Top 10 Most Popular Puppy Names of 2012

I found this article on Yahoo and decided to just type it out so people could see what the most popular male and female names were for pups this year.

ENJOY!!!

Female:

1) Bella
2) Daisy
3) Lucy
4) Molly
5) Lola
6) Sophie
7) Sadie
8) Chloe
9) Coco
10) Maggie

Male:

1) Max
2) Buddy
3) Charlie
4) Rocky
5) Cooper
6) Bear
7) Bentley
8) Duke
9) Jack
10) Toby



http://shine.yahoo.com/photos/top-10-puppy-names-2012-slideshow/-photo-2550634-171700876.html

Christmas Bling

These dogs are truly spoiled. My guys received a whole bunch of toys, treats and chews. Coco the tiny Pomeranian is the only girl of the bunch so she naturally received clothing and accessories. Although, since she is a Floridian dog she truly needs warm coats because she will freeze in this Northeast weather without them! Onix is extremely picky with treats so his gifts were squeaky toys. I feel as though the dogs were granted everything that they could ever want from Santa. 

The humans had a fun time opening gifts too but I personally enjoyed handing the gifts out. I didn't need anything this year other than the warmth of the fireplace and my family. I had both of these things this Christmas. I hope that this feeling will carry on through the new year. 

A White Christmas

I was driving to be with the family and it began snowing. It was so exciting to see the flurries coming down and I had to open the back windows for the dogs. Simba enjoyed every moment and couldn't wait to get out of the car. I love the calm after the snow has settled. There is a peace that is unparalleled. I walked the boys and we felt the serenity all around us. Even though the snow did not pile up, it was great to have a white Christmas Eve. Not only that, I am fortunate to have spent the entire day with my family. Among the awesomeness of this evening was playing "Cards Against Humanity". This game is the best and most politically incorrect game ever. We were even able to get my father in on the action and that is a very rare occurrence. Now it's time to wind down and watch some "Dexter" in anticipation of Santa's arrival. Good times! I'm thankful for having a wild, insane, silly and loving family. 

Merry Christmas!

A Time To Give

I am very fortunate to be a part of an amazing group of people at a dog park that I take my dogs to every morning. Each person has their own unique background and life but one thing that they all have in common is kindness and generosity.

I thought it would be a fun idea to have a Secret Santa that was designed specifically for the dogs. There were a little over twenty doggy participants and even those who were not a part of the affair received treats. The gifts were very thoughtful and fun. My dogs have gone absolutely wild over the yummy treats that they received and I was excited that Buddha received a Star Wars collar and Simba received an awesome charm and car magnet! I live for these moments. I get so excited buying gifts and partaking in the Holiday cheer. Yes, I'm cheesy but it makes me happy. :-)

I also thought it would be important to help those animals who had far less than all of ours. We started a donation box for a local rescue and collected toys, treats, food, collars, leashes and clothes for our furry friends. The rescue was happy to receive all the donations and I think we all felt a little bit better knowing that we could help some animals in need.

A lot of thoughts float through my mind during the holidays. This year has been difficult but I have desperately tried to stay positive. Not only that but Christmas has always been such a cheerful time in my family and it's associated with positive memories. I want to share that feeling as best as I can. I know a lot of people who don't get the same feeling I do. I might not ever be able to change their associations with the holidays but I can keep my own happy memories and perhaps add a few more. I do believe that we made the holidays nicer for a bunch of dogs and cats this year. How can it get any better?

First Tick EVER

I have never found ticks on the boys. I always felt so lucky since we go to the dog park nearly every single day and interact with a bunch of dogs. The pups used to be on Frontline but after a flea situation this past summer I switched to K9 Advantage. The tick was tiny and it's head was already burrowed in his skin. It was creepy looking and I saw that it was still somewhat alive. GROSS!! I had to use my tweezers to get it out luckily the whole tick came out so Buddha is unscathed. I had to mark this momentously nasty occasion by writing about it. Buddha's first tick 12/7/2012 may the tick RIP and may I never find another tick on either one of them again!

A Year of WOAH!

I have had a lot of time to reflect on the course of my life and how quickly things can change. It has been a very difficult process. This year has been one of self realization. It might seem odd to some but when you have been in school your whole life you fail to develop in other aspects of your life. I have been in school forever and I have invested so much time and energy in being the best. I don't regret going to school. In fact, I would be an eternal student if money would allow! However, when you are in school you do not get the opportunity to expand as a person. You gain a lot of knowledge but you don't really get a chance to learn about yourself. You get lost in a sea of books and assignments. There is no time to just sit and not do anything. For these reasons, this year I have had to examine what things make me happy. It might seem odd that as an adult I don't know what exactly makes me happy but it is true. Some of the harshest times have been sitting in silence, with only myself and imagining what happiness is and if I have it. I have learned that it is something that you have to provide for yourself. Other people can add to your happiness but in the end you have to feel complete without all the external stuff.

Don't get me wrong, my pups make me happy every day. Well, except for when Simba eats poop or when Buddha chews up a pillow. The warm the coldest winter night and I am so happy that we found each other.

This year has been tumultuous. I have had two somewhat serious health problems that were directly related to stress and a life altering event that recently occurred that has turned my world upside down. I'm not sure if I'm a firm believer in the notion that everything happens for a reason but I can see that in my case there is a reason. I'm not entirely sure what the reason is but I believe it is so that I can find true happiness.

I have been running on pure adrenaline for so long. I want to change the world, I want to help everyone and I want to feel good about knowing that I have made a difference. One thing I have learned is that this philosophy on life is fantastic but it can run you ragged if you are not careful. I'm exhausted but I truly feel that better things are on the way. I've made a lot of changes and have cut out habits or people who are just not healthy for the direction that I want my life to go in.

I am fortunate to have a strong family and friend support system but it's essential to note that you have to work at your own happiness at your own pace. Only YOU can know what makes you happy. It's a trial and error process. It's not like you wake up one day and say HEY! I had a dream and I know all the little tiny things that make me happy now. Wouldn't that be awesome? It just doesn't work that way. We have to search, we have to make mistakes and we have to keep going. Personally, I love Christmas and have grown with beautiful memories from my childhood. Buying a small Christmas tree this year for myself, by myself made me extremely happy. It's the little things.

So as we go into the holiday season I am glad to say that I am a work in progress. I have made it through some detestable moments and I am stronger as a result. Who knows what the new year will bring but I am happy to say that I am alive and well on this day.Self discovery can take a lifetime and I am committed to it!

Happy Holidays!

Santa PAWS!

Had a mini Christmas photo shoot when I set up the tree today. The pups cooperated and there are many more photo shoots to come! Marry Christmas everyone!!!