Webster Visits Uncle Gary

Last weekend, Webster got the opportunity to visit his Uncle Gary's digs in Hawthorne. Gary's condo is way up on a hill and has terrific views of the city. It was a crystal clear night and we could see all the way down Manhattan to the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

Really like your couch - sectionals are my favorite...

And it's my color...

And the running fit begins...

Let's put this sofa through its paces...

Soft but durable...

Great traction...

Hey! I see a little tasty treasure ...

Yum!

A little relaxing before dinner.

Hey Gary ... dinner was great!!

Gary ... I've become you...

Kisseees...

Ah yes, and a fun night was had by all!

Happy Birthday Webbie!!

Webster is celebrating his 6th month birthday today and was lucky to have a lovely dog day with his dad. While celebrating on one of his many backyard outings he decided to demonstrate for the camera the brand-new, never-seen-before (except by his parents) Webbie Kong On a String game. Actually, it's this Weimaraner's adaptation of his trainer Kathy Santo's idea that tying a string through a kong and swinging it around you makes a great dog game. For most dogs. Except Weims. At least this Weim...

After the first couple of sessions with the new toy Webster decided the game needed a little modification and used his ingenuity make a few revisions. Instead of going for the kong, Webster clamps his alligator jaws on the string and prances around the yard like a bucking bronco, gleefully swinging the kong from side-to-side, restricting his ability to see where he's going and bashing himself in the head more than a few times in the process (it's a little kong, he's a big dog), Weimie ears flying in the air all the while.

It's a belly laugh for sure. Film at 11.

Webbie's Good Friends Pay a Visit

Today, Debbie and Barry Greenfield - charter members of Webster's Biggest Fans Club - paid the not-so-little dog a visit, just a bit more than a week before the boy's 6-month birthday. After the humans had brunch at Brady's at the Station (the old Trackside Inn) in Ramsey (which, BTW, was pretty terrific and something we would definitely do again) the Greenfields came to the Webster's digs to pay a friendly visit. As always, Webbie was thrilled to see them and was his usual genial host. The last time Debbie and Barry saw the boy was July 4th weekend when they came by to see Ma & Pa during their visit here. Both dog and fans were thrilled to see each other and all had a good bit of quality playing time.

The Greenfields brought Webbie this toy just after he first arrived in his new home - it remains one of his all-time favorites.

Barry with Webster: A little good ol' tug-o-war never hurt anyone...

Debbie holding the fleeting dervish.

What we did on our Labor Day weekend

Our version of a partyin' Labor Day weekend is a bit different than most people's. No grillin,' no chillin,' just drillin' and sawin' with a little demo-in' thrown in for good measure. We figured the replacement of our old worn-out pass-through door between our garages would be reasonably straight-forward (we will NEVER learn). Once the door arrived, we realized that it was 3/4" taller than the original door. Since it sits on a concrete floor, the only thing to do was to cut the header. And, we realized the door was 3/8" wider than the original - we're installing between cinder block and brick ... it's just now starting to get fun. So, after grinding the cinder block, chiseling away the stucco on the front of the brick (we forgot to mention that), peeling up the soffit and pulling down the plywood and wood box that was behind the aluminum door header fascia - and so many dry fits we had no skin left on our knuckles - we installed the new door. Barely enough room to shim on either side. Opens and closes like butter. Always a party at 592; just remember to bring your tool belt ... and a bottle of Ibuprofen.

Old door - brown paint peeling, looks like old Peter Tumbledown's.

The rough opening from hell.

New door in place. We still have to fix the aluminum soffit. Of course, now that we've ripped this all out, we see the need for a light over each garage door AND the pass-through door. So we get to do some wiring before we get to replace the siding. (Did I mention party?)

Even from the inside, looking good. We have a keyless entry now too. (Umm, what was that combination?)

Buffalo Bone for Webster

Yum!

Webster's First Great Farming Adventure

On Saturday, Aug. 15, Webster and his parents went to Honesdale, PA, to visit good friends Tom & Gloria. Honesdale is in northeast PA about 95 miles from Mahwah. It was a beautiful sunny day for a drive and Webster was his usual terrific dog self the entire trip: the good traveler; the good guest; the very patient tourist; even the very good boy on the drive home. (He reserves his Monster persona for home.)

Tom & Gloria were very gracious hosts and showed us all around Honesdale and its surrounds - quite an historic area. Below is a picture of Farmer Webster posing next to a 1940s Farmall tractor in working condition and ready for sale, conveniently situated in Tom's & Gloria's front yard.

Click here to see more photos from our little Saturday adventure.

Webster's First Dog Show Experience

Webster participated in his first Confirmation Show event, an AKC sanctioned match show, at Kings Park, N.Y. (on Long Island) on Sunday, August 9, 2009. It was his first show experience and we are very pleased with how well Webbie adjusted to the very strange surroundings of the dog show. While he had his moments, he was a very good boy. He went on to win Puppy Sporting Group 1st, handled by his breeder, Linda Hartheimer, thanks to her unbelievable skill, support and patience. We are very proud of him and grateful to Linda for all her efforts.

A little rest before stacking practice...

My first handling class with Mom...

I really like all the judges!

In the show ring with Linda, being judged for the first time...








Getting to be a pro at stacking...

My first winning picture!

Freckles

NEWS FLASH: In case you hadn't noticed, Weims get freckles when it rains. This is the little-studied phenomenon of raindrops falling on a Weim and their furs becoming darker where the drops hit. Sometimes these drops can last quite a while, depending on the dirtiness of the dog. We had Webbie out in the rain to do his peas and he got the freckles from the rain, so we thought we should capture it for posterity. (He didn't do his peas until much later ... he doesn't like the rain at all...)

Webbie's Third Studio Sitting

Webster's growing like a weed. 18 weeks today, and 35+ pounds. Webster sneaks up to the studio all the time (it's his favorite place) and so we figured it was time to shoot some new shots.

Webster Bliss

Apparently, sitting (or laying down) for a shoot is OH SO BORING