Sometimes We Party...

So I have been neglecting the Inus lately.  Not actually neglecting them, but since it has been so hot, we have not had much of a chance to do fun stuff outside together.


Today, that was supposed to change.  Unfortunately, due to the fires in the Dismal Swamp, we have been coated in a nice thick layer of smoke.  Neither myself nor Nola do well with smoke.  However, you do get to see a cool photo of what the smoke has done to the moon.  Interesting effect, if I do say so myself:


So instead of going on an evening hike like I had planned, we had a nice Basement Party instead.

And typical of me, I forgot to bring down the camera to capture all the fun we had.

So, instead of cute Shiba photos, you get to hear all about it.

We started off by playing hide and go seek.  This is done with a spoonful of peanut butter (a favourite at my house).  I start off in one location, tell the dogs to 'stay', then I run go hide.  After I am 'hidden', I yell 'come' to the pups.  Then the fun starts.  They have to come find me.  But once they do, they get to lick some yummy peanut butter.  This type of fun generally can last up to 30 minutes, depending on how much peanut butter I have.

After I ran out of PB, we played 'go fetch the crack ball'.  This is a fun game in which I squeak a ridiculously annoying ball, throw it, and watch them race to get to the ball first.  If Bella gets it first, she brings it back and we play again.  If Nola gets to it, then it is time to play 'mum go fetch the crack ball from Nola'.  She really enjoys that game.  Haha.

After we got tired of the crack ball, it was time for dinner.  Since it was a special Shiba Night, the girls got something special.  Merrick's Campfire Trout Feast.  They LOVED it.  And in typical Shiba fashion, begged for more.  Which, much to their dismay did not work.

They did get some extra treats when we started the dance party.  This involves me having them sit, and then twirling my finger over their head getting them to 'dance'.  This is a fun exercise that is especially good for Nola's hip.  (apparently it helps strengthen her hip muscles)

After the dance party, we came back upstairs and had a nice sing along.  This ended the Shiba Night by me playing a little guitar and singing to the girls.  Nola sang along for about five seconds before she plopped down and passed out.  Bella just stared at me until she nodded off.

So, since I have no photos of our fun night...  I present you with a photo I took a couple of weeks ago.  I call it...

SINGING SHIBAS:




Happy Shiba Night!  :)

Rides...

So I have been riding quite a bit lately.  And it has been a blast!

Road bikes are FAST.  However, they are also very bumpy.  It has been interesting getting used to not having a front suspension.  It has also been interesting getting used to those skinny tires.  However, I think I am getting better at balancing, going fast downhill, and maneuvering.

And while it is definitely no where near as thrilling as mountain biking, it has its place.  (Which is getting me through the next 10 1/2 months until I can get back on a mountain bike!)

Tonight, I went for a ride around Blackwater.  I got in about 22 miles and made it up Kemper Station without killing myself!  I also dodged some traffic since Jefferson Street was closed off due to Friday Cheers (by the way, the band SUCKED).

I ended up stretching at the Awareness Garden and took a really nice photo (with my phone) of my bike.  Here is SynSi (the road bike's name...  It took me almost 3 weeks to name it)!




Meanwhile, the pups have been battling the heat.  Nola has been having a terrible time, as she is still halfway in full coat.  We have been playing in the basement during the day, since there is more room to run around down there and it is cooler than outside.  Our morning walks have been cut super short, because even at 0600, it is 85 degrees and ridiculously humid.  B&N are completely ready for Autumn!


Nola has been a complete bum, which is so cute for her...