Sunday, June 29, 2008

a beautiful day

I took Keeley for a walk this morning at Lake Park again. This time it was just the two of us because his grandma was busy. We got an early start and the weather was just perfect. Since it was before 8am, it was still cool from the night before and it was breezy which helped keep the mosquitoes off. Since we've gotten so much rain, the mosquitoes are out like crazy. Keeley has been very itchy lately but I don't think it's allergies right now; it's mostly mosquito bites. Poor baby.
Our walk at the park was about 40 minutes but it seemed to me that Keeley wanted more. So we went down to Bradford Beach and did a second walk there for about 20 minutes. That's right, he got two walks for the price of one. What a lucky dog, huh?
On the drive home, I took little side streets and drove really slow. I unrolled Keeley's window enough so that he could fit his whole head out. He loved it.By the time we got home he was exhausted. He's been my sleepy little shadow all day. Whenever I move to a different room, he gets up and follows me and then curls into a ball and goes back to sleep. He's such a cutie pie.
Keeley is my first dog ever and unfortunately this makes him sort of like my guinea pig dog. I have to learn everything as I go along. I had to learn about dog food. I had to learn about vaccinations. I had to learn about grooming. I had to learn what neutered meant. (It's sort of funny now, see I didn't know that it meant they remove his balls. I thought it was more like a vasectomy, so I was really shocked when I picked up Keeley from the vet's office.)
Anyhow, so this may be a dumb question but just how rough are dog's paws supposed to be? You can't really tell from this photo, but Keeley's paws are really rough. He paws at my arms in the night if he wants me to pet him and I look more like I own a cat, than a dog based on all the scratches that I have now. Is this normal? (PS. I know I need to do his nails but it's not his nails that are scratching me, it's his paws.) Does anyone have any advice?
Anyhow, later on we went outside to do some practice for the Pawlimpics. If you don't know about this yet, you should go check out Lenny's blog. Here's Keeley practicing some yoga, or should I say doga? And below he's practicing his marking ability. He's got terrific aim! We'll keep on with the training.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Dog Days of Summer

Keeley has been feeling a little neglected lately. On Wednesday, his grandma and I left him at home while we went to a sneak preview of the new Harley Davidson Museum that opens here next month. On Thursday, I left him at home while I went to see Gnarls Barkley. On Friday, his grandma left him at home while she went to the horse races.
We're trying to make it up to him today. We've already taken a 3 mile walk around Lake Park and his grandma got him a new bandana from Target. He's modeling the bandana in these pictures.
It's hot (and humid) and Keeley doesn't like hot weather. We've been napping in the air conditioning but every once in a while, Keeley likes to go outside and sun his buns for about 15 minutes.
The fireworks season has begun. Fortunately, Keeley didn't seem to notice the first couple of events. Maybe he is over that fear now. That would be odd though since he's still very scared of thunder.
Keeley found this branch that had fallen into his yard and so he decided to give it a taste.
There was a big old daddy long legs spider crawling around on Keeley's body so he had to roll around in the grass to get it off him.
We came back inside and I think we're going to do some more napping now.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Happy Father's Day

Here's Keeley with his grandpa. He comes over every Sunday to make dinner for us and to play with Keeley pup. They just adore each other.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Songs we sing to Keeley

Keeley's grandma and I make up songs that we sing to Keeley. Well, actually we take an existing song and just change the words. It got me wondering if anyone else did this kind of thing.

Here are some of Keeley's songs:


Super Pup (based on Super Freak by Rick James)

He’s a very silly dog
The kind that I take home to my mother
He will never let me fall asleep
Once it’s storming on the street, ow boy

That dog is kinda goofy
That dog’s a super pup

He’s all right, He’s all right
That boy’s all right with me, yeah
He’s a super pup, super pup
He’s a super puppy, yow


Keeley Pup (based on Lollipop by the Chordettes)

Keeley pup, Keeley pup
Oh Keeley, Keeley, Keeley
Keeley pup, Keeley pup

He’s my boy Keeley pup
Keeley pup, Keeley pup
Pup-pup, pup, pup


What's Up Keeley-pup? (based on What’s New Pussycat? by Tom Jones)

What’s up Keeley-pup? Whoa, Whoa
Keeley-pup, Keeley-pup
You’re delicious
and I’ve got kisses
to share with you
You and your Keeley-pup nose, Whoa, Whoa
Keeley-pup, Keeley-pup
I love you
Yes, I do
You and your Keeley-pup clothes, Whoa, Whoa
You and your Keeley-pup toes, Whoa, Whoa
You and your Keeley-pup nose, Whoa, Whoa
What’s up Keeley-pup? Whoa, Whoa


Hello My Keeley! (based on Hello My Baby!)

Hello, my Keeley
Hello, my puppy
Hello, my sweet lil’ boy

You are such a cutie pie
Keeley, I ain’t no liar

Monday, June 2, 2008

Crusty Keeley

I wish I could show you what Keeley looked like when I picked him up from daycare today. I tried to take some pictures but they just weren't able to capture it.
He looked like he had been slimed, like a really big, slobbery dog had given him a full head kiss and then it dried into one really crusty do. His little noggin was so gross!
You would have never guessed that this pup just had a bath on Saturday!

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Morning Walk At Grant Park

"Enter this wild wood and view the haunts of nature"Keeley's grandma had to MAKE him look at me for this picture. He just wanted to GO! GO! GO!
We haven't been to Grant Park since last year so this was like a new adventure for Keeley. Since we decided that we're done with the local dog parks, we've been trying to take Keeley on different walks to exercise his brain at the same time as exercising his body.
They call this "The Seven Bridges Trail" but I don't know why because there are more than seven bridges.
Keeley had to do a few drops of marking every 20-30 feet or so. Maybe he was worried that we'd get lost so he was leaving like a trail of breadcrumbs for his nose. He's crazy like that.
There are a bunch of different paths to choose from. A few of them lead to Lake Michigan. Keeley is usually scared of waves but it was a pretty calm morning.
I'm not sure what Keeley was looking for but I usually like to look for a pretty rock or two to take with me. I didn't have enough pockets today though.
Keeley likes to be the leader. If I sneak ahead of him, he charges at me to get ahead again.
There were these little purple wildflowers growing everywhere.
This is my favorite part of spring/summer. I just love the way the trees all look right now. I love that light green color and I like how since the leaves are still small, a lot of sunlight filters through. Plus the mosquitoes aren't out yet!
I think Keeley enjoyed this walk. He looks happy to me!