Trying To Get Comfortable

We have a HUGE sectional sofa with more than enough room to spread out and get comfortable.  But DO WE?  NOOOOO.  We clump together like a litter of puppies and try to make our way to comfort in a heap of bodies.  

Jesse usually starts it by sitting on the couch...  then either Cooper or I will join, followed by the next.  Gabrielle frequently gets in the pile of bodies too.  

In these pictures you can see, Cooper and I invaded Jesse to the point where I was in front of him on his lap, and Cooper snuck in behind him so he couldn't lean back.  Cooper and I were comfortable, but I'm not so sure about Jesse.  What do you think? 

I kept offering to move and to get Cooper to move but he kept saying he was fine.  We watched a whole movie that way.  It was a good movie if you ask me.  

Cooper wedged behind Jesse

New Friend Cocoa

We were invited to dinner at some friends house a few weeks ago.  They have an older dog with a really sweet disposition.  The dog's name is Cocoa.  He's a great dog.  Calm and inviting, even to Cooper.  I think Cocoa wanted to play with Cooper right away, but Cooper wanted to sniff first.  They were a good match to be friends.  

When they ever get a chance to play and just hang around together, I think they will be happy to hang around together.  We got to have a wonderful dinner with two very well behaved dogs who knew enough not to beg or wine.  It was a really nice evening.  I brought Cooper's dinner with us, so he got to eat after we were done, as he always does.

Ellie - Part 3

When it was time to bring Ellie to my brother (who didn't suspect a thing) we put Ellie in the back of the car, Cooper on my lap, Jesse drove and we headed out to surprise my brother. 

We waited for my brother to get home.  We walked the dogs around the yard until he got home.  What a surprise it was for him when he drove up.  He was so happy.  He had no idea.  

I'm so glad it has worked out as well as it has.  Ellie is a very happy dog with no apparent issues from having to change families.  Everyone is happy, and now when my brother comes to visit, he brings Ellie for Cooper to play with too.  Everything turned out just right.

Ellie - Part 2

When we got back to my house, Ellie came in with confidence.  She sniffed and explored until she found Cooper's toy box.  She pushed and shoved her way through the toys till she examined all she wanted to see.  Then she went to the treat box where Cooper has a lot of discarded raw hide chew bones.  He likes them but usually doesn't chew them often, so when other dogs visit they learn to go straight to that box.

Ellie had no trouble finding someone to snuggle up to when we were watching the news at my house.  I'm not sure Cooper liked Ellie steeling his 'lovie time' with his Daddy.

Ellie - Part 1

Ellie is a WONDERFUL dog who needed a new home.  She belonged to a great family who couldn't keep her any more, so they put out a plea using one of my favorite on line groups called Freecycle.  Freecycle is a Yahoo group where if you have something of value that you don't need any more, you can advertise it to other people who also belong to Freecycle in your area.  

Ellie was advertised for free as exactly what she is.  A well loved, well adjusted, fully trained, 7 year old female dog, spayed, with all shots up to date. 

Cooper and I went to visit Ellie and see how she was in person.  She was EXACTLY what they said she would be.  I couldn't wait to surprise my brother with this wonderful dog.  Cooper liked her right away.  Ellie seemed to like him too.  Though she had no trouble putting Cooper in his place when he got too excitable.  He learns a lot from her when they're together.

We stayed for about 20 minutes or so to let them really become acquainted.  All was great, so I decided it would be fine to put Ellie and Cooper in my little car together.    Ellie sat on the passenger seat and Cooper laid on my lap.  The half hour ride home was fine.  Neither dog had any trouble with the ride.  Ellie didn't mind leaving home at all really.  She showed very MINOR concern.

Cooper in my lap

Ellie in the passenger seat

Upland Rider's Party

Upland Riders is a local family riding club.  They are a really great group of people.  I've gotten to know many of them.  

They had their cabin fever party.  Great raffle prizes, the band was really great.  We got to meet new people and see folks we already knew.  Yup, another great night.  Cooper always likes these events because he gets a lot of attention.  

Here he is resting while Jesse and I talk to folks we just met that night.

When I do Laundry

I love my new home.  It's big, bright, roomy and comfortable.  One of my favorite things is, when I do laundry, sometimes I catch sight of something out of the corner of my eye.   When I look out the window, look who's looking at me.  

He must have seen me while he was outside and he came to see what I was up to.   

Gabrielle joined him and together they walked around the yard while Jesse was out there working on something and I got to watch them while I did the laundry.   

What a wonderful, smiley experience.

Cooper Loves Snuggling In The Blankets

Cooper really loves to snuggle with blankets.  I threw a couple blankets on the couch to fold later but Cooper got to it before I did. 

He got inside the folds of the blanket and couldn't find his way out at first. 

Then he laid down to go to sleep.

Little by little he found his way out of the blanket.  I think he got too hot.  Isn't he funny?

Mama... Can I get out?

Cooper took a shower with me.  Not exactly his favorite thing to do with me, but he goes with it the best he can.  I can't help but smile though.  Look how cute he is.     

He stood there watching me, waiting for his turn to get dried off.

  

I had to tell him to stay there so I could go get my camera and take his picture.  He's such a good boy.

What a lucky Mama I am.

Disco Doggy - Part 3

I GOT IT!!!

For a while I didn't think I would be able to show this, but some how I got it worked out and NOW...  I can show you!  This is the video I mentioned in yesterday's blog.  It's so funny!  It really was hysterical.  The only thing better would have been to watch me dancing with him to keep him going.  Every now and then you get to see my foot tap him to get him dancing again.

Disco Doggy - Part 2

At the Ice Breaker mentioned in yesterday's blog, Cooper got the floor for a little while.  The DJ played "Who Let The Dogs Out" for Cooper who performed 

WONDERFULLY!!!  

He jumped and barked and did circles for the camera.  BUT... when I went to post it here for you to view, my computer said it can't be downloaded because the video has 'errors'.  I'm not going to give up though.  I can view it on my cell phone, so I feel like there must be hope.

Until I get the 'bugs' worked out.  But in the mean time I'll have to share these still pictures with you.  I hope they hold you over till I can get the video up.  Wish me luck.

Disco Doggy - Part 1

At a recent Ice Breaker party put on by a local motorcycle group. We had a WONDERFUL DJ named Crazy Stacy (click), who played GREAT dance music.  How do we know it was good for dancing?  BECAUSE she danced to EVERY SONG.  If she played a line dance song she would teach the dance to those who didn't know how.  She dressed in costumes, had props, lit the room with a colorful disco light AND she DANCED WITH COOPER!!!!!  What more can you ask for?!?!?!?

Helping Dad Set Up Shelves

Jesse is still setting up his work area in the cellar.  Cooper likes to 'help' any time he can.  

Blurry but still fun

How many dogs get to get in the middle of so many different tasks.  Every task becomes "Cooperized" making the whole task fun for the person trying to just get stuff done. 

We laugh all the time, and so do you... if I remember to bring my camera.

Andy's Dinner Party

Andy likes to have friends over for a pizza dinner once in a while.  Recently we did this again.  There were five guests this time including Cooper.  

Hanging out after dinner

See how Cooper hangs out with us after dinner.  Some think maybe it's a bad habit to let him put his face on the table.  He knows the difference when it's ok and when it's not.  It's simple.  When there is food on the table, he has his head UNDER the table.  When there isn't any food, he's allowed to keep his head up so he can see everyone.   

Just listening to everyone talk

I don't really know if that's ok with some people, so I always ask when we're in someone else's company.  So far, no one objects to this, so I'm ok with it too.

Our New Family Bed

We got a new bed!  Yup!  I've decided that since we're in a new house, Cooper isn't going to be sent to his crate if he doesn't want to go.  If he sleeps in there it's because he wants to.  Since we've been in this house, he really would rather sleep with us.  SO... we got a king size bed.  

Does this look big enough?

Good thing too... because with Me, Jesse, Cooper AND Gabrielle all on the bed, we really need this big bed.  EVERYONE is happy and comfortable.  

Our Beautiful Orange Neighbor

Cooper always walks around the yard while we're outside.  On this day he went over near the fence that separates us from our neighbor's house next door.   We don't always watch him closely when we're outside because most of the yard is fenced in, so he's safe.

This time he was VERY attentive.  Calling him back wasn't easy because he was SO FOCUSED on something.  A closer look revealed a BEAUTIFUL orange cat.  Look at this cat.  I was amazed at the color of the eyes and fur are nearly the same color.  

They watched each other very curiously.  I wish I knew what they had been thinking.  I'm fairly sure Cooper wanted to play and the cat thought NO WAY! 

Bustin' Boxes

At the two month point, we're still unpacking boxes.  I'm not sure it will ever be done.

Cooper doesn't mind.  He LOVES the game of helping Dad demolish the boxes and throw them away.  Watch them 'work together' (HaHa) at this task.  What a pair!

Mom's School Bus

Sometimes I bring the school bus home. On the days I take care of Andy after a field trip day at the school, it makes more sense to come home and pick up Cooper and all my stuff before returning the bus.  THEN go to Andy's.

 Cooper enjoys riding in the bus.  Sometimes he would rather ride on my lap because his seat is SO far away from me.  He's used to my car where he can lay right against my leg if he wants to.   I don't allow him to ride on my lap, so he might be a little upset for part of the ride.  

It's not easy for a little guy to get in this big van

Once he realizes he's not going to win, he settles down on his seat and finishes our mission.