Dog Days of Summer

Things have been fairly hectic around the house lately...and largely due to this:




And you are probably thinking, poor Bumble, that is absolutely pathetic! I felt the same way, UNTIL she came running at me every day- ramming the plastic into my legs, or shutting and locking herself in rooms, or stepping on the cat because she can't see her feet, or shaking repeatedly during the night because she wants it off.

So, you should really feel sorry for me (cat and the hubby). Honestly, we have been suffering with Bumble for the past 2.5 weeks! Hopefully she only has to wear the dreaded "cone" for another 1.5 weeks. Fingers, toes, and paws crossed!

Pets- good for your health

I tend to blog frequently about my dog, Bumble. She really is that wonderful, and more importantly a member of the family.

Quick walk down memory lane...

Freshmen year of high school, our black lab had just suddenly passed away. My twin sis and I wanted another puppy, and Dawn specifically requested an Australian Shepherd. So, after looking in the local paper, we found a litter that was a few months old in North Lakeland. One afternoon, my Dad took us to the house to check out the little fluffy pups. It was love at first sight for Bumble and I. She was tan, fluffy, spunky and had beautiful green eyes! I picked her up and insisted that she was the best puppy in the bunch. Of course, Dawn picked up another puppy, she was white with tan spots. She thought Bee was the best puppy and it became apparent that neither of us wanted the other pup, and making the decision between one of them was going to be impossible.

So, you guessed it, we ended up driving home with 2 puppies in the truck, and two happy gals. It was a rocky start with Bumble, she was very spunky in her young age, and very moody sometimes- she did not being told No.

We stuck out the Bumble adolescent years, and soon I was leaving for college at UF. My first apartment would not allow dogs, so I sadly had to leave Bumble at home with my Mom. It was hard being away from her, but I visited on weekends and holidays. I could tell that she really missed me though, emotionally it took it's toll on Bumble.

After graduating with my BS and MS from UF, Mom said, "It's time for you to take your dog up to Gainesville." I agreed, and in August 2005, I made the trip south, picked up my dog, and brought her to my apartment in Gainesville.

She just celebrated her 12th birthday in December, and is still going strong. Bumble often visits with her sister, Bee, and absolutely adores her Dad (as evidenced in previous posts)! I can't imagine life without her around, and love coming home to a happy dog, frantic to finally see me, and proudly displaying her bone.

I follow a pet photographer's blog, and today she posted a great article on the health benefits of owning a pet. I fully agree- Bumble makes my life better (and my cat too), and I bet my husband would also agree. He loves that dog so much.

Check out the article: http://www.erinvey.com/bark/bonding/

I know we will always have a pet in the house, and I want to adopt the next one...

"It must be Summertime"

Last week was Spring Break at UF, and I took some much needed vacation days the later part of the week to hang out with the husband and in general just get things done around the house. Prioritized at the top of my to-do list: shave the dog.

Yes, poor Bumble, but all that fur just had to go. She did manage to get some sympathy from a random guy soliciting in the neighborhood...I told him, "don't worry, I am only shaving her fur, it will grow back, and she will thank me later."

My next-door neighbor, however, fully appreciated my efforts and said, "Well, it must be summertime! We do the same thing to our dogs." He, at least understood that I was at my wits end with the constant shedding and tumbleweeds of fur in the house.

It took almost 2 hours...and a lot of patience....



That is a Publix bag FULL of Bumble fur...



To add insult to injury, I bathed her right after I was done with the clippers. She hates water and especially hates getting a bath. But, it was much needed....here she is, right after her bath, rolling around on the floor.



And another supporting factor to the new, bald Bumble- her fur is extremely electrostatic. Not only does she shed, A LOT, her hair sticks to you, and won't just brush off. It is super annoying. I looked this morning, and there is even dog hair stuck to my chair at work! I carry them in with me in the morning. Crazy. At least I know that Bumble is always with me...no matter what.

A few final shots, later that evening, all dry and looking fabulous!





Note: My husband requested the lion tail, he insists that leaving her long hair on her tail would continue the shedding problem. I don't think she is impressed with her new look.

Yes, it is definitely summertime...and my hair free, carefree dog is proof of that! :)

Complete Bliss

A man and his dog....these two are inseparable, literally. He was gone for about 24 hours this past weekend, and needless to say, Bumble was very sad and insisted on cuddling once he returned.

A quick review of her signs of dismay at his packed bags and departure:

She watched him pack the overnight bag...thought maybe if I am good he will say the magic words, "want to go for a ride in the car."

Hmmmmm, it doesn't look good. Mommy is still here, she is not packing. He is going to leave without me (her tail has now stopped wagging, she lays down near the front door, sad face on and in full effect pout mode).

OK, he left. But, maybe if I lay by the front door, and stare at it, he will come back. PLEASE....dad....come back.

It is my bedtime, still no dad, guess I will go lay down in the bedroom.

OH, do I hear a car....(runs out into the living room and presses her nose to the front door, head cocked).....is he home. Gosh I hope he is home....hmmmmm, nope, I don't hear a car door. Must have been a false alarm.

SIGH....Mom is boring, guess I will go back and lay down in the bedroom.

And repeat that a few times until I went to bed Saturday night. She did cuddle with me on the bed, but I know she was secretly wishing dad was home. What can I say...she is a daddy's girl!






They looked so happy and peaceful...I just had to snap a few pictures. I can happily report that Bumble was chewing her bone Sunday once dad returned....life is perfect once again.

Picture Perfect

As you may have noticed from my new blog header picture...the family photo shoot pictures are ready!

Dawn posted them on her blog...so go check them out!

http://www.dawnmckinstry.com/blog/2009/02/bumble/

Kudos to Dawn McKinstry Photography for another fun photo session, and the talent to capture such amazingly fresh and beautiful images of my family.