I had the best day with you today~

As promised we have some photos to share... Aspen had a blast and I could see in his eyes how much fun he was having.  He would run off and chase the other dogs, swim and play then dash back for a pet and off to play again.

Initially I have to admit I was adamant on NO SWIMMING!!  My reasoning-I didn't think I had a towel along and I didn't have time to clean him up when I got home, but being the softy I am and seeing how much he wanted to go play around and get dirty and wet I gave in. I'm glad I did!  Seeing him so happy and enjoying his life so much is worth every second I have to spend cleaning.

I think it's important to remember that dogs aren't fashion accessories and it's our job as owners parents to ensure that they are enjoying their life to the fullest extent.  How much fun is it to sit and wait for you to come home?  How much fun is it to be tied outside? Is your dog having a blast being shipped around dog show to dog show?  How much fun is it to run through water and mud with all your friends?  It's a good time to say the least :-)

My point in writing this is to have you ask yourself is my dog having the life they deserve?  Are they spending there days doing what they love?  I hope so.

Remember someday when they are gone you want to be able to tell yourself they had a fantastic life and if that means some clean up or extra time I promise it will be worth every second!

"It is not the years in your life but the life in your years that counts." Adlai Stevenson

Think there might be some Newfie in there?? 

 
**Update**


When they play hard they sleep hard too!! My tactic to combating those terrible two's ;-)

Terrible Two's, a Funny Story, and Some Unlikely Bonding.

I have to report that Mr. Aspen is lifting his leg to pee :-)  He is officially a big boy now, but along with the new big boy status he has a big attitude.  I know some of it is he gets what he wants 99% of the time (our fault) more of a only child syndrome, but recently he's been doing things that he hasn't before.

It's little stuff like demanding we get up early for breakfast on the weekends???  It starts out with him ramming his nose into Ray and escalates to him propelling himself onto the bed(crushing us of course).  I've noticed we get lots of sass too...  For example, if we ask him to go lay on his bed OH BOY the grumbling starts... just look at this photo... Attitude I tell you!!

Other then the fact that we really enjoy our ability to sleep in on the weekends, we actually find him quite comical :-)

Here he is trying to take over the couch.  He is displaying his "so shy" move.  He has figured out "make them laugh and I won't get kicked off"...

 Next does anyone else have a TV watching berner or dog for that matter?  He watches the crocodile hunter in the mornings before Ray and I leave.  Depending on what's on he can really engage (usually something dog related gets the most attention).  We also have a new T.V since this photo was taken and we are all enjoying that!!

I am always amazed by how smart he is!! I have a story for you...when Aspen was about a year old I tried to teach him to roll over.  I epically failed.  I could get him to roll over onto his back, but that was about it.  We practiced few times, but I just gave up figuring he just wasn't going to do it.  Kind of like the whole fetching thing... Anyways one night Ray and I were outside with Aspen and Ray jokingly told him to roll over (I'm pretty sure he had some sort of delicious food in his hand)... sure enough he rolled over.  Both of us stood there in shock... it must have just been a fluke. Ray told him again.. he rolled over again and again. I quickly accused Ray of working on it with him.  He has had maybe 3- 10 minute sessions of me working with him on it.  Ray swore that he hadn't.  So all this time that little stinker knew how to do it!!  He just lacked the motivation lol!!

Again the other night when we were eating he pulled the roll over... of course he got some off our plates.. we laughed hysterically!!  He knows how to get what he wants!! 

While I still think Aspen needs a doggy sister, here is some bonding time with his big/little bro Picasso

cute huh <3 Cats just aren't the same to play with, so for now we frequent the DP (dog park).  Aspen LOVES to run as you will see...

 Tomorrow Aspen's going to Play Pals with his berner buddies!  I'll post pictures tomorrow.  Have a good night all.