Our Week with a Dog

While some of our favorite people were out of town we kept their dog, Toby. Toby is one of those let-you-do-anything-with-him kind of pets. He's very tolerant of two-year-old boys! 

That works out nicely, because Jonah is a big fan of Toby! 

One morning when Jonah woke-up he found Toby chewing on his bone. For some reason Jonah thought Toby needed to be covered up, so he went into his room and brought out the quilt from his bed to cover the dog. And Toby just laid there. 

Sometimes when we let Toby outside to potty Jonah and I would sit on the steps and keep an eye on the dog (and "just chill", as Jonah likes to say). 

 I think this was a time when Toby came in after Jonah woke from a nap. Jonah was in a very good humor and being silly with the dog.  I didn't take the time to edit the video...there are no subtitles, you'll just have to guess at what Jonah is saying if it isn't clear in the video! 

this one got on here by accident and I can't figure out how to remove it. so, I guess it's just bonus footage. 

Toby's Visit

Not too long ago Toby's family was away for the weekend. Toby wasn't invited on the outing, so he came to stay with us. He is a sweet little dog and Jonah LOVES him. He will laughingly say "tobe" when Toby comes into the room. 

So, of course, I had to snap some photos!!

"mush, Toby, mush"

Hmmm...which one is the dog here?

"please, mommmy, can he come in?"

Remembering Harry

herrence-the-pooh*Harry*that dog*Harry Pooper

It doesn't seem right for me to be typing these words. 

This has been a tough week for our family.

Our sweet (sometimes bothersome, yes, but sweet nonetheless) dog was hit by a car last Thursday.

Jonathan had taken him running, which was something they both loved to do.

They stopped to look closer at something on the side of the road and Harry ran out just as a car came up over the hill. The driver stopped to help. He and Jonathan thought Harry might be ok. But, as Jonathan was driving to the vet clinic, he realized that was not the case.

We have been pretty somber about it. It was just so unexpected. I know we would have only loved him more if he'd lived longer and died of sickness or old age. But, I can't help but think it would have made more sense (aka, been easier to take) if we'd had a chance to adjust to the idea of him not being around. A chance to say goodbye.

He may have been lazy sometimes.

I mean, just look how he's sleeping here...HOW can that possibly be comfortable?

He was Jonathan's dog. Jonathan got him when he was a fresh young pup...right before Jonathan and I met, actually. They were great companions. 

Harry tried my patience, but you know, I really did love him. 

I am a "dog person" and as far as dogs come, Harry was top-notch.

And you KNOW Jonah loved him!!

I am really glad I have this picture. 

This video was filmed in June of 2007. I just found it while looking through old files for pictures to use in the blog today. I remember I was trying out our new camera while Jonathan mowed the yard that day.

He's fetched his last stick.

 and now he's buried in the backyard.

Harry
April 2005-June 2, 2011

Splashing in the...Grass?

Yes, you read that right. This week we have been splashing in the yard. 

We've had abnormal amounts of water accumulating around here. It has been raining off and on for many days.  So, Jonah and I decided we were going to enjoy it (after day 3 of solid rainfall).

Gotta get all those ducks in a row. 

Sorry about the reflection. It wasn't until the very last that I figured out the flash was causing that. Oops.

He and Harry had a good time getting outside...after being cooped up all day.

Who Let the Dog Out?

Ok, who among you has that song running through your head right now? What? Not yet? How about now that I've mentioned it? "Who Let the Dogs Out...WHOOO, Who, Who? Who Let the Dogs Out?"

Alright, enough of that. 

Jonah is pretty proud of his ability to open Harry's crate. He likes to let him out each morning. 

This video is 100% authentic. I did not help him in any way...no body had touched the crate since bedtime the night before.

I think the dog and the boy are coming to some sort of mutual agreement. They don't seem to bother one another quite as much. I'm sure this could change again any day. And there is always an exception to every rule. As long as they are in a shared space there is risk of them colliding/clashing. But, for now we are going to enjoy their mutual tolerance of one another.

 Jonah, please don't kiss the dog. Harry, please don't lick my child in the face.

This is Jonah "being sweet" to the doggy. 

I didn't click the camera at the right second, but you can tell he's mid-hug.

And just look at that sweet face! So cute!!

Remembering Stubby

Did you ever have a family pet? You know, the one that everyone loves and will never forget? The one you remember growing up with? I sure do. Her name was Wendy. She was my parents' first child! I grew up with her. She died when I was 12. I will never forget that day and I will never forget that dog. We all loved her. 

Well, this morning Jonathan called me when he got to work. He got an email from his mom telling him their beloved Stubby was gone. I only knew Stubby for a few years, but hearing this still made me sad. I know Jonathan and his family are a little more sad than I. 

So, here's to Stubby and all beloved family pets. 

(and here's to a throwback picture of Jonathan...love you, honey!!)

Jonathan & Stubby 1997

Ready for Spring: digging some dirt

for the longest time (like, all winter) we had a huge pile of mulch sitting in our front yard. it was given to us by some kind neighbors who had extra. we fully intended to put it on the flower bed before it froze.  then, well, we never did it. then it snowed and the pile disappeared...for a time. 

now that spring has peeked around the corner, we finally got out and tackled the mulch pile. 

jonah helped. 

 he couldn't decide between the shovel and the ball.

 hey, jonah, you've got a little something on your arm...and outfit!

(evidence of a tumble into the pile)

and, of course, he had to say hi to harry.

Weekend Update: Bad Dog!

well...we had an extra weekend project this last weekend. let me start at the beginning of the story.

the weather is changing. we are welcoming in spring with open arms!  that also means we have turned off the heat and opened up the windows (one of my favorite seasonal transitions).

jonah and i went out on friday afternoon to run some errands. when we got home i came in through the garage, opened up the door to the kitchen, and a little dog ran through my legs to get outside. well, i got to thinking...i was CERTAIN that i'd put that same dog in the backyard earlier in the day. my heart started beating faster (somewhat like i imagine Anne Shirley's did in regards to her jersey cow, dolly, but that is not my story). anyway, i wondered if the door to the backyard had not shut good and went to inspect. i did not find anything wrong with the door, but something was very wrong with the screen on the dining room window. thus, the title, BAD DOG.

i guess he'd jumped up and scratched enough to make a hole he could squeeze his nose/head into. grrrr. first i was in disbelief, then i was just plain mad!

well, we wanted the windows open. we were not going to let the dog win. so, we had to repair the screen. jonathan went to lowes and got the supplies. then he enlisted a helper:

"is this right, daddy?"

"are you ready for this tool now?"

i wish i had a photo of the finished project. it turned out great. and after the discipline we administered to the dog, i doubt he'll try breaking anything down for a long time! *fingers crossed*

Why, Oh Why, Didn't I Lock the Dog's Crate?

I know that Jonah likes to crawl in the dog crate. I know that he will do so given the opportunity. So, why, oh why, did I fail to close and lock the dog crate when I let the dog out this morning? And WHY did I let him crawl back in a 2nd time...OH YEAH...I guess so I could share it with you. Yeah, that's it, that's why I did it. All in the name of a blog post. It has nothing to do with negligence on my part, right?

Well, if you enjoy this video, then it will make the dog hair on his clothes worthwhile. So, just click on the video, smile, and ENJOY it... please!

Weekend Update: Snowball Story!

Jonathan: (looking out the window) I really want to make a snowball.
Me: (hesitant and slightly surprised)ok, well, what's stopping you?
Jonathan: Well, I'm not outside.
Me: Well, yeah, that would be a big factor.

*few minutes later*

Jonathan: Ok, I'm going out to work on the alternator.
Me: ok, have fun

*few minutes after that*

Happy Husband...Happy Dog... Happy Saturday!

(poor Jonah really wanted in on the snowball building. he watched out the window for quite a while, but then he had to go take a nap)

Top Ten list for 13 months

Well, here we are at another "month-stone." I don't know if I am cool enough to coin a word, but I think that one is fitting. It's a milestone... he's a month older...."monthstone."  13 months. Wow, when did that happen? Ah, well, he's just going to keep at this growing business, so I'd better embrace it!  

This is a non-traditional Top Ten list. I am not counting them down. I'm doing good to get this typed, as Jonah is sitting with me.

13 months means:

*drool (this is not exclusive to 13 months....but it is STILL here) Most people use a bib to catch the drool and keep the child dry. I am considering a full sized bath towel at this point.

*runny nose. I think his runny nose goes along with teething...hence the drooling. "Dear Jonah, GET SOME more TEETH ALREADY!!"

*running fever. Jonah has been running a low grade fever off and on this week. Poor guy. Poor Mom. We need these teeth to come in NOW!
*taking steps. This is going to be the month he starts walking, I'm sure. He's gotten to the point of walking along side me while holding my hand. He takes a cautious step of his own every now and then. It's coming.

*shaking his head "no" (mostly when asked if he wants to go into the nursery) sometimes when he is doing something he knows he shouldn't

*taking a bow. This may be my favorite thing EVER. This is by far the cutest thing he's ever done. He did it the 1st time a week ago. If I can ever get him to do it on camera it will be a miracle.

*12 month shirts are getting too small.

*he likes music...the other day on the way to church he was patting his hands on his legs with the rhythm of the music on the radio.

*  m,    hkvfkfldhwl;b vm, vnkejo ui gt';r kle (he likesy to hElp mommy type)


And the final thing about 13 months.... 

*he has a new battle wound:

Can you see the bruise down the side of his face? Over our Thanksgiving vacation Jonah was sitting a little close to Harry. Harry was asleep. 

Jonah decided that was the best time to grab a handful of fur/skin. Harry did not agree, and reacted accordingly. Jonah screamed. Harry got a darn good spanking. 

Five minutes later, Jonah was laughing and trying to pet Harry again. Silly boy. Leave that dog ALONE!

Puppy Time

As you well know, Jonah loves to play with Harry, our rat terrier.  Well, today he decided to play Harry...not with Harry...he wanted to be Harry!  I was sitting at the computer (where you can find me most mornings checking the blogs I follow) watching Jonah on the side.  Then, I heard the sound of Harry's crate closing.  I went to check, and sure enough, there was the boy IN the crate!  Yuck.  

But, (say it with me) 

"At least he's not eating dog food", right?!

Good Morning, Harry.

Harry is probably sulking because we made him go out in the rain.

A Boy and His Dog(s).

Jonah loves dogs! He gets all excited and starts waving both arms in the air at the same time when he sees one! Our dog, Harry, is a rat-terrier. Jonah love to "chase" him around the living room. Harry has learned to stay away from Jonah, for the most part. When he sees Jonah coming on all fours he just moves away. Then Jonah gets close again and Harry moves away. It is very entertaining! Sometimes, though, he forgets or is lazy and he gets clobbered! Sometimes Jonah is nice and just pats him, other times, he grabs as much hair and skin as possible and tugs with all his might. Harry is very mild-mannered toward Jonah and just nudges him away. Here we see Jonathan (on the phone) teaching Jonah & Harry to be nice to one another. Jonah was soooo happy to have Harry's attention!

Then we see the day that Harry got a hug! I think Harry actually sat down on Jonah. Guess who loved it...yep, my sweet boy was so happy to be so close. I'm glad that Jonah is neither allergic nor afraid of dogs. This will serve him well through life. HOWEVER, I really wish he weren't so attached to a dog that sheds. Blech. And we all remember the post about dog food, right! Double Blech.







Harry is not the only dog in Jonah's life. We see Toby every day I go to work. He belongs to those sweet children I told you about at the end of last month. Toby is a Havanese/Bishion mix and does not shed! The picture I've got of him was taken a few years ago, when he was a young pup! He is still young, but much more calm these days. He also takes Jonah in stride. One of these days those two are going to have it out. So far Jonah has been smaller than Toby. But right now they are about the same size and the tables are going to turn in Jonah's favor. Hopefully Jonah can learn good manners before he gets nipped or scratched. He's got to learn not to pull tails and ears!





And last but not least! I can't have a post about dogs without mentioning another dog in Jonah's life. My sister's firstborn, Cooper, has a very special place in all our hearts! Cooper is a Havanese/Yorkshire blend (who doesn't shed!!). More importantly he is considered human in his own home, therefore, Jonah's "cousin!" He is also very good to Jonah...much more so than he is to Harry!

I am convinced that dogs have a sense about them to determine who is old enough to play with. Harry is very cautious around babies and toddlers. Now, if you take his ball, he's gonna get it back...so lookout! All of the dogs we are around regularly are very sweet with Jonah. Not that I would test this, but I think they'd look out for him somewhat. Maybe that is my inner romantic hoping that stories and movies of dogs protecting people are really true!