Charlie Learns to Swim!

Do you ever have any moments where you are so ridiculously proud of your pet that for a second you forget it's a fur baby you're cheering on, not an actual baby? Yep, that was me this weekend.

We took Charlie on his second trip to the dog beach. The first time Steve took him (without me) Charlie had a "What the...?!" moment when he got anywhere near the water. Running free on the beach was pure bliss, but actually go out into the water? No way.

When we arrived on Friday morning, there were already quite a few dogs there. As soon as Charlie was off of his leash, he took off. Let me tell you, all of that wide open space and dogs running around is terrifying at first. Charlie did his laps around the sand trying to start up a game of chase, but we finally grabbed him and coaxed him out into the water with us. He was not a fan.

I tossed his tennis ball and Steve encouraged him out into deeper water. Eventually, when his feet couldn't touch the ground, he started a little doggy paddle! It was seriously too cute. We spent the rest of our time playing fetch in the water and getting Charlie to swim further out. By the end he seemed really at home in the water.

Check out the pup in action:



I couldn't have been a prouder fur baby parent!

Pup in the Night

A few months ago we officially ousted Charlie from sleeping in our bed. Not that he's isn't a great snuggle buddy, but his 35-pound frame likes to take over the entire bed. And, with two adults and a pup in a full sized bed...someone eventually falls off, and that someone is usually me.

Since we've kicked him out, Charlie has become a rather unusual sleeper. His favorite spot? He slides on his belly right under the bed. Most mornings when I get up, he's still hidden away under there...awesome plan for a sneak attack if anyone decides to rob us in the middle of the night.


Of course, we have a nice bed for him set up on the floor. In the morning after I take Charlie out and we eat our breakfasts, I put Charlie back to bed while I get ready for work. Talk about a lazy bum, right?


Charlie did not like the sneak attack picture on him sleeping. Some dogs are so touchy about their photos, eh?


Where does your pup curl up at night?

Doggy Dining

Charlie may look like such a sweetheart (and he is! What other dog will walk around with a towel on after his bath and even pose for a picture?), but he has his moments when we're walking him. You know, like thinking he's as tough as the big dogs, and his complete confidence that he can climb trees and catch those annoying squirrels that taunt him every day.

While I commend him on his optimistic attitude, I hate being dragged along for the ride. So, over the year and half that we've had him, Steve and I have never taken him to a restaurant with us while we dined outside.



Until, last weekend. Doesn't he look calm?


I won't lie, there were a lot of baby steps involved in achieving that calm picture. Charlie was really antsy until the waitress brought the bowl of water, which signaled to Charlie that we were there to stay for awhile. And, we still use a collar that allows us to buzz him (completely harmless, it just makes a noise) when he gets out of line. That helps keep him calm in a lot of different scenarios.

Despite a couple of road blocks, it was still SO exciting to sit outside and enjoy a meal with the pup at our feet. We always feel guilty about leaving him at home, so now we know we can take him out with us from time to time. Great way to start off the summer!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful 4th of July weekend...I can't wait to share the cake I'm baking tomorrow - today I whipped up the white chocolate butter cream frosting for it, and it's ah-mazing!