Sepia Saturday: The Water Girl

Good Morning, Fans!

Welcome to my first Sepia Saturday. Woo hoo!  Small Boss likes to photo edit, so this is right up her alley! :) 

A special thank you to Bosses' friend for shooting this picture.  I guess when I pull Small Boss down a rock hill and break her nice camera lens, it's hard for her to take cool pictures like this.  Who knew?  Bosses' friend is a great photographer, anyhow, and I love it when she shares pictures with me!  So thank you, M! 

Here I am!  Check out that water- I love it soooo much!

Missed it by thaaaaat much.  Oh well, I love when the water hits my face, anyways!  It felt so nice!

Do you like getting in the water, too?  We're running out of time in MN, it's chilly!  Have a wonderful Saturday, and have fun out there!

I'm off to my football tailgate, chow!

- See more at: http://www.ruckustheeskie.com/p/blog-hops.html#sthash.kcBuw0h2.dpuf

FitDog Friday: Mental Stimulation

Hiya, Everyone!

Well, Boss has been up to lots of blog hops this week- I hope everyone has been thoroughly enjoying all of them thusfar!  A big thank you to everyone I've met so far this week- you are all so fantastic.  It's great to meet you all!

Today's thoughts are my first FitDog Friday!  Boss got her college degree in Human Performance/Exercise Science/Kinesiology and Health, so this is right up her alley, at least for the humans!

Run, run, run...as FAST as you can!

Boss has learned that raising a puppy is no chore.  Puppies need a LOT of exercise, especially as they grow.  Exercise keeps them physically healthy, happy, and mentally healthy.  After a dog stimulates their mind and body, they are much less likely to get into devious trouble- or at least that has what Boss has found with me so far.  Boss has fostered 1 other puppy, as well as raise me, and will be fostering a 13-week-old puppy in 2 weeks.  What has been similar with all of us?  Staying busy and happy.

My braided rope tug toy.  I love it!

Boss will be honest, she doesn't take me for a walk every single day.  She feels a bit guilty about this.  Sometimes, though, I get exercise in a different way.  We play fetch in the yard, or play a game of "Chase Boss", or we go to the dog park and get the hiking/running/socializing out.  During physical exercise, of course my mind and body are both busy!  It's great!  Some of those days, though, Bosses are tired from work or have commitments where they can't slip physical activity in, Bosses have to get clever.

I need to keep my mind busy, right?

So, what are some of the ideas Bosses have come up with so far to keep me busy (hint: Bosses really prefer I don't stay busy by ripping up the stairs anymore)?  Here are a few:

• Hiding treats around a room.  Well, let's be honest here- Bosses would hide treats around the house, but I am so easily distracted and don't get the whole determination thing yet, so we'd just have old treats hanging around the house.  One room is all we can handle right now.  My personal favorite is ice cubes!
• Treat-dispensing toys.  Bosses have bought me a few different types of treat dispensing things, and they seem to keep me busy.  Balls with holes in the center for smaller treats, a big treat dispenser with goodies, or even a fabric "maze" game with the stuffies taken out from the middle and stuffed with ice cubes.  I looooove ice cubes.
• Honestly, the kitties and I interact and keep each other...busy.  Allie usually stays out of it, since she is a pretty mellow gal, but Thor and I play chase.  He is usually the instigator, getting me all excited and then bolting off.  He gives me mixed signals, because then he growls at me when I actually get to him, but I like it anyway. ;-)
• Chewing toys.  I love to chew everything.  It's not over-exaggerating when I mention that, because I have probably chewed on almost everything.  Bosses like to take me to the local pet store (again, the outing keeps me busy), and I get to pick out something to chew on whenever I am out of food.  I usually pick one of those cow-hoof things, because not only does it take me forever to demolish, it smells SO good.  Boss thinks it smells like a horribly bad piece of bacon (she even likes bacon!), but I think it smells glorious.  Mmm mmm mmm!

Why did Bosses have to get so innovative?  Ha.  Let me tell you why! (Boss laughs just remembering the Cabin Fever we had last winter!!!)

Playing fetch when it was a balmy 20F out last winter.

Last year, I was a tiny little puppy during what was considered a horrible, never-ending winter up here in Minne"snow"ta.  Holy cow, it was brutal.  Temperatures were at -40F, and that barely counted the windchill.  Sometimes, we had windchill/temp readings up to -60F.  Needless to say, we ALL were cooped up.  Bosses and myself.  Boss had to come up with ways to keep me busy during those long, frigid days.  So this is where all the mental stimulation comes into fruition.  At least we're prepared in case it happens again!

I LOVE my floating bumper toy- I can't break it!!!

When it is too cold to play outside, Bosses and some volunteers/friends from RAGOM get together and plan playgroups for us as well.  I got invited to my foster sister's birthday party at an indoor doggy play area last winter.  It was sooooo much fun!  Here's a snapshot of my momma and I getting a picture together- I love when I get to see her!  The weekends are usually for wearing myself out with play and physical activity, and the weekdays are my chance to get my brain working and stay sharp.

Carrying sticks to my "nest" is also a personal hobby.

This weekend, I plan on completely wearing myself out- it's football weekend again, and that means more tailgating and play time with friends!  I cannot WAIT!

What are some ways you keep yourselves fit, mentally active and healthy?  Any fun plans for the weekend? Give me some ideas!

Chow!

Monday Mischief: The First #mondaymischief

Hey There, Readers!

I am back from my Southern Minnesota camping adventure, and boy, am I tired!  But just perky enough to write my first Monday Mischief blog hop post.  How exciting is that?!

Well, the Bosses just love when I get into mischief- well, the innocent and non-destructive kind.  Let's be honest- and don't tell Bosses this- but I think they get into plenty of mischief themselves.  But shhh, you didn't hear that from me.

Licking my chops before my mischief.

Moving on.  My latest mischief "mishap" has been the carpeted-stairs (or lack of) in the house.  I got a little lonely and bored a few weeks ago, and went to town on Bosses' staircase.  And by go to town, I mean I ripped up (and shredded) two stairs worth of the carpet and the padding.  Bosses are not thrilled.  But I think they're devising a plan to fix this lack of comfy sitting/walking spaces.  Can I be completely honest?  I don't mean to point fingers here, but I'm pretty sure that Thor and Allie started the whole "demolition" process.  They like to scratch their claws all over the edges of the stairs, and while they may not physically take the carpet off the stairs, the areas that they touch do look super fuzzy and different.  So, I took their "artwork" and made it into a "masterpiece".

This meanie framed me!!!  I'm in trouble, and he's taking a nap!

Voila!

My latest "mischief". Red handed.

...Bosses didn't like my artwork, either.  Drat.

Well, I'm back to my post-crazy-weekend nap.  Tune in tomorrow for my first Adventure Dog post about last weekend's camping trip!  This one is a doozy!

Chow!

Sleepy Sunday: Always Tired

I'm going to make this short and sweet today, since I am, after all, out of town still, and won't be back until later this afternoon.

But let's be real, I'm going to be sleeping the moment I hit my spot in the car until at least Monday.

So, I'll give you a few pictures from this past week, and leave you with that.

I made it snow inside again!

Oh. Small Boss caught me on tape.

Oh well! I'll play with my new fleece toy!

I love to smile! :-)

Chow!

Skillful Saturday: Boss is Crafty

Heya, Blog Readers!

Well, it has been a very vacant weekendaround here at the Ranch, and I thought I was proud of my Boss' new little gift to me, in honor of being "Dog of the Day" this past Thursday.

Boss made this!

She made me a little leash hook to hang all my goodies on!

No more taking ALL that extra time finding that leash- it feels like an eternity when they can't find it! Now, it can hang right next to the door.  Insta-walk!

Boss, you should center this better.

Boss is a very crafty person, and when she saw those cute little doggy-butt hooks at IKEA, she thought of me and got to work.

Boss couldn't decide if she liked the glossy or matte.

Do you or your Bosses like to get crafty?  Show me some of your craft projects!  Boss is always up for new ideas!

Voila!  There's my leash!

Chow!

Freedom Friday: Camping Edition

Sayonara, Blogging World!

I am going on vacation for the weekend to Southern Minnesota for my first ever fall camping trip!  Oh boy.  This is going to be so much fun!  So, I've left my "roost" to the squirrel kitties: Thor and Allie.  Not sure if I trust these two to do my job.  They're either sleeping or causing trouble.  They're a cute duo, though.

My siblings Thor (on left) and Allie (on right)

Allie puts up with me...aren't we cute together?

While I'm gone, I plan to:

• Sleep in a tent. Bosses let me try sleeping in their backpacking tent.  Once.  They let me sleep in the car after that (as long as the weather permits safe car-sleeping).  There was a thunderstorm in the middle of the night during our first camping trip this summer, and I tried to jump out of the tent...through the mosquito netting.  I may or may not have put a small hole in the tent.  Big Boss wasn't too thrilled, but he fixed it.  Whew.  So...they're borrowing a 4-person tent from GrandBoss, hoping that I will want to comply with the tent this weekend.  Thank goodness they always make the car extra comfy for me just in case!
• Sit next to the bonfire and NOT singe my tail fur! Minnesota has not been known to be very warm in the fall months, but this weekend seems like it will be rather temperate.  Highs in the low 70's, lows for overnights around 55-60, but also involves a lot of rain/thunderstorms.  I guess I can't complain...that's one way to immerse myself with water!  It's just like a huge sprinkler, right?  I LOVE sprinklers.  Anywho, I have proved myself able to be around a firepit at my past few bonfires, and Bosses trust me.  I like to stay warm that way, and plus, all the Bosses are there, and therefore, all the petting hands are there as well.  I will definitely stay there for that.
• Try to find some water to fully immerse myself into.  From the name of the state park we are going to, it doesn't sound like there is much water.  Like...you know....sometimes they pick campsites with "Cascade Falls" or "Lighthouse" or "Gooseberry Falls" or "Moose Lake".....ALL HAVE TO DO WITH WATER.  What are these bosses thinking?!  A Mystery Cave?! A Forestville?!  Where's the water, Bosses?  I really need to know.
• Eat some good camping grub. Bosses like to pack me lots of "camping snacks", just to make sure I'm a good puppy.  Like, when I don't bark at the people walking past our campsite, I get something yummy!  It's a good deal!  I like acting good when I get tasty treats!
• Play with my fur friends! My buddies Willie and Jax will be there.  Willie is a Golden/mix (maybe a Whippet mix?), and Jax is a Sheltie.  We're all around a year old give or take a few months, so we're pretty ridiculous together.  Bosses always say they like when we play together because after we do that, we all sleep together.  They're still waiting for when we all snuggle in a pile together- why would we do that when they have their cameras out and waiting?  What's the fun in that?  I also hear that 2 more Shelties will be there- Brock and Kane.  I always like new buddies, so I hope they like me, too!
• Get ridiculous amounts of attention from as many Bosses as possible.  With 8 other bosses around, that means there will be 16 hands available for petting!  JACKPOT.  I will win them over.  And they will submit to my adorable powers and pet me.  It's not a request...it's a demand.

Going on a stroll at Canal Park in Duluth, MN.

What are you looking forward to this weekend? I'd love to hear all your adventures!  Although, depending on cell phone service, I might have to give you a can with a very, very, long string attached so you can tell me that way.  Right?

Playing in the river up in Northern Minnesota.

Chow!

(Sidenote: Congratulations to my doggy cousin, Mitch, on being selected to be the Dog of the Day today on dogoftheday.com!  I knew you could do it!)

Tail-Chasing Thursday: Entertain Me

Well, Fans, Bosses have left me to go to work again.

"But Sadie, Small Boss really isn't even gone all that long, right?"  I hear off in the distance.

Mom made me this snazzy bed- it's way too big!

Even the smallest amounts of time left alone with my squirrel/kitty siblings is just...well...boring.  Squirrels Thor and Allie just sleep all day- they're the lamest siblings ever.  Figures- right when I want to take my evening nap, they get all hyper and crazy.  What's with that sleep schedule of theirs?!  We'll never know- they never tell me their kitty secrets.

All Thor and Allie do is nap.  I'm so bored!

Now that I am back to full speed from last weekend, now I just want to do something.  Oh, hey! I know!  I'm going to shred my Pirate Reindeer a little more.  Bosses say that when I get determined to demolish these things, that it looks like it snowed in the house.  What do you think?  I think it's only September, and I told them that it's merely a mirage.  Anything to keep that vacuum cleaner from turning on!

I got into a little bit of trouble with the "snow"

Bosses have started packing for our camping trip this weekend. I can't believe we get to leave tomorrow to see all my friends again!  Bosses' friends reserved a "Group Campsite" for us- that fits 55 people.  Most of our buddies backed out at the last minute, so now we have 8 people.  But wait, there's more!

There will be 4 or 5 dogs there!!!!

8 Bosses to get pets from, 4 or 5 dogs to entertain me?!

BRING. IT. ON, NATURE.

Can't wait to find another river to drag the Bosses through!

Another piece of good news: I'm featured on dogoftheday.com today!
Click here to view my little article! Sadie is Dog of the Day!

Until tomorrow, Chow!

Thoughtful Tuesday: Rant and Rave

Well, fans, I'm still pooped.

This weekend was a doozy!  Bosses said I was out like a light.  No peeps.  All was quiet at the ranch.  I decided to give them a break.

My favorite carpet spot: the hallway upstairs by the kitchen.

I thought I would extend a huge thank you to everyone who has read my blog so far- I'm still pretty young, and Bosses have only taken me to one grade of Obedience School, so give me a break if my "etiquette" isn't up to sniff...oh, I meant snuff.  You know what I mean.  I'll try to reel you in for the long haul- I've got MANY years left, brace yourselves!

See?  I learned how to sit!  My grandpa's dog, JJ, can't do that!

I also want to thank all the wonderful folks at RAGOM for everything they have done for me- whether it was letting me hang my head at their home, bathing me when I was a wee little pup, entertaining me at events (like Meet & Greets, Goldzilla, etc), and giving me the life I've always wanted!  Thank you, everyone!

Did someone say, "wee little pup"?!  Here I am!

I've got so much to look forward to in the coming months.  I'll be going camping with the Bosses and their friends and adjoining pups this weekend in Southern Minnesota- I'm more than stoked for that.  That means LOTS of puppy playtime and hiking!  Count me in!  I will also be turning 1 YEAR OLD in a few weeks!!! Can you believe it?!?!? Bosses say it felt like yesterday that they brought tiny little me home to live with them.  Boy, what a ride it has been!  I think Bosses are crafting up something wonderful for my birthday- I overheard them possibly saying that a group birthday party with all my siblings might be in the works, but maybe my ears are a bit fuzzy!  Well, I guess they are literally fuzzy, but you get the point!  Bosses are doing their best to make an awesome Birthday Week for me!
Well, good treat-givers, I'm afraid I have been away from my favorite carpet spot way too long...it's time to hit the hay.

Didn't make it to the carpet spot- patio will have to do!

Chow!  Hope to bark at you all again at full force tomorrow!

"Morning After" Monday- The Hangover

I guess this title is rather, well, not completely what you think it is.

Goldzilla 2014.  It happened.  And I am very worn out.

First, I walked with the Bosses from their car on what I thought was a nice long walk through a park.

I was wrong.

The three of us walked up to this HUGE pack of gold furry things.  They all looked like me!  This was fantastic!  We found Foster Mom, who I looooove, and I found my brothers, and my Momma.  Then, we went on another walk with a huge pack of people.  I've never seen this many dogs like me in my life!  It was lots of fun.  I walked next to my brother, Ryder, and other friends who I met.

After we walked, we went back to the foster showcase tent, where we saw adoptable dogs.  My daddy is still available to adopt, but he wasn't there.  Oh well.  He's still building up his confidence at home, I think he's a great guy! 

 Bosses brought me to the off-leash dog play area nearby, where I got to play with my new best friends, my brothers, and Momma.  We loved it!

After that, we went around the other shops and got some cool free swag (and treats, let's be real).  We found more friends, and we even found my old Foster Sibling, Lobo!  What a crazy fun guy!

We got to try out an Agility course, which was fun.  All I did was walk across a bridge-type thing and I got Mom's homemade sweet potato treats.  Umm, yeah, of course I'm going to do that!  Easy as pie.

We waited in line for a long time to do this thing Bosses called a "Luring Course".  I chased this fluffy something around for about 5 minutes and wore myself out!  It was a blast!  It was like setting my kitty siblings free in the yard and chasing them around the perimeter!  The bosses that ran the course said I did really well for my first time doing it.  Maybe this will be in my future next summer.  Bosses were also thinking of doing a "Dock Dog" class- maybe I will be a sporty girl.  Who knows.  What do you think?

Bosses made a game-day decision to let me swim in the lake with the rest of my brand-new buddies.  I mean, after all, that would be torture.  So, they unhooked me from my leash, and I bolted into the water.  Small Boss said I looked like some lochness monster out in the water, but Big Boss said I ran like someone out of a scene from Baywatch.  That, my friends, was definitely a compliment.  My trip to the lake would not be complete without a good roll in the sand, too.  Small boss cringed, but she's not a dog- she has NO idea how exhilirating it is!

Well, I'm pretty much out for the next few days, but I'll try to write in my utterly groggy state.  All I can say is that I officially have a "Goldzilla Hangover".  Woof-da (give me a break, I'm a Minnesota dog).

Chow!

Sporty Saturday: Football Edition

So, this new fall season has got to be one of the best seasons ever.  I haven't been able to experience this whole Autumn season all these people talk about.  But let me tell you, this whole fall business is fantastic so far.  Here's why:

• Pumpkin.  Bosses (or at least the short Boss) loves this fall season and all the pumpkin-flavored things that it has to offer.  So, in her pumpkin-flavored frenzy, she made me these pumpkin/peanut butter flavored biscuits!  Holy cow. I totally understand now.  Bring on more of that!
• Football.  Bosses also love football- both the short one and the tall one.  They seem to get pretty vocal towards the tv these days.  I don't get it- I just like watching the ball move on the screen.  I also love to get my face in the way of the tv.  Not only do I get quality snuggle time on the couch with them, I get to go to other places (or people come to ours) and they play games and eat lots of food.  And they love to give me attention.  And I get to play with their pets!
• Bonfires.  Bosses had a bonfire last night, since it was so clear outside.  Bosses also live really far North and were trying to watch some exciting laser pointer show (my kitty siblings love that thing) (also, they're calling this laser pointer show the "Northern Lights").  Anywho, I was a little enraged because Bosses were taking logs and starting them on FIRE.  WHAT WERE THEY DOING WITH MY TOYS?!  I digress.  It was nice and warm, and people paid attention to me, and it was tons of fun.  Why didn't Bosses do this more when it was mildly warmer?  These people don't make sense. ;-)

The bosses have also been talking about re-doing some of the things in our house...like...the carpet that I shredded the other day while they were at work.  They left me, like every other day, and when both cars drove away, I guess you could say that I freaked out.  I thought they were never coming back!  So....I ate their staircase.  Well, at least 3 stairs worth.  I didn't actually EAT it, but I definitely shredded it to the point that they couldn't just put the piece of carpet back on.  Oops.  Bosses weren't very happy about that.  But, at least they blamed the cats for starting it.....and me finishing it.  So, they're thinking about replacing the stairs with laminate flooring.  I'm not sure what to think about that!  What am I supposed to do, chew on bones and antlers?!

(This no longer has carpet, period. I was just that lonely.)

.....fine.  I'll just chew on appropriate items. (Sigh)

Well, from all this fall excitement, I must say that I am out for the count, as you can see.  Time to rest up for more adventures coming in a few hours!

Chow!

Furry Friday

Hi There!

I managed to hop onto the office chair to try my paw at some typing.

Know what I'm excited for?

This cold weather up here in Minnesota!

That summer thing?  That was for the birds.  Except for the swimming part.  I love that.

Minnesota has had a few fantastic crisp fall days this week, and I couldn't be more excited to lounge out in the yard.  Bosses let me play in the yard all the time.  Know what my favorite thing to do in the yard is?  CHEW LOGS.  (Don't you call those sticks, Sadie?  says an inquiring mind)  I skip the little sticks in the yard; those aren't worth my time.  I go straight to the Boss' firewood pile, find me a succulent piece, and mulch it for them.  See, aren't I helpful?  I like to leave it in my little nest at the bottom of the staircase from the deck.

Okay, fine, Bosses pick my nest up a lot, and maybe they're trying to send me a message- but I can't help myself- I love to chew!  I'm a puppy after all, give me a break!  It's like they have to mow the lawn or something- what's up with that?

Anywho, here are my highlights of summer, now that the tiny mailmen are back in Obedience School-

• Camping with Bosses. Twice!
  
  
• The sprinkler 
  
• Going to Boss' friend's cabin- WITH A LAKE! And another Golden friend! 
  
• Going on walks to the dog park- a double whammy! 
  
• Bosses have friends who come to stay with us- they visited with their puppy. 
  
• Seeing my brothers, momma, and daddy. 
  

Here's what I am looking forward to this fall:

• COLD WEATHER- I loved that winter stuff!  I never saw this warm weather business until this summer, and with all this fluff, I really do love the crisp, cold air.
• Leaves!  Bosses say I shouldn't eat them, though...just frolic through them.
• Football season.  Bosses like to sit on the couch during the professional football- I like sitting on or around them.  They always tell me to move my noggin, but who would move their head away from all that attention?!  They also have something they call "tailgating" for college football...but at someone's house.  All I gotta say, is that there's a lot of cooking, throwing of balls, and other dogs.  Why would I turn down that invitation?
• Going on even more walks to the dog park!
• Small boss is now home more often, now that she doesn't work long days.  That means that I have to behave more, but that also means that I get to see Boss so much more often!

What was your favorite part of this past summer?  And mostly, what are you looking forward to this fall?  I'm always an optimist- I look forward to everything (except for when that vacuum cleaner turns on.....)!

By the way, my fundraising page for my Goldzilla walk has been pretty lonesome.  I have $85 left to fundraise by Sunday!  Can we do it?  Even if 17 people donated $5, I would achieve my goal!  If you don't feel in the position to donate, I would love some encouraging words as I walk for Golden Retriever rescue-  I haven't received any good luck yet.  Here is the link if you'd like to learn more about my family, and Boss' efforts at fostering dogs and fundraising.

Goldzilla Walk 2014

Chow!