The Sweet Life on Sugarloaf Blvd.

Zuzu and Tootie have been in Florida for six weeks. We arrived on Sugarloaf Key on Friday, February 19, 2010 and they have settled in comfortably. They enjoy the relaxed and laid back lifestyle of the Keys. Tootie usually wakes up around 6:00am and will either ask to go outside for a quick pee or will settle back into her bed. She's probably trying to get Zuzu up, but she will have none of that until daybreak. We have learned that Zuzu is afraid of the dark. Or, more specifically, afraid of the night. We are lucky to have her in the family room in the evening with us, but she usually retires just after sunset to her den in the master closet. Tootie, however, has no fear of the dark and will occasionally explore the yard with confidence during her last trip out before bed. So, in the morning, Tootie waits patiently for Zuzu to get up and make her appearance after daybreak, usually between 7:00 and 7:30am.

After a quick romp on the bed seeking free back and belly rubs, it's off to the yard to potty before breakfast. After breakfast, Zuzu and Tootie usually sleep in the office while we work, and will occasionally lie in the sun on the driveway or sidewalk along the house. We usually take them on a walk down the path to explore new smells, look for cats, and chase birds.

Sometimes, we take them for a ride in the car, especially if we have an errand to run. They will ride along to the Summerland Key Post Office, make a quick trip to the Winn-Dixie on Big Pine Key, or take a drive into Key West to visit the dog park near Higgs Beach. All you have to say is "bye-bye in the car" and they are in it and ready to go!

During the day, we usually leave the front door open so the girls can go down into the yard to sleep in the sun, hunt and chase lizards on the wall near the dock, or simply survey the land and Sugarloaf Blvd. from the front porch.

And by the afternoon, they retire to the lanai for more sunshine as they await the 5:00pm dinner bell. After dinner, it's time for another walk down the path and some romping and playing in the yard before sunset.

While the past six weeks have not been free of setbacks, challenges, and frustrations, Zuzu and Tootie are making excellent progress as they continue to gain our trust and live their new lives.