Crossed Paws, Please?

I had planned to post a review today, but my mind is just not there.  Instead I'm asking if you all would please send good vibes and cross your paws for us today.

Lola had a "not-like-the-others" lump checked out during her annual vet visit in September.  It wasn't a typical "fatty lump" like most dogs get (Zeus is covered with them and Lola has had some before), however when the vet did a needle biopsy, she didn't see any cancerous cells under the microscope.... so we opted to watch it.  Well, it started to grow and she also started getting other lumps around it, in her chest, etc.  On Tuesday night, we headed off to see our wonderful vet to have them checked out again...

I'd been so concerned with the growing lump and the tiny ones around it, I hadn't totally noticed that those tiny ones were popping up all over, including her back legs as well.  Our vet was baffled (again, they do not appear to be those usual "fatty lumps"), as was the other vet on staff.  We opted to do more needle biopsies, but instead of our vet taking a look, she sent them right out to the lab for a pathologist to look at them.  Unfortunately, he was just as baffled and couldn't make heads or tails out of the slides.  

Which leads us to today... Lola is having a multiple site biopsy and her Mama is having a bit of a freak out over having to put her old girl under for this.  I'll feel better later this afternoon when they call to tell me the surgery went well...sigh.  Would you please cross those paws and send good vibes our way?

Lola sensed how much her Mama was freaking out this morning and gave me lots of kisses. I know she wouldn't want me to spend all day worrying, so I'll leave you all with something that makes her happy, updates on her foster babies!

Belle and her kitty siblings have headed South to New Mexico for the winter.  Look at how big she's gotten!  I absolutely adore this picture...

Harper is looking as beautiful as ever.  We're hoping to schedule a play date with her family sometime soon.

Booth is as stinking adorable as ever... I love those squinty little eyes and that face!  The first shot below is actually of him heading off to daycare this morning... looks like his Mama woke him up too early, ha ha!

I know I just posted a couple new shots of Lampchop from our visit this past weekend, but I can't resist sharing these two shots from her Mom.  In the first one, she's cuddling her froggy that I bought for her... have you seen anything cuter?!?!  I really miss that two-toned nose of hers!

12/12/12

Happy 12/12/12, aka Tom Brady Day!  And of course, Wordless Wednesday...



Got Milk?

Time for a little Ten on Tuesday to get everyone in the holiday spirit (which I admit, I'm having a hard time finding right now)... This week's topic is 10 Favorite Christmas Cookies.  Who's got the milk?

1. Peanut Butter Balls.  If you know me, you know I love peanut butter and these are amazing!

2. Italian Christmas Cookies.  Growing up in Gloucester Mass, these were always around during the holidays.

3. Peppermint Bark.  mmmm....

4. Grandma Chagnot's Rum Balls. Fortunately, we heard a rumor that Matt's Dad & stepmom were making a batch this year!

5. Fudge.  Almost any kind will do, but bonus points if it's peanut butter.

6. Melissa's Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.  I'm not a huge oatmeal raisin cookie fan, but a former co-worker's daughter made these for us every year... they were big, soft and delish!

7. Chocolate Pixies.  We usually get these on Christmas Eve... they're like potato chips, you can never have just one!

8. Almond Crescents. Yummy with coffee, tea or hot chocolate. 

9. Macaroons.  They must have the little cherry on top to be complete.

10. Decorated Sugar Cookies and Ginger Bread Men.  Because no holiday season would be complete without them...

Monday Mischief: Antlers and Cake?

Saturday was all about good intentions... the humans were heading out for the day.  We stopped by the post office to finally mail the Christmas cards, went out to breakfast (despite Lola's instance that if anyone was going out to breakfast, she had better be included - shhh!), picked up a wreath and headed to AC Moore for the fake flowers needed to re-do the basket on top of Nana's headstone.  Sounds all fine and dandy, right?  Enter the mischief...

While while standing in line to pay at AC Moore, I just happened to notice the $1.99 reindeer antlers... and they even had friggin' jingle  bells on them!  Of course, my fellow doggy mamas know, I could.not.resist... 

"Yup, that's Mama's new Facebook profile pic.  sigh" - Zeus 

Everyone tried the antlers on, but I only managed a couple of quickie cell phone shots of Zeus and Tut (notice Lola glaring in the background).  Despite the protest, we will have an antler photo shoot late this week.

As if that wasn't enough human mischief for one weekend, the next day they we had the nerve to go out without the kids again... and we got to visit foster baby Lambchop (yes, I do still owe you an official Lamby post... she was with us for less than one week before finding her forever home in Maine)!

 

I am so happy to report that shy little Lambchop is doing wonderful and has settled in very nicely with her forever family!  It's been two weeks since they picked her up and we were so excited to see her, as she was to see us!  She's already getting bigger and is now sporting a really pretty new pink and purple harness... such a chic little girl! 

 

I do miss that adorable little nose and super sweet face, but am so happy that she found a perfect forever home with 2 boys to play ball and wrestle with.  They are clearly so happy to have a pup to grow up with -- a win, win for everyone! 

 

At least before the humans got into all this mischief over the weekend, the Lapdogs got C-A-K-E for Sophie's birthday.  I promise more birthday shots soon, but we'll end today with these...

REVIEW: I'm a Good Dog

I'm a Good Dog

Pit Bulls, America's Most Beautiful (and Misunderstood) Pet

by Ken Foster
Paperback: 144 Pages
Publisher:  Viking Studio (October 25, 2012)

If you know me at all, you know that I am an advocate for - and lover of - pit bulls.  I know how loyal, playful and loving this breed can be - I have seen it first hand on numerous occasions.  And yes, I am a sucker for those adorable pittie smiles! While there have been several books published in recent years about pit bulls, not one of them has grabbed me as much as I'm a Good Dog: Pit Bulls, America's Most Beautiful (and Misunderstood) Pet has.  I absolutely love this book!

Author Ken Foster is on a mission to show the world that this very misunderstood breed is not a menacing or cruel one, as so many have wrongly labeled it.  In I'm a Good Dog, Mr. Foster shows us all that pitties are in fact some of the best household pets and adored family members in America. 

What I love most about I'm a Good Dog is the format.  Although it is a paperback book (read: lower cost), it is one of the most beautiful "coffee table" picture books I have ever seen!  The candid full-color photos throughout the book are stunning and truly capture the breed's personality, as well as it's determination to be man's best friend. 

However, I'm a Good Dog is not just a picture book.  I'm a Good Dog covers the history of the pit bull breed and it's various combinations, as well as a number of engrossing topics including:

• How panic and misinformation has led to fear in so many people
• The question of pit bull DNA and whether or not it is a predictor for behavior (hint: no!)
• How the worst possible times (including the Vick case) helped to turn around the pit bull's misfortunes
• Myths (both positive and negative) regarding the breed's history
• Why it matters what society thinks about pit bulls

If you are among those who are leery about pit bulls or - gasp - even fearful of them, I hope that you will pick up a copy of I'm a Good Dog and spend some time reading about the pitties origins and tangled history.  Inspiring stories from owners are scattered throughout, and did I mention those stunning photographs?  Discover how pit bulls are contributing to the community now more than ever - as family pets, athletes, safety dogs and educators.  Some have even taken on their ancestors role of watching over the human babies in the family.

Grab yourself a copy of I'm a Good Dog today or better yet, grab a couple and give as gifts this holiday season.  The book is beautifully put together, well written, and a subject near and dear to my heart.  Apparently, also near and dear to Rain Wilson's heart...

"Fellow pit bull lovers, this is a brilliant bible of the glorious, gorgeous terriers." -Rainn Wilson, star of The Office

About the Author: A writer and a teacher, Ken Foster is the author of the bestseller The Dogs Who Found Me and its sequel Dogs I Have Met.  A collection of his short stories, titled The Kind I'm Likely to Get, was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.  Additionally, his work has been featured in numerous publications. In 2008, he founded The Sula Foundation, which promotes responsible pit bull ownership in New Orleans where Ken lives with his dogs, Brando, Zephyr, Douglas and Bananas.

Disclaimer: Viking Studio sent Lapdog Creations a complimentary copy of I'm a Good Dog for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions expressed in the review are my own.

Little Girl Turns Sassy 6

I can not believe my little girl is 6 already!  Time seems to fly by faster than I can blink my eyes these days and my babies are all growing up way too fast.  We will be celebrating with cake tonight, but now it's time for the annual photo recap...

 

Happy 6th Baby Girl!

 Sophie is indeed the Princess of the house...

Even Princesses work hard at reviewing stuff for the blog...

She's really starting to come around, so we decided to try taking the super shy girl to the dog park for the first time this year.  She played her "observer" role for the most part and even though she wasn't totally comfortable, I think she enjoyed it...

My little snow bunny...

She is an amazing big foster sister...

 

One of her favorite pastimes, soaking up the sun...

 

Sisterly love at it's finest... 

 

Big Brothers aren't so bad either...

Like Mother, Like Daughter... she's a hockey & football fan!

 

Shy girls are always the biggest hams...
 

 

Happy Birthday Sophie!