Jake Sends His Love

Here is Jake, actually posing for a shot!

Back from the groomer

Jake just came home from the groomer, and guess what he does first...finds a nice cool spot that just got watered, of course! His groomer, Mirana, is moving out of state. I don't know who will miss her the most, Jake or us. He looked so cute here I had to let him enjoy his fun times in the vinca and just shoot some photos of him before he got his coat into too much. Actually, we went for a walk right after this and he came home none the worse for his romping around. He elected to find a comfy spot in the living room and settle down for an afternoon nap.

Thinking about CA AB 1634

This is same number but a new bill from last year's MSN (Mandatory Spay Neuter)which failed. It's a much better bill yet still leaves concerns. See the AKC News for details. To quote just a part from that "However, the American Kennel Club remains concerned that under this new bill localities are still permitted to enact mandatory spay/neuter laws, as well as the potential for abuse of enforcement."

Edited to note that CA AB 1634 "mutated" several times and now may be slipped into another bill altogether. This is an outrage. AKC for a time went from supporting their AKC membership, to supporting an altered AB 1634, sidestepped to neutral and, I think, now due to somebody actually thinking it through as Levine went back on his word, AKC is once again opposed to any bill currently up for vote with this MSN language embedded in it. The officers and baord members of AKC should be full of shame for not holding firm against this bill in the first place, supporting their good members in California.

The answer is first to enforce local laws already on the books. The second step is to address the very large problem of puppy mills. Those are regulated by Dept of Agriculture and will not be touched by this pending legislation and yet that is where the largest part of the problem lies.

Playtime, Partytime

Here's Jake with that look we call "Let The Games Begin!" on July 4, 2008. He's two and a half but still has the heart and spirit of a puppy.
 

Good old summertime

Jake got a summer haircut. However, looking at other Cavaliers, Jake is still dripping in coat in comparison to most others. Before this cut it was touching the ground. His tail became our neighborhood street sweeper as we walked several times each day! Lovely for the carpet when the debris tangled in his coat would fall out before I could brush it out.
Attack games between these two are a frequent favorite activity!

Why is it...

you groom the dog and because finally there is a day without rain you go outside, and the dog finds the dirtiest place within reach of the lead to sit down???!!!



Then Jake gives me that innocent look.

Photoshop Express

Jake

If I see something new relating to photography or blogs I seem compelled to try it. This time it's Adobe Photoshop Express. We have the full blown product, which has quite a steep learning curve, also have a somewhat outdated version of Photoshop Elements. This latest from Adobe is online editing, storing, and sharing s/w.

One click on Jake's photo above will take you to a slideshow which fills your browser. Depending on your connection speed it may take a few seconds to load.

Later today I added another album while playing w/ the new Adobe Photoshop Express.

Sugar 'N Spice

Click on the photo to see a short slideshow of Jake's favorite kids. We call them Sugar 'N Spice.

Jake gets his calendar ready for April

Sometimes I make individual calendar pages! Jake has plans for April, so this one will be for him!

 
Jake got thoroughly groomed today. He had his three daily walks. He has a new chew toy. Life is good!

Saturday Bath

Jake is so clean, smells so good, nails freshly done. That was hours ago and now he's out for a walk w/ John in the rain. We'll be getting more rain, perhaps more snow and also high winds. I grabbed a few photos because this freshly groomed look isn't going to last!

Here's more from that shoot:

Suddenly Fall

 
 
 
Some trees have lost all their leaves, while others have yet to turn colors. If not for the last two weeks of rain, we might've had a most spectacular show in just days! It was a beautiful afternoon for a walk.

We went for a walk, returned to sit in the shade. While I'm out and about, I love to be loved...and my fan club gives me lots of attention!

Sometimes Carol takes pictures of something other than Jake.

But the lense always turns back to catch my smiles:

Feeling Blue

Jake is feeling much better today and the swelling is going down in his foot! Not back to his usual self, but we're so happy to see progress.

The last few weeks I have been wanting to talk to someone who has actually toured the plant where Natura lines of kibble are made and have just run into "Doug's Tour" on the Western Pet Supply site!

Nothing Better!

Nothing better than a couple of kids to play with, sunshine and a cool breeze, a field to run in!

In 2001, Mary Straus of Pleasanton started DogAware.com to provide information about canine nutrition and homemade diets. Noting an article today in Contra Costa Times, we found her site and were happy to see the Natura line of foods getting positive reviews in the first paragraph when we went to Dog Aware. Jake is eating one of their kibbles and several different treats also made by Natura line Karma and California Natural.