Annie's 4th Gotcha Day

Four years ago after an extensive search Dog Dad and Mom found me and brought me to live with my sister Katy. Mom gets very nostalgic about these days. I like them because we always get more treats.

We haven't been around much. Mom has been doing lots of craft blogging and we've been helping dog Dad work from home. It is lots of work being an office dog. He requires lots of supervision. Katy and I often trade of duties. We can't possibly imagine how he survived when he was away from the house.

We hope all of you are doing well with COVID restrictions.

Wordless Wednesday: Every so Often I let her Capture One

Monday Mischief: Jack Frost Visited

We went out for our morning time with Mom last week and she discovered that Jack Frost had been out painting the yard. It has been a remarkably warm winter and this is the first full yard painting we've received.

There's something a little annoying about Jack. He makes our paws cold and you can't really eat him like you can with snow.

Mom says his art work will be gone when the sun is up for a bit, but we've decided Jack has nothing on a good snow pile you can eat and tunnel into.

Halloween Fun

Our neighbors turn their yard into a haunted yard every year for Halloween. We decided to go visit before it got dark and crowded with trick or treaters. Dad helped the neighborhood holiday atmosphere by playing creepy Halloween themed music that added to their scary sounds across the way. The kids loved it.

We love the attention we get. People are always telling us how cute we are and we get tons of requests to be petted. Just saying when you are cute who needs a costume. Mom did make us wear bandanas.

Annie was delighted that the Halloween flag featured a Sable Sheltie. The Patriotic one Mom found has a tri-colored Sheltie and she was feeling left out. Mom was surprised at how much this one looks like Annie if Annie would ever willingly wear a costume.

Mom has not been great about Blogging, but we are trying to check in on everyone when we can. We haven't seen news about the card exchange. If anyone has news please leave us a message. It is something we look forward to every year.

Hello Again

We have been after Mom to post again. She has so many excuses. Mostly I think she just enjoys playing with us too much to bother with her frustrations with her technology challenges.

She was sure she'd be posting constantly about all of Annie's adorable cuteness, but instead selfishly has been keeping it all to herself.

Truly it has been amazing watching the bond grow between Annie and Katy. Even in the summer heat prior to the A/C's being installed they rarely were napping without being in touching distance of one another. Now with the cool air flowing they are back to snuggling. I have no idea if this is a Sheltie trait, but Katy and Bailey were smugglers and I wasn't sure how things would work out with Annie and Katy. Annie wanted Katy's attention, but Katy wasn't too sure at the beginning. While this picture show's Annie's paw on Katy's behind it has generally been Katy getting them to settle down together.

They are hard at work on their critter flushing and after some adjustment have developed techniques for working together which are rather interesting to watch. Annie is faster than Katy, but Katy is more fearless, so the two work hard to rid the yard of bunnies, squirrels, and other critters. Lately they've been falling short on the garter snakes much to my dismay. Katy was keeping them away from me, but she's been distracted with keeping an eye on Annie's finds as of late and I've encountered three snakes recently. Could be same snake over three days, but just as freaky each day.

Pawprints in the Snow

We are finally get some light snow cookies. Nothing lasting, but Mom thought it would be cute to capture our pawprints in the snow. That is one disadvantage to snow cookies, she can't really track our movements in the summer. However, in the snow, it is hard to keep our movements secret.

Monday Mischief: The Christmas Prep Edition

We got new jingle collars when we got our holiday grooming done on Saturday. Mom says they look like jester collars, but we know they are jingle collards, not as good as our plush ones, but still a cool holiday edition.

Dad and Mom are both a bit under the weather as we approach Operation Santa Paws. They are barking lots and making that funny sneezy sound. We are hoping they are better before Christmas Eve when all the sheep come to visit.


We've been trying hard to pick up those last minute Santa Paws points by being good. Katy stayed up to watch over Mom when she wasn't able to sleep. Bailey's been wrangling lots of Jr. Sheep. We think the crowning achievement that will take us over the top is that the Jr. Sheep are no longer afraid of dogs thanks to us. While they don't trust all dogs they are no longer afraid of us and that took real work on our part. Especially since Katy had to get over being afraid of them first.

We are posed next to Mom's heirloom Nativity. Sadly, Grandma lost the roof at one point, but it was handmade by Grandma's Uncle during WWII for Grandma's Mom as a Christmas present. Mom has been nursing it carefully along. Most of characters have changed over the years. However, Mom still has the 4 Kings from her childhood (Grandma always tells the story about the 4th King and Mom finally found the story to add to her Christmas collection), two baby Jesus (one always got lost during the season), and one shepherd. The rest are pieces acquired when Grandma had grandkids. The older pieces didn't all survive because they weren't all plastic.

The second card wreath is almost full, but Mom is winning the card race in that one. Her crochet friends have been sending lots of cards, but we got another batch on Saturday to keep in the running.

Welcome to Monday Mischief – The pet blog hop that wraps up the weekend! This Blog Hop is brought to you by Alfie’s Blog, Snoopy’s Dog Blog, and My Brown Newfies.

Our First Card

Well after discussions with Dad, we agreed Mom might have received the first card, but we have the honor of having our card hung on the card wreath first since Mom lost hers. Our good friends Lassi and Benji's card arrived yesterday and we were very excited to get it all hung up.

With Mom's help, we finished addressing and stamping all our cards and hers too, yesterday. Dog Dad took the last of them to the post office this morning. We even got our e-cards sent to those who live outside the US. Now we have to get serious about decorating, as in where did Mom pack our Christmas toys. Now that the turkeys have made their way back into the Thanksgiving box it is about time we got our Christmas toys out of those big boxes.

We are all excited for choir practice. We can't wait to find out what we will be singing. Katy's hoping we will go Christmas Caroling. She has heard people will offer you treats at the door, kind of like Halloween.

Card Score Parents 1 Dogs 1

The Card Wreath is Up

We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Ours was delightful. Lots of attention. However, Dog Dad forgot to buy us birthday cookies. We celebrate a birthday on Thanksgiving and we are used to getting special bakery cookies on birthdays. As soon as the birthday song started, we sat down very nicely and waited for the cookie. No cookie came and Mom realized why we were being so respectful. Then she offered us one of our regular cookies. We were very disappointed. Birthday girl got her birthday pie, but we made sure Dog Dad won't forget us for the upcoming birthdays we will be celebrating this month.

Over the holiday weekend, Mom and Dad started transforming the house from Pilgrim themed to Christmas central. Katy has become fascinated with the tree this year and it is making Mom a bit nervous. She has realized she's just short enough that she can walk around the Christmas tree and scrape the branches on her back getting a little back rub. Of course, this also knocks ornaments and risks knocking over the tree, but every bit of fun has some hazards. Mom's not seeing it that way.

After the tree, one of the first things Mom insisted had to be out was the card wreaths. She has been busily addressing Christmas cards to friends and family all weekend. Three stacks have been mailed. We are still working our paws to the bone working through the Blogville list, but we will get all of you your cards soon.

We are having a debate with Mom. Technically, she got the first card of the season from one of her crochet friends before Thanksgiving. However, in the great Thanksgiving clean up the card has gone missing. Since she can't find it to put it in the card wreath we aren't sure it counts. Mom says it does. The debate continues.

Thanks Blogville

We encountered Blogville shortly after we started blogging and no matter how many breaks we've had to take because of life happening people always reach out and make sure we come back. Lassister and Chase every year make sure we hear about the deadline for the card exchange because they know how much we love it. No matter how hard Mom tries, the fall is always crazy and our Blogging time falls off. Yet, they never forget to post something to remind us we need to sign up or we'll miss out on something that always brings us so much holiday cheer.

Let's not forget those holiday cards. There is something so amazing about opening the mailbox and finding bright, cheerful holiday greetings from our blogging friends every year. We fill two card wreaths each year with warm holiday greetings from our friends.

We don't participate in all the amazing Blogville events, but we have enjoyed the Olympics and many other great events hosted here. Even when we aren't participating, we have loved reading and looking at the pictures others have posted. We have been fortunate to win several contests and to get to try out some fun new products that others have offered as prizes.

On this national day of Thanksgiving, we do want to say thank you to all who make this community such a warm and welcoming community. We are not always able to participate as much as we would like, but we are always better for the time we spend here. For that, we thank all of you for your generosity of spirit and kindness. We look forward to another year here in Blogville.

Rainy Mondays

We woke this morning to a wet and dreary world. Mom says we best not be doing the snow cookie dance after seeing all the pictures of Buffalo. After all, there can be too much of a good thing. Not being able to get out the door to go potty, would be a huge problem.

Saturday, we got to see one of our favorite sheep and she lavished us with lots of love and attention. Sunday we rested up because Mom told us we were going to visit the big Red Guy, yep, Santa. Normally, Mom isn't crazy about Christmas stuff before Thanksgiving, but she has been looking at all the available dates to get our pictures taken and the ones in our area all seem to be later this year. I'm sure people have good reasons, but Mom already had conflicts for those dates. Then she found there was a date available this past Sunday and we were off to talk to the big guy.

Katy was nervous, but she seems to have a real thing for Santa. No matter where we meet him, he is one of the few humans she seems OK with despite her normal fear of strangers. We had our discussion about being good for the year, our expectations for bones and pressies, and took several shots to get one where we were both paying attention. When you meet a celebrity like Santa, it is hard to stay focused.

Welcome to Monday Mischief – The pet blog hop that wraps up the weekend! This Blog Hop is brought to you by Alfie’s Blog, Snoopy’s Dog Blog, and My Brown Newfies.

Wordless Wednesday: The Joys of Fallen Leaves

Blog Paws is hosting the Hop

The Advantages of the iPAD

Dog Dad got an iPad for Christmas last year and we have come to appreciate its value. For instance, we can rest right on the couch and have a personal TV to watch our favorite sports.

At some point, we want the iBark with bark and paw pad controls. Katy and I have many ideas for how this could keep us amused and busy during the day. So far, Dog Dad and Mom have not been open to pursuing dog tech.

Two Baths in Two Days

Saturday was our monthly spa date and while Bailey hates it, I, Katy, was happy to catch up with the girls as we gossiped under the dryers about the upcoming holidays. There is nothing like sharing with the girls at our monthly meet ups. Bailey finds it dull and uninteresting. He calls it torture and can't believe it is allowed in modern society. While not fond of the bathing there is something about a warm blow out and brush down at the spa I just can't resist.

Sunday, I discovered a huge leaf pile in the backyard and the glories of mud treatments. I tried to entice Bailey to join me, but he warned of dire consequences. How could anything that feels this good have bad outcomes I chided him. Oh, the glorious feeling of wet dark mud. Mom didn't see it that way though. When she saw me, she immediately took me to the bathroom and started up the evil tubby. Yes, I was suffering through another bath in two days. Bailey tried to protect me, barking out his protests, but there was no help. I had to suffer through the evil bath time, again.

Dad helped blow dry my hair and I will say the mud did wonders for my skin and hair. Mom isn't buying it though. She says that's the spa stuff that hasn't completely worn off yet.

The Turkeys are Back

Sunday the Halloween toys mysteriously disappeared but they left behind our Thanksgiving Turkey toys. Mom has searched over the years and sadly, Thanksgiving is an underrepresented toy market for dogs. She hasn't located many for us. However, we love our gobbling turkeys and we were quite pleased to see them return. Well, Katy will be pleased when she finally steals one away.

Happy Halloween

We're back and isn't it fitting we appear on Halloween. Once again, Mom has gotten distracted with other life chores and our Blog has gotten dusty. However, we weren't going to let the holiday pass without a greeting.

She did manage to find our Halloween toys when she pulled out the decorations, so we can't complain too much.

Our thanks to Lassiter and Chase for the reminder to sign up for the Holiday Card exchange. We rushed over to leave a post to add us to the list. It is one of our favorite activities of the year.

Tonight Bailey was hoping to have a chance to experience trick or treating from the other side of the door since we are rumored to have some sheep visiting us tonight to check out the neighborhood for some candy. However, he was most disappointed that Dog Dad said he couldn't handle sheep and one excited Sheltie at the same time. Katy had no interest in leaving the house. In fact she probably only dislikes the fireworks on the Fourth of July more than the doorbell and the constant door banging from Halloween. She does seem to find the costumed sheep interesting because she has been known to peek out and spy on the invading sheep.

We wish all of you a fun and safe Halloween. Hope you get some dog treats tonight.

Monday Mischief: The Cone of Shame

So Mom and Dad really do mean No when they tell me not to scratch and bite my hot spots?

The Friday before Labor Day weekend not only did Mom and Dad get sick, but I came down with a nasty hot spot. The Vet was gone for the holiday, so I had to make my first ever visit to the emergency Vet. (Not bad for 11 years if I do say so myself.) The assistants were very friendly and gentle. Dog Dad liked talking with the Vet on duty.

Then came the bad news. Since I couldn't stop attacking my hot spot, I had to wear the cone. It was awful folks. I've seen you post pictures, but the shame and the awkwardness was awful. Dog Dad and I made a deal after one dog of cone wearing. If I wouldn't attack the hot spot I could try to prove I could be trusted.

I'll tell you after the horror of bumping into every table, chair and wall in the house, I took that deal and just wore my t-shirt. The hot spot is almost cleared up. However, I noticed they haven't put the cone away. If I even think about slipping, it's coming back.

Welcome to Monday Mischief – The pet blog hop that wraps up the weekend! This Blog Hop is brought to you by Alfie’s Blog, Snoopy’s Dog Blog, and My Brown Newfies.

Happy 4th Gotcha Day Katy

I still can't believe it, as these days seem to fly. Four years ago today, we met a scared little Sheltie Princess and brought her home. She was terrified of her own shadow. Today, she has fully claimed her kingdom and enjoys the benefits of her reign.

We had only just put in a request to be considered when we got the call to make the trip on Labor Day weekend 4 years ago. Saying yes to the rescue worker on the other line is a decision we have often been glad we made, little one.

To all those work in foster and rescue we thank you. Our dogs were both blessed with caring and thoughtful foster Moms who made the difficult journey from being surrendered to finding a forever home possible. We know that the happiness they have today started with the warm, caring, compassionate care they received there.

We look forward to many more years with you and Bailey, Katy. Each day is a special gift we treasure.

Sheltie Geometry: Obtuse Angle

Hey who are you calling obtuse. We are highly intelligent, oh wait we are doing geometry lessons again, aren't we oops.

According to Mom obtuse angles are angles that measure more than 90 degrees, but less than 180 degrees. For some reason Mom thought this lesson would be easier than the acute one. Hey we don't mind being called acute, but obtuse, really? There is no reason to be rude.

We are glad to be of service to our Jr. sheep who need to know this stuff for school.

Welcome to Monday Mischief – The pet blog hop that wraps up the weekend! This Blog Hop is brought to you by Alfie’s Blog, Snoopy’s Dog Blog, and My Brown Newfies.

Wordless Wednesday: Nap Time

Blog Paws is hosting the Hop