Our sweet pup has been under the weather, first with some tummy trouble and more recently an eye problem. Both are resolving, thankfully. Chief is a tuff dog, but I worry when he is unwell. J would say I worry too much. But such is my nature. I'm a mom.
We are very fortunate to have a veterinarian who knows Malinois and is a true dog lover. The staff and doctors know Chief (and me) almost too well, but they are all very kind and patient. More than once they have worked us in for an appointment at the last minute. I raise a cheer to my vet, Dr. B., and a second cheer to the kind people at our Pet Hospital!

"A barking dog is often more useful than a sleeping lion." - Washington Irving

It's Saturday and our pack is worn out from the week. I have been substitute teaching more which translates to more play time for our Boy. It's just before 2 p.m. here. Chief is asleep by the couch, J is on his iPad and watching the Longhorns slaughter Texas Tech, and I am, well, blogging. 
What have I learned from my dog this week?  That you can have too much play. Always full of energy, when I bring home Boy after I leave work, he shows very little interest in playing. His routine upon arriving home: walk in the door, drag over to the water bowl, drink for a couple of minutes (I've determined he doesn't stop to drink water when he plays during the day), walk over to the treat cabinet, take the treat I give him to the couch or bed, and settle with a groan or "humph." After that, he naps. He's SO lethargic I start to worry he's sick. Typically he settles either on the couch or on our bed, his way of saying he may be down for the count for the day. I have to coax him out for a walk, and even when we walk he is at a slow pace and tends to walk like an older dog. Too much play.
But he recovers by the next day usually, full of excitement when we wake. It's as if he's saying, "Wow! It's Morning! Wow! It's time for a walk! Wow!... You get the picture. 
As I'm finishing today's post, it is now afternoon and the temperature is a very nice, fall-like 70 out. It's breezy and sunny with some clouds so our Pack has moved outside. Off went the TV, dinner is stewing on the stove thanks to my chef J, and we are comfortable in our chairs out by the pool. Since Chief is still showing some signs of being tired from yesterday, we have put his tennis balls away so he can doze on his bed out here. Peace and quiet except for the rustle of blowing leaves and the wind chimes by my house. 

Two at Play

I'm so happy that Fall has finally started inching into our area. The temperatures are settling in the high 60s to low 70s with some rain in our future (I hope). Leaves are turning gradually; there's a crispness to the air on most mornings. I want to settle in with my sweet boys by me. I want to plan for the holidays and decorate early so that nothing is left until the last minute. I want to clean out the clutter of my house so that all things precious remain inside. But for now, I'll relax outside by the pool with my most precious ones, Chief and J.

Happy Halloween from my little devil

I managed a quick pic of my favorite pup this afternoon as I was setting up for trick-or-treaters. I found this little set of devil horns at Walgreens and bought them specifically for Boy to surprise J. I took a picture here, and there, and have also posted one or two to my Facebook page. Chief was patient but so puzzled about what I was putting on his noggin.
He won't be greeting any dressed up children this evening as the doorbell sets him off. I usually set up a little candy display outside with a sign asking that kids be generous with other trick-or-treaters by taking only two or three pieces. We'll see how honest they are this year.
Here's wishing you all a safe and happy Halloween. Don't eat too much candy! By my next post I'll be ready for Thanksgiving... I love Fall.

"An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language." ~ Martin Buber

Chief has brown eyes. Certainly not uncommon or arresting as eye colors go, but when I look into his brown eyes, there is a knowing. A sense of understanding that can set my heart either to rest or to racing. If it's play or wrestle I seek, I can make a slight change of facial expression and he knows. Those eyes miss nothing. If I'm battling another migraine and feel nothing but frustration with the pain, his eyes are patient and soft. Play can wait, for now. And if I and my hubby are resting, his eyes may be closed but he is still watchful, still careful to protect.

Surely God made this amazing creature just for us!

"Am I camouflaged?"

Right now, my Boy's brown eyes are so drowsy with sleep. He has been awake and playful most of this Saturday. With the Pack all together, he has had plenty of time with his favorite person, J, and more treats than a usual day holds. Our Watcher is going to take an afternoon nap.

It has been too long since my last post. I have learned to just accept that my writing comes to me when it comes. Some days it's feast, other days it's famine.
In looking at my July post, I was beyond ready for cooler weather. Who could blame me with the triple digit temperatures our area was contending with. Several months passed with temps averaging 105 degrees. Our power bill showed 102 degrees as the average temperature for June, so you can imagine what July and August bore. Now it is the middle of October and we are finally showing signs of cooling. Our high tomorrow is 85, and I'm okay with that although I'd prefer the 70's myself.
Chief has shown a preference for cooler weather too as he can play longer without over-heating. He has become more gray in his beard these past months. At only 4 1/2 years old, it makes him look older. Now, J and I have noticed a tiny white spot almost between his eyes on his snout. It's getting bigger; more gray coming. But what a wonderful dog he is. He is still a puppy at play (especially with J) as well as a more confident companion. His love for chasing evil squirrels is unmatched. However, now that we have spotted a couple of armadillos during our early morning walks, he is beside himself wanting to know what those weird looking, squatty creature are. I want absolutely nothing to do with them.

My Boy smiles.

Our weekends are spent as a pack. The mornings start outside by the pool playing or reading, or both. J makes coffee and often lets me sleep in while he takes care of Boy. While we run errands later in the day, we have been able to leave Chief out of his crate for short periods of the time. We are very careful about this since "Maligators" can be very destructive if left unsupervised for too long. So far, so good.
Now as our weekend winds down, Monday is just a few hours away and I am substitute teaching. Boy will have his fun puppy time, but I do miss him when I work. I suppose I like my homebody routine during the week with him. But isn't being apart what makes us appreciate and enjoy that time together all the more? When we are all together watching a movie or sitting outside, I can look over at my boys and think, "This is happiness."

What makes you happy? For me, happiness is:
1. J (after 18 years of marriage, this hasn't changed).
2. Waking up and realizing I got to sleep in.
3. Having someone cook for me. 
4. Completing the list of things I have to do.
5. Chief 
6. A clean house.
7. Folding laundry.
8. Smelling fresh-cut grass or burning leaves.
9. J laughing.
10. Earning money for my family. 
11. Clean sheets on the bed.
12. Laughing til I cry (doesn't happen nearly enough).
13. Visiting with family.
14. Pack time.

Ready for a change

Is anyone out there ready for a change like I am? 
For the 18th consecutive day, the temps here in Texas are in the triple digits and there is no relief in sight as we are only half-way through July. We are also suffering from a severe drought. These harsher conditions aren't easy on Chief but he fares SO much better than I do lately. And I am ready for Fall! I am a huge fan of the Autumn season with all its colors and changes. The shift in cooler, more crisp air make romping outside with the Boy so much more enjoyable. Then there is the fall decorations which hit the stores followed by Halloween candy and costumes and yard ornaments - oh my! 
So here's to change! May it come sooner rather than later. I'm not just speaking for myself but for my dear puppy as well.

Can't you just smell the fresh fall air?

My blog is intended to help me remember. I can't remember every thing but I can keep a record to help me and my hubby look back fondly at our journey as a pack with Chief. I expect one day in the future, the far distant future I hope, I will not remember the past. We all forget details of our lives as nature takes it toll, and I've noticed this past year it has become more frequent for me.
My biggest fear is that I will be a victim of Alzheimer's which runs in my mother's family. If that is the case, this blog will not matter at all, but, if old age starts to dampen my memory, I will be able to read this blog and have my Chief right by my side once again. I will be able to laugh at his quirks and sweet personality while marveling at what an awesome dog he was (is). His facial expressions, fondness for food and treats, joy from being with his J, and his affectionate leaning into me are so tangible, I just can't imagine a time without him. But I know sadly there will be. The pictures are of the greatest value to me, and I'm sure J as well.
What I have here is the chronicling of a faithful, loving friend who will forever occupy a large space in my heart.