elk mountain

a couple of weeks back, T and i loaded up the pups for a day hike out at the wichitas. we decided we'd check out a new (to us) trail out at elk mountain. thankfully, there was a storm that passed through the night before so the boys had loads of mini pools and mud to play in. 

[boba finding his first pool to lay in]

sadly, there were too many hikers out on the trail to let the boys run off leash, but T easily kept up with their energy...it made it all the easier for me to snap photos of all the sights :)

[just shy of half way up]

[my mountain man]

the first half of the hike (going up) was pretty intense, mostly due to the tricky terrain, incline, and weaving of the trail. that being said, it was really cool seeing our mountain-side views changing the further we went up. plus, we were greeted by an eastern collared lizard, and fresh elk droppings (guess that's why it's called 'elk' mountain - eep!). 

the second half of the hike (going up) was much better. there was a good amount of shade throughout, and the terrain was a nice switch from the first half. then, the wind picked up which was a sweet reminder of how close we were getting to the mountaintop.  

[pup pool with a view]

[taking a breather and catching the views]

it was a memorably sweaty hike that was well worth pushing through. it's probably why i love to hike when we can. being able to push through what your mind says you can do to reap such gorgeous rewards with your favorites makes it all the better. 

here's to the next hike! but, maybe we stick to early morning/late afternoon hikes ;)

sea legs

last weekend, after a last minute change-up in plans, we drove out to our friend's house in newcastle to enjoy a day of pool lounging and sun soaking. it was sublime, and just what i needed...although, i unfortunately got sick the next day (unrelated). but lately, it's been one trip after another, which is awesome but, can be a little exhausting. so it was great to just hang with no agenda. we brought the pups along for the day too since they love a good run and swim.

[boba's technique to get in the pool, one]

[boba's technique to get in the pool, two]

[boba's technique to get in the pool, three]

[boba loved racing larry to the edge of the pool]

the pups couldn't have been happier. total, there were seven dogs of all sizes and ages, and our babes loved it. the was quite the fiesta of marking things, rolling around, pooping, sniffing butts, and swimming. 

[boba trying to coax little chuck into swimming; it was chuck's first time]

[chuck was a little scared]

[bruce - my favorite pug. he let all the young pups run around while he kept cool in the shade]

once we swam around for a bit, the guys of course turned to showing off their dives, cannonballs, and belly flops. isn't it funny how quick it turns to that? and if they can splash the girls laying out on their towels...mission complete!

[boba got so excited at this, he jumped in with too]

[right before the guys splashed us...again. oh brother!]

such a great day to welcome the incoming summer months and the best pup sleep aid ever. seriously, it took two days for them to get back up to their normal speed! 

water dogs

 

since the weather has officially decided to stay warm, it has become the time of year our pups love: water season! while our two lab mixes love to play in snow or colder weather, nothing makes them happier than to swim and play around in water. so, T and i try to make a point of taking them out to a nearby lake at least once a month. last saturday was their first day of the season and the moment we parked, they both started to get excited and whined for us to move faster. once we were close enough, we let them off their leashes and they took off towards the water...it was like they knew today was pup day ;)

 

we had also invited alex & larry to bring their dog huck out since he's a fellow water dog too. the three boys went crazy running in and out of the lake, marking trees, and rolling in red mud. it was so fun to watch how happy they were and to see them in their element.

 

[huck and boba swimming out for the same stick]

 

[boba couldn't have been happier as he swam further and further out to catch sticks and cool off]

 

it was such a great afternoon spent treating our water boys to what they love most. they played so hard that they all crashed on the drive back home. so, i think it's fair to say our pup day was a success!

running wild

 

this past weekend, T and i decided to take advantage of some extra sunny (and warm-ish) weather by taking the pups out so play. since our babes are a bit bigger, we try to take them out to less crowded areas so they can run around, roughhouse, and play fetch. plus, seeing our two run around sans leash can be a bit alarming to non-dog friendly folks. so, we just avoid the fuss and keep it simple.

 

it seemed that once we parked the car, the boys went from zero to one hundred on excitement as they took off to play tag with each other, leave notes, play with hay, and run alongside T.

 

[stole a smooch ;)]

 

[look at that happy boy...lazy lab tongue and all]

 

we had such a great time that we may make it our weekly routine for them. plus, the boys napped the afternoon away once we got home...bonus! ;)

a painting

 

a little over a year ago, i came across the lovely and talented artist jessica marianello via her etsy shop. i found myself instantly in love with her pet potraits and her ability to pour the personality of every living being she meets into her paintings. my favorite, upon going to her website, Stray Dog Arts, was her painting of a man playing the harmonica while his dog howls along. it was just so funny, sweet and out of the norm of what you typically see animals painted as. more times than not, their personalities are not captured as vividly.

 

so with christmas to come, i set out my plans to have jessica come meet boba and i (pre solo bear) and create a piece that would perfectly capture T and i's sweet lovebug of a pup. her and boba became immediate friends and after telling her all about him and his nickname, sir pouts-a-lot, her face lit up as she just had to see this herself. sure enough, it didn't take long (since boba feels he has a lot to pout about regularly....he really has gotten quite good at it) before he gave that signature pout you see below. and it seemed only fitting that this photo be chosen to capture sweet boba's like-ness.

 

then christmas morning came, T and i exchanged our gifts, and upon opening T's painting, he took one look and said...that's our boba :)

 

jessica, we truly cannot thank or recommend you enough to any animal lover to commission your work. we are forever grateful and can't wait to have one made of solo once is has finished growing.

 

[i love this photo. i kept trying to get boba to sit with all the distractions around him and then finally he did sit. ...right on my lap. that sweet boy sure does have my heart and then some]

 

should you ever want to have something to remember your furry loved ones or to give as a great, personalized and unique gift, please contact jessica. i can promise, you will get so much more than just a painting. :)

**and yes, we are aware we are those people who talk about their dogs constantly...they may not be our whole life but, they certainly make our lives whole. ..even when boba is sir pouts-a-lot**

snow day

 

[how cute is this photo of solo?!]

 

we had a white christmas! for those of you who are not from oklahoma and do not know how strange this phenomenon is, i will repeat again, we had a white christmas!! and while we don't get massive amounts like my family up north gets, T and i were super excited to wake up to it. plus, boba happens to be a big fan of snow...i mean, it's probably his second favorite thing besides eating, sleeping, playing with his squeaky toy, swimming.... ;)

 

but, we were most excited to see how our polar bear of a pup, solo, would take to it!

sure enough, he was a big fan and especially loved running around in it, rolling in it, finding poopsicles in it (ick), sliding in it...you get the idea!

 

[on the lookout for more snow to run in]

the pups were so excited to romp around, they frequently tangled themselves up around each other...and me. but who cares, it's a snow day! (plus, they were more interested in covering us with snow and ice to bother with their leashes. that's what a couple of trouble-making pups are supposed to do right?!)

hope any others who got snow out there had as much fun as we did!

adelaide