February begins and Ryder's Arrival

Happy Sunday!  With the arrival of February earlier this week, we are officially halfway through Winter and quickly moving toward Spring.   By the end of this week, our sunset will be after 6pm.  I am looking forward to the longer daylight hours and the coming of Spring.  I'm really hoping to have some fun adventures to share with you in the coming weeks.

This week seemed so much better than the past few weeks because I think we've finally settled into a good routine.  I think the improvement in the weather and the later daylight have also helped.

Before we watched the Lions playoff game last Sunday, I got the girls out for a walk and some training.  I love using all of the distractions of the pet store to work on their listening skills.

Monday we were able to get out for a morning walk, a lunchtime walk, and a short walk after work.  This allowed me the opportunity to get some things done after work that I just haven't had time to do lately.  This also gave the girls the chance for a good round of chase in the backyard.while I was busy.

Tuesday was a busy day for me at work and  I made my now normal Tuesday afternoon visit to my dad.  By the time I got home it was dark and I didn't have the energy to get the dogs out for a walk, so they ate dinner in one of their puzzles and then I spent the rest of the night with Mina on my lap.

Wednesday was a nice night for walking shelter dogs.  

Verbena and Chase were two of the dogs we walked.   Verbena waited patiently after I harnessed her.

Chase was less patient, but she was a great walker.  She was my walking buddy.

After the walk we spent some time with the dogs who couldn't walk with us.  Aidan Hutchinson was happy for a little attention and a treat.

When I got home, I felt guilty that I hadn't gotten the girls out earlier, so we took a nice walk around the neighborhood.  After our walk, they ate dinner in a puzzle while I made my dinner and the rest of my njght was peaceful and quiet.

On Thursday, I took the girls along with me on the trip to Grand Blanc to visit my dad.  We had a really nice visit and he's really doing well.  Currently we're still waiting for insurance to approve his move to rehab at the hospital so that he can start to build up his strength and get on the path toward being able to go home.   Hopefully he'll make the move early this week.

After our visit, the girls and I took a little drive to pick up a few geocaches around town before it got completely dark and then we jumped on the Expressway to head toward home.  We made a short stop in Durand to get in a walk and potty break and we had a really nice walk around town.

The sun finally decided to show itself on Friday, so the girls and I made an after work trip to Fenner Nature Center to take advantage of it.

We had a really lovely walk along several of the trails enjoying the woods and grasslands.   We saw lots of deer and the girls were taking in all of the smells.  It sure felt good to breath some fresh air and feel the warmth of the sunshine.

Saturday morning I took the girls downtown for a walk to check out Winterfest.  Winterfest is a fun series of events held downtown every Saturday in the month of February.  It kicked off yesterday with a block party.  

There were fun games, ice carvings, hot cocoa and S'mores stations, and much more.

We got there early while they were still finishing the set-up, and got to enjoy the beginning of the event.

We were able to check everything out and even got to see the living statues before we left.  The girls got lots of attention from everyone we saw and loved their little adventure.

I wish we could have stayed longer because it looked like it was going to be a great event, but I had other plans for the day.

After taking the girls home, I headed off to visit my dad.  It was a beautiful day for a drive and we had another nice visit. 

The most exciting thing that happened in our world this week was the arrival of our newest foster, Ryder.  I picked him up from the Oakland County Animal Shelter later yesterday afternoon after visiting my dad, and our evening was fall of anxiousness, excitement, and the start of the adjustment period for all of us as we settle into a new routine and adjust to having someone new in the house.  

I spent some time outside with him and the girls after we got home and he was constantly on the move.  Mina really wanted him to play, but he's not quite there yet.  

He came into the shelter nearly starved because his owner died and no one noticed for days.  He seems to have had some training, but his situation has definitely impacted his current behavior.   He's anxious and needs some time to decompress, but I hope eventually he and Mina will be friends.

He has a perinial hernia that needs repaired and will be moving to Illinois soon for a couple of weeks for surgery and recovery in a temporary foster home, but then he'll head back to spend the rest of his foster time with us.

After a quiet morning of napping this morning, Ryder and the girls spent a significant amount of time outside.  He was very nervous about the neighbor dogs, but was brave and slowly built up the courage to greet them at the fence.

Mina was just waiting for someone to play with her.  

They have been napping this afternoon after eating their lunch and soon they'll all get a Kong and settle in to enjoy them while I finally make a visit to see Fiona, Nicol, and Tyler.  With everything that's been going on, I haven't had a chance to visit them since the the year started.   I'm really looking forward to seeing them.  Fiona is growing up way too fast!

Now I'm off to prepare to leave.  Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday and a good week ahead.