My Holiday Journey

We did something different this year for the Christmas Holidays...we traveled our butts off. First we rode to Blacksburg to visit a set of grandkids and to attend the niece's graduation from VA Tech. We had a great time but were delayed traveling for a day because of a huge snow storm (see previous post). Dad got us safely out of Blacksburg (he is an excellent driver) and we traveled about 7 hours to St. George, SC, where I got to spend the night in my favorite, dog friendly, Quality Inn. The next day, we arrived in Tampa. I got to use my doggie door to the backyard, which I love. It make me feel very independent. The second set of grandkids arrived in the middle of the night, which was a little strange. But, I love having them around because they feed me table scraps.
Then, suddenly we left! And ended up at a "vacation rental." I am not sure what that means, except that it was a kind of "borrowed" house. The parents and the rest of the crowd left me alone there for 2 days!! They went to someplace called "Disney World." But, I showed them! I jumped on all the beds and left loads of dog hair. I am shedding something fierce because of the change of climates. It's GREAT being a Lab!
Then, we are back in Tampa but leave the next day for Georgia. What's in Georgia, I wonder? But, we arrive at the site of my birth, some 8 years before, in Madison, GA! AMAZING!! But, alas.....my dog mom is pretty standoffish...in fact, she's a bitch...pardon the pun. My big black brother is awesome though. I'd like to take him home with me....he is so cuddly. She thinks so too, as they are always kind of laying on each other...I am SO jealous. But, my mom is the most beautiful Lab I have ever seen....see for yourself! Can you tell who is who?

Now we are back in Virginia Beach. It was an adventurous 2 1/2 weeks but I am so happy to have Mom and Dad to myself and get back to my long walks. Life is good!

I am a snow dog...FINALLY!

I have never experienced the magic of snow......until now. We have stopped in Blacksburg, Virginia on our way to Florida, to visit the grands. And very suddenly, this white stuff started falling out of the sky. In an hour it was EVERYWHERE!! I did not know what to do, so I just rushed through it. It is very cold and wet and now it is about 18 inches high....a "significant snow event." I am figuring it out though. I have to dig to find my ball and I have to kind of jump to move through it...but it is fun!!! Makes me frisky!

Christmas photo shoot

Mom got the camera out today and put those darn reindeer antlers on my head. Thank goodness she did not use the flash....she knows that I HATE that! Anyway, enjoy the pics...I did not!

My doggie seat belt

Some folks have asked about the vest I am wearing in some of my pictures. It is a seat belt for dogs. The official name is Canine Auto Safety Harness. Mine is a soft vest that has a short leash attached to the top which slips onto the car's lap belt. Mom and Dad found mine on Entirelypets.com, but I have seen others in the pet stores. It comes in different sizes to fit your dog. I can still stand up, and sit and lay down. Mom and Dad do a bunch of traveling with me and this helps keep me safe. In some states, it is the law to have your dog restrained in the car. I think that is a good idea. BUCKLE UP FOR SAFETY!

Lab Rescue...we are getting involved

Mom and Dad are getting involved with a Lab rescue. It is called Lab Rescue of the Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac(Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P. Inc.)This group rescues, fosters, and adopts out Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retriever-Labrador Retriever mixes. Their volunteers are active in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area, including Northern Virginia and Maryland, and throughout the Mid-Atlantic region including the Baltimore area, the greater Richmond area, Virginia's Tidewater region, Maryland's Eastern Shore, eastern West Virginia, southwest Virginia and parts of Pennsylvania. So, it is a huge organization. Mom and Dad will be volunteering out of the Tidewater region, which includes VA Beach (where I live), Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, and the VA Peninsula. They will be checking out potential adopters and new adopters and more than likely, doing some fostering. I am not sure how I feel about another dog in the house, but I will try very hard to be nice. Here is a picture of a dog named Nestle who is looking for a home.....he is wrapped up and ready for Christmas! Please click on the link below for Nestle and find out all about him and all the other Labs who are waiting for a furever home!
Nestle