Checking on Dakota

I've been thinking about Dakota...and missing her. So this morning I called the kennel to see how she was doing. I didn't get the owners but I got another person who knows Dakota and she reassured me Dakota was doing fine and that she was sure she missed us.

With the phone disconnected but still in my hand I looked over to Dave and said, "I don't know what I really expected - I mean it's not like they'd let me talk to her or anything."

The strange thing is this - a year ago I never would have dreamed I'd call from vacation to check up on our dog. I don't think I ever did that with Dasher, (our "before kids" dog who we treated like a baby and slept with us every night) but then again Dasher usually stayed with family while we went on vacations. I think she only stayed in a kennel once in twelve years.

This dog has touched me in a way I didn't think I'd feel about an animal again. I love her smell, her soft paws, the way she licks my toes, and how she sleeps diagonally on her back with her legs all sprawled out. I miss her.

We'll all be happy to see her Sunday morning - and I think she'll be happy to see us too.

Ode to Dakota (from John)

Dear Dakota,
I love you so much. When I am at school I can't wait to see you.
From John.

Dakota

Dakota is one of four featured dogs on the webpage of Wag-N-Train - check it out here. If you live near us and your dog is in need of training or boarding, we think you should give them a try. It's been wonderful to work with Carlene and Jo - we'll miss them when we're done with our five-week training package but Dakota will still get to see them on occassion.

Dakota's First Christmas

Santa McSqueaker (the third in a series of McSqueakers Dakota has been through)

For the first time in our history the kids took money from their piggybanks and used it to buy presents for family and friends. In the past I've taken two of them out to buy for the third and then two others, etc... and Dave and I have always paid for each gift. But this year, with no prodding from either parent, they chose to use their own money. There was no rhyme or reason for who they bought for or why - they were just totally into the idea of giving.

Dave took them out shopping while I read by the fire and the minute they got home the wrapping began. By day's end the tree skirt was filled with gifts full of heart and childish delight.

So who, you wonder, got the most presents? I think it was a probably a tie between Dakota and me... although you would be correct if you assume I've taken better care of my presents than Dakota. Let's just say for about a minute after these pictures were taken we were afraid she'd eaten the squeaker inside of Santa.

Dakota's Secret Garden

When we got Dakota I promised Dave we'd train her to go "potty" in one certain spot - and I have - even though two weeks into the process Dave switched her potty spot on us. He originally wanted her to go at the far corner of 817's lot but when we realized we'd be tilling up the yard and planting grass and making a big old muddy mess, we thought it best to find a new spot for her.

That's how she got her own secret garden. It's a wonderful space between our old yellow garage and the neighbor's old green garage. Technically it's their space but it was generally unused and upon our asking and promising we'd keep it clean they were gracious and let us (I mean Dakota) use it. It's been a hit ever since.

I only wish we'd discovered it before we got Dakota - it would have made a great Secret Garden getaway for our kids... but now I guess it'll have to wait for grandkids... and that's yeeeeaaaaarrrrrsssss down the road.

Goofy Glasses, Goofy Kids

First Day of School

"All was fine on Belmont Road until the kids went back to school..."

This reflects a semi-calm moment following our whirlwind summer.

We saw the tagging of a Cooper's hawk in the alley behind our house. The kids, and sometimes the adults, bounced on the new trampoline. John and I built a cardboard pirate ship while the girls went north to the cabin with their dad and Papa. Sophie accomplished a back walkover. Dave and our trusty handyman, Mike, completed a paving stone patio at 817. I co-facilitated a four day RRVWP workshop in July. Sophie and Lucy performed in The Velveteen Rabbit in Cando. The kids can swim. For part of the summer I had budding playwrights on my hands, as Sophie and her pal, Juliet, led the charge to write a play based on a Magic Tree House book. Dave grew grass next door! Lucy taught all her stuffed animals how to read. John attended hockey camp--a true North Dakotan--he is on the ice, even in July. The kids had a picnic lunch under the largest tree in North Dakota and they helped their cousins build a treehouse all in the same day. Dave was home most of the summer for the first time in seven years. I walked the dog and picked up poop by the bagful. Dave and I had front row seats at a Twins game as part of our bi-annual Suite Night Event. (Thanks St. Peter!) And for the first time in years, I was up at 6 am most days reading the newspaper and drinking my coffee on the back patio, enjoying that quiet time of the day.

Dog Days of July

Dakota has been such a treat for us. She keeps me laughing and has really found a friend in Lucy. Lucy loves to hold her and cuddle and in such a sweet eight-year-old voice say, "How ya doing baby?" She (as in Lucy) has been the surprise here - we just assumed Sophie would be the main caretaker since she's the one that led the drive to get a dog. But instead, we've seen Lucy shine with taking out Dakota, playing with her, and even picking up the poop without being asked. By the way - we can thank our friend Carmyn for all the pics.

We're now a family of six...

Meet Dakota - a lovable and smart six-week old goldendoodle. Yes - in spite of everything I've ever written about not getting a dog we changed our minds and so far so good. She's getting plenty of loving, she's learning where to go to the bathroom, John hasn't broken out and I'm feeling like a mother of a newborn all over again. Except our newborns slept for more than two hours at a time.

We got the call on Friday night that it was our turn to pick a pup from the litter. By Saturday afternoon the kids and I were off to Bismarck (four hours away). But first we needed to stop at Petco and buy everything we needed for the return trip. It was pretty exciting - the kids had already made a list of everything we needed and we divided up the duties. Each child got to pick out one toy, John got to pick out the collar and Lucy the leash while Sophie looked for Puppies for Dummies. The only snafu was that in the rush I didn't check prices and ended up paying $12 for a kong toy that Dakota is much too little for. But she'll grow into it.