It's a Dog's Life: 10 Things about Tanner

by Tanner

© Carrie Boyko

Trusting Tanner Loves his Girl

When Oliver and Xena voted to write our "10 Things" list, I voted against it. I'm just too busy for all this nonsense. But we agreed to be Democratic about it, so I'm stuck:

1. My family got me from a Golden Retriever breeder who said I was a non-standard pup that was only worthy of a dog-chow fee. I think that translates to "I was cheap". I am taller than all the other Goldens and have a knobby head. Mom likes it, so it doesn't bother me a bit.
2. I've taken more obedience classes in my life than any dog on the planet. Well, maybe. I'm super duper at Down, Stay.
3. I'm happy, curious, fearless, friendly, confident, playful, and a fast runner. Ask any of the dogs at the dog park. "Eat my dust!"
4. Mom says I'm submissive and she likes that. I'm not sure I know what it means, but she always pats my head and hugs me when she says it, so I guess it's good.
5. I walk and swim almost every day. I would stay outside all day long if Mom would stay outside too. I really like being with her.
6. I have a favorite couch that mom let's me sleep on, since I'm well behaved. I guess that means I'll lose that privilege if I don't behave, so I try really, really hard to be a good boy. I promise not to chew on another UNC hat, Dad.
7. My nickname is Houdini because I can open just about anything: chain link fence gates, my front door, our cat's door, Oliver's crate, and our high-security, child-guard gate. So much for high security, huh! It's my job to teach our visitors how to open the gate; most of them can't figure it out.
8. I trust my Mom and Toni so much that I even let them carry me on their shoulders. They never drop me. You can see my picture at the top of this post with Toni, and one with my mom near the top of the blog.
9. Some things I like to do outside are dog park visits, walks, agility practice, biking, hiking, camping, greeting my neighbors in my yard, and....
10. My 2 very favoritist things to do are play fetch and swim. Fetching in water is the bestest of all.

Can we play Fetch now?

Dogs Swimming: How Much is Too Much?

by Xena

Summer days and summer nights. Sometimes we get in the pool too many times and....oopsie.....someone gets the 'runs.' When mommy took us to the doctor we figured out that we were swimming too much--especially Tanner. He drinks half the pool when he goes in it, silly boy.

Dr. M. told Mom that Tanner could swim once a day as long as she rinses him well, dries his ears out, and sprays him with a moisturizer. He thinks it smells girly, but I like it. We both like to be dried off with a towel. It's sorta like a massage. Ahhhh!

Oh well, Tanner. We can play Fetch at the dog park too. That boy can't live without a Fetch game every day. Does your dog play Fetch? My mom likes teaching Fetch. You can read her instructions at Teaching Your Dog to Fetch. It's Tanner approved.

Doggie Play Dates: Tips from Tanner

by Tanner


I'm a friendly guy, so I make lots of friends. Occasionally my mom arranges for me and a friend to get together for a play date. She says it's nice for them to have some time to run errands, or work; but the bestest part is that I get to have some fun with a friend.


The moms always make sure we walk together before we go into the house. All the toys are put away and the rules are set. No food (I'm not sure why, but they said something about preventing food aggression) is a yucky rule, but my mom always brings a special treat for me when I get picked up. What a fun way for mom to get some free time. It's pawsome!