Another Kind of Squirrel?

With the arrival of his "sister," Stephie, henry has discovered another unattainable tree ... up the ladder bedroom.  Henry's mom and dad don't climb that ladder much -- and the cats aren't here this summer to use their ramp -- and Henry is way too big for that ramp. So Stephie is the exciting indoors squirrel. Mama hopes this means there will be no more pitchy outdoor tree attempts. Ha! That's not going to happen.

Discoveries and Mentors

Despite humans doing construction, life is good in the dog world here. Henry has a fishing mentor named Greta. Greta does not bark at the fish and she demonstrates focus and patience! Both worthy attributes, I've heard, for fisher dogs.

Then another bit of excitement. Squirrels have been discovered...and with that, tree pitch. Tree climbing attempts have left sticky bits on the tummy hair. For some reason Henry's human wants that gone and is coating it with butter in removal attempts. Other ideas would be appreciated since that isn't much fun - although licking off the residue is good.

The daddy human is still busy with his mess, but he is finding time for Henry back rubs at lunch and nighttime. So I guess it's okay as long as there are fish and squirrels!

B

Construction Advice

Henry just wants us to do it right - so he is watching closely to be sure we remove every bit of dry rot hidden in our current project wall.

His advice is not always practical, but it is sincere. Good doggie!

Fish Discovered

So exciting! There are things moving under the surface of the water! It took forever to figure out where my treats were disappearing. Proving dominance, they got the food and avoided the dog ... definitely no sunfish were injured in the pup attack.

Harlow Jean

Two weeks ago Henry celebrated Harlow Jean's second birthday. Just last weekend Harlow and her human came to visit. Harlow and Henry are enthusiastic wrestling buddies.

Today the vet center at Washington State University gave sweet Harlow Jean just two weeks to live. Her local vet couldn't understand why her blood count was so terrible and sent her to the specialists to figure it out. The pathologist said there were no options. She'd just lose interest in food, become increasingly lethargic and then be gone.

You would never guess she is ill. Harlow is in love with food, wrestling, playing fetch, cuddling with her human. Things don't always go according to plan. Harlow and Henry are suppose to grow old together.

Wrestling Companion

Henry and Harlow Jean are back together for the weekend and Henry is beside himself with glee. Such fun. This visit they have discovered two dog tug-a-war. Harlow sits and holds on to one end and Henry rips and snaps the other end attempting to dislodge. Of course when it comes loose, he politely returns an end to Harlow so she won't feel left out.

This isn't heavy duty exercise for Harlow. She just reaches out with one of her beautiful long legs and takes Henry down.

Rainy Day

Another rainy day with thunder and lightening! So exciting. Amazing how long Henry can wait to go out to do his business.

Of course when I keep putting the toys away, there is endless distraction pulling them back out again.

The Olympics - a contender!!

Henry has signed up for a couple of events in the doggie blog Olympics!

He will, of course, be joining in for opening ceremonies but you must also watch for him in the following events:

July 28th - free style swimming with the splashing salmons
http://sargespeaksout.blogspot.com/2012/0D7/Olympic-swimmers.html

July 31st - couch potato peeling
http://lovablelily.blogspot.com/2012/06/couch-potato-peeling-blogs ills-Olympic.html

August 4th - Competitive Digging
hosted by Puddles
http://wethreedoxies.blogspot.com

Henry plans to enter more...but he is exhausted from the workouts he has had to do in preparations. More later!!

Zoie

We met another pup. She could be Henry's sister. They were hilarious together....racing in circles, jumping in the water, leaping in identical bounds! So cute.

Rainy Day

Henry and I will not be watering the gardens in the next few days. We have lightening and thunder and a cement sack splitting downpour.

There is a line of cars filled with disgruntled Sunday vacationers going over the bridge and heading back to town.

So much for the dock repair Greg planned or the clever cement sack stack bank reinforcement I planned. It has turned into a clean the house and replace the blinds day instead.

Henry is not silly enough to go outside to help with the rainy day put away tasks. His birth mom did not welp any dumb pups! Supervision through the window is good enough.

Exhaustion

Harlow Jean turned two. Henry celebrated with enthusiasm! He is pooped but dreaming very happy dreams. The huge bone was exhausting - the most tiring part of the day was stealing that bone from Harlow!

Oh Henry!

What an exciting night! What started it all off was switching off the lamp. This ugly old lamp is a favorite of mine that came with our 80 year old cabin when we bought it 30 years ago....maybe we should have rewired the thing. It shot impressive fireworks all over the bed.

From then on sound ... any sound (a twig twisting in a growth spurt) started excited barking. Henry's humans understood his anxiety, but we were so ready for sleep.

Henry, understandably, had some difficulty settling back down. Luckily Greg left his phone within reach - so Henry found entertainment. I rescued the parts, which no longer fit together, when it started making bing and beep sounds and I realized henry was not playing with an acceptable chew toy.

Today we have worked on getting the pup a bit more exercise so he will sleep tonight. No long naps for Henry today!! A bit of excitement though - Henry got his first birthday party invite. Cousin, Harlow Jean is going to be two on Wednesday and we are all going to Okanogan to celebrate. How fun is that? Henry had a bath after a swim and a roll in the dirt. He is sparkling clean and ready to party with the birthday girl! Harlow Jean is the attractive blond wearing the crown.

Pure Bliss

Sometimes it is such joy to be a dog.

Sooooooo Bored!

Ah, to be a dog. Suffering the long trip back to the lake only to be told it is the 4th of July and it is way too crazy to go outside.

A bit spoilt from all the doggie visiting in the last week, this is not at all what Henry is now used to - and expects!

Cousins

Harlow Jean and Henry have expectations. Mom and Dad and Auntie Kathy need to live next door to each other with a doggie door between. Harlow gets great big doggie chews -- and Henry sneaks in when Harlow is distracted to help out on the chewing!

So Many Cute Dogs

Henry insisted I include this photo. This was the last dog he met at the Toutle River. Very handsome!

Tonight we are staying near the base of the pass on the way to see more relatives. Life is good!

We met our first fellow fiberglass travel trailer enthusiasts! Very cute 13 foot '73 Trillium pulled by a handsome old Plymouth!