dry run for camping trip

Zeke is going camping later in the month. Today we did a dry run of setting up the new tent, Zeke and his friend gave it their approval! He loves playing with her and she loves big puppies.

"oh crap" moment of the day

At the dog park today, just as Zeke was getting interested in fetching, mom manages to tangle the bumper up in the tree. For some perspective...

We did manage to get it down using another bumper and a long training lead. However the entire process was drawn out because every time the second bumper was thrown to make the hook Zeke would grab it and take off running in the park.

rumored dog parks

We ended up at the dog park at Palmetto Islands County Park and everyone had a blast, but our intention this morning was to check out the 'dog park' at the new Waterfront Park in Mount Pleasant. None could be found, so we asked the visitor center lady if there was a dog park and her reply was 'well, you can have your dog here at the park'. Hmmm.. not what we had in mind. Anyway, some pictures from this morning.
Traffic jam!
Sadie and a sweet goldie
Zeke and Gumball

spring fever, for now

Maybe, hopefully, spring is on its way here! Snow was fun for a couple of days but now we are ready for the fun that comes with warmer weather. Today's temperature got up to 72, so Zeke and Sadie hit the dog park and had a big time with all kinds of fun pups that were out enjoying the warm day. The pictures are from this past weekend, we started back up hiking the swamp fox passage of the palmetto trail. Hooray for spring!

snowmageddon video!

Snowmageddon update!

Well, it really did snow! We got about 5 inches, this in a place that hadn't seen any real snow in 21 years. Zeke went out in the snow last night while it was still coming down pretty hard and this morning when it was done and just beautiful on the ground. Zeke made some yellow snow.

Running in the cold

On top of part 1 of the snowman

trying to make snowdog angels

snowmageddon

Whilst it seems as though everyone else we know is getting piled on with snow, its just been REALLY cold and rainy here (seriously freezing cold) in coastal South Carolina. Never fear, snow is predicted today, so bring on the frenzied panic! Zeke and mom tried to avoid the mess and bundled up to head up to the forest for a hike, we made it to the lake and stopped for swimming. Then this golden retriever kinda comes up from out of nowhere, but she was just ahead of her dad. She and Zeke played for a little bit and then they continued on their way. We passed them again on the way back out, they also had a Boykin - state dog of south carolina!

Yesterday Sadie and Zeke went to Wannamaker dog park and got to hang out with Xyla (we met her before, a Belgian Malmois) and Brody the GSD. Zeke had to go in time out because he was feeling very amorous towards Xyla.

Birthday Celebration: Finale

Zeke was a very lucky puppy and got to have a birthday party at his friends house (with access to swimming SWEET!). Many friends of Sadie and Zeke were in attendance including five other labs, a blue tick hound, and a beagle. Zeke got some awesome homemade treats as a gift.
Daniel launches a ball for the party-goers

Laidee makes sure Zeke doesn't have her tennis ball.

Laidee catchin' some air!

Darlynn and Laidee

Tucker channels Micheal Phelps to win this race.

Treats can make you a very popular guy.

The puppy birthday cake! Banana and Peanut Butter cake with fat free cream cheese icing.

Dad feeds Zeke some birthday cake.

Thanks SOOOO very much to our hosts Daniel, Libby, Darlynn, Laidee, and Tucker!!! What a great birthday party, everyone had so much fun.

Birthday Celebration: Part 1 Pre-Party

Friday brings Zeke's Birthday! Our little puppy is going to be 2 years old. We started celebrations a day early, the highlights thus far:

• A trip to the Wannamaker dog park, met a beautiful big girl (Molly the Rhodesian Ridgeback)
• Hiking some of the park trails.
• A Junior Roast Beef ! (see above)
• Getting Zeke's first present, a big juicy beef bone.

score at the dog park

One of our favorite places to walk in town has been having some pipe work done since DECEMBER! Sometimes we have to hope the local Wassamasaw dog park has some pups to play with.

Today we were in luck; two huskies and and little GSD girl names Kayla were there to play with!

double chocolate

Zeke is hanging out with his friend Darlynn today. They went for a swim and got to run and chase a whole bunch.

Hanging out on MLK day

Dad was off from work today, it was our intention to get some more miles done on the Swamp Fox Trail. However, mucho rains made the going super soggy so we turned out trip into an exploratory of some of the other entry points on the trail. We made it to the Witherbee Ranger Station, but since they were closed as well for the holiday we didn't see if they had a Junior Ranger program for Zeke or anything cool like that. Still, the pup's got to run in the woods some, and that always makes for a good day.

On our way back we stopped by and saw Zeke's cousin Mojo, the Minature Pinscher. Mojo is very hard to capture on camera! Then since the weather has improved so much we had a lunch outside at MacAlisters for the first time in ages, which was super nice.

warmin up!

It's finally starting to warm up! Of course Zeke and mom decided to take advantage and take the studying to the Azalea Park. Zeke likes to sit in the sunny benches.

New Dog park friends

We went to the Wassamasaw Dog Park (Summerville) today, and usually when we go during the day there is no one to play with. Today we hit the jackpot: we had two beautiful german shepherds to play with, Cody and Bella!

In the office cave

This is one of Zeke's last work pictures before his retirement. His "spot" was under mom's desk ever since he was very small and it was a good spot for napping.