It's 2013. All I can say is "wow." We had a very good New Year's Eve, celebrating in a local pub that looks out on to the water. There was a band playing, good food, even better company and a really relaxed yet festive atmosphere. It really was an enjoyable evening, even if I did wear five inch heels and walked all of the way there and back. Oh the things we do for fashion.
In my defense, they are the prettiest red heels ever!
Anyway, the point is, it was a very good night.
But what is this "Dogmany" you may be asking.
In the UK, or at least in Scotland, New Year's Eve is called Hogmany. It's a huge deal here with fireworks being fired off from the castle every hour and a gigantic street party. Apparently, this year's Hogmany street celebration pulled in somewhere around 75 thousand people. This still doesn't explain Dogmany right? I'm getting there.
Dogmany is a fun day spent in one of the city's larger parks where sled dogs race and the general public are encouraged to bring their dogs. It's held on New Year's Day and as I'm sure you can guess, we went. There's no way there is going to be a massive gathering of dogs and me not be there.
My parents and I hopped a cab downtown and brought Hermione and Otis along for the day. Mr. K was not feeling well-no, it wasn't from drinking too much the night before-and so Roscoe stayed home with him. We met a couple of our friends at the park and spent some time watching the sled dogs racing. There were races between teams of three and then races between teams of two. In one of the races with teams of three, a kid of about ten won the heat. It was pretty exciting to watch. There were so many different types of sled dogs around I hardly knew what to do with myself. It was amazing. Of course there were plenty of pet dogs about and I spent a lot of time petting other people's dogs and having photos taken of mine. There was even a novelty dog show set up and I entered both dogs.
Hermione was to be shown in the "Waggiest Tail" category and Otis was entered in to the "Prettiest Eyes" class. There was some time to kill before the show so we wandered around a bit more, getting stopped about every fifteen feet for someone to pet/stroke/hold/take a photo of Otis. Hermione was admired as well, but it was a different kind of dog person who appreciated her. It was actually interesting to take notice of the people who were drawn to each dog. Otis, for example, drew in families, young couples and just your average dog lover. Hermione on the other paw, drew in people who were breed experts, serious gun dog handlers and people who are a bit more serious about their dogs. Of course little girls were smitten with her too because of her fluffy ears and feathery tail. She truly is a princess.
When it came time for Hermione's class to be shown, I missed the call for us to enter the ring. It was really noisy, Otis was being kidnapped by a small child and I was honestly distracted by a fourteen month old Dog DaBordo who weighed 3 and a quarter stone. For those of you who don't know "stones" that is, in my opinion, weight measurement for bloody huge. I was disappointed she didn't get to go in the ring, but Otis was up next and he was a hit.
The "judge" had us all enter the ring and line up. Then she went around looking at each dog and squeaking a small squeak toy at them. This was to get the dogs to look at her so she could judge who had the prettiest eyes. The funny thing was even though it was fun and we were joking around, waiting for her judgment was actually tense and I got a bit excited. The judgment came back that a gorgeous Springer Spaniel had the prettiest eyes since he/she sat perfectly still staring at the judge during the squeakathon. Otis, my little charmer, won second prize and a mixed breed of some sort won third. When the winners were announced we all lined up to receive our prizes and the dogs were given medals and a certificate. A goodie bag with a few treats was also part of the loot. Then, the dogs, and owners I suppose, got to strut their stuff around the ring to show off for the crowd. It probably was one of the most fun things I've done with my pet dogs and to be honest, it's kind of addictive.
A lot of novelty dog shows are run in the name of charity in Edinburgh and I've thought of entering my dogs into more just for the fun of it. It would give me a reason to work with them on their obedience, a way to meet new people, give to a good cause and have fun while I'm at it.
By the end of Otis's victory lap, my feet were frozen and I think my parents had turned into snow people, or at least frost people, as well. We said our good-byes to our friends and found a cab to take us home.
It was a warm shower and a hot cup of tea for me and a well deserved treat, courtesy of Otis's winnings, for the puppies. We all spent the rest of the evening curled up on the couch just relaxing as it had been quite an eventful previous evening and next day. I think it was the perfect start to 2013.
Happy 2013 to all of you and wishing you the best in 2013.
hugs from Jess, Hermione, Otis, Roscoe, Mr. K, Hamish and Lola
Showing posts with label Thinking of You. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thinking of You. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Merry Christmas 2012
Merry Christmas, everyone!
I can't believe how quickly this past year has flown. I think I've said THAT for the last four years really.
Christmas was nice this year with my parents flying over to spend time with Mr. K, me and the dogs. We had a wonderful meal cooked by my parents consisting of turkey, SALMON, salad, mashed potatoes, dressing and chocolate cake for dessert. I was so full after supper was over, I could hardly move; exactly THE way Christmas dinner should be. MOM AND I HAD ALSO ATTEMPTED A TRADITIONAL BRITISH DESSERT RECIPE EARLIER IN THE WEEK CALLED MINCE PIES WHICH ACTUALLY TURNED OUT QUITE WELL. THERE AREN'T MANY LEFT OF THOSE.
Our day started with my mom making French toast, bacon and cinnamon coffee. I'm a huge fan of flavored coffees and finding them this side of the pond has been difficult. When we visited the German Christmas market on Sunday evening, we came across a vendor that sold a variety of flavored coffees and I made off with a package of Irish Cream and Cinnamon. I was really torn as there were so many choices, some of which included Blueberry Muffin and Chocolate, but I settled on the two aforementioned flavors. Mom and Dad also brought two big bags of Hazelnut coffee with them and we've been enjoying that as well. We may have also enjoyed a little Bailey's in that coffee as well this morning.
After breakfast it was gift opening time for everyone. I got a pair of "feety" PJ's (I love the silly things), a casual dress, Body Shop products and a tea set with Cavalier King Charles Spaniels on it. Winter boots and coat, new walking shoes and a hoodie were also gifts I got earlier. I was a very lucky girl this Christmas season.
Tenie and Lindsay didn't forget about us either and sent gifts with my parents for us. Mr. K got a Lego Star Wars tree ornament and I got a Tim Horton's coffee mug ornament. If you're Canadian you'll understand my ornament. If you're not, look up Tim Horton's or "Timmy's" as we Canadians like to call it and you'll understand. :) The girls also sent over a singing card that played "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" with a Dachshund on the front. For those of you WHO don't know, Lindsay adopted Baloo, one of our Dachshunds, when we moved over here and so the card was defiNITELY fitting. They put some cash in the card so that Mr. K and I could go out to dinner together. All very thoughtful and sweet gifts.
The dogs weren't forgotten either. Hermione got her Kong Wobbah, Otis his elk antler chew and Roscoe his squeaking squirrel. I also made a batch of banana and honey treats and some sweet potato chews. Everyone seemed happy with their presents. Hermione has gone crazy death shaking her replacement toy-the last one had to be thrown out due to over use-Roscoe walked around happily wagging his tail and softly squeaking the squirrel and Otis made off into a corner to be alone so that he could chew his antler.
Once presents were opened, mom started on getting the turkey into the oven and then she and I took all three dogs for a good long off leash run. It's done nothing but rain the last week or so and it was nice to have the sun poking out today. We returned hOME nearly two hours later with three very tired dogs. Hermione was so muddy that I spent nearly ten minutes wiping her down once we got home. Her feathers are so long and SHE is so low to the ground that the mud just clings to her. Roscoe needed toweling off as well as he decided that prancing through mud puddles and splashing about in little pools was a good idea, but he wasn't nearly as difficult to clean as miss princess butt.
We finished the evening off by calling various family members. We even got to talk to Mr. K's family via Skype. I can't say how fantastic Skype has been for us since moving so far away from our families. It was great to see everyone laughing and all of our nieces and nephew got to see us and the dogs too.
So, with a full belly and heart I am writing this out; sitting snugly in my bed in my feety pajamas. NO JUDGING! TRY THEM ONCE AND YOU WILL NEVER GO BACK. Roscoe is asleep on my feet and Otis is on my lap. Hermione took herself to bed. She actually likes sleeping in her own crate at night and will voluntarily go in. I think she needs some alone time sometimes and that is where she gets it. So, from my snug, sleepy self to you: Merry Christmas! Hoping that you had a wonderful day.
XOXO
I can't believe how quickly this past year has flown. I think I've said THAT for the last four years really.
Christmas was nice this year with my parents flying over to spend time with Mr. K, me and the dogs. We had a wonderful meal cooked by my parents consisting of turkey, SALMON, salad, mashed potatoes, dressing and chocolate cake for dessert. I was so full after supper was over, I could hardly move; exactly THE way Christmas dinner should be. MOM AND I HAD ALSO ATTEMPTED A TRADITIONAL BRITISH DESSERT RECIPE EARLIER IN THE WEEK CALLED MINCE PIES WHICH ACTUALLY TURNED OUT QUITE WELL. THERE AREN'T MANY LEFT OF THOSE.
Our day started with my mom making French toast, bacon and cinnamon coffee. I'm a huge fan of flavored coffees and finding them this side of the pond has been difficult. When we visited the German Christmas market on Sunday evening, we came across a vendor that sold a variety of flavored coffees and I made off with a package of Irish Cream and Cinnamon. I was really torn as there were so many choices, some of which included Blueberry Muffin and Chocolate, but I settled on the two aforementioned flavors. Mom and Dad also brought two big bags of Hazelnut coffee with them and we've been enjoying that as well. We may have also enjoyed a little Bailey's in that coffee as well this morning.
After breakfast it was gift opening time for everyone. I got a pair of "feety" PJ's (I love the silly things), a casual dress, Body Shop products and a tea set with Cavalier King Charles Spaniels on it. Winter boots and coat, new walking shoes and a hoodie were also gifts I got earlier. I was a very lucky girl this Christmas season.
Tenie and Lindsay didn't forget about us either and sent gifts with my parents for us. Mr. K got a Lego Star Wars tree ornament and I got a Tim Horton's coffee mug ornament. If you're Canadian you'll understand my ornament. If you're not, look up Tim Horton's or "Timmy's" as we Canadians like to call it and you'll understand. :) The girls also sent over a singing card that played "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" with a Dachshund on the front. For those of you WHO don't know, Lindsay adopted Baloo, one of our Dachshunds, when we moved over here and so the card was defiNITELY fitting. They put some cash in the card so that Mr. K and I could go out to dinner together. All very thoughtful and sweet gifts.
The dogs weren't forgotten either. Hermione got her Kong Wobbah, Otis his elk antler chew and Roscoe his squeaking squirrel. I also made a batch of banana and honey treats and some sweet potato chews. Everyone seemed happy with their presents. Hermione has gone crazy death shaking her replacement toy-the last one had to be thrown out due to over use-Roscoe walked around happily wagging his tail and softly squeaking the squirrel and Otis made off into a corner to be alone so that he could chew his antler.
Once presents were opened, mom started on getting the turkey into the oven and then she and I took all three dogs for a good long off leash run. It's done nothing but rain the last week or so and it was nice to have the sun poking out today. We returned hOME nearly two hours later with three very tired dogs. Hermione was so muddy that I spent nearly ten minutes wiping her down once we got home. Her feathers are so long and SHE is so low to the ground that the mud just clings to her. Roscoe needed toweling off as well as he decided that prancing through mud puddles and splashing about in little pools was a good idea, but he wasn't nearly as difficult to clean as miss princess butt.
We finished the evening off by calling various family members. We even got to talk to Mr. K's family via Skype. I can't say how fantastic Skype has been for us since moving so far away from our families. It was great to see everyone laughing and all of our nieces and nephew got to see us and the dogs too.
So, with a full belly and heart I am writing this out; sitting snugly in my bed in my feety pajamas. NO JUDGING! TRY THEM ONCE AND YOU WILL NEVER GO BACK. Roscoe is asleep on my feet and Otis is on my lap. Hermione took herself to bed. She actually likes sleeping in her own crate at night and will voluntarily go in. I think she needs some alone time sometimes and that is where she gets it. So, from my snug, sleepy self to you: Merry Christmas! Hoping that you had a wonderful day.
XOXO
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
She's Still Got It: Jetta the Jitter Bug
It's been just over four years since Jetta my first guide dog retired. She basically retired herself in typical Jetta fashion and moved into a squishy retirement with my parents. I can't believe she's going to be twelve this December.
When I called home the other day Mom and I got to talking and just as we were about to get off the phone she said, "Oh, I almost forgot."
She proceeded to tell me that my dad, being the goofy guy he is, had decided to wrap two "thank you" gifts my parents had bought for family members in Christmas wrap. He finished off the roll and stood chatting to my mom in the kitchen just holding on to the roll; presumably to put it in the recycling. Suddenly, the roll started bouncing around in his hand and he looked down to see Jetta pulling the tube out of his hand. He let her have it and off she went to shred it into little bits in the living room.
This story had me in stitches as it is definitely something Jetta would do. Actually, it really had me laughing because it used to be one of mine and Jetta's Christmas traditions for me to (pretend) attack her with the empty tubes (lightly) whacking her on the head and poking her in the butt; kind of like we were jousting. Well, I guess I was jousting, she was just trying to eat the thing. Not necessarily "by the books" guide dog/handler behavior, but I guess you learn what you can do with your dogs and what you can't. It's good to know that the old girl still remembers and that she's still got her characteristic spunk despite being a senior citizen.
Oh, Jetta. :)
When I called home the other day Mom and I got to talking and just as we were about to get off the phone she said, "Oh, I almost forgot."
She proceeded to tell me that my dad, being the goofy guy he is, had decided to wrap two "thank you" gifts my parents had bought for family members in Christmas wrap. He finished off the roll and stood chatting to my mom in the kitchen just holding on to the roll; presumably to put it in the recycling. Suddenly, the roll started bouncing around in his hand and he looked down to see Jetta pulling the tube out of his hand. He let her have it and off she went to shred it into little bits in the living room.
This story had me in stitches as it is definitely something Jetta would do. Actually, it really had me laughing because it used to be one of mine and Jetta's Christmas traditions for me to (pretend) attack her with the empty tubes (lightly) whacking her on the head and poking her in the butt; kind of like we were jousting. Well, I guess I was jousting, she was just trying to eat the thing. Not necessarily "by the books" guide dog/handler behavior, but I guess you learn what you can do with your dogs and what you can't. It's good to know that the old girl still remembers and that she's still got her characteristic spunk despite being a senior citizen.
Oh, Jetta. :)
Sunday, October 07, 2012
Pie Time!
It is Thanksgiving in the land of ice and snow. Happy Canadian Thanksgiving everyone!
Last year we had a combination Thanksgiving somewhere between the Canadian and American one, but this year since there are really only three of us left, we're doing things a bit different; a bit smaller scale.
Instead of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and whatever else someone may stuff into oneself on such an occasion, we are skipping all of that.
That's right. We're going straight for dessert!
One of the key staples in my family's Thanksgiving, and I think most everyone else's, is pumpkin pie. I used to hate it as a kid. I think it wasn't sweet enough for my little kid taste buds, but as I've grown older and acquired the taste, nothing can beat a perfectly baked pumpkin pie, topped off by whipped cream. Otherwise known as, in the UK, "squirty cream."
Dessert pies aren't really a popular thing here either. So, it is a treat in more than one way. Not only are we having home made pumpkin pie in celebration of Thanksgiving, but we are also getting dessert pie.
I was thinking about what I am thankful for this year and there are so many things. We've had a good year, with a few hard moments here and there, but it's those hard moments that make you appreciate the good ones even more. It also reminds you of how much loved you are by really supportive family members; even if they are across an ocean.
So what am I thankful for this year?
My family, near and far, furry and not; having the opportunity to be going back to school in a program that I absolutely love; the opportunity to live abroad; the beauty of the city that we live in; coffee (every student is grateful for the stuff); good health; and of course, Mr. K. He and I have had a lot of life changes recently, all good, and I am so thankful that we get to share our lives with one another and enrich each other's lives; at least, I think he enriches my life. Not sure if he feels the same way about me. (Just kidding).
And last but certainly not least, home made pumpkin pie. :)
Happy Thanksgiving!
XOXO
Last year we had a combination Thanksgiving somewhere between the Canadian and American one, but this year since there are really only three of us left, we're doing things a bit different; a bit smaller scale.
Instead of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and whatever else someone may stuff into oneself on such an occasion, we are skipping all of that.
That's right. We're going straight for dessert!
One of the key staples in my family's Thanksgiving, and I think most everyone else's, is pumpkin pie. I used to hate it as a kid. I think it wasn't sweet enough for my little kid taste buds, but as I've grown older and acquired the taste, nothing can beat a perfectly baked pumpkin pie, topped off by whipped cream. Otherwise known as, in the UK, "squirty cream."
Dessert pies aren't really a popular thing here either. So, it is a treat in more than one way. Not only are we having home made pumpkin pie in celebration of Thanksgiving, but we are also getting dessert pie.
I was thinking about what I am thankful for this year and there are so many things. We've had a good year, with a few hard moments here and there, but it's those hard moments that make you appreciate the good ones even more. It also reminds you of how much loved you are by really supportive family members; even if they are across an ocean.
So what am I thankful for this year?
My family, near and far, furry and not; having the opportunity to be going back to school in a program that I absolutely love; the opportunity to live abroad; the beauty of the city that we live in; coffee (every student is grateful for the stuff); good health; and of course, Mr. K. He and I have had a lot of life changes recently, all good, and I am so thankful that we get to share our lives with one another and enrich each other's lives; at least, I think he enriches my life. Not sure if he feels the same way about me. (Just kidding).
And last but certainly not least, home made pumpkin pie. :)
Happy Thanksgiving!
XOXO
Sunday, September 09, 2012
These Shoes Were Made for Walking
You know you have really worn down your shoes when your husband randomly says to you,
"do you need new shoes? Maybe we should go look at some."
These are the words that came out of Mr. K's mouth Friday morning when we were at the mall waiting to meet a potential guide runner. I knew my shoes were bad, but I didn't know they were that bad.
Back in June, Mr. K and I both got new shoes because of how much walking we do. Since moving to Edinburgh, our main mode of transportation is our own two feet. So, it was no surprise that we wore out our shoes pretty quickly. This time though, it was just my shoes that needed replacing.
On top of the regular walking I would normally do-going to the grocery store, meeting friends for breakfast Etc-my amount of walking has increased exponentially since moving into our new flat. With having kilometres and kilometres of cycling paths just right outside my door, Hermione and I walk a lot. Not only do we stick to our normal routes, but as soon as I get comfortable with one path, I get brave and we go exploring new ones. Just today, for example, we walked for over an hour, navigating a few paths we already were familiar with and then wandering down a branch we've never walked before. Yesterday our adventures took over two hours because Carmen came with us and having her sighted navigating abilities drastically increases the places we could potentially go. In the course of two days, my new shoes have already accumulated over four hours' worth of walking, if you include my trip to the local cafe and out to dinner Friday night. So, I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised when Mr. K asked me if I needed new shoes.
I had known for a while that I needed new ones. My heels had begun to hurt when out for walks wearing my old pair, a tell tale sign that your shoes need to be replaced, but I felt bad saying I needed new ones so soon after purchasing the last pair. However, Mr. K had been investigating the state of my shoes the day before, which he told me later, and realised that I was in desperate need of a replacement pair. The backs are all broken down, with the plastic showing through on the inside and even the insides of the soles are worn down. The funny thing is that even though I knew I needed new shoes, I had no idea just how badly I did.
I had gotten used to my feet hurting when I got home that I was shocked when I went out for the first time in the new shoes and was pain free upon arrival back at home. My heels didn't hurt, the balls of my feet weren't aching and my arches didn't feel like they had been over stretched. Realistically, I should know better. as an athlete I've always been aware of feet health and in massage college the idea of good shoes/healthy feet was really driven home. But, as I said above, it was almost like I got used to it and completely missed the signs that my shoes were on the fritz.
I guess the point of my giant ramble about getting new shoes is that it's probably more important than we think to have good shoes and to replace them when they are in need of retirement. For people who have occupations where they stand or walk all of the time, or even just for people who recreationally walk a lot, foot care is so important. If you have foot, leg or even back pain, try getting a new pair of shoes. Pain in your knees/ankles/hips or any of the previously mentioned areas, is an indication that your shoes have reached the end of their life. I certainly was reminded of that when my husband so kindly suggested I get new shoes.
"do you need new shoes? Maybe we should go look at some."
These are the words that came out of Mr. K's mouth Friday morning when we were at the mall waiting to meet a potential guide runner. I knew my shoes were bad, but I didn't know they were that bad.
Back in June, Mr. K and I both got new shoes because of how much walking we do. Since moving to Edinburgh, our main mode of transportation is our own two feet. So, it was no surprise that we wore out our shoes pretty quickly. This time though, it was just my shoes that needed replacing.
On top of the regular walking I would normally do-going to the grocery store, meeting friends for breakfast Etc-my amount of walking has increased exponentially since moving into our new flat. With having kilometres and kilometres of cycling paths just right outside my door, Hermione and I walk a lot. Not only do we stick to our normal routes, but as soon as I get comfortable with one path, I get brave and we go exploring new ones. Just today, for example, we walked for over an hour, navigating a few paths we already were familiar with and then wandering down a branch we've never walked before. Yesterday our adventures took over two hours because Carmen came with us and having her sighted navigating abilities drastically increases the places we could potentially go. In the course of two days, my new shoes have already accumulated over four hours' worth of walking, if you include my trip to the local cafe and out to dinner Friday night. So, I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised when Mr. K asked me if I needed new shoes.
I had known for a while that I needed new ones. My heels had begun to hurt when out for walks wearing my old pair, a tell tale sign that your shoes need to be replaced, but I felt bad saying I needed new ones so soon after purchasing the last pair. However, Mr. K had been investigating the state of my shoes the day before, which he told me later, and realised that I was in desperate need of a replacement pair. The backs are all broken down, with the plastic showing through on the inside and even the insides of the soles are worn down. The funny thing is that even though I knew I needed new shoes, I had no idea just how badly I did.
I had gotten used to my feet hurting when I got home that I was shocked when I went out for the first time in the new shoes and was pain free upon arrival back at home. My heels didn't hurt, the balls of my feet weren't aching and my arches didn't feel like they had been over stretched. Realistically, I should know better. as an athlete I've always been aware of feet health and in massage college the idea of good shoes/healthy feet was really driven home. But, as I said above, it was almost like I got used to it and completely missed the signs that my shoes were on the fritz.
I guess the point of my giant ramble about getting new shoes is that it's probably more important than we think to have good shoes and to replace them when they are in need of retirement. For people who have occupations where they stand or walk all of the time, or even just for people who recreationally walk a lot, foot care is so important. If you have foot, leg or even back pain, try getting a new pair of shoes. Pain in your knees/ankles/hips or any of the previously mentioned areas, is an indication that your shoes have reached the end of their life. I certainly was reminded of that when my husband so kindly suggested I get new shoes.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Carried Away
There is one thing that I have learned since moving to Scotland and that is: you can never count on the weather. If you leave your home and it's sunny, bring along an umbrella anyway, or if it's raining, you may want to wear layers so you can strip them off if it gets too warm. I've also learned that if you're going to let the weather dictate your life, you will never leave your house. So, yesterday morning when I took Hermione out for her first bathroom break and it was raining, I was fully prepared to have to get wet when walking her later in the morning. It was certainly a surprise when I left the flat a few hours later to feel the sun shining strongly. I had dressed for rain and immediately started peeling off those layers I mentioned because the sun was so warm.
The day before we had some crazy rain, mixed in with some hale and thunder and lightning and so Hermione had had a very short walk in the morning. It's one thing to brave a bit of rain, it's another to go prancing about in lightning and hale storms. Even if I had tried to go out for a walk, I think Hermione would have tried to drag me right back inside. Knowing that her walk had been cut short the day before and that I was heading out later on for a swim and she would have to go into her crate, I thought I'd make our walk a bit longer than usual.
We walked our usual path, meeting a few cyclists, runners and other walkers along the way. The paths are pretty quiet around 10 AM and so I was able to enjoy the sunshine and birds fairly undisturbed. Hermione pranced along beside me, trying to drop her nose to the ground a bit more frequently than normal. After it rains scents really come out for the dogs and she always is all nose the day after a good rain.
We meandered up to a local park and I stepped off the paved pathway to let Hermione frolic in the grass for a while. When she is on leash walking on the paths, she is expected to walk nicely, but at the park I let her have a bit more fun. She always makes me laugh because she springs after flying objects and when she comes to the end of her leash, she stands on her hind legs looking after her "prey;" be it a leaf, blade of grass or a bug. I've thought that I should invest in a flexy lead, only to be used in a field for play time so that she can have a bit more running freedom.
After our little romp in the park, I wasn't quite ready to go back and after a quick time check, we took a different branch of the path we've never walked down before. I've run down this particular path on occasion when out training, but running it with a sighted guide and navigating it with a white cane are two different things. This path has also just been paved and much easier to use a cane on than some of the older paths. The smooth surface lets the cane just glide over the top, whereas, the more broken, jagged paths catch the cane. These catches often result in shoulder jarring, elbow wrenching, gut stabbing or a combination of all three. This is why I prefer to use a guide dog.
We strolled along, the sun soaking into our skin and/or fur. It was so relaxing that I hardly noticed that we had been walking for almost an hour; and that's an hour one way. As we wandered under yet another under pass-there are a number of these crossing above these paths because the paths used to be the tram tracks-I figured I should check the time. I was supposed to meet a friend to swim at 11:30. Since we had left the flat around quarter to ten, I thought we had plenty of time, but when my phone screeched electronically at me that it was 10:43, my state of relax quickly vanished.
I could not believe that we had been just sauntering along for almost an hour and I hadn't even noticed. It was so enjoyable and peaceful walking with Hermione, with the sun shining and the quiet that only a heavily treed area can bring. Everyone we had met had been in great moods and I guess I had just gotten into a groove, or the zone as we athletes like to call it, and time had just got away from me. I think it's really important to have something that gives you that kind of release.
Prolonged stress can have so many adverse effects on your body that somewhere along the way, it's important to find an activity that just lets you breathe and forget what time it is. I think, humans on a whole and I'm not excluded from this, are really good at thinking ahead and being worried about what's happening next. As opposed to just being in the moment and really experiencing it. This theory could be applied to many aspects of life; just living in the moment and really experiencing it because at the end of the day, it's our experiences that we have left and we are the ones who shape them and take them for what they are. Yes, I was just walking my dog. Certainly it is not life altering, but that feeling of just living in the moment and experiencing it was so incredible and definitely not done on purpose. I'm surely not a great philosopher, nor have I been trained in some specialised field of psychology, but sometimes it's really refreshing to actually experience life instead of leaping ahead; especially when it just sneaks up on you.
The day before we had some crazy rain, mixed in with some hale and thunder and lightning and so Hermione had had a very short walk in the morning. It's one thing to brave a bit of rain, it's another to go prancing about in lightning and hale storms. Even if I had tried to go out for a walk, I think Hermione would have tried to drag me right back inside. Knowing that her walk had been cut short the day before and that I was heading out later on for a swim and she would have to go into her crate, I thought I'd make our walk a bit longer than usual.
We walked our usual path, meeting a few cyclists, runners and other walkers along the way. The paths are pretty quiet around 10 AM and so I was able to enjoy the sunshine and birds fairly undisturbed. Hermione pranced along beside me, trying to drop her nose to the ground a bit more frequently than normal. After it rains scents really come out for the dogs and she always is all nose the day after a good rain.
We meandered up to a local park and I stepped off the paved pathway to let Hermione frolic in the grass for a while. When she is on leash walking on the paths, she is expected to walk nicely, but at the park I let her have a bit more fun. She always makes me laugh because she springs after flying objects and when she comes to the end of her leash, she stands on her hind legs looking after her "prey;" be it a leaf, blade of grass or a bug. I've thought that I should invest in a flexy lead, only to be used in a field for play time so that she can have a bit more running freedom.
After our little romp in the park, I wasn't quite ready to go back and after a quick time check, we took a different branch of the path we've never walked down before. I've run down this particular path on occasion when out training, but running it with a sighted guide and navigating it with a white cane are two different things. This path has also just been paved and much easier to use a cane on than some of the older paths. The smooth surface lets the cane just glide over the top, whereas, the more broken, jagged paths catch the cane. These catches often result in shoulder jarring, elbow wrenching, gut stabbing or a combination of all three. This is why I prefer to use a guide dog.
We strolled along, the sun soaking into our skin and/or fur. It was so relaxing that I hardly noticed that we had been walking for almost an hour; and that's an hour one way. As we wandered under yet another under pass-there are a number of these crossing above these paths because the paths used to be the tram tracks-I figured I should check the time. I was supposed to meet a friend to swim at 11:30. Since we had left the flat around quarter to ten, I thought we had plenty of time, but when my phone screeched electronically at me that it was 10:43, my state of relax quickly vanished.
I could not believe that we had been just sauntering along for almost an hour and I hadn't even noticed. It was so enjoyable and peaceful walking with Hermione, with the sun shining and the quiet that only a heavily treed area can bring. Everyone we had met had been in great moods and I guess I had just gotten into a groove, or the zone as we athletes like to call it, and time had just got away from me. I think it's really important to have something that gives you that kind of release.
Prolonged stress can have so many adverse effects on your body that somewhere along the way, it's important to find an activity that just lets you breathe and forget what time it is. I think, humans on a whole and I'm not excluded from this, are really good at thinking ahead and being worried about what's happening next. As opposed to just being in the moment and really experiencing it. This theory could be applied to many aspects of life; just living in the moment and really experiencing it because at the end of the day, it's our experiences that we have left and we are the ones who shape them and take them for what they are. Yes, I was just walking my dog. Certainly it is not life altering, but that feeling of just living in the moment and experiencing it was so incredible and definitely not done on purpose. I'm surely not a great philosopher, nor have I been trained in some specialised field of psychology, but sometimes it's really refreshing to actually experience life instead of leaping ahead; especially when it just sneaks up on you.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
A Little Favor?
Hello to all of the dogs and cats out there who somehow manage to get their paws on their humans' plastic moneys.
I am here to ask you afavor...
I have been, and it's been for a while, thinking about opening an online store with all kinds of great things for you...the dogs and cats. There are a few human things too, but mostly for the important beings in the household. I have recently discovered a retailer that has some really cool stuff and was wondering if, you have some time, could you go internet browsing on the site and look at all of the fantastic things for sale?
Then, I would appreciate it if you could email me at:
glaciers DOT goodies AT gmail DOT com
and let me know what a few of your favourite things are. I.E., things that you would buy on a regular basis. And then, in a different list, the things that you absolutely love, but would buy as a very special treat to yourself. I also want to know about a few products that you would absolutely not buy and why.
Ssshhhhh...don't tell the humans. They may get protective of their plastic moneys.
Anyway, thanks in advanced for your help.
Happy browsing.
The shop can be found
here.
I am here to ask you afavor...
I have been, and it's been for a while, thinking about opening an online store with all kinds of great things for you...the dogs and cats. There are a few human things too, but mostly for the important beings in the household. I have recently discovered a retailer that has some really cool stuff and was wondering if, you have some time, could you go internet browsing on the site and look at all of the fantastic things for sale?
Then, I would appreciate it if you could email me at:
glaciers DOT goodies AT gmail DOT com
and let me know what a few of your favourite things are. I.E., things that you would buy on a regular basis. And then, in a different list, the things that you absolutely love, but would buy as a very special treat to yourself. I also want to know about a few products that you would absolutely not buy and why.
Ssshhhhh...don't tell the humans. They may get protective of their plastic moneys.
Anyway, thanks in advanced for your help.
Happy browsing.
The shop can be found
here.
Saturday, July 07, 2012
Tough Decisions
I wasn't really sure I was ready to write about this. I thought that maybe I'd leave it over the weekend, but sharing seems to make it more real and also seems to help me grieve in a sort of way.
I have decided to retire Glacier.
There, I said it.
After years of struggling, going back for retraining, adjusting my handling practices and my in home behaviors, I have come to the conclusion that Glacier would rather be a pet. This decision was made so much harder because when he felt like working, he was spot on and excited about his work, but when he didn't feel like working, he was not good. The inconsistencies confused me for so long that I just kept working him.
I would look at walks that we had where he did great and try to replicate that in other walks, but no matter what I did, he always surprised me. I usually didn't know which Glacier I was getting until half way through our adventure out. He's always been firing on about 60 percent, and after retraining or if we were going somewhere new and exciting, he'd run on about 80 percent, but it never lasted. We've always had problems, right from day one, but I loved him so much that I wanted to give him every opportunity, but after he walked out into three intersections last week, I had enough. His laid back attitude about things was putting both of us in danger.
There is so much I want to say about him, but don't really know how or what to say. The guide dog rep summed it up yesterday when he said that somewhere deep in Glacier's psyche, he just wants to be a goofy guy with no responsibilities. Lately, the happiest I've seen him is when he's out just being a dog, rolling in the grass or running on the beach, or even just heeling by my side like a pet; with no responsibilities. He doesn't "smile" when we get ready to go out, I think it is a drudgery for him.
I feel horrible; like I failed him somehow. I couldn't be what he needed to be a successful guide dog. The guide dog rep made me feel a bit better by saying to Mr. K that I'm such a good handler that I make Glacier look better than he is, but I still feel as though I failed him.
What i really want, is to keep him and give him the retirement he wants and deserves. I want him to be a dog and I want to be the one who gives him that, but I don't think we can keep him. I really, really want to and after retiring Jetta, I had sworn that I wouldn't give up another retired dog, but I'm not sure we are equipped to keep him right now. However, I have some time yet as I will work him until the Guide Dog Association finds me a match and so who knows what will happen in that time. I've had a few friends say they would like him and if that means he gets to stay close and still play with Roscoe on occasion, then maybe we'll do that.
Whatever happens in the next few months, I am trying to grieve for our working relationship now, so that when my new partner comes along, I'll be ready to give that relationship all it deserves. For now, I will keep on as I am and hope that we can find some way for Glacier to stay with us or at least close by. I have learned so much from him and hope that I have given back to him half of what he has given to me. I don't think he should have ever been placed as a guide dog, perhaps a wheelchair assistance or Autism assistance, but definitely not a guide dog; there is just way too much responsibility involved in being someone else's eyes for him. He's such a beautiful dog, inside and out-I know, how cliche-that it is going to be so hard to let him go.
Anyway, it seems as though I am just stringing together disjointed thoughts, so I will leave it at that for now.
I have decided to retire Glacier.
There, I said it.
After years of struggling, going back for retraining, adjusting my handling practices and my in home behaviors, I have come to the conclusion that Glacier would rather be a pet. This decision was made so much harder because when he felt like working, he was spot on and excited about his work, but when he didn't feel like working, he was not good. The inconsistencies confused me for so long that I just kept working him.
I would look at walks that we had where he did great and try to replicate that in other walks, but no matter what I did, he always surprised me. I usually didn't know which Glacier I was getting until half way through our adventure out. He's always been firing on about 60 percent, and after retraining or if we were going somewhere new and exciting, he'd run on about 80 percent, but it never lasted. We've always had problems, right from day one, but I loved him so much that I wanted to give him every opportunity, but after he walked out into three intersections last week, I had enough. His laid back attitude about things was putting both of us in danger.
There is so much I want to say about him, but don't really know how or what to say. The guide dog rep summed it up yesterday when he said that somewhere deep in Glacier's psyche, he just wants to be a goofy guy with no responsibilities. Lately, the happiest I've seen him is when he's out just being a dog, rolling in the grass or running on the beach, or even just heeling by my side like a pet; with no responsibilities. He doesn't "smile" when we get ready to go out, I think it is a drudgery for him.
I feel horrible; like I failed him somehow. I couldn't be what he needed to be a successful guide dog. The guide dog rep made me feel a bit better by saying to Mr. K that I'm such a good handler that I make Glacier look better than he is, but I still feel as though I failed him.
What i really want, is to keep him and give him the retirement he wants and deserves. I want him to be a dog and I want to be the one who gives him that, but I don't think we can keep him. I really, really want to and after retiring Jetta, I had sworn that I wouldn't give up another retired dog, but I'm not sure we are equipped to keep him right now. However, I have some time yet as I will work him until the Guide Dog Association finds me a match and so who knows what will happen in that time. I've had a few friends say they would like him and if that means he gets to stay close and still play with Roscoe on occasion, then maybe we'll do that.
Whatever happens in the next few months, I am trying to grieve for our working relationship now, so that when my new partner comes along, I'll be ready to give that relationship all it deserves. For now, I will keep on as I am and hope that we can find some way for Glacier to stay with us or at least close by. I have learned so much from him and hope that I have given back to him half of what he has given to me. I don't think he should have ever been placed as a guide dog, perhaps a wheelchair assistance or Autism assistance, but definitely not a guide dog; there is just way too much responsibility involved in being someone else's eyes for him. He's such a beautiful dog, inside and out-I know, how cliche-that it is going to be so hard to let him go.
Anyway, it seems as though I am just stringing together disjointed thoughts, so I will leave it at that for now.
Tuesday, July 03, 2012
Ten Years and Counting
They say that dogs come into our lives for a reason. I don't know who "they" are, but "they" are right. That statement couldn't be more true on this date ten years ago. It's just amazing to me how quickly those years have passed. Another phrase that contains a strong thread of truth is: "where has the time gone?", or "time flies when you're having fun." Time certainly has flown.
Ten years ago today I was matched with my first guide dog, Jetta. Jetta entered my life the way she attacked her job and every challenge put in front of her: paws flying, tail wagging and skittering past me as if her butt was on fire. She was my little ball of black fury and at the age of 11 and a half, she hasn't changed much. Sure, she's faster to climb back on the couch these days, but take her out to a river to run and she takes off like a shot.
Jetta has been happily retired since 2008. Her working career was only six years, but they were adventure filled years and I can't blame her for wanting a change of scenery. She traveled everywhere with me and for every hour I put in on the pool deck, she did too. Sometimes at early morning practices, when it was just me and my coach, Jetta was allowed to roam free. She would race up and down the deck, keeping just ahead of me so that she could lick my face when I stopped at the end to take a breather. There were some competitions that lasted ten days and there was one meet in Denmark where we spent 17 hours straight on the pool side. Jetta took it all in stride and did her best to be patient.
I think she was a real asset to the team and even the staff took joy in having her around. Our massage therapist was a huge dog fan and would always keep Jetta when I was racing or just needed to take a nap and Jetta had energy to burn, which happened more often than not.
Attending practices and swim competitions were not her only adventures. She went whale watching, riding in a peddle boat, camping, toured the Grand Canyon, climbed ancient Greek ruins and so much more. And although all of that is impressive for a dog, I think the most impressive part about her was that she did all of that while guiding me and making sure I was safe. She even kept me from getting backed over by a semi-truck on my university campus. She worked even harder than she played, and let me tell you, the girl knew how to let her "fur" down.
While on duty she was a rock, confident and stubborn. Off duty though, she was a little trouble maker who had a taste for freedom once the leash was unsnapped. She always took off running and no amount of calling would bring her back until she was ready. She gave me a few panic attacks doing that, but she always came back...eventually. She always found things to get into as well. Once, she knocked an entire tray of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies on to the floor and we found her and our two cats eating them together. She even climbed up on to Tenie's dresser from her bed side table to try to get a hold of a chocolate bar. She ate Carmen's lipstick and left a pink stain on Carmen's white blanket. Jetta was magical in that she could find mischief where there shouldn't have been any.
When she worked, though, she did so with a confidence and satisfaction that made me smile. Her street crossings were always spot on, but if she wasn't feeling like going to the pool that day, I had to argue with her to turn where she should. She was really good at trotting right past a doorway if she wasn't done going for a walk. I learned her little quirks though and we worked well. We had a few rough months in the beginning, but we smoothed those out and she really was a great little worker.
When we were matched, I asked her trainer why he had given her to me and he replied,
"because she's stubborn and always hungry...just like you."
And, he was right. If I hadn't been more stubborn than her, we never would have made it. Plus, I shared her love for food. When we first got on to the university campus, I don't think we made it to class on time, or at all some days, for the first two months. If I said "Jetta, left," Jetta went right or straight or turned around. She had a mind of her own, and still does, and no amount of coaxing on my part was going to change it.
That said, she was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I even got a tattoo of her paw print to commemorate our working relationship. She made so many things possible, including allowing me to attend a conference completely sighted guide free. Things just wouldn't have been the same without her little hip wiggle and wagging tail. I am so grateful for the time that we did work together and glad she has a home that is loving where she can be a chubby retired girl.
Happy anniversary, Jetta. You will always be my special girl.
Ten years ago today I was matched with my first guide dog, Jetta. Jetta entered my life the way she attacked her job and every challenge put in front of her: paws flying, tail wagging and skittering past me as if her butt was on fire. She was my little ball of black fury and at the age of 11 and a half, she hasn't changed much. Sure, she's faster to climb back on the couch these days, but take her out to a river to run and she takes off like a shot.
Jetta has been happily retired since 2008. Her working career was only six years, but they were adventure filled years and I can't blame her for wanting a change of scenery. She traveled everywhere with me and for every hour I put in on the pool deck, she did too. Sometimes at early morning practices, when it was just me and my coach, Jetta was allowed to roam free. She would race up and down the deck, keeping just ahead of me so that she could lick my face when I stopped at the end to take a breather. There were some competitions that lasted ten days and there was one meet in Denmark where we spent 17 hours straight on the pool side. Jetta took it all in stride and did her best to be patient.
I think she was a real asset to the team and even the staff took joy in having her around. Our massage therapist was a huge dog fan and would always keep Jetta when I was racing or just needed to take a nap and Jetta had energy to burn, which happened more often than not.
Attending practices and swim competitions were not her only adventures. She went whale watching, riding in a peddle boat, camping, toured the Grand Canyon, climbed ancient Greek ruins and so much more. And although all of that is impressive for a dog, I think the most impressive part about her was that she did all of that while guiding me and making sure I was safe. She even kept me from getting backed over by a semi-truck on my university campus. She worked even harder than she played, and let me tell you, the girl knew how to let her "fur" down.
While on duty she was a rock, confident and stubborn. Off duty though, she was a little trouble maker who had a taste for freedom once the leash was unsnapped. She always took off running and no amount of calling would bring her back until she was ready. She gave me a few panic attacks doing that, but she always came back...eventually. She always found things to get into as well. Once, she knocked an entire tray of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies on to the floor and we found her and our two cats eating them together. She even climbed up on to Tenie's dresser from her bed side table to try to get a hold of a chocolate bar. She ate Carmen's lipstick and left a pink stain on Carmen's white blanket. Jetta was magical in that she could find mischief where there shouldn't have been any.
When she worked, though, she did so with a confidence and satisfaction that made me smile. Her street crossings were always spot on, but if she wasn't feeling like going to the pool that day, I had to argue with her to turn where she should. She was really good at trotting right past a doorway if she wasn't done going for a walk. I learned her little quirks though and we worked well. We had a few rough months in the beginning, but we smoothed those out and she really was a great little worker.
When we were matched, I asked her trainer why he had given her to me and he replied,
"because she's stubborn and always hungry...just like you."
And, he was right. If I hadn't been more stubborn than her, we never would have made it. Plus, I shared her love for food. When we first got on to the university campus, I don't think we made it to class on time, or at all some days, for the first two months. If I said "Jetta, left," Jetta went right or straight or turned around. She had a mind of her own, and still does, and no amount of coaxing on my part was going to change it.
That said, she was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I even got a tattoo of her paw print to commemorate our working relationship. She made so many things possible, including allowing me to attend a conference completely sighted guide free. Things just wouldn't have been the same without her little hip wiggle and wagging tail. I am so grateful for the time that we did work together and glad she has a home that is loving where she can be a chubby retired girl.
Happy anniversary, Jetta. You will always be my special girl.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Happy Mother's Day!
To all of the Moms out there-with human or fur kids-happy Mother's Day to you!!!
Moms should be recognised for their sacrifices all year round, but it is nice to set aside a day to remind us of just how wonderful the women in our lives are.
When I was younger, I celebrated my mom and my grandmas, but as I've gotten older this day has given me an appreciation for all of the women who act as a role model or caregiver to someone else.
I am forever grateful to my Mom and since I am very far away this Mother's Day, I miss her dearly. I don't think moms will ever know just how much they are appreciated and loved. The dedication, love, loyalty and support that I have witnessed over the years is amazing and I can only hope that I have learned to be as equally supportive, patient, dedicated and all of the other great things a mom figure can bring to our lives.
Thanks Mom for being a great role model and for being my Mom. I love you and miss you. XOXO
As for my own fur kids: Hermione let me celebrate Mother's Day by allowing me to take a two hour nap this afternoon. LOL Oh, puppy antics; how I love them. Glacier and Roscoe are the best fur sons any mom could ask for. They are both snoring on the couch right now.
Happy Mother's Day! :)
Moms should be recognised for their sacrifices all year round, but it is nice to set aside a day to remind us of just how wonderful the women in our lives are.
When I was younger, I celebrated my mom and my grandmas, but as I've gotten older this day has given me an appreciation for all of the women who act as a role model or caregiver to someone else.
I am forever grateful to my Mom and since I am very far away this Mother's Day, I miss her dearly. I don't think moms will ever know just how much they are appreciated and loved. The dedication, love, loyalty and support that I have witnessed over the years is amazing and I can only hope that I have learned to be as equally supportive, patient, dedicated and all of the other great things a mom figure can bring to our lives.
Thanks Mom for being a great role model and for being my Mom. I love you and miss you. XOXO
As for my own fur kids: Hermione let me celebrate Mother's Day by allowing me to take a two hour nap this afternoon. LOL Oh, puppy antics; how I love them. Glacier and Roscoe are the best fur sons any mom could ask for. They are both snoring on the couch right now.
Happy Mother's Day! :)
Friday, April 13, 2012
Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar?
So, as all of you know, thanks to Hermione, I spent some time in the kitchen attempting to make some hypoallergenic, gluten/grain free treats for my pups. Surprisingly, they didn't turn out too badly and, as was requested, I will share the recipe with you. It's more of a "sort of do this" thing than an actual recipe. So, bare with me. :)
(I don't have a name for these. Any suggestions)?
Ingredients: bananas (how many bananas you use, depends on how many cookies you want. I used two bananas and got about a dozen or so treats), smooth peanut butter (natural if you can manage it), plain yogurt (I used organic), cinnamon.
Instructions: chop banana into slices Aprox. a quarter of an inch thick. (You can cut them however you want, but just know that the thicker they are, the longer it will take for them to dehydrate).
Spread thin layer of peanut butter on to each slice of banana. On top of thin layer of peanut butter, spread thin layer of plain yogurt. Sprinkle cinnamon on top and place into dehydrater. Let dehydrate for Aprox. 10 hours or until all ingredients have become hard.
Note: if the peanut butter is spread too thick, it will not lose its moisture and remain slightly oily and sticky. This is fine. The texture can be whatever you want it to be. If you want softer cookies, take them out of the machine sooner.
Bananas were used for flavour and potassium. Peanut butter was used for flavour and smell. Plain yogurt was used to encourage good intestinal health and cinnamon was used to promote good circulation.
***
My boys loved them and swallowed them in one gulp. So, these would be good training treats for big dogs. However, Hermione took hers off into a corner to chew on it. It took her about five to ten minutes to consume the small treat. So, these would not be good training treats for smaller dogs or small breed puppies as it would take too long for them to consume.
They are a healthy, low fat treat that your dogs should love. Enjoy. :)
(I don't have a name for these. Any suggestions)?
Ingredients: bananas (how many bananas you use, depends on how many cookies you want. I used two bananas and got about a dozen or so treats), smooth peanut butter (natural if you can manage it), plain yogurt (I used organic), cinnamon.
Instructions: chop banana into slices Aprox. a quarter of an inch thick. (You can cut them however you want, but just know that the thicker they are, the longer it will take for them to dehydrate).
Spread thin layer of peanut butter on to each slice of banana. On top of thin layer of peanut butter, spread thin layer of plain yogurt. Sprinkle cinnamon on top and place into dehydrater. Let dehydrate for Aprox. 10 hours or until all ingredients have become hard.
Note: if the peanut butter is spread too thick, it will not lose its moisture and remain slightly oily and sticky. This is fine. The texture can be whatever you want it to be. If you want softer cookies, take them out of the machine sooner.
Bananas were used for flavour and potassium. Peanut butter was used for flavour and smell. Plain yogurt was used to encourage good intestinal health and cinnamon was used to promote good circulation.
***
My boys loved them and swallowed them in one gulp. So, these would be good training treats for big dogs. However, Hermione took hers off into a corner to chew on it. It took her about five to ten minutes to consume the small treat. So, these would not be good training treats for smaller dogs or small breed puppies as it would take too long for them to consume.
They are a healthy, low fat treat that your dogs should love. Enjoy. :)
Monday, March 05, 2012
Blogville PAWTY: Funds Raised
All I can really say is: "wow" and "thank you!"
Because of the generosity of the members of Blogville, we have raised 232 dollars for Dog Foster Mom's much needed privacy fence.
You guys rock!
No, really. You do!
Without your support this event would not have been as successful as it was. You guys are truly amazing.
Not only did we raise 232 dollars, but some of the raffle prizes won by some Blogville citizens were kindly donated to dog Foster Mom's foster dogs. Thank you to those individuals who gave so selflessly.
Again, I want to thank everyone for their "pawticipation" because without your dedication, posting and just plain fabulous attitudes, this event would not have been as fun and successful as it was. I have made many new friends along the way and I was completely blown away by the genuine caring and compassion that is alive in Blogville. People outside of the blogging community should really take a page from the Blogville book on how to care for your fellow companions, whether they are two or four legged. I don't think I will ever find the words to express how truly grateful I am.
Do you think we should do it again? ;)
PS: My apologies for taking so long to post how much we had raised. I was waiting for two personal donations from non-blogging friends.
Because of the generosity of the members of Blogville, we have raised 232 dollars for Dog Foster Mom's much needed privacy fence.
You guys rock!
No, really. You do!
Without your support this event would not have been as successful as it was. You guys are truly amazing.
Not only did we raise 232 dollars, but some of the raffle prizes won by some Blogville citizens were kindly donated to dog Foster Mom's foster dogs. Thank you to those individuals who gave so selflessly.
Again, I want to thank everyone for their "pawticipation" because without your dedication, posting and just plain fabulous attitudes, this event would not have been as fun and successful as it was. I have made many new friends along the way and I was completely blown away by the genuine caring and compassion that is alive in Blogville. People outside of the blogging community should really take a page from the Blogville book on how to care for your fellow companions, whether they are two or four legged. I don't think I will ever find the words to express how truly grateful I am.
Do you think we should do it again? ;)
PS: My apologies for taking so long to post how much we had raised. I was waiting for two personal donations from non-blogging friends.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Fighting the Winter Blues
Have you ever noticed that February and March seem to be extra long months? At least, they tend to be for me. It's kind of funny though, considering February is actually a few days shorter than any month in the year. Maybe that's for a reason? With all of that in mind, I've come up with five easy ways to fight the winter blues. These have worked for me, maybe they could be helpful for you; that is assuming you can't wait for spring and feel kind of blah.
1. Go for a walk. I know, it's cold out and the snow is melting or falling, usually it can't quite decide which, but get out and exercise. It is so strange how one walk can improve mood and level of productivity. Most of you who read my blog are dog lovers and have a few of the four legged creatures running about your homes. Take them too: they'll thank you for it. And if you can't quite convince yourself that YOU need the walk, then do it for your dog. You will be amazed at how much good, just twenty minutes of stretching your legs can do.
2. Make yourself feel special; treat yourself. I'm not saying go out and blow a whole bunch of cash, I mean, who can really do that these days? But, invest in a great smelling shampoo a deep conditioning treatment, a new fruity smelling lotion. Hop in the shower and spend some quality time making your hair shine. Even turn some music on. I'm always surprised how good I feel after I've used a new shampoo or lotion. Sometimes I even get excited about trying new toothpaste. If it's not body care products that floats your boat, then find something inexpensive that does. Maybe you like fuzzy socks or a new brew of coffee you can enjoy in the mornings. I find getting up in the morning is more exciting when I know I've got a new coffee to try or a new flavor of yogurt to eat. Did I ever mention the simple things in life make me happy?
One of my best friends was recently working from home and she was finding it dull and boring. So, to keep her spirits lifted, she wore a fancy bra under her "stay in" clothes. No one else knew she had purple with lace under her sweatshirt, but she sure did and it made all the difference for her.
3. Find a way to make yourself feel decadent. Again, we're on a budget right? So, find an inexpensive way to do this. Just the other day I bought a dark chocolate bar with sea salt and snapped a small square off with my breakfast this morning. Sure, probably not recommended by the health food people in the world, but tasty. I've also made myself a lavender foot soak that I plan on using after today's run. Not overly extravagant, but it's got a "at the spa" feel without paying through the nose for such a treatment.
4. Find a fuzzy creature and hug it. It sounds so simple and a bit ridiculous to actually make an effort because you probably hug your pets without thinking about it, but the benefits of having/squishing pets are enormous. As I write this, Glacier is curled up with his side pressed against my leg and just the warmth of him is comforting. My friends don't have pets because their landlord doesn't allow them and so come over for "fuzzy therapy," as we call it. I've heard them say on multiple occasions that they had a bad day and just needed some Glacier or Roscoe love. Taking the time to be aware of your snuggling makes all the difference.
5. Get a puppy! Oops...that just slipped out. That's not really what I meant to say. Ignore that.
and
5. Do something that allows you to have "you" time. Sometimes we get all wrapped up in the day to day and forget to be alone for a few minutes. There is nothing wrong with being by yourself. In fact, it can be quite healthy as it allows you to unwind and be fresh for when you see your family and friends. Your alone time could be spent anywhere doing anything really. Sometimes my alone time is going out for a coffee by myself or it's finding a quiet spot in my flat and reading my book. My best friend lives in a flat with three other people and so being alone is a rare occasion. To combat this problem, she puts her headphones on and goes for a walk; giving herself time to decompress and be on her own. Whatever you choose to do, enjoy your time and never feel guilty when you need to take "five" for yourself.
This by no means is a comprehensive list and I am sure there are a lot of different things that people do to combat the winter blues. It's just a few things I do to make February and March not seem so long.
What are some of the things that help you through the winter?
1. Go for a walk. I know, it's cold out and the snow is melting or falling, usually it can't quite decide which, but get out and exercise. It is so strange how one walk can improve mood and level of productivity. Most of you who read my blog are dog lovers and have a few of the four legged creatures running about your homes. Take them too: they'll thank you for it. And if you can't quite convince yourself that YOU need the walk, then do it for your dog. You will be amazed at how much good, just twenty minutes of stretching your legs can do.
2. Make yourself feel special; treat yourself. I'm not saying go out and blow a whole bunch of cash, I mean, who can really do that these days? But, invest in a great smelling shampoo a deep conditioning treatment, a new fruity smelling lotion. Hop in the shower and spend some quality time making your hair shine. Even turn some music on. I'm always surprised how good I feel after I've used a new shampoo or lotion. Sometimes I even get excited about trying new toothpaste. If it's not body care products that floats your boat, then find something inexpensive that does. Maybe you like fuzzy socks or a new brew of coffee you can enjoy in the mornings. I find getting up in the morning is more exciting when I know I've got a new coffee to try or a new flavor of yogurt to eat. Did I ever mention the simple things in life make me happy?
One of my best friends was recently working from home and she was finding it dull and boring. So, to keep her spirits lifted, she wore a fancy bra under her "stay in" clothes. No one else knew she had purple with lace under her sweatshirt, but she sure did and it made all the difference for her.
3. Find a way to make yourself feel decadent. Again, we're on a budget right? So, find an inexpensive way to do this. Just the other day I bought a dark chocolate bar with sea salt and snapped a small square off with my breakfast this morning. Sure, probably not recommended by the health food people in the world, but tasty. I've also made myself a lavender foot soak that I plan on using after today's run. Not overly extravagant, but it's got a "at the spa" feel without paying through the nose for such a treatment.
4. Find a fuzzy creature and hug it. It sounds so simple and a bit ridiculous to actually make an effort because you probably hug your pets without thinking about it, but the benefits of having/squishing pets are enormous. As I write this, Glacier is curled up with his side pressed against my leg and just the warmth of him is comforting. My friends don't have pets because their landlord doesn't allow them and so come over for "fuzzy therapy," as we call it. I've heard them say on multiple occasions that they had a bad day and just needed some Glacier or Roscoe love. Taking the time to be aware of your snuggling makes all the difference.
5. Get a puppy! Oops...that just slipped out. That's not really what I meant to say. Ignore that.
and
5. Do something that allows you to have "you" time. Sometimes we get all wrapped up in the day to day and forget to be alone for a few minutes. There is nothing wrong with being by yourself. In fact, it can be quite healthy as it allows you to unwind and be fresh for when you see your family and friends. Your alone time could be spent anywhere doing anything really. Sometimes my alone time is going out for a coffee by myself or it's finding a quiet spot in my flat and reading my book. My best friend lives in a flat with three other people and so being alone is a rare occasion. To combat this problem, she puts her headphones on and goes for a walk; giving herself time to decompress and be on her own. Whatever you choose to do, enjoy your time and never feel guilty when you need to take "five" for yourself.
This by no means is a comprehensive list and I am sure there are a lot of different things that people do to combat the winter blues. It's just a few things I do to make February and March not seem so long.
What are some of the things that help you through the winter?
Thursday, February 16, 2012
After The PAWTY
Good mornin' Blogville. I hopes everyone slept a lot after the PAWTY. I knows I did. Miss Nola had me dancin' all night long! Hers is a great dancer! I knows Roscoe needed some extra sleep after dancin' all night with Maggie Mae. They looked so goods together, didn't they?
Wells, actually, everyone looked so goods! Did you see the corsage that Sarge picked out fur Zona?Sasha and Remington, Puddles and Max, Shasta and Shiloh with their two dates, Benny and Lily, Mayzie and Casey, Amber and her two dates Chip and Thai...so many beautiful Blogville couples! We even had some kitty furriends come too! Did you see Nelly? That cat's got the moves. My girl was impressed that even Jetta, bein' a young 11, chose to come out and bust a move too. That girl can dance! No wonder I had big paws to fill. I am thinkin' hers was tryin' to impress the Mr. Garth Riley after he gave hers a kiss in the Kissin' Booth.
Amber, did you get yours cake? Mr. Pip was very busy at the buffet: I hopes his tummy is doin' all rights today.
I think my girl needed a break too because hers may have gotten into those coffee martinis Alien was mixin' up. Hers said they were tasty. I was also impressed him managed to fit into those leather pants all night long!
I thinks everyone was havin' a good times. I saw Asta, shakin' her groove thang and Max Daodder Weenie was spinnin' his date all around the dancin' floor. It was sure a nights to remembers!
We has so many folks to thanks that I'm not sure wheres to start. First of all, did you see how beautiful the hall looked? Frankie's brides, Ruby and Penny, decorated the hall just fur our PAWTY. Frankie, you are one lucky dude. And, our wonderful Blogville Happy Valentine's Day/Happy birthday cake was deliciousnesses and it was made by Wyatt and his mom just fur our PAWTY!
Paws Bang did greats keepin' us movin' and thanks to Lucy fur steppin' in when the members of Paws Bang needed a breaks. It was so much fun and it wouldn't been the same if the wonderful citizens of Blogville hadn't come out in full forces! Some folks couldn't even dances because of a hurt paw, but they came anyway-Jack, it was great to see you. It's not Valentine's Day without Chocolate (Labrador) kisses.
I stopped my dancin' at one point to go make use of those poles and trees that Frankie mentioned, and stopped by the Aquatic centre. It looked like our shelled furriends were havin' a good time too. Those of you who pitched in to dig that special area for our aquatic furriends did a fantabulous job!
Nows, I knows there is somethin' you have been holdin' your breath fur, rights?
Who won King and Queen? Wells, you shall wait no longer! My girl has tallied the votes and the results are as follows:
*Drum roll please, Sarge*!
Wells, erm, you're gonna have to waits a bit longer. You see, we haves a tie. Yup. Two lovely Ladies have the same amounts of votes There's no denyin' who the King is, but we needs to find his Queen
So, what do you propose we do bouts this, Blogville?
My girl was thinkin' the two Ladies in question could tell you bouts themselves and we can vote, or, we can have two beauties ruling Valentine's Day together?
What ya thinkin Blogville? Let us know in the comments section of this post.
Raffle prizes are still available for ticket buyin' until Saturday. So, if there's anything else that you are wantin' to buy tickets fur, go ahead!
Nows, I am thinkin' I needs to get back to a nap because I may have gotten into those coffee martinis too.
Wells, actually, everyone looked so goods! Did you see the corsage that Sarge picked out fur Zona?Sasha and Remington, Puddles and Max, Shasta and Shiloh with their two dates, Benny and Lily, Mayzie and Casey, Amber and her two dates Chip and Thai...so many beautiful Blogville couples! We even had some kitty furriends come too! Did you see Nelly? That cat's got the moves. My girl was impressed that even Jetta, bein' a young 11, chose to come out and bust a move too. That girl can dance! No wonder I had big paws to fill. I am thinkin' hers was tryin' to impress the Mr. Garth Riley after he gave hers a kiss in the Kissin' Booth.
Amber, did you get yours cake? Mr. Pip was very busy at the buffet: I hopes his tummy is doin' all rights today.
I think my girl needed a break too because hers may have gotten into those coffee martinis Alien was mixin' up. Hers said they were tasty. I was also impressed him managed to fit into those leather pants all night long!
I thinks everyone was havin' a good times. I saw Asta, shakin' her groove thang and Max Daodder Weenie was spinnin' his date all around the dancin' floor. It was sure a nights to remembers!
We has so many folks to thanks that I'm not sure wheres to start. First of all, did you see how beautiful the hall looked? Frankie's brides, Ruby and Penny, decorated the hall just fur our PAWTY. Frankie, you are one lucky dude. And, our wonderful Blogville Happy Valentine's Day/Happy birthday cake was deliciousnesses and it was made by Wyatt and his mom just fur our PAWTY!
Paws Bang did greats keepin' us movin' and thanks to Lucy fur steppin' in when the members of Paws Bang needed a breaks. It was so much fun and it wouldn't been the same if the wonderful citizens of Blogville hadn't come out in full forces! Some folks couldn't even dances because of a hurt paw, but they came anyway-Jack, it was great to see you. It's not Valentine's Day without Chocolate (Labrador) kisses.
I stopped my dancin' at one point to go make use of those poles and trees that Frankie mentioned, and stopped by the Aquatic centre. It looked like our shelled furriends were havin' a good time too. Those of you who pitched in to dig that special area for our aquatic furriends did a fantabulous job!
Nows, I knows there is somethin' you have been holdin' your breath fur, rights?
Who won King and Queen? Wells, you shall wait no longer! My girl has tallied the votes and the results are as follows:
*Drum roll please, Sarge*!
Wells, erm, you're gonna have to waits a bit longer. You see, we haves a tie. Yup. Two lovely Ladies have the same amounts of votes There's no denyin' who the King is, but we needs to find his Queen
So, what do you propose we do bouts this, Blogville?
My girl was thinkin' the two Ladies in question could tell you bouts themselves and we can vote, or, we can have two beauties ruling Valentine's Day together?
What ya thinkin Blogville? Let us know in the comments section of this post.
Raffle prizes are still available for ticket buyin' until Saturday. So, if there's anything else that you are wantin' to buy tickets fur, go ahead!
Nows, I am thinkin' I needs to get back to a nap because I may have gotten into those coffee martinis too.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Getting Closer
Just four days until the big bash! Time flies when you're having fun; don't you think?
Voting for Valentine's Day King and Queen is still open and heating up with a few ties. So, make sure you are voting for your King and Queen. This is your Blogville so exercise your wright to vote!
The Kissing Booth has been quite busy and Zona, Sarge's bestest girl, has been our big smoocher in the last few days; planting one on every boy in the Kissing Booth. Sarge had held our kissing record of kissing thirteen girls before Zona came along and shattered his record. Tucker also was a busy guy, but his kisses were all for one lovely Lady. If you want to know who that Lady was or if you've been kissed, go check out the Daily Results page.
Yummers have been flying off the shelves and more are being made every day. Don't forget to feed your loved one; especially on Valentine's Day. All that dancing will work up an appetite for sure. You can see if you received a Yummer on the "Loved Recipients of Yummers" page. Check it out!
We've also been informed that Sarge, Blogville's own very competent police dog is on duty. If you, or anyone you know are causing disturbances of the laws, Sarge will be right there to make sure you are held responsible for your infractions. Citizens arrests are allowed as long as you call Sarge to assess the situation. Feel free to "bribe" Sarge, but tell us why you are not guilty, or pay your fine. If you plead guilty, we want to know why. (The page for paying fines/bribes will be up on this blog later today). You can either inform Blogville of your infraction via the comments section on the page or the message section on the Pay Pal form. If you cannot pay your fine, your name will be released to the public. :)
Raffle prizes are still available. The Beagle Bratz are out to be big winners, purchasing a lot of tickets in the last few days. Thanks to Shiloh and Shasta and their Mom for their ticket purchasing.
Also, don't forget that Mona and Weenie's Mom is going to be making a Smile Box presentation of the Blogville PAWTY as a memory keepsake. She is pouring her efforts into this project for free and requests that you send her your pictures. I have also given her permission to take the Blogville images/pictures from my blog. So, if you are not comfortable with that, please let her know.
That is it for now. Roscoe will be back later to tell everyone about his very exciting news.
Keep kissing, voting and buying raffle tickets and keep a watch out for Sarge. You never know where he'll pop up. ;)
Voting for Valentine's Day King and Queen is still open and heating up with a few ties. So, make sure you are voting for your King and Queen. This is your Blogville so exercise your wright to vote!
The Kissing Booth has been quite busy and Zona, Sarge's bestest girl, has been our big smoocher in the last few days; planting one on every boy in the Kissing Booth. Sarge had held our kissing record of kissing thirteen girls before Zona came along and shattered his record. Tucker also was a busy guy, but his kisses were all for one lovely Lady. If you want to know who that Lady was or if you've been kissed, go check out the Daily Results page.
Yummers have been flying off the shelves and more are being made every day. Don't forget to feed your loved one; especially on Valentine's Day. All that dancing will work up an appetite for sure. You can see if you received a Yummer on the "Loved Recipients of Yummers" page. Check it out!
We've also been informed that Sarge, Blogville's own very competent police dog is on duty. If you, or anyone you know are causing disturbances of the laws, Sarge will be right there to make sure you are held responsible for your infractions. Citizens arrests are allowed as long as you call Sarge to assess the situation. Feel free to "bribe" Sarge, but tell us why you are not guilty, or pay your fine. If you plead guilty, we want to know why. (The page for paying fines/bribes will be up on this blog later today). You can either inform Blogville of your infraction via the comments section on the page or the message section on the Pay Pal form. If you cannot pay your fine, your name will be released to the public. :)
Raffle prizes are still available. The Beagle Bratz are out to be big winners, purchasing a lot of tickets in the last few days. Thanks to Shiloh and Shasta and their Mom for their ticket purchasing.
Also, don't forget that Mona and Weenie's Mom is going to be making a Smile Box presentation of the Blogville PAWTY as a memory keepsake. She is pouring her efforts into this project for free and requests that you send her your pictures. I have also given her permission to take the Blogville images/pictures from my blog. So, if you are not comfortable with that, please let her know.
That is it for now. Roscoe will be back later to tell everyone about his very exciting news.
Keep kissing, voting and buying raffle tickets and keep a watch out for Sarge. You never know where he'll pop up. ;)
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
One Week!
That's right.
There is one week left in our Blogville fundraiser for Dog Foster Mom. One more week to get your kisses in; one more week to make sure your sweetie's belly is full of delicious yummers; one more week to get your votes in for Valentine's Day King and Queen! And don't forget, one more week for you to get your name entered in the raffle prize draw of your choice.
We have some very active members of Blogville giving this PAWTY their best effort. In fact, I'd like to recognise Amber Daweenie and Sasha for their contributions to the fundraiser thus far. Both girls have been very busy making sure their loved ones are full of tasty treats. Actually, I think Sasha is the dog who has, thus far, purchased the most Yummers for her very handsome Remington. Amber has been busy voting, kissing and she already has her name in her favourite raffle prize. So, thank you to you two and your Moms' plastic thingies for your pawticipation so far. :)
There is so much going on that I thought I'd give everyone a brief run down again. So, get comfy.
***
We have eleven fantastic raffle prizes, which have all been generously donated. Count 'em! Eleven! That is eleven fun things for you or even your humans. So, stop by the Pawsome raffle prize page and check out the selection. Currently, the hand dyed scarf seems to be a popular item. *Note: If you do choose to make a purchase, please let me know in the "message" part of the Pay Pal form what prize you have placed your tickets in. This will help me out a bunch*.
***
The Kissing Booth has 13 girls and over 20 boys for you to smooch. That is over thirty friendly pups just waiting for you to give 'em a big one. In basic mathematical terms, that is almost seven kissables a day! You'd better get busy if you want to kiss them all. ;) I think Amber Daweenie has the highest number of kisses so far: she's a popular Lady.
***
The Yummers bakery is busy every day turning out new (virtual) treats for your sweetie. As I've noted above, Remington might want to play more football because his girl Sasha has made sure he won't go hungry. She even made sure he had a special snack for the Big Game Sunday night. There are treats for everyone; pups with allergies, the manly man and even for the kitties out there. Make sure to check the "Loved Recipients of Yummers" page because that is where the updates for who got a Yummer are being put up.
***
Things are heating up with the Valentine's Day King and Queen vote. The votes are slowly trickling in, but the field is split evenly down the middle,, with each pup who has been voted for, only having one vote. So, what does that mean? If Blogville doesn't start voting, we'll have a six way tie and the participants will have to do something crazy to break the tie. So, let's get our votes in and make sure the pawfect candidates wins the royal titles of Valentine's Day King and Queen.
For daily updates on the vote and who's kissing who, consult the "Daily Results" page.
***
And just when you think we've covered everything, I have one more announcement to make. Well, more like a warning. ;)
A certain police dog will be on patrol starting February 10th, ensuring the citizens of Blogville are not breaking the law. Tickets will be "pawed" out to those caught breaking the law and the fines will be payable to Dog Foster Mom for a price of 1 dollar USD. If perpetrators are not able to pay his/her fine, he/she will face being recorded for his/her crime. For more information about fines/bribes/going to Valentine's Day jail, please contact me at:
purple DOT tidalwave AT gmail DOT com
(Enquiries about our crime fighting can also be directed to said police dog).
***
Lastly, it has been brought to my attention that attempting to make a mass purchase can be slightly inconvenient. To remedy this, it has been suggested that you use the "general donation" button found at the bottom of most of the Blogville activity pages, enter the amount of green papers you wish to spend and then notify me in the "message" section of the Pay Pal form as to where your funds are being directed. This arrangement is completely fine by me, so if this is easier for you big shoppers, please feel free to go ahead and shop this way. *Note: all funds received, except for the small transaction fee Pay Pal takes, go to Dog Foster Mom in order to assist her build a privacy fence so she may continue doing the wonderful work she is doing for All Paws Rescue*.
***
So, happy kissing/voting/eating/raffle prize ticket buying...and don't forget to be careful come February 10th. You never know when the police will arrive on the scene. :)
There is one week left in our Blogville fundraiser for Dog Foster Mom. One more week to get your kisses in; one more week to make sure your sweetie's belly is full of delicious yummers; one more week to get your votes in for Valentine's Day King and Queen! And don't forget, one more week for you to get your name entered in the raffle prize draw of your choice.
We have some very active members of Blogville giving this PAWTY their best effort. In fact, I'd like to recognise Amber Daweenie and Sasha for their contributions to the fundraiser thus far. Both girls have been very busy making sure their loved ones are full of tasty treats. Actually, I think Sasha is the dog who has, thus far, purchased the most Yummers for her very handsome Remington. Amber has been busy voting, kissing and she already has her name in her favourite raffle prize. So, thank you to you two and your Moms' plastic thingies for your pawticipation so far. :)
There is so much going on that I thought I'd give everyone a brief run down again. So, get comfy.
***
We have eleven fantastic raffle prizes, which have all been generously donated. Count 'em! Eleven! That is eleven fun things for you or even your humans. So, stop by the Pawsome raffle prize page and check out the selection. Currently, the hand dyed scarf seems to be a popular item. *Note: If you do choose to make a purchase, please let me know in the "message" part of the Pay Pal form what prize you have placed your tickets in. This will help me out a bunch*.
***
The Kissing Booth has 13 girls and over 20 boys for you to smooch. That is over thirty friendly pups just waiting for you to give 'em a big one. In basic mathematical terms, that is almost seven kissables a day! You'd better get busy if you want to kiss them all. ;) I think Amber Daweenie has the highest number of kisses so far: she's a popular Lady.
***
The Yummers bakery is busy every day turning out new (virtual) treats for your sweetie. As I've noted above, Remington might want to play more football because his girl Sasha has made sure he won't go hungry. She even made sure he had a special snack for the Big Game Sunday night. There are treats for everyone; pups with allergies, the manly man and even for the kitties out there. Make sure to check the "Loved Recipients of Yummers" page because that is where the updates for who got a Yummer are being put up.
***
Things are heating up with the Valentine's Day King and Queen vote. The votes are slowly trickling in, but the field is split evenly down the middle,, with each pup who has been voted for, only having one vote. So, what does that mean? If Blogville doesn't start voting, we'll have a six way tie and the participants will have to do something crazy to break the tie. So, let's get our votes in and make sure the pawfect candidates wins the royal titles of Valentine's Day King and Queen.
For daily updates on the vote and who's kissing who, consult the "Daily Results" page.
***
And just when you think we've covered everything, I have one more announcement to make. Well, more like a warning. ;)
A certain police dog will be on patrol starting February 10th, ensuring the citizens of Blogville are not breaking the law. Tickets will be "pawed" out to those caught breaking the law and the fines will be payable to Dog Foster Mom for a price of 1 dollar USD. If perpetrators are not able to pay his/her fine, he/she will face being recorded for his/her crime. For more information about fines/bribes/going to Valentine's Day jail, please contact me at:
purple DOT tidalwave AT gmail DOT com
(Enquiries about our crime fighting can also be directed to said police dog).
***
Lastly, it has been brought to my attention that attempting to make a mass purchase can be slightly inconvenient. To remedy this, it has been suggested that you use the "general donation" button found at the bottom of most of the Blogville activity pages, enter the amount of green papers you wish to spend and then notify me in the "message" section of the Pay Pal form as to where your funds are being directed. This arrangement is completely fine by me, so if this is easier for you big shoppers, please feel free to go ahead and shop this way. *Note: all funds received, except for the small transaction fee Pay Pal takes, go to Dog Foster Mom in order to assist her build a privacy fence so she may continue doing the wonderful work she is doing for All Paws Rescue*.
***
So, happy kissing/voting/eating/raffle prize ticket buying...and don't forget to be careful come February 10th. You never know when the police will arrive on the scene. :)
Sunday, February 05, 2012
The True Love Game
On Friday I posted about a game that I used to play when growing up. It was a game to determine the compatibility of a potential love interest. Glacier and Roscoe both have lovely dates for the Blogville PAWTY and so wanted to give the game a shot. Let's see how many points Glacier and Roscoe can accumulate with their beautiful Ladies.
***
Roscoe P the Labrador
+
Maggie Mae the Boxer
=
T: 2
R: 4
U: 0
E: 6
L: 1
O: 4
V: 0
E: 6
Total points: 221
What does Roscoe have to say?
"OOOOO! I just knews the beautiful Maggie Mae and me weres a special thingy. Hers is so lovely and even ifs ours points weres lows, I still would haves luved hers!"
***
Glacier the Labrador
+
Nola the Dachshund
=
T: 2
R: 3
U: 1
E: 3
L: 3
O: 2
V: 0
E: 3
Total points: 170
What does Glacier have to say?
"
"Isn't she lovely?
Isn't she wonderful?
Isn't she lovely... Oh, ahem. I was practicin' my singin' for the loverly Nola. Do you thinks she'll like it? I told my girl I don't care about points! My love is true without numbers! Nows, back to my singin' practice. I must be pawfect for Miss Lovely because she is pawfect."
***
And there you have it: the boys are in love. Isn't it a beautiful thing? :)
***
Roscoe P the Labrador
+
Maggie Mae the Boxer
=
T: 2
R: 4
U: 0
E: 6
L: 1
O: 4
V: 0
E: 6
Total points: 221
What does Roscoe have to say?
"OOOOO! I just knews the beautiful Maggie Mae and me weres a special thingy. Hers is so lovely and even ifs ours points weres lows, I still would haves luved hers!"
***
Glacier the Labrador
+
Nola the Dachshund
=
T: 2
R: 3
U: 1
E: 3
L: 3
O: 2
V: 0
E: 3
Total points: 170
What does Glacier have to say?
"
"Isn't she lovely?
Isn't she wonderful?
Isn't she lovely... Oh, ahem. I was practicin' my singin' for the loverly Nola. Do you thinks she'll like it? I told my girl I don't care about points! My love is true without numbers! Nows, back to my singin' practice. I must be pawfect for Miss Lovely because she is pawfect."
***
And there you have it: the boys are in love. Isn't it a beautiful thing? :)
Friday, February 03, 2012
Fun Fact Friday: Love
It's been a while since we've had a Fun Fact Friday around here. I thought that it would be fitting to have today's reflect the Month of Love theme; especially since we are celebrating Valentine's Day to the Max. with our Blogville Valentine's Day PAWTY.
Fifteen Fun Facts: Love
1. Did you know that even though most animals are not interested in monogamous relationships, there are some who mate for life? The Canadian Goose or the Swan, for example, all keep the same partner throughout his/her lifetime. This is also true of some types of wolves.
2. There was a game my friends and I used to play when we were kids that determined how compatible you were with your love interest. You took the phrase "true love" and your first, middle and last name and your love interest's first, middle and last name. Then you went through the phrase "true love" to see how many letters from each name were in true love. You then added the letters up, added a zero and that is how many points you got with tha tperson. The higher the score, more likely you were destined to be together. Here's an example:
Christena Nicole Hodges
Michael Clancy Smith
T = 2
R = 1
U = 0
E = 3
L = 3
O = 2
V = 0
E = 3
This matching gets 140 points.
3. One year, while in university, I decorated the house I was sharing with Tenie and Carmen. I also made little Valentine's for the girls and for the dogs we knew. When the girls woke up they were touched, but pointed out that I had stuck a black heart over Heath Ledger's face...woops.
4. An estimated 198 million roses were made for Valentine's Day in 2010 in the United States.
5. Apparently, women prefer to get gifts in the evening, after a nice meal, whereas men prefer to receive gifts in the morning.
6. Most of the roses sold on Valentine's Day are red.
7. Approximately 141 million cards are sold globally on Valentine's Day.
8. In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew a name from a bowl to see who his/her Valentine would be. They would wear that name on his/her sleeve for a week.
9. Parents receive 1 in every 5 Valentine's.
10. Verona, the Italian city where Romeo and Juliette was set, receives about a thousand letters, addressed to Juliette, a year on Valentine's Day.
11. I have read that about 3 percent of pet owners will get something for his/her pet on Valentine's Day. I think this number must be wrong-it must be higher, right?
12. Next to Christmas, Valentine's Day sells the most cards.
13. If you see a squirrel on Valentine's Day, it is thought that you will marry a cheap skate who will horde all of your money. (You hear that doggies? Chase those squirrels off on Feb. 14).
14. It is said that if you cut an apple in half, the number of seeds inside will predict the number of children you will have.
and
15. Getting a kiss first thing, Valentine's morning, is considered good luck.
Fifteen Fun Facts: Love
1. Did you know that even though most animals are not interested in monogamous relationships, there are some who mate for life? The Canadian Goose or the Swan, for example, all keep the same partner throughout his/her lifetime. This is also true of some types of wolves.
2. There was a game my friends and I used to play when we were kids that determined how compatible you were with your love interest. You took the phrase "true love" and your first, middle and last name and your love interest's first, middle and last name. Then you went through the phrase "true love" to see how many letters from each name were in true love. You then added the letters up, added a zero and that is how many points you got with tha tperson. The higher the score, more likely you were destined to be together. Here's an example:
Christena Nicole Hodges
Michael Clancy Smith
T = 2
R = 1
U = 0
E = 3
L = 3
O = 2
V = 0
E = 3
This matching gets 140 points.
3. One year, while in university, I decorated the house I was sharing with Tenie and Carmen. I also made little Valentine's for the girls and for the dogs we knew. When the girls woke up they were touched, but pointed out that I had stuck a black heart over Heath Ledger's face...woops.
4. An estimated 198 million roses were made for Valentine's Day in 2010 in the United States.
5. Apparently, women prefer to get gifts in the evening, after a nice meal, whereas men prefer to receive gifts in the morning.
6. Most of the roses sold on Valentine's Day are red.
7. Approximately 141 million cards are sold globally on Valentine's Day.
8. In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew a name from a bowl to see who his/her Valentine would be. They would wear that name on his/her sleeve for a week.
9. Parents receive 1 in every 5 Valentine's.
10. Verona, the Italian city where Romeo and Juliette was set, receives about a thousand letters, addressed to Juliette, a year on Valentine's Day.
11. I have read that about 3 percent of pet owners will get something for his/her pet on Valentine's Day. I think this number must be wrong-it must be higher, right?
12. Next to Christmas, Valentine's Day sells the most cards.
13. If you see a squirrel on Valentine's Day, it is thought that you will marry a cheap skate who will horde all of your money. (You hear that doggies? Chase those squirrels off on Feb. 14).
14. It is said that if you cut an apple in half, the number of seeds inside will predict the number of children you will have.
and
15. Getting a kiss first thing, Valentine's morning, is considered good luck.
Thursday, February 02, 2012
A Little 411!
Two more pages have appeared on this blog-aside from The Kissing Booth, Yummers Fur Your Sweetie, King and Queen Vote, Pawsome Raffle Prizes and Loved recipients of Yummers-and they are important too.
First thing's first. The page entitled, "PAWTY Central" has all of the links for the other pages on it in one location. That means you can get to any of the activities from that particular page.
Second of all, there is a page entitled "daily results," which will keep you up to date on who kissed who and how the voting is going. The exact number of votes for particular individuals will not be released as we want the result on February 14th to be a surprise, but it will give you an idea and hopefully get a little bit of good natured competition going.
Also, don't forget the check out the "Loved Recipients of Yummers" page because it too is getting updated multiple times a day.
And last, but certainly not least, another exciting, or not so exciting depending on your point of view, activity is going to be happening in Blogville. The details of this will be released at a later date, but can we say "Sarge" and "police work?" ;)
That's all for now. Make sure to check out the new pages to stay up to date on what's happening with the Blogville PAWTY!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Tick Tock, Tick Tock
That is the sound of time ticking by. And do you know what that means?
It means that we are that much closer to the launch of the Kissing Booth and the King and Queen vote!
However, you still have a few hours to get your photos in. So, if you were a bit shy, but have been thinking that you want to join the fun, send your photos to:
purple DOT tidalwave AT gmail DOT com
so we can enter you! We don't want anyone to miss out!
***
Also,
Shasta
you may want to check out the "Loved recipients" page. There is a message for you. ;)
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