Plenty of Pups

Willow is a wonderful new addition to our little tribe. 

We are now outnumbered by the canines!

Much time was spent outdoors to minimize any indoor "accidents'.

Unfortunately Willow came with some parasite activity going on, so Patrice was busy getting that sorted out and getting woken up at night to take her out.

I was super impressed that Willow was waking Patrice up instead of making use of the carpet to relieve herself.

It was a rather exhausting but also exhilarating week.

Willow and Winnie had great fun tumbling around together and running big laps around the property.  Ladybug was very pleased not to be part of the rough and tumble play.  

(She is so far above all of that, darling Diva that she is.) 

She was eager, however to get in on the treats during our training sessions.

Willow lived up to her intelligent "poodle" breeding and caught on to the basic commands very quickly.

Winnie, well, not so much.  

But what she lacks in brainpower she makes up for in zeal!  

She has boundless energy and superb leaping ability.  And she is very tenacious when looking for someone to join her in play.

It has caused Ladybug a great deal of grief, but Willow is now giving Ladybug a well deserved rest. 

There was a great deal of excitement to be had at our weekly Sunday faspa time.

As you can see in the picture above, Winnie was trying to get as close as possible to Pupcake who in turn showed a rather aggressive side of his little personality.

There was a great deal of snarling and snapping going on between these two.

Winnie is impervious to Pupcake's rejection of her and she squirms humbly and endlessly on the floor around him trying to ingratiate herself into his good graces. 

It is not working.

During her week at home Patrice baked some of Oma's favourite bread.

I am so grateful to have someone in the family who is carrying on the family traditions!

We popped over to wish Gayle a Happy Birthday and Winnie was quite pleased to make Bernie's acquaintance.  

Bernie, thankfully, was somewhat smitten with Winnie which is a good thing because I am secretly looking for a future husband for her. 

Gayle was completely surprised at the manly prowess that was exhibited by little Bernie.

Surprises abound!

Bernie didn't even seem to mind that Winnie had squinty eyes and was having a bad hair day...

I am thinking it would be really great to have some grandchildren at this stage in my life, but since there are none forthcoming we are having great fun with the furry alternatives!

Something else quite momentous also took place in May.

I found someone willing to remove our long unused hot-tub and take it to their home.

It was incredibly satisfying to see it hauled away after so many years of it just sitting there looking ugly and taking up space.

Now my view is expanded and the area is so clear and spacious.

Lots of extra room for patio plants too!

I am regretting not doing this years ago but it all just felt so complicated.

But better late than never!

It's all so gorgeous...

The expanded view is especially nice for me when I lay on the bench.

Kind of fun to have a pup that is small enough to lay down on me when I'm outside.

Ladybug managed to find a spot to curl up next to me as well.

I feel all tucked in and loved.  So grateful for the fun and diversion these sweet animals are in a season where there is a constant reminder of aging. 

Such a cute profile pic of these two.

Fun and adventure awaits!