Thankful Thursday: Family Fun

We're still playing catch-up around here from the long weekend (and getting ready for an extra busy one coming up), but we are working hard on several reviews, so stay tuned!

Teutul has been doing well on his bland diet and began transitioning to a new low-fat kibble last night.  We'll be telling you all about it soon!

As if one dog switching food wasn't enough, Sophie has begun her 6 week trial of AvoDerm and we'll be telling you more about that later this month.

Since it's Thankful Thursday, I wanted to share some photos from last weekend's family cook out.  While we missed having most of the family there, those of us who did attend sure had fun.  And... Penny got to meet our former foster baby Rosie and her big sister Rascal!

Rosie was one of those fosters that I had a real hard time letting go of. Thankfully, she went to family friends, so not only do I get regular updates, but we get to spend time with her every now and then.

Penny finally getting to meet Rosie was a little bitter sweet, however. Everyone comments on how much Penny looks and acts like Lola, but seeing her play with Rosie really brought back memories. Lola loved her little Rosie Bear... (#throwbackthursday)

And now, Penny does too. Can you spot her in the picture below trying to get Rosie's attention?

The cookout fell in between several birthdays, including my Mom, myself and Rosie's little human twin siblings (aka my favorite twins)...

So, Mom picked up this birthday cupcake cake.  It was cool, but would have been really cool if it were a hockey puck or football...

Today is actually my Mom's birthday, so please join me in wishing her a very happy one!

Look at the gorgeous roses that my Dad got for me (Mom got a matching dozen)...

After we stuffed our faces, Penny broke out her witch hat to show off for the neighbors for everyone to see.  Is she not the cutest (I call that one on the right, "Penny and Her Headless Mama")? Yes, she will actually leave it on and walk around.

She even let Rosie try it on.

She let Rascal try it on as well, but it was a bit small and she wouldn't leave it on long enough for a picture.  The gorgeous girl was too busy trying to impersonate a cow. 

Penny got to try out the new "claw" pet tie-out that I found at LL Bean.  I was a bit skeptical and had visions of her pulling it right out of the ground and running off...

Neither of which happened = This thing is awesome!  It just might be one of the things I'm most thankful for today.  It's going to make future family cook outs and events so much easier.  

So, what are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday: Foster Family Update

It's been a few months since I last posted any foster family updates, so I figured why not use this first Thankful Thursday in November to share some cuteness...  After all, I'm incredibly thankful every time I get updates and see new photos of my babies thriving in their forever homes.  I could be having a terrible day, yet just one photo makes me smile from ear-to-ear!  Let's see if I can make you smile too... 

Two and a half years later, Little Maverick still loves his snuggie, which simply makes my heart melt.  If you knit, crochet, or sew, please keep your local shelters in mind and donate some snuggies.  They are a great way to use up leftovers, and Mavie is proof that not only do they help comfort during transition, but for many, many years to come!  

Rosie got into the Halloween spirit and was as cute as a pumpkin, don't ya think?

Booth recently got to go to work for the day with his Mom.  Doesn't he look so proud?

Harper celebrated Halloween with her little human sister, and showed her how much fun it is to hand out treats.

Speaking of little human siblings, Izzy took pumpkin decorating to a new level when she shared her exciting news with the world... she's going to be a big sister in 2015!

As I said, I just love watching my former foster babies grow, and now I get to watch their families grow as well! 

Monday Mischief: Foster Family Update

Not much mischief here today, just a whole lot of cuteness!  It's time for a foster family update... 

First up is Miss Rosie, enjoying a little stroll on the beach.  She's become a great little beach bum!

Next, we have Dustee showing everyone how he spends the dog days of summer.  No, the shot of he and sister Kaya lying fireside is not recent, but I still had to share.

My little Boo-Man, better known as Booth, is next. He seems to agree with Dustee on how best to spend those hot summer days.

 The always regal looking Izzy is up next.  I simply adore this shot of her on the staircase!

Little Harper rounds out today's update.  Out of all our fosters, I think she was Sophie's favorite.  We're going to have to get the girls together for a play date soon.

I love seeing these photos of my former foster babies - updates are always the best!  I'm happy to say that I played a small part in getting each of these babies into their perfect forever homes where they are all thriving!

Monday Mischief: We Cheated

Happy Monday... or as most say, Monday again, already?  The Lapdogs really didn't get into any unusual mischief over the weekend, but the humans sure did. 

We cheated.

We spent much of Saturday in my hometown getting hair cuts (and, one of us,  a much needed color), having lunch with the Lapdogs' Grammy & Grampy, and visiting with our former foster baby Rosie.

She's still quite the little cuddle bug and kiss monster.  As is her big sister Rascal, whom I am absolutely smitten with.  Her little pout (which I was calling her kissy face) is just too cute for words.

I wish I snapped a pic of Rascal when she was sitting in front of me, ready with her "kissy face" pout, but that shot above makes up for it.  Is that not a face you just want to cuddle and kiss forever?  Shh... don't tell my kids I said that, or Rosie for that matter!  Sure, these two sisters love each other but... well, they are siblings.

I missed seeing Rosie's little human siblings (aka my favorite twins), as we arrived during nap time.... but that just means we'll have to make sure we all get together again soon, right?

Oh and in case you were wondering, yes, the Lapdogs knew we cheated as soon as we walked through the door...

Mischievous Babies

There's really not a whole lot of mischief going on around here today.  Well, unless you count last week's sleepless nights incident. Lola developed a UTI which resulted in a trip to the Emergency Vet for antibiotics and a couple of exhausted humans after those sleepless nights. She's doing much better now, thankfully, and the humans spent part of the weekend catching up on zzz's.

There's a little human mischief going on with trying to get all of our holiday preparations and shopping completed.  I'm sure we're not the only ones with long To-Do lists however, so instead of dwelling on that today, let's all smile!  I have a few foster baby updates to share and nothing puts a smile on our faces like cute, mischievous pooches, right?

First up is the tiny tot, Maverick.  He just got a new blankie and is all set for another New England winter...

Little Rosie is always getting into something!  Her Mama managed to snap this super cute pic of she and big sister Rascal snuggling in their chair.  Yes, I said their chair.  Don't you just love the cover? 

Not that I can't help but smile every single time I see photos of any of my foster babies, but there's something extra special about Booth, aka my little Boo.  Add in an adorable football costume and my face hurts from grinning ear to ear!

The beautiful Addie just celebrated her 2nd birthday.  She's such a big girl now!

And of course, there's Miss Belle.  If you read our blog regularly, you see her a lot ... since we get to see her all summer long at the race track!  She's truly a special little lady and holds a big piece of our hearts!

There's nothing better than getting a photo or update from my foster babies adoptive families!  I'm really enjoying their Christmas cards as they start to arrive.  We were not able to foster any babies this past year, but I hope we'll get back to providing a loving, temporary home to some special little tykes in 2014.

Is the Weekend Really Over?

Is the weekend really over?  Sure, it was a long one, but where did it run away to so fast?  Today's Ten on Tuesday topic is: 10 Things I Did This Weekend.  Let's see...

1. Spent quality time with the man and the Lapdogs.

2. Cursed mother nature and the never ending week full of rain.

3. Took in the members only preview of Aussie Adventure at Stone Zoo... in the rain!


 

4. Made a really delish, simple pork and rice dinner. I had zero desire to cook on the stove top, so it all went in to one of my Rachael Ray casseroles and that was that.... or rather, that was yum-o!

 

5. Knit on my Duckies.

6. Spent a very rainy Sunday watching a lot of racing... F1, Indy 500 and Coca Cola 600.

 

7. Took a nap (or two) during the Coca Cola 600...

8. Stuffed the dogs' kongs with peanut butter and treats. 

 

9. Caught up with some shows on the DVR.

10. Closed out the weekend with a fabulous cook out at my parents house on the Island (aka Gloucester, MA).  Delish food, great company... and I got to see our former foster baby Rosie!

Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue

I was about to post my Monday Mischief posting when I realized that today has been reserved for a cause extremely close to my heart (and one I post about on a regular basis, of course): Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue

As you know, I am a huge advocate of dog rescue and you'll often hear me utter the words "Adopt, Don't Shop."  I'm not anti-breeder by any means and realize that for some folks, they want a purebred XYZ pup.   However, I am against pet stores, puppy mills and "backyard breeders."  There are far too many lives out there ending far too soon (and sadly, not all humanely) simply because people don't spay or neuter their pets.  I see photos and stories of far too many puppies and adult dogs who's "day is up" - yes, puppies are put down simply because a shelter somewhere felt they were there too long without being adopted.  

Three of my four children are shelter rescues.  Zeus, was somewhat of a "rescue," however it was friends of ours who had a liter of puppies.  He was originally given to another family who realized they weren't ready for a dog... we stepped in and took him at that point (just 7 weeks old).  About 8 months later, we decided Zeus' needed a canine companion and we adopted Lola from our local humane society.

Then, we failed at fostering... twice. Teutul, our Tennessee boy, was our first ever attempt at fostering and we failed pretty much immediately. Sophie (from Missouri) was our second failed foster... we like to think she chose us. 

I often get asked how we are able to foster dogs and let them go to their forever families.  While I'll never claim it's an easy thing to do - it is not - and it's certainly not something for everyone, it's what I can do to help save lives.  I've shed many tears and my heart breaks each time we have to send another foster baby off to their forever home, but I know it's the right thing to do.  By doing so, we are able to play a part in saving another life.  It certainly helps when the forever families stay in touch with us - they send photos, videos and sometimes we even get to have play dates with our fosters.  There's nothing quite like the feeling of seeing one of our foster babies so happy with their new family!  A couple of them actually remember us when we see them - and there's definitely nothing quite like having them very excited to see us, and showing how much they love their forever family at the same time.  That is the perfect situation! 

It certainly helps that our pack is well adjusted and has graciously welcomed their many foster brothers and sisters into our home...

For everyone who tells me they want to help, but don't think they could foster - and give up - a baby, I tell them there is so much more you can do to help a rescue.  Donate: financially or otherwise.  Shelters are often seeking things like old comforters, sheets & towels, paper towels, postage stamps, plastic bowls, toys, etc.  Volunteer: shelters need folks to help clean kennels, walk dogs, answer the phone, fundraise, man tables at adoption events, etc.  Spread the word: in a social media driven world, this is easier than ever - help spread the word about animals in need of foster homes and adoption by Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, your blog, etc. 

If you're looking for a new furry companion, please consider a shelter dog.  Check out this website.  If you know me personally, of course you know to come to me to help in your search as well (I truly am that crazy dog lady... whenever anyone I know is looking for a dog, has a friend/relative who's looking or some dog related question, I get the email, Facebook message, etc. - and that's okay... I love helping match people to a perfect furbaby!).  Mr. Booth (better known as Boo or Boo Boo in our house) is still with us and looking for her forever home.  In fact, the rescue just reduced his adoption fee to help.  Of course, he is fitting in quite well here... almost too well as you can see by his "Lazy Sunday" picture with Lola.

Boo went on a little adventure to the feed store yesterday and picked out a couple of new toys... Sophie sure did kept a watchful eye on that tiny little squeaky bunny he brought home.

I hope you will consider joining me in Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue and do what you can to help shelter dogs.  Personally, I'd adopt them all if I could. :)  Thank you...