Thursday, December 12, 2013

Christmas Card Wreath


Well Mama has filled the first Christmas card wreath and has moved on to the second wreath cardholder. This is why the card exchange is one of her favorite traditions. It does make for a really pretty house decoration that every who visits comments on as they see all the beautiful cards.

Mom finished off all the cards yesterday and Dad brought home a boat load of stamps to get the second batch of cards mailed out. Mom also sent out e-cards to those who live outside the US border. She wanted to make sure everyone got remembered. Hopefully, all of you will be getting your cards soon, even with the bad weather making postal deliveries challenging.

We are finally getting a decent supply of snow cookies. Dad is worried we are due for an overabundance of snow cookies this weekend. We are torn. Grandma and Grandpa are flying in so we need the skies to be clear for them to get here safely. However once they are to their destination, we want a big storm because Mom and Dad have plans to be busy all weekend and we want them home with us. Mom keeps saying Santa wouldn't like our attitude and something tells us she has an in with the big guy.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Visit with Santa Went Well


We went to see Santa on Saturday. Santa was more friendly and warm then we remembered. Katy even kissed him while she was sitting with him. No shaking or nothing. She seemed real comfortable with the old guy.

We thought we would get our Santa picture right then, but we had to wait, so our first batch of cards is just going out today. Mom ran out of stamps at midnight. Dad promised to pick up more stamps today, so we'll be back on card duty today, and get those cards out soon.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Rainy Day Blues


It's December. We should be enjoying snow cookies while we await the arrival of that jolly red suited guy who fills our stockings with toys and treats. Instead it looks more like when that bouncing bunny arrives that we can't chase because he brings Easter baskets of treats and toys. Do these treat bringers have their weather mixed up?

The squirrels are getting fat and lazy filling up on food, which means they are becoming more of a chore to chase. Yesterday one was bold enough to try to sun bathe on our porch!!! Then his friend joined him and the chase was on. First moths, now a late season squirrel surge. We need snow to help us with natural pest control.

I hope Santa knows I'm doing my best. Even shelties don't herd well in the rain.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

The Card Wreath is Up



Well Mama is doing better in this card contest this year than last year. So far, we are of course winning 7-3, but that is closer than last year.

A note from the Mama, with the warm weather we've had an higher than normal level of moths. Bailey is ignoring them, but Katy has taken to hunting them down and batting them out of the air with her paws and then biting them to make sure they fly no more. She takes no moth prisoners.

Papa has been pulling the Christmas boxes out of the attic, which can mean only one thing, the turkeys, will soon be headed to the attic. While we know Mama will be pulling out our special Christmas only toys, we hate to say goodbye to our Gobbling friends. It seems they stay such a short time each year.


Monday, December 2, 2013

The Card Contest Begins


We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Mom and Dad tried out some new Thanksgiving healthy recipes and were pleased they tasted better than some of the stuff they had in the past. Of course we got the traditional kibble meal.

After a full weekend of football, Dad brought out the green tree and started putting it up in the living room. So far it just has lights, but we know Mom will have lots of tempting stuff hanging from it soon.

Even before Thanksgiving cards were arriving. We are up on Mom by 2-1. We are going to be visiting Santa this week and then ordering out cards. They have local pickup so we hope to get them out quickly after that.

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are enjoying the holiday season.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Can you Believe It is Almost Thanksgiving?


Mama has been very bad about Blogging. She's had all this other stuff she puts ahead of our blog. However, we got her to sit down and put her fingers to the keyboard. Lassister and Chase saved us from missing the card exchange because they posted a comment on an old blog entry and we made it just under the deadline. We would have been so upset if Mama blew that. Reilly and Denny have sent us our first card already!!! We have an appointment to meet Santa and Mom wants to use that picture for our cards. In the past we've had our picture taken during a summer fundraiser, but that gentleman has enough business that he no longer does festivals, only private sittings. So, we await Santa in order to get our cards done.

We had a dusting of snow this week, but not enought to snack on. When we will get our snow cookies???

Katy is really into football this season. Bailey is a casual observer. However, if Papa forgets to put the pregame on, Katy reminds him that he's missing the talking people with the cool voices.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Fall is a Great Time for the Sports Loving Sheltie


Katy here. We love watching sports with Papa and now we are sporting our Patriots and Red Sox fleece. We really do love our fleece. Yesterday we routed the Patriots on to victory while happily curled up on our favorite team fleece.

I've been causing a bit of mischief lately. While Mom and I usually enjoy curling up while she reads and I sniff my way through her books. A few weeks ago I snuck into Mom's library bag and attacked a paperback book. I was so stealthy that it was only because I was so quiet that she came to check on me and realized what I had done. She was so embarrassed that she had to tell the librarian I chewed a book. Well actually she made Dad tell the librarian. Now Mom doesn't let me sniff the books and she's moved the bag off the floor to higher ground. I miss sniffing the books. They have such an interesting smell.

Bailey's finally off his meds, which means he's back to eating again. It is so hard to watch him not eat his kibble. I thought I was being helpful when I offered to eat it for him, but neither Mom or Dad was amused.

I am trying to reform, but there are just so many temptations.

Friday, September 6, 2013

Good News!

The Vet called yesterday and Bailey does not have Lyme disease. Last Friday Bailey started limping and we noticed a sore spot on his side he'd been working on. We called and got a rare last minute Saturday slot to see the Vet and she was concerned he might have contracted Lyme disease and put him on meds after doing some tests. With the holiday there was a delay in getting the labs out and returned. However, we are pleased to know it isn't Lyme.

His limping cleared up quickly, but he still has his rash. She wants to see him if it hasn't cleared up with the meds in 10-14 days. He's very frustrated because he's been forced to wear a t-shirt to keep him from going after his hot spot. He's requested no pictures be taken until he's shirt free.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Katy's 3rd Gotcha Day



It is so hard to believe that three year's ago Tuesday, we made a long trek to CT to bring home Katy. Poor Bailey was terrified until he realized it wasn't a trade in, but an add on. He finally relaxed and started to make friends when they were both strapped into our now deceased blue Saturn.

She was so scared and so afraid those first few weeks. It took her a very long time to believe that she had arrived in a forever home, not another foster home. When that line was crossed she started to truly open up and it was wonderful to see her truly discover her world.

This year one big advancement has been making connections beyond DH and I. This summer we had to travel out of state to a wedding and Katy got one of her favorite people to stay with her and Bailey while we were gone. She was so disappointed when her dog sitter had to head home. That wouldn't have happened a year ago.

We are so proud of you Katy. You continue to amaze us.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Where Did the Summer Go?


We can't believe Labor Day has come and gone. We had such a busy summer with Mom and Dad that we never got around to posting for the whole month of August!!!!

We got on Mom's case when we realized yesterday was Katy's 3rd gotcha day and she forgot to post anything. She promises to post something tomorrow dedicated to Katy. This has been a big summer for Katy. She has really come out of her shell.

Bailey's dealing with some health issues. We are waiting for some test results. We will post news when we know more specifics.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Will Someone Please Get Polly a Cracker?


Years ago our Aunty discovered these amazing toys that speak. We've had dogs that barked, fish that make bubbly noises, ducks that quacked and we have loved them all. Lately Katy's favorite has been a Koala that sounds like a child when it laughs. Katy got some new ones for her birthday and Mom recently has taken to asking why someone won't get Polly a cracker? She doesn't seem to understand the joy of biting into a toy and have it talk to you over and over. She said something about her sister getting even with her for a See and Say toy she bought for her nieces years ago. Despite the fact that she questions her sanity, it hasn't stopped Mom from hunting down new ones for our birthdays.

I'm awfully glad Mom makes us share because Katy got the best toys ever this year. Polly is so much fun to make talk.

Monday, July 8, 2013

We Celebrated Mom's Birthday with Frozen Dog Yogurt


We've been celebrating Mom's birthday all weekend and one of the best parts was the frozen yogurt. It's nice to know Mom and Dad don't leave us out of the celebrations. We just can't understand why Mom can be so excited over presents that don't squeak.

Things have been busy around here with Mom and Dad working on the summer gardens and doing more cooking. We have never understood why it takes so long for humans to make a meal when we live on kibble.

Mom did finally find a solution to her disappearing Blogger Reader. She's using The Old Reader to follow all her friends. For various reasons she didn't want to move to Google + and she wanted something simple. While she couldn't get the import all at once to work, she was able to manually load her friends on to the new reader and she doesn't think she lost anyone. It isn't quite as good as the old system. However, by creating folders by topic, she has at least found a way to get the latest updates by category. For the moment it is a solution to a problem she was avoiding.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Can You Believe Everyone Turned Out For Katy's Birthday?



Katy turned 5 on Sunday and Mom and Dad said we were going someplace special to celebrate. Well turns out we went to Bark in the Park at Hopkinton State Park and everyone was there to celebrate Katy's special day. Well that's what Katy thought. She had such a great time.

Bailey is just jealous because Mom and Dad never have had a birthday party like this for him. He can't believe everyone would be there for me.

I'm not sure why he's complaining. I shared on my big day. We both got doggy massages. Mom and Dad are even talking about taking doggy massage classes. I was too hot to eat mine, but we both got frozen doggy yogurts, too. Mom tried to tell Bailey it was too cold for these events when his birthday happens, but he was still a little annoyed.

It was really hot. After years of rejecting anything to do with water, we surprised Mom and Dad by wading on to the docks and cooling off our paws. Once on the concrete docks we walked out to the end and we were surrounded by water. Mom thought we'd be scared, but Bailey decided to have a drink.

We were having such a good time that Mom forgot to snap pictures. Dad did get the one of the top of me resting on my new birthday toy when I got home.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Our Day at Paws in the Park



We had a wonderful day at Paws in the Park on Sunday. The one mile walk was held at the historic Wayside Inn in Sudbury and we got to walk past the Grist Mill. Mom used to picnic there with her grandmother, so it's one of her favorite spots. We weren't so crazy about the water from the mill. We had a big surprise when Cousin Heather showed up to accompany us for the day. Katy seemed to do really well with Heather. There were lots of vendors to visit before and after the walk.

We got to try some new things and got better at some old things. They handed out complimentary bandanas. Blue meant we weren't rescued from Save a Dog, but were there to support them. There was a woman promoting her dog massage business who gave us complimentary massages.





Katy wasn't too sure about having a stranger do a massage and then the woman found the spot. First Katy dropped to a seated position and then she laid down. She was actually disappointed when the session ended. Bailey could have stayed all day.

There was a fun try out agility course to raise money for Save A Dog. Bailey did the best he's done yet. Katy has always refused to try any of the exercises before. However, lately she's been creating more of her own obstacle courses. Today, she was still paniced over the crowds, but only refused to go through the long tunnel. She did go through the short one.

We haven't moved much since we got home. It was a pretty exhausting. We are so glad so many people turned out to support Save A Dog.




Monday, April 29, 2013

Dad's Birthday Present



We were supposed to get back to posting last week, but Mom got involved with the local library book sale and she got behind with all her blogging. Can you imagine putting the library before our blog?

The last time we blogged we said Grandma made a special present for us for Dad's birthday. You might have noticed we have a bit of a love of fleece. Mama's Aunt made Bailey a Patriot's blanket of his own before Katy came into the family. Mama is not so good with a sewing machine. She claims they have it in for her. Grandma came to the rescue so the Patriot's blankie could be rested. It gets a periodic washing, but unlike Dad's sport fleece that get's rotated with the sports seasons, the Patriot's blankie has not had a break in a LONG time. Dad told Mama the Joann's has fleece on sale. Grandma told Mama if she could find the rest of the Boston sports teams in fleece she'd make our blankies. For that it might be worth letting the parents leave the house.



We are still working out the details of who gets to use which blanket, when, but we technically each have our own Red Sox blanket to rest on while watching them play.



Monday, April 22, 2013

Paws in the Park



As rescue dogs we love to promote events for other dogs in need of a new home. Save a Dog is hosting Paws in the Park at the Wayside Inn in Sudbury, Massachusetts on Sunday May 5 from 10-3. The cost is $10 for adults and children 12 and older. Those 11 and under are charged $5. Registration for the one-mile walk starts at 10 AM. The walk begins at 11 AM. There are all kinds of vendors, doggie games, food, and more. Check out the event website here.

Mom was all excited about going to this event two years ago and then she got sick. Somehow, she missed it last year. This year we are determined to be there.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Checking out the Tractor




Dad got help from a friend to do some yard repair this weekend. With all the snow, we have had some erosion, so we needed to fill in some holes and fill in some gaps under the fence. Dad's friend brought over his mini-tractor to help with the work.

Katy was too afraid to check out the tractor. After he was done working and the machine was shut off, I got curious. At first, I sat on the floor with Dad's friend sat on the seat. That was fun, but the view wasn't great. Also, Mom does not like to post other people's photographs on the blog if they aren't comfortable with that idea. Therefore, he let me sit on the seat so I could have a picture she could post.

It was fun helping Dad and his friend do the yard repairs. The snow is almost gone and Mom and Dad will be back to gardening. Katy and I will have to do snake patrol. While Dad was working yesterday, Katy and I were already checking out their favorite spots. Mom says it is still too cold for them, but we want to be prepared.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

We have been so lucky

Last month we were one of six winnners in Dakota's Den Kong Premium Treats Giveaway which just arrived this week. (Katy has been have a little tummy problem so we have had the chance to try them out yet.) We are so looking forward to having some.

Then yesterday we discovered we were one of three winners in Dakota's Petcakes giveaway. We are so thrilled!!!

Thank you Dakota. Katy should be able to try out the Kong treats this weekend and we can't wait for the Petcakes to arrive after seeing the pictures of the ones your Mom made you.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Easter Bunny Picture



As promised we got our Easter Bunny picture in the mail on Saturday, so Mom agreed to post it today. Isn't it interesting that the high tops the bunny was wearing were cropped out?

Mom is considering having some professional photographs done by Fred Levy's studio. We've had Christmas and now Easter photographs done at fun shoots. He's thinking about doing private animal shots and while we are not crazy about pictures, he does seem to catch us in a good light.







Monday, March 25, 2013

We Survived the Easter Bunny

As you know we are veterans of the Santa visits, but this Easter Bunny thing was unchartered territory. Dogs chase bunnies. It is the way of the world. We have a very friendly relationship with humans, so this Santa guy is nothing but cool. A human sized bunny give you pause.

When we arrived, there was literally a bunny trail to follow to reach the big guy. Along the path were vendors of different whole foods kind of companies trying to give out samples of their food or treats. Not a bad deal as we got to try out several different kinds of treats along the path to see the great bunny. We knew Katy was nervous when she left huge crumbs behind. The doggy vacuum has never been known to leave any traces of anything resembling food behind. This large bunny visit had her spooked.

When we finally arrived at the Bunny Den we found a very friendly bunny and lots of dogs hanging out trying to figure out what we were doing there posing with a bunny. Would our friends find out, what would the neighbors think, etc? However, most of us knew we had no choice. We were going to pose with the bunny. Now I bet you don't know this, but the Easter Bunny wears high top sneakers. Who knew he could fit his big bunny paws into high tops, but they must be magically made to keep those paws toasty warm.

Our picture hasn't arrived yet, but we will share it when it does. We just wanted all of you to know, he isn't such a scary dude after all. For a bunny, he seems to understand how to hold you for the picture without scaring you or squishing too hard. This is good because I can see Mom wanting another trip down the bunny trail.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Visiting the Easter Bunny



We have been going to see Santa since I first came to the house and I was able to reassure Katy that everything would be fine. Dad found out the Easter Bunny is coming to a local dog fair event, Mom and Dad both want us to go and get our picture taken. We’ve never met the Easter Bunny and we are having a bit of a panic.

Santa is a jolly old fellow and while he may have magical powers, he smells like a human and he's no giant. Katy and I have been herding tiny bunnies out of Mama's veggie gardens and the thought of meeting a human sized bunny is a bit intimidating. This strange bunny has been leaving Easter presents for us, for years without us ever meeting and we were Ok with that. After all, how will this bunny feel about dogs that chase away its smaller relatives? Does he understand that veggie gardens are to be protected? Will it change how he thinks about our Easter toys? What if we have the urge to chase it?

We are looking for advice before Saturday. Have any of you ever visited the Easter Bunny?

Monday, March 18, 2013

Just When We Thought the Snow Cookies Were Gone



Yes, Dad saw a crocus popping up through the ground yesterday. I've been standing watch on the last of the snow, but truthfully the cookies are a bit stale. Dad doesn't wanting us eating them anymore because he says they are mixed with other stuff we shouldn't be eating.

Then last night while he was watching basketball, we heard the magic words, we are predicted to get 4-8 inches of snow cookies starting tonight. Our spring snow cookies are headed our way baking in the clouds even as we speak. Fresh snow cookies might even be here as a bedtime snack.

We just can't understand why Mom and Dad just don't seem to show the same excitement.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Happy 10th Birthday Bailey



Yes, Mama is waxing poetic today. She just can't believe her little puppy is 10. She still thinks no time has passed since she drove all the way to CT to pick me up from my foster Mom when I was only four months old. Lots has happened since that day. Mama even brought home a girl Sheltie to live with us. While I am pleased with the extra bakery cookies, the bully sticks, and the new toys, I am not sure why Mama is so mushy over the big 1-0.

Mama even admitted on another blog that she's been lying about my age. Can you believe she's trying to make me younger than I am? Actually, I think she forgets. She wants me to stay young and she kept telling people I was 6 when I was 8. Then Dad would correct her. It's odd for a woman who admits to how old she is once she counts up from the year she is born. She doesn't lie about her age either, but every so often it does seem to surprise her when she adds up the numbers.

Any of you find your Mom gets mushier about your aging then she does her own?

Anyways I am looking forward to a great day of playing with my snow mounds, having my birthday treats, and getting in some snow cookies before the spring snow is gone.

Happy Spring ahead everyone.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Snow Cookies Refreshed in Time for Bailey's Birthday



Our snow cookies were tasting a bit stale and today, in time for Bailey's birthday celebration on Sunday, we got nice fresh snow cookies for the party. As you can see we didn't wait to celebrate. After all who says you need to wait for your birthday to start a party.



I know Dad has birthday treats hidden away so I don't have to worry he isn't ready for my party. However, he isn't giving out anything early. However, we get as many snow cookies as we want.






Monday, March 4, 2013

Spa Day



Saturday was spa day. Mom likes to make a big deal of spa day and Dad keeps telling her it is nothing like the stories she tells. No long gossip sessions under the hair dryers, no warm towels, etc. That was until she told him about the oatmeal baths and then to his amazement when Katy had dry skin, they suggested an oatmeal bath and Dad nearly burst out laughing. Score one for Mom. Since then we have been getting oatmeal baths and man does our skin notice it.

The dryer thing, well Dad just wasn't buying that. Then Saturday he called to find out if we were ready only to find out, yep, Katy was in a drying crate. Dad didn't find out if she was gossiping with the "girls" and she'll never tell. However, he's stopped mocking Mom's stories.

Dad figured he'd better grab a shot while Katy's bow was still in her hair. She loves her spa days, but once home, the beauty effects don't last long. Hair ribbons gone and mud appears.

Monday, February 11, 2013

We Survived NEMO




Mom likes to brag about how she survived the historic Blizzard of '78. She got an award for delivering newspapers in the snow. Well nobody deserves a reward until their bathroom is covered in snow over their head and they still go out in it to do their business. We sucessfully survived NEMO with Dad's help with a shovel and snowblower.

When Dad opened the front door after having shoveled a eight inches of snow before going to bed this is what we saw. After Dad shoveled the back deck we thought we'd be fine and we raced off into the snow. Katy got stuck in the snow bank and has been a little scared of the snow cookie mounds ever since. It took lots of herding work from Bailey and Dad to get her to go all the way around the track Dad eventually built.


Now we are old pros navigating the trenches. We are enjoying our easily available snow cookie supply. We do miss getting to the back fence to check out all the squirrels.






Monday, January 28, 2013

The Valentine's Toys are Back

Mama thought she was being sneaky when she packed away our Christmas toys. She had Dad sneak them into the attic when we were outside thinking we would not notice a few holiday toys missing among the huge stack of other dog toys. However, we know our toys and we miss them when they go away. However, we do seem to get very excited when they magically reappear and we treat them as if they are new friends.

That is how we felt when the Valentine's toys appeared this weekend. Mom got out the Valentine’s box and inside the box were our holiday toys. We immediately took to fighting playing with our stuffed candy hearts and other Valentine stuffies. Dad was out shopping this weekend and he said he found some new doggy Valentine stuff for us. Of course we have to wait for the big day and then they will put it away shortly afterwards, but there is always next year to look forward to seeing them again.



Monday, January 14, 2013

Clean Bill of Health

Dad took us to the vet on Saturday. Dad did warn me about the rabies shot, but he forgot to mention the several other pokes for shots, blood and that awful inhaled stuff up the nose. Katy sat bravely with me. The vet is extremely nice about letting us go to each other's visits. She seems to understand we support and encourage each other. Katy sniffed me all over when it was done and stayed by me all afternoon when I was feeling the after effects of all the pokes.

The Vet gave me a clean bill of health. I am dealing with some aging issues, but nothing that was not expected of my breed and age.