A Christmas Flashback

Poor Halloween and Thanksgiving. Try as they might, these holidays just can’t stand up to their big brother Christmas. Although Halloween had a decent run (we even got to dress up Forest!) the Marketing Gods have skipped right over Thanksgiving and fast-forwarded to Christmas. TV commercials, marketing displays, and radio ads have already invaded our lives. So, to get in the spirit of the impending holiday frenzy, I submit the following photos and video taken during last year’s Christmas break.

While I visited my folks in Colorado, Nick took Forest on a road trip to Iowa to see his family. They stayed with Nick’s mom, Dee, who had a house full of dogs that Christmas. Besides the reigning doggy king of the household, Vico, Dee’s stepdaughter also brought her dogs Charlie and Brecken to stay with them. Charlie and Vico spent most of their time watching Forest and Brecken fight it out in a never-ending play match.

 

Sorry the video is a little dark, hopefully you can still see the action.

When it was all over, Brecken was one tired puppy.

A Christmas Flashback

Playing with Beagles

Recently Forest played with Brenda and Bret's two beagles, Maggie and Murphy. It was a short play date because all the humans were tired (it was Friday night but we had worked all day, had just eaten lots of Mexican food and had been drinking for at least 5 hours – I won't use the "we're getting old" as an excuse just yet). The doggies played well together; we only had one snarling, biting, "I'm going to eat your face off" moment where they actually fought for 30 seconds before we broke it up. Plus Brenda and Bret have a fenced in yard so Forest was delighted to run around outside off leash.

I know Maggie is a few years old and I think Murphy is technically still a puppy…but I don't remember who is who in these photos (sorry Brenda!).

Forest bopping one of the beagles on the head. "Tag, you're it mother f*cker!"

Forest's a ninja when it comes to stealing toys from other dogs. Here he's using his kung fu skills to slip away with a beagle bone. Anybody know how to fix weird puppy eyes in a photo like this? He looks trippy.

I think this is Murphy howling the beagle battle-cry before pouncing on Forest.

OMG WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY PUPPY? I think he's having a doggy stroke.

I took a video of the dogs playing together. Let's see if my meager computer skills will allow me to successfully attach the file for your viewing pleasure…

"I love beagles."

Playing with Beagles

Tough Puppy

Forest is a tough little shit. Does he freak out when the aloof, neighborhood German Shepherd bolts into our yard with a clear-cut path to my little puppy? Nope, Forest stands his ground and barks like a cranky old canine, "Get off my lawn!" Luckily, he has yet to actually engage another dog in real battle, so I've only observed his fighting skills when he's playing with other dogs. But if he's as serious about fighting as he is about playing, then man, the other dog is fucked.

Our friends Adam and Jessica have a boxer named Vinny. This dog is incredibly sweet but completely oblivious of its size. He won't think twice about lumbering onto the couch for a quick cuddle.

Sorry Vinny, but size does matter and you are not a lap dog.

Last month Adam and Jessica invited us over to their house to watch the Iowa Hawkeyes beat ass in the Orange Bowl game. I tried to be a good fan and watch the game, but I was thoroughly distracted by Vinny and Forest.

Those two went at each other practically non-stop for two hours. It was hilarious.

Forest fought dirty too. I found out he's an ankle biter!

Our friend Dave also brought over his dog Paddy, but Forest and Vinny wouldn't include him in their doggy games.

Vinny had a unique fighting strategy. Every time Forest attacked from behind, Vinny tried to sit on my puppy. 

   Forest is just a big dog who's conveniently trapped in a small dog's body.

Kinda hard to watch a football game when you got this type of ruckus between you and the TV.

"I will eat your foot."

I'm not really sure what Forest is doing in this picture, but Vinny looks concerned.

Forest went home a very happy puppy.

Tough Puppy