It's Been Forever!

Hello to anyone who actually still reads this! It's been forever. I know. I know. I really don't have an excuse other than we've been very busy as full-time working newlyweds working hard during the day to bring home the bacon, and at night to squeeze things in. During the summer it seems we are either at my parent's cabin, or Ryan's parent's cabin, or boating... so we have to fit everything else into Monday through Thursday night! Joey has been good! He had a great summer with all the weekend trips and loved being outside. He is doing pretty good at coming when I tell him to and is getting better at not barking at every moving object he sees while we go on walks. I don't know that he will ever be fixed of that issue completely, but one can hope. I was reading some posts on facebook related to Pet Haven. They are discussing the newest batch of puppies that have Parvo. I remember that Joey had that when he was just a wee pup and that is how he came to be rescued I believe. He's really been rescued twice. But, he's all ours now. It's funny to watch Joey and Ryan interact. Ryan is definitely a lot more strict with Joey than I am. For example, I try to call Joey onto the bed. When Ryan is gone hunting - he'll willingly jump up. However, when Ryan is home he hesistantly jumps up but always makes sure to face the bedroom door so he can see when Ryan comes in the room and hop down. Joey definitely brings excitement into our house and completes our little family. Sometimes, in the rush and bustle of the day I forget these simple little joys and I really have to force myself to step back and take a look at what's going on... I am so blessed to have Ryan and Joey in my life. Below are some pics that I tried to take of me and Joey for Ryan's birthday card this summer. I then put them on a Word Drawing Canvas and placed type over the white sheets of paper that said, "Happy Birthday Ryan. We love you!"

Stefanie and Joey-Roo

Less than a week from now...

I'll be having my first bridal shower followed by my bachelorette party Celebrating my freedom and where my life is in general... 10/15 is going to be a great day! Its hard to believe in just a little over 4 months Ryan and I will be getting married! We had our engagement photos the other day and Joey came along. We didn't get a ton of photots with him... but we did get a few good one. Please feel free to comment and enjoy!




Here's one with Joey trying to steal a kiss... notice, Ryan is just smiling at Joey's antics.



This is my favorite pic and will definitely have a place on our wall somewhere.

On a side note - we wil have another four legged visitor this week. Ryan's parent's are heading out of town and their yellow lab Darcy will be staying with us. Joey may learn to play yet... I've seen him do it twice up at the cabin with Darcy and a different dog so maybe this week will be good for him.

Joey and his Ducky Love.

I got this cute little Mallard Duck toy for Joey a long time ago which he finally chewed through. I bought him another one and he is LOVING IT UP! Here's him in our backyard loving the woodchips (His new fave spot), the sun and some shade. I have no idea why he would want to jump the fence and escape this heaven he has in his own backyard.

Joey Running

Here's a pic from one of the first times up at the farm for the season circa early April. We went up last weekend and had a great time. Joey was great off leash, he chewed through his harness while I was at the store, but stayed near dad in the pole barn.

We found some woodticks on him and he let me remove them quite easily. Finally, we went on a nice 4 mile walk.

It was beautiful weather on Saturday!

Farm Days

Two weekends ago Joey got to go up to Ryan's farm for the day... he had a great time exploring and finding dead dear/bones. At the very end when we were getting ready to leave he decided to run along side the highway as if there were no cars for miles. Luckily, we got him to come back to the car. I'll have to post pics later of the bone he found as well as the pics of him running free... he looks so happy.

Joey gets to go to the farm this weeknd as well but I'm not sure whether he will get to be off leash as I'm down in Des ?oines and Ryan gets dog duty. Joey seems to for the most part cling to me... but even then gets curious. Hopefully, he wil be good. No bad reports thus far... all seems to be quiet in Johnston and MN.

Have a safe weekend everyone!

Mr. Escape Artist is trying to resurface!

*** DISCLAIMER- Joey is fine - he is not hurt and did not get hurt***

Ryan and I have successfully kept Joey in a Large wrought-iron like kennel (very thick sturdy medal that I can barely bend with my bare hands) for a few months now. I say successfully as in he hasn't escaped not that he hasn't peed outside the kennel or gotten to things on the shelf next to the kennel and started to eat them (Dad's new bag of grout -oops!) Anyways, that all *almost* changed on Wednesday of last week. Ryan texted me when he got home from work with the above pic saying "Joey says 'Hi'". Joey had somehow broken the latch that holds the tray in the bottom of his kennel... scooted it out from the corner, gotten the tray out from the bottom of the kennel and was then attempting to squeeze out between the door and where the tray normally sits! Doesn't work too well for a 65 lb dog! Though, I think with less firm metals (as we have had in the past) this may have been how he got out with all doors shut. My initial reaction was "Oh no! Is he OK?" Ryan assured me Joe was wagging is tail and after Ryan took the pic he carefully pulled himself out of the position. I am wondering if Ryan caught him in the act and thankful he didn't get hurt. Either way - I have now purchased a smaller plastic crate kennel to see how that works. In the first day he broke some metal on the door and one spring on the door latch - but, didn't escape. He's been in there 4 days with no "problems" yet. Time will tell - We'll keep you posted!

I was looking at my friend Reanna's blog the other day and noticed my blog hasn't been updated in 7 months. I am going to try and update this more frequently - I promise! It seems like time keeps flying by - Joey and I have had a fun winter with lots and lots of changes! Joey and I expanded our family in November when Ryan and I got engaged! Joey now has a fenced in backyard that he gets to live in the rest of his life... this whole fenced in backyard was working great until the piles and piles of snow melted, hardened, and he then realized there was only about 1.5 feel of fence he had to jump over. The other day I literally watched him hop over the fence while I ate breakfast in the kitchen. I ran to the front door - called his name and saw him run down the middle of the street with a smile on his face as he chased the school bus ahead. So - out of the garage - into my car I went and of course he jumped right in luckily! He has always come back, but I don't think he's the most street savy dog, plus there is a train track fairly near our house... and also a fairly busy road 6-7 blocks away... I would hate it if he found himself over there!

I don't have very many recent pics - but will try to take some with my new phone to upload in the future.



Here's another pic of Joey and I loving it up at my old place on the bed... me with long hair here! Don't worry folks! I am growing it back for the wedding, after the wedding and our belated summer reception I may do the extreme chop again, I think it could be nice to have it that short in the summer again. (If you don't know how much I got cut off see my "Hair Choppage" album on FB).




Here's a pic of my Joey on my old couch - we now have the nice leather sectional which Joey doesn't get to sit on - but loves to cuddle right next to it on his pillow as close to me and Ryan as he can.



This is Joey in the middle family room - Where the leather sectional is now - before paint, furniture, and the replacement safe (oops!). It looks pretty empty here - but definitely doesn't any longer.



Finally, here's a picture of Joey during the last weekend he could go swimming up at the cabin during hunting season. Ahhhhh! We love the cabin and being outdoors in general. We're definitely looking forward to cabin time and boating season once again... Ryan and I have decided that we will try our darnest to get more weekends with the Donzi out on Lake Minnetonka and with gas prices they way they are we may have to take the corvette instead of Ryan's SUV more places to balance out the gas we use boating... darn! Too bad Joey can't go in either of those! But I am pretty sure he will get lots of loving and fun up at the cabins and at the farm to make up for it though!

I have busy few weeks coming up with a ski trip to Northern Michigan and also a work trip to New York - but I will try to keep posting about our family's fun adventures.

SLN, RSG and Joey!