Got crabs? Maude does!

Maude caught a Dungeness crab at the beach the other day.  She has high class taste.  This photo was taken by our friend Jordan while Brian struggled to get the crab out of Maude's mouth.  I guess it was barely alive when she found it and she finished the job.  

Maudie!

Out little Maudie is not so little anymore.  She's around 50 lbs. now and her neck is slowly growing through the progressive notches on her collar.

We finally got her a name tag.

Now if this precious face is ever lost, hopefully some friendly stranger will bring her back.  She knows pretty much everyone in the neighborhood, though, so I don't think we need to worry.

If there was a canine tooth fairy, Maude would be rolling in quarters right now.  We've been finding her teeth all over the place and have managed to save a few for photo ops.  Crazy!

Look at those pearly whites!

Happy New Year!

Maude had a play date with her friend, Lena, while we went to a party on New Year's Day.  They played.  A lot.

Maude-cam: post surgery & Christmas morning

Here is some video footage of Maude from when we first brought her home after her spay procedure, and then a few weeks later on Christmas morning.  

Maude's First Christmas

Maude had a super fun first Christmas!

She got a couple special toys from her parents and grandparents and thoroughly enjoyed all the wrapping paper.  After we opened presents, we took her for a long stroll along Sandy Beach over on Douglas Island (our old stomping grounds).  It's one of her favorite places because she can run freely through sand, snow, and water and play with lots of other dogs.

Thank you Grandma & Grandpa Vander Naald for the special Nylabone!

This is a look of hopeful anticipation….she can see the beach!

Maude loves sticks.

Taking in the beautiful view.

"Dad, let's go say hi to those people!"

Salt water tastes good.

"I love friends!"

What spay procedure???

Juneau is pretty.

Christmas is tiring.

10 Days Post-Op & Three Parties Later...

We made it to 10 days post-op for Maude, which theoretically means she can run and jump and play freely again.  Her incision, however, is still healing and the vet said we should keep her contained now until the full two-week mark.  

I think over the past 10 days, I have sent him four or five emails with pictures of her incision, asking if it looks normal.  He is a patient and good man.  Maude left him some cookies in his mailbox to say thank you.

This past weekend was the UAS Department holiday party, our Bible study holiday party, and our friend's baby's 1st birthday party.  All were fun, but not as fun as sleeping in until 9am this morning :)

Maude likes lazy Sunday mornings.  Three holiday parties in a row makes Anne tired.  

The semester is over and Brian just has a few more papers to grade and submit before he's officially on his Christmas break.  Hurray!

I can't figure out what magazine Brian is trying to pose for here.  Maude can't even look.  

Halfway there!

Dear Family,

I'm worried about my parents.  I don't know why they won't let me run or jump.  This is no fun.  I keep trying to tell them I feel fine.  Why oh why won't they listen!?!  I miss playing with my friends.  Oh well.  

I'm excited to lick your face when I meet you someday.   

Love, Maude

Merry Christmas!