I think he clearly doesn't like it...

To convince you of my opinion that Leo likes it.

I think he likes it...

Seriously?

What do you think, is Rambo more of a pink passion or electric blue?

Kitty Wigs

To be fair...

...she's big, but she's also really good at condensing herself.

Big

You know you have a big dog when...

...she can't fit on the human sized couch anymore.

Eating Peanut Butter

Whenever we empty a peanut butter jar, we save it for the dogs. And when we get two, well, it's like doggie heaven. Charlie and Ella have very different peanut-butter-jar-cleaning techniques. As you can see, Ella uses her giant paws to hold the jar while Charlie utilizes the butt in the air technique (it's not clear to me how this helps, but it must).

Awwwwww....

Every night when Alex goes in to work on his computer, Leo dutifully follows him. Why? Because it's his opportunity to give Alex a hug. He never misses it.

The Menagerie

We're watching Enzo for the week while Rachel and Dave are in Europe. Yesterday, we also took Ruby for the afternoon while Mike was at work. What a bunch of cute dogs.

Ruby

This weekend Rachel, Heather and I accompanied Tory and Mike to the Detroit Zoo which was hosting a Pet Adoption Event. Basically, all the rescues in Michigan gathered together their animals and set up camp outside the entrance to the zoo. There were so many adorable animals up for adoption. I managed to come away without adopting anything and only got tears in my eyes once (pretty good for an emotional pregnant lady), but probably only because Mike and Tory didn't. It was actually quite nerve wracking--they found the perfect puppy almost right away but when they went to fill out the adoption paperwork they found that the rescue wanted to actually speak with their landlord to be sure puppies were allowed on the premises. Tory couldn't get her landlord on the phone so we had to leave the puppy there! We were sure someone else would swoop in and take her away. To pass the time until the landlord called we went to the zoo. By 5 O'clock we hadn't heard from the landlord but by some miracle the sweet puppy was still available! Later that night the landlord finally called and Tory was able to make all appropriate arrangements so she could go pick the puppy up the next morning. She's sooo cute!

Tory posted some pictures on facebook (here), but for those of you who don't have facebook profiles or aren't "friends" with Tory here are a few cute ones.

Cats and Sheets

Every time I try to make a bed in this house the cats come running. They're just certain that the only reason I would be throwing sheets in the air is to entertain them. When Olivia was here earlier this month they were in an especially playful mood. We took a few video clips of the two of them.

Wet, Happy Dogs

Need I say more? (photos courtesy of Olivia during her Ann Arbor visit)

What Are Those Things?

The other morning Alex went out early in the morning to collect wasp nests for the Tibbet's lab where he worked over the summer. He brought the wasp nests plus the wasps back in clear Tupperware containers and stacked them on the table while he got ready to go up to school. Leo must have heard the occasional thud when a wasp flew into the side of the container. Ever the curious one, he began a thorough investigation. He's not allowed on the table, so he had to conduct said investigation from the floor. Fortunately, he's just tall enough to peek over the top of the table when he stands on his back legs.

After about 20 minutes of this, Alex and I took pity on him and put one of the containers on the floor for easier access. Once it was on the floor, Rambo took notice and together the two of them puzzled over the curiousity for another half an hour. Mind you, I kept a close eye on them--you never know when a cat will be struck with genius and figure out how to open Tupperware.

Rambo and Ella

You wouldn't know it from everyday activities, but apparently Ella and Rambo are secretly best friends. After I went to bed the other night, Alex caught them cuddling on film.

Ella's Bed

A little background for this post. When Alex and I got Charlie we made a big deal out of not letting him on the couch unless he was invited. Then Ella came along and for some reason we didn't make as big a deal out of it (the younger sibling always gets off easy, or so Olivia tells me). If she's on the couch and you want it, she'll immediately get down, but if there's room on the couch she doesn't need an invitation to fill it up. She sort of thinks of it as her bed. I know for a fact that she sleeps there every night because of the hair and dust she leaves behind. It's not a big deal because we have covered the couch with sheets, so she's not getting the actual couch dirty. Charlie is a little more reserved about it--he only does it during the day when we're gone and will only join us on the couch if we really convince him. Anyway, the dogs aren't allowed on the bed without invitation either. Unlike the couch, this rule actually still gets enforced. BUT, Ella and I also have this little routine we do every night around bedtime. Since I usually hit the sack before Alex, I invite Ella onto the bed for 5 minutes before Alex kicks her out. She loves it and feels very special.

So last night, I was laying on the couch watching the Olympics. Eventually I started to fall asleep I decided to go to bed. When I went in the bedroom, who should be all curled up on the bed but Ella. She had obviously wanted to lie on the couch but found it otherwise occupied by me. So, instead of laying on the cold, hard floor she just skipped ahead to the part of the evening where I go to bed and she gets invited to come with me. She was very cute and as I'm sure you all know, it's really hard to discipline dogs when they're being adorable. So I let her stay. I thought she might move when I started to make the bed but she didn't. She just let me make the bed over her and then went right back to sleep. What a spoiled dog we have. I'm very curious to see what she decides to do tonight...

The Shoebox is Alive

I was startled the other day when a shoebox in the kitchen reached out and bit me. Then I looked a little closer.

Rambo Cools Down

I got the cooler out yesterday in preparation for a day at the beach. I left it open and when I came back into the room I found it magically full--of cat. I should've known.

Naptime

For everyone.

Ella Is Still Cute

Just in case you were wondering...

Leo Hates Me

I guess I can't blame him! If only he knew it was for his own good...

They All Have Fleas!

!

Aaargh!

This is what happens when I try to work at home. Note that I took this photo using the built in camera on my laptop. Obviously I am having trouble getting any work done on it (and yes, I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that I'm sitting in an easy chair).

Swimming

Ella's a natural. See for yourself...

Pure Joy

Bark

Our friends Mike and Kate who live in Washington DC are the proud parents of a Boston Bulldog named Bark. She is the most adorable dog. And what a personality. Kate likes to get her riled up by talking to her through an empty toilet paper tube. She makes the funniest growling noises (Bark, not Kate). I know Ella and Charlie would love to play with her.