I am too tiny to deal with the cold

Little Man writing here - 

I don't like the cold, my little body has enough trouble staying warm, it was near impossible today in this frigid weather.

This morning I went outside for the morning out and I FROZE!

My paws got so cold and my little body just started shaking like crazy.

Auntie was nice and wrapped me up in a towel and snuggled with me.  It was warm and cozy so I took a nap, which made it hard for Auntie to study, but she managed.

Later, Mom decided to go out.  My sister and I ran upstairs and watched her leave and waited for her.

We didn't want to go back outside, but we didn't want Mom to leave either.  We were both confused about why she would go outside in the cold so we watched the door thinking she would come right back in.  But, she didn't come right back it was a long time of staring at the door.  We fell asleep and when she came back we were so excited that we forgot how cold it was and went outside to go potty.

I took three steps off the porch did my business and could not get back in fast enough.  My sister was able to stay out longer, her bigger size and thick coat of fur really helped her stay warm.

Auntie had to wrap me in a towel and hold me in her lap again.  MomMom took a picture.

I was shaking for several minutes after I finally warmed up I snuggled on the cough with the Big Guy.

If it stay this cold I want a heated blanket.

We have DEER!!!!!!!!!

I have seen deer before in through the window and once I saw one while walking with the Big Guy.  Tonight it was so amazing I saw 5 deer just run out from the stream beside our house cross the street and then into the trees on the other side of the road.  I froze for a moment, I was only 10 yards away maybe less and they were so close, what should I do?  Of course my response was to run after them!
Sadly, Auntie said no she was not going into the woods so we could not follow them.  I told her she was mean and kept pulling on the leash to chase them. (picture from previous walk)

It was at the end of our walk and we were so close when they jumped out of the trees I could smell them, see them, hear them, and I wanted to play with them.  Auntie was mean and we stayed out of the woods, but she did let me go over to the trees the deer came out of and spend some serious time sniffing the air and trees.  I loved it, but after what Auntie said was enough time (it wasn't for me) we went inside because she was getting cold.
I ran inside and told Little Man, who had been sleeping, and the Big Guy all about the deer we saw on the walk.
After I told them all about this Little Man decided he needed to go back to sleep and curled back up with the Big Guy.  I usually sleep there, but lately those two have gotten close and snuggle, I am not sure how I feel about that yet.

After I wore myself telling those two about the deer, Auntie misunderstood one of my thoughts and said yes it was time to brush my teeth.  I do not love this, but I love that Auntie gives me a special goodie afterwards.  I have started liking the taste more and I don't hide my face anymore.  Unfortunately, Auntie has taken this to mean that she can spend more time brushing my teeth.  I love her, but she doesn't have to stick the toothbrush into my mouth so much.

I think I should have a Fitbit

I am not sure what a Fitbit is, but I think I should have one.
Auntie and MomMom each have one and they do these Challenges.  I love it when this happens, because then I get more walks.  However, today it was too much, Auntie wore my butt off.  I was so exhausted at dinner I could barely keep my head up.

Auntie had me walk not only in our neighborhood, but she walked me to the pharmacy to get her allergy medicine.  I wish I had know we would be leaving the development, because then I would have saved some of my pee.  This neighborhood has tons of dogs and I had to mark trees, sign posts, mailboxes, and random locations those dog use so they would know I visited.  It was hard work, I ended up having to do a BoomBoom to help me mark.  All of this in the snow and ice, my feet were very cold, but smelling this new area was totally worth cold feet.  When we got home Auntie let me take a nap, but apparently she needed more steps so she made me go out for another long walk, OK she asked if I wanted to go and I jumped with excitement.  But let's be honest, asking me if I want to go on a walk is like asking the Pope if he is Catholic, the answer is always yes.  I thought we would be going back to the pharmacy, but Auntie just did a loop around the neighborhood, thankfully :)

When MomMom got home claimed she needed steps, I thought I was going to have to outside in the cold, so I tried to hide in my snuggle bed.

Then MomMom and Auntie started pacing all around the kitchen and the family room.  I don't understand my humans.  Auntie said she would not fall behind MomMom which is why she joined in.  I really don't get my humans, but they are my family and they love me very much.  I don't know what a Fitbit Challenge are, but I think if I got a fitbit I could totally blow MomMom and Auntie out of the water with how many steps I take.  But, then I might now get as many walks, so I'll just stick with getting extra walks and napping in my snuggle bed when my humans pace around the house to get extra steps in.
   

Football Night

I have been dressed in Carolina Panthers gear and have been told since we are now living in Carolina we are Panthers fans.  All I know is that I was put in clothes, and I am not overly enjoying this.  However, I am enjoying that my entire family (Mom, Dad, Auntie, MomMom, and the Big Guy) are all sitting on the couches in the family room and I get to snuggle with whoever I want.  Wait, moving to the kitchen because MomMom is cooking - I will stay here with her she sneaks me food.
I had a very exhausting day, you wouldn't know it because I mostly sat on my window bench, but when I left I was out chasing squirrels and running around the back yard.
I saw a squirrel from inside the house and ran to the back door, Auntie was not fast enough to get there when I did and the squirrel almost got away, but I ran down the deck stairs and chased it to the fence.  Then I patrolled the fence line so if it made an attempt to come back in the yard I could chase it again.

I was really lucky and got to chase three squirrels today.  It was exhausting work, but today was like a dream day for me.  Chasing squirrels, getting kisses for doing it, and relaxing on my window bench.  LIFE IS GOOD!  Auntie and the Big Guy are really proud of me. I got my "good girl goodies" that I usually only get when Auntie brushes my teeth for chasing the squirrels.  After all of that I decided it was best to just curl up and fall asleep with Little Man, but my family said I had to get dressed for the game first.  I finally got to snuggle with Little Man but Auntie and Mom went nuts taking pictures.

I looked to Dad to save me and let me sleep, he is awesome and helped, but then got too into the football game and I moved so I could sleep.  Football night seems fun, maybe next time I'll enjoy it more if I didn't spend the day chasing squirrels.

My Good Girl Goodies are

For you Guys the Awesome Jersey I am wearing comes in black too

Snow Day Round 2

Today was another day of snow, and that means we stay inside and snuggle for most of the day.

I decided that it was a good day to lay on my window bench and just watch the world.  Dad was great and took me out for my morning walk, then the Big Guy did a short walk with me too.  I have learned that puppy dog eyes to the Big Guy when Little Man goes out to poop means I get a short walk too.  Auntie and MomMom walked to the grocery store to pick up some ice cream and veggies.  I was told I couldn't go with them, because I can't go in the grocery store :(  

I spent the morning on my window bench and snuggling with Mom and Dad.  This afternoon was more snuggle time, Auntie got some love because she took me for a walk, more like a run on my part.  Auntie told me several times she can't run on ice.  I may not be a sled dog, but I love running in the snow.

With all my family home I was having a great day.  MomMom got sick this afternoon, I went to check on her a few times.  I think giving her kisses helped her feel better.  When she came down to the couch I snuggled with her there too.  I stayed with her and the Big Guy until bedtime, because I was worried about her.  

I am not a huge fan of this snow thing, but I do love that it makes my family stay home all day :)

Snow Day!

My whole family was stuck inside the house today, because of the white stuff falling from the sky today.

My routine was altered, but I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Auntie took me outside for my morning walk, it was chilly, and she put me in my raincoat because she thought the fleece lining would help me stay warm.  Does she not notice my nice fluffy fur?  I humored her, because I love her and she was going to take me for my morning walk.  It was lots of fun, I even got to run for a bit, but Auntie said she can't run on the ice so I was only able to go as far as the extendable leash would let me.  Auntie was nice and tried to cover me with the umbrella, but that takes the fun out of the walk.  When we came back and Dad and MomMom were doing something in the garage.  The Big Guy took me outside again, apparently me not pooping was a concern.  Have you ever had to stick your butt out in the ice to poop?  It is cold and I don't recommend it unless you are forced to, I was forced to.

Little Man was also forced to go outside, he ran to the bottom of the steps peeped and pooped then ran right back inside.  His small size means he didn't have to go for the walk in order to get tired and take our morning nap.  With all my humans home, I got to pick where I would take my morning nap.  I checked all the beds and decided that the couch near the Big Guy was the normal place and the best place.  However, I rotated to everyone's bed at some point during the day, because I wanted them to know I loved them all.  I also watched the snow fall from my window bench, and saw some deer.  I don't fully understand deer but they are not in my yard so I didn't bark.  Mom saw them and joined me on the window bench to watch, then Dad let me outside to sniff the air.  I went but came right back in and decided that I would stay inside for the rest of the day - it is COLD OUT!

At lunch, I got to snag some cheese steak from Dad, cheese from Auntie, and an egg sandwich from MomMom.  This is way better than just trying to get food from the Big Guy and Mom.  Little Man was asleep on the couch so I didn't have to share either.  We have separate food bowls and water bowls, but we have to share the "goodies" after meals.  After lunch I went upstairs and napped on Auntie's bed then on MomMom and the Big Guy's bed.  It was great, because Auntie was able to snuggle with me when I went to her bed.  

With it being so cold out I thought hanging out inside was better than going out on the deck to smell the air.  It was an odd day, and my daily routine was confused, but having everyone home and in the house all day was awesome.  I am not really sure what makes a day a snow day, but I like them.

Baby it is cold outside

It is chilly outside, so cold out that Little Man's whole body is shaking by the time he walks to the end of the driveway (and our driveway is not long).  Today he ran outside, pooped as soon as he got off the steps and then ran back inside.  I thought he was making too big of a deal.
I have a nice think fur coat so the Big Guy was really nice and put multiple layers on and took me for a mile walk.  He became my favorite today when he did this several times so that I could poop and sniff the entire neighborhood.  It got colder as the day went on :(  I convinced my humans that my last night walk did not need to happen, thankfully.

When I got back inside from each walk I curled up in a little ball and tried to warm up.  Once on the bed, Auntie was nice and let me snuggle on her bed.  Another time the Big Guy was nice and let me snuggle with him on the couch and Mom let me hide under a blanket at one point.  I am not sure why the cats don't have to go outside, but by my last walk I was jealous of them.
I might be willing to learn to poop in a cat box if it means I don't have to stick my tush out in the cold to poop outside.  If this cold weather keeps up I may not give Auntie a strange look when she talks about getting me a fleece jacket.
 

Not begging at dinner

My most impressive trick is not begging for food when my humans are at the table.  So I snuggle on my window bench and wait, because once dinner is over I make out like a bandit.  MomMom will give me veggies, Auntie Shella will give me chicken, Dad lets me lick his plate, Mom gives me whatever is left on her plate, and the Big Guy does the same (but sometimes he puts extra food on the plate so that he has something to give me).  This would seem like a lot, but I have to share with my older brother.  We are both polite while everyone is eating, and wait for our humans to stand before we start hovering in the kitchen.  

Tonight my Auntie tried to catch a picture of me waiting patiently as dinner was put away in case MomMom "accidentally" dropped some veggies, but my tail kept wagging and when I saw her try and take a picture I tried to lick her and her phone.

I wish I could tell you how I learned not to beg or cry during dinner, but I really have just always been this way.  I think it is because my older brother explained early on that we get to clean plates and leftovers if we don't beg.  Why mess with success?

It may look like I am sleeping on my window bench, but really I am just trying to do a sad puppy dog face so that I might get a special good girl goodie from Auntie.  I get those when I let her brush my teeth, but that is pretty much it.  Just because I am good at meal time doesn't mean I don't try and get my special Milk Bones at other times.

My older brother and I waited patiently while clean up happened and lucked out with a few veggies to chew on.  I am still trying to decide if I like carrots, I chew about half of the carrot then think I am full or it is time to see if I can get another goodie.  

For the record I am slender dog and I get my butt walked off on a daily basis, even in this cold I get walked at least one mile three times a day.  Auntie says she does not have a built in fur coat like I do, so even with her bundled up she can't stand being outside for the two to four miles we normally walk. It makes me sad, but I have been told the cold doesn't last long in the Southeast.  I'll hope that is true because I love my longer walks.

Snow?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Let me remind people that I have spent the last 3 years in L.A. it is warm there, it is basically one step away from a natural disaster due to a drought (meaning there hasn't been any real rainfall there).  Yes, I am 4 years old, but I only spent a fraction of my life in New Jersey and it was three years ago that I left, so I have very vague memories of winter in the Northeast.
Having clarified this please read the rest of this post with that in mind.

THERE IS WHITE STUFF FALLING FROM THE SKY!
The Big Guy insisted I go out and experience this, because apparently it doesn't happen in the Southeast very often.  I don't remember this stuff and it is cold and wet!  My humans called it snow, I am not liking it.  Auntie calls me prissy, but I don't like getting wet in the rain and as far as I can tell snow is rain only colder.  There was some of the white snow on the ground I smelled it and don't understand why the Big Guy feels that this is special.  The smell tells me it is not an animal, it is not food, and I don't understand what is special about this smell.  I am not impressed by snow, but wag my tail and act happy because the Big Guy wants me to and I want a walk.  He gets to show me snow and I get a walk - I feel this is a win-win.

I am happy that snow isn't common down here, because it is cold.  I think my Auntie might be right, I might be prissy because all I wanted to do today was cuddle on the couch with my humans.
Auntie said it best when it is cold out we snuggle inside :)