The Dog Days of Summer

Sherman who???

Gotcha!

Happy Gotcha Day Shermie...we love you!

Princess Penny Wiggles...the peacemaker

My, my, my...haven't my brother & sister gotten themselves into quite the predicament??? I've tried to tell them. Suck it up and just get along. But that little white dog is quite the stubborn b*tch.

They need to be more like me...sweet & peaceful. I stay out of trouble.





So I wanted to thank you guys for being such great friends and making Mom & Dad feel better. Mom's eyes have been pretty leaky...and no matter how many times I snort in her face, show her my wiggly kidney bean dance or give her nose kisses, I can't cheer her up like you guys can. She even got these beautiful flowers from my BFF and her family and that REALLY made her smile!




And then we got this great Friendship award from Georgeous





And this Brillante Blog award from Eva (and Brice).

You guys rock!!! We couldn't ask for better friends.

Soooooo, you all probably want to know what's going on. Well, here's the deal.

Sherman is going to stay with Grandma & Grandpap for a couple of weeks. They're not going keep him forever because they have a lot of stuff on their plate. And Baron keeps them on their toes. So while he's away, Lola has to go to the V.E.T. (shhhhh, don't tell her, she doesn't know yet) to make sure there's nothing wrong with her thyroid or anything else, for that matter. And Mom's friend Lilian, who is a trainer from Animal Friends is going to come to our house and put us on a training program. Now I know this sounds kinda crappy, but Lilian is pawesome and always has lots of great, smelly treats with her. Training = liver brownies. W00T! You're all probably thinking...doesn't your Mom do this training stuff too? Well, yes she does, but she wants an outside observer to see if she's missing anything. Another set of eyes never hurts apparently.

If everything goes OK and Lola doesn't become Miss Bitchy pants with me (and I will kick her little white butt if she does...I don't start the fights, but I DO finish them!) then she & I will live happily ever after on Jackman Ave forever. And if not...um, we don't want to talk about that.

Now what about Sherman?? Well, don't feel too bad for him. He's going to be living with our Auntie Kristen when she moves into her new house next month!! Mom is super excited because it's only 5 minutes from our house and we can see him a couple times a week. Or everyday, if we want!!! See, here's the thing...I actually kinda like Sherman. Sometimes when Mom & Dad aren't looking, I give him kisses and try to get him to play with me...not that he ever does. But I'd like to go see him sometimes too.

So that's the plan for now. Subject to change at any point, of course. If you guys could all cross your paws that it works, you'd make my day! And Sherman's. And Lola's.

Oh, and this is for Joe Stains...Go Stillers! Sorry Ethel.

Long overdue update...

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to post an update on our little situation. You all have been so wonderful with your words of encouragement and support. Scott & I don't know what we'd do without you guys.

Sherman spent a week at Scott's parents house & had a blast. He was in total heaven there. They are home all day so he got tons of attention and 2 walks per day. Their dog, Baron and he got along great and I think it was really nice for Sherman to get out of the hostile environment that had become our house.

While he was gone, the girls had no issues. Penny is pretty passive and is very good at being the peacemaker. Lola just loves her and they pretty much played non-stop.

Sherman came home last Sunday & it was very evident things had not changed. We kept them separated with baby gates and Lola was always on a leash when Sherman was in same room as him. She aggressed at him 3 times...totally unprovoked. I've been watching them like a hawk and he did growl at her once (Sherman is very vocal and has been growling at her to leave him alone for 2 1/2 years. He's an old man & likes his space). The other two times, she basically launched at him from just being in the same space. They are completely separated when we are not home (they can't even see each other) but when we can supervise, they are able to view each other through the gates. Lola repeatedly gives him hard stares and low growls and I know she would hurt him if given the chance.



Quite frankly, he's petrified of her. He hides if he think she's coming. He won't look at her. He won't come anywhere near me if he can see her, even if she's behind a gate. He's just not himself. Poor guy...

Sherman & Penny are generally OK with each other. We allow them to be together if we are there and other than some major avoidance, they are fine. They even slept in the same bed together (ours!) last night.

We have asked Scott's parents if they would consider taking him in permanently. They were going to think about it over their vacation and let us know sometime this week. This is the best case scenario for all involved. But as I mentioned before, it's a big commitment and I don't know if they want the responsibility of 2 dogs again.

If that is the case, we have to start looking for a home for Lola. This is not a healthy situation for any of us. We can only manage this situation so well and I don't have it in me to crate & rotate forever. The stress of fearing Lola could slip through a gate or someone could accidently let them together is way too much for me to handle indefinitely. I honestly believe that if they get into it again, Sherman will end up very seriously hurt. Especially if I'm home alone and cannot break them up.

I should also mention, I took Sherman in this week for a check up and our Vet feels he's in perfect health. We thought he could be sick & Lola was just taking full advantage, but the big lug has a lot of life left in him. For those of you who asked, she'll be 3 in October and is spayed. I will be taking her in for a thyroid check and other tests if we keep her.

I'll be sure to be better about keeping everyone updated. I know we haven't commented much on everyone's blogs but we read them every day. We're still around...just trying to work through this mess. Thanks again for all of the support.

~Scott & Jen

The current state of affairs

This past week has been a pretty rough one for The Dogs of Jackman Avenue. Last Tuesday morning, Sherman & Lola got into a huge fight and really haven’t stopped since.

We had 4 extremely terrifying fights within 72 hours...Friday night's resulting in Scott breaking a finger, me potentially breaking a finger, both of us receiving multiple bite wounds on both of our arms and part of Sherman's ear being torn off. It’s gotten particularly bad because Penny is jumping in to defend Lola. 2 of the fights occurred when we weren’t even in the same room with them. It has become a very dangerous situation for all of us. Fortunately Scott and I have both been there when anything has happened. I don’t know what I would do if I were all alone and the 3 of them got into it. I fear the worst.

We’re at the point where Lola can’t even be in the same room with Sherman without aggressing towards him. When Lola isn’t crated, she has to be on a leash or gated off on another floor. He is petrified of her and runs and hides if he even thinks she might be coming. After Friday's blowout, we’ve had 2 situations where if she wouldn’t have been leashed, she would have attacked him. We have no idea what has changed between them, it’s almost as if a switch has been flipped. Penny & Lola continue to be best buddies and we’ve had zero issues between them.

I fear there is no possibility of the two of them living harmoniously together. I simply do not trust her and he does not deserve to live the last years of his life being beat up. For the time being, Sherman is going to stay with Scott’s parents, who he just happens to LOVE. He will be spoiled and pampered beyone his wildest dreams. Ideally he would stay with them permanently and we wouldn’t have to rehome Lola. But that is a lot to ask of them and simply may not be an option. The reality of it is, Lola quite possibly will be going to live with another family in the near future.

We are just heartbroken over this situation. These dogs are such a huge part of our lives and thinking of being without one of them is horrifying. The next couple of weeks will be very telling. All we want is what’s best for the dogs and ultimately, for us. We’ll keep you all posted on the situation and would appreciate all of the good thoughts, prayers and cyber hugs you guys could send!

We may not be able to stop by and visit everyone for a little while but we’ll be back as soon as we can. Thanks a million for all of the support. It means the world to us...

~ Jen & Scott

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful...

WallyMelon!

Look what I finally got this weekend! Wallymelon!!

I gave Mom the pathetic, "I'm so neglected look" so she would share....

It works every time...

MORE hunting for moles

I posted a couple of weeks ago about Mole season and how I LOVE IT!!

Well, some of you commented that you'd never seen a mole. Let me tell you...you are SO missing out on some very good stuff. Just look at this plump little creature!!




(Would someone tell Penny that this fat little body looks nothing like mine???)

So in the event you guys ever DO see a mole (or hear him digging in your yard), I'd like to give you more details of my skillz.

First, find the little sucker. That's the easy part. Now dig around and throw dirt all over the yard.

You can see how exciting this part can be...just watch how fast my tail wags. (And if a stupid little white dog drops her stupid dirty pink ball into your hunting ground, make sure your Mom is ready to extract the ball and get her the heck out of your business!!!)








Digging can be very exhausting so once you've cleared some room to hunt, lay down & shove your head in there to see if you can locate Mr. Juicy.

Now, this is the most important step so please pay close attention.

Stare. Stare hard. Keep staring...

Stare a little more...



Don't lose your concentration...just keep staring.

Because eventually, the little sucker will come out and then you get to eat him!

Any questions?

School is Cool!!

So, how was everypups weekend??? Mine was totally pawesome!! I know, I know...how could it be so great if I'm in this jail?





Because I only had to be in jail for a little bit...the rest of the time I did this:







Mom took me to class with her today and I got to show off how good I am and play with lots of other dogs and puppies...

I REALLY wanted to play with this little Sheltie...he was so cute & fuzzy.





But for some reason, he didn't seem to fond of me...

"Why won't you play with me?????"

But he still seemed a little intimidated, so I just ran off to play with some other puppies.

I really liked this girl. Her name is Buttercup and she is of the relentlessly huge variety!

These are trainer Bob's dogs...Oscar & Carmen. We are the demo dogs and we rock!!

This is what I did for the rest of the day...

School is cool, but exhausting!!

Breed Tag

Stormy of the Ao4 came up with this really cool Breed tag! She didn't technically tag me, but I figured I'd help get the ball rolling!

Based on your pup-onality, if you were a breed other than the one or ones you are now ... what would you be?

This got me thinking...


I know I'm not ALL Boxer...but I'm pretty close. I think if I were going to be another breed, it would be a Greyhound. I LOVE to run, and run, and run...and I am FAST! No dogs at the park can catch me.

Plus, I hear they get to chase bunnies...I'd be all over that! I'm also super skinny like a Greyhound. Mom is always saying she'd kill for my metabolism.

The rules of the tag game are:

1. Copy the question above and paste it into your post.
2. Answer it - and give a few reasons for why you think you'd be that breed or breeds.
3. Post these rules!
4. Tag ONE other blogger. If there are multiple pups within the same pack/blog, each pup should only respond when he or she is tagged. One at a time!
5. Most importantly, HAVE FUN!

I'm going to tag LOLA from the Forget Sit & Stay gang...

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

What? I wasn't digging...swear.

The moles are back!!!

I LOVE this time of year! It's time to go mole hunting!


I wait...

I pounce...

Mom screams and makes me spit it out. Then she throws my prize in the garbage.

So I pout...

Any of you guys ever caught a mole? Do your pawrents let you eat it? I'll be so jealous if they do...

It's gettin' hot in here...

So let's make Frosty Paws!!!! Come on Mom....pleaseeeee?

You guys know she can't resist my jowly face. OK, these are pretty easy to make and OH so delicious. I know your folks will make them for you guys too.

Two ingredients...plain yogurt and canned TRIPE!! Mom says you could use a can of dog food too, but that's not nearly as much fun. Mom tried to make Nanook & Pooka's recipe for us last year (with the PB & banana) and Princess Penny didn't like them. She's strange...

Plop your tripe in a big bowl. For those of you who have never had canned tripe, you may want to warn your parents. It smells so good!! (Note from Mom...no it doesn't. It's quite possibly the stinkiest stuff on the planet & you may throw up in your mouth a bit the first time you smell it. But it's really good for the dogs & they go nuts for it...so I just hold my breath. The sacrifices I make for these beasts...)

Add about 8 oz of plain yogurt...

And stir it up!

Pour it into little containers.

And pop it in the freezer!

Now, as the next 8 hours might be the longest of your life, make sure you convince your Mom to let you lick the spoon...

Sherman got to clean out the bowl (we don't know why this picture is sideways...but we can't figure out how to fix it.)

Penny helped him finish up.

Tick, Tock...Tick, Tock...Tick, Tock. DING!!! They're finally done! They are even delicious on the outside.

Sherman says "Get this stinkin' lid off!!!"

Thank you...


Penny is such a dainty princess. She just takes teeny little licks...

I, on the other hand, shove my whole head in there.

All gone!


Took us about 2 minutes to finish them up!

Hope you guys can convince your pawrents to make you some Frosty Paws this weekend!