Cute Video and the Dawgs

Lori sent this to us:

Nonno loves his little Peperina! :)

Nonna is grandpa in Italian in case you don't know. I just love how her parents love the dogs!

It's a tad too cold outside. Usually Cali and Leti are running their fool heads off but today even Risa was picking her paws up. We still have ice under the show and now the deep freeze. :-(

The adults were trying to run.

Ty gave it a good try.

Then he said to Adele let's head inside. We can drag this toy or that to those humans and they will exercise their arms and shh if we don't come back for the toys they will exercise their legs but its our secret - okay?

Still some forgot ot was that cold at least temporarily.

Tiger decided inside was best - brrrr....

Cha Cha was all over Goldie and well Goldie didn't mind. Cha Cha will miss her after she departs.

Brewer still manages to get the dogs to chase him even if inside. Maybe its due to the reality that we encourage it so they can enjoy vs. just chillin!

The kitchen and the hallways was mighty attractive especially as the day went on and the temps dropped.

Bentley departs tomorrow if the planes are flying. I suspect he will be playing as pups do right till he departs. It means a bath just before and pray he stays neat. yeah... right!

We have had a great time today and ooops its 7pm so one or two more outdoors and more play inside. Baths tomorrow and it will soon become quiet.

First Day of 2014

I promise I will go back to all sorts of photos tomorrow. :-) Today I had several baths to do, everyone to groom and I just wanted to snuggle with the dogs. It is very cold outside and its supposed to drop to even colder so pay attention to the dogs please. They tell you if they are cold.

The dogs had pieces of roast beef today as a treat from our roast. They played outside but many times for short bits. We playe a ton inside so much I am ever so tired so forgive me for the shortness.

Happy New Year everyone. May this be a wonderful start for great things!

Cali goes to a Total Recall class this month and Leti starts classes. Exciting fun!

Happy New Year

Brr it is cold out there but the dogs still managed to play. Thanks goes to Cooper's parents for sending us a great photo to ring in the New Year!

We have a roast cooking. Still haven't decided what to watch tonight but want to say Happy New Year to all of you.

We are keeping this short as I want to enjoy family, pups and all that comes with that. I have many more photos but I will hopefully add the best tomorrow.

Both the Spice and Abigail blog is updated.

I am going to try exercise despite the toe tomorrow. Today I will feast. hehe

I feel blessed to have all of you in my life. If it wasn't for the pups I wouldn't have met such amazing people. I am glad that everyone now has heat and lets hope 2014 brings grand things.

My goal this year is to replace my iphone (borrowing one as mine was stolen), exercise my fool head off, fix my tablet, get a flash for the camera and grab as many hugs as I can. Come spring we will have pups outside, sanding and staining doors and hopefully celebrating the saving of many trees in our yard and not concentrate on the ones we lost.

Great family, great friends and puppy people, dogs that make me strive to be better - I toast you tonight as you are in your own right very special to us! May 2014 be a better year for all!

Short Update Today

It's a short update today as I have Scruffy and Pepper to bathe. They came neatly brushed and well they don't look like that now.

I can see Scruffy saying I feel a bath is coming.

The dogs played inside and outside today. It's down to very cold again after the melt so they were driving me crazy trying to gnaw on the broken branches. Each time we pick them up a few more drop off. :-(

This is Fiona's sister Coco. She doesn't let anyone get her meal and she thinks Zack, her brother shoots the moon.

Ty is such a great guy and he finds the puppies fascinating.

Even Shoshi gets into the play with the younger set. Good one, Shoshi.

Everyone is truly having a great time but its still icy out there even more so that its melted and froze over. <sigh> Can we get snow for traction again? Off to do baths!

What an Oops

Be sure to check out Spice and Abigail's blog but this one will just have to do with the cutie Bailey. You see silly me had a slew of photos and I pushed format on the wrong stick. argh. This is as bad as walking into a dog gate. I tell you 2013 can you disappear please?

I also had great plans to have a roast, bernaise, mached potatoes for New Years eve and a great double of gin and tonic. Got to get the Tanguery first. As this is my driving foot with the toe issue its not me that can go. Maybe just a good dinner?

The crew had a BLAST today. Oh my gad Pepper is jumping on everyone as if she has the game of tag you are it down pat. Riley and Chewie thought this was grand fun. I swear Scruffy said hey remember ME and to give credit where credit is due Pepper did.

Dinner Nathan gave a bit of ground lamb in everyone's dish and I never saw a lift of the head till it was gone and then they were saying MORE! But no photos - sorry...

This photo came in from Bailey's human and he is still enjoying milder weather than us. He is also getting a lot of conditioning. Have you noticed that bow tie?

This message is from Bailey:

Hi Nathan and Darlah,

This place my mom and dad took me to is pretty cool! There are a whole lot of steps here, so I am really mastering going up and down stairs. When we sleep we go up and down two sets. One with carpet and another with this plastic stuff that took some getting use to, but Mom says I am getting much better. Another set that goes to the outside is concrete (those are the ones I use to take care of business). I am constantly ringing the bell Mom and Dad have hanging there to go outside even when I don't have to take care of business. I just love the scents out there (hehehe). As you can see I am having a grand time in this very noisy, busy place. Do you like my tie? Mom says it's very "Manhattany", whatever that means. Miss you guys and can't wait to meet my new brother or sister!

Love,
Bailey

Haircut and Fun: 2 Updates

Nathan looked at himself and said I need to get a haircut so he did today.

Shady and Nora departed after baths. Isn't that a mischievous face on Nora. They both played up a storm but everyone did. Ringo was just here overnight and is departing tonight as they are doing the moving thing. See Shannon you aren't the only one who moves in winter. :-)

Today things have been melting - not enough yet but enough to get everyone soaked. I did manage to groom everyone but Truffie. He gets a grooming before bed. I just did one here and there till done.

The crew played outside a ton despite the wet. It's why my grooming is taking so long.

Here are a few photos from today.

You know why I love Cali so? She makes some of the most expressive faces of glee.

As part of the fun we started doing some training with each. Leti is so excited about treats she can't control herself - oh oh another one. We have been doing recall with all.

It's wonderful to see what the older ones know.

But unless you were plying them with treats they preferred the running game.

These are still not my photos and they didn't get them all. Still can't fit the foot into a boot but I am going to try tomorrow. Every single one is having the time of their lives tuckering themselves out.

More Fun

This is the Dusty gal traveling in style with her gorgeous bow on. We just had your sister Zoe here during the Ice Storm of 2013.

This is Bentley at Christmas.

Bentley celebrated his birthday too. He is Scruffy's brother. It was great to see a photo of him too. Now where is the rest?

3 Updates Today

Hi Nathan & Darlah,

For his 2nd birthday today, Scruffy did all of his favourite things:

Steal socks, play chase Scruffy with Pepper, extort lots of belly rubs from Nonna and Nonno, and frolic in the snow.

Scruffy also sends out a happy birthday wish to all his siblings and he hopes they all had lots of belly rubs too!

He wasn't having any of the photo ops though so this was the best I could do <sigh>

From Us:

Two years old - wow, wow, wow Happy Birthday! Sounds like you had a delightful birthday. We wish you and your sibs a ton more!!!

More Updates Day

We may never see Bailey again. He's having way too much fun staying warm and cuddling with special relatives.

Griffin just had a tooth pulled as they didn't do it at neutering. It just decided - no - I am not going to come out. It doesn't happen too often but it can.

See the next entry for more:

Very Busy Day

We had shovelling and grooming and game playing and Shady and Nora came as their humans decided to go skiing - Ringo also tonight. Brewer got his bath and will be spending New Years with his human. Logan and Panda finally are home enjoying their human Mom and Gallan has returned from his business trip so grand fun for them too.

I think my head and chest thing is finally about 50% gone - hooray. Neti-pot does work to a degree.  The toe still hurts like the dickens and I can't go out to click photos but silver lining Dennis is clicking photos and thats not the norm. We were so busy I forgot to eat - another silver lining. hahahah I still can't fit the foot into anything but a real stretchy sock. We are making progress!

We also had some of the relatives over so they got to say so who is this dog and what is their name and who is their mom and who is their dad. hahahah We will be testing you...

Here are just a few photos taken today. Should have done a gallery but its already 7pm so not tonight. Tonight we may tv room it and snuggle.

Bemtley and Adele - siblings playing their hearts out and tired as dawgs - well they are dawgs but everyone sure is tired tonight.

Shaggy and Cosmo are playing and playing. Shaggy ois like a gazelle in motion.

Due to the snow I noticed they played sticking their face in snow and hide and seek and pounce games. It was great fun to watch even if I had to do it from the window. Dennis and Nathan get all the fun.

Chase games were frequent.

Snow slides were too.

Lots of strategic planning on how best to win.

Ty was in the thick of it too.

Chewy no matter what I do he makes a mess of his top knot. I think it has a lot to do with Riley pouncing on his head and oh yeah Adele. The 3 stooges at times.

Brewer was a casualty of the ice storm and went up north. Isn't that funny - up north to get warm. He was back playing today and getting a bath.

I noticed just like kids if someone was out manuevering them they would get together and figure out how to stop that. hehe

Cali is a Spice gal. She just is a free spirit and oh is Casey and Cali having fun. It's beyong words much like Adele and Bentley.

Brewer also found Casey. It's the strangest thing but its as if he knows another Spice pup.

The fun continued and continued even as I type and Nathan is out with them. Riley is often seen leading the back at times. Chewy mixes it up by cutting them off in the path. It's all so funny to watch their relationships unfold.

Our family marveled at how well they get along and how much fun it is to watch. It is!

Ripley & Weather

From Sue: Can you believe he didn't mind this?? Most patient and gentle dog ever! How did I get so lucky? Sue

From Us: Ripley is a Katsura pup. He's gorgeous, Sue! The antlers actually look great on him. Thank you for sharing. Love seeing what he looks like and hearing about him!

This morning we have snow and I was celebrating. Our son reminds me the weight will bring down the trees. I was looking at the glass half full he was looking at it half empty. It is all in perspective.

Today I was able to unwrap my foot to take a shower, wrap it back up and hope I can figure out a way to wrap it so it is waterproof and warm so I can go out and snap photos. I know silly but the best shots are in snow coming down like this.

Zoe's home got hydro so she will be departing today. Bath required. :-0

Nathan has to look at his email. You want a quick response send it always to me. hehe

Rocky went home last night and we miss him. Rocky is not one of our pups but he visits every now and then. His first visit he was not doing well with other dogs. He would snap if they got too close (defense mechanism). This visit, he had his best visit yet running in wagging his tail. Playing with pups, older dogs, snuggling, eating in among dogs he knew and ones he didn't. You go, Rocky. I just love the dogs and seeing changes. All it takes is another dog attacking them and the correct conditioning is imperitive. If you can give your dog a present start learning what other dogs are saying to your dogs. It will help you to not run but to avoid an owner that is clueless saying their dog is okay when really he is sending out not so nice signals to your dog. We were presented with this scenario often in the dog parks we used to go to.

Today I may rely on Nathan's photos. We shall see if I can figure out a tape a garbage bag padded thing for my foot. We shall see. The hair is wet so it will have to wait. Got dogs to groom but may do them later than earlier. It makes absolutely NO SENSE to do it early and see what they look like mid day. hehe I am learning. Sometimes the brain has to engage.

More later....

Snow and Toe

We are having a snowstorm enough to cover the ice and give the dogs traction and boy are they excited. They can move those bodies of theirs again. We still have extras due to the hydro issue some are dealing with.

Okay, how did I break the toe, rip the nail out of the toe completely and slice the next toe? I wish I could say it was the ice storm but no it was something idiotic. I was in the grooming room in a bin to get some toys the pups have not seen. I was looking at the toys in my hands thinking about how excited they would be to see these and I literally walked into the gate. I fell bruising my whole right forearm. It's a beautiful purple. I guess my toes separated and I have no clue how the nail came out but it was that which sliced the next toe.  Kat barked at me. I was on the ground crying. Nathan went - Kat stop barking from the other room not coming to check - never knowing what he was barking about. I guess he was thinking it was due to the heat. If the toe is not taped to the next one it literally hangs down. Sleeping and dogs and Nathan bumping my feet is my biggest issue. Good news. I am still sick with this flu but I can breathe. That is progress. Still grooming, playing, feeding, laundry and even cooking. If it wasn't for Tylenol 3s I think I would be crying. But we have heat so I need to stop griping.

Rocky and Magic depart tonight. We will miss them. Magic's home now has hydro - yooo hoo! That's it... more tomorrow.

More Holiday Photos

Be sure to check out Abigail and Spice's blog too. Molly gets to depart today. They got heat. I am so happy for them. The rest in our area won't be till tomorrow till the weekend they say.(sigh)

Karen said:

And I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Lainey says:

We just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and we hope you're surrounded by great family, great friends, and great Havs, among all the other great things that come with this time of year! 

Sparky is sporting his new coat!

More coming as received!

Holiday Happenings

Coco and Doozie did their Holiday dance recital this month. Check it out. It may inspire you to try dance too.

Coco's Holiday Dance Recital 2013

Doozie's Holiday Dance Recital 2013

Throughout today and tomorrow we will have many updates as we get them. We have a number of promised photos that I can't wait to see.

We will also be updating Spice's and Abs blog. Exciting changes with the pups and holidays photos coming for Spice's blog. We also have Casey here and she's having a blast.

Valerie said: 

Hi Nathan and Darlah: Stella and I want to wish you and your family a very happy and healthy holiday. Stella brings me so much joy each and every day. Thank you. I cannot imagine life without her now.  I am preparing to go to my dad's shortly. She will be sleeping with him tonight. She will have it no other way, lol. She really is a grandpas girl.

From Us: Hope its a magical holiday - hugs to the Stella gal. I am glad Stella spreads her spirit. That's special!

More later.....

Update on Tuesday, December 24, 2013 at 5:22PM by Darlah

Be sure to look at Spice and Abigail's blogs. We will be updating. Later tonight I will add photos of the dogs here.

Everyone was brushed, treated and played their hearts out. It was a great day of accomplishment and fun well with grooming and play that is. :-)

2nd Update: See the 1st Below This One

This is Magic and she is here as they have no power. She has been playing up a storm. I have many photos but we already updated this area so I won't add photos till tomorrow. We are having fun. Spice's blog is updated as Casey arrived and Trigger departed. We have a few dogs here due to the lack of hydro and we are enjoying the play and the fun.

I also want to say a deepest thank you to Shannon for shortbread and Kathy for brittle today. Hope you understood why I had to stand back. You don't want this. I also got a special delivery of Tre in a frame - wow - rather nice. That's going on the wall. Thank you, Gerda. You also made me smile. Hope all of you have a very grand holiday! More tomorrow!

It's Getting Close

Cooper and his mom and dad want to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We are still frozen solid. Our driveway is treacherous so anyone who comes call and we will come out. We do not want you walking our driveway. We will try to break it up later today. No salt/pet friendly stuff or sand is available at any locally opened stores - go figure. They say it won't be above freezing till after New Years.

We have extras as people couldn't find hotels that took dogs despite what the Toronto Star says. All they talk about is the GTA and Port Hope not our area - go figure. Port Hope has gas leaks and everyone is without hydro. Our area still has many without hydro and they say its not going to be completed per our Hydro's Twitter account anytime soon. They had originally thought this morning. Hope no broken pipes. That would be insult to injury. We still have power and we feel blessed. More trees have split and fallen. Our yard thus far stays intact - thank you cedars for sheltering our yard. They aren't only for privacy but they also create a micro-climate.

Enough weather. The dogs are all playing and having a grand time. No photos yet. Nathan has already done poo patrol and he says its interesting. His hands hurt but its a must. The dogs are walking careful. Today we try to breakup the driveway and at least the deck. We will see if that is even possible as we have a new sheet of ice over everything.

I had a turkey neck and placed it in 2 cups of broth in the slow cooker and cooked it for 8 hours. Then I put it in the dehydrator for the day and it just fell apart. Dogs thought they died and went to heaven. So don't throw that neck out. It's good nutrients in it and its safe after slow cooking and dehydrating it. Plus the chicken broth is great for soup. No dehydrator - lowest setting in oven and cook.

Fun Things To Catch Up on Today Plus More Photos

The mouths have it. This is the Coops and Levon inside having an expressive game of fun. Coops is now home and they did manage to make it home with lots of snow to welcome them. I heard the Coops has already had the pleasure of snow balls on his hair and is now sleeping. They are shovelling.

Levon and Trigger are here for an extra night as Shannon and Bob is without power. Our daughter is without power and although her dad would drive to get all of them she declined. Something about I have blankets and I am worried about the pipes bursting - valid, I guess but we have the room.

Bailey is in New York City visiting family. He had his very first walk in a very busy city. Check it out. I think he was fabulous. Good one, Sylvia. What you do with the boy is wonderful. The next one is going to be lucky to have you.

We got a fabulous card from Jazmyn and Shelby's mom Barb. Don't they look regal.

Most of my photos are storm related and I am still under the weather. So tomorrow - more. I also have a video with Coco and Doozie dancing at their holiday recital but I have to cut just their dance out and upload it to youtube. They are amazing and so is Carol! It is something to look forward to - so I wanted to tease you with it.

More tomorrow!

Okay, I lied - well not really... here's a few more photos - have more but out of steam. Got wet dogs again to dry off.

Ice Storm Arrived: More Photos

Trigger, Levon and Cali!Wet, crazy play inside. We had our first casualty - no Ty due to the streets up here. They live closeby. We will miss the Ty. But we are almost having turkey and playing up a storm. The dogs smell something and they know something special is coming their way!

Cali and the Ice Pool

Trigger is Mighty interested in JeannieDennis in Background chopping ice up.Cooper Plays Hard to Get With ShoshiDogs feet and undersides getting dirty - lots of washingAfter playing inside and getting dried umpteenth times they all took naps. I swear they dropped wherever they were.

Will more rain come tonight? They say yes. I hope not. I think I prefer snow. This rain and melt and freeze is a lot of work.

At least they had turkey even if they were dried over and over. Even the Mr. Coops managed to get so wet I thought he was a different dog. heh

Oh well, we will see what tomorrow brings. Miss Ty not coming but better to be safe, I say!

Today Rain and What Not

Well, I have a head cold that is now in my chest and I pulled something in my back so everytime I cough or sneeze which is frequent - well its not pretty. I am not sleeping so well as I am having a tough time breathing. I may lay down with the dogs in a bit with lots of pillows behind me. We will have some holiday photos and video on the Spice blog in a bit. Dogs are coming in drenched except Cooper. He's managed to only get that top wet and still look pretty. I think the closer to the ground in this freezing rain you are the worse it can be. Cali is the worst of everyone. She is a total wet ball and Leti is the same but nothing like Cali.

Bailey arrived for a visit just for a couple of hours. Trigger and Levon arrived and so did Rocky and Goldie. I do not have many of the just arrived but other than Bailey who departs soon I will by tomorrow. I just hope they aren't all sopping wet photos cause that is what is happening now. It is freezing rain at the moment and only Leti, Adele and Cali have no brains and would stay out in it. Last venture in Nathan had rain dripping all over everywhere. Then on Sunday we empty out again depending on weather, I suppose and everyone will enjoy Christmas. I am going to make a turkey probably tomorrow if I am up to it. Not today. The dogs will get a treat as its a big one so lots of leftovers, I hope.

The dogs are having fun inside too and I did groom everyone though its a joke with Cali and Leti and I mean a real joke. So, we are taking a bit of a break on outside adventures as I can only dry them so much and at this moment with the rain even Cooper would be a mess but I suspect he will be by days end unless we get snow.

King Coops I said Coops look at me and he gave me this look. Got to love his expressions!

I thinned out Shoshi's coat - can you tell? Everyone is bathed - what a joke - now why did I do this with rain coming?

Early morning - see his scarf made it to morning and not any longer. Nathan was seen having it draped around his neck.

They still use under the deck for come get me games.

Poor Roxie saying, Spice please... Yes gals play games like this when in heat.

Fiona was playing stick my head in the snow games.

Here is the end result of Princess Fiona. She rolled and rolled. I think I have about 40 photos of her in every position.

Much like this one.

We are enjoying life. Check out Abigail's blog for a video later and Spice's blog. As I type Nathan is clicking away in the kitchen as they continue to play.

Changes

We have Cooper coming shortly as there is a weather system coming in supposedly ice storm. Oh boy.

I have a serious head cold but meds help so the blogs will be short. The last of my dogs were washed today this way at least mine won't need baths till starting the 2nd. Dogs don't look pretty as it is wet out there so today we have a lot of poses not running fun ones. Even the dogs don't want to run in the melt though they try at times. Can you blame them?

Although I am going to roll all but Abigail's into this blog, I will occasionally put up something on the respective blogs if its extra special or I receive something from someone. As in today Shannon send some videos so I will post them in the Spice blog.

Then 3-4 weeks before pups they will have their own blog. But with the holiday coming it will help me reduce my posts and give me more time with the dogs and Nathan too. :-)

The dogs are now taking a nap with Nathan. I may take one after dinner time so I can get better. But otherwise I will keep doing as I usually do. :-)