't enjoy the snow. Sometimes, my big sis, Cymry, starts picking up her paws, as if it's cold or something. So strange! Mom takes real good care of her paws, though, and she recommends other humans help out their doggies, too! In the wintertime, she says it's important to put coats & booties on shorter-haired dogs (and some long-haired!), and also to wash and dry off paws upon getting back inside. Something called "salt" is on the sidewalks a lot this time of year, and it can really hurt our sensitive paws! Well, everyone's but mine. I'm pretty hardcore.

Oh boy, Mom is sending me outside to play! Gotta run!!! I'll write more later...so much happens this time of year!

**JIS**

Work With Mom

Oh boy! Today has been so much FUN! I know, I know, I say that a lot. But, today really was fun! Breakfast was yummy, and then Mom had us get in the CAR!

This is what the car usually means:
1. Being outside seeing lots of wildlife
2. Seeing Brianne (my favorite person in the whole wide world...after Mom & Dad, of course)
3. Being with Mom at "work"
4. Playing with other doggy friends

Seeing that list, you can imagine why I might be a tad excited, right? I mean, just #1 and #2 are enough.

Well, guess what? I did ALL OF THEM. Holy moly, best day ever. We got to "work," and I got to see another of my favorite people, Nicole, who usually has one of my doggy friends, Dublin. Then, I bugged Mom for some pets:

She complied, of course. When you request attention, you should be this polite. I lightly rested my head on her leg, and she looked so pleased as she talked to me. Love making my human happy! You could also Sit for attention. Sometimes, Mom is standing or sitting near me, and I just get the urge for some lovin'. I put my front two paws up on her, and she ignores me! At first, I didn't get it. Eventually, though, I stepped down, and after a few moments of confusion, I tried a Sit (I had been learning a lot about Sits in doggy class!). Mom immediately starting talking excitedly to me and offering pets. WOW!!! Jackpot!!!

Anywho, shortly after I took a nap, BRIANNE showed up!!!! After chatting with Mom, they put my leash on and loaded me up in Brianne's car. Oh boy! I've really gotten lucky today!

Oh, gotta run! About to go play with my best friends...later!

**JIS**

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

I got to spend a week with some friends this Thanksgiving, and BOY, did we have a great time! On Thanksgiving, Mom and Dad made a BIG meal...it smelled SO GOOD!!!!

Here is a photo of me sneaking some yummy turkey:

Ok, I shouldn't say "sneaking." Clearly, Dad is offering me this treat. You know what he asked me to do before that? Sit! Mom and Dad always ask me to offer something before I get what I want. Smart humans!

Cymry decided to make a list of what she is thankful for this year, so I figured I'd do the same. Here is my list:
1. SQUIRRELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. Mom, Dad, & Cymry
3. The cats (they can be mean!)
4. TURKEY!!!
5. RUNNING!!!
6. SNOW!!!

I feel like I'm getting off-track. Oh gosh, I had such a fun time running around in the snow with my buddies this week!

Whoops, gotta go! Mom is calling me for doggy class!

**JIS**