Lab-or Day!

Don't you just LOVE looking ahead to a four-day work week? Happy Labor Day to everyone!

Justin and I have taken full advantage of our extra day of rest and relaxation and spent time doing all of our favorite things. Today was especially fun with our first trip to the Georgetown Bark Park. Maci and Max have been such exceptional puppies lately that we felt like it was time they had a a little furry fun. With Caden on the way we have had to slowly reintroduce both Maci and Max to "doghood." Up until now they have assumed they were humans, just like you and me. Although this has been a somewhat shocking surprise to the pups they are doing well adjusting to their new roles in the Cox household. They are now sleeping outside of their crates at night and on their pillows in the living room. This makes me VERY happy b/c anyone that comes crashing through a window or barreling through the front door will be met with quite a protective duo. They have also learned that when they come in the house they must retreat to their assigned pillows in the living room; these pillows courtesy of LL Bean have been a wonderful training tool as we Caden-ize our home.

From Left to Right:

Max: yellow lab, male, 95 pounds, 3.5 years old. We brought Max into our home 2.5 years ago from the Heart of Texas Lab Rescue Agency. On the street Max was known as "Louie," but now he is a beloved part of our home. Max loves to be social and is perhaps the biggest snuggler you'll ever meet. Close is never close enough for Max. He is known by neighbors and friends as "circle dog" because of his incessant love for turning circle after circle when excited. His tail even wags in a circle. Max is not the brains of the operation but he certainly is the heart...we love our big dumbie! :)

Maci: chocolate lab, female, 60 pounds, 5.5 years old. Justin brought Maci to Baylor his senior year of college as just a tiny puppy. She had a rough first few years of life, first surviving a household full of college boys and a doberman pinscher named Diesel and then surviving our year in the Waco ghetto. We couldn't even leave her in the backyard for fear of her being stolen...poor Mace. Now Mace is fully acclimated to her life in the suburbs. She is a bundle of independent energy. She does not need us or anyone else and she makes that VERY clear. She is a natural athlete and does the thinking for both her and Max. Maci has provided hours of laughter and entertainment for Justin and I. One day she'll be affectionate... we just know it! :) 
Now back to the Bark Park... Maci and Max were beyond excited when we entered the Bark Park today to find their favorite neighborhood friends Juanita and Lucy. Juanita and Lucy had already been at the park for an hour or so and were able to update me on all of the other pooches in the park. Maci of course, having nothing to do with anyone ran circles around the entire place, finding stray tennis balls and laying in the big mud puddle by the water fountain to cool off between laps. In true form, Max decided to hop from group to group socializing with all of the other pups, even sharing a few unfortunate encounters with some very frisky dogs who thought Max's good looks were too good to pass up...what a heart throb! Justin had to come to his rescue several times... dirty scoundrels! Hard to go anywhere when you look that good I suppose...

When we returned home from our hour or so at the Bark Park we found a new friend... a chocolate lab stray that we affectionately named Minnie the Mangey Pup. Since no vets or humane societies were open today we have fed and watered Minnie and kept her cool with fans in an old crate in our garage. Minnie isn't too clean so we weren't so keen on letting her roam the backyard with Maci and Maxi. We hope tomorrow we will be able to find her family through her rabies ID. If not, the Wilco Humane Society will be sure to take great care of Minnie.  

In other news... I decided it was time for another baby bump picture. I am starting my 6th month of pregnancy and I look like.... 
Sorry for the headless shot... I was looking a little too rough for the world wide web. 

Here's to a four-day work week! Have a good one!