Time for KoKo again 02-13-20

My heart truly belongs to KoKo.  He tries to be a good dog and is very loving, which requires my time off and on all day.  He has turned into a slug-a-bed, just like me and finds it hard to get up and go for the morning walk.  When he has to go to the groomer he shakes from the minute I turn onto the street that goes there.  He KNOWS what is coming, but what bothers him the most I can't tell.  Is it the bath, the dryer, the actual trimming, or all the dogs running around loose?  He isn't very social because he has never needed to be.   Today was as traumatic as always and when we came home he ate a treat and flaked out in the sun. 

Usually he doesn't like to have me taking pictures, but he hardly opened an eye today.  He was worn out by his trip to the groomer.

He has not been able to play with Froggy for over a week because Froggy is in bad shape.  I need to try to do surgery and perhaps even add some skin.   I suppose all dogs are rough with their toys, that is what they are for, I imagine. He has been playing with Woodstock and managed to pull off a leg!  

So Woodstock has surgery scars now. 

Anytime I am "operating" on one of his little friends, he is right there to give support. 

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Learning to sew 12-28-19

KoKo does seem to want to sew.  Now he is closely observing Froggy's operations.  Maybe he will be able to do it himself one day. 

See the needle just to the right of his ear.

Sticking his nose in wherever he can. 

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Waiting 11-07-19

Everyday he waits for the mail lady and then goes berserk.  He sometimes lays here to enjoy the sunshine.  I don't know where he had left Froggie, usually he is nearby. 

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Still sewing 10-05-19

Finished the binding and the sleeve on the snowman quilt today.  It is only about 14", but I haven't done a traditional binding for a very long time and it was a re-learning process.  Looks good, though.  

An unusual occurrence was that I finished what I needed of the red thread with this much left.  Doesn't happen very often.  More frequently I seem to run out about three feet short. 

KoKo was right there watching over things.  Until he got bored and wanted down.  He fetched Froggie and wanted me to throw him.  Hard to sew and throw a frog, eh? 

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That KoKo dog again. 09-17-19

I think Froggie is more of a pal than a toy, KoKo always keeps him close.  But sometimes he roots around in his toy box and pulls out something to play with.  One of his favorites is Ducky who has been with him for at least four years.  Of course, he has needed surgery and even had his squeaker replaced.  KoKo will throw him up in the air and then pounce on him wherever he lands.  His inner terrier comes out and he shakes Ducky almost to pieces. 

KoKo sleeping in his "don't let Del move away" position wedged between the table and my chair leg. 

How does he know when he is asleep that I am taking his picture?

Sometimes he even sleeps with Ducky, but Froggie is somewhere on the chair with him. 

KoKo is such a good companion and a well behaved dog.  He lights up my life!  And he forces me to walk about an hour every day. 

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I survived the 9 hours behind the wheel 07-20-19

Such a trip!  I've driven I-5 (and US-99 before I-5 existed) dozens of times, maybe even forty times before, but the traffic this time was just astounding.  I'm glad we are here at Mabel and Mac's peaceful house with the fabulous woodland to enjoy out the large windows on the back of the house.  They seat me at the table so I can look out and relax.

KoKo seems to be acclimating okay.  He will take Froggie to Mac or Mabel to throw for him and he doesn't seem to have any desire to run outside.  He had his two walks up the street and around the curve and did his business just like usual.  And we walked out back in the woods a bit in the afternoon.  All with his harness and leash, of course.  

Washington rabbits are not very skittish.  We passed this one when we were walking downhill and it was still sitting there when we came back.  Didn't seem to mind KoKo until we were within about five feet, then it took off.  And KoKo was only mildly interested in the rabbit. 

I cropped this picture, much lighter color than Placentia rabbits. 

KoKo waiting patiently along the road while I take pictures.  Douglas Fir trees and Cedars in the background fill the lots around the houses.  

And now it is time to sleep again (the vet told me that is the dog's job).  Froggie is on the bed also, but he is very tired because he had more extensive surgery this evening.  Poor guy there is almost nothing left to sew to, he now requires under "skin" to  close up the holes.  

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It is another KoKo picture 07-06-19

KoKo is not happy.  

Froggie is trapped again. 

He is caught in the recliner. 

And KoKo can't pull him out.  

Where is mom?  

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KoKo and Froggie again 06-09-19

Oh, NO!  Guess who didn't jump in time. 

A worried KoKo.  What is my Froggie doing in there?

Kisses don't help.  Mom, get him out of there. 

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KoKo and Froggie 05-14-19

KoKo stayed with Cherie and Jim in Placentia while I was at Empty Spools.  He has stayed with them before, but two weeks might have been excessive.  However, they seemed to enjoy his company and he seemed to be a happy boy with them.  It is so special to have someone who will look after him as if he were their own.  Thanks, Cherie and Jim.  

One of Froggie's wounds shows in this image.  

Poor Froggie needed more surgery tonight.  A sort of skin graft where there is little to attach it to.  I will use some green fabric pen to tint the carpet thread that doesn't come in green.  If I leave it the light color he will pick at it with his teeth. One doesn't want to let a busy doggy loose with a tied quilt as they will sometimes remove the ties with their sharp teeth.    Froggie is looking sort of like a Frankenfroggie, isn't he?  

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KoKo again 03-23-19

KoKo poses in his chair.  Along with Froggie, of course.  Froggie is going in for surgery tonight, not a lot of unpatched skin to sew to though.  Still looking for a Froggie II.  

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Froggie got tossed 11-06-18

I've never been good at throwing or catching.   But since I have KoKo to throw for I have improved.  I can throw the length of the hallway across the front of the house - about 20-25 feet.  Of course, if I don't throw straight the object (usually Froggie) hits something before it gets where I intended.    Don't know how this one went so far astray, the first time he has been in the fan!   Used my trusty retrieving stick to get him down.  The retrieving stick is a dual purpose tool and gets things from high or low or under, and it also measures when I need to measure.   Of course, it is limited to a yard, after that I have to find a broom!  

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Time for more KoKo 10-23-18

KoKo presents Duckie for a throw.  But Duckie is to light to fly very far. 

Not interested in another toss. 

So, he loves Froggie and sits on Duckie.   He has lots of toys, but loves Froggie most.  After Froggie he chooses Duckie, Monkey, and Snake.  What goes on in his little head? 

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Where is Froggie? 10-10-17

"Where," asks KoKo "is my Froggie?"

"Oh, NO!" 

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