That's mine, thank you

I love to play with my "knot" -- or really tug-o-war if I can persuade the parents. And I have pretty good powers of persuasion ;-)

The trainer lady said it wasn't such a good idea (kill-joy), but my parents aren't really very good at discipline, so they usually give in and play with me.

And I don't like it when they take my knot from me. I just have to get it back. After all, it's mine

My leather spot

Now this is a cool spot.

On the leather sofa, right between Mom and Alpha (when they recline), and high enough to watch the world go by outside in our back yard.

And we get some awesome critters. Deer, turkeys, grey and red squirrels, chipmunks, all sorts of birds and even bats.

Why, we've even had woodchucks, racoon, owl, fox, coyote, fisher cat, porcupine, and a small black bear.

Why this here's better than TV! Oh yeah, I can see that from here too ;-)

Sporting Chihuahua ears

When I run (or even jog lightly) my ears tend to "bounce" or "flop up". Mom thinks this make it look like I have chihauhau ears. And we would know, since our neighbor, Pedro, es un chihauhau.

But the camera has to capture me just right. Because my ears don't stay upright, thank you very much. And my family prefers it that way. And so do I!

Did you say Alli?

Sometimes that Alpha is a cheater. And a fibber.

You see, I once in a while I ignore his photo requests -- after all they seem never ending!

And so, if I'm ignoring him and he gets impatient with me, sometimes he will say something like "this is for Alli" or "where's Alli?"

Usually, THAT gets my attention, and pretty often, I look straight at him and cock my head into the cutest pose in the world (after all, that's how I try to decipher English ya know).

Oh well, these Frito-a-Day photos are really for Alli anyway, so it's OK.

Sniffing Springtime snow

Hey, don't laugh. This is how you get a cold nosie. I need to sniff, ya know, whether there is snow on the ground or not.

After all it was Spring just a few days ago, and we had 70 degree weather, and NO SNOW. So this is a bit rude.

But hey, I'm out for a walk, unleashed in the apple orchard, and the smells are still awesome. SO who's complaining -- not me!

Puppy dog eyes

Hey, just practicing some of my acting faces. This one is "sad puppy -- wants more food".

What do you think? Do you think it will work on the parents? OK, I'll give it a try ;-)

Stop the presses -- Greg's 23

Stop the presses. We have to have a special edition.

That's right -- it is my Bro's birthday, and even though he is away at school, I just wanted to say "Happy Birthday, Greg!!!!!"

Oh yeah, and you can rub my belly anytime you want.

Love ya. Miss ya. Have a happy one!

Wet slobber for you - right on the chops!

Clean-cut copy cat

Alpha is not so original. He liked my haircut so much, he just had to get one himself. (Shhh, don't tell him, but he will never be as cute as me, no matter how hard he tries. Shhh.) But no matter, we love him anyways ;-)

Jail time

Not really. It just looks like I'm in jail. But I like to watch the world from the upstairs hallway, and then when someone comes to visit, I greet them from the stairway. Could you tell?

So, just what are you having for dinner?

I like to "hover" under the table during dinner time. After all, you never know ;-)

But it seems Mom and Alpha are just too careful not to drop any food on the floor.

So then I need to come up and see if my cute puppy eyes will get me a handout.

Shoot, no luck. This new diet is a kill-joy.

And froggy-legs too

Wow, a double header -- Alpha got a photo of me doing "froggy legs" on the dining room carpet. What luck for Alli and mom. Cute colors and adorable pose!

Cute on the carpet

Mom has been saying she wanted a picture of me on the dining room carpet. So of course Alpha had to oblige. Need a photo taken? Just call Alpha ;-)

Hey well, you can see at least why Mom wanted to do that. I am stunning on this carpet -- aren't I?

Don't even think about it

You are not planning on trying to take away my knot, now are you? I mean, I like to play tug-o-war and all, but let's just get this straight -- that is only on my terms. After all, this is MY knot! Got it buster?

Sofa seat

Here is my other favorite spot to watch the world go by. I get to watch all the wildlife outside in our backyard. And I'm sitting on a leather sofa. Woo hoo!

Oh yeah, and you get to see all of my nice new hairdo. Stunning, eh?

Kelly kisses

Well, the wintery weather continues, and Mom and Alpha had to shovel and sowblow through about 16" of the white stuff. This after 70 degree weather and a grassy yard earlier this week.

But hey, so long as there are paths, I'm happy. And I got a short walk in the storm, and visited our neighbors next door. This here is Kelly, and I love her. Can you tell?

In fact I love her so much, I want to be her dentist. Say 'ahhhh' Kelly! Ha ha.

Omigosh -- where did spring go?

This is rather rude. Two days ago, we had 70 degree weather! And now a blizzard nor' easter is howling outside.

Ya know, it is much less enticing for going potty. Whoops. Did I say that? I mean pee. Oops. Nevermind. It is just too darn snowy, windy, and cold.

Good to the last lick

Boy, you can tell I'm feeling better -- I just LOVE my breakfasts and lunches and dinners and mid-meal snacks these days. The new diet has these meals being smaller (but more frequent ;-).

I'm a big fan of this strategy. After all, I only have a little tummy. So just keep it coming ;-)

Clean cut

Oh, look at me. A mere shadow of my former furry self. And if it is possible, my cute meter has gone even higher. Watch out -- cuteness overload is now possible. You have been warned.

Spring Melt

Spring seems to have arrived. The melt is on. See the water running down the driveway? We have our own little river. A good test for all of the drainage that Alpha had installed. Hey, I don't mind -- cause its SPRINGTIME!

Continuing our walk

Well, scallywag or not, Mom and Alpha took me on the Purgatory Loop. It was more challenging than they expected, since it was still snow bound, and now somewhat slippery. But of course, my 4-paw drive had no problem.

The trail goes along both sides side of the brook, and through various woodlands and Mt. Laural. It was a very nice outing.

Got my mojo back

Took a walk by the river yesterday. Still quite snowing and a little slippery. But hey, Mom and Alpha got me out!

And I am happy to report that I'm back to 100%. That's right -- I got my mojo back. Was all frisky on the walk, trying to eat my leash and in general horsing around and smelling all kinds of good sniffs.

So the diet must be working. And now I am fully recovered. I plan to be the Mr. Healthy and Energetic from now on. Watch out!

And frankly, the picture above does not really capture my new vitality. The blur below shows I am becoming a real scallywag again.

Reverse fangs

I am a viscous beast, ya know. See, I have fangs even on the bottom. I betcha didn't know that. So look out, I might just draw some blood.

Nah, just kidding. I'm a lover, not a vampire. Just a funny picture that Alpha took. Wet slobbers to all.

Tall trees, little Frito

Here I am on one of my regular walking paths - through the conservation forest and into the fields near our house. Makes me look kinda small, doesn't it?

Yeah, well, I maybe small. But what I lack in stature, I make up for in cute.

Hey! Where's my treat?

I'm not looking real happy here. Ya see, I just finished my bath and vigorous drying, and I'm not seeing any treats!

The problem is that I'm on a diet -- well, better known as lifestyle change, since this is permanent (due to my bout of pancreatitis).

But it's not all bad -- I get smaller, but more frequent meals (of lowfat chicken or beef).

It's all good, even if I scowl now and then ;-)

Frito the impressionist

I say "impressionist" because this photo, taken with sunlight rather than flash, let my bath-time shake turn into a blur.

If you ask me, the picture looks rather like something from Monet.

Hey, no matter how I'm captured, in the end, I'm just darn cute.

Where's spring?

It is cold, cold, ccccooolllddd out there. That's why I'm in here. Looking out (at various deer, turkeys, squirrels, and birds, we've had frequenting the backyard).

But I'm ready for the warmer weather now. That way I get to be out there, chasing away all of those critters. Come on, Spring!

On the furniture

I am clean, so I am loved. See, I get to be on the furniture without any towels. Sittin' between Alpha and Mom. Life is good.

And yes, I realize that I am loved, even when I'm dirty. Just not allowed on the furniture then ;-)

Whajusay?

Sometimes when Alpha talks to me, I try to understand what he is saying. I have a pretty good vocabulary you know.

So for some reason I cock my head to one side, as if to say "What did you say?" But since I'm a dog, it comes out "Whajusay?"

Now if only Alpha could speak so clearly.

Still cute

Just a reminder as to how cute I am. Yes, this is a different walk from before, and yes, I do look adorable, don't I?

Face it, some of us are just born beautiful.

Here's looking at you, kid

Hi there. Just wanted to take a lookatchu. Grab a gander in your direction. And give you a big howRU kiss. Smooch!

Haircut (historical)

OK, now we are talking history. This is a reminder of what I look like underneath all that fur (er, hair).

It may be getting time to visit the groomers, eh Mom?

Grassy walk

Alpha's on a trip, so it looks like he's digging into the archives a bit.

This is from a walk we took down by the apple orchard. When the grass was long. And my fur (er, hair) was short.

I say -- come on Spring -- bring it on!