Christmas-time

Levi loves Christmas, so shortly after Thanksgiving (or possibly before Thanksgiving) he started wearing his new Christmas collar to get in the holiday mood.

He tried to fit into his gorgeous (and matching colored) Christmas sweater from last year but it was a bit snug.  Maybe it's time to start looking for a new sweater.

As December rolled around he helped set up the Christmas tree.

Including helping to hang the ornaments.

After the tree was done he laid waiting for Santa to deliver his presents.  I had to break it to him that Santa wasn't coming for another few weeks.

He said he promises to be a good doggie until then so he gets presents and not coal in his stocking.

A Break in the Action at School

Things have finally quieted down at school so Levi and I were able to get out for a hike yesterday.  I had been planning on taking him to Tahoe to go hiking but when I was looking up the weather the night before there was a 70% chance of snow, not my ideal driving/hiking weather.  At least it means we are that much closer to snowboarding/snowshoeing season!  So we had a quick change of plans and decided to go to Redwood Regional Park in Oakland.  It had good reviews online and since there are so many places to hike between the Bay Area and Tahoe it's always hard to pick one.  We both really enjoyed it!

Ready to start our hiking adventure

Waiting for Mom to hurry-up and stop taking pictures.

I don't think you can see it in this picture but there was quite a bit of poison oak around.  I had a mild freak out when I realized that Levi had been running all around through it but I just tried to avoid touching him too much until I could get him home to bathe.  In the meantime I figured that if I was going to get it I would since I had already been touching him. No signs of it yet so hopefully that's promising.

Being a good boy posing for pictures : )

Always lots to smell!

 

Our group pictures were a little problematic this trip.  On try #1 I cut the top of my head off and it's kind of blurry.

On try #2 I got my head in the picture but Levi decided not to smile.  Oh well, better luck next time.

We stopped for a little breather and Levi decided it was time to play in the dirt.

 

What a handsome boy : )

Next weekend we are going home to my parent's house where I will be leaving him for a week and a half for baby-sitting while I go to a vet conference the following week.  I know he will be well loved and cared for but I'll miss him while he's gone. 

Dog Park

 

A tired dog is a happy dog...and a happy mom!

Meet Frederick

Frederick is Levi's most recent souvenir that I got when I was in Kentucky this past weekend at a seminar for 3rd year equine vet students.  Here are a few of his adventures while in Kentucky...

At the Kentucky Horse Park Frederick enjoyed sitting and watching the horses wander by.

He also enjoyed spending some time riding.

He practiced his dressage in the dressage ring 

And of course he loved to graze on all of the lush green grass

He got new shoes in the farrier shop

And he had to make time for a little bit of shopping in the gift shop.

And before he left for his new home he had to say goodbye to his good friend, Cupcake.

Then it was on the road to his new home in California.  

At the airport he spent some time getting acquainted with security

 Then he sat down for some dinner at the airport restaurant

Lastly, it was time to board the plane and fly home to meet his new friend Levi

Levi took to him right away and they are already great friends.

Unfortunately I have a feeling that Frederick will soon look like many of Levi's other "friends"