Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

Chloe does not growl nor does she bite (with any intent other than play). I wish I was more like her in that regard. The above picture is only one of many where she has tolerated being dressed up. And she doesn't seem to mind. She knows in the greater scheme of things, indulging my playful interaction will make me love her all the more. So, she puts up with stuff. And, once again, I wish I was like her, because she doesn't sweat the small stuff.

Silly Summersaults

Chloe has done summersaults from the day we first brought her home. It freaked us out at first because we worried about her neck. In this picture, Benton has grabbed her so she doesn't fall head first off the couch. I admire her total abandon--and her flexibility!

Healing Properties

Benton had surgery on his knee on Monday. When he came home, Chloe was allowed to sniff his bandage.


Although she still has her joyful moments of total abandon (when we make sure the knee is nowhere near her), she also has empathy and knows that if she just cuddles close enough to the site of his surgery, love will surely facilitate healing.

A Different Approach

Chloe's take on things never ceases to amaze me. This is a frisbee. She loves to fetch it and run around the yard. I don't believe she is using proper form, but she doesn't care. She is having fun and wants me to throw it again and again. I questioned how well she could see as she ran full blast, but she dodges obstacles and even me if I try and chase her. I have to admire her: she's having fun and doesn't care what it looks like. Way to go, Chloe!

UNDER THE WEATHER

Chloe has been "under the weather" this week. She's vomited multiple times on multiple days. Her diarrhea turned the color of her vomit (I know--too much information).

After more than four hundred dollars of vet intervention, I thought maybe she was doing better. You can see on her left front leg where she was shaved when she was sedated for the x-ray and blood work was drawn. Her blood work, by the way, was declared "Excellent." Go figure. X-rays didn't show anything either.

This morning she puked up her anti-nausea pill.
Judging solely on her demeanor, though, she is feeling better. We can only hope. And we know from past experience, that once she starts feeling better, she becomes joyful. It is as if feeling awful has given her insight into how good it feels to feel good.

I think once again she has taught us a lesson--this one about appreciating good health. We take it for granted sometimes. Chloe reminds us that we shouldn't.

We Can All Use A Little Praise From Time To Time

When Chloe first got her haircut this spring, she was very sad. She did not make eye contact, and the next morning, she did not want to get out of her crate.

But, we told her how pretty she looked. I also warned the staff at daycare how sensitive she was about it and they all told her she was beautiful and soft, and the neighbors commented, and before you knew, she was once again strutting her stuff.

I realize we are each responsible for our own happiness, but I also know the occasional kind word helps when we're down. Apparently, this is true with dogs too.

Happy Birthday, Choe!

From all we can tell, Chloe is a happy dog. She came from the country where nature's farm symphony was on her ipod. Now, she hears orders at Taco Bell. At first, she was nervous about all the sounds coming from the alley.

She's come a long way. She knows who are the usual people, and what are the usual noises. And, if something is different, she lets us know. She has a deep chested bark that sounds menacing which borders on ridiculous because she loves everyone. Still, she seriously takes on the role of watchdog. I think she believes this is her job. And, just like people are happy when they have something to do, I believe dogs are too.

Happy Birthday Watchdog.