Spring is Here

According to the calendar spring has arrived.  And it seems that nature has listened this year.  It has been so nice here the past couple weeks.  At least 60 degrees nearly everyday.  Lola and I have been taking advantage of this great weather.  We have been going on peaceful long walks enjoying the weather.  And the early spring flowers.

When I see these, I know spring is on its way.  

It was so nice on Sunday, that Lola decided that she just wanted to sit down and enjoy the sun.

And then she decided that maybe she should roll around.  That always is a good time.

More Snow

We got more snow this weekend.  About 3 or 4 inches.  I love the way the snow looks on all of the trees.  Is is so pretty.

And this time it was actually warm enough for Lola to get out and play in the snow.  We went to the park and were the first people there.  So, Lola got to make the first tracks in the snow.  And she had a ball.  

Finally, A Walk

We have had zero or sub-zero temperatures since Monday. `So we have not been able to go for walks since Monday.  It was extremely cold.  Lola would go out to her business and be back in the house in less then a minute.  And then she would lay down right in front of the space heater so she could warm up.

We got a couple inches of snow yesterday but it was a balmy 25 degrees.  So we got out for a walk.  And Lola was beyond happy.  I think she was starting to get cabin fever.  Here are a few pictures. Sorry, they are not great because they were on my phone and it was getting dark.

Feels Like Spring

I was one of the lucky ones, that had Monday off.  It was one of those winter days, where it felt like spring is right around the corner.  Now I am well, aware that it is only January and we still have 2 or 3 months of winter.  But it was a get day.  Lola even enjoyed the warm weather.  She went out on the deck and kept an eye out for those evil squirrels.

And later in the afternoon we went for a very nice walk.  It was warm and I did not even need a jacket.  It was great.  I love the warm weather so this is a nice break in the middle of January.  

Weekend Walk

It has been so nice here lately, it was in the 70s both Saturday and Sunday.  With this nice weather it made for some great weekend morning walks.  It was warm enough that all I needed was a light sweatshirt.  And Lola loved the nice weather too.

It has been so warm here, and there are still plenty of trees with leaves on them.  And I love the way the leaves look on the ground.  And the sound they make when you walk over them.

And there are plenty of trees that have lost all their leaves too.  It makes me kind of sad.  They look so bare and empty.

But the bare trees make it much easier to search for and chase squirrels.

And running and crunching through the leaves is so much fun.

And it was so nice that when we got home Lola when out on the porch to enjoy the nice weather before the snow that is reported to be coming this weekend.  I think Lola could sense it wanted to spend most of the weekend outside.

Neighborhood Friends

One thing I love about having a dog is the fact that I pretty  much have to get up and take Lola for a walk.  And one think I have loved about our walks is meeting people in our neighborhood.  I don't know about you, but it can be hard to meet all the neighbors.  It seems like you usually meet a few people right next door or across the street, but it is hard to meet people a couple blocks over.  And to top it off, I get home from work and just want to relax, not go knocking on doors to meet people.  And they may think that is a little strange.

I have found with Lola, it has been very easy to meet new people in the neighborhood.  I mean really how could this face not make you smile.

Lola has a few buddies in the neighborhood, an English bulldog, Lulu, (who ignores her for the most part, but Lola loves her), a Saint Bernard, Jake, (they love chasing each other) and a couple boxers, Flin and Nina.  The best is when they all get together.  They all have a great time.  Lola can spot them a mile away and gets so excited when she knows her buddies are out. 

I think I see my friends!  Time to play!

Lola also loves seeing her human buddies.  She knows exactly where all of them live.  (There is even one couple that is nice enough to buy dog biscuits for the whole neighborhood, even though they don't have any dogs.)  She will stop in front of each of their house to see if they are home and want to come say hi.

Are you there?!  I want to say HI!!

Great Walk

I know last week I bragged about how well Lola did on a walk, and now I have to brag one more time, (and then I promise I will stop for awhile.)  We went for an afternoon walk this weekend, and there was a woman walking with a little boy and a dog.  I could tell from quite a distance that the dog was walking the woman rather than the woman walking the dog.  And I know a lot of us have been that person, so I decided to walk in the street so we would be out of the way.  When we walked past the woman, she commented on how well behaved and in control Lola was.

I know a lot of other people have said this, but it is great to know that we are representing the American Bulldog and the bully breeds in a positive light.  And it makes me proud to know that we can show people that bully breeds can be great dogs.

Good Girl, Lola!!

Do you ever have one of those moments where you dog did something so well and you are just so proud, that you can't quite get it out of your mind?  Well, I had one this weekend.

We were going for an afternoon walk, like many other people.  And up the street on the same side, I saw there was Great Dane puppy.  (Well, puppy meaning probably 7 or 8 months, because he was pretty big.)  He made his dog sit, so I decided to cross the street so we were out of the way and he could continue with his dog.  So we cross, and I had Lola walking beside me.  As we continue walking, I told her to "leave it".  We kept walking and we started passing the puppy on the other side of the street.  I said "leave it" one more time.  As we walked by the puppy started barking and jumping (I know he wanted to say hi) and the poor owner was trying to get him to calm down.  And through all of this Lola just kept trotting along beside me not even paying attention to the dog across the street.  I could not believe that she did not even care.  She is usually gets excited when other dogs are excited.

Protective Lola

I was going for an evening walk earlier this week and something very strange happened.  We were walking our normal route, and I turned a corner and noticed there were some landscapers mowing the lawns at two house about half way down the block.  No big deal, I just crossed to the other side of the street. I figured it would be easier for all parties not to have a dog walking by when people were mowing. 

We continued to walk and we passed the landscapers on the other side of the street.  Lola was beside me walking and all of a sudden she turned around and started barking.  This is out of character for her.  I can't remember her ever barking on a walk.  I immediately made her sit to calm down, and turned around and saw one of the landscapers stopped in the middle of the street.  I released her from the sit and started walking again. As we started walking and the landscaper asked if she bites.  I said not usually and just continued our walk.  As we continued walking she seemed uneasy and anxious, so I cut our walk short and headed home. 

Once I got home and had a moment to unwind from our walk, I realized something set Lola off.  Lola is always happy  and never barks when people approach us walking. In fact she gets so excited because she knows somebody is coming to pet her.  As I thought about it more, I realized something made her turn around and bark like she.  I am not sure what exactly. But I am glad to know that she will bark and become protective when appropriate. Not that I ever doubted she would protect me if needed, but I have now seen the first inkling of it.

Have you ever seen your dog go into a protective and/or defensive mode for you or anyone else?

The Sporn Harness

Thanks to Roo and Corbin, we decided to try the Sporn Harness.  They both look like they have a similar built as Lola so I decided to look in to it.  I did some research online and thought we would try it.

Previously we were using this harness that hooks under her front legs and around chess.  And the leash connector is on her chess.  It worked well, but it does not seem to fit as well lately and it seems like I was tightening it a lot more lately.  Almost like it was wearing some.

Old Harness

I got the Sporn home and we tried it.  I think I had it way too tight on her the first time. She was walking really slow with her head down, and I finally realized when we got home what the problem was.  Corbin warned me that his mom did not have it adjusted right the first time and he walked funny.  (Us humans just have some issues sometimes, Corbin. )

So I adjusted it so it was fairly lose at least compared to the old type of harness. And it seems to be working great now.  When I walk Lola around the neighborhood or to the park I usually let her wander ahead or behind a little.  And I have to say with the Sporn she does not pull at all, she will slow down for me and a lot of times she will just walk right by me. 

Overall, it is working great, and I would recommended it if you are looking for a new harness or if your dog is pulling when you walk.

A Morning Walk

I mentioned here last week that we love going our walks.  Life With 5 Dogs left a comment saying that she loves morning walks in the snow.  I completely agree, at least, about the morning part. I love going for morning walks on the weekends.  It is so peaceful and quiet. I think Lola enjoys it too.  We both walk a little slower, and I let her stop and smell more and we are just more relaxed.

Wait I have to smell this. 

Some pretty purple flowers we saw.

Sitting at the corner waiting to cross the street.

There is a squirrel in the tree.

Getting tired and slowing down 

Home and getting water.  

Rain or Shine, It's Walk Time

Like most dog owners I know, there is the ritual of the daily walk.  Lola and I go for a walk nearly everyday.  There are only a few days a year we do not go for a walk; if it is pouring rain, if there is a blizzard or if it is extremely cold.   But we will venture out if it is sprinkling.  This past week we have had some rain showers moving through and out we were when it was sprinkling.  It was actually kind of relaxing to walk in the cool
weather. 

I also have no qualms of walking in the snow or the cold.  I put on a hat, some gloves and a warm jacket and we are off.  If fact, we usually walk a little faster since we are both cold.  And therefore, we both burn a few more calories.  So, I view that as a plus, for both of us.  When there is a blizzard, I usually try to wait for a break in the weather and will try to get her out for even a short walk around the block.  It is good for both of us.  I think we both get a little cabin fever during huge snow storms.

Walks are great for both of us.  They are and will continue to be a great little training session for Lola.  There are always certain things I make her do, sit at corners, (unless is really cold then I let her stand), heel when we walk be people, sit and lay down when people want to pet her, etc.  And for me, they are a great way to unwind and mellow out after a day at work, and it is great way to get outside and exercise.

Happy Monday!

Monday always comes so fast,, doesn't it.   Too fast.  Here is a little video to put a smile on your face.  Every time we go to the park on a walk, Lola loves rolling around in the grass.  Here is something to hopefully start your Monday with a smile.