Ollie's 4th

Ollie had a really great 4th of July!  It was his first.  He spent most of the weekend in his pool.

He REALLY likes his pool!  He even sat in it after it was emptied, and played with his light up ball.  That was  pretty funny to watch, but unfortunately it was too dark for pictures.

After he dried off, he draped himself over the back of my chair to watch me do laundry.  If he wasn't so slobbery, I'd teach him how to help me with that chore!

And most importantly, he got in some "lapdog" time with me.  All that water play made him tired!

Carpe' diem!

The Chronicles of Oliver Riddick

Earlier this week, we discovered that Oliver was eating the walls in the laundry room.  I guess he was bored, despite all the toys we put in there with him when we are gone.  So he got a new crate to sleep in. 

He always has to "help" Jay

 

I think he likes it.  You can see Maggie checking it out........

Side by side.  Maggie took over his smaller crate on her own. 

On Sunday, Ollie and I will start obedience training and I can NOT wait to teach this goof ball some manners!  So he also got a new harness for me to work with him.  It will attach to the seatbelt in the car, keeping him from leaping around while I drive.  (in theory) We plan a test ride this evening.

He's grinning.  :)

 

I've been trying to catch him carrying his bowl around for some time.  I've been DYING to say "Please, Sir, can I have some more?"  Imagine the cockney accent. 

 

After a long, beautiful day outside on Sunday, both dogs crashed on the couch.  When I said "Okay ,guys, bedtime."  I got nuthin.  As far as THEY were concerned, they WERE in bed already.

Nice try, guys.

Carpe' diem!!

The Chronicles of Oliver Ridick

Oliver got a bath today:

All he needs are some bubbles, candles and wine!

Carpe' diem

The Chronicles of Oliver Riddick

Oliver had a great weekend!  He seems to be settling down a little bit, although we still have a LONG way to go concerning his jealousy of Maggie. Saturday was gorgeous, so both of dogs spent the majority of their day outside.  There was a LOT of ball throwing and retrieving.

He is very sleepy!  Sorry about the sideways picture....Jacob took it on his camera and I don't know how to fix it on here!

Later Saturday night, we decided to watch a movie and pop some popcorn. Oliver LOVES popcorn!  And he is excellent at catching it in his mouth when you throw it to him.

Hurryuphurryuphurryup!

Maybe if he offers his ball to the popper, the popcorn will hurry and be done!

After popcorn, he lost his ball under the couch, so he's "helping" Jay find it.

 

Silly furbaby.

Carpe' diem!

The Chronicles of Oliver Riddick

I caught Maggie sharing the couch with Oliver again.....She doesn't look mad or tense, which is a good thing.  She just may be too tired to care.  At any rate, it was peaceful!  For about 10 minutes.

I can hear my mom in my head saying "I can't believe you let them on your couch!"  But what she doesn't know is, I'll do almost anything for some peace and quiet!!!

Sometimes one of us can snag the couch, but will eventually wind up with a lap full of Golden Retriever, as Jacob found out.....

 

And sometimes, a dog just HAS to have a bucket on his head.  With a tennis ball in it.

 

But mostly, his favorite spot to lay down is in my lap.  Big dogs make great lap dogs! 

Look at that face!!!!!

Carpe' diem!!

The Chronicles of Oliver Riddick......

Look how peaceful they look, friends lying on the couch together............

Until you zoom in on the picture and see the look on Maggie's face.  "just make a move, pup."

Carpe' diem

The Chronicles of Oliver Riddick

Now that my back is healed, I get more floor time with Oliver!  He's discovered that I kind of suck at throwing his ball. When I throw it, you just never know WHERE its going to land.  Last night, it landed on my own head.  So we just gently roll it back and forth to each other.

He doesn't care HOW we play with his tennis ball, just as long as we are playing with it.

And this....this picture below?  THIS is true love....when he gives you his dirty, slimy green tennis ball.  That's love, folks.

Carpe' diem!

The Chronicles of Oliver Riddick.........

Of all the toys, balls and bones available to Ollie, (and to Maggie) his favorite thing to play with is a plastic bucket.  Jake bought it filled with cheese puffs and when he was done, somehow Ollie ended up with it.  He jumps on it, rolls it around and bites it.  And sometimes, he puts it on his head.

I think he wants to be an astronaut when he grows up.  Or maybe a deep sea diver.  I don't know why he likes to put this on his head, but he does it all the time.  This time, Jay was fast enough with his camera that we got it!

No wonder Maggie won't play with him.  She probably thinks he's crazy. 

 

Carpe' diem

The Chronicles of Oliver Riddick

Joy.  This is what doggie joy looks like!  Ollie got a new bone and he was HAPPY!

Happy, happy, happy!!!

 

Until Maggie tried to take his bone:

 

Oh well, it was quiet for a few minutes..........

 

Carpe diem

The Chronicles of Oliver Riddick

Ollie is a cuddle buddy.  The dog is a cuddling MACHINE!  He loves everybody equally and we all get a turn cuddling with him.

Jakes turn.............

Michaela's turn................

My turn.............

He wanted a turn with Jay, but Maggie forbade it!!!

So, he went and cuddled with all his balls.

The Chronicles of Oliver Riddick

Oliver LOVES this old whiffle ball of Jacob's that he found in the backyard a couple of months ago. He also loves the two old tennis balls he found under the deck. We don't play tennis, so I'm not sure where the balls even came from.  For all I know, Jimmy Hoffa might be hidden under the deck. And while I'm glad he found them, now Jay will have to repair the deck.  ::::sigh::::  The thing is, Ollie wants to carry all THREE balls in his mouth at the same time.  He hasn't quite figured out that only 2 are going to fit in there.  Here he is with the whiffle ball. 

See?  There is room for at least 2 balls in his mouth.  Did I mention that he takes this ball in his mouth outside to do his "business"?  We call it his Bathroom Buddy.  Every Golden needs one! 
Since he can't carry all the balls in his mouth, he will bat the other two around with his bad leg, like he's playing soccer. 

Sometimes, a tired puppy just needs to take a nap with his whiffle ball.

If you look really closely, you can see Maggie sharing the blanket with Ollie at bedtime.  She's way in the corner on the left...she thinks no one will see her there.  She has her image to keep up, you know. ;)

Sweet dreams, my furbabies!!

Carpe' diem

Chronicles of Oliver Riddick

Sunday was a gorgeous day to be outside, and Ollie took full advantage of it!  After a busy day chasing balls, chewing sticks and following Jay around the yard, he was ready to settle down that evening.  So he curled up with Jacob on the couch....

Did I say he was busy?  I meant to say he was B.U.S.Y!!!!!!   He was exhausted!

Poor baby can't even hold his head up!

Ollie's misfortune with his leg became OUR blessing.  We are all crazy about this boy!  Even Maggie, although she will NOT admit it. 

Maggie didn't want me to see her laying down with Ollie on their blankets, so she ran to the gate when she saw me.  Don't believe her for a second, she was comfortable with him!

I think he looks pretty happy and content.....

Don't you?
Carpe' diem!!