A little walkabout

Foster mom is always great about taking me on the best walks. I LOVE long walks.

She took some pics last night while we were walking. I wasn't the most cooperative model, but that's not really the point. I'm a bit fickle when it comes to being camera shy and I'd also rather pay attention to the ground (for sniffing) than to pose for mama.

So this is what she was able to capture:

I've learned to walk calmly on a leash with a prong collar and I very much enjoy our walks - more so now that I'm not pulling Foster mom the whole time :)

Self-portrait

Foster mama and me!

She's got green eyes, I have Cullen eyes - we're a great match, huh? But no matter what color your eyes are, I'll love you all the same. I swear to it with paws crossed!

Being lazy

I am most certainly not a lazy dog, but I have my moments. Again I say, "double-decker dog bed!" It's divine.

Foster mom tricked me big time this morning before she went on a particularly long fence build for the Coalition to Unchain Dogs. I'm a sucker for peanut butter, no doubt. Obviously I still had Z's in me...

Nevertheless, she's assured me there is a dog park visit in our near future!

Refined canine

Foster mom has a scrapbook page titled, "Refined Canine" featuring her Norwegian Elkhound, Bailey, in very similar positions so I think I reminded her of her late buddy.

When I'm really, really sleeping, I tend to migrate towards the positions below. Can you blame me? Don't I look incredibly comfortable?

Love me some rawhide...

Foster mom knows I can shred a rawhide in no time flat, and I love every minute of it. I don't even mind when she bribes me with them.

But what's more impressive is that I am truly pretty good at entertaining myself. Don't get me wrong, if you adopt me you'll need to give me a lot of attention and time (walks, play, etc.), but if there is another playful dog in the home, I can get out a lot of energy via companion play. Zoe and I play/spar non-stop!

As I've said before, I'm adaptable. I'm lovable and a true companion. I offer you unconditional love if you'll give me a chance.

Father's day road trip

Foster mom took me to her brother's house on Saturday so she could rendezvous with her parents for a Father's day celebration on Sunday. She kind of tricked me, as I wasn't aware of my date with a large plastic crate for the day during Sunday, but the arrangements were entirely appropriate and I've gotten over it.

I certainly enjoyed the large fenced yard after my incarceration, so it really wasn't that bad.

Foster mom and her mom hung out with me for quite a while after they got home. I was more than happy to give Foster mom an extreme close-up.

I really am super-friendly and I'd like to become part of your family.

Snug as a bug...

Again I tell you, this double-decker dog bed is heaven! Foster mom told me the first picture reminds her of when she and her brother were kids and played in a claw-footed tub in their basement. I do kind of look like I'm captive in a tub, no?

I'm definitely chillaxing in the second pic as you might notice my right foreleg haphazardly kicked out to the side. So comfy...

This is my coy pose. "Who me? What?!"

Konged out

Foster mom works from home on Thursdays so I usually don't get a Kong treat Thursdays as she saves those for when she has to be away. Presto-chango: Foster mom gave me a Kong treat while she was still home, and wow - she got such a kick out of watching me with my Kong...

After the first several minutes, I've usually reached the lovely treat-filled center of my Kong, but I'm pretty sure Foster mom had no idea about what ensues after that.

I grab the Kong in my mouth, shake it violently, then slam it downwards and then upwards, hoping morsels will fall from way up inside that Kong. I repeat this over and over and over and over. Foster mom found my "Kong behavior" very, very funny.

Foster mom has created some awesomely delicious Kong treats for me. My new favorite (now that I'm no longer on a diet) is pumpkin, vanilla yogurt, peanut butter and flax seed blended and frozen. YUM. And she lets me consume them as I like.

No cats allowed

It's no secret that I've historically exhibited a pretty strong prey drive, but the rash of bunnies surrounding Foster mom's house lately has kicked it into overdrive. If you've seen the movie Up, just think, "Squirrel!" Foster mom's dad even mentioned that line while witnessing my full throttle alert on a recent visit.

Now, don't get me wrong, I am still a gentle dog. I'm officially untested with cats, but having come across one in the neighborhood I did show a bit too much enthusiasm for Foster mom's comfort.

Rest assured, my prey drive has only been exhibited towards cats, squirrels and birds. I absolutely love my tiny foster sister, Zoe (Jack Russell terrier/Poodle mix), who weighs about 8 pounds. That might seem odd to some, but we dogs live through our noses so I can certainly discern a tiny dog from a cat.

I've also been around kids of all ages and have been told I was very well-behaved.

I'm feisty but sweet; independent yet loyal; and truly a fantastic dog who just wants to find my forever home. Fill out an application here if you're interested in making me yours!

More peanut butter please

My dieting days are officially over. Foster mom took me for a weigh-in yesterday and I'm just a hair over 40 pounds now. Woo hoo! Bring on the peanut butter Kongs.

Yesterday was a busy one. Foster mom took me to the adoption event at the Cary Petsmart where it was packed as well as hotter than Hades. I met Bella, a dog that could not stop kissing me. I found that funny since on the way to the adoption event, Foster mom turned around and told me my amber eyes are Edward Cullen-ish.

As per usual, while in route to and from our destination I spent some time resting my head on the rear seat of Foster mom's car. She took the photo below on our way home. (Off-centeredness due to Foster mom's responsible driving and therefore lack of aim/focus).

But we also took a couple of detours so Foster mom could take me to meet her most favorite veterinarian in the world, who is no longer going to be practicing in Durham after next weekend. (Foster mom is quite upset about that).

Here I am in the Starbucks drive-thru. This was taken just before I made an attempt to jump over the back seat. The girl at the window asked if I was trying to say hi, so I answered with a bark (yes). She told Foster mom that I am a super cute doggie, but I didn't blush because I know it's true!

Date Saturday

I'll be at the Cary Petsmart this Saturday from 10 am until 12 pm. Please come meet me and the other BFPA dogs and puppies who will be there.

Also, Foster mom found it quite funny that her god daughter Sydney (3-years-old) picked up on my nickname originally given to me by my first BFPA Foster mom Carol. By the end of the evening on Tuesday night, Sydney was also calling me "Russell T."

Sunday afternoon snuggle

Foster mom barely had the chance to catch these pics of me snuggling with Zoe in our tiny dog bed yesterday afternoon. She was lucky her camera was nearby, because once I realize I'm about to be photographed I often skedaddle or walk right up to her and sit by her feet - usually too close for a photo.

I don't remember when the small bed landed on the large bed, but it makes for an extra-cushy place to snuggle!

Beauty shots

I wasn't really cooperating when Foster mom tried to take some pics of me Friday night. I can't help it! When I hear my name I want to go towards her.

Therefore, a few "goof" shots became what she decided to label "beauty shots." The first one is my extreme close-up. Yes, I know I have lovely white teeth, thank you.

The second shot is my profile. I hope you'll notice my pretty merle "collar." I think it's kind of cool. It gives me some natural bling!