Toby's 12th Birthday Party/Hound-O-Ween!

We decided to combine Toby's 12th birthday party with Hound-O-Ween this year. It was a small event with Toby's best buddies, both human and dog. We started out indoors and needless to say, I must break down and buy a backdrop! Pictures were less than desirable with all our basement stuff everywhere. But ya gotta work with whatcha got! Toby wasn't the happiest of campers but he did as he was told and needed biscuits for payment!

Also in the basement were Shannon and Reuben. Shannon put a hat on Reuben's head, but he tried to eat it (and succeeded in downing a few feathers), hence no hat for Reuben. But, Shannon was a good sport and wore the hat!

Next up were Veronica and Juniper. They are great subjects because Juniper gets lots of practice posing for oodles of photos.

Then we headed outdoors and the woodshed made a much better backdrop. Toby was tough to corral, but he posed for a couple of photos. This is the best one.

Shannon was very animated, although Reuben wasn't too sure he liked the photo session. He would rather have been running around the yard.

Veronica was able to get Juniper to be cute as a button, although Juniper would much rather have been chasing Reuben all over the yard!

Of course, we also had treats for both humans and pups! Shannon baked banana-blueberry pup muffins, while Veronica gave Toby some of his favorite pup cookies! I made a pineapple carrot cake for the humans.

The pups just couldn't get enough of the treats! Juniper and Reuben convinced Shannon that they absolutely must have a pup muffin or they would starve!!!

Who can resist these three hoodlums? They have been scamming each human for more treaties.

WE ARE STARVING! We haven't had a treat in like 5 minutes! What gives?

Toby gets an extra cookie because he is the birthday boy. Happy Birthday, Toby!

Play Date with Dennis, Juniper, Toby, and Reuben

Here is a video of the dog play that occurred between the new friends.

Oh my, oh my...it has been a long time since we had a play date. We have been wanting Reuben, the wannabe Greyhound, to meet Juniper and Dennis and it finally came together today. Shannon, Billy, Beth, and Veronica all graced us with their presence to make this day a greyt one!

Here is everybody's heartthrob, lovebug Reuben.

Here is my boyfriend, Dennis.

Drew's girlfriend, Juniper, was getting some loving from Billy! She plays the field!

One of our goals was to get Juniper used to playing with non-greyhounds as she has shown a bit of displeasure in this part of life. And, Reuben needs some playmates as Toby is blind and cannot participate in play. Here is the first meeting of the minds!

Reuben seemed to really like hanging around with Dennis.

And, Dennis really wanted Reuben to play with him.

Dennis seemed to be channeling Flame and Trouble with his pawing and barking. Reuben's like, "What the heck, Dude?" I have a bit of video footage that shows the play that occurred between Juniper, Dennis, and Reuben, which will be posted soon. 

While the boys were sorting out who was going to be alpha, Toby and Juniper were getting attention on the deck.

And then, Billy pulled out the TREATIES!!!!!!! Toby loves treats, and therefore absolutely loves the treat-meister, Billy!

Toby has fun with his buddies

 

Toby had such a great time with his new buddies. Rarely is he in the thick of things when we have other dogs over, but today was different. He felt safe enough to be part of the fun, and we were so happy to see his enthusiasm. He seems quite silly, but remember that he is blind. He cracks us up!

Play Date with Odin, Bear Bear, Dennis, Juniper, and Toby

We had the best Play Date Sunday in a long time! It was so wonderful to have all these hounds together for the first time. In order from left to right: Odin, Toby, Juniper, Bear Bear, Dennis.

Odin met Juniper for the first time. Odin only has one eye, and he isn't two years old yet. Bille got him as an 8 month old pup. He is so sweet.

Speaking of Juniper, she laid claim to Drew right away as he was somebody familiar to her. Although, she does seem a bit flirty!

Then, she spied Bille. She had a new person to give her all the attention she deserves! While this little love fest was going on...

Dennis and Bear Bear were posturing to each other. A few growlies ensued as Dennis tried to figure out how to play with this new guy on the block!

Dennis really seemed to be feeling his oats. He loved playing with all the male pups at this play date.

Actually, Dennis seems to have a man-crush on Bear Bear, and vice versa! We think that they are going to be great play buddies in the future.

Then, Man Around Town, Bear Bear, found Juniper.  She tolerated him just fine, but was really in the mood for another human hug.

So, back she went to Drew with Bear Bear in tow. Odin joined in the mutual admiration group for some loving as well!

The pups didn't want Bille to feel left out, so they gravitated over to him. "Hey!" said Toby... "How's about a little romp and rumble? Enough with all this standing around!"

And, he did a play pose to get the ball rolling...

The guys were hard to wind up as they were in the "getting to know you" phase of this play date. So, Toby gave Bear Bear a nudge.

And, that led to some roaming around with a few sedate jogs.

Even Juniper was able to tear herself away from humans to play with the guys for a few minutes.

Toby got all worked up and had to be leashed for awhile since having all these dogs around was very stimulating for our blind pup.

Then, after all that exhausting "work" of milling around, it was time to lay down and chillax.

And, Bear Bear, who I have a crush on, posed for me. He is one gorgeous hound!

Bear Bear really knows how to work the camera;-) He has gorgeous ears and eyes!

Dennis found a nice sandy spot to enjoy during the latter part of the play date. I loves me some Dennis!

When the humans had carrot cake, Toby decided to try to wheedle some from Carla. First, he figured he'd win her with his beautiful, soulful, sightless eyes. But, that didn't work.

So, he decided to try his signature "Sit" trick which usually garners him a snack on the spot. Still no response from Carla. "Why, oh why, can't I have some cake?" he wondered... We're lucky he didn't do his "crawl" trick across the yard, like he did during Trouble's birthday party, for a pup cake.

Oh well, at least poor Toby did eventually get some lovin' from Carla, which would have to suffice. He and his buddy, Dennis, got some quality pets in before the play date ended... Such a fabulous day with greyt friends!

Play Date - Juniper and Dennis meet Cherise and Trouble

Now that we had met both Cherise and Juniper on separate occasions, we decided that these two feisty, sweet hounds should meet, along with Trouble, Dennis, and Toby. Look at Toby's smile. He loves all of his friends!

Due to both girls having hookworms, we have kept everyone apart, but decided that they have been on the meds long enough to be safe (with immediate poop pick-up in the yard.) It was nice to have the Bowdoin Greyhound Gang together again with the new additions.

Trouble is a ladies' man, and he was excited to meet Juniper!

As soon as we got into the backyard, Cherise and Juniper got to meet each other off leash. There were relatively few growlies, and the girls seemed to hit it off.

Then, the ball play began, with muzzles of course! Cherise is an old hand at ball play so she decided to show Juniper how its done;-)

Juniper knows that she is as fast as a speeding bullet, so she decided to join in along with Dennis.

Well, Juniper was surprised at how fast Old Man Dennis was. She felt as though she was standing still as he raced by with Cherise hot on his heels!

Whoo! After that run, both girls headed for the pool.

After they vacated the pool, Dennis hopped in, and Trouble joined him a few minutes later. Dennis was okay with sharing, because "sharing is caring..." Such good boys!

Of course after you cool off in the pool, you must always lay in the sand. So, that's what Trouble did because he is a good boy who follows the rules!

Since Trouble and Dennis are buddies, Dennis followed suit and got all sandy as well!

Then, it was time for a bit of a run again. But, this time, since Dennis is such a gentleman, he got to go muzzle-free. Who's a good boy? Why, Dennis is...

Juniper needed more Drew time, so she invited Cherise to join her for snuggles!

Whaat??? How many people and dogs can fit into a kiddie pool???

And, Trouble says..."Let me in!" And, Dennis says, "Dude, we've already been in this pool together today. Geesh! I just want it to myself!"

After Trouble wanders off, Dennis finally gets the super dirty pool to himself. Ahhh, life is grand...until...

"Mom, what are you doing in my pool! You're ruining my Zen time! No way...now you're stomping the water! Why can't a guy just have a little peace?"

Now, for a peaceful moment...nothing better than a good, old-fashioned tummy rub on a hot day... Oh wait, maybe there is! 

Trench digging is the best thing in life! Cherise lays down next to her trench. But, she has just begun because it needs to be deeper and longer.

Whoo... satisfaction is being in the Guinness Book of World Records for the deepest and longest trench dug by a Greyt Greyhound! Yay! Best Day Ever!🐾🐾