Wooooooo!

No, the "Woooooo!" isn't necessarily because it's Friday (although we won't complain about that), it's for my Bruins taking game 1 of the playoffs in OT last night!  Yes, it's that time of year again... playoff hockey is here!  For those of you non-puck loving friends, please bare with me over the coming weeks... hopefully you'll be hearing alot more Wooooo's! Let's keep the Cup in Beantown boys! 

Speaking of my B's, as an unemployed a person with some extra time on her hands lately, I've had the chance to go watch open practice a couple of times with my cousin.  The second time I went, the majority of the team was doing "off ice" practice, however, I was okay with boring on ice activity when Milan Lucic decided to bop through the arena (and yes, I did feel short!)...

The boys aren't allowed to stop and sign autographs for fans outside the arena anymore, however that didn't stop Dennis Seidenberg (aka the nicest guy in hockey... the first time we went to practice, he came over and gave his stick to the little boy that my cousin nannies for) and Tim Thomas from stopping for a few moments...

I was bummed I didn't make it over in time to see Timmy closer, but of course... only me would manage to capture a photo of the goalie God in the same shot as a random dog. 

Hope you enjoy your Friday and have a fabulous weekend!  Leaving you with some Fill-Ins today...

1. Speed safely.

2. Playoff hockey is what I've been looking forward to!

3. One of the things I like most about traveling is doing things I wouldn't otherwise do... whether it be trying new foods, meeting new animals, or just going out of my comfort zone of everyday life.

It's not everyday I get to have a Tiger climb on my shoulders!

4. Last night's terrible events in Greenland NH makes me think life is too short. 

5. A road trip to NC would be nice... we haven't been down there in a long time.

6. Homemade breaded chicken tenders, roasted potatoes and salad is what I had for dinner last night.

Tut helping his Daddy get the race car ready for practice

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a quiet evening at home, tomorrow my plans include NELCAR practice day at NHMS and Sunday, I want to get our patio set out from storage and on the deck!

Tiger World Fundraiser Winners

Miracle getting a bottle from Jess (2009)

A huge thank you to everyone who entered the Tiger World Fundraiser Contest!  It truly means the world to me to have my friends and family support a cause that I hold so dear to my heart. 

Mohan & I (2010)



I'm happy to report that everyone who entered is a winner!  I am in the process of sorting the prizes to ensure that you each receive items that are of interest to you (it's a great help knowing who knits, who sews, who has dogs, who lives in NC, etc.)!  They will be sent out early next week.  The lucky winners of the Sereknity yarn and Dreamscape books will receive those directly from Heather and Gina respectively.  Thank you again to both lovely ladies for donating their awesome items!



Cleo & Brutus (2010)

If you haven't read more about Tiger World yet, please do... and if you're in the Rockwell, NC area please be sure to stop by.  You won't be disappointed!



Mufasa thanks YOU for donating!

Don't Miss Out!

Beautiful boy, Radar

You have just a few days left to get your entry in for the Tiger World Fundraiser Contest... don't miss out! I'd really love to see this contest raise enough money to cover the cost of Dora's memorial headstone.  Remember, even just $5 is a huge help and everyone who enters will win something!

Just another day hangin' at Tiger World


There are some fabulous prizes up for grabs, including Season Passes to Tiger World, Sereknity Yarn, knitting books, other craft books, a GoKnit bag, dog collars, pet travel bowl and more!  The deadline of March 6 is quickly approacing. 



Sleepy Kitty...

Mohan thinks I'm a tree!

Help Tiger World and WIN!

Diego 7/26/10 - 1/16/11

Regular readers know that I am a huge supporter of Tiger World in Rockwell, NC... and you know the story of how some big cats really stole this crazy dog lady's heart - including the jaguar cubs, Dora and Diego.  Sadly, the entire Tiger World family was devastated when they unexpectedly had to say goodbye to these beautiful babies last month.  Two lives were cut far too short due to an infection that their tiny bodies couldn't fight. After testing and research, the infection has been determined to be a hybrid strain of parvo, first contracted by Diego and then unknowingly passed on to Dora.  The strain comes from wildlife (raccoons, foxes, etc) and the vaccinations were just not able to provide coverage against this mutagenic strain.

Malia, playing during our visit 10/14/10



Malia, a stunning snow tiger named after the First Daughter, has also contracted the strain of parvo.  However, thanks to an experimental drug made for humans, everyone is happy to report that she is overcoming the infection and doing well!

As you can imagine, Tiger World has accumulated several thousands of dollars in vet bills and could really use our help during this difficult time!  They are a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity and one of only a handful of accredited zoos in the country that operates without tax support.  



Dora 7/26/10 ~ 1/22/11

I wanted to come up with a fun way to help Tiger World raise funds, plus spread the word about this wonderful sanctuary/zoo... all while giving you an opportunity to win some fantastic prizes.  After talking to Lea at Tiger World (who so graciously offered up some photo cards, posters and admission tickets for the prize pool), here is what we've come up with....

Tiger World Donation Contest - How to Enter:



1. Make a donation to Tiger World via their website - give whatever you can, whether it be $5, $10, $50... it all adds up.  Your donations will help with the vet bills from the past month, as well as help with Dora & Diego's Memorial

2. Leave a comment here indicating that you have donated to Tiger World

3. Email a copy of your donation confirmation to us (LapdogCreations at AOL dot COM) ** Please feel free to remove any personal information, as well as the actual amount of your donation before forwarding.  If you still have an issue with this step, please email and we'll work to confirm your donation directly with Tiger World. **

That's it - 3 simply steps!  But you must complete all 3 to be entered to win.  The deadline is March 6. 

About the Prizes!  Prizes will be divided up into at least 5 groups, possibly more depending on how many people participate.  Prizes include:

• yarn from Sereknity (a special thank you to Heather for donating!)
• GoKnit Green bag by knowknits (yellow)
• stitch markers from Lapdog Creations
• Dreamscape from Sleepy Eyes Knits, one regular book and one PDF book (a special thank you to Gina for donating!)
• Stitch 'n Bitch Superstar Knitting book
• Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders book
• Pretty Little Pillows book
• Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Tea Towel book
• Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase book
• Sewing School: 21 Sewing Projects Kids Will Love to Make book
• Planet Dog Cozy Hemp Adjustable Dog Collar, size Medium, color Orange
• Lupine Dog Collar, 3/4", 9-13" neck size, purple & green floral print
• Quiet Spot Pet Tag Silencer (purple)
• Zuka Bowl travel pet bowl (pink camo)
• Photo cards of animals at Tiger World
• Season Admission passes to Tiger World - we have 4!

Diego & I, 10/14/10

*If you enter and there are prizes that you absolutely would not want to win, please let us know in your comment (i.e. "not a knitter" or "no dog items").  That way we're not sending off completely useless prizes to you if you win!



Winners will be choosen by random.... names will be written down and placed into a hat to be drawn.  The amount donated will not affect your odds of winning.  Remember, the deadline is March 6.  Winners will be announced within a day or two after the deadline! 

It's a win-win situation for everyone... you can support a wonderful cause thru a tax deductible donation and have a chance to win some fabulous prizes... and the animals at Tiger World thank you for it!



Filling in on Friday

Happy Friday!  Please stay tuned for a special contest post over the weekend.  If you've been reading right along here, you know I hold a special place in my heart for two adorable jaguars, Dora & Diego, who's lives were cut far too short.  I'm putting together a special fundraising post for Tiger World and will tie it into a contest with some great prizes - books, yarn, stitch markers, dog items and more!  I hope that you will all participate in whatever way you can... whether it be donating $5 or just spreading the word.  If you are among my crafty friends who may be interested in donating to the prize pool, please let me know asap (I didn't want to beg too many of you, after all).  The post will go live sometime over the weekend... but in the meantime, it's Friday Fill-Ins...

1. Family can be a blessing or a curse.

2. Everyone has their ups and downs.

3. Trust should not be taken for granted... once lost, it's difficult to regain.

4. Shake the Magic 8 Ball and wish for the best.

5. Parents are not perfect.

6. You can never take back what was said, even in the heat of the moment.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to some new Walterisms, tomorrow my plans include watching the Bud Shootout (let's go racing boys!) and Sunday, I want to get some knitting done!

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

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.


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....

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.