Pen Time

Fast Friends

We went on vacation back in April, and Champ went to stay with friends of ours -- Molly & Zoey's parents. Champ had already been over to meet the girls before our trip, so we knew they all got along great. So when we agreed to have Zoey over in May, we knew Champ would have an instant buddy. Isabella and Jake took to her fine, too (though Jake does seem to have a little more anxiety with other dogs these days, ever since Champ came to stay with us -- it's died down in the last several weeks since he's been away...we're hoping once both boys are fixed, that some of this issue will be resolved, but only time will tell).

Hope everyone has a wonderful 4th!!

A Long Overdue Post...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas...ours were very busy and fairly eventful throughout, hence the sudden and lengthy disappearance. I've been intending to come back and post something, anything, before now just to let those know that have been asking if everything was well that yes, all is well. Time on the computer for the last month has been very scarce, and, shockingly, I've taken few photos of my pups during this time as well. There have just been other things that have taken over our time for the last several weeks.

All is very well in our household. In fact, my husband and I found out around Thanksgiving that we're expecting our first child, so it's been a very exciting time for us recently. Many many changes to come over the next several months, but we're both happy about it all and ready to experience those changes as they come. I keep being told how happy and joyful I look lately, so apparently pregnancy suits me. And my husband has become sweeter than ever.  :)  I don't think the dogs have noticed much of a difference yet, but I'm sure at some point they'll realize something's changing.

In addition to all the activity and busy-ness that comes around the holidays, we had a health scare or two in the family (from probably not-going-to-make-it to wonderful recovery, thank the Lord), and a little unwanted family drama that we'll continue to see how it all eventually plays out. Definitely not my favorite parts of the holiday season this year, but overall it was a wonderful time.

The dogs are doing great as always. Unlike the previous two years, our dogs did not accompany us to our parents' houses for the holidays. We once again live within easy driving distance to both, so stopping back by to let the dogs out, feed them, and give each some attention in between visits wasn't hard to do. That, and carrying three dogs around, plus their crates, was just more than we really wanted to deal with (especially after last year's fiasco with the huskies' escape from their crate and later dance in a big cow-made muddy "pond," ugh). The dogs had extra treats/bones for the holidays and got along just fine without making any trips out and about.

My husband and I continue to hope for snow before winter is gone. We still have a few months yet, so there's always still a chance it'll come. It's been a pretty mild season so far, with temps see-sawing all over the place, but never low enough to accommodate the right mix of conditions for snow. We're not asking for a blizzard (that sort of thing is pretty rare in these parts anyway), but just enough snow to let our dogs pull us (or my husband, that is) around the yard some. We both think they'd really enjoy that, especially the huskies. Isabella has played in the snow, during her first Christmas, but Jake and Champ have yet to see or experience it (for photos of Isabella in the snow, click here and here).

Well, that sums up our holiday season pretty well...I will try to get back into blogging regularly from this point on, but I make no promises as to how often "regular" will be for now.

I wish all my fellow bloggers a wonderful New Year's...and hope your holiday was a great one. Stay safe out there!

Last but not least, I leave you with a few photos of the pups on a (fairly) recent playdate with Molly...

More Shots From Recent Playdate

Husky Sandwich

Star-Shaped Cookies

My friend Heather (Molly's "mom") made these star-shaped cookies for the doggie crew the other day, and they gobbled them up. Here's the recipes for both kinds, in case you're in the creating mood:

Beef & Cheddar:

1 cup oats

1/3 cup butter in chunks

1 cup boiling water

3/4 cup cornmeal

2 teaspoons sugar

2 beef bouillon cubes...disolved

1/2 cup milk

1 cup shredded cheddar

1 egg

3 cups flour

Pour boiling water over oats and butter.  Let sit until butter is melted.  Add cornmeal, sugar, beef, milk, cheese and egg.  Mix together.  Add in flour until the dough is able to be rolled out.  Cut into shapes and bake at 325 for 35-45 minutes or until browned on the bottom. 

Peanut Butter & Banana:

1 mashed banana

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 cup oats

1/2 cup applesauce

1 1/4 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together and bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until browned. 

 

Recent Playdate

The morning started off with our two...

Then Molly arrived to get the party started...

And after a couple of hours of running around, Sasha joined the crowd...

All slept soundly that night (at their respective houses).  :)

For  more photos on Isabella and Jake's playdate with Molly and Sasha, visit my Dog Days II gallery.


*More about Isabella and Jake's fun new toys in a later post.*

Afternoon in the Park with Molly

A Walk in the Park

A few weeks ago, before the heat index went off the charts, I took my huskies to a nearby state park to walk for a bit, along with my friend and Molly. The dogs had a blast exploring and walking, and enjoyed taking a dip in and drinking from the creek that followed our trail. These shots are from the end of our walk. As they say, tired dogs are good dogs... :)

I've taken my dogs once more since then, before the temps went up. Sadly, we won't be able to take them for a walk like that again till the fall, because the temps and humidity are just too much around here during the summer. The temps dipped a few days ago, and I would have loved to have taken them that day, but unfortunately I'm recovering from a broken toe, so there was no way it was going to happen. I have to be 100% mind and body to take these two on an outing to the park.  :)

Little Blurry But Still Cute

What Once Was Yours...

Ready for Their Closeups

Moments That Make Me Smile (and Laugh)

"Hand over the toys and nobody has to get hurt..."

Jake and his many funny faces...

Her yawn makes her look a little crazy, doesn't it?  :)

Goofy-looking Chief is having a blast.

New buddies Molly and Chief.

View many more shots of all the dogs playing together in my Dog Days gallery.

Smiles All Around

Did I mention that Molly's back in town for a few days? Four dogs in the house till Monday...whew...

Did Someone Say "Treat"?

My dogs have never been the type to sit pretty for a picture-- I always have to be ready when a moment presents itself, because it usually only lasts a second or two. I thought I'd snap a photo or two while holding up a treat (which they did each get afterwards), but that was alot harder than I'd hoped it be. It took many more tries that I'd hoped it would, and Isabella had ALOT to say about it (as shown in the second photo above).

Today's Molly's last afternoon with us-- we take her back to her folks later on today. I'm sure my dogs will be looking for her when we get back tonight, and missing their playmate come tomorrow. Molly might be doing the same. :)