The evolution of a lawn mower (or... the frog.)

Cute puppy with a bad habit.

Wichita is a sweet puppy. But this puppy had a wicked chewing phase. She had many victims. One big one went unnoticed for months, but this spring it was found out that she in fact had killed the lawn mower.
First some history: I hate gas mowers. I believe gas should be left for my SUV. So the hippie in me lucked into one of those old timey push mowers.

My old timey push mower.

I cut the grass exactly twice with this and realized it was over rated. Motors were added to lawn mowers for a reason. So. Enter the electric mower. It is like a vacume cleaner with a blade. Once in the groove of swinging the cord it is actually really nice. Until Wichita. Apparently the dangling cord was too inviting and at some point this winter she chewed it off. And I assure you, the electrics inside that housing were way more complicated than I ever could have thought. I was hoping she wouldn't chew one again, and was wishing there was a way around the long cord.

So the neighbor let me borrow her loud polluting mower, and I drug out the old timey push mower, while I pondered electric models. 

And, because she felt bad Wichita tried to eat the grass to a reasonable height.

She loves her greens.

A solution was found; there is a new thing.... battery operated lawn mowers! No cord, no gas! But it seems it is an east coast thing, so I was afraid I would never find one in St. Louis. A trip to Home Depot was planned.... when a miracle at work occurred.

From across the back dock it looked like an electric lawn mower. I was so excited! Then I got to it, and started inspecting, and low and behold I could not find the plug to try it out. I opened the weird lid, when I saw why..... It was a battery operated lawn mower!!!!

It is everything I thought it would be. Quiet, light weight, NO exhaust throwing rocks or sticks. It has power, it has grace! It carries its own tools! And there is no cord for the puppy to chew. And there will be more gas for my SUV.

It's cute too!

The battery weighs more that the machine.

The growling, fur cover, dog I love (or Wildfire)

Two years. Wildfire officially became my dog two years ago today. He was my first dog, and truly  he is the dog that I judge all dogs by. He sets the bar, and for being a dachshund mini poodle mix he sets the bar extremely high.

He is so handsome.

Far and away this little canine is braver most dogs out there. He came from a bad breeder, and a very bad dog-mother. He had a rough first month. Then he met me.

River fun in Gatlinburg.

Vacation. He is so great in the car.

Unfortunately under my care he has survived an attack by a much bigger boxer mix. And I will never know what he encountered the day of the break in. I know he was at the very least fended off with a Swiffer. I hope he bit. And I still thank the force in the universe that reminded me to take the key out of the key to key deadbolt in the back door. That action alone kept him in the house. And probably kept him in my life.
If the police ever catch the person(s) that did break in, I only want to ask them one thing. What did they do to my Wildfire?

But he has also been to may restaurants and Ted Drewes. He goes to the parks, and loves the local farmers market. He is a great shopping companion. He loves picnics, farms and snow. He is amazing in the car. He was an angel for the 8 hour rides on vacation. Vacation with him was great, this little boy was so excited and so adventurous. I am so excited to bring him out west this year. But his favorite road trip will always be his Oma and Papa Wright's house. They have a big back yard, and a deck and a big dining room table to hide under.

Nap under Oma's table.

Exploring he favorite back yard.

Visiting Great Grandma Wright

He is the guard dog. He taught Wichita very well. After all our hard work training  he still has rough edges and probably always will. But he also has let go and shown his soft cuddly side. He is sweet and he is so smart. And he has given me smiles every day for the last two years. He is my little brave boy. I am crazy about him. And I look forward to so many more great years with him.

Sharing his bed with his little sister Wichita (when she was actually little.)

He is clearly the one taking the job seriously.

Happy boy.

He always picks the biggest stick to chew on.

One month after the dog attack. Fur on his neck was growing back.

He loves this shirt. He think it makes him look like his Papa Wright. (It does.)

Him with the sweet Ripley.

My landshark.

His sweet raincoat.