Lucy's Look Alike

Two super cute girls!

My friend Sarah, who is also the cellist who accompanies me often, came over to rehearse some stuff the other day.  She had just gotten her hair spiffed up with some new color before heading out on a summer vacation.  She must have been inspired by Lucy's hair when she saw her the week before, because now, their hair is strikingly similar in color! 

Summer Fun

Well, it's not officially summer yet, but here in Texas, it sure feels like it today.

So Lucy and Ricky wanted to take a swim in their new pool.  At first, they mistook it for a gigantic water bowl.

But pretty soon, they got brave and dipped their paws in...

Lucy loved splashing around in the pool, while Ricky just liked chewing on it.

After running around the yard, and jumping in and out of the pool for about half and hour, the Ricardo's were pretty exhausted so they took a little rest beneath the hammock.

And then, it was time for popsicles!!!

Waiting... and showing off their good manners!  

yum

lip-smacking good!

Spinning

Yesterday, our friend and dog trainer extraordinaire, Ashley, came over.

Lucy and Ricky started learning a fun new party trick-- spinning!  First, Ashley held a little treat in her hand to teach them the spin.  Then, she just did it with her hand.  Eventually, we'll be able to just say the word, "Spin!" and they'll turn around in a little circle.  Here's a little clip of Lucy and Ricky learning their new fun trick.

Last Puppy Class

Fermin and I took the Ricardos to their final puppy class at Dog City this weekend.

Back in the day...little Lucy's first day of puppy class.

I remember the first class we went to-  They were both so timid and stayed right by our sides.  When it was playtime at the end of class, they weren't big enough to get to participate--- the instructor thought they might get trampled and scared, and she was probably right.

Well, things have changed...This weekend, they were both tugging on their leashes to get in the classroom door.  And although I'm glad they're breaking out of their shells, we have to keep working on good manners while on the leash at such a thrilling place!  And at this point, they are big enough to run around and play with all the other puppies.  I love that they check in with us when we call their names.

Ricky spent a lot of time searching for other puppy's dropped treats..and Lucy followed Fermin around a lot.

Yay for Lucy!!  Getting some love from Fermin after playtime!

I'll miss the Saturday morning ritual of puppy class-  We loved going to school, then relaxing at Starbucks afterwards.  And I'll probably miss the car ride the most~ I got to sit in the back seat with the two of them.

Weeks ago, Lucy and Ricky took up very little room in the back seat and easily fit in my lap!

This Saturday:  Before Puppy Class

This Saturday: After Puppy Class!

But the learning and the fun certainly doesn't stop here!  Oh no!  We've got lots of exciting things coming up...

Lucy the Electrician

 Lucy has been busy today.  She worked on rewiring some things around the house.

Of course, this is nothing that makes me mad at her at all.  She and Ricky are at that very chewy stage-- I think they're cutting some of their big doggy teeth. I didn't give them anything to chew on while left in  their crate, because I didn't realize the need...

So Lucy found something nearby (the cord for my external hard drive), and was able to pull it into her crate. Fortunately,  nothing was plugged in and no one was electrocuted.  Whew!

Anyway, now I know.  "Give us chew toys, or else!"

Pals

Somehow I missed posting this picture the other day.  It's such a great illustration of how happy little Ricky is with his big friend, Jasper!

Ricky- 14 Weeks

Ricky was born on February 8th.  My world became a much happier place now that he and Lucy are in it.

Snuggling inside the little box they were brought home in.

He's tripled in size since we brought him home 6 weeks ago.  And my love for him has grown exponentially.  Each night, when I put he and Lucy in their crates to go to sleep I thank them for the fun they brought into my life.  And I say, "Today was so fun.  And tomorrow's gonna be another fun day!"  And it's the truth.  I am guaranteed a sweetness to each and every day with them around.

Lucy and Ricky in one of their favorite spots looking at their friend, Jasper.

Today Ricky and Lucy got to celebrate Ricky's 14th week of living a great life with their favorite pal, Jasper.

Ricky is so much bigger than he did back when he first started playing with Jasper!

Honking at Sunset Bay

I try to take at least one of the pups each day on a fun little outing.  It was Lucy's turn today-

My girl loves riding in the convertible!

We are fortunate enough to live just a couple of miles away from what I think is Dallas' best spot--- White Rock Lake!  I run there every day, but neither Lucy or Ricky have been yet.Today Lucy and I drove to an area of the lake called "Sunset Bay" that has all sorts of ducks, birds and geese honking around.

Quack!  Squalk! Honk!

Lucy thought all those noises were so funny.

I was so proud of Lucy for not running around like a lunatic like many puppies might have.  She was very entertained by these strange animals, and just sat and watched them.  She also did a great job of walking by my side on a loose leash when we walked to and from our car.  I had plenty of yummy treats to reward her for her great behavior. 

We had so much fun that I just couldn't wait to take Ricky there too.  So after Lucy went home and wanted to take a little nap, me and Ricky got in the car and headed off for Sunset Bay.

My boy is such a polite passenger in the car.

Like Lucy, Ricky loved sitting and watching the honkers.

"Soon I will be bigger than them!"

Smart Toy

This just may be the Ricardo's coolest toy yet!

The Omega Paw

It's one of those toys that you put kibble in, and as the pups play with it, they get little treats.  It's so fun to watch them as they figure out how it works...(by the way, the song in the video is "Peaches" by Bob Schneider off his new fabulous CD, "A Perfect Day")

Hello! Have a great day!

Big Brother

One of my puppy's favorite visitors are their friend, Jasper and his doggy Mom, Ashley.

Jasper is a brother from a different mother for Ricky (literally!).  They have the same dad.  Jasper and Lucy share the same mom and dad.  But they aren't littermates, of course.  Jasper is about 10 months older than the Ricardos. 

So Jasper isn't just a friend, but a big brother to Lucy and Ricky!

Ricky seems to idolize Jasper.

And Lucy just loves him





I love him and Ashley, because they were the road that led me to Ricky and Lucy. 

One day back in March, I went running by the dog park and was literally stopped in my tracks by how handsome Jasper is.  I went in the park, met Ashley, asked her lots of questions about Jasper, and then got all the information about his breeder.  The timing was perfect-- Lucy and Ricky were about 6 weeks old, I met them, fell in love with them, and got to bring them home a couple of weeks later.  If I hadn't met Jasper and Ashley that day in the park, Lucy and Ricky would be living with someone else, with different names, separated (more than likely), and Fermin and I would be lonely! 

But fortunately, we did meet.  And even better, we've all gotten to know each other and we see each other a couple of times a week.  We always get to see Ashley and Jasper on Saturday mornings because Ashley just started working at Dog City Training Center, where the Ricardo's attend their puppy class.  And then we usually get together during the week, too. 

I will forever be grateful to Ashely and Jasper.  Not only did they lead me to my pups, but they're helping me shape my little puppies into great dogs!

Toys, Toys, and More Toys

I just brought home a new toy for Lucy and Ricky.  This is nothing out of the ordinary.  Lots of days I bring a new toy home for them.  As you can see, they love it, and appreciate it so much! 

You can, of course, buy toys in the usual places, like PetSmart and Petco.  But you can find great bargains at unexpected places like Target, Tuesday Morning and even Big Lots.  But the best toys and best bargains come from TJMaxx, Marshall's and Home Goods.  Now that I've discovered they have toys, I can't seem to stay away.

The puppy's toy basket is overflowing...

But the novelty of a new toy wears off pretty quickly.  At first, they are both in love with it, playing with and sharing it, and then eventually fighting over it.  Then, the toy becomes boring for them. 

With so many toys around, I just put the boring toy down at the bottom of the toy basket, we all forget about it for a week or so and play with something else, and then sort of rediscover that toy later.

There's almost always toys in pictures that I take of the Ricardo's.  It's sort of a "Where's Waldo" game.
Altho the toys aren't nearly as hard to spot as Waldo always was.

The Big Pillow

The other day a brought home a pillow for the Ricardo's.  I know, for now, it's a little big.

The Queen

But eventually, it will be too small for both of them to fit on it comfortably, like they do now.

Plenty of room for two, for now.  But maybe not so comfortable!

At first, I just referred to it as "the wrestling mat".

Evenly matched.

But sometimes, when it's just one of them, it becomes a big, fluffy pillow.

Ricky Ricardo

 

You Are My Sunshine

Ironically, a friend brought this sweet little toy over to Lucy the other day~
Before I renamed her, her name given to her by the breeder was Sunny. 
And really, it's such a fitting name for her, if I hadn't instead chose Lucy, which is even more fitting.
But she really is a sweet little ray of sunshine.  Happy all the time.  And warms up the place!!

Salute

I try to come up with new ideas for field trips for Ricky and Lucy.

So the other day I thought, "Hey, they've never climbed stairs or seen a big American flag!"  It was Ricky's turn to go somewhere, so we were off to Flag Pole Hill, very near my house.

Unfortunately, I didn't realize the stairs where really spread out, and more like steps...  not good practice for "climbing stairs."  Also, there were little pebbles all over the steps that looked like kibble and I guess Ricky was hungry.

Steps, not stairs.  And pebbles that look a bit too much like kibble. 

So we cut our field trip a bit short.  But Ricky loved getting to see the American flag.  And he learned  the Pledge of Allegiance. 

"...and to the Republic, for which it stands..."

Dog Friendly and Delish

Both Lucy and Ricky have been to Cafe Lago on several occasions.  It's by far their very favorite restaurant in all of Dallas.  Okay, it's also the only restaurant they've been to, but that's just because whenever I ask, "Do you want to try a new spot?" they answer in their own doggy way, "No way!  Take us back to our favorite scooby snack place, please!"  And so, I do!

Cafe Lago is a great neighborhood joint that has delicious- and healthy- food.  What's really great for the Ricardo's is that Cafe Lago even has a puppy menu.  And pretty soon, the Ricardo's picture is going to be on the menu.  Hello, Hollywood!!!

Lucy and Friends this past Friday night at Cafe Lago-(Ricky had a performance at the Tropicana.)

Oh, and on many a Friday nights, they have fabulous live music there-- performed by yours truly! Don't forget to bring your pooch with you...