Mister Max

Max isn't quite sure what to make of the "mist" option on the hose sprayer.  Poor quality cell phone video, but you get the idea...

Dog Days

Though the intense summer heat has just really begun, these two had to take a play break on the cool concrete patio floor.  A couple of BFF's chilling on the porch...

Brother from another mother

For some time I've been researching livestock dogs and I finally decided that I wanted an old-fashioned farmcollie or working farmcollie as they are also known.  This is a heritage collie breed that hasn't had their natural instincts bred out in favor of solely show attributes or to meet the demand caused by the huge increase in popularity as a family, non-farm dog after the tv series, Lassie.  So this is Sully, Max's new little brother.  Well on his way to being house-broken but a puppy nonetheless.  A different personality than Max that I believe will compliment each other nicely when they are both a bit older.  For now it's fun to watch.  Sully thinks he is as big as Max when he actually weighs about three pounds and Max thinks Sully is a new toy.  


A vaguely humorous video of a meeting at the fence.  I have to hand it to Max for tolerating a lot of Sully's puppy behavior - what a big boy he is - and a good big brother.  

We're still looking forward to getting another BdB from Rufnit Kennels when the right one comes along.  And another farmcollie.  The more the merrier!  So now Sugar Pea Farm is home to 13 quail, 10 chickens, 2 dogs, 2 people and lots of deer, rabbits, foxes and a flock of turkeys.  One turkey lives indoors and uses the plumbing.

Crashed

After a big day of frisbee, air ball, and sniffing about the new chicks.  Maxie is quite interested in the chicks!

The Good Life

Max enjoys his gigantic tennis ball.  He gets the squeakers out within minutes but the ball remains a favorite.  

Singing along with the Star Spangled Banner  - it's the Key blood in him...

My Boys

Max and P like to clown around, with Maxie enjoying a belly rub and scratch here.  It's been super rainy and cold around here so Maxie's been inside much of the time.  This is by his choice - he hates the rain and starts shaking like a leaf when when goes outside when the temp is 45 or less.  
The loving gaze and Maxie's big smile here crack me up!  A real father / son moment!  Note Maxie's right ear flopped open.  He often flips his head so that ear folds back open.  We think it is him trying to hear better. He does this many times a day.  Funny little fellow!

Bird Flush

When Maxie heads out for his first morning run, he first flushes all of the birds out of the bushes.  He tears around the yard several times until he's found them all!

Puppy Love

The kind man feeds his beast before sitting down to dinner.  

-Hebrew Proverb

What a pup!

I'll admit I may be a little biased, but Maxie shows such emotions on his lovely little face!  Let's see what faces he makes in the washtub later today!!! 

One Dirty Dog!

Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of Max after his frolicking in 5 inches or so of snow, then the muddy mess it became after the melt.  However, I can tell you that he was one dirty, smelly dog.  He actually looked like his coat was a sickly yellow-brown color - yuck!  Then we discovered the greatest service in the world!  Petco has a self service dog wash where you take your dog into one of their special wash tubs and you can use their spray nozzles, doggie shampoo and conditioner and a super blow dryer that only blows tepid air.  It was fabulous!  No trying to wait for a warm(ish) day to give him a bath at home or having a bathroom trashed after a dog wash session in the house.  And the greatest thing is that the whole she-bang cost $10.  Best ten bucks I've spent in  a while.  Now Maxie is clean and bright again.  For a few minutes at least ;)!