Silly Mom

Mom looked out the window this morning - saw how bright and sunny it was and decided to take us to the park. It was only when we got there and she got out the car that she realized how cold it was - a chilly 30 degrees. MY car lives in the garage when its not taking ME to the park so it was nice  and warm when we got in it. Needless to say - it was a VERY short walk but what was worse was that  Dweeb with his big thick coat kept snuggling over to ME trying to steal MY heat. Baaawwwaaaa Moms teeth rattled all the way home !

Chomp Chomp

Mom got us these new bones to try - they look like rawhide but there are not - they are 100% vegetable and 99% digestible.  They are called Smart Bones and you can see the varieties of them at Chewy.Com here. The only thing we care about is that they were sure tasty and we have a beautiful sunny day to sit outside and chomp on them. But don't be fooled - it looks all nice and warm sunny - but it isn't - it's only 31 degrees out there but that is A LOT warmer then some of our buddies are having at the moment.

Wordless Wednesday - Signs of Spring

Powhaten

After our visit to MY Davidson State park we went to visit Powhaten a teeny town where about 100 people live and site of the Potwhaten Heritage Park. This also use to be the home of the Powhaten Indians and was once a thriving river town. We have been here before and have often pondered on these concrete columns that are on each side of the river. We figured they must of been part of a bridge but were surprised to finally see what the bridge actually looked like back in it's day.
 












At the park there is an old telephone exchange build from back in the days when they had to manually connect people and when we peeked in the window we saw this huge photo leaning up against the wall of the bridge. (They are in the process of restoring the old buildings) After some reading on the internet we found they built this suspension bridge in the hopes of revitalizing the town but they also destroyed half the town in the process. When it didn't help the town they decided they couldn't afford to maintain it and just pulled it down! The old house you see us sitting on the steps of - that was actually lived in until 1988 and when the elderly lady died she left it and the surrounding land and buildings to the park service.



























The other thing we love about this little town is it's beautiful old courthouse which sits on top of a hill overlooking the river. It has been completely restored and is still used as courthouse. If you look in the old photo of the bridge you can also see it on the hill as it was built in 1866.

A morning off exploring

It is another gorgeous day so today Mom took us and Dad off exploring. First we went to one of MY far away parks - which is Davidson State Park. Yet again we had it all to ourselves (what is wrong with people that they don't race out and enjoy such beautiful days). First we followed the trail that leads to one of the cemeteries that is in the park. There are two of them and we visited the Phillips-Reeves one - the other is the Davidson's. Now this park is also part of an archeological dig as many many years (like 150) ago there was a small community here that suddenly just seemed to disappear one day. There are many theories - Indians, disease, starvation, a feud... etc but no one really knows. What is amazing is how perfectly set out the town was complete with a public house, court house, trading post, homes etc. It would appear the community was made up of two main families - hence the 2 cemeteries. The court house was in the middle of the town with all the building surrounding it and paths inter-connecting them all.


Next we followed the river which was the most unusual shade of green. Dad complained it being muddy but we didn't care - and I was having the best time. Here I am smiling up at my Dad.













After finishing our long walk we headed back to the picnic area and guess what - Mom had even made us a picnic. We sat in the warm sun right next to the lake edge and dined on Turkey Salad Sandwiches, apple pie and cookies. We were one pair of happy doggies.

Tomorrow we will tell you about the second part of our adventure.

Blue Skies and Birdies

Yesterday was awful with thunder storms, strong winds, rain and tornado warnings. But today is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous. Clear blue skies, sunny and 60 degrees and today we heard the birds singing their little hearts out !!  It seems so long since we heard the birdies.

We also saw lots of blue jays, bluebirds and cardinals. Surely these are signs on spring right?? ????  Even the Dweeb seemed extra happy to be out and about today. We had the whole lake to ourselves this morning and did not see anyone else enjoying it. Mom thinks that is very strange but it makes us happy.

Lemon Biscotti and Sighs

Not quite as warm today - only 60 and a bit overcast with the sun only peeking out every now and again. Mom said it was perfect for another visit to the park though so she grabbed a drink and some lemon biscotti and off we went.  We had the most pawsome walk and then just sat for ages enjoying the warmth and munched biscotti while watching the ducks. Mom even shared a little with us - but we didn't give any to those darn pesky ducks :)

70 degree + 4 hours = HAPPY

Dog oh dog - we are having the MOST pawsome weather - 70 degrees, clear bright blue skies, gentle breeze and Mom (and us) were enjoying it soooooo much we ended up walking for 4 hours !  Dog oh dog - we hit our little park, our big park, the lake, the woods you name it - we went there! Mom even had to take her coat off she got so warm. We are two happy and tired doggies now !

Weather is warming up - but!

We made it to 48 degree yesterday and Mom said the magic words "lets go to the park"  Dog oh Dog - After much excited barking and prancing around she finally got our harnesses on and my boots and in the car we hopped.  There was not a cloud in the sky and it was so bright and sunny.

Mom says we whined all the way to the park but we were really just telling her to "drive faster - drive faster"  Anyhoo - after what seemed like 87 years we finally got there and as Mom opened the car door to attach our lead I spied a whole ginormous flock Canada Geese behind her and it was on !!!!!!!!!!

I was out of the car so fast I nearly knocked her off her feet in my rush to chase them. There was flapping, honking and hissing as they all went splashing into the lake - ah it was sooooooo satisfying. I trotted back to Mom with the BIGGEST smile on my face and she just glared at me - "What the dog" I thought - I just saved her from a pack of marauding geese and she is glaring at me.

Then she pointed to my boots - it seems that all the ice we have had has turned the MY park into a bit of a muddy quagmire. Mom shook her head and mumbled something under her breath - attached the lead and off we went.  We didn't get far though as even the main path was a squelchy mess so it ended up being a very short walk - but I least I got to tell those geese off!


 

Happy Valentines

Did you know the beautiful Miss Katie and I are almost the same age (7 years) and we have been sweethearts all these years. She is a princess who know what she wants and when she wants it and she is adorable. Happy Valentines Sweet Katie. I sure hope you present arrives today.

It isn't ME!

Reilly - "Ermmmm excuse me Mom - but this does not look anything like me and you KNOW I am the only one you should paint right?"

Mom - "But Reilly we already have A LOT of paintings of you"

Reilly - "Well you can never have TOO many Mom"

Mom - "But Reilly............."

Reilly - "Don't but me Mom - I am the BIG dog and besides if it isn't me - who is it? I do believe I detect a bit of Scottish ancestry there......not that is really counts because it still isn't me!"

Mom - "Sigh!"

Sugar's Cupcake Tennis Ball Game

We called in the pet store this morning and Mom picked up some extra tennis balls so we could play Sugar's Cupcake Tennis Ball Game.  Now me - I am WAY to smart to play such a game I KNOW if I just sit there Mom will give me a treat without having to work for it - but the Dweeb - well you can see for yourself.  Mom says he's a 'nose' boy - he uses his nose to get the balls out and reach the treats...some doggies just grab the balls with their mouth and some use their feet. Give it go and see which you are.

Chewy.com Februrary Review - Sojos Lamb and Sweet Potato Treats

11th February 2014

Today thanks to Chewy.com we are reviewing Sojos Lamb and Sweet Potato Treats. Now if you haven't checked out Sojo's Products you should - they have a huge variety of products to choose from and you can see them here at Chewy.Com. What is different about Sojos is that they have some really unusual flavors like Apple Dumpling, Chicken Pot Pie, Duck and Cherry etc.

    

Here's the Basics

• Ingredients - Garbanzo bean flour, lamb, sweet potatoes, canola oil, eggs
• They are made in the USA
• Available from - Chewy.com
• Cost 10 oz box - $6.49
• Company Web Site Sojos
• Chewy's Sojo Page

Taste Test

• Here is where Dweeb (Denny) and I beg to differ. 
• I (Reilly) loved them and thought they were very tasty - mind you I would eat a cardboard box if given the chance. Dweeb took one small sniff and wouldn't even look at them after that. Pawsome - all the more for ME !!!  
• Now in all fairness Dweeb is not partial to 'hard' treats preferring the much softer kind for his delicate little toofers to nosh on

Positives

• Suitable for all life stages
• Extra crunchy texture
• 100% Grain-Free and Gluten-Free
• Under 15 calories per treat
• Medium bone shape, perfect for all breeds
• Human-grade ingredients 
• Wheat and corn-free, contain no GMO's or artificial flavors or colors
• No artificial preservatives
• Made in the USA!

Negatives - Kind of - Sort of - Maybe - Not Really

• For me the Reilly Dog not a one - they are totally pawsome!
• For The Dweeb (Denny) To hard !

Rating

• Instead of our usual 5 paw rating - we are going to give these a 4 paws rating. Why 4 paws you ask? - well because my 4 paws are the most IMPORTANT and Dweeb only gets a 1 paw say in the matter :) Today he didn't want his paw counting though.

Disclaimer : Chewy.com sent us a packet of the Sojos Lamb and Sweet Potato Treats in return for an honest review.  We were not paid or compensated for our review in any other way and our opinion is  purely our own.