Jessie invites Barney to the dog park...

Barney had the pleasure of being invited to Lake Forest today for a playdate with Jessie.
Katie and I have established that Barney is part deer as he likes to do a sort of Tigger hop/deer prance as he runs around.

This one I call... "Dogs Not Looking At The Camera"

Barney and Jessie resting in absolute muck. Then drinking it. Mmmm. Tasty.

This kind of looks like the opening of Lassie... but in color... and with a different dog.

He got in the water. Swimming must come later... I'm thinking if he saw Jessie go in after geese, we might still be waiting for them to get out of the water. But no geese today, only two ducks. Thank goodness...

I think he and Jessie will be pooped the rest of the day... if not longer.

Thanks, Katie and Jessie. And for the bath after. Hopefully you won't be finding fur for the next century... :-)

Interesting development

Barney is not fond of "doing his business" when it's raining.

I don't know if he can't smell the other dogs' pee or maybe he lives in fear of his scent being whisked away... Who knows. The dog won't relieve himself to save his life.

Even when I tried to get him next to a bush and lift his leg for him (yes, I did do this...SEVERAL TIMES) no dice.

No accidents, though.

Barney... now known as the dog with the bladder of STEEL.

You think I'm spoiled now???

When we got home, we had a big surprise for a "Barney Justison" in the form of a box in our mail area. And while we're trying to establish Barney like a Madonna or a Cher where one name says it all... Barney Justison's mail arrived in one piece and had waaaay too many fun things from our Aunt Cheryl.

Just look at all the play goodies I got—and this isn't even all of it! Julie even got a turbo lint roller which was way more exciting for her than me... I'm one happy pup. Wahoo!

Thank you, Aunt Cheryl!

Bye bye Chucktown!

Until we meet again...
(again, super thanks to Katie and Clarence!!!! Without whom this trip would not have been possible)

Fox Ridge—aka Squirrel and Rabbit Heaven

Last day in Chucktown... made a visit to Fox Ridge to tire the pooch out.
Mission accomplished.
Thought we were going to be able to have Barney pull Grandma up the final hill, but I think we found out Barney isn't a hill type-a-guy.

The flower shop van makes a pretty good doggie transport mobile...

Likin' this view thing again...


Mid-hill + No end not in sight = Panting dog

Barney and me... (sounds like a Saturday made for tv movie)

Choke hold... smile Barney... this is our first picture!!!

Allowed in the house

Holy cannolies batman.
Barney was ALLOWED into the grandparents house!

He did very well and just remained in the kitchen.
And while he was tied to the table... he didn't resist.
Not so much restraint at Freddie's when he pulled the lounger across the back patio...

Bath Time

I'm not thinking he liked this.
And honestly... the shampoo stunk worse than he did before.

Meetin' the grandparents

First car ride today... thank you Katie and Clarence!!!!
Barney was EVER SO GOOD in the car. I'm hoping he was just thinking it is so much nicer to watch the scenery just go by you while you sit still, than you go by the scenery.

Here is Barney's picture when we first got on Lakeshore Drive. I do believe he was trying to figure out the whole car thing at that moment...


Checking out the grandparents grass... (he's only peed on the sidewalk and a rock... but there's poop in a bag under a tree... don't ask)

In true patriotic spirit...



and even better... he's not afraid of fireworks. (or thunderstorms or vacuums... score, score and score)

Pictures soon to come... Barney's first bath. It was a mess. Stay tuned...

Bad dog

Apparently sir Barney is becoming more at home with every passing day.
Thinking another run would tire this dog out completely, we opted for a walk this morning.
Not so good.

Upon my leaving the front room for a few minutes tonight, actually to take his bed into the bedroom again for the evening... Barney decided the bed was not going to be good enough and was soon found curled up on the couch. After some serious coaxing, literally having to pick him up off the couch as he wouldn't budge and then a battle of the wits by staring him down... he climbed into his "house" to get away from my eye balls and will be sleeping there this evening.

Where oh where is this mysterious rabies tag so I can get him into a training class?????????

New words

Bed: the thing I'm allowed to sleep on (but must remain on) during the night if I am good and am allowed to stay out of my "house"

House: my crate. I detest it. Hate the word. Run away as soon as it's said.

Sit: This one I appear to have no idea. But if I have to wait long enough, I get tired of figuring out what I'm supposed to do, I just put my butt down and give up.

Up: The no-no word Rob tried to teach me. Julie is hoping I didn't pay that close of attention.

New furniture

Okay, so this isn't Barney related... but you can see some of the place anyway.
Certain rooms have been omitted. (ie the 2nd bedroom that's jammed full of crap so much so you can't even get in there)

Misc Pics

Pooped puppy after our first run...


Crazy looking dog... but dang if he doesn't match my floor.


One of his first "I can actually look at the camera when you ask me" photos

Maybe he does like the bed....

Hmm.. maybe not.
Back in the corner now.

Julie's new friend

I just got this lovely mit today in the mail... along with Barney's bed (even though Barney can be found sleeping on the floor right now). The dude is a hairy little sucker... if you can't tell by the GIANT HAIRBALL.

Also Barney post hair removal. :-)