Halloween Memories

I had hoped to post these right after Halloween but Katy stopped eating and caring for her became more intense as we were spoon feeding her and sleep became something rather limited. Beautiful memories are a gift that help us let go of the hard stuff and cherish the beautiful times we have with those we love. Halloween was a great night for Katy and Annie both and I want to be able to look up this post next year and remember what a special night it was with the two of them.

Annie fell in love with the gnomes. She could hide behind them and observe everything going on and as it got dark nobody knew she was there and therefore no requests to pet the cute doggie. She has started hanging out with the scarecrows in the backyard now. I'm thinking we may need a year round contingent of these in the backyard for her as she seems to like hanging out with them.

Halloween Fun

Trick or treat was allowed in our city but not all over the state. It was strongly encouraged that we find non-contact ways to distribute the candy. Chutes seemed to catch on across the area. There were several in our neighborhood.

Normally we stay inside the house and bark at the little ones from the door but due to COVID the candy distribution was happening outside and Mom knew we needed to be part of the security so she bundled up and came out with us for a while and then decided we had to go back inside to warm up while she and Dog Dad finished up with the last of the little ones.

For once we actually got to observe what goes on during this candy collecting night. We've walked around with little ones collecting candy but we've never just sat outside and watched it from our own yard. Mom is thinking this might be worth continuing next year.

Our neighborhood has long been a popular spot for Halloween candy seekers so while our numbers were down with COVID we still had more than most of Mom's friends and family got, especially considering by the time Mom and Dad closed down the temps were in the low 30's.

What else should one do but snuggle with a holiday bone when one's responsibilites are done for the evening.

Happy New Year

We are finally getting things back to normal after Mom and Dad got us off schedule at Christmas. We did get our big Christmas celebration in on Boxing Day. Santa did come and we have pics we will share later this week when Mom finds them. Mom and Dad also had one of our favorite sheep visit for a New Year's celebration.

Mostly we've been busy taking care of Mom and Dad. They are feeling better, but it's been so busy that it we have to make sure they rest. You have no idea what kind of trouble they can get into.

We hope you all are having a wonderful start to the New Year.

Our First Card Wreath is Full

Thank you to all our friends who have been helping us to fill up our card wreaths. As you can see, the first one is full and Mom has started on filling up the second one. We of course are responsible for most of the first card wreath. However, Mom has had a respectable showing this year from her crochet online friends who have been sending cards, too.

She wanted us to note that the first two cards in the second wreath are actually not dog cards, the third one was and another arrived after this was taken that was also Mom's. We have also received several e-cards that Mom has shown us and we thank all of you for sending those, too.

We are hopeful both wreaths will be filled before the season is over and we will get pictures posted so everyone can see.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone. We are not wearing the green, but we are so excited. St. Patrick is one of our favorite saints. Since we have such a garter snake problem we are trying to convince Mama that along with her St. Francis garden statue she really needs to get a St. Patrick statue. St. Francis just attracts all the animals that we then have to chase away. Just look at all the bunnies that have arrived since he showed up. However, we could really use St. Patrick's help with the snake population that will be waking up when all this snow melts.

Dad arrived back safely from his business trip. We are not crazy about Dad traveling, especially since we aren't there to keep him safe. You'd think they'd be glad of a little Sheltie security, but not so much.

Mom was under the weather last week, so she'll have Bailey's bday pictures posted soon.

Second Christmas Card Wreath Almost Filled

We are so thrilled that so many people sent us cards this year. We even got our own card and doggie bakery cookies from a crochet swap Mom was involved in this month. We got to share a ginger bread man last night. These cookies were huge. Mom had a swap partner with three shelties!

Santa preparations continue. Both Grandmas will be in the state today. Daddy's Mom arrived Sunday. Mom's will be here today. Neither stays here, but they will both be here on Christmas Eve. One always has treats in her pocket because she has a dog. The other brings the most amazing toys on Christmas Eve. We cannot wait to see what she brings us this year.

Christmas Toys

Mom has this thing about rotating our holiday toys. Tyler the turkey was retired until next year, but then this magical thing happened this box of toys emerged we had forgotten about. You see not only do Santa, Mom and Dad buy us toys at Christmas, but we have a Grandma and an Aunt who also buy some of the coolest toys to play with, some that only make an appearance at Christmas. Mom tried to collect our toys to take a picture this morning, but we protested thinking she was going to box our toys again and she used that spy phone on her camera to catch us in action. She has not mastered the focus, but we still are not sure, when she is taking pictures and when she is texting Dad, so we cannot always be on alert to avoid the pictures.

After Mom took the time to gather our toys together, it seemed like a great chance to nap with friends.

The Christmas cards keep coming in and Mom has officially started on her second wreath. We have received cards from: Chewy Deravi, Bella and Daisy, Bert King, Miley and Maggie, and Dakota & Cody, Frankie Furter, Freedom, Casper & Nikki, Maggie Mae and Max, Sweet William The Scot, Finn, Urban Hounds, Julep & Derby, Remington, Max, Bugsy and Knuckles, Reggie and Lola Baker, and Douglas, Oskar Hoerauf, Brandon, Tessa the Maltese, and Erika, Blair, Koda, Sophie, Indy & Jack.

Mom Finished the Tree Skirt

Well Mom finally finished the tree skirt. This picture not only shows the tree skirt, but also my hiding spot I have with my couch now behind the tree. Mom has a point it is rather a unique hiding spot only available at Christmas. When I sit on my couch nobody can see me, but I have a great view of everyone in the room.

We received more cards yesterday. We have received cards from:
Chewy Deravi, Bella and Daisy, Bert King, Miley and Maggie, and Dakota & Cody, Frankie Furter, Freedom, Casper & Nikki, Maggie Mae and Max, Sweet William The Scot, Finn, Urban Hounds, Julep & Derby, and Remington.

Happy Labor Day

Labor Day is a bit of a big deal in this area. There is a parade and people take it pretty seriously. For the first time Dad and Mom saw people putting out chairs the afternoon before. I guess they must be expecting large crowds. Mom wrote an article for her education blog about the parade and it has been getting hits from around the state and even from surrounding states. She had no clue it would be that popular. She wrote it for family and friends, since the local paper can be hard to access online. She wanted to make the information available to people who might want it. It was also a good place to send people, instead of trying to pull out the paper to find the information again. Mama is honest enough to admit her blogs are often like extra storage units for information she hates to lose.

One of our favorite relatives is coming to visit today. She has no problem spending time giving us lots of attention and playing with us.

We hope all of you have a happy, fun, and safe Labor Day.

Happy 4th of July

Mom and Dad went out to see fireworks on Saturday. We got to play ball with their guests before they left. That was fun. Katy even participated and that was a great surprise. They had a great time at the concert and fireworks. They were gone a REALLY long time. Dad said lots of other people were there and it took a while to get home. Other people were setting them off around here, but we have managed to survive so far. We hope everyone else stays calm through the loud booms.

They are off to a parade and then we are having some of our favorite people visit. We hope all of you have some fun today despite the loud noises.


Photo Credit: dantada

Happy Doggy Daddy's Day

Dear Dad,

We take this occasion to thank you for all the wonderful doggy Daddy things you do.

You dig snow paths so we go out back in the winter.

The grass is kept short in the summer.

There are always bones and treats in the doggy cabinet.

You like long walks and understand the need to respond to dog messages.

There is never a time when a ball does not trigger interest in playing.

There are so many things we could say, but we would much rather spend the time playing than having you read. We just want you to know we love you and want you to have another wonderful year with us.

Love,

-Katy & Bailey

The Easter Bunny Brings Treats

I was highly suspicious when Bailey talked about a bunny that bought bones and toys. Bailey is not known for liking things that hop and jump. Why would a bunny bring him bones and toys? However, he says it has something to do with Easter and just to accept it and enjoy what comes.

Katy has to have an explanation for everything. Why question when a rawhide football and ball show up? Who else would bring a mini squirrel house that she can carry? Accept the gifts before the bunny changes his mind and gives them to someone else.

Easter with Shelties

Bailey is used to the craziness of holidays here, but Katy is slowly working through her first experiences with the changes that occur each time the dates occur.

The dogs were thrilled to get new bones and Katy finally has her own mini squirrel house puzzle toy. This quickly became a score point. One would grab the house, sit down, and chew on the bone. The other would then plot to steal the house. This continued for a good bit of Easter morning.

Katy was thrilled with a rawhide football. She quickly claimed this and took off with it. This is only the second item she has claimed and refused to yield to Bailey. I think it is a sign she is getting more confident.

Bailey was only interested in his rawhide baseball when Katy threatened to steal it. His focus was on the circle bones. He tried to eat one while covering the other one with his body. In many respects they do remind me of human siblings with the way they try to hoard the toys.

When guests arrived, Katy began her circle around our hallways that join our downstairs area. Bailey turned on his charm in an attempt to get as much attention as possible. Our neighbors were hosting Easter egg hunts, which had both dogs excited and wanting to participate. By the end of the night, Katy finally approached one of the younger relatives to her delight and finally allowed her access. Bailey was disgusted as he had worked the crowd all day and all Katy had to do to get attention was to ignore everyone.

I was pleased to see her make this breakthrough. It is the best she has done with family at the house. Sometimes it is easy to focus only on where she needs to go. This Easter reminded us of how far she has come.

Happy Patriots Day!

We welcome you to Patriots Day in Massachusetts. No, this is not a celebration of our favorite football team. However, Mom says it has historical significance. She wrote an entry on her education blog if you want to learn more. To Shelties historical celebrations usually means loud and scary noises. Thankfully, most of this holiday's celebrations are not near our home so we do not hear the muskets as we do on the July 4th and Labor Day.

Instead, we look forward to a day spent with Dad playing outdoors and having extra walks. Then we get to watch an afternoon Red Sox game and the Boston Marathon. Katy has never seen a Marathon so she is not sure it will be very exciting. I love watching people run. I just think we should be allowed to run, too. It would be fun.