Baar has been so busy hanging out with his foster friend Ralph, visiting dog parks, playing with Mikki and enjoying the season that he regretfully hasn't had time to write lately.

Joe and I are excited to be spending our first Christmas with him. Ok, so it's mostly me that's excited about it being his first Christmas - Joe's just plain happy to have him around.

Enid and Ezra are doing well and Enid continues to plot Baar's demise. She is thinking about posting some of her ideas after the new year. Right now she is focused on coming downstairs and attempting to chew as much ribbon as possible since it torments me to no end. Not because of the ribbon but because of how dangerous it is. For the last few years I've used only yarn on gifts but thought I could get away with some ribbon since she's upstairs most of the time. No such luck!

Ezra is being his usual wonderful stuff. He enjoys relaxing in bed and having as many "Ezra snacks" as he can get. He also loves playing with this feather toy and is particularly fond of stalking it when it creeps across the floor.

All of the animals are interested in their stockings. I put a rawhide for Baar in his but he discovered it and it was so cute watching him try to get it out that I ended up giving it to him. I'm sure Santa will bring him something else though.

The holidays are coming very quickly this year. We've been so busy with Ralph that I haven't had much time to do some of the fun holiday stuff like baking, watching holiday shows, visiting friends and just relaxing. Joe and I are trying to figure out how to manage the Christmas Eve and day without having Ralph alone and created a lot of the time.

Thanks for reading and if we aren't able to write again until after Christmas, please accept all of our wishes for a magical eve and a joy filled day.

We've been very busy getting ready for the holidays and taking care of all of the animals.

Ralph is doing pretty good but the two of them are quite a bit of work. Ralph is crated during the day since the boys tend to play rough and get irritated with each other at times. Unfortunately he's had some diarrhea the last few days so we've had to do lots of cleaning when we get home from work.

The other day when we got home, Ralph was crying in his create (you could hear it from outside the house) and Baar was not at the door when I got to it. Of course I panicked and when I opened the door I was hit by the smell of Ralph's accident. Baar was standing next to a crying Ralph howling. I'm really not sure what thats all about.

Sometimes when we foster I feel sad for baby Baar. I think he enjoys having other animals around but we've had to put up all of his stuffed animals (yes even the pink bunnies) because they argue over them way to much for it to be safe. I also worry that he doesn't get as much attention when we foster. However I know that he's a happy dog and is enjoying life. I think he'd want us to help other animals whenever we can.

We took Mikki, Brutus, Baar and Ralph to see Santa at the Cuyahoga County Kennel (www.doglicense.com). Santa is still available for photo's on select days of the week so if you haven't been, I highly recommend it. The price is fair and proceeds benefit the animals they serve.

We have a number of pictures and in most of them Baar is looking forward (he's such a good boy) but I personally love this one. It's like he's excited about Santa. Maybe he was telling him what he'd like this year!

Of course miss Mikkie was gorgeous. She was determined to drink out of the bucket containing ice and soda cans for the people. Brutus was very well behaved and my sister got some great photo's with her, Dick Goddard, the Elf and Santa all together. I don't have digital copies of those but I do have one of Mikki's.

We weren't sure how Ralph would do and were prepared to take him outside if Santa was a bit much for him (Ralph is not fond of hats). However he was amazing. Joe stayed with him for the photo just to make sure he didn't get to scared. He looks a bit serious in the picture. We were so proud of him! I may post his photo later - I need to edit it.

Hello! It is I, Baar. Emily and Joe brought home another foster dog to play with Baar. Ralph is a big dog like Baar. Him is a American Bull Mastiff Mix. Here is a picture of him chewing on one of Baar's bones on Baar's bed. Yes... Baar is very nice to him's foster friends. Ok, it is true that sometimes Baar gets annoyed when other dogs have him's things. Emily and Joe took all the toys away and gave us each one bone of the same size and shape to play with. Baar understands why foster doggies want hims thinks (Baar has lots of nice things afterall). But since Baar is so nice and well share, why can Baar not unshare when him wants to stop?

Baar and Ralph have lots of fun wrestling. Here are some pictures of us roughousing in the living room. Yes, Emily loves it when Ralph and Baar play in the living room! We also ran around the garage 17 times the other night (Joe counted). It was fun but at the end we got irritated with each other (it was him's fault not Baar's).

Ralph has to borrow Baar's crate while the people are not home. Emily said it is because if we have one of our arguments there will be no one to tell us to stop. She is worried that there will be an accident. Baar does not mind Ralph using him's crate, but it is Baar's crate. Ralph kept trying to take Baar's bone the other night so Baar went in the crate with it. Baar is so smart!

Now it is time for Baar to take a nap. Yes, taking care of a foster doggie is very hard work!

Hello! It is I, Baar.

Baar was enjoying a quite day at home a couple of weeks ago when a giant noisy intruder got into Baar's house!

Joe said this intruder is called Nelson. Him made this growling noise and kept getting bigger and bigger in Baar's dining room! Baar barked and backed up. Baar did not like it. Joe tried to get Baar to come see Nelson by offering him treats but Baar said no. After a few minutes Baar did not feel like going to visit Joe either since him was trying to tick Baar into getting close to Nelson.

Emily made Nelson be quiet and get small again. Baar still did not go in the dining room. No... him did not trust the big noisy Nelson. Emily convinced Baar that it was ok and him eventually got him's favorite snacks from on top of Nelson (while he was small and quiet). Baar likes playing with Joe, but when him is scared him likes Emily to make him feel better.

Baar knows you would like to see a picture of this terrible intruder. Emily relegated him to the front porch as pictured on the left. Do not let the angels next to him or him's jolly hat or candy cane trick you into thinking Nelson is not dangerous. Baar suggests caution if you decide to approach him.

It was a quiet but enjoyable holiday. After the dog park, Joe headed down to Mahoning county to have dinner with his family. Baar and I when to my parents house for dinner and enjoyed a wonderful meal with my mom, my dad, my sister Danielle, Brutus and Mikkie and their five cats.

When we arrived, Baar and Mikkie spent some time wrestling. It is so much fun to watch them have such a great time playing together. I'm always so thankful that they get along so well and have such an amazing time when they are together. After playing for a bit, they headed over to visit with Danielle and Brutus for a few minutes.

Danielle also got to visit with one of her cats, Monster. Macey (who is also staying with my parents) stayed upstairs to avoid Baar. As you may have read in previous blog enteries, Baar is not a favorite amoung cats.

Danielle has been quite ill (hence the reason all her pets are living with my parents) and it was wonderful to have her home and in good spirits for the holiday.

Two of my parents cats - Eva and Morris refused to be intimidated by Baar. Eva backs down for no one and spent most of Thanksgiving relaxing on the arm of the couch (as shown here in a picture of her, my dad, and Danielle). Eva is primarily my dad's cat and spends as much time with him as she can.

Morris on the other hand is all about my mom. He spent some time relaxing on top of the wardrobe and stretching out above the china cabinet to tease Baar. I personally think that he didn't want to leave the downstairs for fear of missing out on Turkey. Morris is quite dedicated to getting table scraps.

The table was beatuiful. My mom purchased some Party Light candles and candle holders from someone at work and they were absolutely lovely. Party Light stuff is so expensive but I have to admit that it is really high quality. If you have the money, it's totally worth it.

After working spending all day in the kitchen, my mom was finally able to relax when we sat down to dinner. She is pictured on the right with my sister. In case you are wondering, we were eating in a heated house. Quite unlike me, my mom and sister are ALWAYS cold. My mom is sporting a lovely newfoundland cap instead of her usual ear muffs.

The meal consisted of a delicious fresh turkey, homemade gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing (prepared inside the turkey - yum!) and a bag of frozen vegetables I brought instead of greenbean casserole (don't you judge me!) we scarfed down some pumpkin pie. Then my dad and sister relaxed in front of the TV. I swear this picture isn't staged - they really were sitting in the exact same position on the couch.

Baar and I took off and headed to my best friend Beth's house with Hercules, a kitten that showed up at the Under the Wing shelter in time for Thanksgiving. The photo on the right is of Hercules and Colleen, a co-worker of mine. Hercules spent the evening playing in Allie's room with her. I'm thrilled to report that Hercules was able to find a wonderful perment home with Beth's dad!

It was a lot of fun visiting with Beth and her family on Thanskgiving. Unlike my tiny family, the house was filled with several generations of people. Everyone was hanging out having fun, watching tv, talking, playing video games and of course eating too much food. Beth prepared an amazing meal with some help from Ruthie, her husbands oldest daughter.

Baar had an adventure of his own at Beth's house that he'll probably write about in his next blog entry so I'm going to keep it under wraps for now.

Hello! It is I, Baar! Baar had a lot of fun on Thanksgiving.

First Baar went to the Lakewood dog park with Emily and Joe. Then Emily's dad and sister came with Mikkie and Brutus. Baar was so happy to see Brutus.

It was so much fun. Baar got to play with Mikkie. It was so much fun! We ran and wrestled. Mikkie got lots of pets from some kids at the dog park. Mikkie is so popular.

Brutus spent him's time hanging out with Danielle. Her has been sick so Brutus was very happy to get to see her. Him did not play with the other dogs at all. Brutus found a tug toy and carried it to Mikkie's dadums and Emily. But Brutus would not let them have it. Brutus let Danielle play with him and the tug.

Then Brutus found a ball and took it by Danielle and stayed with it. Him loves collecting balls at the dog park.

Brutus got Danielle to give him tummy rubs at the dog park to. Baar is too busy for tummy rubs when him is at the park.

Hello! It is I, Baar. Baar's friend Orchid went home to be with her family. Baar had so much fun with Orchid while she was visiting. Here are some pictures of Baar and Orchid wrestling. Noooo, Orchid was not afraid of Baar. She even took some of Baar's bones and growled at him!

Orchid and Baar had lots of fun together. We had fun at the dog park and playing at home. Olive kept Baar up late and woke him up very early in the morning. Her has lots of energy! Even more then Baar!

Orchid wore a coat like people because her got chilly outside. Baar and Mikkie do not get chilly! Emily loved her coat. She even talked about getting Baar one but do not worry, Joe said no way.

Mikkie was afraid that Baar would be sad this time since him and Orchid had so much fun playing together. To make him feel better, she came over the day Orchid went home to play with Baar. Yess Baar and Mikkie spent the whole day together while Joe and Emily were at work! We even moved the couches around. Mikkie is a good friend.

It was a little sad for Baar when Orchid went home but Baar is very happy her got to see her mommy again. Orchid told Baar that she had fun with all her foster families but that her was ready to go back home.

Baar has to admit that it is nice that him gets ALL the attention again. It is good to be the only dog. Plus Baar does not have to watch him's bones so carefully. Sometimes Baar had to sleep with them right by him to keep Orchid from taking them! Just like in the picture on the left.

Hello! It is Baar's best Rotweiller friend Roxanne's Birthday! Baar loves Birthday's. Him hears that you get extra tasties and even new bones!

Happy Birthday Roxanne!

Hello! It is I, Baar. Baar wanted to tell all of him's friends that him's friend Bogey got sick. Baar was very worried when him was sick. Bogey is always very nice to Baar. Him is a good dog.

Do not worry, Bogey is feel much better now. Bogey had something called "old man vestibular disease". Yes, Bogey is little old. Melanie sent an email with the symptoms in case anyone else's doggey gets it because it was very scary.

Here is what Melanie said:

Bogey scared me to death. I thought he had a stroke. He was unable to walk and kept falling over and was unresponsive. He would lean to one side and just fall right over. He would go into the splits like his legs were giving out. His eyes (well, eye) would space out and would not register that I was there. So I took him to the vet and he has something called "old man vestibular disease". It is similar to a cross between a mini stroke and vertigo in humans. It comes on very quickly and causes dogs to be dizzy, just like vertigo. The good news is that he should make a full recovery. I just thought I would pass this along, in case it ever happens to your dog. I guess it is common but they don't know the cause.

Baar thinks that Bogey should get lots of extra treats for at least 2 weeks!

Hello! It is I, Baar.

Baar has been having a great time with him's foster doggy. Baar will call her Orchid to protect her identity. Baar has also blurred out her pictures. Baar is so good at confidentiality!

Orchid is a pug. Here is a picture of her playing with Glitter at the dog park. Glitter is a Shiba Inu. Emily thinks she is very cute. Baar thinks she is not that interesting as she can not wrestle with him. Yessss that is Baar in the background. See how big him is?

Orchid liked playing with little dogs the best but she is not afraid of big dogs. In fact, she steals Baar's favorite bone and growls at him. It is not very nice. Emily and Joe say that Baar must be patient as it is hard to be a foster doggy. Baar is not so sure. In this picture she is playing with Gracie.

Orchid also drinks out of Baar's bowl instead of hers. Even though she has to stand up and stretch. Emily makes her stop and go to her bowl. She also like Baar's food better but Baar is not allowed to eat her food (Baar has a sensitive tummy). Melanie came to visit last night. Baar wishes she would come out with all him's doggy friends and meet him at the dog park. It has been a long time since Baar has seen him's basset friends or Cody. Baar also would not mind hanging with Roxeanne.

Baar had fun at the dog park too. There was a puppy there called a Great Pyrenees. Here is a picture of her and Baar. Emily thinks she is very cute also. Baar is getting a little tired of Emily thinking all these other dogs are so cute.

Here is Baar getting a drink of water. Baar hopes the people will remember to bring water when the city shuts off the fountain. They already shut it off at Tremont :-( It is very easy to get thirsty at the dog park.

Hello! It is I, Baar.

Baar got to go to Edgewater park with Mikki, Brutus, their dadums, Emily and Joe. Baar had a good time. Baar thinks it is fun to walk by the lake with him's friends. As long as no water comes to hit Baar. No... Baar does not like to get wet.

Here is a picture of Mikki and Baar with Joe. Look, Mikki could not focus on getting her picture taken because of how handsome Baar is!

Here is a picture of Brutus with him's dadums. Brutus has his eyes closed because him is enjoying the sunshine. There is Mikki peaking in on the picture. Mikki is so clever! Brutus is wearing his St. Patricks day bandana because him looks so dapper in green.

Here is a picture of Brutus, Baar, and Mikki all walking together. Do not worry, Baar was first a lot of the time. Sometimes him likes to walk with Mikki instead of being first and she does not walk very fast. Brutus likes to pretend him is lead dog.

Emily took some pictures of the lake so Baar's friends in other places can see what it looks like. Baar is not very interested in the scenery. It is much better to smell things. Mikki stayed by Emily while she took the pictures. Emily told Baar that she loves the water and used to live in a place that look out at the lake.

Hello! It is I, Baar. Baar had so much fun on Halloween! Him started the day by going to visit Mikki. Baar and Mikki played while Brutus visited with Emily and Emily's mom.

Then Baar, Mikki, and Brutus helped Emily and her dadums drop off some cookies for Emily's sister Danielle. Danielle hasn't been feeling well and is staying in a place to help her get better. When we got in the car, Brutus was naughty and grabbed a cupcake off of the tray that Emily's dadums was holding. Emily was upset because when he did that, some of the other goodies slid together and she said it didn't look as nice. Baar thought it still looked very tasty.

Then Baar helped Emily and Joe. It was very strange. Baar, Emily and Joe went to the porch and people came in strange outfits. There were princesses and army people and eyeore even came! Emily walked down to meet them and Baar stayed on the porch with Joe. At first Baar was concerned that something would happen to Emily but it did not. Baar was very good and got lots of peanut butter snacks. Him gave some to another dog that was out "trick or treating".

Here is a picture of Baar. Him is dressed up as Count Dogula. Baar loves him's cape.

Then Baar got to go back to Mikki's house. The people had dinner while Baar and Mikki played. Brutus stayed by the people. Mikki had a pretty Halloween bandanna on. Baar forgot to tell Emily to bring her camera. Baar also tried hard to play with one of the kitties that lives at Mikki's house. Her name is Eva. She does not run away from Baar but hits him with his claws. Do not worry, Baar will keep trying to play with her and eventually she will like Baar.

By the time Baar got home him was very very tired. Baar fell asleep on him's blue blankie with him's toys.

Baar has decided that Halloween is him's favorite special people day. Maybe next year him will get a black cat to play with him....

Hello! It is I, Baar. Baar got to go to a Howl O Ween party this weekend! Yes, of course Baar brought him's friend Mikki. Joe, Emily, Melanie, and Mikki's dadums were all there. Mikki's momums was going to come but it was too cold and muddy. Yes, she was sad.

The howl o ween party was in a far away place called Medina. Baar will post the name and the wonderful vet that put it on later. Him doesn't have it ready but him wants to put him's pictures up. Baar knows him's friends will want to see them.

Baar dressed up as Darth Vader. Baar thinks him looks very nice in him's cape. Maybe Baar will wear just him's cape more often... Him did not like him's hat though. Yes, Baar does look very handsome! Baar's human friend Melanie was there and gave him lots of pets and told him how good him looked. Baar loves Melanie!

Mikki looked beautiful in her Princess Leia costume. Everyone loved Mikki. Baar would like to know why she was flirting with the police German Shepard though. Him did not even have a cape! Mikki's dadums said she likes a man in uniform. Baar has a uniform! Darth Vador's!!!!

Baar and Mikki entered the costume contest together. Yes, Baar and Mikki had a good time.

Baar and Mikki won a prize for most original costume! Here is our ribbon.

What? You want to see some pictures of the other animals in their costumes? Baar does not understand why but him will show you... Yes, Joe took the pictures. Baar was to busy.

Flower Power

Dogs In Space.... (This doggie got to ride in a wagon. Baar wants a wagon!)

Power Pug!

Retirement in Florida

Chilly Kitty