Our Christmas Pictures

Oh boy did we have fun! I bet we took 20 pictures and there were a lot of blurry ones! It is hard to sit still for the camera. Especially when mom and dad are acting all frantic and crazy trying to take pictures. But I think turned out pretty good. Mom is making Christmas cards with them, I think.

Note from Mom: Yes, it was quite an ordeal. We haven't even used our "real" camera in a long, long time. Seems all we use are our phones any more. But we got it out, charged it up and set up the tripod. We did take about 20 pictures. At first I sat on the hearth with Opie and Brad set the timer - every single picture was a blur with Opie - Brad and I were fine, tho - he either had his head back looking at one of us or just moving around. Once I decided to be the timer setter upper - then we got some decent pics. The top 2 were the best - the bottom 2 were just some set up photos.  
I am only getting a dozen cards since we really don't send out a lot of Christmas cards anyway. (the first one)  I am also ordering some to frame.

Guess Who's Sleeping in My Bed?

Nobody! Because I am sleeping in mom and dad's bed! That's right. My dad says I can and so mom says we can try it out and so now that is where I get to sleep! I have to stay on top of the covers but that is ok. I like it like that. I am getting a lot of cuddles. It is so much nicer than my bed. I have to be on my best behavior and so far they say I am being 100% perfect. I am trying really really hard because I love sleeping with them!


Note from Mom: Shocker - Brad, out of the blue says "lets try him out sleeping with us". I was like are you kidding me?? He just keeps surprising me. For a man who was not ever a "dog person" he sure has made a huge turnaround! Anyway - we did and he did great. No problems at all. I just put on old comforter on top of our bedding, but I am going to buy a king size quilt today and use it so it covers every thing (we have a queen). 
 I am all for him sleeping with us over the winter - but when it comes summer time - well, we will see. He may not even want to sleep in the bed by then if it is hot to him as well. 

I Did A Bad Bad Thing

Oops! I did it again. Mom let me have my pillow in my kennel and I just had a big time with it! It is just so much fun shredding and playing in the fluff and it tastes pretty good, too! Mom wasn't really too thrilled but I didn't get in trouble. She just got her camera out and took a picture. I really thought I was going to get scolded! I have the best  mom in the whole world.

Note from Mom: I had to try hard to keep from laughing - his expression says it all. I am sure he knew it wasn't the smartest thing to do - but obviously he is still not ready for blankets and pillows. I just hate that he has to stay on that hard tray but I have tried kennel pads, pillows, blankets, quilts, towels - and he does it every time. It doesn't matter if he has toys in with him or not - he is still going to do it. We will try again after he turns one. (maybe)

Me and My Mom

The top picture is my very first night at my new home May 7, 2014.

The bottom picture is me and mom today November 17, 2014.

Note from Mom: My baby boy has grown so much! He is now right at 65 pounds. He has lost a lot of his baby look. 

Lila, My New Girlfriend

This is Lila. She is my girlfriend. She is a lot of fun to play with. She is fast (way faster than me!) and she likes to play in the sandbox with me. My mom says she is a Ridgeback mix, but I think she is just beautiful. I wish we could meet at the dogpark every single day. Her mom and dad are college students and really nice. 

Note from Mom: Lila is very sweet. She is such a fast runner - I think she is part greyhound, too. Opie can't keep up with her. He has to rest and she will just play bite all around him while he is resting - just like a female taking advantage of their guy...LOL
Her parents are young 20 somethings and very good with her. You can tell they spend a lot of time with her and want to make sure she gets plenty of exercise since they live in an apartment.

My Daddy is a Pushover

My dad took this picture of me while I was sleeping in their bed and mom was at work. He said I was sleeping so good he didn't want to wake me up. I love Fridays. Dad stays home and he plays with me all day. Today he is taking me to the park and we might get some treats at our favorite store. 

Note from Mom: At least he put a cover on top of my cream bedding first! I just got it back from the cleaners this week. I really don't mind him being on our bed as long as he is invited and he is clean. We have allowed dogs to sleep with us in the past but they were always little dogs. Opie takes up a lot of space and he is very heavy to move over. His head weighs more than my previous dogs. He does look sweet and sleeping comfortably. I love it when my husband sends me pictures from their Fridays together.
Brad just sent me this one from the park.

Blanket Privilege Revoked

Uh oh...I got in trouble. Mom let me have a blanket last night to sleep so I could be warm and cozy but I guess I got hungry during the night and I ate some of it. She says I won't get to sleep with a blanket for a long long time. 

Note from Mom: With the weather getting cooler - I thought maybe a blanket in his kennel would work out now. He is 9 months old and I thought maybe he was old enough to try again. The last time we tried he shredded it and that was his baby blanket! 
He sleeps in our room so every time I wake up I hear him snoring away. I don't know when he did this, but he did! As you can see, those 3 little pieces will not fit the big missing piece - that means some of it is inside his big belly (for now).
I just hope it all comes out uneventfully!!

9 Months Old!

I had my 9 month birthday yesterday and we spent some time at the park. My daddy got me a new toy and I only get to play with it with him. 
I still weigh 63 pounds. I haven't gained any weight in awhile. Mom says I will probably have a growth spurt soon. I keep hearing mom and dad say they hope I don't get any bigger, but I can't control that! 
I played with a pit bull puppy yesterday that was the same size as me. He kept biting my ear and mom didn't like that. He didn't hurt me, but she still worries. We played in the sandbox and that is my favorite thing. 

*Note from Mom: He has been 63 pounds for a few weeks now. I don't think he is finished growing but he could be. They usually grown in height up to 10 months and then start packing on the muscle. He already is very toned and his muscles are defined. We are fine with whatever size he gets but 63 pounds is a very good weight and size. 

**The new toy is a Kong tug toy