Lack of Pictures

I am such a bad Lab mommy! A whole week of vacation and the only pictures I was able to get of my Labs was of them sleeping in our backseat on the way to Florida. I thought I had more and I did - the problem is that they were all blurry because the Lab Brats wouldn't stay still for even one moment. If they weren't running up and down the "river" of water in the front yard, they were playing with their doggy cousins or the neighbors dogs in the backyard. Alas, my apologies on the lack of pictures... but the Lab Brats did have an awesome time... I swear!

Dakota and Cheyenne would like to thank all the wonderful pups in Florida that made their trip extra special: Jesse (Rott/Russel Mix), Isaac (Schnauzer), Cloe (Lab mix), Max (Pom), Dutchess (Poodle), and another tiny poodle that has a name that keeps escaping me. *laugh* Each one greeted our dogs with nothing but friendship and made the time at our cousin's house even more enjoyable! Thanks to these wonderful dogs and we hope to see you soon!

Lab Brats on Vacation

The Lab Brats have informed me that they are on vacation and refuse to let their pictures be released until after the have had time off to review any pictures before posting to the public. They feel that posting their pictures prematurely will allow for gossip to surface about mud wrestling, wet t-shirts, and girls on their backs while exposing themselves in a less than lady-like fashion. Their reputation means a lot to them and they don't want any humans nor dogs to start thinking they are party girls on a vacation binge.

As their public relations representative, I must convey their wishes and hope that you respect their decision and right to privacy. The Lab Brats will allow posting of their vacation photos after they have reviewed them over the weekend. So, please feel free to check back on Monday for pictures and updates.

*snicker*

(Honestly, the Lab Brats' daddy refuses to let me let them run up and down in the "dog river" found at the front of the house again in order to take "muddy and fun" pictures for posting. Not to worry though, I think I am close to getting him to change his mind. *wink*)

Mud Dogs

The Lab Brats did remarkably well on the car ride from Wisconsin to Florida. We all arrived safe and sound and although Dakota really didn't want to get back into the car once we hit Kentucky, she was a trooper through and through.

So how are the Lab Brats doing now? Very well now that it rained last night. Why? Because our cousin has a long rain drain (divot along the road). When walking the dogs this morning, I left them off the leash in the front yard and the Labs took off running up and down the water filled "private" river that formed over night. Up and down they ran... up... down... up... down... water splashing all around them and loving the freedom and warmer weather.

Of course, as I was drying them with towels, I noticed that it was not only water but mud as well. *laugh* So the pups got an outdoor shower and are throwing a fit that they have to stay outside in the huge backyard in the warm sun to dry off. I know, I am just a mean, mean mommy! *laugh*

PS - Unfortunately, I didn't know they were going to have so much fun so I didn't bring my camera. I promise Lab Brats pictures from Florida soon. :)

2 Days of Doggy Daycare!

Can you see me jumping up and down with excitement? I am! I truly am!

Tomorrow night my husband, the Lab Brats, and I will begin our journey from the cold and freezing weather of Wisconsin down to the warm and toasty shores of Florida - by car. That's around 24 hours in a Saturn Sedan with two 80lbs Labrador Retrievers in the backseat. *laugh*

Lost our minds, have we? Not at all! Once the car gets going the Lab Brats will lay down until we make our next stop. Since we are driving straight through, we figure Dakota and Cheyenne should be made extra tired to sleep most of the trip. No, no doggy sedatives for this family. We are all natural! We have... doggy daycare!

Normally our dogs go to doggy daycare on Thursdays but since this week is special and we need to tire out the pups, they get today and tomorrow! Yep! Two whole days of doggy daycare will tire them out so well that we may need to wake them when we get to Florida! *laugh*

Yes, they are spoiled dogs but they are worth it. They are the Lab Brats!

See you in Florida!

Pet Tags and Traveling

The Lab Brats and family will be heading on a 24-hour drive from Wisconsin to Florida next week and as the snow falls, we couldn't be more excited.

However, preparing for a long trip with "fur kids" can make any doggy parent nervous. What happens if they get lost along the way or something happens to them? Well, being one of those nervous parents, I decided that instead of hanging every one of the Lab Brats 5+ dog ID tags around their neck, I would simplify. (Yes, the girls have that many: city license, dog park license, rabies, microchip, contact information, etc.)

If your dog is microchipped, then here is my recommendation. Get a new dog tag for your pup at any pet store (usually around $6.50 a tag) and have 3 lines engraved: Dog's Name, Your Cell Number, and the word "Microchip" in parentheses. When your furry baby is found, the person will know what to call it, have your cell phone number so they can contact you no matter where you are, and know to bring your dog to the local veterinarian to have it's microchip scanned for all other crucial information such as address and your vet's contact information.

In keeping with this, the Lab Brats each got new reflective collars to not only wear on their nighttime walks locally but wear during the entire trip to keep them well seen. (Remember, they are chocolate and blend into the night well) Hanging from their collars is a single dog tag with the information listed above. Of course, their other dog tags will be coming along with us but we will keep those in the glove box should the need arise. Otherwise, the dogs will now be safer along the trip without a bunch of clanging and weight around their necks... which, needless to say, makes this nervous Lab mom very happy!