We spent Sunday afternoon by Quaker Lake.

A partially-wet Tsuki liked climbing the lake's banks.

We're back in the hotel after the U.S. Men's Soccer team beat Trinidad & Tobago (1-0) in a World Cup Qualifying Game. Soccer is much more fun in person than it is on TV.

One of the many courtyards of Yale...

Another shot of Yale...

Braden and Tsuki at Selkirk Shores State Park. On Saturday we went with Braden's parents to explore some Lake Ontario State Parks. On Friday we had gone to Chittenango Falls, too (minus Tsuki).

Tsuki tentatively explores Lake Ontario for the first time.

Tsuki and I at Selkirk Shores State Park.

Tsuki became quite the beach dog at Fair Haven State Park on Lake Ontario. At least 10 people stopped us to say she looked like a fox (and one girl thought she looked like a wolf...).

Tsuki got pretty brave around Lake Ontario waves.

Tsuki voluntarily attempting to body-surf in the water. We couldn't believe she went in that far--Shibas are supposed to hate water.

We had to rinse her off so as to prevent lake-water dog smell.

On Saturday afternoon we went to Chittenango Falls with Braden's parents.

Braden's parents and us at the falls.

Tsuki at about four months old now.

We've recently discovered the joys of the regional farmers' market. Here's a cherry almond tart I made from the recent issue of Fine Cooking.

Don't you hate it when your ice cube gets stuck under the refrigerator?

Tsuki's second trip to Wisconsin to see "Grandma and Grandpa Smith" and Camby in Madison in early July.

Still working on the whole "mouthing" thing...

Braden and Tsuki in the sunroom.

Braden and Tsuki are putting together the new wine cooler... a "necessity" because of the week of 90 degree weather we've been having.

Tsuki keeps watch over the wine bottles... just her size.

We took Tsuki to the park in our old neighborhood in Fayetteville for the afternoon. She had fun being outside for a few hours while we read (and untangled her leash from our chairs).

Exploring at the park.

Dandelions don't stand a chance...

Tsuki's getting bigger! She weighed in at 7.1 lbs at the vet's on Wednesday (up from 4.6 lbs when we first got her).

Lazy days of summer...

She's quite a jumper.

Tsuki got a new hedgehog toy.

Tsuki loved being the center of attention back in Wisconsin on Memorial Day weekend.

How many relatives can take pictures of Tsuki at once? (Answer: at least three.)

Matt played with Tsuki, too.

Meghan puppy-sat while we went to a wedding.

Tsuki's first car trip to Wisconsin on Memorial Day weekend. She was excellent, sitting between Braden and I the whole way (14 hours...).

Tsuki takes a trip to our friend Lena's house. Turns out she likes cat toys (but cats don't like her too much).

Tsuki went to play at her new friend Lily's house. She was very patient with Tsuki.

Tsuki gazes in admiration at her new friend.

Tsuki is trying really hard to get Lily to play.

Lily is sharing her bone with Tsuki.

Is Lily jealous of her new friend?

It's graduation day! (But I'm not done yet...)

One of us is now more degreed than the other.

Braden likes to play ball with Tsuki... sometimes she does, too.

More Tsuki... she has a tongue now.

Tsuki demonstrates at an early age that she is a bookworm... (though she prefers reading about herself to reading about the European Union)

Endless ball of energy...

R & B

R & B

Tsuki Arrives!

Today was finally the day to bring our long-awaited puppy home! Her name is "Tsuki" (we pronounce it soo'-key), which means "moon" in Japanese. She is a seven-week old shiba inu, which is a Japanese breed of the spitz type (like a husky). She'll be about 15" tall when she's full grown. Many people initially think they look like foxes, especially the red ones, which Tsuki is. They also come in black and tan, red sesame (red with black tips), and cream (which is not breed standard, but cute anyway). People say they tend to be really smart, independent (they might come when you call, or they might not), cat-like, and kind of quirky. So far we can validate the smart part. We got her from a breeder in northern New Jersey, so on the ride home she got used to freeway traffic and riding in the truck. Grass seems to be a new concept... not sure how we'll get her to understand she has to "go" there, but everyone says they house train in about two days (the smart and clean part). She loves the apartment and already seems to feel pretty comfortable, so we'll see how tonight goes. She's already had a good nap in her crate, so we're crossing our fingers. We'll keep you posted!

Who knew she'd like the rope toy right off the bat and tear around the apartment?

She knows she's a cutie.

Tsuki really enjoys Braden's beard.

Tsuki and I playing on the living room floor... trying to keep her from attacking my face.