Frisbee Fun

We got a free frisbee ring at Paws in the Park. Bailey loves this thing. It's much lighter and easier to grab than his traditional plastic frisbee.

Katy is still a traditional ball girl.

It is great that we are stringing together enough dry days that we can get out back and play. Its been a wet cold Spring and its been a bit swampy for much play. We are finally starting to be able to have our Spring games back.




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Wordless Wednesday: Finding the Shady Spot

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Tuesday Tulips

After a long cold winter full of snow cookies, Mom has become a bit obssessed with looking for the spring flowers that are popping up. So today we bring you Tuesday's tulips. We hope they bring you some cheer they way they do for Mom and Dad when they see them blooming.

Sheltie Massage

One of our favorite events at Paws in the Park is finding out if there is a massage therapist. It was a different woman this year, but Mom and Dad signed Katy and I up for 15-minute sessions each. I got to go first and it was amazing. Katy watched and decided it might be worth trying. She never remembers how good it was last year.

As you can see, I stayed close to Katy to make sure she felt safe during her massage. At first, she wasn't too crazy about this strange woman touching her, but then the lady found her spots and then she sat back and enjoyed the journey. Mama had to be a bit firm with Katy to get her to leave when her time was up. Katy might have camped out there for the day.

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Friday Flowers: Rhododendrons

These bushes were here when Mom and Dad moved here, but they love the colors that come out each spring. They have some in the back and the front, but so far, the ones in the back are being shy so we had to go out front to get pictures for today.

We had to be careful getting these shots. The bees are crazy about these bushes. They buzzed us constantly while we were out observing them. Sometimes the birds hang out in the bushes, too. There was a mommy bird and babies in there earlier this spring.

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Mary Had A Little Lamb and We Can Show You the School

We went to the historic Wayside Inn for Paws in the Park. Mom grew up in Sudbury and is familiar with the history of the area. She decided to have us take some shots while we were there.

Her favorite is always of the Redstone School thought to be the site of the incident of Mary and her lamb. However, at that time the school, more commonly known as the Little Red School House was not located in Sudbury, but Sterling, MA. It was moved and used as a school by Henry Ford and later the town of Sudbury. While they seem to allow lambs in school, no dogs are allowed which is why we are taking pictures outside. (Actually, even Mom couldn't go in because there were no interpreters there today.) Mom had to attend school here for a very cold week during the Bicentennial as a kid. She was very grateful to go back to a place with heat and bathrooms.

As you can see unlike the lamb, we behaved ourselves. Well that’s our story and we are sticking to it. Mom has no real evidence after all in the pictures we look good.

Next door is the Martha Mary Chapel, one of the hottest wedding destinations in the area. People book years in advance. Mama went there once for a wedding and was kind of surprised by the attention it gets. It is a beautiful location and with the right package, you can even get a horse drawn carriage, but it is kind of plain on the inside. The first time she visited as a little girl I think she expected a Cathedral of some kind based on all the talk she had heard about the place. While nice, she couldn't imagine waiting years to book there.

The scariest place of all we visited is Mama's favorite picnic destination. The Grist Mill was a working mill in the time Henry Ford was using the property. Over the years it has had some people who made use of it. In more recent years its primary function has been a tourist attraction. Years ago Mama used to bring her Gram here to celebrate her birthday. Gram loved to watch the wedding parties emerge from the Martha Mary chapel across the street. Many use the Grist Mill as a backdrop for their wedding pictures. Even couples who don't get married at the Church or Wayside Inn still sometimes come and take pictures there. There are also lots of people who bring families and have picnics. While we love outings, this is not our favorite destination.

When the water is running, it is loud and it splashes on you. We thought there were far better places to visit back at the primary Paws in the Park location. We refused to get up close for a shot. No treats are worth facing that scary beast.

When Mom was done getting her historic shots done, we got to head back to Paws in the Park. Oddly enough the one shot Mom didn't get was off the Wayside Inn. Go figure. After Friday Flowers, Mama has one more post to share about Paws in the Park.

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Wordless Wednesday: Katy Bandit

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Paws in the Park 2014

We had such a wonderful time and so much to tell that it didn't fit into one blog post. The Save a Dog Paws in the Park is held on the grounds of the historical Wayside Inn in Sudbury. (More about the historical sites in another post. Mom made us pose for pictures so we could share.) We saw so many new shelters and rescues that we hadn't seen before. It was great seeing them all come out and have a chance to get name recognition and make some money for their rescues.

When we went in we got bandanas and a goodie bag. If you were rescued from Save A Dog you got one color. Everyone else got the blue we are wearing. We thought we looked dashing.

People were so kind and generous and because we were so cute well behaved we got lots of free treats. Mom brought home some, too.

We thought of Frankie and Ernie when we saw the Daschund Rescue Kissing Booth. If you'd have been there guys, they'd have broken the piggy bank.

Protecting the Asparagus

Mom planted asparagus not really thinking it would come too much. Several years later every spring, we have to go out and guard the asparagus from creatures that might eat it before Mom and Dad get to cook it. It doesn't look like much, but Mom and Dad say it is a special veggie. Mom really likes the fact that it comes back on its own every year. It doesn't have to be replanted each year and it is pretty low maintenance from a veggie growing perspective. This crop is just about ready to be picked. Mom is already trying to decide what to make this weekend.

We just want to know when we are going to get one of those dog biscuit trees. We'd take real good care of it and make sure those nasty squirrels didn't attack it. Mom keeps saying she hasn't located one yet. We think she's just too busy hunting down veggie plants for her and Dad.

Friday Flowers

Today's Friday Flower picture is of our first Iris of the year. This poor yellow Iris didn't fair well with a week of rain. The purple Iris aren't even showing blooms yet. While Mama likes the yellow, purple are her favorite. She's collected different types from friends, family, and local garden club sales. Hers have spread and she's been able to pass them on to various family members.

We are looking forward to the Hostas. They make for great shade and places to stalk watch the various creatures that visit the yard.

I Love My Purebred Dogs and I'm Not Afraid to Show It

Mom isn't a Facebook person, but felt compelled to post after reading Jen at My Brown Newfies & Me post this morning. As rescue Shelties we are huge supporters of rescuing dogs of all kinds. However, we also support people who get their pets from responsible breeders. There are lots of reasons people choose specific breeds.

Responsible breeding helps maintain healthy breed lines. Knowledgeable breeders work to reduce the instances of genetic challenges each breed faces and to help maintain the positive characteristics and traits of each specific breed.

Mom and Dad did lots of research before settling on Shelties. Mom had grown up with smaller dogs, but for a variety of reasons, Shelties proved to be a good choice for her and Dog Dad. While some fully understand and support their choice, especially when they realize we came from a rescue, others continue to think it is a snobbish attitude to want a purebred dog. We support owners’ right to choose as long as they do it in a responsible fashion. You can support Purebred dogs and be against puppy mills. In fact, we don't know any owners who love purebred dogs and don't understand the harm puppy mills do to purebred breeds through poor breeding.

There has been a huge campaign targeted against purebred owners and it is short sighted and ignorant. There is a way to support and encourage pet adoption from shelters without attacking those who choose a responsible alternative path. Choosing a responsible breeder to bring home your pet is a healthy choice for people who want a specific breed. There is nothing evil or selfish about making a choice that is right for the family.

However, even pet parents who choose breed rescues face critics for choosing purebreds over a mixed breed. These attacks seem even more childish since purebred dogs in rescue need homes, too. Having groups that understand the breed and can target appropriate homes for them seems like an intelligent choice, not a reason to criticize. Yet, Mom has been criticized for choosing breed rescue over visiting the local mixed breed rescues. This just seems to be about control, not really what is in the best interest of dogs.

We believe it is important to unite as dog owners and support all who love dogs without dividing into splinter groups. There is room for all of us the purebreds and the mutts, rescues and those who came from breeders to support and encourage each other. When our families start to splinter and point fingers, it is the dogs who always lose.

We think all dog owners should love their dogs and not be afraid to show it. It is time for the judgment to stop.

Wordless Wednesday: Inquiring Shelties Want to Know

Save a Dogs Paws in the Park

Save a Dog in Sudbury is hosting their annual Paws in the Park on Sunday May 4, 2014 from 10AM-3PM at the Wayside Inn, 72 Wayside Inn Road in Sudbury, MA.

The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children 5-12, and free to those under 5. For more information check out the website here.

This has become one of our annual dog walk events. We love walking in a historic place, shopping, activities, and visiting with the other dogs.

If you walk a little farther, you can even see the building where Mary's little lamb went to school. The building has moved from its original location, but you can see Mary's school. (Dogs have to peek in from the door, but you can take your picture outside if you want.)

Last year we got to try complimentary massages and a doggy agility course. Who knows what this year will bring. If you are in the area, come down and help raise some funds for Save a Dog.

Friday Flowers

Mom loves tulips, but doesn't always have the best luck growing them. This one popped open yesterday and she just had to get a shot of it.

Katy's Fort

What to do when there are lots of people at your house? Retreat to your own personal fort. You can see and observe all the action, but they have to work real hard to get to you.

Easter Egg Roll

Normally the Easter Bunny comes and leaves us special Easter treats and toys. This year was no different. However, Mom and Dad thought it would be fun for us to participate in an Easter Egg hunt. We refused, politely. They were not pleased. So they decided to make it into a roll. They started rolling the eggs filled with smelly, but tasty treats and enticed us to "hunt" them down. After being tossed a few, Bailey broke ranks not only chasing them down, but learning to pop them open.

Katy required more convincing to engage in the sport. She was willing to attack the open ones. Mom was so disappointed not to get the shot of the egg that Katy had on her nose before she popped it off.

Happy Patriot's Day

We are celebrating a long Easter weekend because Patriot's Day and Easter fell on the same weekend.

For those of you outside of Massachusetts Patriot's Day is celebrated neither as the day of the Boston Marathon or the reason for an afternoon Red Sox game. It also has nothing to do with our NFL football team. Today we celebrate the opening battles of the Revolutionary War the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Since we aren't much for guns and loud noises we celebrate at home with Mom and Dad.

Friday Flowers

This is what comes of living in New England folks. Yesterday we posted pictures of snow. Today the snow has melted and we have pictures of the daffodils in bloom.

We are looking forward to our visit from the Easter Bunny. We hope he has lots of cool treats. Mom is talking about experimenting with treats in Easter Eggs. We'll see how that all works out. We wish all of you who celebrate a wonderful Easter holiday. We hope it is filled with lots of fun and treats.

It Snowed!

You know we love our snow cookies. We even get ice cubes in the summer we love the icy stuff so much. However, we were just starting to enjoy the joys of spring. The white stuff on the ground was unexpected. We had not placed an order. Our annual charity walks are just around the corner. We don't want Mom and Dad backing out because of weird weather. We'll admit we were perhaps a bit aggressive in our snow cookie prayers. However, we'd really like this white stuff to stop before it interferes with our Spring plans.

We Dogs are Sticking Together

The Easter Bunny

Frankie and Ernie posted about the search for the Easter Bunny. We just wanted to let them know we had the great fortune to meet and have our picture taken with the Easter Bunny last year. He's HUGE. Makes sense he'd have to be in order to distribute all those eggs. He doesn't have a sleigh and all those reindeer to get around.

Mom searched and searched, but the Easter Bunny must have been too busy to make a return appearance this year. We are sad to have missed him, but glad we at least got the chance to see him once.

After chasing those tiny little bunnies, it was rather scary at first to see a Bunny bigger than Mom. However, when a bunny has dog treats, you find yourself strangely attracted to it.

Happy Birthday Dad!

It's Dog Dad's Birthday and we are so very excited to celebrate the day.

Thank you for another year of ball games, long walks, tummy rubs, and a shared love of our favorite sports teams. We hope for many more long years together. Have a day filled with love and laughs and don't forget some dog cookies.

Love,
Bailey & Katy

Look What We Found!

Over the years, Mom has turned more to perennial gardening for her flowers. She loves the idea that no matter what the weather is like, her health, or other situations that get in the way of her gardening ambitions, there are always flowers that magically appear each year. She loves getting out as soon as the snow is gone to start checking for the crocus. We already missed the chance to get pictures of one that she saw just a couple of days ago.

We noticed the tulips are coming along. Mama has some daffodils ready, but they never have really taken to the environment here. The rest of perennials will be along, as it gets warmer. We’ve been protecting Dad’s asparagus garden. Those pesky rabbits are back. We are going to have a busy season protecting the veggie gardens. So far, the asparagus is our main duty as it is a perennial so it comes up without having to be planted. Mom and Dad will wait until after Memorial Day to plant the rest of the veggies. We are keeping in shape chasing the squirrels. They seem to have slowed down a bit during the winter. One barely made the tree this morning.

Bailey's Birthday Pics

Mom never got around to posting my birthday pics, so she promised she'd put them up today.

Katy and I had a great celebration. We played snow tag and it was amazing. We even got what Mom is hoping are the last of the snow cookies for the season. Mom is begging us to stop praying for snow cookies, but how can you not want that cold sweet treat?

After our evening kibble, we got these tasty birthday cookies. I liked the frosting off mine, but Katy kept dropping hers on the floor so the frosting would fall on the floor and she could pick it up in chunks.

I got two new stuffies to add to my collection. These are my favorites because they make sounds like the animals do. The cow moos and the duck quacks. Cow has been in time out a few times since he's arrived. I just can't help myself. I love the sound and once I get started, I get a little compulsive and its non-stop mooing. Mom says its like listening to a cow barn when I'm at my worst. As Mom's typing Katy is sitting on my cow. She thinks I don't know where he is, but I do. I just know if I distract Mom, she'll never finish this project.

We finished off the night with two bully sticks and a game of ball. Our friend gave me Kong tennis balls and we were thrilled to discover tennis balls can squeak!!! Who knew?