December 31, 2008

Seaport Village, San Diego

During our trip to Dog Beach, we also went downtown to Seaport Village! I was tired from all the playing on the beach, so I sat on a bench with the tall guy so that everyone could come up to me and tell me how handsome I am. I could get used to living here.

I didn't see many dogs here, but there were a lot of people and there were some really stupid birds who decided they wanted to sit on the water. I tried to bark at them and tell them there was a whole big place just covered with grass, but they didn't listen. I also found out that I am NOT supposed to eat something called a FRENCH FRY covered in ketchup that someone dropped on the ground (the tall guy nearly had a hissy fit when I did that, so I left it for the next puppy who doesn't have such a cranky tall guy). I didn't even know I was OCONUS!

We also some some really big buildings that were floating in the water. I guess they got flooded or something.

PS: Just in case you were wondering, the tall guy always (well, almost always) puts this really great tasting stuff all over my nose before we go out in the sun. He's a very good tall guy sometimes!

December 30, 2008

My California Buds...

Here I am with some of my new friends at the beach. The tall guy wouldn't let me go into the water; he said it was TOO cold and he wasn't coming in to get me! So we just ran around and saw how fast we could run. I could run pretty fast, but some of the bigger dogs were FAST fast. Everyone kept saying I looked like a Marley. I have no idea what a Marley is, but from the way everyone was talking about me, I'd say a Marley must be something really special! Even the other dog parents were saying how cute I was.

December 29, 2008

I never saw an ocean I didn't like!

I think this is a nude beach! Well, all the dogs I saw were naked. I saw SO many happy puppies, some big, some small, and all of them were nice.

I think the tall guy said we were in Sandy Ago. I figured he meant San Diego, but I didn't want to correct him in front of all the other dogs. The sign said we were at Dog Beach - but from my point of view, all beaches should be Dog Beach!

December 28, 2008

Do my feet stink?

One of the TWO stuffed animals Jack got for Christmas. (I know, he's spoiled!) Fortunately, he has already figured out how to make both of them make noise. I can't wait until I get home and find piles of fur and feathers all over the house.

December 27, 2008

Jack and the box....

He's SO proud!

December 26, 2008

I think I'll eat this one...

Of course Jack had a wonderful Christmas. He has been a very good boy this year (well most of the time), so he got lots of boxes to play with!

He didn't even wake up early to see Santa! He did, however, decide that my head looked too comfortable on my pillow and that he wanted to see what it would like to be a puppy hat. It's a good thing the contestants on that Bravo show haven't seen puppy hat Jack cause then he would have to move to NYC and become a leading puppy runway model!

December 25, 2008

Jack's First Christmas!

(well, the night before Christmas!)

and his first Christmas stocking

Which story do you want first? OK, the stocking story. Jack has discovered that he likes toys that make noise, primarily because they drive the tall guy crazy while he's working on this blog! So, in addition to his presents under the tree, Jack has two squeeky toys in his stocking: a duck that quacks and a weasel that wheezes... er... well it does something. (Reminder from the tall guy: Next time remember to take off the price tags BEFORE you put gifts in the stocking!) The saleslady promised me that the duck would not quack after 5pm.

Second story: How Jack got his name...
Jack's FULL name (the one on all his checks) is Sundancers Repairman Jack. His first name (Sundancers) comes from his Mom's home.
Jack's other names comes from a fantastic writer, F. Paul Wilson. Repairman Jack is character in a series of wonderful books. Repairman Jack is also an amazing puppy, but F. Paul Wilson hasn't written about him yet!
However, maybe if F. Paul Wilson reads this blog, and sees what a great puppy Jack is, he will make a character called RepairPuppy Jack in his next novel! Wouldn't you love to see a novel about a beautiful lab puppy that gets into all kinds of adventures?

Jack wishes all of you the best holidays ever. Hope you got the puppy you wanted for Christmas!

December 24, 2008

Just maybe...

If I jump up in the tall guy's lap and fall asleep and look all cute, Sanity Clause will come early and bring me lots of toys so that I can strew them all over the floor.
Then again, maybe I'll just eat his toes while he sleeps (cause I've already seen all the presents with my name on them!)

December 23, 2008

Jack practices his HANDSOME pose!

Jack says he can be really handsome when he wants to be. I tell him it's because he had really beautiful parents and it had nothing to do with the fact that he can now jump up on the counter and grab the paper towels. (This picture was taken on his 4 month birthday - I think he was being good so he would get a lot of presents!)

Jack is multi-national: a mix between English and American Lab. If you would like to see his amazing parents, here are their websites:
His Mom Cassie:
http://sundancerlabs.ipower.com/page4.html
(Jack was Mr. Red before he became Jack!)

His Dad Admiral:
http://www.amethystlabradors.com/admiral.html

Both Cassie and Admiral have wonderful families that love them very much!

December 22, 2008

Jack learns to use the doggy door!

Remember your first step? Of course not, you were only like a baby or something.
What did parents do before video cameras? I guess they sat around the fire and described it. Boy, that must have made for an exciting visit to the grandparents!

Or maybe they just did this!

Maybe I should do this. I could do 8 of them and use them as coasters at the dinner table. For when my non-puppy-crazy friends drop by.

Speaking of friends dropping by, does anyone else watch House Hunters? How come these people are ALWAYS talking about 'this would be a good place for entertaining' when they are looking for a new house? How many parties do these people throw? 6 bedrooms and 1 bath - no problem - it's got a deck we can use for ENTERTAINING! The kitchen sink is in the garage? Why, that would be perfect for when our friends come over so we can ENTERTAIN them. You know what would be entertaining? Watching some of these people trying to get furniture up 3 flights of stairs with no landings. Now THAT would be entertaining.

December 21, 2008

HUH?!?

I have NO idea how that shoe got there. It's not even my size.

I want a lawyer!

December 20, 2008

Maybe if I eat the bowl, they will give me more food!

Hey, how come part of this bowl is blue and part of it is black? I bet the black part is something good to eat or they wouldn't hide it down at the bottom. Besides, I need a new bowl anyway!

December 19, 2008

I GOT AN ITCH!!!

It's a good thing I'm so limber - I can scratch wherever I need to!

Did you know that someone has written a song about an itch? Somehow, I don't think mine's the same type of itch!

December 18, 2008

I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille.

I have new-found respect for pet photographers and GOOD photographers.
Jack lets me take about 20000 pictures of him every day.
If I'm lucky, one turns out ok.
Jack thinks he's so cute, even the bad ones are good.

Note: I just figured out why there are so few comments: I forgot to turn on the ability to comment (that might be a good reason!) It is turned on now, so everyone can comment away!!

December 17, 2008

Use the Force, Jack...

Maybe if I concentrate hard enough, I can make the food come to me so I can eat lying down.

December 16, 2008

Our boy is growing up!*

Just like the vet said, Jack has started to lose his front teeth.
I know this isn't the most flattering picture of Jack, but YOU try getting a picture of a dog's teeth while holding the camera in one hand and a mouth filled with thousands (minus 2) of needle-sharp teeth!

*And at LEAST he's not a chicken.

And Happy Birthday to my sister!

December 15, 2008

You're kidding with this hat thing, right???

December 14, 2008

Jack and the Giant Doughnut*

*with apologies to this guy.
We had to get a new squeeky toy, as the beer bottle gave up the ghost!**

** Don't worry - Christmas is coming soon and someone may be getting a big surprise under the tree.

December 13, 2008

Today, I shall be contemplative....
Oh, and the tall guy is back and he's promised to take me to the mall
so I can do my Christmas shopping!

December 12, 2008

I can't decide if I want a pink nose or a black nose. Maybe I'll have both! Some dogs are unlucky and get stuck with only one color! That's why you should always bring home a lab puppy.

I'm also trying to decide what color I want to be - some days I'm yellow, some days I'm red and some days I'm blue (but that's only because the tall guy has gone away!).

December 11, 2008

Everyone keeps saying I have such BIG FEET. And you know what they say about guys with BIG FEET - they need BIG SHOES!
(Oh come now, surely you didn't think I was going to say anything else!)

December 10, 2008

I'm SO tired.
I'll tell you what, if you will just open the door and push me out, I won't pee in the house.
Honest!
Better still, just push my back half out and I'm good.
Oh, and bring me some water.
Bring me some of this stuff, not that junk you've been buying from the grocery store!

December 9, 2008

I do NOT snore!!

I can't believe you woke me up just to tell me that I snore.
YOU snore!!

December 8, 2008

Oh my, look how beautiful.

It's so big and colorful.

And it smells so good!

Can I eat it?

"No, Jack, that's a BOX. We don't eat cardboard."

Well, why don't we move this big green thing out of here and just decorate the box?

December 7, 2008

Jack at 3 1/2 Months

I'll teach you to leave me... I'll grow 4 feet while you're gone for 3 days!

December 6, 2008

Total amount of destruction while the tall guy was away:

• 1 clothes hamper
• 1 kitchen island corner
• 2 outside bushes
• 1 blue dinner bowl
• 1 new hole in the ground
• 2 paperback books (covers only)

Amount of excitement shown when the tall guy came home:
• Immeasurable!

December 5, 2008

Y A W N!

It's a dog's life I tell you.

I wish that tall guy would hurry up and get back home. It's no fun tearing up the house when he's not here to fuss at me!

December 4, 2008

How did I get up here and how do I get down???

If that tall guy was here, I bet he would help me get down.

If you come to visit me, maybe you can help me get down...
AND funky :)

December 3, 2008

Jack in his football letterman jacket.*
'Nuff said.

*Not to be confused with this.

December 2, 2008

Evidently, I am a very bad father:

Jack told me, in no uncertain terms, that I am NOT to put blog pictures of him in the tub. He said he was very unhappy with the way he looked. So, to rectify the situation, I was told that I must put up a distinguished photo.

We went to the vet this morning and we weigh between 30 and 31 pounds. Unfortunately, the scale at the vet's office can not take 'ecstatic tail-wagging' into account, so that's why we don't know EXACTLY how much we weigh. We got a very good report. AND we love the vet. She lets us play with her puppies that she keeps at the office. She also gives us treats.

December 1, 2008

Our First Bath!

Well, it's not really OUR first bath. That would be disgusting. It's Jack's first bath at his new home and he did really well. He wasn't the least bit worried about going down the drain, but he did have a bit o' trouble standing in the slippery tub. His favorite part was eating the towels as he was dried off, but that worked out well as he got a nice rubbing so he was very content.

Now he smells like fresh baked apple pie (or maybe that's the Christmas candles).

November 30, 2008

PILLOW FIGHT!

Here we are in anticipatory mode - waiting for that delicious moment when the pillow is dropped on our head.
Sometimes the pillow isn't dropped on our head, but is thrown across the room, so we have a joyous run to retrieve the pillow so we can keep playing pillow fight. And sometimes we just hump the pillow....

November 29, 2008

A FRIGHTENING SIGHT!!

I know this may not seem scary to most people, but to anyone who lives with a puppy but....

Jack has learned to jump up on the couch. Up to now, anything above 3 feet was safe. After he and I got back from lunch today, Jack decided he needed a nap, so (unbeknownst to me), he decided to get up on the couch. Fortunately, he hasn't learned to jump OFF the couch yet, so at least he's not going to hide on top of the refrigerator and attack me when I least expect it.

Getting to sleep on the blue blanket - that's just the icing on the cake.

November 28, 2008

Sleeping off our big Thanksgiving dinner.

We're up to 4 cups a day, which is about 214,000 calories. (Estimated caloric intake based upon how hard it is to pick up Jack and put him in the car!)

We got caught in the rain this morning during our walk. This was our first rain in a long time. So, since we were hundreds of miles away from the house, Jack got carried home (as we did not feel like taking the 2 hours it normally takes to get back home with all the stopping and smelling). So, if you happened to see a guy with puppy running while carrying a puppy this morning when it was raining, that might have been us.

November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

Unfortunately Jack isn't allowed to eat any real turkey, so he'll have to make d0 with his turkey-flavored Nylabone.



Jack has decided that he wanted to dress like one of the Pilgrim dogs. I told him anything would be fine as long as he didn't do THIS.

November 26, 2008

Our morning DRAG... er... walk.
If you try to talk to me (the tall guy, not Jack) during our morning walk, make sure you ask me questions that can only be answered with the following:
"No"
"Drop it." (Use this one a lot!)
"Come"
"Hurry"
as these are evidently the only words I know while we are out on our first walk.

Who knew there were so many things to see, smell, taste and chew in the world. Who also knew that glass* is one of those amazing things that we need to chew. We want to thank the neighbors for having broken glass all around their yard and not cleaning it up!

Yes, we are going to go to 'school' but we are waiting until we get all our doggy 'vacations' first.

* Who would put a question like this online? It would be like me posting: 'The pot of grease on my stove just burst into flames? What should I do? I eagerly await your response!'

November 25, 2008

Come and play with me.

It's easy.

Just stick your butt up in the air and put your head on the ground. Go ahead, I'll wait.

Now, shake your tail really fast. Faster.... That's good.

Now, go in the house and get me something to eat. Not those orange sticks, get me something good. Yes, that's part of how dogs play. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise, especially that tall guy in the house who hides all the good stuff.

November 24, 2008

I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it:

November 23, 2008

I don't know what it is you are eating, and I don't care.
May I have some please?

November 22, 2008

The Scream

You'd have thought he saw a bug or something...

Put THIS on the things I did not know.
And now I do.

November 21, 2008

Jack finds his videos on YouTube.



He is somewhat concerned that he is not 1080p. I tell him he has enough p and that I'm tired of cleaning it up.

November 20, 2008

Ah, what is this?
I don't know.
I should eat it.
It's BIG.
I should eat it anyway.
But what if it doesn't taste good?
Maybe I'll just eat a little bit of it.
But what if it tastes REALLY good.
Then I can eat it all.
What is it?
I don't know,
but I'd better eat it before that guy pulling me around on the string sees it.
He might eat it and I won't get any of it.
OK, I'm gonna eat it.

Oh look, a bug.
I should eat it.

November 19, 2008

My how they grow...

For the hundreds of people who have been asking, here's Jack at one month:



And here's Jack at 3 months:


I hope that he doesn't get any bigger. Everyone keeps saying look at his feet to tell. All I see are feet!
I'll put up some puppy feet pictures soon.

November 18, 2008

Look into my sad puppy eyes...

If you'll take me to that place where you get those round things,

and give me some of those paper things, I'll buy us something.

And I'll never ask you for anything else ever again!

November 17, 2008

Jack-Whateva!!

Jack, do not eat the dirt.
Whateva....

Jack, do not eat the electrical line going from the heat pump to the house.
Whateva...

Jack, do not eat the leather sofa.
Whateva....

Jack, do not eat... whateva!!!

November 16, 2008

Jack on the beach...

And by beach, we mean big huge sand pile out at the park.

We finally found a place we can dig and not get covered in dirt.
Unfortunately, we get covered in sand instead.

We have also decided that we can be frenetic and wild and run around without destroying the neighborhood.

November 15, 2008

We decided to have part of our breakfast al fresco at the park today:



We saw a lot of mommies and babies, but we did not eat the babies.

We did much better with our DROP command today, so we didn't eat as many bugs or cigarette butts.

We did not want to come home from the park, but the guy who pulls me around on the string was getting tired of smelling everything. He must have smelled it all before.

November 14, 2008

Our first walk in the REAL park:

We discovered many things, primarily cigarette butts. We do wish the other dogs wouldn't throw down their cigarettes after they get finished smoking.

We are also trying to learn where we can go and where we can't. There are so many new smells, it's hard not to get a little excited.

We are getting much better about walking with our harness. We have learned that it is much easier if we don't try to eat it while we are walking!

We are also learning what W A L K means. But don't say it if you don't mean it, cause that's just M E A N!

November 13, 2008

If you have a hard time waking up in the morning, get one of these:



Fortunately, he goes back to sleep about 8 hours later.
And IF I'm lucky, we get to spend those 8 hours he's awake:
• looking for my shoe
• finding my shoe and looking for the other shoe
• actually seeing how far a sock can stretch when it's being pulled off my foot
• looking for toe band-aids
• looking for bugs
• trying to eat bugs
• removing bug parts from mouth
• moving things UP from the floor
and
• un-rearranging the rugs in the living room (for some reason, Jack seems to think the rug looks better if it's moved into any other part of the house than where I have it - and we're talking an 8 x 11 rug here - even I have a hard time moving it! Maybe he doesn't like the color...)

I think it would be better if everyone just named their puppy 'NO'.

November 12, 2008

How would you like to wake up every morning with THIS staring you in the face?

You would love it - you know you would.

Unfortunately, THIS has these.

And THOSE cause these.

November 11, 2008

Jack and one of his toys:



Why do puppies like to play tug-of-war? Were all the dinosaur puppies at the company summer picnic and forced to play tug-of-war and 3-legged race (7 legged race?) and have potato sack races?

Jack watched the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge this weekend. He was very proud of Kody, who won the Extreme Vertical Demonstration because he is a yellow lab too! Jack would like to do the Frisbee challenge, but he wants to be the one throwing the Frisbee instead of catching it.

November 10, 2008

What you want to see:



Yes, I love you, let me lick you all over and kiss you and hug you and whisper in your ear and tell you how wonderful you are!!

What you are really seeing:

I want whatever is in that purple bag and I want it right now and I will tear off your ear if you don't give it to me!

And give me that white string thing too or I will pee on you!

November 9, 2008

If you wake me up while I'm asleep, I will have to box your nose!

November 8, 2008

Jack and Coke!