Ally the Sheltie

I know it's been FOREVER since I posted anything. Life has been quite hectic for many reasons. My husband was home for a while, I started back to school, and, the subject of today's post, I added a new member to our family, a beautiful little girl puppy named Ally (short for Allison, the diesel transmission).

She is adorable. Four months old. She's getting along pretty well with our other dog, Casey. I guess I have to call him a "dog" now, since he is almost three and no longer the puppy in the family! She loves to run in our backyard, since she grew up in a concrete kennel...she's loving the freedom! 

And after a long run, she flops anywhere she stops...usually in a corner somewhere, but she does like her crate, so she sleeps there sometimes. Night, night little Ally!

A Great Afternoon with Casey

So poor Casey and I haven't had much time together lately. I think he's been missing me. So this afternoon we packed up in the car and drove for about an hour (on an errand for hubby) and then we stopped into Petsmart. Casey likes getting to go into the store, too. We wandered around and he picked out a toy. He also got a treat! And then on the way home, he cuddled with his head on my arm. I got covered in nose drool, but so worth it!

A Bath for the Bathroom

So I noticed yesterday that Casey was smelling nasty in the rain. He usually smells a little bit like a wet dog, but he also smells of his shampoo. That's when I realized that Casey had not been bathed in a while.
So this morning I determined to give him a bath. Usually this takes both Scott and I, but since I am home alone these days, I wanted to do it myself.

Casey is very good about being in the tub. He doesn't enjoy it by any means, but he doesn't fuss. BUT THAT FUR! It takes forever to get it all wet, and then forever to get it all shampooed and forever to get the shampoo! By the time all that was done, I had given up on using his detangling conditioner.

When Casey gets out of the tub, the whole place gets a "wash" from his shaking. He got me and the bathroom soaked before I could get him outside to dry off. He gets all crinkly when he's drying. And then very Poofy when he's completely dry.

Puppy's Power Walk

So Casey and I went for another power walk tonight. As I have mentioned previously, my dog Casey has been having trouble keeping up with me. But, as frustrating as it has been to coax him though the last half of our walks, I have persevered and continued to drag him along. Tonight, we walked for 45 minutes. Only the last ten minutes did he fall behind me at all, and he never fell far behind. He is getting better! As I get into shape, I am forcing him to as well! Good job Casey!

A Brisk Walk

So I managed to drag my butt out for a "power walk" this morning. It was humid, which only increased the sweat. It was nice though. I took my dog with me. He is a year and a half. He trudged right along with me, keeping pace, for about 15 minutes, the rest of the walk (another 20 minutes or so) I was literally dragging him behind me. His leash was stretched to it's limit and I had to keep coaxing him to "keep going, Casey...you can do it" Now I remember why I usually go on my own!  At least, I got out there and burned some calories!