The moment I've been waiting for

From the day I adopted Kozmo I've been waiting for Kozmo and Sparky to be friends. Koz spent the first year he was with me trying to chase the cat to engage him in play. Sparky hid for months. As he got braver he occasionally had to put Kozmo in his place with his claws.

For several months, Sparky has been in the same room with Kozmo peacefully. There even have been some naps with a human in between the dog and cat. Of course, I never have my camera with me for these wonderful family naps.

Last night Kozmo was beside me on the couch and Sparky came to sit on my lap. What happened next made me so happy, they touched noses. I didn't have a camera with me, but my phone was close. It's a terrible blurry phone photo but I managed to get proof of Kozzy and Sparky becoming friends.

blurry....but I have proof peace between cats and dogs does exist!

Sparky is a funny cat. He has a quirky personality. He makes me laugh every day. About an hour before we were all together on the couch I found Sparky in the living room alone. This photo cracked me up. Silly cat.

Silly Sparky

Inspired by the winer olympics

Kozmo and I both love snow. After sitting on the couch watching the winter olympics I was inspired to break out my snow shoes and go on an adventure. I went to explore a new trail on the back side of a ski resort. I figured if the mountain is good enough for a ski resort then the state park on the back side has to have good snow and trails for winter hikes.

The conditions were perfect and Kozmo got the gold medal!

Winter get away

Kozmo was lucky enough to go on a adventure this weekend. Originally he was going to go to the kennel while the humans rented an 1800's farmhouse in the woods with friends. Plans changed to the point where there were only going to be four humans in this big old house and the house is dog friendly. So Kozmo got to be part of the adventure.

Kozzy's Aunt Tammy loves fire. Despite the fact it was bitter cold, January in Pennsylvania, and there was a perfectly good fireplace inside, we built a huge fire outside. Kozmo was too nervous around the fire to sit close enough to stay warm. Aunt Tammy backed her car up close to the fire and let Kozzy lay down on Belle's bed with a blanked. Poor Kozzy was still cold. He was finally happy when he was covered up with Aunt Tammy's winter coat too.

Poor cold Kozzy

On our second day at the farmhouse Kozmo seemed much happier enjoying the benefits of the indoor fireplace and his human who was curled up with a book.

Kozmo enjoys the indoor fireplace

Watching for squirrels through the window

Kozmo loves squirrels. He figured out how to act like he really need to go to the bathroom so I would let him out. Then he would run to the area where the owners feed the animals dried corn. He would bark at squirrels and think he was going to catch one until he got cold and then come back and sit next to the fire place. Here he is trying to act like a good boy.

Acting like he's not chasing squirrels

We had an awesome weekend, and are investing in a winter coat for poor Kozzy and his lack of warm fur.

Getting closer

The progress continues getting Kozmo and Sparky closer together. I moved Kozmo's bed to vacuum. I also threw Sparky's bed on top along with some dog toys to make it easier to vacuum out the corner where the dog bed usually lives. 

A regular occurrence happened, I walked into another room and got distracted. I didn't move the beds and toys back right away. Hours later I walked into the living room and found these two almost sharing  a bed.

We are getting so much closer to the dog and cat snuggle I envision!

Kozmo and Sparky sharing a bed

He knows if you've been good....

Kozmo swears he's been a good boy and is ready for santa. However his grand-human brought him a santa toy and he treated poor santa just like any other stuffed toy. He needed to destroy it and kill the squeaker!

Santa's Little Helpers

Pakidog and Mishka Moo are getting into the holiday spirit and can't wait for Kozmo to join them soon. Don't they look excited for Santa's arrival?

Pakidog & Mishka Moo

Pakidog is the cutest dog ever!

Mishka is so patient

Kozmo's first snow of the season

Kozmo and I both love snow. It's especially exciting to wake up to a nice fresh snow when I don't have to go to work. Kozmo and I were thrilled to find a few inches of beautiful fluffy snow Saturday morning. Since it's hunting season our only option was the local park. 

It was early enough in the morning that Kozmo got some off leash time. He did really well coming back when called. To do the full length of this trail we have to cross a small stream. Usually I can make it across some rocks and logs. We had a lot of rain and the creek was higher than usual and there was no way I could cross. Of course, Kozmo had ran across ahead of me and was ready to continue. I called him back and am so sorry that I didn't have my camera ready. Kozmo hunched down and sprung across the stream, about 5-6 feet across. Only his back feet landed in the muddy edge. 

We back traced a bit and found an easier spot for human crossing. Kozmo even indulged me and sat pretty on an old stone wall. He was enjoying a run through the woods and I could see another dog on a leash. I called him back to me, and he listened!! I gave him a handful of treats and ended our off leash session on a positive note. 

Kozmo can't help but smile with all the snow

Kozmo not only looks regal but is doing an awesome sit-stay off leash

As much as Kozzy loves snow, he loves to be warm. When we got home he was laying next to the radiator in the kitchen. I put a blanket down for him and he spent the rest of his lazy Saturday snuggled next to the heater.

All warm and snuggly

We are looking forward to many more snow hikes this winter and can't wait to have Sunny, Marcy, Lexy, Kaylee & Roscoe P. join us!!!