Thursday, September 29, 2011

She's A Faker!

This is almost too funny to share! Sometimes, with great urgency, Finn will jump at our back door, and I had always thought that it was because she really, really needed to go out. Alas, I have found out that I have been duped! Many, many times! It seems as though Finn has been fake-squatting! She jumps at the door, not because she needs to go out, but because she just wants to go out. And sometimes I am just thinking she needs to go out, and so I say over and over "wee wee" and she squats. Well, I have been checking the area of said squats, and it seems that she HAS BEEN FAKING IT for at least a week! And I know there has been no wee wee because I am feeling the earth!

Crazy dog! Anyone else encounter a faker from time to time? There haven't been any accidents in the house, so it's not like she's been neglected, she just really wants to go out! and I don't give her treats for going wee wee outside anymore, so she isn't looking for a treat. I guess to just be outside and sniff the air or something? To look at the birds and squirrels?

Oh, Finn!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Sagamore Hill

As promised, I took Finn on a walk to a new place this week.  I decided on Sagamore Hill, the summer residence of our fine President Theodore Roosevelt.  Now a National Historical Park, the building is closed for a two-year renovation, and we can't wait to see what it will be like when it re-opens!


On to our walk!  I packed extra treats, but we didn't even need them!  When we got out of the car, Finn just jumped right out and was ready for anything.  Good thing, because we ran into these - three wild turkeys!  Finn definitely wanted a piece of the action!


Here is the summer house, and proof that Finn was there!



And finally Teddy Jr's house which he built there in 1938.  Finn was definitely curious about that big truck.  We watched it pull into the main parking lot and drive all the way around to this little building.  Wonder what they're doing!


I'd say she had a good time!


Monday, September 26, 2011

Separation, Part II

I wanted to let you know how Finn was doing with her separation anxiety.  I had posted about some several failed attempts here.  She was munching on our poor little carpet, and throughout the summer, the state of our carpet had gotten worse and worse.  Several people had told us to crate her, since she hadn't really been punished in her crate, and from time to time she wanders in there.  But leaving her home alone in the crate for upwards of 8 hours a day just didn't seem fair, in our eyes.  Throughout the summer, Finn would have some good days, where she didn't touch anything, and then some bad days, where she actually starting munching on our molding!  We went and bought some sour apple spray to deter her from this and it was just diluted rubbing alcohol.  I could smell it when I even just sprayed it.  No wonder why Finn stopped munching on it.


Then, we went away for a couple of weeks and left her with the dog sitter.  Before we brought her home, I bought this pink bin to keep all of her toys in.  Either at night or first thing in the morning, I pick up all of her toys and put them back in there.  I told myself it was because I wanted her to know where everything was, but really I was tired of stepping on the random pig's foot while I was barefoot!


It's been a couple of weeks now, and I thought for sure she would have taken a crack at the plastic bin, since it's new and colorful and crunchy, but she hasn't.

I can't separate her behavior from my imagination, but I think she kind of grew up while we were away.  We've left her for a nice chunk of time several times now since we've been back, and she seems to be doing fine!  When we return, she's been sleeping or playing.

We still use that spider web toy, I put it down before we leave and I pick it up the instant I walk through the door.  The funny thing is that she never ever ever plays with it, even though it's awesome and rubbery and sqeaky!  It's always in the same spot where I put it down.  So I think she knows it's not really a toy but just something that signals this "we're coming back" idea.


So...maybe she just learned we are coming back.  And I try my hardest not to make a big deal for a few minutes before and a few minutes after I leave and come back.  Could it be...she's *gulp* maturing???  Could it be...that I am getting less anxious about leaving her and she senses that it's ok to be alone?

Either way, that molding by the door is getting replaced this weekend, and we're hoping to put down the new carpet within a month!

We'll either be going a walk somewhere new this morning or taking Finn back to the very beautiful Prosser Pines, and we'll let you know how that goes!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

More? In the Orphanage, You Want More?!


It's like we never feed her!  They are for you silly!  Oh Finn, it's a rough life you have there. 

Thank you for your comments on our last walking post.  The next time we go for a walk in a new place, I'll try to pause more and have some different treats available so it's a little more fun!  And, we'll obviously let you know how it all goes!

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Noteworthy Archive Award

We've been dusted off!  Thank you to Chancy the Gardner for going back through our archives and finding some of them entertaining!  We're passing on the award to Yuki & Rocket, who I've been following for just a short time now, and when I saw the post of the some of the grooming challenges there, I couldn't help but chuckle.  

Hope you enjoy it too!


PS - This is our 100th blog post!  

Thank you to our loyal followers who enjoy Finn just as much as we do.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Friday! And Some Advice Please...

Well, I decided this morning to take Finn for a walk in Prosser Pines, the largest collection of white pine trees in the area.  It's raining, it's woodsy and I just thought it would be a good time for both of us.

What does the largest collection of white pines in the area look like? Well, I'm glad you asked...


Pretty!

I tried to get Finn to sit for some nice pics, but this was the best we could do.


Somedog wasn't paying attention.

And then she did what she pulled on me once before.  She walked in with me and after a few minutes of sniffing and walking, she turned around and just brought me back to the car.  I don't get it.  


That would be the open area parking lot behind her.  Any thoughts on why she gets in these moods - I thought she would love exploring new places, but now I'm not too sure.  Should I just be sticking to our usual walks around the neighborhood?  That doesn't seem too exciting at all, right?  

Monday, September 19, 2011

Alone Time with Pops

Finn was concerned.

She noticed that my suitcase was out and she thought she was being left behind again.

I told her that just I had to go - I was leading a tour through New England for my job and that it was for peeps only.

She gets to spend a few days with Pops - belly rubs, socks to munch and extra treats for a few days - Finn's fine with that!


We'll be back in a couple of days!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

What, She's A Retriever, Right?

This would be an entire ensemble in her mouth - shirt, two socks and shorts.  

Nice work, Finn.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

PBU Featured Blogger

It's a very exciting weekend for Finn - she is the featured blogger for the week through Pet Blogs United!  I hope you'll head over there to read a little bit about why I started this blog and why Finn is so special to our  little family.  I'd like to welcome any new readers to our blog - I hope you enjoy reading about Finn's antics and hope you'll stop by again real soon.

Thank you for stopping by!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Train Station Pick-Up

Yesterday was my first official day back at work, but instead of heading into the office, I did some research at the very awesome Brooklyn Museum.  

But this meant I had to take the dreaded train and subway!  Luckily, I managed a drop-off and pick-up at the train station and I could spot the golden fur from the train before we stopped.  Is there a better way to be greeted?





I think I am forgiven for leaving her behind for a little bit.  What a cutie.

PS - anyone else having a problem with their dashboard?  I am posting, but it takes blogger up to 12 hours to put it on the dashboard thingermabobber.  I have no idea why.  

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Momma & Pop's Trip

Hewwwow!  Finn here.  Well, after I gave Momma and Pops a huge guilt trip yesterday for leaving me behind for two weeks, they took me for a nice long run in the dog park.  Then Momma sat down to show me some of her pictures from their trip.

First she said they got on a big plane and went to Seattle.  Momma said she went to this Space Needle place and had a cup of coffee at the original Starbucks.  And, they went to a baseball game!

 
Then she said they got on a big boat and went to Alaska.  They went hiking and rafting, saw some glaciers and then hung out with some of the guys from The Deadliest Catch!  Look, they are even making fun of Pops for being a Red Sox fan!  They got to see how they go crab fishing too.  


    

Then they landed in Vancouver.  Momma said it's a real dog-friendly place and she started to miss me there when she saw everyone out with their doggies.  She said they went to a lot of parks and even hung out in Chinatown!


Then they got back on a big plane and came home.  Momma said at the airport she saw Anthony Bourdain, and she went up to him to say hello!  She loves the Travel Channel.  I'm just glad they're home.  I think they are too.  And they even brought me back a little pressie!  Momma said it's the only dog toy she saw while they were away!  I LOVE things that go SQUEAK!!  And it's rubber!  How long do you think it will take me to destroy it??!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Little Monsters

Hewwwow!  Finn here!  Did you notice that for the past few weeks we haven't been around too much to comment on your blogs?  Momma and Pops went away for a little bit and instead of putting me in one of those jail cells that you all talk about, they dropped me off at Little Monsters.  I had a fabulous time!  Lynne and Brumbey took care of me, and every day they sent pics and texts to my humans to let them know I was ok.  Here I am playing with Brumbey while Momma was dropping off my food and special instructions.





They have a huge fenced-in yard and plenty of toys, water and snacks for me.  There's a path through the woods where I was able to run.  Lynne didn't even mind cleaning up after my dribble!  She walked me, let me run around, let me zonk out and Momma and Pops were thrilled with it all!

Momma says she'll post some pictures of where she and Pops went, but first she needs to spend some quality time with me.  I am sure I will lay on the guilt after not seeing her for a little while...what should I make her do first - belly rub?  Long walk?  Dog park?  Too many choices!  And we're looking forward to catching up with you all too!

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Finn has multiple personalities.  There's sweet, 


fun,


loving Finn.



And then there's rough-housing, 


up-to-no-good, 
I'm-going-to-jump-on-you-til-you-play-with-me Finn.


Who is going to tell you quite frankly how annoyed she is with you.


You never know what you're gonna get!


Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Toy Aerial

I spy...with my little eye...


Dad's sock, the best toy of all!

One squeaky toy, two rings, two bones, a kong, the pig's foot, a ball....

What the heck goes on down here while we're sleeping upstairs?!?

Monday, September 5, 2011

Doggie Park in the Rain

I thought it would be a good idea to take Finn for some running with the dogs.  It started to drizzle, but I thought it would be okay.  Little did I know that in twenty minutes it would start to pour!


I'm glad we weren't the only ones there!  Actually, one of these folks admitted that they didn't even have a pooch pass and that they were outlaws.  Who let them in?!?!


Even though they are soaked, they still manage to make their way over to the pool...


Time to go!  So cute when wet!

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Flower Show

***Horns blasting***

Welcome, welcome to our flower show!  Thank you to all of my friends for sending in their pictures.  We are looking sharp in and amongst these pretty things, so let's get started...

Here's our friend Bert.  Those are some very pretty purple flowers there Bert!  You look very handsome sitting in them.  Bert's Momma took the pink flower picture too.



Here are Frankie's pics...he's getting ready for the Paw-litical science lecture later!  He says these are hibiscus next to HIS four-wheeler that he just lets his Mom and Dad drive sometimes.  Uh oh, that means some trouble I think!  And check out that pretty sunflower.  Ooo lala.



Look at these lavender pics from Tessa - can you spot the bee?  Those are some beautiful bushes - I can almost smell the lavender from here!



These are from my dear friend Sarge!  The first one is a super pretty bouquet from his mom's boss when she got promoted!  Nice work Momma!  The second is a lilac bush and bleeding heart in their yard.  Very pretty!



Here is a beautiful delilah flower taken at the Shrewsbury Flower Show by our friend George.  Such vibrant colors!


This is a passion flower from my new friend Roo.  These flowers are just so beautiful!  I would definitely be dangerous stomping around in those!


Look at these beauties from Alasandra, The Cats & A Dog   I love Arty Mouse with the Bougainvillea and the Butterfly Bush!



Here are some gorgeous pictures from Finley.  All I can say is WOW!  They grow some beautiful flowers in Dallas!



Here's the brand new firechief of Blogville, Bucky, courtesy of K-9 Katastrophie sporting that lovely flower!  Look at that close-up - how gorgeous!



Look at Dex and Lou having fun in their garden too!  This is what I like to see, a lot of getting right in there and sniffing, Dex!  Love that pose Lou!



Here's our friend Bowie making good use of the flower bed!  Love it!


Here's our friend Wyatt - that is one great photo of you in front of those foxgloves!  I love the background too - so beautiful!


Here are some great photographs from our favorite 2 Brown Dawgs!  
Love that Purple Curtain!



Here's a beautiful one of Rose Bud at The Love Shack Pack!  


Here's our friend from Denver, Duncan, and some photos he took while walking his human this summer! 



Here's our friend Sweet William The Scot, hiding in the Black Eyed Susans, waiting on the birds to feed on the seeds!  He jumps out and scares them, such a little devil!


Here are our friends Bilbo & Dory running through blue bonnets!  Looking good guys!



Here's a beautiful orchid from our friend Oskar, whose Momma took the photo in the greenhouses at the Biltmore Mansion in North Carolina.  Very nice!


And, last but not least, me...The Finn!  I have no idea what kinds of flowers these are, but I was happy to sit in the shade right in front of them and to run right through them!



And here are some flower pics that Momma just thought you might like...

Christmas lights on flowers!!


Pops picked Momma some flowers!

Flowers that float with Chihuly glass!
Hope you enjoyed our flower show!  Thank you again to everyone who sent in pics!  See you over at French class later!

And make sure to check out everything else happening this weekend with SugarSarge, and Frankie!