Buh-Bye January

Happy Monday - and Happy end of January!  It was not a good month for many and we can't say we're sorry to see it go! 

In case you haven't heard, we're bracing for more snow this week.  It looks like more than a foot will fall between tomorrow and Wednesday.... not not quite sure where we're going to put it!  I'm working on uploading pictures from the blizzards of January (yes, that would be plural) and will have lots of snowy photos to share soon.  In the meantime, the Lapdogs look like they're down for another long winter's nap... 


Lola, Sophie and Teutul aka "The Snuggle Bunch"

Zeus aka "The Lone Sleeper"

Pay It Forward

It's been awhile since I've played the Pay It Forward homemade game, but when I saw Marjie post it last weekend, I decided to jump in for a 2011 round.

  



The Pay It Forward Exchange is based on the concept of the movie “Pay it Forward” where acts or deeds of kindness are done without expecting something in return... just passing it on, with hope that the recipients of the acts of kindness continue to pass it along as well. In this version of Pay It Forward, the first 5 people who respond saying they would like to play will get a handmade gift from me.  I'm not quite sure what it will be, but it will be handmade by me and you will receive it sometime in 2011.

In return, you agree to post Pay It Forward on your blog in the next few days and offer a handmade gift to the first 5 people who respond to you. You can offer whatever you can make, be it something knit, sewn, beaded, stamped or even a kitchen creation like jam, jelly, candy or some other num-num.

If you want to play, please be sure to include your email address or a means to contact you so I can request your addres, and maybe even ask a couple of questions to figure out what I'll be making just for you. If you don't want to play, but just want to say hello, please do!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and even if you don't want to play, please keep the Pay It Forward theme in mind all year long...

Sophie the Snowbunny

I normally don't post twice in one day, nevermind twice on a Saturday... but I just had to share Sophie's snowbunny photos.  We were just outside and she really wants to go romping in the big snow piles.  I might have to dig out my snowshoes tomorrow...

Hey Ma, look what I found.... SNOW!



OK, now where to?



Mom said I can't got this way... why is she such a party pooper?

mmm... smell that snow!

Victory Dogs 2011 update

Happy Saturday Pet Blogger Hop! This is such a wonderful update on the Victory dogs at Best Friends, I just had to share it with everyone...

REVIEW: Casey Jones All Natural Paw Balm

Casey Jones All Natural Paw Balm
Where to Find: The Dog Bonery

 

Does your dog suffer from dry, cracked paws?  Winter can wreak havoc on our furbaby's paws... the cold temps cause cracking; the sand and salt cause irritation.  Sooth and protect those precious paws with Casey Jones All Natural Paw Balm!   

Casey Jones All Natural Paw Balm is a blend of natural beeswax, olive oil, avocado oil, tea tree oil and Vitamin E.  It's one of those products that you can feel good about using and your pup will thank you for it!

Sophie & Tut checking it out

The Lapdogs have been getting nightly "spa treatments" with Casey Jones All Natural Paw Balm this winter and I'm pleased to say it's working wonderfully!  It has a very pleasant scent and is easy to apply.  The Lapdogs enjoy their little "foot massage" and give the balm the Lapdogs official 16 Paws Up Seal of Approval!



The real Casey Jones!

Casey Jones All Natural Paw Balm is available in convenient 2 oz tins.  Grab a couple and store one in your car, purse or knitting tote (hint, it works great on our chapped hands as well!). 

Zeus, a Casey Jones imposter?

The wonderful people at Casey Jones have offered up a 15% discount off your entire order - just use coupon code DOGGIE at checkout.  Zeus thinks you should take advantage of this offer and order some of the wonderful treats as well... he highly recommends the pumpkin, but says they are all YUM-O!



Casey Jones, reminding YOU to protect your pup's paws!



Snow Dogs... again!

Well, it's yet another friggin' snowy Dogs on Thursday here in Lapdog Country! 

Zeus was helping Daddy snowblow the driveway this morning...


Ok Momz, I gotz ova here on da island and Iz not coming back ova der...

Lola thought the smell of freshly fallen snow was fascinating... 

Sniff-Sniff here, and a Sniff-Sniff there, here a Sniff, there a Sniff..

While winter's harsh conditions are taking a toll on our skin, please don't forget about your pup's paws!  We'll be posting a review of Casey Jones Paw Balm shortly... stay tuned!


Me, watching Dora & Diego play ~ October, 2010

Although today is Dogs on Thursday, the Lapdogs really wanted to share a link for donations to Tiger World with everyone.  They too are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Dora and Diego and hope that you might consider making a tax-deductible donation in their memory.  Even just $5 or $10 would be a huge help to them at this difficult time. 



RIP Dora and Diego

Today's Wordless Wednesday is a tribute to Dora and Diego (scroll back to those links if you missed them), two very special jaguars who truly stole a lot of hearts in their short time here.  They may be gone, but they will never be forgotten.  This is one of my most favorite photos of them. 


Dora and Diego
So sorry you had to leave us...
Photo courtesy of Stein Photo

Ten on Tuesday

It's time for a little Ten on Tuesday... and no, I'm not talking about the temperature outside today.  That's about 17 right now (yay for positive, not negative, numbers today!).  Anywho, this week's topic is 10 Favorite Health and Beauty Products. (Excuse the hodgepodge of photos scattered about... they don't really go with the products, but I wanted to "add some color" - all are photos from blog posts past...)

1. Burt's Bees Beeswax Lipbalm - doesn't matter if it's the original, honey or pomegrante... staple item!

2. Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer - a nice, inexpensive daily lotion with SPF built right in

3. Clinique All About Eyes - wonderful stuff in a tiny little jar

4. Foot Lotion - nearly any kind will do (foot massages are wonderful), but right now I'm loving The Body Shop's Peppermint Cooling Foot Lotion

5. Biolage Daily Leave-in Tonic - it really helps keep my shine and makes my hair color last longer

6. NARS Blush - who doesn't look good wearing their staple shade Orgasm?

7. Q-Tips - what can't you use them for?

8. Dove soap - I won't use anything but.

9. Aveda Hand Relief - although I use several different hand creams, this one is my ultimate favorite

10. Travel Size Hand Lotions - as I said above, I have many hand lotions and creams in my stash and travel size bottles are a must have in my 101 knitting project bags!

Frigid Monday

I have just one question this morning... who pissed off Mother Nature?

Started my day at -8 degrees...

Got to the post office and it was 6 below....

Climbed to a whopping -5 by the time I got to my office... Not sure we'll see a positive number today.  bbbrrrrrrr......

Mom, you'll be happy to know that I'm wearing the Brimmed Cap you made me for Christmas (sorry, no photo...)!

Goodbye Beautiful Dora

Dora
July 26, 2010 ~ January 22, 2011

It is with a heavy heart that I find myself writing another goodbye post and asking why life is so unfair.  Diego's sudden passing last week left many people in tears and completely heartbroken, including myself.  As if the devastation of loosing one incredibly sweet jaguar cub wasn't enough, now we must say goodbye to his sister Dora.

Just a few weeks ago, Dora exploring the snow

The beautiful babies crossed over the Rainbow Bridge far too soon, just a week apart - they would have been six months old later this week.  Tragically, both suffered from an infection that their tiny bodies just couldn't fight. 

Dora & Diego, tiny little babies...

They say "only the good die young" and I'm beginning to realize this statement holds true for most all animals... their life spans are far too short to begin with.  But when those already short lives are cut this drastically, it really leaves you asking why? The only comfort I can take is knowing that Dora and Diego are together once again...

Dora The Explorer, snoozing with Diego & Mohan and munching some din-din...



Dora playing with her piggie toy during our cub experience



 Since I had just posted most all of our great photos of the cubs, I borrowed many of these amazing shots from the wonderful girls at Tiger World.  I hope they don't mind.  I know they are all missing their babies and can only imagine how they are dealing with not one, but two sudden losses.




Rest in Peace Beautiful Girl

A few serene shots of Dora during our cub experience with her, Diego and Mohan in October...

 

 

If you missed them, you can scroll back to Diego's Goodbye post and to this video of Dora on Fox news earlier this week.  I thought it was bittersweet to see Dora on the news just after Diego's passing... now I'm just grateful for having been able to "see" her in this manner. 

While I selfishly can't believe Dora & Diego won't be at Tiger World when we go back to visit this year and I won't get to see them grow up, I very much cherish the time that we were able to spend with them in October.  I feel so honored to have had the unique and amazing opportunity to have gotten to know them.  They are two little cats who truly stole my heart....



Two Special Babies. Everyone loves & misses you dearly.

Dora & Diego touched many people in their short lives and they will never be forgotten by all those who loved them.   Rest in Peace babies....... we love you.


Saturday Hop

Happy Saturday Pet Blogger Hop!  Sophie wanted you all to know that the snow pile is now officially taller than she is... and we have more coming this week!

Shopping Day

Are you snowed in today?  Got cabin fever?  Here's a cure... shop from home with CSN Stores, a great one-stop place for everything your heart desires.  Can't stop thinking about spring and outdoor playsets, BBQ grills and patio furniture?  Or maybe you're stuck in winter mode, longing for cozy throw blankets, crock pots and snow boots?

No matter what you're looking for, chances are you'll find it at CSNStores.com.  I have once again teamed up with them to review one of their products. Stay tuned... and in the meantime, hop on over to CSNStores.com and get your shopping on!

Bittersweet Thursday

It's Dogs on Thursday, but not really much of a Thankful Thursday if I do say so myself.  Wasn't 2011 supposed to be better than 2010?  It sure isn't off to a good start for many. 

I'm still heartbroken over the sudden loss of Diego, one of the jaguar cubs we spent time with in October.  Take a second to read this post if you missed it. The baby boy was very special and all who knew him are just devastated.  He left behind a sister, Dora who was just on the Fox Charlotte news. Watching her makes me smile and cry all at the same time, a bit bittersweet.



Last night I was cursing out my 1.5 hour drive home (about 3.5 times normal) because I had to turn around twice and pick other routes. Once for a car fire, then for what I had assumed was a multicar accident.  This morning I searched the news and instead found that I had to turn around because of this.  Apparently there was no one home when the house caught fire and tragically, 3 dogs perished.  This is one of my biggest fears.... please, hug your furbabies today in their memory.

Now we all need a smile, right?  How about some lounging dog pics....

Pup Pile! I managed to sneak a couple of shots while Sophie, Tut & Lola were sleeping with their Daddy... that's him on the right (I'm sure he'll thank me for cutting him out of these very lazy sleepy pics).

 

Zeus prefers to share the loveseat with Mommy...

Tut & Lola, up close snugglies....

More Snow?

Happy Wordless Wednesday everyone!  We got another 6" of snow yesterday (followed by freezing rain - ugh) and are awaiting another storm on Friday. Sophie likes to romp in it as much as the next dog, but I think she's had enough for awhile... 

Goodbye Sweet Diego

Diego
July 26, 2010 ~ January 16, 2011

It is with great sadness that I write this post and say goodbye to a cat who really stole this crazy dog lady's heart.  I was devastated to learn that Diego (one of the beautiful jaguar cubs that we were so fortunate to be able to spend time with in October, along with his sister Dora and friend Mohan) crossed over the Rainbow Bridge very early yesterday morning.  I am heartbroken and just can not imagine how his family at Tiger World is dealing with the sudden loss.

  

Diego would have turned 6 months old next week.  Sadly, an infection set in and his little body just could not fight it.  In less than 48 hours, the baby boy was gone.  Diego was a true lapcat who just loved to cuddle and get scratchies.  He was a beautiful and special little man who touched many lives in his short time here and he will be missed by many.  

I just adore this shot (borrowed from Jennifer's facebook page)

Here is Diego playing with his wrestling buddy Mohan, the white tiger cub.  First shot is from our time spent with them, second one is borrowed from Jennifer's "In Memory of Diego" album...

 


Everyone keeps talking about how much he loved scratchies... we witnessed it first hand!



Diego the Lovebug

I will greatly miss Diego not being at Tiger World every time we go back to visit and am sad we won't be able to see him grow up, but I have hope that a little bit of Diego will forever live on through his sister Dora, and may she find comfort in her friend Mohan as she is dealing with the loss of a brother.

Dora & Diego with Mohan

Mohan & Diego crashed out for a nap after we spent time with them

Rest in peace dear sweet boy... and may you have found lots of furbaby friends to romp over the Rainbow Bridge with.  Thank you for letting us spend time with you... We will never forget you.