Shaggy Dog Eats- a giveaway...

A very good friend of mine has written a fabulous cookbook for dog treats.  We have had so much fun over the holidays baking treats for Jack & Violet, and they have given every recipe so far a resounding two paws up!

Our last homeschool book club book was A Dog's Purpose, so the kids got together and along with book club discussion we made treats for our furry friends...

Today I am giving away a copy of Christy's book, Shaggy Dog Eats  Just leave me a comment telling me about your dog and what he/she means to you.  Sara will be choosing a winner on Friday- and I will ship your book out to you pronto!

Good Luck!

Who rescued who?...

We have always adopted rescue dogs as our pets.  I am a big believer in giving a pet a second chance, showing them what a good life looks like, and providing a forever home.

Last May we decided to add another fur-baby to our family.   I was worried about how Jack would react, what if the dog wasn't good with kids, the extra vet costs, food, etc.

Yeah.  Like most things, I worried about stuff that turned out not to be much of an issue, because look at this face:

She came to us so scared and withdrawn.  She would run to the back bedroom if anyone showed up, and bury her head in the crook of our arms if we were holding her.

She wasn't potty trained.  A huge non negotiable for me, but after some time and training she got it- doggie door and all.

She chewed on things.  I tether trained her and reinforced her good behavior with praise.   (and lots of low fat cookies ;)

She didn't sleep through the night.  I could barely handle this with human babies.  Momma gets a little nutty without a solid eight hours of sleep.  But now she runs to her crate at night to be tucked in and has some chew bones for any busy work needed for middle of the night.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a bit rigid in how I want things in our home.  Being OCD doesn't help, but even beyond that I have some unrealistic expectations when it comes to kids and dogs.

Violet has helped me with that.  She taught me that it was okay to not be perfect.  That love would turn things around.  That a relationship had to have a level of trust established before it could move forward.  Most importantly, it was okay if there were a few chew marks in the baseboards.   Amazingly, the world would continue to spin.  

When you think about it, Violet has done a lot more to help me than I could ever do to help her.  She has proven to be much more flexible and willing to learn how to adapt - more than I could admit to being.  She trusts us and loves us unconditionally.  She no longer runs to the back room when someone comes into the house.  Instead she runs to them wagging her tail as if to say, "Hello!  Welcome!  This is my home and these are my people!  It's great, huh?"  She is like a different dog than the one who was introduced to us just eight months ago.

But then again, because of her,  I'm different now too.

Against all odds...

I swear this new pup has a personal vendetta against rugs.  We lost our pricey rug, because she came to us without ever having been potty trained.  We tried to save it, but in the end the rug had to go...

We played taps and my husband cried.  Just a little.

"My name is Violet, you killed my father, prepare to die!"

Since we now have Violet potty trained we reintroduced old rug that was there in the first place.  Which was awkward because we had kicked it out to our bedroom.  Kinda like getting together with your ex only to realize once again why you broke up with him in the first place...

Nothing fancy, just sisal with some black trim.

"Hmmm....it just needs a little something..."

Then Violet decided that she didn't like the new/old rug.  So she puked on it.  I kid you not.

Phantom puke stains...

So that rug was retired.  Another round of taps.  Travis didn't even tear up this time...he's numb to it all.

Off to Lowe's to buy an indoor/outdoor rug.  Because at this point I was seriously entertaining the idea of Astroturf.

Then I remembered my colour scheme and nixed the Astroturf idea.  Instead we went with this outdoor rug.

The roll wrinkles will smooth out in time...

We are taking bets to see how long Violet allows this rug to exist.  Go ahead...place your bets!

This & that...

I have been wrapping up a major paint job for a client, and then a sign for another client.  I am meeting with three new clients for consults tomorrow, plus an install for a grouping of wall baskets for another client.

Busy.  But loving it!

Violet has been dealing not only with the reverse sneezing, but has now developed a cough/gag thing since her dental on Monday.  Today I called the vet and they recommended Benadryl.....

So sleepy....

 Poor Jack has resorted to catching up on his lost sleep during the day...

This is not the doxie you are looking for...

On another note...I am a pioneer for Happify, and have been working on participating in activities that allow me to grow in the ways I appreciate the things around me.  I have spent the better part of 6 months working on this and thinking about "what's my why" in this world.  Yesterday I was on-line and ran across this amazing video of what I can only describe as a young man who is wise beyond his young years.  Make the time to watch this- you won't regret it.  I think my favourite line is when he says, "You don't have to find out your dying to start living your life".   I love that sentiment and make it a priority each day to find joy in the little things and take the time to savor them.  I think Zach was a brilliant young man and knew at a very young age what I am finally learning at the age of 44.

You know your a fur-mommy when...

I've been dealing with our new little girl and what is known as "reverse sneezing".  Which to my mind leads to imploding and snot spray.  There is nothing cute about snot spray.  Even when it comes from this sweet little face...

We have seen the vet and he prescribed antihistamines for her "allergies".  Ironic, since I too have allergies- to dog fur.  (I have dogs anyway- my belief is that a doggy makes the cottage, so allergies be damned)

Then last night this guy decided to wake me up by making that tell-tale retching noise...

And then promptly puked all over his new beautiful bed.  You know you are a fur-mommy when you are up at 3 a.m googling "how to remove dog vomit from burlap".    Good times.

Everyone is fine now that the sun is up.  Funny how one's getting sick and lack of sunlight seem to coincide...

Travis is working all week, but the library project is a green-light "GO!" as of Friday :)   A few other things are brewing here at the cottage as well as some major changes that I will be talking about soon...

Until then- have a wonderful Wednesday!

Mini-Maternity leave...

Violet is getting settled in here at the cottage.  Thank you for all of your sweet comments about her!  We are loving getting to know her and all of her quirks ;)  She goes to the vet today, and then a spa day on Thursday.  This little girl is getting pampered- justly deserved since her first few years have not been so pleasant.

I will be off line for a few days- taking a bit of a new mommy break,  but I will be back to show you a completed console and reorganization of Sara's room by Friday.

"My dad has the most comfy pillow!"

Violet & Jack

If you are thinking about adding a dog to your family- think of a rescue pup!  Knowing that we have saved this little girl's life makes her all the more sweeter :)