April 5, 2023
Gracie’s OK about riding in the car. But she’s especially content when Aunt Tina will sit with her in the back seat. On our ride to NJ last weekend…
Thanks for the photo, Tina!
April 8, 2023
April 13, 2023
Today was a taste of summer! It was 85 degrees and sunny, so I took Gracie to the local swimming hole for a dip. She seemed thrilled to chase and retrieve sticks in the cool water.
When I was tired (not her), she got out of the stream and promptly rolled in the dirt. Then Gracie took the “taste of summer” idea too literally. She picked up something – I don’t know what – and pranced around the field like the day she had a deer leg in her mouth. I’m sure she had either a dead bird or mouse. I never found out because she refused to drop it and by the time I caught her, she had swallowed all parts of whatever it was. Yikes. With her sensitive digestive system, it could be a long night for both of us…
Hoping this initial “taste of summer” doesn’t come back to bite us!
April 16, 2023
Thankfully, we managed to get through our “taste of summer” day this past week without serious digestive consequences. Since then, Gracie has been enjoying more warm, fun days in Teegarden Park with her furry friends. Her very favorites include, serendipitously, another Gracie (pictured first below), Piper and Breeze. Marlo and Niro are also good pals.
Gracie and Gracie:
Gracie and Piper:
Gracie and Breeze:
Gracie and Marlo:
Gracie and Niro:
April 21, 2023
Gracie tears into her toys and they subsequently take a real beating.
Mr. Hippo, who long ago lost his “flatuosity,” is now also faceless.
Froggie, here, was supposed to be nearly indestructible. (He’s been trashed.)
A blue elephant that breaks wind has joined the menagerie. We’ll see how long it keeps it’s “flatuosity!”
April 27, 2023
The Pee Pad Project Epilog
Since last October, I have remained hopeful the EASY BUILD DIY BALCONY DOG POTTY AREA WITH REAL GRASS would be a success. But the remainder of the fall and all winter, it sat on my deck, entirely unused for its intended purpose. On multiple occasions I took Gracie out to try it. But every single time, all she did was dig holes in the sod. So, this past week, I finally faced defeat. It was time for the potty area to go.
I tore up all the dried sod and dumped it into lawn bags. I ripped out the peg board. I swept up all the decorative rock. I hauled it all down the steps and out to be collected with trash. With just the frame and plywood base remaining, Michael came to help. As we began to disassemble it, Gracie came out to investigate and SHE PROMPTLY PEED ON THE PLYWOOD BASE!
How’s that for irony???
I give up. The pee pad is now gone. I have my deck back. And I’m glad.
From now on, she must pee at ground level.
April 29, 2023
Gracie sure loves her toys, and they can never be too far away!
Raising Gracie 