Jaxon Loves Balls

I've posted before how much Jaxon loves tennis balls.  Then I  saw this and if Jax could text me, this would be him......

See?  The Dog loves his Balls.

Happy Birthday

My Little Jaxon turned 5 this week.

We've had some fun adventures! Thanks for being such a good Doggie.

The Adventures of Jaxon's Treats

Jaxon is a Jack Russell Terrier and they love to dig and bury things.  Today Jaxon chose to bury a treat and I caught him.

I can't wait until he decides to dig it up!

Camping for the Dogs

Jaxon and Oscar went camping with us too.  Can't leave the Dogs home!  Jaxon loves going camping, once we get there.  He's not too keen on riding in the RV, unless he has a lap to sit on.  He gets to spend lots of time outside on the chain. The G-parents sneak lots of snacks (STEAK!) to him that Momma wouldn't normally allow.  AND best of all, there is a BIG, HUGE field for him to run through and play ball.

I took his favorite toy, the Chuck-it.  If you don't know what this is, its the BEST DOGGIE TOY ever!  At least for my dog who is a runner.

Lets Go Mom!  Put the camera down and throw the ball!

Oooo!  YAY!  I'm going to get it!

MINE!

Its hard to tell from this picture but Jaxon is about 5 feet off the ground to catch this ball.  He is an amazing fielder!  I keep asking Neicy if they need an outfielder on her ball team.

Then, he found a pile of dog poop that someone didn't bother to clean up.  Jaxon rolled in it.  Jaxon ate it. GROSS!  Jaxon got a shower when we got back to the site.

Jaxon got snuggles and love at the end of the bath.

Kiss Me You Fool -WW

Jaxon and Jethro are getting along very nicely.

Snuggle Buddies - WW

Jaxon and Jethro are getting along very nicely.
All snuggled up in my bed

Jaxon vs. The Vacuum

Jaxon doesn't like the vacuum. When I have it out, he avoids it like the plague and when its running, he's jumping from chair to sofa to chair and back again.

The other day, I heard him scratching at the floor, which he does when he's lost his ball and needs my help.  This is what I found.....

The vacuum stole his ball

Me being the good mom that I am, grabbed the camera instead of helping him........

I hope this thing doesn't turn on......

Just so I couldn't be called a bad mom, I was encouraging him to get the ball, that the vacuum was safe and wouldn't hurt him.

He finally got it!

What a brave doggie! He was one happy pup when I put the vacuum away.

Tuesday Tidbits

I had a wonderful weekend!  Babysat Oscar while the parents went away for Valentine's Day.  Oscar and Jaxon had a wonderful time playing together and chewing on soup bones.

Sunday after Oscar went home, I went bowling with friends.  Had a lovely time and lots of laughs.  Can't wait to do it again!

Monday, Niecy and I went shopping!  She put her car in the shop for maintenance so we had all day to run all over the place looking for fun things to spend tax money on.

I have plans to buy a washer and dryer but have a friend who thinks she might be able to get me a free set that's in good condition.  Waiting to see what happens there.  Fingers crossed!

Jakes and I finally settled on a name for the new kitty.  He's Jethro Gibbs.  yes, I love the show NCIS and I love "J" names.  Jaxon is named after Jackson Gibbs, who is Jethro's father on the show.  He was played by Ralph Waite who just passed away.

So my boys are Jakes, Jaxon and Jethro.

The kitty is settling in nicely.  He doesn't seem comfortable with Jaxon yet.  But Jaxon is just so full of energy and is jumpy and just wants to play with Jethro.  It will take some time for the boys to be comfortable with each other to play.


I've had ENOUGH snow.  When is spring?  Not only do I have to shovel myself out, but I usually have to check the parents out too. So sick of shoveling.


I want a job where I can be WRONG 98% of the time and still keep my job! What job is that you ask?  Weatherman.


Since I KNOW spring is coming, I need to figure out what herbs and veggies I'm going to grow.  I know I want basil, oregano, cilantro, peppers and tomatoes.  I'm also thinking I'd like scallions  What are some of your favorite herbs and veggies?

Tuesday Tidbits

I know, I'm not around here much.  There just isn't much going on in my life.  I'm sitting home enjoying the cozy warmth of my new place.  Got all the boxes unpacked and pictures hung.  It looks and feels like home.

Jakes is spending almost every weekend with me.  I had to tell him to stay home the weekend of the plunge and he got mad at me.  But he was over this past weekend and we enjoyed spending time together.  Jakes earned his phone back at his dad's, the report card was VERY good this marking period!  So proud of him!

We got a new kitten!  He's still hiding under my bed so I don't have pictures to share yet.  In time, he will come out and play with us.  Jaxon is very anxious to have a playmate.  He's sniffing all around my bed to find the little guy.

Jakes and I haven't decided on a name yet.  We are going to wait for his personality to come out and see if we can pick one that fits him.  He's all black with beautiful golden eyes.  He's about 6 months old and is all taken care of with shots and reproduction stuff.

Going to start shopping for a new washer and dryer set.  I hate going to the laundry mat.  Such a hassle!  Not for much longer though.....

I have lots of other things on the wish list.  Its going to be like Christmas for me!!

I am so sick of the snow we keep getting.  I mean, really?  Every other day?  and Sunday's storm was supposed to be a dusting.  Well, I measured 3 inches on my deck.  They LIED again!  

On the up side of this winter, we spring ahead on March 2nd!  Less than a month away!  I always equate spring ahead with SPRING!  I am planning my veggies and I can't wait to get my herb garden defrosted again.  I miss my fresh herbs for cooking!

Dad is hanging in there with the chemo.  Not having too many side effects and such.  The cold is really getting him, though.  Not only has he lost weight that could be insulation, one of the side effects of the chemo is a susceptibility to the cold. Dr. said he's not supposed to have ice in his drinks or be outside in the cold.  He could get frost bite VERY easily.  He's being smart about things for the most part.  He stays inside when its VERY cold, he covers up when he has to go out and he doesn't stay out for long.

That's about all on my front.....

Crazy for Balls

Jaxon loves to play with a tennis ball. Sometimes more than one.  Just about everyday, I take him out and throw the ball for him to chase and bring back. Rinse, Lather, Repeat.  The little pup will run after that ball for HOURS!. 

Then we come into the house and he brings me the ball to throw in the house. Not as much fun as being outside but he still enjoys it.  When he's ready to quit, he will climb up on my lap with the ball. He usually holds the ball until he falls asleep.

This weekend, he stayed with the Gparents and had a BALL, literally.  They went shopping and brought home a bag of balls to keep in stock for both doggies.  The Gparents hid the bag away because there already were three or four balls out for the boys.

While they finished putting away everything else, Jaxon helped himself to the bag of balls.  He carried it out of the hiding place and proceeded to play.

How do you OPEN this?

When the GParents came into the living room and saw what he was doing, they being good GParents, encouraged him.  lol  He had so much fun trying to get into the bag and then finally getting IN the bag.

He rolled with them.

He shook them.

He just had a ...  well a BALL with them.  I when I got there to take him home, he started packing his bag.  He made sure at least ONE of those balls were going home with him.

Jaxon packed his bag

When we got home, I unpacked both of us and we snuggled on the couch.  After he brought the ball.  Love my little BallNut.

Play With Me! - WW

This was Tuesday Afternoon with only about 6 inches of snow

Wednesday Afternoon with about 14 inches of snow.  We lost his ball in the snow.

Adjustments

With the move I think Jaxon has had to make the biggest adjustment.  He doesn't have a lap to sit on all day long.  He doesn't get to go out and chase the ball several times a day.  BUT even with all the things that are changing for him, he is still the best doggie ever.

He doesn't like mornings

The first week or so, I walked him on a leash. I wanted him to know where his boundaries were and we are now living on a very busy road.  Can't have him dashing out into traffic.  He graduated to walking with me carrying the leash.  Now I can put him out for potty without even leaving my deck and he doesn't wander too far.

I've been going home at lunchtime to walk him until he gets used to being left alone during the day.  I hate to leave him for so long but it can't be helped.  Also with going home at lunchtime, I can throw the ball for him.  And he LOVES to chase it.

Jaxon does love it when Jakes comes home.

As far as adjusting to the new place, he was afraid of the boxes in the kitchen but they are gone now.  He is still figuring out how to chase the ball in the house.  There a no long hallways but lots of little places a ball can hide.  He loves trying to dig it out of the corner, its in his breed to dig.

As the weather improves and there is more daylight after work, Jaxon will get more exercise and loving.  With all that has happened in the past month, the fact that he hasn't used the house as a bathroom or chewed up the furniture makes me proud of him for his ability to be flexible.

I love my Jaxon!

Poor Gimpy Baby

Jaxon is getting better and its getting harder to keep him off his little paw.

Poor baby wouldn't even let it touch the ground when he was sitting.

We gave him his tennis balls back last night and all he wanted to do was chase them around the house.   Maybe today we'll let him play.

Camping is Hard Work

Its hard work setting up camp and making sure everything is ready to be enjoyed.  Even the pups were tired from all the driving and setting up.

Jaxon was so tired at the end of the first day he couldn't even lick his butt.

Oscar just wanted to go to bed.

Jax and Huny finally got a nap in

Liberated

Jaxon and I liberated a Crabpot off the sandbar at The Compound.

Taking it Home

Jaxon swam out to the sand bar, then ran all over chasing birds.  Then we swam back to the beach.  Jaxon was so full of sand and mud, I hosed him off, which he hated.



Tired Puppy
He slept really good last night!



Bike Riding Tips

I have been riding my bike fairly regularly since spring.  I've gotten on it more this past month than I had been.  I am feeling pretty good!  Neicy and I got together on Sunday and did 12 miles.  It was a great ride!  Not only did she and I have time to gossip and chat, but we pushed ourselves a bit too. 

Love my Bike

I have also been tracking my weight and inches.  The weight coming off isn't as exciting as the inches that I have been loosing and how my clothes are fitting me.  I have lost 3 inches in my waist, 2 inches in my hips and only 1.5 inches in my chest.  I love wearing jeans now because its not a circus act to get them pulled up!

Anyway, I just got back from an awesome ride and wanted to share some tips with you.  Mind you these are what works for me and is not to be considered professional advice!  And they could be REALLY skewed because I'm on an exercise endorphin high!  

1. Interval training is THE BOMB.  Start out slow and hold that for a while.  When the buzzer sounds, kick it into high gear and hold that for a while. Lather, Rinse And Repeat for however many times you chose.  I did it 7 times tonight and traveled 5.5 miles in 20 minutes.  My top speed was 16.9 mph.
2. Bon Jovi is KICK A$$ for interval training.  "Wanted Dead or Alive" has the perfect beat for holding at 11.5 mph during the low interval.
3. Singing is not recommended on the high interval YET.  Singing on the low interval is do-able.
4. Water is a MUST.  Put lots of ice in but don't worry. By the time you stop, you'll have plenty of water and very little ice.

After I got home and got a little water, I grabbed Jaxon and his leash and went for my cool down ride.  Jaxon did .5 miles in 10 minutes.  His top speed was 7.3.  He's asleep in my lap already.

So, who wants to join me?  I'm always up for a partner and I'll take it easy on the beginners.

Daddy's Day

I spoiled my Daddy for Father's Day.  We gave him a gift certificate for a Shave and a HairCut.  And homemade vanilla ice cream, with extra vanilla. 

Which made the doggies very happy too.

It MY spot! - WW

Jaxon Stole AZ's spot in the bed
Almost before AZ was out of the bed!

Monkey Carnage

Jaxon LOVES stuffed animals that have long arms and legs.  He loves being able to shake his head all around and beat himself up with the arms and legs.  ESM goes to yard sales and picks up monkeys on the cheap and the two dogs share them. 

I've posted before about the tug of wars the pups have with each other.  The tug of wars tend to destroy the monkeys.

Here is the monkey carnage from Mother's Day Weekend.  ESM brought fresh monkeys.

Jaxon goes for the face.

Judging from the carnage, the Pups had a great weekend!

Concussion - WW

Poor Jaxon doesn't seem to see the screen door.

Its hard to see but there is a slice in the screen.



Jaxon keeps running into the screen door.

This time was at full speed.

Poor baby was scared to come in after this run-in.