Keaton the mascot?

I recently began working as the assistant coach for the Rochester Raiders Adaptive Floor Hockey Team. Keaton and I have been going to practices every night and had our first away game this week. I was a little nervous about how Keaton would do on such a long bus ride (about 1 1/2 hours) and if he would be able to handle hanging out while I was coaching. Keaton was great! The kids enjoyed having Keaton at the game and took turns sitting with him and petting him when they weren't playing. One of the players even told me that Keaton helped him to stay focused on the game. He has become an important member of the team.

Busted!

When I first got Ezra (long before there was an Icarus) at the first sight of a cat Ezra would turn his head the other way and tremble in an effort not to look at the cat. Maybe this was due to his CCI training or past experiences at Beth's house as a puppy. Either way Ezra wanted NOTHING to do with cats.

Then I brought home Icarus. Ezra was so jealous! If Icarus was in the same room as him Ezra would turn his back. Icarus spent most of the first year of his life trying to get Ezra to play with him while Ezra spent the year avoiding him.

Then retirement came. The week before Christmas we noticed a strange phenomenon around our house. Ziplock bags full of goodies were disappearing and plastic bags of food from our pantry were found ripped open. I was baffled - knowing Ezra would not or had not ever jumped up on counters or shelves to steal food and not suspecting Icarus because the items were not things that he ate.

The mystery was solved when Jeremy witnessed the two in action! Icarus jumped up on the table and knocked down a baggy of food to Ezra. Ezra ripped it open with his mouth and the two of them ate the food together. We no longer leave baggies of food out!!

The above picture has become a common one in our house. Ezra finds a spot to nap and Icarus curls up against his tummy or side and the two sleep together.

Icarus

Puppy dog eyes

The cutest kitten ever . . .

This is Jeremy's cousin Jake's cat. She was the cutest little kitten. She is extra small and doesn't have much of a tail! She actually looks a lot like Rascal's "mini-me". Keaton really liked her and continually followed her around sniffing her. Finally, she just turned around and swatted him on the nose! After that he kept his distance.

Rascal

This is Grandma Sue's cat Rascal. He may be the largest cat alive - check out his face - this cat actually has a snout! Rascal is a fun cat because of his large size and laid back nature. Darin enjoyed photographing him.

Beware of dog

It is hard to believe that this is a photo of gentle Ezra and Keaton the energetic and friendly pup! While at Jeremy's grandparent's house the dogs started roughing house and captured this moment on film. I think that Keaton looks pretty ferocious!

Sleepy dogs

After the holidays this year, both Keaton and Ezra calmed down and enjoyed some time lounging. Jeremy and I spent part of winter break in Clayton, WI. It was a busy week for us and the dogs!