Haircut day

Yesterday was shampoo and haircut day for both dogs. Spike lucked out with a full body trim, down from 2" of shag to 1/2" of hair. He shivered a bit this morning when we went for a bike ride, but warmed up when the blood started flowing to his skin. (My view from the bike is in the photos.)

Bella just got a face trim. I love her hair long, and after putting a bit of diluted cream rinse on her, she brushed out easily. Hmmm. Why didn't I think of that before?

I'm still using the name tag lanyard with two loops on the end as a coupler. Works great, and they've never run into the wheels with the Walky-Dog extension from the seat post. Bella will occasionally walk through the center of the bike when we stop for Spike's potty break. We never move until they're sorted out on the right side.

Bella is quite the puller - I feel like I'm on a dog sled early in the run when they're both straining to go faster, faster! I let them pull me if I feel like it's maximum speed they should go... 11mph is my limit for such little dogs. After a mile or two, they're trotting alongside happily, first rush of energy worn off. Then it's a nice jog for a few more miles before we got home. Bella takes a nap; Spike wanders the house. Then it's time for breakfast and a rest in the crates.

They look cute with their red harnesses. We're usually out when the elementary kids are going to school. Many stop to wave at them, and the little girls love when they have coats on against the weather.

We were happy to have dry roads and moderate temperature on our outing today. I always appreciate a rainless morning... though it seems like Spike has picked up a predictable habit of wiping his feet on the front mat before entering the house. Thanks for that, Alexis!

Another dog day

The rain is pelting down. We take a quick one-mile stroll through the school yard and neighborhood. The dogs do their business in a hurry, eager to get off the dripping streets. Today it's dry dog food day, which they gulp before a snooze in the crates.

I have to finish editing my conference paper, so I pull sweaters on their little bodies and put them on the sun porch, along with some toys. When I come back, they're ready to come in. They refuse to play without me in the room, though they tussled plenty in the office earlier.

I blame the poop left in my office after lunch on Spike since I've never caught Bella in an accident. They both look innocent. Argh, I didn't see it happen, though I was in the room. I had just let them back from outside, too! Spike doesn't seem to be able to predict when he has to go, and doesn't know how to tell me when he needs out.

Spike steps on the treadmill for the first afternoon trot. (Maybe he needs a diversion.) He maintains a steady pace, the tags clinking on his collar. Bella lies down beside me on a fleecy rug, waiting her turn. Good doggies.