The Year(s) of the Dog

We're dog people, us Ericksons. We love Winnie. She's a great dog. She and I didn't start out on the best of terms, but over the years we've gotten quite close. She's hands down the best trained dog I've ever owned.

(I give partial credit to my friend Dan Soucek who taught me the trick that changed my life - in terms of dog training - do you want to know what it is? Sure you do! All right, I'm going to tell you, and you're not going to believe me, but you're going to try it anyway, and it's going to work! Here it is: Periodically, wrestle your dog to their back and bite their neck. It's true! It works. Don't let go until they relax, and you'll be their alpha dog for life. I'm serious. I told you you weren't going to believe me.)

Since we've had children there's been a bit of a power struggle. I've also learned, since we've had children, it's easier to train dogs...

And the neck biting trick doesn't work on them...

Anyway, none of what I've written so far has anything to do with the point of this entry. My point is this: dogs have been a theme this year, and not just any dogs, but dalmatians.


It started last October...oh crud...it actually started the October the year before...I guess I'll have to re-title this "The Year(s) of the Dog"...

Anyway, here's Anna Rose for Halloween:

I keep this picture of Dave Dave and me at my office to remind me that I'm always being watched. 

Back to Anna Rose. 

She loves dogs. Probably got it from watching her parents. She also loves pretending to be a dog. Probably got that from Winnie. Anyway, Anna Rose wears the fact that she was born in the Year of the Dog as a badge of honor. She plays "puppy"let's just say a lot. 

Needless to say, when Lia and I found out that the Children's Theater was putting on 101 Dalmatians as part of their summer camp series, we immediately signed her up. It was her first all day camp. Fortunately, one of my newest Young Life dudes, Adam Chase, volunteered and made her/us feel extra special. Thanks Adam!

The show was spectacular. I came into it without any idea what to expect, but these guys did awesome! (Anna Rose is hiding somewhere in there. Maybe you can, but I can't find her.)

Cruella was quite fiendish for a twelve year old. The henchmen were adorable. 

And Anna Rose was happy. 

  

It was an exclamation point for what has become the Year(s) of the Dog!