Adventures in Dog Sitting

We've been throwing around the idea of getting a dog for awhile.  We've even been on a waiting list since November!  Still no puppy at our residence.  Our good friends went on vacation and needed some pet care.  The Graham kids jumped and leaped with joy at the chance.

We were really going to have a dog in our care for 12 days!

Introducing Libby!

She was the best dog, the first night we tied her up to the door by her dog bed (as instructed) and she started to wimper and whine.  She wanted nothing to do with her bed, she much preferred the kids beds upstairs.  She wasn't picky, she'd go from bed to bed each night. The kids were so excited to walk her and even clean up her poop.  They all argued over who would get to clean it up each walk.  They loved feeding her cheese to watch her do tricks and loved to show everyone who would come around.  Bath time and hairstyling was also an adventure.  

Libby loved her walk in the rain and watching the kids race colored pencils.

Chris, Charlotte and Rozlyn dedicated their time and talents to bring you the "Where's Libby" photoshoot!

Whoever gives the best belly rubs wins!

Favorite spot in the house, right under Mallory's chair.

Our main goals was to keep her alive and not lose her in 12 days.  We succeeded with only 2 scares.  The first time we ever left her home alone she was tied to the door.  After our errands we came home and there was no Libby by the door.  She'd gotten lose and helped herself around the house, just roaming around with her leash on.  Incident two was when we were going swimming.  We were all very careful to never open the garage door while the door to the house was open to the house.  She got out and made a run for it.  Imagine 6 Grahams in swimsuits chasing her down the road.  It was a sight.  

Libby was the best, she never barks, bites, chews, we love her!  She almost convinced us that we can't get our own dog because of the high standard she set.  Chris has promised us that no dog would behave as well as Libby.  (Mallory would pick her up non stop and pack her around and she would just do a little growl to show she was annoyed - that's it!)

So instead of being future dog owners, we might become future pet sitters.  Get the dog, enjoy the dog, play with the dog, give back the dog.  

Thanks for the good times Libby!

Worst Bike Ride

For the kids summer goals, Mason and Rozlyn have to do a bike ride, Mason = 5 miles.....Rozlyn = 10 miles.
Chris usually takes them but had a baptism to conduct so I was the escort.  We got a little bit of a late start before we hit the trails and left with empty stomachs, the same way I do it when I run.
Rozlyn was speedy quick and would ride ahead until she hit a fork in the road and wait for Mason and me to catch up.  Time was going quickly by, and the sun was getting brighter and hotter.  I gave the kids some water and Rozlyn immediately started throwing up.  It was so sad.  A bicycler guy pulled up next to us and asked if we needed help and if we were okay.  I'm so happy for the good people in the world.  There was a grocery store not to far away that we were going to make our way to.  I texted Chris "come find us when you're finished with the baptism, Rozlyn is throwing up on the side of the road".  I didn't think he'd have his phone or check it until after it was over so I didn't think it was a big deal to send it.  During the break is when he received the text so he had that to worry about for the next 45 minutes not sure what to do.  We need to come up with some emergency signal ratings.

Luckily the kids had decided that they were going to ride to the donut store that day, so they each had packed a few dollars, which is great because I never take money with me.  It was just enough to get them some food they wanted from the store and take in the air conditioning for 45 minutes.  Rozlyn felt way better and wanted to finish riding home.  I was more determined to just wait for Chris to come pick us up.

We had just gotten back on the road when Chris said he was on his way.  I told him we were good before glancing over to see blood everywhere!  Mason had a bloody nose and apparently had it for a little bit before I noticed.  It looked like something way more exciting had happened to him then just riding his bike.  He doesn't like blood, at all.  So he would switch hands, then arms, then elbows, to whatever part of his body was still clean to try and plug his nose.  I told Chris to come find us and bring some wipes and tissues.

It was way more adventurous then I had bargained for.  Chris never gets to experience this kind of excitement.

Tomorrow morning I'm going to sit on the couch and read while Chris takes them out.