Olympics and Zoomies

Happy Sunday everyone! This is the last Sunday of July...I keep asking myself where did this month go. Of course, we just spent the last three weeks with new puppies, that might be why time is going by so quickly!

This past week was good. I think it's safe to say that Merlot and Sherlock are now settled in. They have signed up for their new routine in no time and they seem to enjoy it. We have to laugh at how they now expect certain things to happen as certain times of day. We are always amazed at how quickly dogs get things. This is just one tiny example: when they come in from outside on a rainy day or wet from the morning dew, we always make them wait so that we can dry their paws with a towel. Now, they wait even if their paws don't need drying. Smart pooches!

We have also discovered that both Merlot and Sherlock are grass eaters. They love it! Myriam said they were little cows as puppies 😂 They also love, and now expect, their daily mini training sessions. We are currently practicing impulse control...this is especially important for Mr. Sherlock, a true food hound. They are officially registered for Obedience Training, starting September 10, for 7 weeks. It will be fun for them and us.

Our boys get the Zoomies multiple times a day. This morning, they went at it for about 5 minutes, non stop. We were dizzy watching them. Of course, the grass was dewy so they looked like wet rats after they were done. They also enjoy their walks at the park and are getting used to meeting other people. Needless to say, Merlot and Sherlock are giving us much joy and love. They are the sweetest boys and we are blessed to have them in our lives 💕

Now, to some other important news. Russell got called for his knee replacement pre-op, scheduled for August 15. He doesn't have a date for surgery yet but the pre-op will be good for six months. He was told it will likely be in 3-4 months. Very good news!

We watched the Olympics opening ceremony. It was quite spectacular. We are now following many of the events. We wish all athletes the very best of luck. They have worked so hard to get there!

That's my blog for today. Not much on the go this week other than our routine dental hygiene appointments on Tuesday. We are expecting another heat wave for the next five days. Have a great week everyone! I will write again in August.

Sherlock and Merlot on deck, watching
the smoke rising from the grill...
something smells good.

Sherlock trying to chase the squirrel up the tree....
he thinks he can catch that rascal.

Full on relaxation during the evening
TV time.

Merlot found some time to nap on 
the doggie cot.

Bird watching...

Is it time for our mini training session!?

A cardinal feeding its baby, so cute

Purple cone flowers in full bloom.

Cooper and Spicy chilling in this
moment captured July 17th, 2023.

A sunny July morning

Happy Sunday everyone! We are in for a sunny and warm day. More of the same this week. July is coming to an end and it somehow feels like Summer just started.

It's hard to believe that tomorrow will mark two weeks since Merlot and Sherlock joined our family. They have settled in so quickly and have made themselves at home in every way possible. Their antics make us laugh all the time. They are play monkeys during the day and love to cuddle in the TV room at night. We love them to pieces 💕

It was a busy week for our boys. On Tuesday, they both had a bath at Myriam's place. Despite the experience that Russell acquired bathing Cooper and Spicy, he wanted to learn first hand how to bathe Sherlock and Merlot properly as well as how to trim and shape their paws. Nail cutting was also on the agenda. We got a full demonstration from start to finish and it was a well spent three hours. Thanks to Myriam for her valuable tricks. 

They also had their first walks at the park. Both are now discovering new things and it's fun to watch. Merlot is obsessed with birds, forget the squirrels. He watches them from the deck, then goes into the yard to chase them. I don't know how many times he goes up and down those deck steps in one day. It's hilarious. Sherlock, on the other hand, loves to play with his toys and prefers squirrels to birds. He almost caught one the other day. He was even trying to climb the tree to get to the squirrel. When they are not doing something individually, they both wrestle with each other just like puppies do. They play very well together. 

Our friend Pauline got to meet the boys on Wednesday. It was a nice visit and they got new toys. That toy basket is getting pretty full LOL! Merlot and Sherlock also met our neighbour Peter from across the street. Bit by bit, they are meeting new people. It's a good thing. 

We've been doing little fun training sessions every day. They understand the "touch" command. They also do spin and yesterday I got Sherlock to weave between my legs. I will try that with Merlot today. That trick is best done one on one. They both love treats so it makes training easy. Sherlock is especially a food hound! 

So, it's been a full week of doggie fun and love. We did manage though to get some work done in the house and outside. Russell cut the grass and weedwacked. Both Merlot and Sherlock watched from the deck and were intrigued with the noise. I did a little bit of weeding but not much. I have been quite lazy on that front this Summer. I find some of our weeds actually look like lovely ground cover 😂

That's my blog for today. July might be coming to an end, we still have lots of warm weather on the way. Let's enjoy to the fullest. Have a great week everyone!

Could these two have BIGGER smiles...
Sherlock and Merlot are happy boys!

Exploring the backyard....always something new
to discover.

The doggie cot is a favorite hangout for 
Sherlock.

Merlot is a bird dog...he watches the bird feeders
and loves to chase birds once they land.

New sights and sounds...weedwacking sounds
like fun.

Tug of war is always a fun option for these two.

TV time snuggles.

The perfect bench for a little break
on Sherlock and Merlot's first
walk at Edgewater Park.

Day lilies in full bloom.

Spicy and Cooper looked very elegant in this
moment captured on August 16, 2018.

Meet Merlot and Sherlock

Happy Sunday everyone! It's a beautiful sunny and warm morning. Already half way through the month of July. It's crazy!

This past week was filled with excitement as we welcomed Merlot and Sherlock into our home. July 8 will forever be their Gotcha Day! Now it's time to properly introduce these two little munchkins. 

Both are from Amyla Havanese, a wonderful breeder from Notre-Dame-de-l'Ile Perrot, a mere 12 km from where we live. Myriam is the owner and breeder. We got to know her when we moved to Quebec through our Havanese community. We are proud and happy to be able to give a home to those two amazing boys. A heartfelt thank you to Myriam for entrusting us with them. A quote from Amyla Havanese..."Havanese are like potato chips, you can't have just one!" So true!

Merlot, tan colour, was born on May 22, 2023. His CKC registered name is Amyla's Mister It's Five O'Clock Somewhere. He came from a litter of six, 4 females and 2 boys. Myriam had a wine theme going, thus the name Merlot. He has his Canadian Championship and is now working towards his Grand Champion.

Sherlock, black and white, was born on November 9, 2023. His CKC registered name is Amyla's No Schitt Sherlock. He was a singleton....thus the name Sherlock. Sherlock Holmes largely worked alone, that is until Watson came along LOL! He got his last point at the Chateauguay Conformation Show last Sunday and is now a Canadian Champion. 

Russell and I were at their respective shows when they finished their championship. It was a proud moment for us, and of course for Myriam. 

Merlot and Sherlock are 3/4 brothers. Yep, that's a thing even in a dog's world. They are playful and cuddly. They get along well and love to grace us with zoomies. They seem more fascinated with birds than with squirrels, although they have chased a few of those. They have settled in very nicely. Now it's all about discovering new things, noises and surroundings. Both have made themselves at home....it didn't take long for Merlot and Sherlock to find their spot on the couch in the den or on one of the deck chairs. They have met a few neighbours and our friend Errol. They will meet my brother later today. 

They have become used to their morning routine which includes teeth brushing and grooming. Russell hasn't lost a beat. Their coats are still growing and we plan on keeping them full. I haven't done many top knots yet as their hair is still short. We quite like their shaggy look!

We have started a little bit of training.  They totally get the WAIT command. It is useful when working on reinforcing calmness .... those two puppies can be very excitable at times! Merlot and Sherlock are registered for Basic Obedience in the Fall. It will be fun to go back to doggie school again! 

Merlot and Sherlock have brought back the joy and laughter that went missing when Cooper and Spicy passed. Our family is whole again and our hearts are full of love 💕

I leave you with a sample of the hundreds of photos we've already taken LOL! Just for fun, I thought I would throw in a photo of our garden and of course, a throwback pic of Cooper and Spicy. Have a great week everyone! 

Sherlock and Merlot made themselves right at
home on their favorite chair on the deck.

Sherlock loves his giraffe and has quickly
become the champ at 'catch me if you can'
with Merlot in hot pursuit.

Sherlock and Merlot on guard duty!

Merlot and Sherlock keeping an eye on
the Big Green Egg smoker. 

Merlot in an alert but restful moment on
the doggie cot.

Catch me if you can!

A session of tug of war.....

Everyone has their spot in the TV 
room...Russell enjoys the floor!

Side by side besties!

Our friend Errol getting to know the Boys,
Merlot and Sherlock always up for a cuddle and
a photo op.

Cooper and Spicy on BBQ alert,
August 15, 2019.

Day lilies and shasta daisies looking
wonderful.

One more sleep!

Happy Sunday everyone! Another beautiful sunny day on the way. An early morning for us as we're off to the last day of the Chateauguay Valley Kennel Club Dog Show shortly. Our boys will be strutting their stuff. Tomorrow, we bring them home! 

It's been a busy week. We got back from Quebec City on Canada Day. We had a wonderful getaway. The city was packed with tourists from all over the world. The food was delicious, the sites were gorgeous. We walked a lot and, at times, we were grateful for the many benches that the city has to offer.  On Sunday, we witnessed the start of the Transat Quebec St-Malo race. As the sailboats were about to leave, there was a huge downpour that lasted about five minutes. We were on the AML Louis Jolliet boat when it happened. Luckily for us, I had found us a cute little table on the middle deck, protected from the sun and rain. It was amazing to see all those sailboats. We have been following their journey ever since, quite fascinating. As of this morning, the boats are now in the Atlantic Ocean. They should reach St-Malo in approximately 7-10 days. 

We've been busy getting ready to welcome Merlot and Sherlock. Our home looks once again like a doggie home. It's a nice feeling.  One more sleep and we will have eight little paws walking our floors.  We are excited beyond words. My future blogs will again be filled with stories about our boys 💕 

It's a short blog today, a busy day ahead of us. I leave you with some pics from the boat race and a few throwback photos of Cooper and Spicy. Have a great week everyone!

Entrance to a grand hotel, The
Chateau Frontenac.

A torrential downpour just before the start
of the 2024 Transat as seen aboard AML
Louis Jolliet.

Underway with clear bright skies.

Two more competitors with spinnakers
fully engaged.

A final view of the peloton of boats 
as they pass in front of the Chateau
heading toward the Gulf of the
St Lawrence river.

The majestic Chateau Frontenac seen from
the St. Lawrence river.

Something or someone has their attention in this 
moment captured July 9th, 2022.

Cooper hanging on the steps of the
deck waiting for the BBQ to
fire up, July 16th, 2022.

Spicy must have just enjoyed a 
licking of something good,
May 28th, 2022.

Transat 2024 - Quebec City to St Malo, France
under sail power.