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? 

Happy Father's Day!

Thanks Dad for all that you do! I love when we go to the beach...

I love when we cuddle...

I love when you give me baths...

And I even love when you dress me up and make me do stupid things...

As long as I'm with you, I'm a happy pup :) Thanks for being such a great Dad!

Rainy days with Aunt Chelsea

Thank you Aunt Chelsea for coming to see me...

 Here's to hoping it's dry tomorrow!

The many benefits of owning a dog

A little perusing on Pinterest led to the discovery of this bad boy...

Click here to enlarge

Our favorite parts:

We try to offer extra cuddles when you're sad.

I definitely do! I run out to the patio whenever I hear my Mom or Dad's cars

Yeah yeah yeah but let's not rush that one...

Remember when I told you about this here?

Obviously. 

Have a great Monday everyone!

Today was hard

This morning was rough. One of my best friends Johnny has been staying with us the past month and today he had to go home. I sat and waited patiently for him to return with no luck :(

Fortunately a little cuddle time with Dad helped me feel better.

How much longer do you think I can milk this?

I love camping!

This past weekend we went out to Lake Hemet {side note: did you know there is a lake in Hemet?} and I had a BLAST chasing the ball, swimming in the lake, and just living the good life. The first night was a bit scary since the winds were blowing like crazy and the tent was swaaaaying but I got to cuddle with Mom and Dad so I can't complain too much. I mean really, what could be better than this?

That one with the bike is for you GGpa Bob!

There's my dad, with our friend Natasha. For a human's perspective on camping don't skip her blog here!

Shiba Inu Puppy Cam

Have you had a chance to watch the puppy cam? Kika, a Shiba Inu, gave birth to six puppies on April 14 and the world has been captivated watching their growth. Here they are as young pups:

Now I made a pretty cute pup too but nothing beats SIX puppies playing, eating, and growing together. There are three boys (Chozen, Chame, and Chikara) and three girls (Chisaki, Chiyoko and Charlotte), all with wonderful forever homes waiting for them once they are old enough to leave their mother and their siblings.
 
Check out the video feed below and try to convince me that we don't all give a collective "awwww" at that adorable little family!


Live streaming video by Ustream

For more information on the pups click here. Thanks to GGPa Bob for the tip!

Jealousy

Co-sleeping

I had a VERY busy weekend. Dad went out of town to Las Vegas with a bunch of his guy friends so Ashley and Maddie came over to stay with us! YAY!

On top of having my best dog friend around, my best human friend came into town too. Johnny! He is dad's little brother so technically he is my Uncle but we're so close in age it's more like we are best buds. I am so glad he is back. He never lets me out of his sight and he's the best at holding my bone while I gnaw away. He should be here for the next month or so and he is staying at our house. I am so thrilled I can hardly sit still!!

Finally, after a long weekend of playing with all my best friends I had to collapse down for a nap at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Look who found their way into the bed with me!

Oh and mom apologizes for the very poor photo quality but it was the best she could do from her phone :)

I hope you are enjoying your week and recovering from your weekends too!

It's the Pits

Mom and Dad have long wondered about where I came from and what I am. People stop and ask my parents all the time, "what is he?" Their best answer is "we're not sure, what do you think?" because the truth is that they don't know either!

When Mom and Dad brought me home they were told I was a "German Shepherd mix" though I don't know how true that is. Here I am on my first day home. Do I look like a shepherd pup to you?

I might be part shepherd (given the dark nose and bushy tail) but we've considered a couple of other options as well. Maybe Boxer? Perhaps Ridgeback? Even Pit Bull has been in the mix.

I know what you must all be thinking - Pit Bull? And your mind probably jumped immediately to all the bad things you know about dogs like me. We are vicious, too violent, and mean. We have way too much energy and we bite unexpectedly. We like to fight, thanks to some football player that got too much press for a very bad thing. In truth, you are partially right. Some Pit Bulls are aggressive and some are mean. Some like to fight and some bite. However, those bad boys should not dirty the name of our breed. You can't say we are going to be violent or mean simply based on who our parents are.  I'm not going to say that about you.

In fact, according to testing by The National Canine Temperament Testing Association, the Golden Retriever, Poodle, Border Collie, English Setter, and numerous other breeds are considered more likely to become aggressive than the mix of breeds commonly referred to as Pit Bulls. According to an article by Modern Dog Magazine, "bully breeds" are usually extremely loyal, lovey and often goofy. They are also known for being very good with children and are even referred to as "nanny" dogs in the UK because they are often trusted to look after the children.

I guess my point is that prejudices and generalizations just aren't fair. I am not a violent dog and I have little interest in fighting unless it is with Dad on the floor of the living room trying to get my bone back. I am probably one of the lucky ones. I ended up with parents who love me no matter what I am or where I came from!

One last pic to try changing your mind if I haven't already. What's not to love about such a happy "Pit Bull Smile?"

Happy Birthday Uncle Matt!

Thanks for always laying with me even though it requires lots of face-washing and Claritin to clear up your allergies afterward. Love you!

PS Mom "can't believe" you're 22. She said it seems like just yesterday you came home from the hospital and peed in her face. You're gonna have to teach me that one! ;)

Fire!!!!!

Just as I was starting to brag about our gloriously sunny days, we got one afternoon of rain that spoiled all the fun. Perhaps I jinxed us?

Either way, mom and dad saw it as a great opportunity to try out the fireplace we have never used. Sure, it has always served as a wonderful backdrop for my beds but it has never, in the 2 1/2 years we have lived here, actually held a fire. This might seem odd for you humans but I never complained! I saw no need to go playing with such frightening ideas. *sigh* Nevertheless, mom and dad were determined to make use of the fireplace...Check out Dad's nifty headlamp used to make sure the flue was open:

Dad was insistent that I would really like the fire...

He even tried to give me a command to lay in front of it...

I eventually gave in and he was right, it did feel pretty good!

Still, this fireplace looks incomplete without my bed (and me) in front of it, doesn't it?

I made mom zoom in and show you the cute little frame that sits on the mantle, above my bed :)

While I know one afternoon of light drizzle does not compare to the many feet of snow some of you are experiencing, it was a great excuse to cuddle up indoors and sleep the day away!

Just Grandma and Me!

This weekend I get to spend two whole nights at Grandma's...just the two of us! Grandpa went out of town and Grandma wanted some extra security. I think we're going just fine so far...don't you?

See you soon Grandpa :)

Sleep from a dog's perspective

Now I've written to you all before about the joys of sleeping here. I know you humans don't always understand the ways we dogs sleep so let me give you some examples of my favorites:

This is how I sleep in the backseat of the car

squished between mom and Grandma...

This is how Maddie and I pass out under the bed

after a long day of playing...

This is how I slept to show mom I was

outgrowing my bed and needed a new one...

This is how I sleep with Dad...

Oops, looks like I caught mom taking the picture!

Dad didn't flinch though...

This is how I nap with mom during Charger games...

My Uncle Matt says I look like a cat in this one...

A modified version of the one above...this one means

"turn out the light, it's too early!!"

Of course, spread eagle is always a great option...

And finally, my newest trick...sneaking into Mom and Dad's bed

when they are busy doing other things! I blend well between the pillows right?

How about you? Where/how do you like to sleep?

Hey mom...can we keep him?!

This past week has been SOOO much fun! Mom got me a cool new friend to play with! Johnny is 10 years old and my dad's little brother (although he's not really that much littler than dad anymore...maybe I should call him dad's younger brother...)

We have had a great time going for walks, playing at the dog park and generally just hanging out. I've been like Johnny's little shadow following him everywhere he goes. At night when mom says it's time for bed I even stand on the inside of the bedroom door just staring at it, hoping she'll let me out again soon so we can keep playing :)

Here's a picture of us cuddling in my bed one night...

Mom says Johnny will have to go back to his house on Friday but I keep hoping he'll stay. I'm going to be so sad without him!

I love lazy Sundays...

Especially when they include cuddle time with mom!