The Sparky Chronicles

My nephew Jacob visited his grandparents on Tuesday, and it was clear that Sparky and Jacop wuvvved each other.

Jacob even visited him when Sparky was in the klink.

Sparky was one of four puppies… two black and two brown. Sparky and his littermates are about 9 months old now. Here they were when they were about oh, seven weeks old:

The people who own Sparky’s mom and dad live on a farm. I work with Scott, and his wife Robyn absolutely loves animals and is a big believer in designer dogs. They kept one of the puppies from the litter above and named her Lilli. I think she’s very pretty! No one can match Sparky of course, but she is a doll:

Their new litter of 3 was born to Sparky’s dad and mom about two weeks ago. These pics were taken I think when they were one week old (so last week). Now I know many of you are concerned about people breeding non-AKC dogs when so many dogs in shelters are homeless and put down every year, and I share your concern. But the puppies are here so ignoring their cuteness won’t help anything. Might as well enjoy the cuteness!

And yes, I was really talking to him. Mom and dad said at first he pawed at the phone like I was inside it. Then he ran out into the hallway looking for me.

… then I must be invisible!

Sparky knows when he has a “treasure” that he’s not supposed to have, be it a shoe or a leaf or a stick.  So he’ll sneak his ill-gotten loot past his mom and bring it under the bed, where he can enjoy it without ANY risk of discovery, as you can see in the image above.

My mom told me yesterday that Sparky had a big tick on him! All he does is go in their back yard which is not overgrown at all… it’s only April… yet here we go.

She now justifies the shaving, saying that if it wasn’t for the shaving, she wouldn’t have found the tick.

Looks like we’re at that time of year where we get out the Frontline and do nightly inspections. Even if your pet only goes in the back yard.

Lauren’s dog Jasmine had FIVE after a hike! Yipe!

What is your favorite way to get a tick to back out, so you can just remove its head?

Last year my dad had one on him and did the old hot match thing (which you’re not supposed to do - makes them bite in harder) and his tick head remained in and within 30 days he had a painful infection to the area.

This year on Sparky they used alcohol.

Sparky loves to torment Moose, who basically just watches but occasionally makes a head lunge or two.

For some reason, my mother got the idea that Sparky’s beautiful, long, sleek fur somehow looked “messy” and wanted him shaved.

Since I came back from my visit with Sparky and my parents with over 150 pictures, I decided to pick the best ones and make video montages.

First video is of Sparky doing his favorite thing to do - run in circles in the back yard. Enjoy! (Moose guest stars.)

Rusty gave us an excellent blog award. Thanks Rusty! We like your new blog template too!