Wow, it's amazing what a few days in a real house will do for a dog. Buddy has accomplished many feats today. The most outstanding one was learning how to go down stairs. If it's raining out or we're crunched for time, instead of a walk, we'll play "fetch the tennis ball" with the resident dog. We make it hard on her by having her run up and down the stairs (it makes for a great work out). Buddy always loves to watch her run up and down the stairs. Finally he decided to take the plunge and try it himself. First he pawed at the step. Next he tentatively put his paw on the first step and then back to the top. Next he tried a few times. Once I realized he was going for the plunge, I whispered to my boyfriend to take the residential dog to the other room and bring me some treats. After a few tries of 4 steps, Buddy Ohio decided to amaze us and went all the way to the bottom. Once at the bottom he went back up and back down. Since then he's had a jolly old time racing up and down the steps.

The retriever in Buddy Ohio came out tonight too. When he was outside to do his business, he disappeared around the side of the house where there isn't a window I could see him. I threw some shoes on and ran outside to check on him. There he was playing in a huge mud puddle having a jolly old time. I wasn't too happy to see him covered completely in mud and drenched from the rain. Since he was already wet and it's been a little over 2 weeks since his neuter, I decide now would be the best time for a bath. So, out comes the hose and the soap. My boyfriend held him while I sprayed and lathered. He was wonderful during the whole bath. My boyfriend kept saying, "Buddy, you're a groomer's dream dog!!!"

Later in the evening Buddy Ohio was watching the residential dog play fetch down the stairs (this is after Buddy conquered stairs). Here I am at the bottom of the steps throwing the tennis ball up. I also have another tennis ball I'm throwing 8 feet for Buddy in the basement Buddy. At first Buddy goes, gets the ball, lays down where he picked the ball up and chomps on the ball. Then after a few times of me getting it and throwing it for him, he gets the idea that if he brings it back to me, I'll throw it for him!!! Even later on, he made an even bigger accomplishment of racing the resident dog up the stairs and beating her to the stairs!!! Way to go Buddy. You show her your new talents of retrieving and stairs.

I promised you all pictures, so here you go. I will let you know Buddy is VERY hard to photograph. As soon as you try to get to his level, he'll run up to you to drool and give you lots of kisses. The only time I can get a picture is after I'm worn him out from playing fetch or him playing with the residential dog!