Nylabone Destroyer

Champ must have jaws (and a stomach) of steel...

Rare Shots

I've mentioned before how hard it is (especially since Champ has arrived) to capture shots of Isabella and Jake calmly laying side by side...it's even rarer to get a shot of the boys chilling beside each other. The other day, though, I managed to get both. :)

Jake's expressions, as always, crack me up, while Isabella, ever the perfect model, smiles perfectly for the camera as always.

A Day for Feeling Crazy

The weather's warming up, the sun's sticking around more, and sprouts of green are beginning to appear...it's enough to make any dog feel a little...crazy...

The last one is my favorite...notice how he keeps his eyes on me the whole time he's doing his crazy rolling...cracks me up...

Champ isn't my only crazy boy, either...Jake has had his goofy moments at well...

A Book Worth Sharing: Zamba the Lion

I have always been captivated by the beauty and some might say the majestic air of big wild cats -- lions and tigers in particular. Especially tigers. I've enjoyed reading stories -- some fictional, most true-- about animals of all kinds, especially since Isabella and Jake have come into my life. The range of animals at this point isn't very extensive -- outside of dogs and cats, I've enjoyed accounts of an owl, eagle, parrot, a big pig and mini pigs, a baby whale, and a coyote...and now, a lion. An amazing lion that needed sharing with fellow animal-lovers and book readers. :) The book, Zamba: the true story of the greatest lion that every lived, has since been added to my Reccommended Reads for Animal Lovers (in my sidebar) and will probably end up on my personal bookshelf one day as well.

As quoted from the book description for Zamba on Amazon.com:
"When Ralph Helfer, now one of Hollywood's top animal behaviorists, first began working, he was shocked by the cruelty that was accepted practice in the field. He firmly believed in "affection training" -- that love, not fear, should be the basis of any animal's development, even when dealing with the most dangerous of creatures. Then Zamba came into his life -- an adorable four-month-old lion cub that went on to prove Helfer's theories resoundingly correct.
Over the next eighteen years, Zamba would thrive and grow, and go on to star in numerous motion pictures and television shows -- all the while developing a deep and powerful bond of love and affection with the man who raised him. By turns astonishing, hilarious, and poignant, Zamba is not only the unforgettable story of the relationship that Helfer would come to consider one of the most important in his life but also that of the amazing career and adventures of the greatest lion in the world."

Since discovering and reading this book -- a friend from the local library (former long-time workplace and still a beloved haunt) noted the book when it crossed her desk and knew I needed to see it, haha -- I've found that Ralph Helfer, the author of Zamba, has written two other books about his beloved animals, and now I'm excited to track them down and read them, too (hopefully in the next few months, before my "free time" becomes nonexistent for awhile, haha). His other books include Modoc: the true story of the greatest elephant that ever lived and The beauty of the beasts: tales of Hollywood's wild animal stars (many of his animals have been featured in commercials and movies over the years).

A wonderful read for any animal lover. :)

Champ's Stick

Yom yom yom...good stick...

Hey, this is my stick!

You see this, Mom? She's trying to take my stick!

You're not getting my stick...

You...can't...have...it...

NOT. LETTING. GO. I've got jaws of steel clamped down on this baby.

Give it up. Find your own stick.

Yah to Champ for standing his ground this time...next time Isabella might not let him be so lucky, hehehe... :)

Fangs

See my teeth and be afraid. Be very afraid.

The Look Before the Growl

And before all the teeth-baring begins...

Reclaimed

And on the lookout for any potential toy-snatchers...

Jake is a toy hog-- can you tell from the picture? He has one of the ropes, his new toy, and a favorite bone all under his watch. Jake tries to sneak toys in his pen any chance he gets, but I usually try to only leave one or two in there at a time-- no need for him to lay claim to everything, haha.

Laying Claim to What's (Not) Hers

Sitting pretty while maintaining control of Jake's toy... :)

Intimidation

We have a new favorite toy around the house...

I bought a new toy for Jake's birthday. Petsmart had sent me a coupon for a (almost free) toy, and I chose a Martha Stewart tug toy, basically comprised of a ball wrapped and tied in a fleece-like material. Turns out all my dogs went crazy over it, so we had to buy two more a few days later, just so we wouldn't constantly have the scene like we did above. More pictures of and with this toy soon...watching each of them playing with one of these toys in pure delight is impossible not to share with others.  :)

Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend!!!

Stopping to Smell the Flowers

Some days you've just got to slow down, look around, and take it all in...

Life is just too busy these days...I have to remind myself to slow down and enjoy it all before it passes me by...

Happy Birthday to My Big Boy :)

Jake turned 2 today...my how time flies...

Flashback Friday : The Early Days

Join us and the Five Sibes for the Flashback Friday series! (Click here to see our previous Flashback Friday posts.)

Smilin' Fella