Week 53 from Lex's View

Hello Readers,
It's Lex here! I've had a very busy first week of May. The weather has been hot, and I've been able to experience some activities I haven't done since last summer. It's been great fun! Read all about it!

On early Saturday morning, Mom said we had a very busy day ahead, and I guess she was right. After being fed, watered, and having play time, I was the "chosen" dog out of us three canines to go with her today. Harlow and Lex were being watched by the family. We stopped to Tractor Supply, but they were out of puppy food for Kinley. I tried to convenience Mom that she could always buy me something, but she didn't bite. Bummer.

We headed to the park for a "Bark for Life" event. It is a fundraiser for Relay for Life, but it's the "dog version." That means there were LOTS of dogs there. I helped with our Guiding Eyes table.

For a bit of the time, I practiced being in the crate, watching all the dogs and people walk by. That was pretty fun!

Early morning sun makes my brown eyes show up beautifully!

There was a "musical sit" contest. One of the other puppy raisers handled me for the musical sit. When the music stopped, we dogs were suppose to sit. I went a couple of rounds, but I decided it really wasn't worth my while...and that some of the other dogs looked like they wanted to win...So I dis-entered myself in the event! 

I got several bones from this lady. Look at my head tilt!

I also participated in the bobbing for hotdogs contest. I haven't had that many hotdogs in my life, and I've heard they aren't that healthy. So, I only ate about 4 pieces of them. I'm not really that competitive. One dog ate all 14 hotdog pieces in the pool!

After the Bark for Life event finished, we went to a local art/craft show. It was fun to look around (for Mom, of course), and I practiced my skills of walking nicely, ignoring people, and listening to the live band.

Lest you think my day was over, I had a short nap before pet therapy visits started at the nursing home. 

Everyone was so happy to see me! 

I like to settled by the people's feet. It makes them feel really good! 

I was such a good boy! 

Last, but not least, we had to make a stop to Lowe's. 

I practiced my footings. 

There were boards set up, and I pretended I was an agility dog for a few minutes!

"He makes the jump. Will he make it across? YES, he clears the pole and wins the gold medal!!" 

Hey wait! Is that us?

Mom's and my silhouette!

Kinley and I enjoyed some early morning sunbathing on Sunday morning. 

Then, Mom got us three canines all dressed and ready to go to the nursing home. 

I taught Kinley how to settle while Mom played the music. 

By the looks of things, I did a fantastic job! 

Every Sunday, Kinley turns another week old! Harlow and I helped him pose for his weekly picture. 

Mom says I'm a great example to Kinley. 

My trademark head tilt

Finally--I got that puppy to chill out! 

I love to play tug with Kinley. I'm very nice and let him win sometimes. 

I had a first of 2015 experience! Mom brought out the baby pool. It was like seeing an old friend!! I got to teach Kinley about it, just as Angelica taught me about it last summer.

I had fun dropping my toy in the water and getting it out.

Come on in, Kinley!

I love to paw at the water and splash!

Kinley slowly approaches, trying to make a steal for my toy.

At the last minute, I jump up and start running. He can't catch me!! 

I love to play!!

Kinley tried to walk underneath me to get the toy!

I got this! 

I took Kinley to his first outing to Walmart. We explored the outdoor garden center. I showed him how to walk on the wooden surfaces. 

I also showed him how to walk on these cement blocks. 

I practiced walking in this narrow area. I did very well and was even able to practice some of my skills while in the closed in area. 

On Wednesday, I had the special opportunity to go to the park with mom for the Guiding Eyes team meeting. The humans were eating their lunch, and I settled perfectly. Mom was very proud of how I behaved, especially since the Guiding Eyes evaluator was there! 

We walked around the park and also I practiced settling while the humans talked/

While my friend, Ward, had his evaluation, I practiced being in a crate in the Guiding Eyes van. It was weird because they made a mistake with the name plate. I'm definitely NOT name Louie!

This is a comfy bed!

We changed locations. The humans did MORE talking, and I practiced settling. I did awesome!

I had the additional challenge of settling with another dog at the table. I've never met this dog before, as she is owned by the Guiding Eyes staff member. Her name is Kyra, and she's a flat coated retriever who is 8. She is a nice gal!

After all of this, I had to do school. I got to work with mom the whole night! Yay! That was like fantastically wonderful!!!

We practiced walking nicely, even with the distraction of other dogs. 

We practiced our stays. I never once broke my stay, even though there were many distractions during my stays. Yay for me!

I'm laying with my back legs out! I don't do that much, but it's fun once in awhile. Kinley likes to go under the bed, like I used to...the bed just isn't tall enough anymore for me.

I helped Mom make returns at Wal-Mart. 

I walked around in Wal-Mart briefly!

Tractor Supply has these cool plants. I'm almost as tall as they are!

They have the puppy food this time!

What exactly does metered letters mean? Hmmm...I'll have to think about that one!

Wow! Look at that bush. Isn't it beautiful?!

I look good with a backdrop of purple. 

On Thursday, I turned a grand 14 months old!

I have a new addition to my picture, Kinley. He is pretty cute, even IF he's blocking MY NAME on the sign!

Mom says we're the cutest yellow Lab boys she's ever raised at the same time! (She can say that freely because she's never had 2 yellow Lab boys at the same time before). 

For old times sake...Harlow and me!

On Friday, Mom gave Kinley and me a special gift. An octopus! Thankfully, it's only a stuffed one, but it's still so much fun! 

I went to the post office again. This time to mail a package and a card. The package was for my Aunt Henrietta. She is my mom Halsa's sister. My mom also raised Henrietta. Aunt Henrietta lives in Maine and is a real guide dog. I hope to be like her when I grow up. Anyhow, Aunt Henrietta's birthday is on May 11th. She turns 5 years old. That also means that my mom, Halsa, turns 5, as well. Kinley and I sent her a card. 

Aldi
If people didn't eat, they wouldn't have to go shopping for food!
But, I like to eat, so I understand their feeling! 

I never really got into the whole coke thing. I'd much rather have some bacon flavored water. Less sugar that way!!!

Wegmans
Ice cream, anyone?

I like to use my bowl as a pillow!

I had some wonderful playtime among all these beautiful dandelions. 

Aren't they beautiful?

I'm a retriever! 

I'm a retriever who can run with his eyes closed.

I'm a retriever who can run with his eyes closed while also carrying a tennis ball. 

WOOOOT! Do you see what I see? The pond!!!!!!!
Mom took us swimming for the first time of 2015.
It was the best fun ever!

Harlow, you coming?!

I did a little swimming, but I prefer the splashing to actual swimming.

Got the toy!

I can jump high in the water!

Soaking in the beauty. 

This is SO MUCH FUN! How did I live without water all winter???!!!!

I experimented with different ways to hold my toy. 

I'm a very happy boy!

I'm talented! I can fly across water!!!

Hello! Is anyone going to retrieve that toy for me?

Spring is here! The trees are budding. The grass is green. Life couldn't be better!

Look at the variety of colors in the flowers. 

Mom takes pictures of me ALL THE TIME!

Big, Medium, Small
One of each, please!

 Now that Mom has officially had me for one year, I'm starting something new on my blog. Each week, I'm going to re-create a picture from the week a year ago. For instance, this picture was taken the first week that Mom had me. The second picture was taken this week. Clearly, I still like dandelions!!!

Until Next Week, 

Lex