Weigh-In

Dad and the Vet Tech are busy weighing Roy while Andy supervises.  We take the boys periodically to the Vet to keep a check on their weight.  Extra weight is bad on the joints and legs, so we try to keep the boy's weight under control.    One young man is going to have to have a cut in rations.

  : (

Azaleas in full bloom

We have some late blooming azaleas which have not yet bloomed, but the rest are in their full glory.  Many 20 year old plants were killed in last summer's severe drought, but many managed to survive.  This pink ruffle is in full splendor!  Andy and Roy like to run under the overhanging branches and play chase with each other.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today was Dad's Birthday.  I made him a delicious dinner as my present.  The boys gave him a store bought gift  since they are not very good in the kitchen, except for mopping up the floor as I spill things.  As you can see they wrapped the present very luxuriously!

Once a month:  the dreaded bath!

Here is Roy getting his bath.  Andy is probably hiding somewhere hoping to escape the torture!  But I'll find him!  They are so beautiful and fluffy when they are done!

In my continuing series on grooming:  Once a week -

Andy is getting his toenails cut with a "Dremel"(a small battery powered drill)." I started out in the beginning slow and easy, letting them "hear" the whirring sound of the dremel, then doing one toenail at a time, letting them relax after each one and giving a treat when all went well.  Now, as you can see, Andy and Roy just lie back and let me trim their nails....No Problem!

After our walk and tooth cleaning, then comes brushing the boy's coats.  They are brushed first with a pin brush to get the loose hairs in their undercoat, then a comb to get out all tangles, and then finally with a brush to give their coats a shiny gloss.  It is relaxing for the boys and for me.  

If you look in the upper right hand corner, you can see Roy patiently waiting his turn.

The Boy's Grooming Routine

Over the next few weeks I am going to feature the "Boy's Grooming Routine."  

After we return from our two mile walk, I first brush Andy and Roy's teeth.  This picture is of Roy getting his "pearly whites" brushed.  Both boys like the taste of their mint toothpaste and always get a goody for allowing Mom such intimate contact with their mouths.  They will even let me use a dental scraper on some stubborn stains.  My human dentist was amazed that they allowed me to scrape their teeth!

HAPPY EASTER!

Happy Easter!

Roy is more interested in getting his picture taken than

ferreting through the eggs to see if there

is anything good to eat inside.

Andy on the other hand is sure

there is a treat in there somewhere!

For Andy, "Hope springs eternal!"

Kong Treats

Every night after playtime with Dad, Andy and Roy get a "Kong treat."  Tonight it was a piece of a hot dog stuffed inside the Kong.  Andy will usually work on his Kong tirelessly for hours, if necessary.  Roy will work at it for a while and then say, "What the heck," and go take a nap.  If Andy doesn't succeed in getting the treat out of the Kong after a while, I will get it out for both of them.  Maybe Roy is just being uncharacteristically smart, and deciding to wait for ME to do all the work.

Camellias

Our camellias are in full bloom now.  We have several dozen throughout our yard amidst the abundant azaleas.  Last summer's drought doesn't seem to have hurt their blooms; for the bushes are crammed full of flowers.  We also have forsythia and daffodils blooming, but still have the chill of winter in the mornings.  I am about to get "spring fever."