Halloween 2014

We only had two trick-or-treaters on Halloween. Disappointing, but it gave us plenty of time to torture-I mean dress up-the Rosendogs in their costumes. Enjoy!

Her Rotteness Reigns Supreme

We've created a monster. These teenage months are going to wear us down as much as puppy hood did, the only difference is Ray moves faster now. She's still adorable and funny, and we could definitely have it much worse, but she's as obstinate as ever and has little interest in listening to, much less obeying, commands. Unless you're Magi...or Jason.

Magi has very little patience for Ray's antics. They're still buds and wrestle regularly, but Ray cow tows to Magi, even when she shouldn't or doesn't need to. Magi's gotten really bossy with everyone, including us when she thinks she can get away with it. The two of them keep the boys in check though. They won't put up with Lieu picking on Speck at all.

Ray's love-me-not behavior wouldn't matter if she hadn't decided she's Jason's dog. She loves, loves, loves her papa. She brings her toys to him to play (while refusing my offers to play), and tries to share by shoving them in his mouth, she snuggles with him in bed or on the couch and ignores me or jumps off. And now she cries when he leaves.

So I've decided to use Ray's fondness for Jason to teach her a new trick. I always wave goodbye to him from the dining room window and Ray has started standing at the window with me when he leaves. So I'm trying to teach her to wave at him by moving her paw up and down. She's not very patient so she usually runs off before he actually leaves, but I call her back and help her wave as I do. I'm pretty sure she tried to wave by herself today and even if it wasn't intentional, she's still getting the idea.

I'm also teaching her to catch treats in the air. We started with Cheetos, cause who doesn't love Cheetos!? Ray did great, Magi not so much. Magi just lets them bounce off her head and the floor, much like Betty used to do. And Specker is great at it too. Lieu didn't hear the commotion and slept through it all.

A word of warning should you ever visit the Animal House: Ray loves to stick her nose in your crotch and butt, and will happily lift your skirt, shorts to do so. She actually has to approach you to do so, the chances of which are fairly slim given her track record with people, but consider yourself warned all the same.

And the Beat Goes On

Tried to get a new selfie with Ray and had to settle for this one. At least we're both in it.

Raylene managed to lose her fancy name tag and rabies tag. Guessing they came off somewhere in the yard during a wrestling match with Magi. Scoured the yard a couple of times but they've yet to turn up. Now's our chance to turn her loose!

If she continues pleasuring herself in the manner she recently discovered, Sillybutt may have to go elsewhere anyway. Just kidding! But seriously, what's with the masterbating dogs?!

Rosendog Family Field Trip

Very rarely do we take all four dogs anywhere together. A quick trip to Sonic for half-price shakes provided the opportunity to take the girls for a short trip with the boys as company so we loaded them all up and headed down the road. Everyone did really well! Ray had a blast hanging her head out the windows with the boys and looking at everything. Magi did pretty well too although she stuck it pretty close to us. But there was no crying or puking so I call it a win!

Ray brought a stick in yesterday through the dog door. I told her that sticks need to stay outside. She promptly went over, picked the stick up and headed back outside with it. I know she didn't understand everything I said, but Ray shows us everyday just what a smart dog she is.

Rosendog Athletic Department

Huge news! Ray caught the Frisbee twice tonight while I was playing with her. It's the first time she's caught it for either of us and two times no less! We were super excited!

Here's a video of one of our other athletes. Lieu loves to "play soccer" and will push a ball around the yard until he's about to collapse, so he doesn't get many opportunities.

Spring Romp with Magi & Ray

Took this a couple of weekends ago. Jason was building a pavilion/carport and I was cleaning the deck and deck furniture, but as you can see the girls didn't let that get in the way of their fun. Forgive the poor  videograghy,  they're hard to keep up with.

We decided to go with Pet Armor for flea and tick control now that it's available at more retailers. I don't care for the smell but nobody had a bad reaction so I'm hopeful.

Big news for Ray this weekend -- she managed to ride with Jason and Speck to Sonic and back without vomiting! I'm hopeful it's a breakthrough,  even if it means we always have to take another dog with her.

Ray Don't Care

"Ray don't care" pretty much sums up life at our house the past couple of months. And we expect to keep saying it regularly as our teenage terror of a puppy seems hellbent on continuing her current trends of disobedience and destruction.

You see those ears, right? Ray picks up every sound in a mile radius, I'm sure. So I know it's not her hearing when I call her to me from two feet away and she goes to Jason. She just doesn't care that I'm the one calling her.

The other day Jason found our little darling de-feathering our lonesome dove. She hadn't killed it mind you, just pinned it to the ground and proceeded to pull the feathers out of the poor thing's back. Jason was able to distract her away from it long enough for the dove to fly away. This dove has visited our yard regularly for several years and has no mate, so I'm very hopeful he has a full recovery.

That evening Ray punched Jason in the mouth after he made what we've started calling the crazy note while playing with her

Lucha Libre por Peros

The Rosendogs are ready to rumble--Mexican wrestling style! Don't turn your back on these ferocious beasts, you're liable to regret it. Meet the All Bads:

Rowdy Ray

Mad Magi

Licky Lieu

Spazy Speck

You Win Some, You Lose Some

So that whole Pet Rider thing, just forget about it. I took Ray with me for a five minute trip down the road the other night and she put the Pet Rider through a good run. I was very disappointed that she was sick because it's looking more and more like her only car rides will be to the vet, and no offense Dr. Davis, but that's no fun! But I was pleased because the Pet Rider didn't let any of the mess, and it was bad, soak through to the seat.

I pulled the cover out of the car and threw it in the washer. It says on the box and the tag that it's machine washable, one of the benefits I mentioned previously. They should probably add "not recommended" after machine washable because while it didn't destroy the Pet Rider, it certainly compromised the integrity of the backing material as its now full of holes. Not sure that will do much to stop leakage. Disappointing but at least I have a fall back...and the receipt.

Speck's eye is looking good and all the Rosendogs are enjoying their almost daily walk. We've been adding distance as the temperatures have started getting warmer. Ray is doing even better with come but loves to bark at the neighbor dogs and is still munching the poo poo here and there. She's still a Sillybutt and wiggly as can be, you'd think she was 2 months instead of 5. She jumps like a jack rabbit, straight up in the air, but has yet to figure out how to jump on the bed. She's a hot mess, but makes me laugh every day. The Rosendogs are all playing together well now, as much as the boys know how to play with others. And I had to smile when I looked over the other night and they were all laying on the dog beds. I think Ray's starting to become comfortable with being a member of the family.

The Dingo Is My Baby

Who's up to 25.5 pounds? This girl is! We went to visit Dr. Davis today for Ray's second puppy booster and rabies shot. She's gained nearly 10 pounds in her first month with us. We also got a treatment for her latest fascination-poop eating. I've decided she's going to present us with every dog behavior issue possible as a trade off for her cuteness. I blame her early feral upbringing, after all I am raising a yeti-coated dingo--check out those ears! Further evidence: Ray's on top of Magi, shaking her by the collar as I write.

It was a banner day for Baby Ray, but not all of it in good ways. Work schedules required the Rosendogs to stay in their boxes longer than usual. I found Ray's  protest over her treatment when I came home to pick her up for the vet.

Ray cried the whole time on the drive to Nixa but was happy in the clinic and wanted to meet all the other dogs and their people. We had no sooner left the lot and got back on the road toward home when she threw up in the back seat. Poor baby! There's nothing I could do in rush hour traffic but head home. Ray just doesn't do well in the car. I'm not so sure she'll be up to being our new river dog if she's going to be sick every time we travel. We'll just have to keep trying and invest in one of those washable backseat covers, sheets just don't quite do it.

Another possible trip to the vet on Saturday, this time with Speck. One of his eyes is bothering him so hopefully it will clear up by then, but if not, at least he doesn't get car sick! 

Some days are like this one, even with our little Ray of Life, and sorry if it grossed you out. Life is definitely not all puppy kisses and cute photos around here, but I love it. 

Ray's Snowy Day

Our little yeti of the Ozarks ran herself silly today playing in the snow. Of course it's better when Magi joins in, but Ray's happy to play on her own. The Rosendogs didn't get their walk today but at least they still got plenty of exercise.

I came home early with a headache and the intention of napping. Sweet baby Ray would have none of it. She not only refused to nap with me but took every opportunity to accost my face with her barracuda teeth and claws. Such a sweet girl.

The Art of Kissing With Your Teeth

Sweet Baby Ray made her first kill this week. Jason let the Rosendogs in and she ran up and dropped a black bird/starling at his feet. She was most proud of herself and I'm sure will spend her life giving the birds a run for their money.

Raylene continues to be a lively spirit, or holy terror, whichever you prefer. She and Magi chase and wrestle off and on all day. Poor Magnolia takes a lot of abuse but it's kind of fitting given the hell she used to give Betty.

Ray also seems to think I'm a chew toy. Whether its my hands, face or ankles, most kisses start with the tongue and quickly turn to nips. And then there's the sneak attacks on my ankles. Guess what SuperDogMom will be reading about and working on with Ray this weekend? Haven't had much luck so far.

Friday night with the Rosendogs. 

Speaking of training, Ray's getting pretty good at sit but stay is challenging for her. We're still working hard on come but she's gotten much better!

Sillybutt on Ice

If I haven't expressed how much Raylene likes the cold, let me just cover that now - my dog is a yeti. Ray LOVES cold weather, it seems like the colder the better. She wants to stay out and play long after everyone else has come in. It doesn't matter if the wind's blowing, it's dark or snowing, Ray's out there entertaining herself, or if she's lucky, playing with Magi.

The top of our backyard pond has frozen more than usual this winter due to the unseasonably cold weather we've been experiencing. Raylene can't get enough of the ice! We've given up trying to keep her off of it. She lays on it, leaps onto it and digs at it.

But her favorite thing is to frolic with sweet gum balls - yes, the pointy, brown, pain in the butt castoffs from my neighbor's sweet gum trees. Lieu loves to chew on them as well, but never have I seen him prance and dance with them the way Ray does, especially across the ice! It's absolutely magical to watch at night under the lights, but of course I couldn't get any video of that. Too bad the Olympic figure skating trials are already over, Ray would definitely take the gold!

I have visions of her falling through the ice and having to scoop her out or worse, but it's worth the worry to watch her have so much fun. Jason assures me that she's safe, the ice is plenty solid. And when it does start melting, he breaks it up to discourage Puppy Shackleton from exploring. Then she has a grand time trying to grab chunks of ice from the pond and running around the yard with it.

The pack and their people enjoyed a beautiful day in the backyard yesterday,  taking advantage of the 60 degree day among all of the bitterly cold ones. There was plenty of chase, wrestling and stick chewing to be had. Ray also worked on her tunnel to China in the digging pit and found her way to the top of the compost bin to bark at the neighborhood dogs. Such a busy, busy girl. I took advantage of the warm weather by giving the yard a thorough poop scooping. Such is the glamorous life of a super dog mom.

Lieu Teaches Ray About the Digging Pit

Lieu introduced Raylene to the joys of the digging pit. She took to it very quickly and seems to get a big kick out of it!

The dogs do actually dig in this space we've set aside for them. We have to remind them occasionally but the whole pack loves their pit. In case you were wondering how we made it, we churned up the dirt about 1 foot down, cleaned out the larger rocks and mixed a few bags of sand into the dirt.  It hardens but breaks up quite easily and makes for great digging.

Ray & Magi: Making Friends Pt. 2

It was just a couple of days before Magi warmed up to her new playmate. Watch the dam break after Jason slides Magi across the floor and Sillybutt Ray practically explodes with excitement at the opportunity for a play session with her new big sis. Even ol' Speck gets in on the fun.

Magnolia was so lonely after Betty died in December. She played with the boys some but nothing like the way she and Betty use to play. It was great to see that Magi will have another gal to pal around with. She's only a couple of year's older than Ray Ray so they have years of fun ahead of them!

Ray and Magi: Making Friends Pt. 1

Little Raylene really wanted to figure out her place in the pack and especially with Magi those first few days. Magi, Speck and Lieu have all done incredibly well for having a whirlwind with barracuda teeth thrown into their midst. But of course they had to set and test boundaries.