Wednesday, February 3rd/2016

Well this group was sure not going to let the weather get them down today! It was all I could do to keep up with all the wrestling matches and Jack and Molly's fetch game and still remember to take pictures of all the fun that was going on! Jack and Molly got to work as soon as they got outside to find the perfect fetch toy. When they did, they found me and dropped it at my feet, ready to get the party started. The minute I threw the toy I knew they weren't going to let me do much else while we were out there, so luckily I managed to get everyone concentrated into one yard so that we could all be together! As I was throwing the toy around, Brody and his new pal Ying were hanging out and wrestling as much as they could given the slightly slippy conditions of the ground. Nonetheless, they went on and on wrestling each other and eventually Ying had to go take a cool down walk around the yard to catch his breath. Ying then joined in on Jack and Molly's game of fetch while Brody met another lad named Kane. Brody got him bouncing all over the place and eventually the two of them started having their own wrestling match. Bandit kept a close eye and was walking around the two of them so as to ensure that his new bud Kane was being fair with their fluffy new friend. After that, Bandit and Kane went off to have their own little adventure, sniffing around and eventually getting into their own wrestling match but apart from everyone else. Charly was over the moon happy to be outside with everyone, it was all I could do to get him to stop hopping around me and go have fun with the other pups! When he broke away from me and composed himself, Charlie managed to find himself a bone in the yard! When he saw how much fun Jack and Molly were having, he brought the bone over to me for me to throw it around for him so he could have his own game of fetch! Charly also had his eye on another toy that was slightly buried under some ice but was very determined to get it for himself. He gnawed at the toy under the ice and eventually managed to pop it out so that he could proudly display it to his friends. A couple times, he went to pop in on the wrestling matches between Brody, Ying, Kane and Bandit, and actually started wrestling with Brody for a bit too! Needless to say, this group certainly got all their energy out in the yard today! 

Well the weather sure had Mr.Nanook in a snugglier mood this afternoon! When he wasn't wandering around the yard, sniffing out all the smells, he was coming over to me for petting and back scratches. He made a couple new friends today and wanted to follow them around the yard to see what they were all about! After he got to know them a little bit, he went his own way and walked all the way across the slippery yard to get to all the smells no one else had gotten to yet!
Emma was very happy to be out with the new pups in the yard today! As soon as she got outside they all got familiar with each other and then decided to follow each other around for a bit. After that, Emma went wandering for a little while and ended up at the back gate door and gazed out into the field. She loves when we come to say hi to her in her kennel. She'll roll right onto her back for a nice belly rub and an ear scratch :). She did also come over to me in the yard as I was crouched down to get some extra lovin' which was sweet! She looks so adorable with her pretty bow on her neck!

It sure was a good day for a good old fashioned slippery-chase game and Maya, Mac, Coco and Timbits were happy to take advantage of the ground conditions as soon as they got outside. Right away, the four of them were all over the place, running and wrestling around with each other, only pausing to do their business! Brody and Cara both watched from the sidelines at first but then Cara saw how much fun the rest were having so she decided to jump in to be the engaged referee. Brody took a more reserved referee standpoint, staying only on the sidelines and barking orders at everyone to keep them in line. Ollie and Cara eventually started to play with each other for a little bit. When we initially got outside Ollie just wanted to be around me. Perhaps he remembered our great snuggling session on Monday and he just wanted even more love and attention. Timbits and Coco sure do bring a whole new level of energy to the group and they managed to share that energy with everyone else today. As soon as we got in the playroom everyone was happy to keep up their wrestling matches but with much more solid ground which made it a bit easier. Mac found some toys and was trying to get everyone to play with them but the pups were more interested in wrestling!  

Right as the dogs got outside this afternoon, Glenda was waiting by the door for me to come out to join them! As soon as she saw me, she raced right over and sat pretty in front of me, waiting to be pet. Of course, I was only too happy to cuddle for a bit while the other pups hung out with each other and quickly explored the yard. Glenda and Gryphon are rarely seen without each other in the yard. Usually they are within a few steps of each other and they really seem to enjoy each others company! Gryphon stayed close to Glenda and I as we cuddled and came over soon after Glenda was done with her petting. Gryphon made a new friend named Brokk today who stayed around him for a little bit while they got to know each other. He then went off to find Glenda at the other part of the yard!
Maggie is such a sweet girl! For the most part she is quite the independent little lady and finds ways to entertain herself in the yard but she did also manage to take part in a bit of wrestling with two other pups in her group. She really likes to come say hello to us when were out in the yard and has such a peaceful presence. Timber made quite a few new friends today and had a blast! He met some fellow chocolates in the yard and made quick friends with them. He also explored all the corners of the yard and had a great time doing it! At first when he got outside, he needed to go for a sniff down of the yard. He went from one end of the yard to the next, making friends and sniffing along the way. Apollo was in Chocolate lab heaven today as he stepped into the yard to find not 1 but 3 new friends who were all just like him! One of the pups totally matched his awesome energy and bounced around with him for a little bit! After that, Apollo decided it was time to go hunt for a toy. He managed to find one and played around with it for a little bit while the other pups were busy exploring.

Well there was new girl out in the yard this afternoon named Freya who really had everyone's interest right out of the door! Everyone hurdled right over to her to say hi and introduce themselves including Maverick and Shyla. After introductions were made, Maverick went on his own way for a little while and Shyla followed Freya and another pup around. The three of them kept each other company, wandering around to each corner of the yard getting to know each other! Bella joined in after she had sniffed around for a bit and was very interested in Freya, too! Oban had a great first day and enjoyed getting to know everyone! For the most part, he explored around and familiarized himself with the yard smells and then came over to visit with me for a little while. We cuddled for a bit and he got lots of petting and then he went on his way again to explore another part of the yard. Oban liked to pop in with the other dogs to see if they were looking at anything interesting and would watch from the sidelines when they would have wrestling matches. Maverick decided to hang out in one of the outdoor kennels and actually explored around it for a little while, staying out of the rain. With a lot of pups cycling in and out of that spcae, there must've been some interesting smells to be sniffed! He did come back to the group after a little while though and got to know the two new yard members a bit better. Bella was quite interested in Oban and the two got to know each other for a little bit, while everyone else was busy exploring!  

Macy and her good bud Justice had a nice walk around the yard together this afternoon. They're slowly looking like an old married couple and Macy rarely leaves Justice's side. The two of them together, go from corner to corner finding all the best smells and all the while keeping each other company! Macy loves to come inside too because that means its treat time! As soon as you go to open the door she comes running over and runs to her kennel to be let in :).

CATS
Fawkes and Ekkaia: Well these two certainly had the right idea for today. When I went into the cattery and opened their kennel, the two were snuggled together on their comfy bed and blankets. The nook they were in is closest to the window so they could still peer outside between naps so they had the best of both worlds!
Chief: Chief was in a lazy mood this afternoon. I opened his kennel door and he didn't even attempt to get up. He was so content just lying on his bed and sleeping the day away in his cozy little kitty kennel.
Ziggy: Ziggy was much more excited to see me when I got in than the other sleepy kitties. He got right up and came over to see me. I gave him a nice neck scratch and he rolled onto his belly for a belly rub which I also happily gave him. After that, it was back to nap time on his nice blankets.
Missy: Missy was happy to get out of her kennel so she could get back onto her cat tree for some more nap time. She put herself in the box on the tree to shield herself away from everyone else in the room and slowly closed her eyes.

ENHANCED:
Ollie and I went off to have some fun in the playroom this afternoon. First, I tossed around the toys in there to get any extra energy he might have out so that we could focus on our training. We warmed up with some sit to get the educational juices flowing. After that we tried to do some lie down work but he seems to think I'm asking for a high-5 each time and would just stick his paw up in the air. Nevertheless, it was super cute and we tried lie down a couple more times before switching gears. We then worked on some stay which went really well, he got it right away and was really good at coming over as soon as I called him to me. After doing this a couple more times, we took to the floor for some snuggles and especially some belly rubs. I rubbed his ears for a little bit and then it was time to go for a nap in his kennel :).