We've Been Playing at the Cottage!!!!!

Yup, that's right. While you poor humans were baking in the heat, we disappeared to the cottage for a bit of refreshment in the spring-fed lake.

And we had great fun. Just look:










All three waiting for Dad to throw.










Ridge really paying attention!















Elsie waiting; Ridge growing impatient.













Ridge and Baxter retrieving the same dummy (such smooth strokes!).













Elsie slashing after her own (she still starts off swimming each year by splashing her front paws--she's just SO excited). :o)











Ever graceful Ridge.









It sure was nice up there (northern Susquehannah County, PA). And we'll return there in the fall. In the meantime, we're keeping the canine kids' ears clean and dry, trying to prevent infection.

Oh, and we only had ONE small episode of limber tail syndrome this year (unlike last year). Elsie's wag seemed broken, but only for a day or two. :o)

She's her normal perky self now.

'Til next time,
Joan

When It's 90 degrees F. at 9:00 a.m...

When it's 90 degrees (F) at 9 o'clock in the morning, you know it's going to be hot.

Again.

Yuk.

So what do our southeast-PA-not-used-to-this-kind-of-heat Labs do during a heat wave?



They pant.

And pant.

They stop eating.

And pant.

They stop snuggling.

And pant.





They yawn.

And pant.

They eat ice.

And pant.

They sleep.

And pant.



They take turns in the kiddie pool.

And pant.

They shed.

And pant.

They do nothing.

And pant.



They flop wherever it's coolest--a location that changes as the sun moves over the house. Especially Baxter, our black-coated Lab who stays in the shade at all costs on the rare occasions he ventures outside these days.

So they hide from the sun.

And pant.

Poor hot doggies. Even their lives are uncomfortable sometimes. But their existence will soon return to it's-a-dog's-life bliss, as soon as the weather breaks.

What a relief it will be.

'Til next time,
Joan

Too Hot to do Anything

I can't get anybody to go outside in this heat. None of the dogs wants to (rare, especially for Baxter and Elsie). I even hose down the deck so it's cool on their paws, and they still won't step through the door. I finally had to push Mr. Ridge outside because he hadn't peed yet today. I knew he had to go from the way he was pacing in the house, but he just didn't want to brave the scorching sun.

Well I got him outside for all of about 30 seconds. Then it was like this:




"Hey, Mom...YO!....Mom!"

"It's hot out here. Cantcha tell? Put the camera down and take me inside so I can cool off."

"Like, now!"

Baxter and Elsie have the right idea for this kind of weather: lounge around and do nothing.

Nothing at all.

Well, nothing except eat ice cubes. They'll do that all day if I let them.

I still think it's a great way to keep them hydrated when it's so hot outside (an in).

'Til next time,

Joan

Canine Emotion

The kids are depressed again. Daddy Don is overseas on business for another week, and they know it.

Baxter, Elsie, and Ridge have been out of sorts since Saturday when Don left, and it's not just the heat.

Despite what the "experts" say, I'm convinced dogs experience emotions far beyond instinct. Ridge shows fear in thunderstorms; Elsie and Baxter both demonstrate jealousy; all three demonstrate the ability to anticipate something good (going for a walk) and something bad (going to the vet)--and they can distinguish between them.

And every dog we've ever owned has shown evidence of depression when we've gone away: lethargy; a truly sad expression (yes, their faces change); lack of interest in food or things once enjoyed.

Well, Baxter is definitely depressed; Elsie's not far behind. And all because Daddy Don is in France this week.

Hurry home, Hon; we all miss you.

'Til next time,
Joan