I ride my Bicycle

Last year when C and I got this handsome devil:

we came up with a game plan. Since Spek was still only 4 months old and needed to go outside...a LOT...we agreed that C would do the middle-of-the-night walkings, while I would do the mid-day walkings. It made sense. Although I didn't drive to work and C did, C worked 30 miles and about 40 minutes away, so it was just unreasonable for him to do it. I work about 1.2 miles away. And there isn't an easy way to get to/from other than walking. I don't live OR work near a metro, and there are no bus lines that go conveniently from Georgetown to the part of Rossyln where we live. I love walking, don't get me wrong, but its still at least a 20 minute walk, and when you factor in time to change before and after the walk (I sweat at the first sign of physical activity. Even when I'm in great shape. Always have, always will), it would leave me barely 10 minutes to spend some quality time with pup during my lunch break, before I had to head back to work. That just wasn't enough play/pee/exercise time for a little puppy in the middle of the day. Putting him back in his cage when I had to leave broke my heart (note: it still does). 

So we (I) decided that I should get a bike to make the trip quicker. C has a bike that I could have used, but my short legs (I'm 4'-11") could barely reach the pedals when I was on it. Not fun. I knew I didn't want to spend a ton of money, it was just a short commute after all, but I didn't want something that would fall apart on me after my 10th ride. So I looked and I looked until I found a sweet deal on this little thing:

A Schwinn Frontier GS. It was a 2009 model, so it was on sale, and a Labor Day sale made it even cheaper. And? It came in an XS frame size. Perfect!

So my trips with pup became longer, we were able to play more, he could eat a bit of food, take a longer walk, and just spend more time together. Just the 2 of us. 

When winter came, I stopped riding. Mainly because I'm a huge cold wuss, but also because he just didn't NEED a mid-day walk anymore. Our mid-day walks became less pee-centered and more "Mommy I don't want to go inside yet. I'll lay on the ground and you'll have to drag me inside because I won't go. I won't." See also:

 

But now that the weather is nicer, and my walks TO work just make me sweaty, I figure its time to break out old Schwinny and start riding again. I won't be going home to pup at lunch still, but if I work through lunch I can leave earlier and spend more time after work with him anyway. Its a good trade off. 

I own the custest dog ever.

This is Spek's typical position on the drive home from Corey's parents house or the dropzone. If someone is int he passenger seat, he'll either be on their lap, or in this same position in the back seat. He get so worked up when we're at either of those places that he just sleeps the entire drive home. And if he does wake up and starts moving around, its pretty much guaranteed that its because he has to pee. He's predictable like that.

This is his favorite position when I'm home at lunch trying to get him to pee. He sits or lays in the grass and wants me to pull him down the hill. Then he runs back up and makes me do it again. He does the same to Corey when he gets home in the afternoon. He's definitely an outdoor dog.

This was last Saturday at the dropzone. It was a busy day for both of us. I packed over 40 rigs, and Spek did A LOT of exploring. After the first night jump, we went in for a rest. I took this to send to Corey while he's away, and fell asleep a short time later. Spek slept just like that- on my chest/stomach- for a good 3 hours before moving. He's just like Dad ;)
I miss you Corey.

Things Spek Learned Today

How to move Corey's pillow out of the way so he can lay where Corey does.

The handle to Corey's travel toiletry bag is super fun to chew!
Ms. Snakes cage is wood! And chewable!
The battery and wires to Corey's computer can be picked up and I can drag them around!
What's inside this big white bowl? Maybe I'll climb up and see.
If I claw at the bedroom door, maybe Erin will let me in.
The handle to Erin's purse is leather. And chewy!!I can jump on the papazon!
If I pretend I'm playing with the tennis ball Erin will leave me alone for a few minutes so I can find more stuff to chew.
If all else fails and she locks me in the bathroom with her, I'll just chew her feet!!

Puppy!

So..... C and I got a puppy. A 4 month old beagle, who we named Spek. His face is tan, his belly is white, and his back is mostly black with some grey and white. And he has a white spot on his back. We adopted him from Washington Animal Rescue League on Sunday, after going to look as some puppies on Thursday. We had known we wanted a beagle, and were pretty sure we wanted a male. But we were concerned about the noise problem that is so common in beagles. When we found out that Spek was pretty quiet (relatively!), we thought he'd be a great fit. We played with him for a little while, then filled out an application and went home to talk about. I think we were both a little afraid of making "the decision" because it is a big commitment. But I think we can do it. I think we'll be good parents to him.

This is him sleeping in Corey's arms on the way home from the shelter. He was already pretty pooped. He does a lot of sleeping, but he also loves playing- wrestling, playing with Lamb, his chew toys (which are sometimes our fingers), following us around the apartment, and ignoring his food.

The only real "problems" that we have with him right now are his lack of appetite and as a result, his lack of pooping (or 'eliminating' as all the doggie books call it). He won't eat his food (except for the time I hand fed it to him), he won't take treats after he potties, and he doesn't seem to be interested in snacks. Beagles are supposedly very food motivated, but I think we got a defective one, because he has no desire to eat!

I'll try to update frequently with his growth, progress, etc. He's a cutie and we're going to love him and love sharing him with you!