A day at the beach

Taking the opportunity to enjoy a warm spring and the last days of no-leash freedom, Zeke took a day trip to the beach with mom and his friend Sarah.
The water was not very warm, but Zeke doesn't mind. The rest of the day was perfect; not too crowded and just the right amount of breeze.
Sarah launches a bumper for Zeke. We also played some frisbee and Zeke made a few spectacular catches.

cover model contest pictures posted

So Zeke and Sadie's pictures didn't turn out too great, they were WAY hot and had tongues dragging. But here they are CLICKY HERE FOR PICS , they are on page 38 of the pictures if it doesn't load up right. Lots of funny and cute pictures of all the dogs that were at Pet Fest though.

pet fest = blah

We went to Pet Fest this year and we were hoping to have some awesome pictures to post. This year, however, Pet Fest didn't seem to have the same energy as last year. We entered Zeke and Sadie in the Lowcountry Dog Magazine cover model contest (I'll post when the pictures are available) and Sadie got to stop by and say hi to the cool folks from Lowcountry Lab Rescue who helped us find Sadie. We also met a cool lady who makes custom collars and leashes... but other than that it was kinda blah. So instead of cool Pet Fest pictures, you get Zeke and his Easter basket since we didn't post that last week.

the camping wrap-up

We made it back safe and sound from our big first camping trip with the dogs. We all had a blast. We ended up with a sweet camp site with lake access so Sadie and Zeke could swim every morning or evening or whenever.
Oconee county is chock-full of waterfalls, and we planned our hikes accordingly. Our first evening there we went looking for Hidden Falls (above), it turned out to be a longer hike than we originally thought which ended with us hiking back in the dark! Thankfully dad remembered the flashlights, although he accused mom of trying to kill him and Zeke with such a crazy hike right out the gate.
The next day we set out to find Miuka Falls and Secret Falls, which are supposed to be on the same hike. Only luck with Miuka, but we couldn't get down close enough for Zeke to really get to check it out. Secret Falls lived up to its name and we couldn't get our bearings right to the spot where you leave the trail.
Sadie and Zeke did get to enjoy playing in and drinking from some mountain streams.


Roughing it. Zeke and Sadie took every available opportunity to steal some time on dad's sleeping bag.
On the last day, we packed up the campsite and set out for Issaquena Falls, our last and easiest trip. Dad and Sadie were tired, so they stayed up top but Zeke and mom climbed down to the bottom to take this picture.
In the same park as Issaquena Falls is Stumphouse Tunnel, an unfinished railroad tunnel that lets you walk about 1700 ft into the mountain. It was pretty neat, not sure the dogs enjoyed it that much.

Finally we headed home and unpacked the truck, all in all a fun trip.

the TANK

family day

We've been trying to have designated family days once a month. An opportunity to try new foods and play some games. This month we hosted, and its always fun for Zeke and Sadie to get to hang out with the cousins. Today Zeke got some loving from Tony (see above) and played "Special Teams" on our football game (his job was soley to swipe the ball at every given opportunity).

St Patty's Day!

It's also the anniversary of us getting to bring Zeke home day! So its like homecoming AND St Patrick's Day. Zeke is rocking out his new shamrock bandanna!

camp out in the living room

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.