Florida Vacation - Part 2 (Christmas and the beach!)

We had a wonderful Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's house in Florida. Grandma spoiled me with so many prezzies, so I was super happy. I got most of the toys and Spencer got most of the treats, so I'm not sure who did better. He he! Since Spencer has gotten older, he's not into toys like he used to be.
YES, tennis balls, my favorite. I managed to break all three balls within five minutes, Grandma was amazed!

Spencer loves to open presents, especially since so many of his were food related!

I have paper issues, so I managed to eat a whole lot of paper while I unwrapped. What can I say, it's so yummy.

Got anything else with my name on it?

Mom bought Spencer one toy that she felt was appropriate for Florida, a Sting Ray.

While Spencer was napping I stole his Ray and introduced it to my Hippo. Both make absolutely wonderful pillows.

Since the weather was so nice while we were visiting, we decided to go to dog beach. This place is totally PAWSOME! Even Spencer, who hates to swim, enjoyed himself.

I was so excited, I couldn't stay in one place for too long.

Spencer was loving the feel of the water on his achy hind legs. He stayed in the water for over an hour!

Even Grandma got in the water with me. She had to hold me back when a boat came in a bit too close for comfort.

Look, my orbee made the trip to Florida too! Man, I love my orbee!

What do you mean we have to leave soon? I don't want to go!!

I got a big pat from Grandma for being such a good dog at the beach. And my good behavior was rewarded with a trip back before we headed back home!! More on that in a future post.

Ahh, it's so nice to look back at all the pics of my vacation to Florida. Especially since I'm sitting here in single digit temperatures and tons of snow. Man, I can't wait for summer!!

'till next time,

Kirby

Florida Vacation - Part 1

We started our road trip out on a cold and icy Saturday morning. I wasn't sure what was going on, but Mom and Dad promised that good things and good weather were ahead. Our goal was to drive 12 hours and make it to Atlanta that night, so we had our work cut out for us. The roads were pretty snowy throughout most of Northern Illinois. We were all so excited when we finally saw green grass again!

Our route took us through most of Illinois and a few hours into the trip we started seeing signs for Metropolis, IL and their giant Superman statue. Mom and Dad just HAD to stop and check it out and I got my picture taken with Superman!

Here's a closeup of me, way down low. He he!

We drove on through Illinois, into Kentucky and into Tennessee. Mom and Dad made sure I got plenty of breaks to potty and stretch my legs. I met lots of other dogs who were traveling for the holidays too!
We made it to Atlanta as planned, and enjoyed our rest time, cuz first thing in the morning we were up and on the road again. Oh, did I tell you in Atlanta I got to stay in a hotel? I even got to ride in an elevator, it was so much fun! After a few hours of driving we finally drove across the Florida state line, and guess what? It was raining in the sunshine state! It cleared up before we drove too far, so we got to enjoy the sunshine and super warm temperatures!

As we got closer and closer to Fort Myers, where Grandma and Grandpa stay in the winter, I got very anxious and was annoying Mom and Dad with my whining. Finally, we arrived and I was out of the car and running up to greet my most favorite grandparents in the whole wide world! What a great start to my vacation!

More in the next few days on Christmas and my swim in the Gulf of Mexico!

'till next time,

Kirby

It's been so long...

I can't believe how long it's been since I've last posted. I blame my Mom who has been too busy to assist me with my typing. First, I'll assure everyone that I am doing great! My neck was all better a few days after I got my meds from the vet. I went to my alternative vet for a massage instead of my normal water therapy. I got a massage and a bit of laser treatment to help my neck muscles heal. I felt GREAT afterwords and was back to my normal self the next day. Thank you to all who checked up on me. I'm so sorry it took us so long to get back to you.

Now, to what has kept us so busy. We actually went on vacation. All of us...including me! I left a cold and snowy Chicago and headed down to a warm and sunny Fort Myers, Florida!

We had a great time, I got to do lots of fun stuff and spent tons of quality time with my pal Spencer.

In order not to freak mom out and post it all in one post, we'll be posting pics throughout the week.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year! Now, I've got to get caught up on all of your blogs.

'till next time,
Kirby

Airecuts aren't worth it!

So, Stanley recently asked if I was going to get an Airecut before I headed down to Florida with Mom and Dad, and funny he asked, cuz yesterday, I got groomed.

Now, I have to warn all you doggies out there not to misbehave when you are on the grooming table. Apparently, I must have been thrashing about when I was on the table and hooked onto the grooming loop. I was fine when I went home, but late last night I began to feel some pain and I cried out and went to Mom for help. Mom had no clue what to do, every time she touched my head/neck area I would yelp and cry. She took off my collar and bandanna to ease the pain on my neck and then called the Emergency Vet. They felt if she could settle me in for the night, I would not need to visit them, but they did recommend a trip to my regular vet in the AM. So, at midnight, I still would not fall asleep. I was so tired that my eyes were shutting, but each time I put my head down it hurt SO BAD! Finally, I just fell asleep.

First thing this morning, Mom rushed me off to my most favorite vet in the whole world, Dr. Marks! Dr. Marks knew something was wrong right away. Normally, I would jump all over her and slobber kisses on her face, but all she got was a bit of a tail wag. I was examined and then given TWO SHOTS! OWWWW!!!! Dr. Marks felt that I most likely had injured the soft tissue around my neck when I was on the table and this was causing all of my discomfort. So, she gave me a muscle relaxer and and anti-inflammatory to take until Sunday. When I left her office, my tail was back up and I was acting more like myself again.

So, no rough play for me this weekend, no running or being crazy, no, me the dog who gets hurt at the groomers has to rest. All this just so I could smell nice and clean up my hair....If you ask me, it's just not worth it!

'till next time,
Kirby

Family Photo Time

Sorry, I've been so absent from blogging. Mom has been so busy lately, she's had no time to blog for me, but she has been reading and keeping me up to date on what you've all been up to. Apparently, getting all the Christmas cards out into the mail and doing all the Christmas shopping has been keeping her super busy. Plus, we are getting ready to go on a vacation. we are heading down to Florida for almost three weeks! So, Mom's been making lists of everything that we will all need. Note that I said what we will all need, since we are driving down, I get to come too! Wooo hooo!! Mom is going to take tons of pictures on the trip, so I will FORCE her to blog all about it.

Over Thanksgiving weekend, Dad's sister, my Aunt Nadya and her family came in from Saint Louis and we did a family photo session. Below are some of the pictures that Aunt Nadya took, and I think they came out pretty good!

Here's me with my most favorite people in the whole wide world, Mom and Dad!
Here's the whole family. I was not behaving so Mom had to keep me somewhat calm. He he!
When I still wouldn't behave, we had a very Deetz like talkin' to. That is no fun! I couldn't help it, there was deer poop everywhere, and that stuff smells SO GOOD!
Here's me with my cousins, Daniel, Steven and Keersten.
And here is a shot of (if I do say so myself) one good looking Airedale!

I promise to make Mom blog on a more consistent basis. I can't let her think she's in control....

'Till next time,

Kirby

Not up to much

Sorry for the delay in posting. Mom and I have been super busy with tons of different things. It seems like Winter wants to make an early entrance this year (yes, Herc, we got snow!), so I'm trying to make the most of the few nice days we get. I spent a lazy Sunday at my Grandparents having fun in their yard. The fields around their house are turning brown, but the grass is so nice to roll around in!

Ahh, it just feels so good to lay here!

But you just can't stop that feeling, that roaching feeling.
It is pure bliss to roach around in Grandma and Grandpa's yard. My fellow roachers know what I'm talking about! He he!!
Other than enjoy the last bit of Fall, we've been trying to get our stuff together for the DWB Holiday Card Exchange. Mom tried a few different picture ideas, but as usual, I wasn't cooperating. Can you blame me? The scarf was delicious! How could I not chew on it?
Mom like this one, but she still wasn't sure. You'll have to wait till you receive this years card to see what picture we ended up using.
Oh, good news, I've completed my six weeks of rehab on my right hind leg and I've been cleared to begin jumping in agility again! Wooo hooo! I've got to start slowly and build myself back up. I'm just happy that I can start jumping again!! Mom is going to keep me in rehab for one day a week to work on strengthening my leg muscles and to work on weight loss (yes, it is STILL an issue).

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! May some table scraps fall your way!!

'till next time,
Kirby

Spencer is 13!

The weekend before Halloween, Mom, Dad and I headed over to Grandma and Grandpa's to help celebrate Spencer's 13th birthday! He sure is looking good for a teenager!!

First thing we took care of was the presents. Spencer LOVES to unwrap gifts, especially if they are food and he can smell it! Mmmmmm. Spencer had everything unwrapped in just a few minutes. He got lots of treats (he's not into toys very much anymore).

I'm a bit of a brat, and had to be restrained by my Dad as Spencer was opening his gifts. Mom said I think everything is for me. He he!

Check this out, Spencer had not one, but TWO birthday cakes!

MMmmmmm, cake good!

Spencer likes his cake with a scoop of ice cream.

After all that excitement, Spencer fell asleep with his new fox. He was POOPED!

After nap time, we headed outside to see what our neighbor dogs were up to. I finally got to meet 'The Count' who was visiting the Golden's next door. What a cutie! Spencer is really into The Count. He loves a smaller dog!

My good pal Jordan came out for a romp, but caught a scent and was preoccupied with that.

Since Jordan was busy, I got to romp around with Angel. She and I ALWAYS have the best time together!!

Spencer came out for a bit of playtime with his leash. He loves to chase it and chew it! He's still like a puppy sometimes!!

After all the partying was finished, we took one last walk around the lake and creek. Uncle John showed us the beaver dam. Apparently, a beaver has moved in and built a big old dam across the creek. Mom took the picture above, but it was so dark out, you can't see too much. I caught the scent of the beaver, but was on leash, so there was no taking off and chasing anything.

What a great day. Happy 13th Birthday Spencer! I hope you have many, many more!!!

'Till next time,

Kirby