Me and my Shadow: Artie

Showing posts with label Artie. Show all posts

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Freedom on the Fourth

Shadow, off leash and free for the Fourth, gets some fresh mountain air in Maine.

Shadow reentered New Hampshire last weekend for the first time since we picked him up from Blue Diamond way back in February. I don't know if he recognized anything, but I do know that he was an absolute angel for the entire 7-hour drive to Maine (and back again a few days later).

Moose prods his cousin Shadow to get back in the game.

It was an impromptu Fourth of July family reunion, and Shadow couldn't have been more thrilled to see his buddies Moose and Artie, whom he'd been missing for nearly a week.

I also couldn't have been more thrilled... to have the ability to play with my puppy without worrying about cars or moss (his favorite food), and to be able to wander around with my camera knowing he'd be safe with his cousins, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc.

The sunset was spectacular on Independence Day...

...and I had a blast taking photos...

...while Shadow played with Moose and Artie.

The difference between Maine and suburban New York -- the former with wide open wilderness and a generally easygoing attitude toward dogs, the latter with its plethora of boundaries and rules regarding where, when and how dogs may place their paws -- was readily apparent from Day One. At one point, the little guy was so relaxed he actually fell asleep in his water bowl outside.

Under the table and daydreaming

In Maine, Shadow get to take his first swim (a no-no in most places down here), and to enjoy the fresh mountain air and warm sun without a leash. (It kills me to have to put it back on him now that he's home.)

I opted not to take my camera into the "swimming hole" we went to on Monday, but there is video of Shadow's very first dip into the river on Saturday. Check back for that and some more choice Maine photos in the coming days.

Just one more for good luck ;)

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Canine Weekend: Day Two

Shadow's Canine Weekend continued early Saturday morning with the customary 6:30 wake-up call (bark) and a dewy walk around the neighborhood to expend some excess energy, which must have been running on credit at this point.

It had been my hope that Artie, being in my opinion one of the world's best trained dogs, would rub off a bit on our little rascal. And while that did happen to some extent by the end of the weekend, all it took Saturday morning to reel in Shadow was the discovery of a huge stick (more accurately a tree branch) significantly larger than him.

Trotting along, tail in the air like a flag and head proudly raised, he carried it all the way home like a trophy, leaving him no opportunity for misbehavior or wandering. (Hey, at least he's got priorities.) What happened next, I do not know, but a few minutes after reaching the house he and Artie each had their own half of the aforementioned stick.

While killing time waiting for the other guests, Shadow somehow managed to get Artie to wrestle with him a bit in the backyard.

I would say they even got a game of 'fetch' going, but what really happened was Artie stood on the flying disc chuckling (in silent dog laughter, of course) while his little silver nephew struggled in vain to pull it from under his uncle's massive paws.

Finally, around 11 a.m., the game changed and it was two crazy little rascals against one wise -- though still young -- dog.

Enter Moose, Shadow's 8-month-old light cream Lab cousin.

Initially quiet and curious, Moose explored his weekend home, hosts, and for -- a brief second -- the neighbor's yard, with a happy face and sweet demeanor.

Then, almost without warning, he flung off the shroud of propriety and let Shadow have it, yelling "Let's Play!" (Again, in doggie language).

Shadow was beside himself with joy as he and Moose tumbled and pawed and pounced and panted -- with tails wagging all the while, of course. The pair played almost the exact same way, and even their barks and whines sounded remarkably alike.

Three days later, I think Shadow still misses his cream-colored buddy, poking his head up with excitement whenever he hears another dog bark. Sure, we play with him too... but there's a slight difference between puppy tussling and human-to-puppy play. I mean, for one, my teeth aren't as sharp.

All this delinquent tussling brought out the paternal peace keeper side of Artie, who often stepped between the two pups and gave a low "break it up, kids" growl. The rest of the time he retreated to the stoop and stared at the front door, telepathically trying to tell us he wanted to get away from all this racket.

This dynamic pretty much continued through Sunday morning, which gave Chris and I a very calm (i.e. GOOD) puppy to show off to my extended family Saturday night.

More about that later, but for now enjoy these last couple photos, which prove that once they run out of energy, anyone can be buddies.

Rights to all original photos appearing on this blog (excluding links to outside vendors and products) are the property of the creator of "Me and My Shadow" and may not be used elsewhere without said creator's permission.

Did you miss these videos?

Puppy's First Day at School

Shadow Does His Chores

Drowsy Shadow

Round and Round

Hit and Run (don't worry - he's fine, just clumsy)

Singin' in Shadow's Room

Silver Lab Puppy Meets Kong

Shadow the Silver Lab Comes Home

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Canine Weekend: Day One

From left, Moose, Shadow and Artie take a rare moment of rest.

Rarely is it so clear that living things have limited energy reserves than when watching kids, puppies, and video games.

Shadow was still a slug all day yesterday, Day Two of recuperating from a weekend with his three-year-old (25 in human years) golden retriever uncle Artie and eight-month old (7 in human years) light cream Lab cousin Moose.

The festivities began Friday night, with the arrival of Shadow's other set of human grandparents and Artie.

With an unbelievably calm disposition, massive body, and flowing tangerine locks, Artie resembles a favorite toy of Shadow's (Leon the unfortunate lion) come to life. And that is exactly how our 35-pound bundle of puppy energy acted toward his 75-pound guest, who just wanted some peace and quiet.

Artie began his visit by checking the perimeter of our property -- a task he is used to performing at his home in Maine -- and taking a quick foray into the neighbor's yard across the street.

Shadow seemed beside himself with excitement that this new, large, four-legged thing had come to his home and appeared to be staying. After a few battles over sticks and leashes, the family moved inside for more contained playtime.

Trained to tolerate annoying behavior rather than confront it, Artie put up with the little guy nipping and jumping and mounting and following him (like an unwavering sidekick) for over an hour before finally giving the youngin' a good old corrective snap-and-growl. (Note: It looks a lot fiercer in slow motion than it actually is.)

Unfortunately, Shadow took this as encouragement that his Leon-come-to-life wanted to play, and continued poking his nose into his lounging uncle's face and pawing at his large feather-duster tail like it was a rope toy. (Add another line to the list of things that don't scare Shadow, but should.)

Despite this and Artie's inspection of Shadow's bed, toys and water bowl, the evening ended rather peacefully with Artie squeezed safely between the couch and coffee table... and Shadow directly in his line of sight with one paw splayed out in his giant toy visitor's direction.

Tomorrow's entry: It becomes two kids to one adult with the arrival of Moose, Shadow's 8-month-old cousin, on Day Two of Canine Weekend 2010.