Ben is a Swimmer!

Wow! What a great thing to learn about my dog. Ben is like a four-legged porpoise.

Izzy and Rachel, Lisa and Mr. Smith, & Ben and I went to Prospect Park this morning. It was Ben's first time. He was unreasonably happy in that park, running here and there, occasionally running loops. But when he got to the water, well, that's when it got really fun.

First we came up on a waterfall with a manageable shelf which both he and Izzy explored, just getting their paws wet. Then he navigated himself down to the lakeside. All I heard was a large "SPLOOSH". He was in before I had a chance to blink.

Paddle , paddle, paddle then hauled himself out. He did this twice more - all in not permitted areas (there was little I could do to stop him) - then turned his nose up at the dog beach. I think it's just too crowded and rowdy for him.

I wonder why Ben being a water dog makes me so happy. Maybe because I love the water so much too.

No More "Day XX"

Izzy is 11 pounds lighter (total since beginning of year and not all from the last few months) so this blog is changing.

Now it's going to be about Izzy and her friends at Ft. Greene Park. We hope other dog people will write stories about their dogs. If they don't, we will!

Here's Mr. Smith getting hauled out of the water earlier today.

Elmo Gets in on the Action -- Day 86

Michelle was kind enough to pack Izzy a supply of ScooterSnacks for our Maine Vacation because we all know how CRAZY she is for them. Well my parent's dog, Elmo, is food dominant, but also pretty picky on his treats. Well Izzy had to share her snacks with him (cuz he was as crazy as Izzy is about them) and I had to be careful to give them each a treat with a distance separating them. Izzy had to eat her treats, food, etc. outside on the grass. By the end of the week, Elmo was carrying his treats out there to eat them with Izzy. And there was no competition, just a pair of dogs, happily eating their ScooterSnacks.

Izzy Lost More Weight! Day 85

I have great news. Izzy lost 4 POUNDS. Yes, the girl on her way to a new svelte doggy self. She is down to 73. Woohoo! and you can see it in her Saucy walk.

Back from Maine! Day 77 to 84

So Izzy had her annual trip to Maine. I realized something about this while we were there. I discovered Maine and Maine Camp, where we go, because of Izzy. The first time I accepted Nancy's invitation to go there was the first fall that Izzy came into my life. And I accepted partly because Nancy invited me every year since college, but mostly because Izzy could come along too. And we have gone every year since, and are now even joined by my family and friends.

Well this was a perfect week. The weather was great. The water was warm. Izzy and I swam almost every day. We walked the beach, we hiked the train, I ate Lobstah. The cutest was when I set up my blanket and umbrella on the beach and Izzy would dig her hole next to my blanket, in the shade of the umbrella and lay down right next to me. I loved it!

So this week, I only came prepared with half a week's worth of food, due to the limited space in the frig. I also had the "special sauce" from Michelle and the idea about how to prepare some food for Izzy. Well, It was a hit with Elmo, my parent's dog (he normally gets wellness). Izzy was a little more subjective about my concoction. Definitely she prefers the Scooter Food made by Michelle. So sad, even my dog does not like my cooking…

Izzy's on Vacation --Day 76

Izzy is away in Maine for the week, frolicking in the ocean, eating barbecue and generally enjoying nature.

She'll be back in about 9 days with some awesome photos and lots of stories.

We know you can't wait!

Through the Slats of a Bench -- Day 75

So I can't tell if this is a desperate cry for ScooterSnacks or a look of suffering because she's not getting any.

In any case Izzy has determined that putting her head through the slats of a park bench is an excellent way to get more treats.