Striders First Christmas

This was Striders first Christmas with us!

He came to us in Feb. at 4 months old.

He is playing with his Christmas present.

On Christmas morning he went to the Christmas tree to sniff around.  He found his huge chewy bone right off the bat!  He picked it up and ran with it!!  We had to go get it and unwrap it for him. 

 He loves it.

Strider is such a great dog.  

He doesn't have a mean bone in his body.  He is so loveable.  He is a glutton for attention.  I tell people "don't make eye contact with him if you don't want to pet him"!!

I highly recommend English Labradors for pets.  They are the best!!

Walking The Dog!

Strider had minor surgery (no more little Striders).

Strider and i walked 4 laps today.  And I ran for the last 1/2 lap.  Major for me!!

Good Girl!!

Me!! Not Strider!

I took Strider  for a walk for the first time since June.  Not exactly cool outside but not bad at all.

He is tuckered out!

Treat??

He jumps to attention.

He's a good boy!

A Purple Ball Like Lilly's

Lilly's owner brought Strider a purple ball like Lilly has.

He loves to play with it!

This morning, while I was sitting and hand sewing, Strider kept bringing me that ball and dropping it in my lap. Most of the time, it rolled off my lap and he went and brought it back.

He wants me to play with him.

 He has never dropped anything in my lap before. 

He  wants me to take it.

Then he wants me to roll it for him.

If I refuse to take it from him....

And since it rolls off my lap....he just drops it in my chair!

Doesn't he have The Look?

Like a kid....play with me, play with me!!

Silly Strider!

He bumps into things because he can't see over the bowl!

Strider likes to carry one of his water dishes around.

He must not be thirsty!

I can watch him from the cool (well, not exactly cool) comfort of my porch.

Strider is a frolicking Dog!

He is really still a puppy.

He just likes to have a good time.

Strider and Lilly.

Lilly came to visit Strider!  

We shut them off the porch while we had tea.

She is just like Strider and sits at the gate if it's shut.

Yummy tea with Lilly's owner.

After running around in the yard they were pooped!

Lilly is just like Strider in this way too.

"Ok, says Lilly, I've had enough of this heat.  I belong inside with the air conditioning"

Are they both a bit pampered??

Garden Dog

Strider follows me around as I visit my Roses in the morning.

I am understanding why most of my sisters dog pictures are from this angle.

Strider is always too close to me to get "whole dog" photos in the morning.

Must try harder!

Pretty Roses with the morning dew still on them.

Pictures Speak For Themselves!

Sewing Dog

I am training Strider to keep me company in my sewing room.  He has on his training leash.  He is always better when he wears it.

Really, I am training me to keep Strider company in my sewing room.  That is where I want to be.  And Strider wants to be where I am!

Strider Is In The Dog House

On the outside , looking in!

Strider loves to play in the spray from my garden hose.  He has completely overcome his fear of the hose!  That makes it hard to water my plants.  So I have to shut him out of my garden.  We found a problem with shutting him out, though.

Beautiful Morning Glories!

He runs on the other side of the fence trying to get at the water.  He tore off part of my Morning Glory Vine!  I LOVE my Morning Glory Vine.  Now, he has to go inside while I water.  Not only  that,  but he has to go in his kennel because he jumps at the window trying to get to the water.  Where my stained glass is hanging.

I can't even think about that!

Fun With His Toy

We found the toy like the one he loved so much when he visited Lilly.

He shakes it and runs around with it.

And it has lasted a long time in dog toy days.

It's one of his favorites!

Levi The Cat Is Boss

Strider sat in this submissive position for at least 5 minutes while Levi let out a low rumble from his throat.

Strider finally aggravated Levi to the point of action.  I heard Strider yelp a couple of times and the cat hiss.  Levi had Strider backed up against the front door.  Strider didn't even look at Levi.  For most of the day Strider didn't bark or go near Levi. 

Miah comforts Strider in his humiliation!!

Sprinkler Fun!!

Strider is trying to 'catch' the water spray.

It feels good in this heat!

And the only friend he can find to play with him.

But, he just has to take a break.

Strider Plays In The Hose

Strider gets wet.

After scaring Strider with the hose during a bath ( over a month ago), I am trying to help  him get over his hose phobia.

I put the hose down in the yard and he was curious.

He tried to "catch" the water!  He was so funny.

Put his whole face right in it!!

In which Strider Goes Swimming in Miss Lilly's Pool!

Lilly loves to swim in her pool and Strider was very interested!

Nose in Water!

In he went.

And he loved it!

He's a water dog!!

Leapin' Lizards!!  That swim was great!

Off to play with Lilly!

Strider Meets Lilly and Ruby

Left to Right: Lilly, Ruby (Striders sister) and Strider.

This was the best we could do getting the three together for a picture!

Ruby looks alot like Strider but a bit smaller and fatter.  She was as gentle and laid back as Strider is.  Even more so, I think.

Lilly and Strider

Lilly was happy to share her toys.

This was a favorite toy.

They ran and played for almost two hours.

Strider had a great time.

Next time: Pool pictures from the visit.