Our new addition to the family

I would like you to meet Gretchen – the new addition to our family.  She is a bassoodle (part basset, part poodle) and came from Shaggy Dog Rescue.  We believe she is about two years old and was picked up in Brownsville, Texas and fortunately Shaggy Dogs Rescue in Houston saved her from certain death at the pound in Brownsville. 
She has a very sweet temperament and seems to be good with children and dogs.  The only thing that really gets her going is squirrels, so I think pussy cats may also be fair game to chase (don't know yet!).
Walking on a lead was interesting to being with, however, a month on and some good advice from Cecelia and Eric we have bought a lead with a muzzle snapper – if she pulls it tightens on her muzzle and since dogs don't like that they quickly learn not to pull. We don't think she had ever been outside her paws were very soft, the big outside world was weird and stimulating to her, her lack of knowledge of a lead supported our hypothesis.  She is still funny about walking on wet grass and she can't stand water (so no getting her in the pool) but the toilet training is coming on well (most of the time!).
She loves the dog park and walks were we meet other doggies to sniff.  Her routine in the morning is out for a pee when I get up for work and then she runs full pelt back to the bed room to jump on Stuart where I leave the two of them snoozing when I go off to work!!

	The afternoon Gretchen arrived home.  Already discovering the wood floor was nice and cool on her belly
	The life
	There is plenty of grass but Stuart’s lap is far better – even if it is a little small!
	Bath time outside with the hose – not her favourite time but the downside of being white!
	Life is not too bad they let me lie on the sofa
	Greets me coming home after 10 days away!

She loves to eat ice cubes after walks and lie flat out on the floor in the air conditioning!  She started to play with toys last week and even this morning was busy squeaking her toy beaver!

	No you wont go back to that computer!  I want you to pay attention to me!!!  Poor Stuart is finding days very distracted by someone wanting petting!!
	Gretchen we her new hair cut.  Poor pups was shaved by the groomers and in this photo she is still miffed and feeling naked. I hope it will grow back soon.

Anne and Robin in Texas

Anne and Robin came to Houston for their holidays – and you may say why? but I think they had a fun filled 2 weeks seeing more than just Houston.  We even managed a trip across the border to Louisiana.  The weather was glorious and after some convincing we managed to get them in the pool (still a little chilly as Mum and dad will remember from their March visit the previous year!)

Let’s just list some of the things we got up to!

	We went to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.  This was taken in the kiddies petting pen!  This was the event I forgot the tickets at home so I was not a very popular person as Stuart had to do an hour round trip to get them!
	trying to get back the Guinness book of world records attempt of the largest spin class at Lifetime Gym – however we failed not enough people turned up.  But it was a good two hours of exercise in matching tops!
	We had an Hawaiian themed pool party – costumes and decorations!  Note Robin looking splendid in the hat is drinking a pina colada from a coconut shell.
Went to New Orleans (will have to be a separate blog!)
	Night out downtown at a new club that opened called PBR (professional bull riding!) so they had a mechanical bull and for some reason gave us really rubbish looking straw cowboy hats to wear!
	but Anne managed to get in a bit of line dancing.
	Farewell to Anne and Robin!