Where Oh Where to Go

Oh, Alabama, how I hate thee; Let me count the ways!

Oh wait, then we'd be here for a few years. And I don't know about you guys, but I haven't got that kind of time for making lists.

Anywho, I've been looking for a place for me and Buddy to exercise, in between bouts of ripping out my hair. Why? Because my neighbors thought it would be a wonderful idea to get a potentially dog aggressive dog, stick it on a $2 tie out from the dollar store that I can break just by looking at it, and proceed to never socialize it, ever. That adorable puppy they brought home and plopped it the front yard? It grew up. Lovely dog, note the sarcasm.

Back on topic, so far, I've got the lake that's a 30ish minute drive away--bearing in mind I have no car--which simply won't work. Great place for occasionally swimming; Not so great for everday walking.

The problem here is not that Alabama has nowhere I could exercise, it's just not quite dog friendly. Ugh!

If anyone has suggestions in the meantime for getting all his energy out, I'm all ears!

(Mostly) Wordless Wednesday

This is as close as we can get to a family photo!

Sophie.. Tuesday?

So, as I was quite busy on Saturday (didn't go to the flea market, but still had to work around the house and at the restaurant) and missed out on posting. Which I'm sure you noticed. Now, however, I thought I would catch you up on what's been happening in her life.

First of all, I switched her (and Buddy!) over to Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Formula. I was going to feed Acana, but let's face it; It's expensive. Since I was only searching for grain free, I'm going to start on TOTW. If it helps with Buddy's condition, then I'll possibly switch them up.

Since it's only been a few feedings, I can't comment on how it's affected them, but I can say they seem to enjoy it! They wolf down their meals now, rather than picking at them. Will probably need to put a rock in their bowls to slow them down.

Also, I (sorta) bit the bullet and got Sophie a.. crate.. Okay, it's a bird cage. It was sitting around in our garage, gathering dust and certainly not housing any feathered friends. So I brought it inside, emptied it of the various collected bird toys, and stuffed a blanket in it. Voila! Dog crate.

The best part is how quickly she took to it!! In puppyhood, I tried for a month--A month of no sleeping, a month of crankiness, a month of what in the hell was I thinking bringing this adorable demon into my home--to get her to adapt to being crated at night. It didn't work. Now? I fed her one meal in it, the way I do Buddy, and she was going in their on her own to nap. Don't believe it? I didn't either, so I snapped some pics for proof.

Ignore the pile of bird toys.. I was feeling a wee bit lazy yesterday.

Do you see her? Snoozing under that blanket there? I was so proud!
Please note the gaping, open door.

I'm also pleased to note that she's beginning to show a bit of definition around her hips again. It's only noticeable if you've become obsessed with her weight and shape, as I have. But it's progress, and that's enough to keep me giddy (that's a fun word, dontcha think?)

Sorry for rambling on and on, but I'm very happy with what's been happening in Sophie's life right now! Now if only Buddy's back would clear up..

A Growing Family

3 years ago, long before Buddy was even born, my parents got divorced. Which sucked, but we frequently visited my dad, so that was a +. But now, they're getting back together!! Can you feel my excitement on the other side of the computer screen? You should be able to!

My dad moved back in yesterday, and they're planning a wedding for October, probably in the mountains somewhere. Buddy and Sophie are coming too, of course. Now Sophie really has to slim down; Nobody likes to look chunky in wedding shots! Anybody know of Tux rentals for dogs? BOL!

There is, of course, a bit of growing pains associated with this exciting news; Namely, my dad is pretty set in his ways as far as dog care and training. I've told him the rules (no table scraps, Buddy's crated during meal time and at night, Sophie's on a diet and can't have treats, NO physical corrections, etc. etc.) and he's been doing very good at following them. It's the early days yet, though, and if I know my dad, he'll be slipping them bites of food before the month is out, among other things. Must be vigilant! And I'll possibly have to invest in Sophie a crate. Oh well.

Also, a slightly unfounded worry, he's never been the type for 'big dogs' in the house. Buddy weighs 50 pounds, so depending on your definitions, he's either large or medium sized. While I personally see him as a small dog (Well, compared to the Great Danes and Irish Wolfhounds at our family reunions, anyways!) I worry about how he'll take to it. So far, so great!

So anywho, just wanted to share that bit of news with you, my readers, and to vent a little bit. Keep your paws crossed that things stay great!

Black and White Sunday

Buddy's watching her watching me.. A chain of vigilance!

Sweet Employment

Well good people of blogville, I am officially employed! I start today at 5. Nothing glamorous, working in the kitchen of a restaurant. But it does mean I'll be gone for 5 hours a day. Poor, poor Buddy, stuck in his crate. I think a shopping spree for him is in order with my first paycheck. Top of the list is many, many bully sticks to occupy his lonely hours. And longer walks. Much longer walks. Hopefully he won't hold it against me!

Reminiscing

Went clicking through Buddy's baby pictures the other day, and I got to say it; He was an adorable puppy! Not that I would ever go through the nightmare known as the puppy phase again, but come one.. Gotta love that face!

Wordless Wednesday

Medical Mystery

Buddy is currently a medical mystery. He's losing fur on his back, his back legs, and the base of his tail, and we don't know why! He's scratching like crazy too. I've heard that it's fleas, I've heard that it's mange, I've heard that it's seasonal allergies or allergies to grain. So many people are just doggy experts in Alabama, don'tcha know.

This photo shows the hair loss

He's supposed to go to the vet this week, but since it's not in walking distance, I'm having to trust that my mom won't steal the car when his appointment comes. Let's just say she isn't the most trustworthy, with these sorts of things.

The only thing we've found that helps is weekly baths with oatmeal shampoo, which I'm not too crazy about because of their frequency, but I'm willing to make an exception if it stops his itchy torture for a day. We're going to try using baby shampoo in addition to the oatmeal shampoo next week, and see what that does.

Good news though! I spoke to the instructor whose in charge of the CGC test next month, and she said that it wouldn't be a problem for him taking the test, since I had been upfront about it and was actively trying to solve whatever is wrong with him. Wooh!!

A New Furry Family Member!

Not a dog, not a cat.. A hamster! 5 weeks old a the most, it's a little boy named Fagan. I have one other hamster, who's getting up there in age at about a year and a half. Hopefully she's still got a long time left! He's staying in a homemade cage right now, and he's not a nervous hammy, so hopefully his taming will go a lot easier than it did with my older girl, Aine. I have to get a childrens toothbrush to groom him with, as he's a long haired syrian. Isn't he just adorable?

He has a bottle too, I'm just not sure he knows how to use it yet.

Black and White Sunday

Buddy's barking out a happy fathers day to all the dads out there!!

Sophie Saturday

 Photoshoot! (Cheese works wonders, doesn't it? Also, her nails are really long right now. We're taking her to have them cut this week, no worries!)

My favorite

Eye Art

So, on a forum I'm active on, one of the members made a thread about doing eye art for other members. I jumped on the chance, posting a picture of Buddy.

The picture she worked from

 She recently got back to me with the finished picture, and it's so amazing!! I love it so much! I can't wait until I go into town again, so I can get it printed off and frame it.

Yes, that is Sophie in his eye. Isn't it just awesome?

Hilltop Leather Shop Padded Dog Collar: Review

Two weeks ago, I received a padded leather dog collar from Hilltop Leather Shop to review. I chose royal blue padding with dark brown leather, and had Buddy's name and my phone number on the brass plate.

Not wanting to look at the camera!

About the shop:

Hill Top Leather Shop invites you to come on up to the hill!

Welcome to our little leather shop on the hill in Sadieville, Kentucky! All of our products are made one at a time by members of the Broner family. We have no factory, no assembly line, no inventory of "cookie cutter", pre-made items. When you place your order, we select and hand cut the leather for YOUR order. We stitch and/or crease to YOUR specifications. All edges are hand smoothed and the finish is hand painted and buffed to a fine luster. From start to finish, your product gets our personal attention to every last detail. We even do all of the engraving in our own shop to ensure the best of quality for you, our customer. If you have any questions or concerns about our products, before or after a purchase, we encourage you to give us a call. You will be talking to someone on the other end who has had their hands on your product from start to finish and who will do their best to ensure your complete satisfaction!

When I first put it on, the leather was very stiff, and hard to maneuver. Being not only leather, but also padded, I expected it to be stiff; Though not so stiff I couldn't put it on right. However, after two weeks, the collar became much easier to take off and put back on.

At the lake!
*Don't let you dogs swim with a leather collar on; It makes the collar stink!
(not learned through my own experience, thankfully)

The brass plate can get scratches on it very quickly, though. I expected the leather to get scratched (always a good idea to keep leather care products if you're going to use leather for anything!) I thought the brass plate would be harder to scratch. It didn't take very long for it to show signs of wear, though.

Pros:

• Beautiful
• Very well made
• Lots of options
• Great prices!
• Plate attached securely

 Cons:

• Brass plate scratched after two weeks

All in all, Buddy and I give the Hilltop Leather Shop Padded Dog Collar 4.5/5 treats! We'll definitely be repeat customers, so head on over, and tell 'em Buddy sent you!

Wordless Wednesday

A Mom Day

Today, I'm stealing Buddy's spotlight all for myself, in a plea for help.. On sunburn! I'm glowing, I'm so red. I swam for 5 hours today, and right now I feel like I'm on fire!

Does anyone out there have any remedies? I would appreciate them all!

Trip to the Lake!

Yesterday, Buddy got to go to the lake and play! I was wanting to test how he'd do with sand and waves, since we're planning on going to Florida this summer. The sand, he loved! The waves, not so much, which I'm hoping he'll get used to them with more visits, because the waves in Florida are going to be a lot bigger than the ones in our dingy ole lake. I blame myself; I've always cheated, and taken him into the water where it was immobile, thanks to many rocks and weeds. Sound safe? Probably not, but it surprisingly is usually more safe than the beach.

We also got to just walk around and meet people and their dogs. Most were fine, but there was one couple with three chihuahuas and a big brindle dog that I'd peg as a boxer mix. Buddy doesn't much care for dogs his size or bigger. We chose to go off the trail and over to the water while they passed, which worked as a distraction. We'll be working on getting him to like bigger dogs one day, though!

A picture of some random ducks, for no reason at all!

Black and White Sunday

Sophie Saturday

Bad news everyone: Sophies fat! Yes, I said it, I'm a terrible person, but my dog needs to lose some weight. She started out just a little chubby, so I cut her meals and walked her more. Alas; she has actually gained weight! I was stumped at first, until I realized she had began her incline of weight around the time I had started feeding Buddy out of his crate. The little thief has been taking his food! And complacent Buddy simply laid to the side, watching as she wolfed down his share of the kibble, too.

The obvious solution would be to feed in the crate again, so for now, that's what we'll do. But I really must work on breaking her of her shadier habits. Updates to come!

Kittens!

Our households newest additions: Two kittens! Their sisters, and they're my moms, but they're too cute not to share. Buddy doesn't like them quite yet, he seems to think they're something to be chased, but we'll fix that. Until then, they're staying in my room, and attacking my legs every chance they get. At least they're cute!


Reef

Faith

Early Risin'

I've decided to start waking up earlier, and pushed my alarm clock back a few hours, to between 5:30 am and 6 am. Which means Buddy gets his morning walks a little earlier. He's not so happy about that, and kept giving me 'looks' on our walk.

Although he did show a little interest in this tree.

He was very happy to get back inside to lay down.

CGC and Other Obedience Things

So, I found a training club in a nearby city! I haven't yet confirmed that they are PR only, so I don't know yet if we'll take any classes there. I really want to get Buddy into agility, though, so I'm hoping!

Even if we can't take classes there, for whatever reason, they're having a CGC exam in July; Buddy and I are buckling down on our training, and with any luck, we'll be ready by then! Wish us luck!

Of course I'm smart enough for your silly tests!
Bring it on, human! 

Sorry, again

So soon after my last missed post, I've missed another! I was at the hospital for hours with my brother and sister-in-law, because she's having pregnancy complications. Sending out an all paws crossed request!

Apologies

Hey everyone!! I'm sorry I missed posting yesterday! My town has this yearly three day festival type thing, and I had absolutely no time at home yesterday. I was crazy busy. Hope you can forgive me? Won't happen again! (Okay, it might, but only in extenuating circumstance. Does that count for anything?)

Sorry everypawdy!