!4 YEARS OLD IN DOG YEARS (10 months)

Not much news to share with everyone, but a few cute pictures and videos to share....all focused around the STAR of the blog..... LOLA!

It just so happens that most of Lola's photo-ops occur in the car...

• SLEEPY PUP EARLY IN THE A.M. ON THE WAY TO THE BEACH

• FUN IN THE SUN WITH THE TOP DOWN.... CHECK OUT THOSE MUSCLES!

•  LOLA TRYING TO HELP CHANGE GEARS

• THE QUEEN IN HER THRONE

IT ONLY SEEMS FITTING THAT AFTER SHOWING 2 PICTURES OF LOLA TRYING TO LOOK SERIOUS AND REGAL, THAT I SHOW YOU EVIDENCE THAT SHE IS STILL JUST AS GOOFY AS EVER....

• LOLA'S FAVORITE WAY TO RIDE IN THE CAR!

picking up Lola from school

I thought I'd share with you my everyday experience of picking up Lola from day-care... Each day we have the same routine, one I've come to look forward to and love. Here's the schedule of events!

1. I open the door to the car and Lola jumps in
2. Lola heads towards the middle of the car and waits for me to walk around
3. Lola lets me get in and then immediately starts hunting for treats...(I always carry a spare)
4. I give Lola the treat, which she then thanks me for with lots of sloppy face kisses...
5. Lola then stares at my hands until I start the car.... just to make sure there are no more treats...

ENJOY!

As soon as Lola realizes that there are no more treats up for grabs, she cozies up for a quick nap...

Random Lola picture

HIKING AT HAWTHORNE TRAIL

Today, Lola decided to give her human mother (Ashley) the best mother's day present she knew how to give... The opportunity to sleep in. Lola kept herself busy by scratching her own back, and playing quietly with all her toys...

This was appreciated so much that Lola was in turn rewarded with an afternoon of hiking at the Hawthorne Trail... a place she has never explored!

First thing Lola wanted to do before hiking in the woods was to thoroughly read all maps and signs to make sure we wouldn't get lost...

Of course, any dog knows that on a hot day in Florida, it is of the utmost importance to stay nicely hydrated.... in this case, it means making sure Patrick and Ashley brought her plenty of water...

Sometimes it is even necessary to take some small breaks to catch your breath and make sure that you don't tire yourself out!

Lola, being the clever dog she is figured out that she could stay extra cool by going from shady spot to shady spot and just wait for Patrick and Ashley to catch up. Here's a quick clip of Lola hustling to the next shaded area for a break from the heat...

And of course, at the end of a long day of hiking, nothing beats a cold shower followed by a nice long nap!

In case you miss Lola..... newest pictures

Lola is now 9 1/2 months old.... 58.5 lbs... and is starting to look more like a real dog than a puppy.... that doesn't mean she's not cute though!

Some random pics

The 136th KENTUCKY DERBY... Patrick and Ashley (no Lola)

This year Ashley and I decided to make the trek to the Kentucky Derby. A trip to Churchill Downs, the holy land of horse racing, the home of the most exciting 2 minutes of sports, and the largest parking lot of private jets either of us have ever seen!!!

Although we were afraid the rain would scare many people away, we were blown away at what we saw when we landed. This was just a small area of the private planes dotting the entire tarmac.

As with every great sporting event, the day began by getting up at the crack of dawn and dressing in appropriate attire...In this case, the oh so important BIG HAT!

Tony may have misunderstood just a little bit...

It was good times with old friends, and so far the rain was cooperating!

Of course being the classy grown-ups that we all believe ourselves to be, we took the fanciest limo in town...

And before we knew it.... WE WERE THERE!

FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS: MINT JULEP

NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS: FIGURING OUT WHAT BETS TO MAKE!

a quick check of the odds

a little homework

a check of the track conditions

and we were ready to go

And then an early celebration dance.... I may have to take back the 'classy' comment...

Did I mention hats???

Of course we took some time to watch the constant parade of horses onto and off the track...

Of course I wouldn't recommend pulling the horses tails... they don't like that...

Before long, it was time for the big event! Just as the sun was breaking through!!!

Calvin Borel taking it all in before his 3rd Derby win

Super Saver getting a little warm up in the paddock

Super Saver on his way out to the track

All the others

And just as quickly as the day began, it was over.