Gracie...Dog Whisperer, Jr

Well, maybe not quite a dog whisperer, but she is starting to really become more of Max's handler these days.  It's fun to watch them develop and grow together.  In the very beginning, it was a little girl and her puppy.  After awhile it grew into a couple of kids.  Now, I've noticed that Gracie really is beginning to show interest in Max's handling and training.  When we are out and about, she wants to have control of him instead of being content with Mom doing it.  I'm not sure if it's because she's grown a bit and he's pretty well behaved so now she feels that she is capable of keeping him under control when we are out in public or if it's just that she is starting to fully grasp that they are a team.  Either way, it's fun to watch her take ownership of this part of her life and start to become Max's handler.  I'm very proud of both of them:)

Max is still in his teenage phase, so we get a little "tude" going every once in awhile.  But, all in all he's a really good boy.  I can count on him to keep his girl safe, and for the most part be obedient at home and in public.  He's still very opinionated and likes to voice his opinion at every opportunity; but let's face it, in this house I'm surrounded by opinionated individuals;)

We took a little family vacation to Kansas City last week.  3 days to just enjoy being together with no work, school, chores or responsibilities.  Max was AMAZING!  It was extremely hot the entire time we were there but he did great.  We had to get him some shoes because the pavement was too hot for his feet.  It was so comical the first few steps ~ like watching a duck;)  However, he got use to them almost right away and seemed to almost like sporting his yellow and black shoes.  Of course, seeing a dog in an amusement park tends to draw attention anyway... seeing a dog wearing shoes in an amusement park tends to draw crowds, giggles, stares, and even a few belly laughs.  Max took it all in stride.

We were blessed to stay at the Hotel Phillips... What a TREAT that was.  I highly recommend this hotel and if you ever have the chance to stay there, take it.  I admit though to feeling apprehensive when we arrived with 5 kids and a dog at this stately, grand, 4 star hotel.  I thought they'd take one look at our troop and lock the doors.  The staff was so gracious and fun.  Our room was HUGE; certainly large enough for us all to stretch out and not feel cramped.  They provided Max with a fluffy dog bed, china food and water bowls and gourmet treats.  They also offered complimentary aromatherapy for him as well, but since he relies on his sense of smell to keep Gracie safe and sound, I declined that.  Hotel Phillips is a landmark in KC.  Situated in the popular Light and Power district, it's walking distance to everything you could want downtown.  They just finished major renovations in November and took it back to it's 1930's Art Deco splendor with a fun twist on everything.  There's a gorgeous statue of the Goddess Dawn (yep, I had to love that;) that stands 111 feet high in the foyer.  The original owner of the hotel had this sculpted in honor of his own daughter.  It's rumored to have her face and her best friend's body.  All the woodwork, mouldings, furnishings, artwork... absolutely everything about this hotel is gorgeous.  Check out the pictures below:)