Seriously?

uh, merry christmas, everyone...

Snowy evening dog

Dust up

The human and I went to Bronte for a walk today, and met up with Auntie Diane and Levi.

Levi and I get along well. He's still finding his way, sometimes he growls at me - I just let it go. He doesn't really mean anything by it.

This morning was another story.

Diane held my leash while the human walked away from me toward a garbage can. I watched intently. She turned to come back to me - thank god!!!!!! - and I ran toward her.

Levi decided to join me.

When we reached my human, we both happily greeted her (after all, she had been gone for about 5 seconds!).

Then he growled at me.

When it comes to MY human, no way I will let that go.

I gave it back to him. It escalated. Auntie Diane was so calm - she said to my human, just let her do it - he needs it.

They let us work it out.

There was plenty of growling and teeth baring, and I puffed up as big as I could.

And then, he backed down. He got lower than me. And he licked at my mouth.

He gave in.

Message received.

So we continued on our merry way!

Time to rest

Went for a hike yesterday and when we came up on this huge pile of leaves at the end of our walk. Seemed to be a perfect resting spot so I plopped down and worked the air with my Super Nose while resting my old hips.

Puppy stick run

I was a puppy at Burns Lake on Saturday! I ran, grabbed sticks and just frolicked with joy!!!!

Morning Coffee

I love starting my mornings this way. A good walk, sniff and a bark, coffee and then - a nap.

Seriously, by this point, I've been up for an hour.

Rest is required!

Things that happen when you get old

I suffer fools even less.

Taking breaks on walks is super fun; it's good to plop down whenever the urge strikes and sniff the air for awhile.

Speaking of sniffing, I love to smell everything now.

My joints and my back hurt.

Routine? It was always important to me. But now...it's everything.

Family get togethers are fun for about ten minutes. Then it's way too much and I prefer to curl up on a dog bed away from the madness and rest.

I fart more.

Bunnies have a much higher survival rate around me, since they are too small for my once laser vision to make out from much of a distance.

Conversely, I cannot see large moving items as well so baby strollers, wheel barrows and occasionally humans must sometimes endure a fierce German shepherd fear bark.

When I forget my age and take off chasing something, I pay for it later.

My friends have started leaving me. Riley, Bristol, Cosie - I hope you're having fun wherever you are, and will see you when my time is here.

Food remains a complete and utter joy, even when you're old.

I go to the vet more.

The human gazes at me more, and pets me more. Ugh.

Which means I get treats at the vet more.

I still look scary when sitting up in the car with my human, and can still scare off men with road rage who get out of their cars and walk up to my human's window (that's right, did it, and it was SO much fun!!!!)

Really, life is about food, stability, quiet exercise, and being with my human and the pack members I love in this world.