The Other Man

Nikita has two best buddies. Tucker, a five-month-old Standard Poodle, is the other main man in her life and we try to schedule playdates with him -- and his cool moms Terra and Chris -- any chance we get. Tucker very much subscribes to the "Work hard, play hard" philosophy, and likes to begin and end any romp with a stop in the local puppy spa. Nikita, of course, is not at all shy about climbing in on top of him:


They then go out to the center of the Point and run around and wrestle. Chewing on Tuck even helped 'Kita work out a baby tooth. (We noticed a bunch of blood on her muzzle and tongue and I, terrified she'd hurt Tucker, was doubly relieved it was just the first of her puppy teeth coming out, woo! I've very much been looking forward to the arrival of the duller adult teeth. Hopefully the hideous Pollock-esque network of scratches and swirls on my forearms will begin to fade...)

It's then back to the spa for a little fountain talk, cooling down and stretching before everyone heads back to their respective homes:

Once we get back, I'm guaranteed two-to-four hours of passed-out puppy. Everyone wins.

BFFs, Part II

Here's more of Obie, a.k.a. "Dr. O.," and Nikita getting their play on/being adorable:






Nikita may be the world's greatest puppy, but the Obester is definitely it's best two-year-old.

BFFs

We're lucky enough to live in a neighborhood with a bunch of great dogs. Our favorite is Obie, short for Oberon, a super-sweet Lab-Retriever mix who's quickly become Kita's best bud. They enjoy frolicking in Lake Michigan,


digging their way to the Olympics,



recovering after an intense play session,


and rehydrating/lazing about together.


We're both going to miss Obie -- and his lovely owners Janelle and Matt -- when we move to Beantown, but may be back in a year, at which point he and Nikita can hopefully pick up where they left off.

Playing Inside

Other than during our early morning walk, Nikita has a tendency to flop down on the ground -- be it grass, sidewalk, driveway, middle of a busy street, etc. -- and refuse to walk any further than about 20 meters from our building due, I think, to the heat. (An innate stubbornness I'm enabling is another possibility, but I'm trying to ignore that.)

So I've had to devise ways for her to get her play on inside. She likes to try climbing into the tub while I'm taking a shower. (Go figure as she hates getting a bath.) This thoroughly soaks her, so we then play the throw-the-towel-on-her-and-let-her-wrestle-it-off game.


She also likes wrestling/biting people, so if there's a willing victim (here, Josh) I'll let her do that. On occasion, I'll crank up the A/C, get a thick sweatshirt out of the coat closet, and let her have at my arms. She now leaps with excitement anytime I reach for the closet door.

She also of course is the proud owner of a number of products in the "Kong" line of dog toys you stuff food, treat, peanut butter, etc. into through a small hole. The dog then has to chew the thing until the hole is stretched out enough for a treat, etc. to come out. Seems a little cruel but it keeps her occupied. She enjoys it so much that her eyes are closed the whole time she's playing with it. Hilarious.

All of these methods have the desired effect: exhausting her.

Such a sweet puppy.

One Month In

Nikita and I have been spending alot of time out on the lakefront, either just south of our building on the beach or just north of it at the Point. At around 6:30am, after a quick bathroom stop in front of the Flamingo, we head straight for the Point's doggie water fountain, where Nikita invariably entertains a series of admirers, both canine and human (cyclists, joggers, walkers, etc.)


We then walk over to the beach, where we usually run into Chaiko and Bruno (pictured below) and their people Phil and Laura. The two big dogs play fetch in the water and Chaiko, a giant schnauzer, even swims, but Nikita's run in only once, and very briefly at that. I'm hoping as it gets hotter she'll get more interested. (Maybe my going in first would help too, but that requires the water getting warmer. Soon, I hope.)




The dogs play while we watch and chat, then Nikita and I eventually cross back under the Drive and head home, usually with the obligatory break to chew some branches along the way.


She then has breakfast, a quick "business" walk, then passes out for two or three hours. And usually snores.