Golf anyone?

Sassy and Alley aren't allowed on the golf course, or as Sassy calls it the really big bathroom. I don't think they mind. They probably wouldn't do very well. You know, since they have no thumbs with which to grip the clubs. But just because they can't play the game, doesn't mean they can't look like they do. These outfits would certainly fetch a birdie.

Stylish pups

To celebrate Fourth of July, Sassy and Alley got new outfits. These adorable little bandannas were only $1 each at Target on July 2. Don't forget to look in those $1 bins at the store.

Sassy requests help

Dear Readers,

I have been forced to endure an awful procedure in the name of vanity.

Yesterday my mom held me down against the floor while my dad used a new gadget called PediPaws to file my nails.

Sure, I'll admit that my nails were a bit long, but I was enjoying hearing them click-clack against the faux-wood floor.

This so-called grooming was humiliating. I cried my objections to my parents, but they ignored me. I tried to wiggle away, but my mom wouldn't budge.

The noise of the filing tool scared me and being that close to my parents was simply unpleasant. At my age, I prefer to show people affection on my own terms. I'm also not particularly fond of having my paws held.

I am writing this with the hope that someone will be able to talk my parents out of using this awful gadget in the future.

Your friend,

Sassy

P.S. Alley also had her nails filed. She says she won't be joining the PediPaws fan club anytime soon.

Sassy: No more rain, please

It's been raining in Columbus forever. Well, at least all of Memorial weekend was stormy and gloomy. We need some sun, stat! Everyone is a bit depressed. Even Sassy is tired of napping inside. She dreaming of the day she gets to fall asleep with the hot sun beating down on her sweet little self.

Mommy, I need that pillow

Alley always find a comfortable spot to sleep. Here she is on one of her favorite couches at Anne and Luke's house. No one has ever told Alley that dogs are supposed to sleep on the floor.

The dogs love spring

Spring evenings are warm and relaxing (especially after a glass or two of wine). It's not consistently warm enough for bugs to be out yet, but it's warm enough for people (and dogs) to be out. Jeff, Sassy, Alley and I spent some quality family time together on the deck Friday night. I had to snap a few photos of the dogs enjoying their first warm spring night.

Missing culprits

When Jeff and I arrived home from work tonight, we were greeted by a pile of crumbs. These smashed bits were spotted near a plastic potato-chip bag with a large hole in the corner. Oh yeah, and next to the empty bag were two guilty looking dogs. The moment I looked down at the mess on the floor, Sassy and Alley sprinted out of the room.

Why is it that dogs try to hide when they realize their humans have noticed their bad actions? Do they think if they hide for a couple of minutes that we silly old humans will simply forget that dogs live in the home? Perhaps we'll assume a stranger broke into the house and made a mess.

I'm not THAT thirsty

We used to walk along a particular path near the mountains with Sassy several times a week when we lived in California.

She loved the walks. The sun shining down on her back, making her fur hot to the touch. The variety of flowers to sniff. Chasing tumbleweeds up and down hills, sometimes sans leash. What's a dog not to love?

Well if your name is Sassy and you have a particular dislike of metal, you would find a certain water bowl unacceptable. Along the path, a stainless steal water dish sat at each water station beside the human fountain. Sassy would collapse next to the fountain, panting like crazy and wiggling in the dirt to find a "cool spot." But she would NOT drink from that water dish. It didn't matter how thirsty she might be. Stainless steal and Sassy's precious dog face were never going to meet.

Apparently, Sassy wasn't alone in her disdain for stainless steal. When Jeff I visited California a couple of weeks ago, we noticed the dog dishes along the path had been flattened. No dogs will be drinking out of them now. Sassy seemed pleased when I showed her the picture.

Welcome home — from the dogs

Jeff and I left Sassy and Alley in Atlanta (with Anne, Luke and Kapono) for a week. Jeff and I went to Palm Springs for a friend's wedding and then to Oregon to visit Karly, Jose and baby Sam!

One (of many) great things about being a dog parent is that you're never sad to go home at the end of your vacation. You know that you'll be greeting with joyous tail wagging and cuddling upon your return.

Dogs really know how to make you feel loved.

Alley's first snow

Today Alley saw her first snow. She was very uncertain at first. She doesn't like to get her paws wet and she kept trying to shake off the snow that was falling on her back. Kapono (Anne's dog) has experienced snow a couple of times. He loves the stuff. Sassy has seen and played in many snowfalls, but it's been 10 years since the last one. She was confused at first, but she quickly regained her memory and enjoyed the flurries.


What is this stuff?


Mom, this white stuff is cold.


Alley just wants to go back in the warm, dry house and sleep on the couch.



Alley chooses to stay on the dry side of the deck.


Sassy is an old pro at dealing with snow.


Kapono just needs a playmate.


Not able to convince the girls to play with him, Kapono decides to play in the bushes.


I know Alley will like the snow if she just gives it a try.


Sassy's little paws sink into the wet snow.


Kapono finally convinces the girls to play.


Uh-oh kissin' cousins.

Sassy loves "American Idol" nights

During "Idol" season, my friend and co-worker Sonya comes to my house to blog during the show. Sassy and Alley love Sonya and look forward to her visits. I know what you're thinking — those dogs bark at strangers. But since "Idol" lasts about 55 weeks a year, Sonya is hardly a stranger.

Sassy knows it's "Idol" night when I turn on the porch light and unlock the door. She patiently lies down by the front door and waits for Sonya. Here she is...

Mardi Gras at Beaver Court

Jeff and I celebrated Mardi Gras by watching President Barack Obama deliver his recovery plan message to the nation. Sassy and Alley had other things in mind. I'm not sure what they did to "earn" these beads. I asked, but the only answer I received was a pant and a whine.

Time for toys

Sassy loves to play tug-of-war. She'll grab a toy and hold one end tight while trying to lure Jeff or me to grab the other end. Alley only likes to play tug-of-war with Sassy. Alley seems confused when a human tries to play with her toys. It's funny because Alley is certainly the more cuddly dog. I guess Sassy is the more playful. Here are a couple of photos that demonstrate their personalities.

An unusual bar guest

When I feel guilty leaving Sassy and Alley at home while Jeff and I go out, I explain that I would take them with me if I could. I tell them that dogs just aren't allowed in bars and restaurants.

Unfortunately, it looks like there's a German Shepard out there who wants to make a liar out of me. This dog was at the bar Saturday night. Don't tell Sassy and Alley, they'll be very jealous. All they do is wait at home by the phone.

A new friend in dog world

Sassy and Alley got to meet a new puppy this week. Oscar, who will likely weigh in at 80 pounds when he's done growing, is an adorably awkward little Boxer mix. His people parents brought him over to my sister's apartment for a play date on New Year's Eve.

Alley was immediately friendly to this new face, as was Anne's dog Kapono. Sassy took a bit longer. As soon as Oscar's little face appeared in the front hall, Sassy started barking. A very mean, I-want-to-bite-you sort of barking.

My sweet Sassy, who won't utter a growl when kids pull her tail and ears, is the alpha female of her dog world. Any new dog introduced to her pack must not threaten her top- dog status.

Worried that Sassy might attack Oscar, who just wanted to play, Jeff and I held her back and used the furniture to keep the two dogs separated.

I tried explaining things to her. "Sassy, we don't bark and growl at our guests."

I imagine if Sassy could speak people language she would say, "Mom, this is not people world, this is dog world. That's exactly how we greet our guests. How else will establish our pack order?"

We eventually had to release Sassy, of course. She snapped at Oscar, which didn't seem to surprise him. She didn't bite, and Oscar must have communicated his lack of desire to be top dog because everyone (well, every dog) happily sniffed butts and shared toys for the rest of night.

I guess I learned a little about dog world this week.