Playtime!

I've posted what seems like 216548943416 pictures of me and my best friend Lilah playing at the beach, in my grandparents' backyard, even at my house! But here's a refresher just in case you forgot how cute we can be...

I am posting these because Mom and I have been talking a lot about proper playtime and when things get out of hand. Ok, she talks and I just stare at her but I'm really listening I promise! 

Mom found this cool article on Dogster (we love them!) about choosing a proper playmate and I told her it's a good one. Think about it - you're pretty picky about who you would let play with your human child, right? Well why should us furry kids be any different?

See, the thing is that there are some dogs in my 'hood who just don't play nice. I don't mean that they're not nice dogs, they really are, but their play styles don't mesh well with mine and sometimes I just get a little mad.  Mom has been paying closer attention to my body language and has started to pick up on the doggie play cues I give off. I am pretty demonstrative when I don't like something but there are little things I do as I'm starting to get annoyed too. This "Doggie Language" chart below has helped her a lot:

Thanks to Leap Dog Training for the resource!

The main thing is that Mom looks for my body, head, ears, and tail to stay loose. Look at the "friendly" or "happy" dogs above - nothing sticks out straight and the muscles are relaxed. This article calls this Jell-O bones and it's a good analogy - everything should be wiggly and jiggly. 

Above all else, Mom has learned to say "NO" and walk away from the dogs that I don't get along with. It was hard at first because of course everybody wants to play with me (duh, I'm adorable...) but we've learned it's just easier to avoid some situations. The long, retractable leash? Nope. The unruly and untrained puppy? No thanks. I'm learning that there are good times to play and times when it's just best to go the other way.

So what about you...how do you like to play?

Where have we been?

See here's the thing about writing a dog blog...I have to get Mom's help to write it! I've had all these GREAT ideas but somebody has been too busy to be of any use. She seems to think that things like being in the busiest time of the year at work, studying for the LSAT and getting into a car accident are valid excuses for completely abandoning my writing career. For shame!

Well, a lot has happened since my Mom decided she liked a lot of things better than me so I won't try and shove them all down your throat at once. One thing at a time my friends...

First, if you follow us on Instagram you probably remember this adorable picture of me in my big, giant bed. If you don't follow us on Instagram...well then you should. Look us up @littlerockfish or just check out my pics by searching for #jacksblog.

Ok back to my story. This bed is To. Die. For. It's so perfectly soft without being too squishy, it has these great bolsters on the sides that I can cuddle up against, and it was only $40 at Costco. Everyone wins! 

Considering I'm a 65-pound mutt and I still have thaaat much room to move around, you can tell it's a pretty big bed. Look, it's even big enough to share with your best friend!

What have you been up to since I've been gone? What is your new favorite thing? 

Mother's Day 2012

Ok so we're posting about Mother's Day a few days late...whoopsie! I've been just a wee bit busy what with my long naps, endless chewing and playtime with Lilah. You understand how it can be...

Dad made sure that I gave Mom lots of love this year and she was VERY happy with what I did. Check it out!

 

That's right, Dad let me play in the paint! I had a blast!

Can you see my drawing in the upper right hand corner of Mom, Dad and me? Ok well maybe Dad helped with that part seeing as how he has thumbs and all...cheater.

Mom's lovely flowers and card. Check out the gift Mom made for Grandma in the background!

Aw aren't they cute?! Wait a second...where's my picture???

Hope you had a nice Mother's Day with your mom too!

Mondays in Mira Mesa: Food Trucks!

Last night we ventured out for a little something different for dinner. Thank goodness because I was getting sick of my kibble all day, every day...

Ok honestly it was really more of a trip for my parents and their friends but at least I got to come! I still had a good time because it was something different and a great chance for us (Lilah and I) to socialize with people, other dogs, and resist the temptations of having food all around. I think we did pretty well!

I was hoping that looking cute was going to help me get some free food. It didn't work.

Ordering from Chubby's Food Truck

You can see where I get my good looks.

Lilah's mom and dad

Aunt Ashley and my Mom tore themselves away from the food just long enough for a picture.

Mom's Asparagus Grilled Cheese from Devilicious was sooooo good.  At least that's what she told me :)

Tabe fries? They smelled amazing!

Dessert? Yes please! Sweet Treats did not disappoint!

This is my begging face. I think I got three truffle fries... total ripoff! 

We had a blast and may just find ourselves back this way again! The trucks are at Mira Mesa High School every Monday night from 5pm to 8pm with some limited tables and chairs provided. I believe it is a fundraiser for the MMHS Football program but don't quote me on that one, just check it out anyway!

Roommates!!!

Who lives in your home with you? Your mom, your dad, maybe a furry sister or brother? 

Well guess what...I'm lucky enough to live with my best friend!!!! That's right, Lilah moved in with us!!! (Ok she brought Aunt Ashley and Uncle Travis with her too...)

Since she's lived with us about a week, we've had plenty of time to play, chase and roll around the house together. Sometimes we even take breaks so that Mom can snap a few cute pictures of us. Dad is not loving the extra dog hair on the floor but really, when we're this cute, how long can he really stay mad?

By the way, did I mention she copies everything I do? It's really cute...for now at least...

Friday Fun: Multi-tasking

This is what it's like to walk two dogs at the same time...

Happy Friday!

Sleepovers - Darn puppy

You know I've told you before how much I LOVE having my little friend Lilah over to play. I even love when she stays over. Sleepovers are so much fun!

Mom...where you going? What do you mean we're staying outside??? Darn puppy.

Mom...she's in my bed again!!! Darn puppy.

Mom. She's up. Darn puppy!

Buuuuuut someone needs to teach the little nugget how to sleep in. Six thirty AM? On a Sunday? She is lucky she's so cute or else my Mom might not ever let her back. *sigh* At least when you're up early you get to see beautiful sunrises like this. Have a happy Sunday!

BEST DAY EVER!!!

My first day in the snow needs little explanation. It was perfect.

Happy New Year! I hope 2012 is just as fun!

Our First Giveaway!

Calling all friends, furry and human!!! We are officially announcing our first giveaway today as part of a way to help my best friend Lilah. 

Just a few days ago Lilah's mom sent this picture to my mom, partly out of desperation:

Yes my friends, that is the boxspring of Lilah's parents bed...chewed all of the way through. I can't say I'm too proud of my little friend but then again she is still learning and growing. She's only about ten months old and is having a hard time working out her anxious energy while Mom and Dad are out of the house.

Her parents have tried ... well, just about everything. They crated her when she was younger in an attempt to teach her boundaries and keep her away from things that could be chewed. That worked until she barked all day and the neighbors complained. She also rubbed her nose against the edge of the crate so much she actually hurt herself in the process! Crating was not working.

They tried leaving music on during the day. They've tried giving her a Kong packed with peanut butter, treats, etc. and having her work out her energy on that. They've tried exercising her more, training her in formal classes and at home, taking her to the nearby dog park to socialize her, and checking on her every four to five hours. They bought her a thundershirt that seemed to work for a while...until this. Help!

Here's how the giveaway works

Please comment below (on this post, not on Facebook) with your suggestions for Lilah and her parents. You can leave one comment below which counts as one entry into the giveaway. 

Want a bonus? Send us an email to sayhellotojack@gmail.com with a picture of the worst thing your pets have destroyed. When I was little I chewed on the heel of Mom's new Kate Spade heels. She was WAY too mad to remember to take a picture but you can imagine she still hasn't forgiven me...

We will announce a winner one week from today, on December 20, who will receive a truly fabulous dog-themed gift. I promise. Good luck!

Howl-o-ween, part 2

I was so excited to welcome some of my friends for a Halloween party and good ol' fashioned Monday Night Football! There were plenty more snazzy costumes, led by little 20-month-old Preston who trick-or-treated before hanging out for the night. Doesn't he make a great Yoda?

 

SO CUTE!!!

Rufus thinks he is a big dog

Dolly the Ladybug!

Rufus the Fisherman (hey, get out of my bed!)

Erik the crazy Charger fan, Steven (my dad) the Pirate, and Travis the Stay-at-home-Dad

Natasha the Pushy Girl Scout, Heather (my mom) as Daphne, and Ashley the Hippie

 

Preston's parents -- Mishell the Lawyer (who is also a lawyer in real life) and Jason the ... Dragon?

I made sure to steal attention even while I was outside

We had a great night with lots of food and plenty of treats. Unfortunately the Chargers didn't have a great night and everyone left with a little less pep in their step after a hard loss in overtime. Bummer! I would say "there's always next week" but Mom says that will make Dad even more mad so I'll just say "thanks for coming over, friends!" Enjoy the rest of your week!

Life with Lilah

I'm so lucky to have my BDF (best doggy friend) staying with us for the next couple of days! Mom says that the best of friends become more like family and I couldn't agree more. Lilah is a ton of fun but she's kind of like my annoying little sister a lot of the time too. At least I'm getting to do some fun stuff while she's here.

First we got to try out each other's beds. I think Lilah is enjoying it a bit more than I am seeing as how she upgraded a bit:

 One great thing about having a puppy at home? Mom has to come home midday to let her out to go to the bathroom! We made sure to greet her at the backdoor to show her how excited we were to see her:

Then Mom let Lilah out to do this:

HAHA Lilah is gonna be sooo mad when she sees that I posted that. Oh well, that's what siblings are for right? ;) I made sure to keep watch over the balcony:

What do you mean you can't see me? Ok try this one:

Best of all we got to play ALL day long so by the time the evening came around we were pooped:

Thanks for being my BDF Lilah!