Maximum Dog, Mad Max....

I don't think that I've introduced you all to our new dog and just by saying that, I think that I've put Don and I squarely in the arena of old folks who dote on their little mutts with an intensity usually reserved for first time parents. A couple days ago, Don called me upstairs to his office. He had come across some old videos that we'd made several years ago, of Casey, Lucy and Diesel. We stood there watching and remembering Casey and Lucy, remembering how Lucy would come when called and then drop flat to the floor to be petted or how Casey would prance over to be petted and then be so nervous that she could only take it for a moment or two. Right now Don is sitting on the couch with Diesel sleeping in his arms, unable to do anything because "it will disturb the dog". I tell you, they have us wrapped firmly around their hairy little paws!

Anyway, this new little guy is named Max and is also a Chihuahua although I do think there might be a little something else mixed in there. But he is a little guy, only about five pounds. Where Diesel is short legged and solid and chunky and moves like an ancient dog, Max is long and very lean and active and athletic. They are polar opposites. Max loves to play and wrestle and tries to antagonize Diesel into getting involved but he really has to work at it. More often than not, Diesel just stands there and takes the abuse and as you can see in one of the above pictures, often seeks refuge in the dog kennel when he just can't take it any more.

We sure love these little dogs. They make us smile constantly. Diesel with his tongue peeking out and Max, always wagging his tightly curled little tail. Because winters are harsh here, we remodelled our bathroom that is downstairs. There was a shower in it and we replaced it with just a little tiled lip and then tile a foot up the two walls. I filled it with gravel and on the wall hangs a hand held shower. That is the puppy potty. They can lift their leg against the tiled wall and then we rinse it down right away. It is perfect and they are learning to use it quite easily. Mind you, you can teach a dog to do just about anything with love and a treat.