Heidi & Milton's Blog (218)

Last weekend was quite eventful for our little family!  Once a year, sadly only once per year, the Dallas area pools close for the summer season, and on the magical day following, the pools are opened up for all of our canine friends -- Doggie Splash Days!  Way back in July, I started researching the best splash days to attend, and I decided on Mesquite and Rowlett, the same two that we attended last year because I liked them so much.  At a price of $5/dog, $1/human at Mesquite and…

Jeff and I have a running joke that our Milton is such an independent individual, unlike your typical loyal pup, that he could be happy living with just about anybody, as long as that person is capable of throwing a tennis ball.  This fact doesn't make us feel too good, but it is a fact.  Our goldendoodle just doesn't have an awful lot of family allegiance which at times can sting, but we do admire his self-sufficiency.  I would say that we are a bit more dependent on Milton for love…

Our goldendoodle is a local celebrity!  Yesterday Milton was featured on the Life section of the Dallas News website with his picture as the opening shot for a slideshow of photos on Rowlett's Pooch Plunge, a doggie splash day.  We took this screen shot because Milt was sharing web space with... Rick Perry of all people!…

Milton made the berry picking cut yesterday, and he was oh so giddy about it!  My sister and her boys did not join, which means Milton was in because the littlest boy does not quite see all of our goldendoodle's "charms," like sloppy kisses, protective barks, and clean-up licks.  I am confident that the Milt will win him over by summer's end -- He tends to have a downright happy effect on most people.…

Belly breeze.  Soft tummy hair fluttering.  A comfy door mat and warm sunshine mixed with a light wind from the open screen door. 

Ultimate relaxation

Belly…

Surprisingly enough, sometimes Milton, especially in the early mornings, does not want to join me on a walk. Yesterday, when he saw his leash, he even hid to avoid it.  That lazy, lazy dog...

Milt…

Happy Belated Fourth of July!  The Fourth was a grand success -- my sister threw a big party resplendent with tasty food, a giant water slide, and fantastic fireworks at the evening's end.

Last year I missed the celebration because I was down in Dallas, but this year I was present in full force with Milton connected to my hip by leash.  He was very well-behaved -- impressive, actually. When he gets wet though, not so much...



In other news,…

Tomorrow is the big day -- the Fourth of July!  This was my dad's absolute favorite holiday, so this special time of year is filled with a lot of reminiscing.  Today Mom and I begin baking for our celebration -- Mississippi mud cake, blondies, blackberry pie, red velvet cake balls, and flag cupcakes!  It is gonna be good.…

Momma's little trooper visited the vet yesterday for a little poking and prodding.  We had a laundry list of tasks to accomplish -- distemper shot, kennel cough vaccine, yearly heart worm test, and, of course, a brief examination of our goldendoodle's left ear -- another yeast infection -- too much swimming!



Cayuga Veterinary Services, where Milton had a rabies shot the very first summer of his life, is a fantastic office with super friendly and knowledgeable…

Lately I seem to be more of a casual observer of life rather than an active participant.  In my opinion, Jeff and I fell into a funk this past year of dining out much too much (Dallas has amazing restaurants!), which is always fun, but we seemed to have lost that crucial piece of trying new things.  Upon arrival to New York for the summer, I thought I would make a much needed change with my normal routine.  The main objective, quite honestly, is to meet up with friends and family to do…

I promised Jeff that I would post a picture every single day this summer, and I already missed yesterday -- Spectacular Saturday (These days of the week labels are beginning to remind me of a pack of little kid's underwear.)!  I do have an excuse though.  I am sick.  Yesterday I came down with some sort of rogenbogen, as my mom would say.  I tried to google this word, but, curiously, nothing turned up!  Regardless, I feel  bad, and I think Jeff will understand.…

One early concern about summering in New York was that my mom does not have a fenced in yard, and I was none too keen on the possibility of our Milton wandering off.  Upon arrival, however, we noticed that when Milton was let outside off leash, he always stuck very close to the house, which I attributed to his loyal goldendoodle attributes and his time spent hunting at the land with Pop.  With the house situated down a long drive from a major road, surrounded by woods on three sides,…

All day yesterday it rained, and rained, and rained some more.  A drizzle in the fall or spring isn't so bad, but when you have a heavy downpour on a warm summer day, it is a, to write like I speak, big bummer.…

After Grand Nan witnessed this blatant act of disrespect on her king-size bed...

Naughty AND wet goldendoodle since he had just taken a dip in the lake!

Well, Milt found his favorite spot in the house which just so happens to not be my Mom's favorite spot for him in her house.

To mimic what my dad always used to say,…

Summer vacationing, especially with a lake and two acres within paws' reach, can be an awful lot of fun, but it does have its drawbacks, namely that it is rather challenging to find "sweet spots" -- those perfect places to nap -- around the house.  Milt has really had some difficulty with this adversity, and after almost two weeks here, I think he is finally beginning to sort it all out.  One sleeping spot was the below:…

The ferns at my mom's house are tantalizing to both Milt and me.  Currently at our Dallas home, we are attempting to grow about five ferns (not nearly enough!) as shade plants in our side yard in an effort to soak up some of our mud.  Unfortunately, the ferns are not growing terribly quickly, and I always used our ferns in New York as a model, but I quickly forget that these are at least 40 years of growth planted by my grandmother.  Oh well, I guess time does eventually pass, but with…

As I shared in yesterday's post, my husband, Jeff, and I will be spending this summer apart -- South/North-style.  That being said, I am a little bit nervous that he will miss out on some integral memory-making moments with our big furry goldendoodle.  When I decided to stay in New York for the summer, the topic of Milton was up for discussion.  Me, being rather selfish, declared that Milton was, of course, joining me on summer vacation.  Then I backtracked and thought of my poor dear…

Milton just keeps dropping tennis balls wherever he so pleases.

Jeff's jeans

This tennis ball placement appears to be quite intentional because as soon as Jeff goes to put on his…

Two years ago today marks the most important date of my life.  Am I referring to my wedding anniversary? Nope!  On June 1st, 2012, Jeff and I brought home our baby boy, Milt Dog.  He's grown up with us, and we are proud to call him our own.…