Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Clark turned THREE!!!


Dear Clark,

Holy cow your THREE! I still remember the little ball of black and white fluff we fell in love with when you joined our family. That seems like a lifetime ago. It's hard to think back to the pre-dog days. I imagine I did much less sweeping...

Your first night with us was great! You slept like a champ! But it was a total fluke! For the next few months you woke me up several times a night to go outside. I so badly wanted a dog that I diligently got up with you every night, and early every morning and it seemed as though I cleaned pee out of your crate every single day. But, I require way way way more sleep then you... and eventually on the verge of exhaustion I cracked. Thus initiating the every other morning policy that Chris and I follow to this day. Yeah sure I only get to sleep in every other Sunday. But it's so worth it! Suddenly 7 am seems like a reasonable time to start the day. And it's a good thing, because I have a feeling we'll be on this schedule for a long time.

Your first few months with us were rainy, we spent what time we could outside honing your frisbee and fetch skills. But on the really bad chilly, damp days we played in our then empty living room. The rain taught you a few key tricks though, which to this day are some of my favorite things about you.
  1. You are the PRO at "come in and sit". Immediately upon entering our house you park your furry butt on the doormat and hold up your little paws, one at a time to be wiped clean. Who could ask for more, really!?
  2. You seem to love being dried off with a towel. But not just dried off, COMPLETELY wrapped up/mummified in a towel... And you will snuggle in your towel until your dry.
  3. With all of the mud and rain we had that first fall, they brought with them lots of baths. And so with the simple command "Get in the tubby", you run to the bathroom and jump in the bathtub. And there you stay until you get the OK to come out.
  4. You can balance things on your head and nose like few dogs I've ever met. We spent a lot of time together learning every lesson ever taught on patience. You are the king of "wait". Time and time again you are patiently waiting far after everyone else (ahem.. me) has lost it. You will sit and stare a hole though a person waiting for them to throw you a toy. You will drool a puddle the size of a lake on the kitchen floor waiting for the go-ahead to eat your dinner or grab your treat. You sir are the Master of Wait!
Your patience was tested once again when we brought you home a 'friend'. I often wonder what went though your head when Indy came to play AND NEVER LEFT... We thought the two of you could play together. Wear each other out. Be best buddies. Yeah... sorry about that. For every ounce of energy and gusto you have, Indy has two ounces of lazy. That plan SO did NOT come together. But the two of you get along very well, for the two most opposite dogs in the entire universe... Occasionally you give in and let Indy use you as a pillow. Because your awesome. But mostly he just takes your toys, ruins your stuff and steals the spotlight. Your the smartest dog I've ever met, and I think you understand that Indy is "special"... I really think you do. You pick your battles and you pick them well.

You are the most expressive dog I have ever met. With the tilt of your head and slightest movement of your ears you show us exactly how you are feeling. Your brain is constantly working. You speak novels without saying a word; and you are also acutely aware of our feelings. You can sense my bad days when I walk in the door. You are the best companion for a awful day.

In the past few months you have become increasingly cuddly and affectionate. You have always been big on giving kisses, and letting people hug you. But lately you've been sweeter and more gentle then ever before. You will gingerly take a treat out of someones hand like it's the worlds most fragile milk-bone. You perch your head on my arm or knee just for a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ear. Your suddenly HUGE on getting belly rubs and LOVE having your back scratched. This is something you've just discovered. It's not all about work and play anymore. It's as if you have learned to relax and enjoy!

Enjoy your third year Clark! Your a good boy! The very best!



Friday, May 21, 2010

Sunday, May 9, 2010



Happy Mother's Day!

We hope all the mom's enjoy their day! The newbie mom's the "expirenced" mom's and all the mom's in the middle!

Love,
Clark and Indy


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Saturday, April 24, 2010


First... HAPPY BIRTHDAY ETHAN! WOW your 2!!

Second, the above picture is not photoshopped. Clark is laying down. Indy is running. This is weird. Like some sort of alternate reality. But to be fair, Clark and I just got back from a walk around the neighborhood.

We are in 'training' for PARL Petwalk 2010. The weather has been very cooperative, and we even got in a good walk Thursday between thunderstorms. We did meet our fundraising goal of $100 (THANK YOU!) But we are still looking for donations. Lots of animals need help and homes!


We bought a leash coupler and I tried a couple of times to take both Clark and Indy out at the same time. Both of the dogs walk pretty well with a pinch collar, they are both pullers... And up to this point we've only needed one pinch collar that they share. Now that we have the coupler, we will definitly need to invest in another pinch collar. Clark is a very focused and determined walker. Indy is more of a free spirit. Stopping to smell the flowers, checking out every passing noise... I think once they get used to walking together things will go much easier.
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Monday, April 19, 2010

PETWALK 2010

Clark and I will be walking in PETWALK 2010 at Goddard Park on May 2nd. PLEASE sponsor us! You can click on the link on the right, or go to:

http://www.firstgiving.com/laurenretelle

Any little bit helps and the money goes to animals who really need it! Or, you could walk with us! Indy would love to walk too, but needs a person. Or, bring your own dog!

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Monday, March 22, 2010



Indiana Jones had a vet visit today! He now weighs a whopping 74.9 lbs!

We had three reasons to visit the vet today.

First, was the quasimodo style bump on Indy's right cheek (see picture above). The bump was acquired during a wresting match with Clark. The vet said the he probably bruised the bone and the swelling will go down over time... (it's been almost 2 weeks already). We are supposed to put a warm compress on it. We'll see how well that goes over.

Second, was a rash on the inside of Indy's legs that he seems to get when it's damp out. And although it never seems to bother HIM, it looks red, raw and very uncomfortable... Our Vet seems to think it's an allergy (Indy must get that from Chris). We were told to try Caladryl lotion. He said to apply it and then distract Indy for about 5 minutes until it soaks in. Again, we'll see how that goes over.

Third, Indy was due for his rabies shot. He took it like a champ! As always with Indy, we will keep an eye on him for the next couple of days to make sure he doesn't have a reaction. And he did pass his heart worm test with flying colors!

Clark's appointment is Monday!

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Sunday, January 24, 2010

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Wednesday, December 30, 2009


Lauren's new office.


Clark's new office.


Indy's new office.
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Vacation!

Winter vacation is winding down. I'm pretty sure Clark and Indy either think I've lost my job, or this is the longest weekend EVER! Either way I think they are enjoying the leisurely mornings. Since it has been so cold outside, we all have a little trouble moving in the morning. Today we slept in... until 7:30!

I primed a "test wall" in the kitchen on Monday. Just to see if the primer would cover the textured paint the previous owners had used. Luckily the primer covered the paint well, but Indy seemed irritated by the smell. And so, we may just have one primed wall until either I can't stand looking at it anymore, or it's warm enough to send the dogs outside while I paint.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Happy Holidays!

I hope everyone had a nice bunch of holidays!

It's been a blur of friends, family and food around here... as it should be! I think we have enough Christmas cookies and candy to last quite a while. My last three meals have been leftover lasagna. The fun continues this week with more visits from out of town friends.

The dogs had a blast with Christmas gifts the Chiltons sent up from PA. They were bouncing off the walls yesterday morning. Literally running back ond fourth like kindergarteners on pixie sticks. Like most brothers they fight over one toy, ignoring the others laying within reach. Right now it's a red stuffed bone that looks like Santa. Yesterday it was a blue football on a rope. Indy "the destroyer" has already torn a tennis ball into three parts... Clark can't wait for the ice in the backyard to melt so that he can try out his new Frisbee. Thank you Chiltons!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Monday, December 14, 2009

Saturday, October 3, 2009


Rooster Indy & Rooster Clark
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Saturday, August 29, 2009

Apologies

I'm feeling the guilt about not updating... This whole thing started to get me to take more pictures. Even just pictures of my dog. Which then turned into the dog and cats. And now two dogs and cats. With the camera on the 'disabled list' taking pictures has been tough.

Clark and Indy are both alive and well. Indy has only had ONE "in crate accident" since his birthday. The Vet had told us he was underdeveloped, and so can't hold his bladder as long as a regular dog his age. But, we don't know how far behind he really is. It's hard to tell if he's still got puppy brains (and bladder), or if he's just being a jerk.

Indy and Clark took a trip to the beach this summer. Which they both seemed to enjoy. They got to run around off leash. Indy would not go in the water, but Clark went right in this time. Maybe a little too much too fast for Clark though, he threw up salt water in Chris' car on the way home... oops!

I'll try to be better about updating. Or thinking to update...

Sunday, August 9, 2009


Clark is weary. He knows that Indy is just out of camera view. As soon as Clark's belly hits the kitchen floor Indy will pounce.

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Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Birthday Dog!

Today is Indy's FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!

It's crazy how much he has chenged since we brought him home.


This is Indy on his first night in our house. He was a very sleepy sweet puppy. Everyone thought that he was sick but our vet assures us he was perfectly healthy and lazy. WOO HOO!


Here is Indy this past fall. Still growing into his ears. Still sleepy, short bursts of energy between long snuggle sessions and naps galore.


This is a more recent picture. He's grown into his ears mostly. Still naps a lot. He is a very different dog then Clark. Where Clark prefers catch, Indy naps. Clark loves stuffed toys, Indy likes rubber toys. Clark likes filled bones, Indy loves chewing on rawhide knots.


Today Indy & Clark celebrated Indy's birthday with a Frosty Paws Ice Cream! Then Indy got a HUGE bone to chew on and a new Gumby rubber toy. Clark already knows Gumby's name and will be happy to retreive it if asked. Indy will be napping.
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Saturday, July 18, 2009



Indy is sad...



He knocked his Kong under the couch...
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Wednesday, July 15, 2009



Clark wishes our good camera was working.
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