Where Do You Start?

That's a song, by the way. By Alan and Marilyn Bergman. Now you know.

Annnyway... Where do I start? Let's see.... it all starts with Shady. Shadykins, Shadybear, Shadybeast. We can't help it. We love her. Even Shadow loves her. I know. Crazy! She's learning to be a good girl. She actually will sit, lay down, and stay. Unless she sees Katie, then all's lost. She's growing up. (and growing and growing and growing). She's only 6 months old, but is bigger in size and weight than Shadow. Part Lab, part horse? She was the great Pupkin for Halloween. With the trainer's help, we got her costume on for about 10 minutes. Shadow's skeleton costume lasted even less time, because Shady kept attacking her to rip it off. (sigh).

Let's see... what else. Ah. We took Doug up to BYU. He's got a great place and great roommates, but give him a Diet Coke with a straw, and he's truly happy wherever he is.

Annnnd... we redid the entire house pretty much. Paint, molding, baseboards, lights in and out, bathroom fixtures, furniture, garage... let's just say everything but the floors. Welcome to my nightmare.

Things are just about back to normal, and it looks great. We had plans drawn up for a pool. It's going to be so groovy. Next year!

Did you want to see Cute?

Here it is!I'd forgotten how little Shady was! Seeing these pictures from Diane and Dave's visit a few weeks ago, it's hard to believe she could possibly have been anything other than perfect.Except for here... where she's biting Dave's arm...

Today. (so far).

Today was a big day for Shady....

9:00: Shady gets to go for errands in the car.
9:10: Jack-in-the-Box gives Diet Cokes and dog treats!
9:15: Driving with Shady in the car is a piece of cake.
9:20: Game Stop doesn't open until 10:00.
9:30: Shady is learning to "hold it".
9:32: Chick-fil-A gives chicken nuggets and dog treats!
9:40: Petco's pet gates are too expensive.
9:45: Shady vomits dog treats (and residual breakfast) all over Doug and the backseat of the car.
9:50: Doug is now driving.
10:00: Game Stop opens.
10:15: Shady arrives home and pees outside.
10:20: Shady wants a treat for her efforts.
10:25: Shady helps Maria pick up chew toys off the floor so she can vacuum. Again. And again.
10:30: Shady is afraid of the vacuum.
10:35: Shady takes a nap on Mommy's bed.
10:36: Mommy runs to Walmart for baby gates #4 and #5 to block off the stairs and dining room, 5 big bouncy balls for backyard play, and 4 more boxes of dog treats.
12:00: Shady wakes up, pees outside (yay!), and wants a dog treat.
12:02: Shady and Shadow wrestle, play, discover the 5 balls, and Shadow accidentally pops one.
12:05 - 2:50: Shady eats, pees and poops outside, gets 2 dog treats, climbs all over Shadow, chews the underside of Mommy's favorite living room chair, discovers she likes bananas, plays fetch, involuntarily practices her sits, stays, comes, and heels for 2 minutes...until she fakes dead.
3:00: Shady sleeps....
3:01: Mommy fakes dead.

Little Labs

Doggonit

Shady has learned how to jump over her pen, open a second gait, and climb the stairs.
All in one day.

And Shadow helped her.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Emlin,

It was me. I did it. I was the one who broke your Agapanthus in half when I was a kid. I'm super sorry. They say karma comes back around to bite you. And they were right.

Most sincerely,
Me

Chasing Shadows in the Shady Summertime

Labs love the water, so we got Shadow and Shady a pool.

Swimming has been a fun daily activity.

Until Shady peed in the pool.

Now she's grounded.

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Hanging out...

Hanging out on Shadow.

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Eating mulch.

Two together.

On the prowl.

Discovering stuff.

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Wiped out.
Still wiped out.
Completely out.

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