Rhodesian Ridgeback Art

Hey everyone, my Mom and I just discovered this GRRREAT Northwest artist (Karen McClelland) that paints pictures of dogs. In fact, she has quite a few pictures of Rhodesian Ridgebacks just like me. My Mom really wants to get a couple for our house so in the coming months she may be ordering some of Karen McClelland's prints or maybe she will just put them on her wish list and be really good this year for Santa....who knows, she could do anything. Don't worry, Karen also has pictures of other breeds too, but the Ridgeback ones are really something to bark about. ;) Just teasing...they are all great! You will find the Rhodesian Ridgeback ones under Hounds plus she has Sporting, Herding, Working, etc.....many more groups of dogs to choose from. To check out the beautiful artwork click here or if you go to the links on my page you will see NW Ridgeback Club...click on that and then under their links you will find an art section and you can find the amazing paintings there as well. Happy doggy painting shopping!

Love,
Nala

Hangin' with my DOGS!

Meet Missy

Wow, what a busy weekend I had....I had a birthday PAWty, play dates, my Uncle Joel and my new human friend (Jason) came over to visit, and my friend Missy came over and spent two nights with me. Missy is a very sweet girl, and we had lots of fun going to play dates and stuff together. We even played in my backyard a little. My Mom attempted to take us on a walk at the same time, and lucky for her we were feeling calm that day. ;) It took her awhile to figure out the leashes but once she got it we had a great walk. Thanks for coming over Missy...can't wait to see you again.

Treat Bag Tactics

I got my treat bag from Samson's birthday PAWty! YUM-YUM!

Happy Birthday Samson!!!

Happy Birthday Samson! Yesterday was my friend, Samson's, 6th birthday party! He's the handsome Irish Setter with the beautiful hair. :) We all met out at Ringer Loop and ran around in the field. I had a great time, and Samson's human sister, Anna, is the best stick finder ever. She would find sticks and then give them to us to play with...thanks Anna! Also, Samson's Mom made us all some YUMMY treat bags! I still have some treats left...just thinking about it makes my tail wag. Thanks for a fun time Samson, Anna, Leah, & Jason. Samson, I hope you enjoy your "birthday cake" on Monday.

My first FUNgility class!!!

On Tuesday, I started FUNgility class, and I think that I am going to like it! We practiced following our humans "magic fingers" around, staying until called, going over a little step or jumping over it, and then we got to go through the big, blue tunnel! Mom told me that I did VERY, VERY GOOD, and we have even practiced a little at home this week. The best part about classes though is seeing all of my furry friends, and of course, eating tons of YUMMY treats! WOOF! WOOF!

Me waiting for Mom to call me over

the jump at FUNgility class!

Running from Smokey in the field at Auntie Lori's house before FUNgility. Mom says this should be my signature pose because I am always running and looking back to see if my friends are following me. What can I say, I love being chased!

Rompin' with Smokey

Running to see Mom! She always calls us to her so she can get some pictures...one of these days I may steal her camera so she can't interrupt my play time anymore, but don't tell her my evil plan...SHHHH!!

Tricks are for kids and BBQ's are for dogs!!!

I love being outside on warm, sunny days!

I like to help Mom in the garden! While she pulls rhubarb I inspect the strawberry patch...too bad there are no strawberries just yet! Mom probably wouldn't let me eat them anyway!



Wait...what's that I smell??? Sorry Mom, I can't help you in the garden anymore.

I must go in for a closer look...yes, my nose was correct! Dad has food on the BBQ!!! Boy oh boy...I just know they are going to share with me!



YES, I knew they would share!!! However, I must not look too excited or lunge at the tasty morsel in front of me...must control my urges so Mom and Dad know I am worthy!



WOOF! Juicy, warm, mouthwatering MEAT!! NO...I must not look at it until they tell me to "take it" or else I may not be able to control myself!

Pretty please with sugar on top...just tell me the magic words already!!!

Finally, my patience and cuteness has paid off! YUM, I say!! There's nothing like warm meat fresh off the grill!

Need I say more?

Take a Hike

The weather has been beautiful this week so we decided to take a hike yesterday! It was beautiful....the flowers were out, it was warm and sunny, and best of all we found no ticks after the hike. :) The only snag was that we hiked up this hill where there used to be a gate to get through the fence at the top but to our surprise we could no longer access the gate. So, instead of walking back down, around, and back up again (which really wouldn't have been that far) we decided to improvise. First, Justin climbed over and we found a place along the fence line where we could lift it up so Nala could crawl under (wish I had pictures of this but I kind of had to help), and then I climbed on over. What an adventure!

Puppy Butt

"Well, what to say about this one...I almost had to steal Mom's camera and chew it up but then I thought to myself...I really do have one cute puppy behind! Don't you agree? You should see me shake my tail!" ;)

Humans & Doggies & Ticks...OH MY!!!

"Yesterday was the perfect day for a hike...it was warm, windy, and wonderful! Well, the humans didn't like the wind so we went hiking in the canyon to help protect the little wimps! ;) Julie & Ozzie, Colleen & Sierra, and me & Mom enjoyed all the new green growth and the beautiful views. Me and "my dogs" ran through the lush, green grass, (eating a little here and there), scaled rock cliffs, splashed in the creek, and of course posed for some pictures. There were lots of people out on the trail all enjoying the day like we were. Oh, did I mention that to get to the trail I had to walk over a swinging bridge thingy...well, it was my first time over one of those things so it was a little scary! It was Ozzie's first time too, but Sierra had been over before. Since Sierra was the experienced one she went first and we followed. My Mom wasn't very confident in me making it across but boy did I prove her wrong. Ozzie and I both walked across like old pros! Mom was very proud of me!! :) Well, back to the hike...like I said it was great and we only lost the trail once...no big deal! We like to bushwhack...it's more adventurous! :) After being out for an hour or so, we decided to head back when we met a black dog and his human. Well, the black dog had a tick on it! This was our first indication that there could be a problem. Then, Mom found one of those little bloodsuckers trying to sink it's teeth or whatever they use into my backside and she fearlessly ripped it off and disposed of it. Later, she went to put on her sweatshirt that she previously had tied on her waist and to her surprise there was one of the little demons crawling on her sweatshirt! When we finally arrived back at the cars...my friends and I got checked by our Moms before we could get in. We found a few more and got rid of them! Gross, huh! Well, we thought the coast was clear (it was for me) but it wasn't. As Mom was pulling into our driveway she found one in her hair....talk about freaking out. She quickly put the car in park, got out, and proceeded to smash the little sucker with a teeny tiny pebble. Then, she made me get out of the car and go into the garage where she called dad to check me while she went to clean up! While she was doing that she found one more in her hair. So far, no more have been found but she now is constantly checking her head for those nasty little parasites. So, to all of my dogs out there...be warned, it may be shaping up to be a bad tick season so have your humans check you frequently! YUCK! Other than the ticks, it was a GREAT hike!!!"

Bed Bug

"Ruff, Ruff, I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! I know I am...I LOVE sleeping in on the weekends especially when I have the whole bed to myself. Don't get me wrong I love my humans but it is just so nice to be able to really stretch out my long legs. Normally, Mom and Dad will get up first (I wait hours for this moment) and then I follow them downstairs for some breakfast. Then I like to go back to bed to catch a few more z's now that I have the entire bed to myself. (especially if Mom and Dad are upstairs too...I like to be close to them :) I like sleeping with them too (they are great at keeping me warm) but it is just so cramped with them in there and they always make me move in the middle of the night because I guess I am in a bad position for their sleeping comfort. Plus I hear them complain that I wake them up several times throughout the night with my "nesting". I just like to find the most comfortable spot and then I plop down sometimes landing on Mom or Dad...they make great pillows! Anyway, back to having the whole bed to myself...First, I jump up and inspect the situation. Second, I use my muzzle and begin to push the blankets down toward the end of the bed. Once I have a nice pillow, I then circle a few times so that I can find the perfect position. Finally, I flop down with all of my weight and enjoy the soft sheets beneath my fur. I could stay here for hours. Now if I could only get Mom and Dad to buy a bed just for me! The pillow thing on the floor just ain't cuttin' it."

Brown Eyed Baby

Well, Nala and I visited the Hoefer household tonight and had a great time! Nala now wants to move in with them so she can help Gracie clean up any leftover food that her human sisters accidentally drop or leave unsupervised on their plates. :) She thinks it is so unfair that she doesn't have any human sisters who like to share their food. She and Gracie also enjoyed having Hailey (Gracie's oldest human sister) walk them around the house on the leash and feed them some treats! While the dogs were having fun (Thanks Scott for watching them! :), Abby showed me these wonderful websites that I have been checking out for...well, it doesn't matter how long... but don't worry Nala isn't being neglected as she was tuckered out from playing and went straight to her bed when we got home. Anyway, the sites are very neat and so I have been playing with some photos of Nala and trying to make her eyes pop and so far this is what I have. I need to tinker with the program some more but for now this is all I got. :) Thanks for the fun evening Hoefer family!

My Busy Day

WOOOOOOF! I'm doggone tired! I had a very busy day today. First, I had to supervise my Dad and Uncle Joel on their project. They are putting in a patio and I want to make sure they get done quick because the sooner they get done the sooner we bring out the BBQ..YUM-YUM! I can't wait. Then, Mom made a tomato trellis and I had to inspect it to make sure it would hold up lots of juicy tomatoes. When I was a puppy, I learned how to knock the tomatoes off the vine and I would eat them up with the juice squirting everywhere. AHHH....those were the days! Now Mom has a fence so I can't get into her garden unsupervised. Darn it! Well, after all of that hard work, I then went to train for the Canine Good Citizens Test with some of my doggie friends. I think I can pass, but it's a little hard. I still get a little excited when I meet new people and dogs and part of the test is showing the "canine good citizen judge" that I can stay calm in those situations....gees....what's wrong with showing people you are excited to meet them with a little crotch sniff. That's what dogs do, right?? When that was finished, my friend Gracie's Mom called and invited me out for a play date. I had an AWESOME time playing with Gracie plus I got to play with her human sisters. (their cheeks are quite tasty...I gave them lots of puppy kisses!) Thanks for inviting us to play Gracie's Mom!! Can't wait to see you soon. Now, I am so exhausted I think I will take a long nap. Good night.

Two Peas in a Pod

"Every Saturday I get to go and play with my friend Brix, and sometimes his sister, Anna, when she's in a playful mood. I LOVE playing with Brix so much...WOOF WOOF! Mom says we are like two peas in a pod because we have similar play styles. We both like to jump up on each other (and give hugs ;), use our paws, play tug-of-war, roll around in the grass, play chase (sometimes), and we love banging our teeth together."