We GOT the Cup!!!!

Wooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've never been happier be a Boston girl and after what the Vancouver fans did last night - from the boos during the trophy presentations to the riots in the streets - I've never been prouder to LOVE that dirty water!  If you didn't catch my post yesterday, jump back one post to see my Round 1 game photos. 

Obviously, I had to borrow these AP photos to share with you today...

 

Horton might not have been able to play in the game last night, but he brought the home town ice for our boys... seeing him hoist that cup was wonderful!  Timmy getting the MVP trophy was the icing on the cake!

 

Claude can smile.... who knew?

Milan and Cam, almost a "like father, like son" moment.... and Recchi being able to go out on top is just wonderful!

 

Everyone in Beantown sported their black & gold during this series... including George, Paul, the ducks... and of course, Zeus!

 

And now... we dance......

We Want the Cup!

Happy Wordless Wednesday.  GO B's.... let's bring the cup back home boys! 

Apparently I never posted my Bruins pictures from the Round 1 playoff game back in April, Bruins vs Montreal, B's won 2-1 in double overtime!  It was a long night...

Let's Get Ready to Rumble...

 

 

Rene rocked the Anthems, as always...

 

Game in progress...

First OT...

Second OT... it was almost time for a midnight snack.


Horton hears a wooooo and the B's win, 2-1!  (get well soon Horty... we miss you!)

REVIEW: A Knitter's Home Companion

A Knitter's Home Companion
A Heartwarming Collection of Stories, Patterns, and Recipes
by Michelle Edwards
Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book (March 1, 2011)

Attention knitters... must-add-to-your-bookshelf alert!  A Knitter's Home Companion: A Heartwarming Collection of Stories, Patterns, and Recipes is charming little book that combines patterns, essays and recipes that perfectly intertwine around the craft that we love so much.  It'll make you want to cast on that new sweater while you simmer a pot of Esther Retish's Spaghetti Sauce and chat about your dogs all at the same time.

I know I speak for all of my fellow knitters when I say, knitting is more than just a hobby.  Once you've picked up those sticks and some string, you instantly become part of a tight-knit (pun intended) community bound by tradition and creativity.  A community that, thanks to Ravelry, Facebook and countless blogs, now spans the entire globe.  Unlike our Mother's and Grandmother's small knitting circles of the past, ours now encompass hundreds of friends - some who live next door and some we may never meet in person.  Whether you get in your car to drive to a weekly knitting group meet-up or hop on Ravelry after work, you are participating in that unique bond known as the knitting community.

A Knitter's Home Companion is a wonderful extension of our ever growing knitting community.  Author Michelle Edwards says, "Let this book keep you company when you need another knitter's voice besides you." She's right - Michelle's stories are heartwarming and funny, inspirational and thought provoking.  Chances are you'll relate to many of her life lessons, which just might inspire you to cast on a pair of mittens for a relative on the other side of the country or whip up some comfort food to take to your next door neighbor who's a little under the weather.  

The patterns nicely complement the four chapters, including a Zigzag Baby Blanket and Playtime Cape in "Motherhood," Quick and Easy First Socks in "Home," Good Karma Slippers in "Community," and a Trio of Lacy Washcloths in "Legacy."

Of course, knitting and comfort food go together like hand in glove.  To complement the stories and patterns, you'll find recipes for some yum-o dishes including Genie's Killer Deviled Eggs, Mitten Ladies Slow-Cooker Soup, Aunt Charlotte's "You Won't Believe How Easy It is to Make" jam and, because we all have had those times when we reach for a jar of frosting and a spoon, Foolproof Frosting.
Grab yourself a copy of A Knitter's Home Companion and I promise you won't be disappointed.  Better yet, grab a copy to give as a gift for someone in your knitting circle.

About the Author: Michelle Edwards is the voice of Lion brand Yarn's e-newsletter and the award-winning author/illustrator of many children's books. She lives in Iowa City, Iowa.  You can check out Michelle's website here.

Happy Friday

Happy Friday!  Are you ready for the Stanley Cup playoff game tonight?  Zeus sure is... go B's!!!

  

Zeus and his siblings participated in the 3rd Annual Bandana Day over at the Portuguese Water Blog.  This year's color was green and Mama might have spaced a little on getting the Lapdogs photo shoot completed in time... so we improvised a little with pictures from the past.  Be sure to click on over and check out all the doggies sporting green... you might make some new friends!

Speaking of dogs, in case you missed them, we did two reviews this week, Chew 'n Tug antlers and The Natural Vet’s Guide to Preventing and Treating Arthritis in Dogs and Cats. Scroll back if you missed them...

Time for some Friday Fill-In fun...

1. I remember when I first heard the blood curdling shriek of a fox in our yard in the middle of the night.

2. Rain was showering down on us like it was the end of the world.

3. Most humans will never understand why "the more people I meet, the more I love my dogs".

4. Just do it ...sound familiar?

5. I was inspired by the colors and fibers at my LYS.

6. Still looking for my knitting mojo... who knows where it flew to now!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to the Bruins game, tomorrow my plans include errands... lot & lots of errands and Sunday, I want to get stuff done around the house!

At some point either tonight or tomorrow, we'll go out for our anniversary dinner that we skipped last night due to the storms.  I'm looking forward to a nice dinner out... one that I might even have to dress up a little for.

OK, one last shot for good measure... and because I love Zeus' "look" in this one.  GO B's!!!

REVIEW: The Natural Vet’s Guide to Preventing and Treating Arthritis in Dogs and Cats

The Natural Vet’s Guide to Preventing and Treating Arthritis in Dogs and Cats
by Shawn Messonnier, DVM
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: New World Library (May 31, 2011)

As a dog parent of an arthritic dog, I was over joyed to find a copy of The Natural Vet’s Guide to Preventing and Treating Arthritis in Dogs and Cats in my mailbox for review.  Dr. Shawn Messonnier, a nationally recognized expert on integrative medicine for animals, offers this timely book on holistic solutions for this ever growing problem facing today's pet parents.

The Natural Vet’s Guide to Preventing and Treating Arthritis in Dogs and Cats is an up-to-date resource that encompasses the most effective conventional and alternative therapies, including acupuncture, homeopathy, nutritional supplements, diet and exercise.  This guide provides pet parents with the knowledge they need to not only recognize, but help to prevent and treat the debilitating condition of arthritis. 

Aside from the wealth of information, I love that The Natural Vet’s Guide to Preventing and Treating Arthritis in Dogs and Cats is in a manageable, paperback format - unlike many pet medical books.  Toss it in your bag and keep it handy for reference.... mark those pages of interest so you can bring it along for discussion to your next vet appointment. 

Grab yourself a copy of The Natural Vet’s Guide to Preventing and Treating Arthritis in Dogs and Cats to add to your library today... and maybe grab an extra for your best doggy friend.  It's a gift that will be used! 

The following article by Dr. Messonnier is a must-read for all pet parents.

Five Things You Should Know about Arthritis in Pets
By Dr. Shawn Messonnier

While most pet owners know that arthritis is a common condition in pets, there are a number of facts about arthritis, which come as a surprise to the same pet owners. Here are five things you must know about arthritis in pets.

First, while it is probably not correct to say that we can totally prevent arthritis and older pets, there are many things owners can do to help decrease the chances that your pet will ever develop this condition. Supplementing the diet of younger pets with popular joint supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, and even fish oil will reduce wear and tear in the cartilage and the inflammation that follows cartilage damage.

Second, the MOST important treatment for arthritis in pets is to make sure they maintain a normal weight. Extra weight carried on damage joints not only further damages the joints but causes more inflammation in them as well. Putting pets on a medically controlled diet is the most important thing you can do your pet suffers from arthritis.

Third, don't forget that even cats get arthritis, often as frequently as dogs! Older cats that seem a bit stiff, have urinary or fecal accidents in the household, become cranky if you pet them, and which seem to "act old" often are found to suffer from arthritis. While many of the nonsteroidal medications we use in arthritic dogs are not safe to use in cats, fortunately our natural therapies are as helpful in our feline patients as they are in dogs.

Fourth, IF NSAID medications need to be used, use them as “holistically” as possible. Rather than follow the label dose (which is often several times higher than truly needed,) ask your veterinarian about using them on a “low dose, as needed regimen.”

Fifth, don't forget the importance of natural therapies. While nonsteroidal medications can usually be used safely in most pets (on a low dose, in frequent dosing schedule) natural therapies work as well as if not better than conventional medications without the cost or side effects. Therapy such as joint supplements (including hyaluronic acid, a supplement which often works in pets with severe arthritis that is not responsive to traditional joint supplements,), chiropractic therapy, acupuncture therapy, homeopathic therapy, herbal therapy, even cold laser therapy are becoming mainstays of treatment among holistic veterinarians for their arthritic patients.

Five New Treatments for Arthritis in Pets

While many pet owners are familiar with the use of nonsteroidal medications such as Rimadyl and Metacam for controlling their pets pain, there are many new and exciting therapies are also available for the treatment of arthritis in pets. Fortunately, these therapies are often much more effective than nonsteroidal medications, have fewer (and usually no) side effects, and tend to be less expensive than nonsteroidal medications and the frequent follow-up examinations and laboratory testing that must be done for pets taking these medications.

1. Cold Laser Therapy ~ Cold laser therapy involves the application of a painless laser to your pet's arthritic joints. Similar to acupuncture without the needles, regular cold laser therapy treatments have helped many of my patients live normal lives and avoid surgery.

2. Homeopathics ~ Various homeopathic remedies have shown benefit in relieving pain and inflammation in pets suffering from arthritis. Specifically, recent studies show a homeopathic remedy Zeel equally effective to the nonsteroidal medication Rimadyl in helping pets with arthritis.

3. Hyaluronic Acid ~ While many people are familiar with glucosamine and chondroitin as joint supplements, hyaluronic acid (HA) it's quickly becoming a favorite joint supplement, especially for those pets suffering from severe arthritis that do not respond to glucosamine and chondroitin.

4. Physical therapy ~ Pets, as well as people, can benefit from a visit to the local physical therapist. Gentle joint manipulation, low impact exercises, and massage therapy are all beneficial for arthritic pets.

5. Fish oil ~ Officially recommended for a number of inflammatory conditions, don't forget its value for helping pets with arthritis either. Combining fish oil with other therapies will not only help inflamed joints will make the pet healthier as well.

Based on the book The Natural Vet’s Guide to Preventing and Treating Arthritis in Dogs and Cats. Copyright Ó 2011 By Dr. Shawn Messonnier Reprinted with permission of New World Library, Novato, CA.

About the Author: Shawn Messonnier, DVM, graduate of Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine, is a holistic veterinarian and the author of several books, as well as a regular holistic pet columnist for the Dallas Morning News. He is author of the award-winning The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats and he hosts a weekly satellite radio show, Dr. Shawn - The Natural Vet, on Martha Stewart Radio Sirius 112/XM 157. In addition to practicing medicine, Dr. Messonnier serves on the board of the prestigious international journal Veterinary Forum and has contributed to various pet publications including Dog Fancy, Cat Fancy, Cats, Veterinary Product News, Whole Dog Journal, Animal Wellness, Veterinary Forum, Whole Cat Journal, AKC Gazette, Vegas Dog, Dog Nose News, Body & Soul (now Whole Living), Natural Horse, and Pet Business. Dr. Messonnier owns the Paws & Claws Animal Hospital in Plano, Texas. Vist his website to learn more.

Cool Me Down

Happy Wordless Wednesday!  It's going to be a scorcher here today and even worse tomorrow.  As much I wanted this stuff to go away, I kinda wish it was back right now...

 

REVIEW: Chew 'n Tug Elk Antler Chew

Chew 'n Tug Elk Antler Chews
Where to Find: Wapiti Labs, Inc.

Chew 'n Tug, (l-r) 2-Knot and Loop

One of our favorite manufacturers of antler chews, Wapiti Labs, Inc., has just released a brand new product, Chew 'n Tug. 

Chew 'n Tug is a 100% natural, long lasting dog chew toy consisting of an elk antler piece attached to a cotton rope.  There are no preservatives and best of all, they are Made in the USA!

The Lapdogs received two Chew 'n Tug toys to review, one 2-Knot and one Loop (see photo above).  They absolutely love both and don't seem to have a preference for the rope style... they just got nutso for each one and can't wait to get their chompers on the antler.

Antlers have quickly become a favorite in our house by both the dogs and humans.  As a concerned dog parent who takes great care to give her dogs only the healthiest, most wholesome treats possible, I highly recommend antler chews to any dog parent.  We no longer give our dogs rawhide at all and instead opt for antlers.  They are an all natural, renewable source, which makes antlers not only a healthy treat for our dogs, but an environmentally friendly treat as well. Antlers support bone, joint and muscle health and have quickly become very popular in the dog world.

Wapiti Labs, Inc. gets their antlers from accredited, farm-raised herds at Wolf Creek Elk Ranch in Sturgeon Lake, MN.  The bulls and cows are carefully selected to ensure breeding of the healthiest stock possible and all of their animals are certified by the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, as well as registered with the North American Elk Breeders Association.   

 Routine health checks and inventory programs keep the animals in optimal health. They are raised in a completely natural environment and to reduce stress, the ranch does not exceed two animals per acre of grazing land.  

The Lapdogs give their official 16 Paws Up Seal of Approval to the new Chew 'n Tugs! They can't get enough and are drooling for more!  In fact, they think every single dog out there should get a Chew 'n Tug for the 4th of July... yea, so it's not really a gift giving holiday, but Lola certainly thinks it is since she celebrates her birthday on the 4th!