Dog Fabric

My love of animals is found in nearly every aspect of my life. Not only do I have cheesy dog shirts, car magnets, blankets and paintings but now I am using fabric with dogs on it to sew things. Just recently I learned some very basic sewing skills and started making book sleeves. Books are an obsession and I have successfully intertwined the two. I found a cute fabric and used it to make a dog bed and a dog book sleeve. I just can't help loving these adorable fabrics!It doesn't stop with dogs though. I have found some other great fabrics with owls, deer, alpaca and other cute woodland creatures. Be still my heart! Love me some CHEESE!

Simba's Acceptance

As I've said before, Simba doesn't get along with a lot of dogs. He is fearful and unsure and ends up lashing out. I knew that introducing Willow wouldn't be easy but we have learned the tools of introduction into our pack when Caesar joined us. I have felt far more confident this time around and it's all thanks to Jack Egan of K-9 Korporation. When Caesar came to our home, I was a nervous wreck. I truly thought that Simba was going to hurt Caesar so we sought an expert. A lot of the training had to do with my attitude and anxieties towards Simba. I learned a lot about myself and applied those skills to introduce Willow to our park. Below you will see Simba trying to actually PLAY with Willow. It makes my heart melt because I see that they are happy together. It is all working out!

Spring Fling

The pups are enjoying the warmer weather. While I sit on the deck and read a book or just take in the peace of the forest, they bask in the sun. These quiet days are the best. Plus, Buddha and Simba got new bow ties and just had to model them!

Doggy Daycare

I remember when I used to leave Simba and Buddha at doggy daycare when I had to work long hours. Buddha would always come out happy and exhausted while Simba would be exhausted but not from playing. Apparently, he never enjoyed the company of the other random dogs and he would follow around the humans instead. I didn't recognize his discomfort and kept sending him alongside his brother. Later, Simba grew fearful of other dogs. It is possible that something happened at the daycare that he took to heart. Simba doesn't forget anything. I will leave a cookie on a shelf for a few days and he will not forget. Even after it has been removed, he still goes looking for it.

Willow on the other hand is proving to be a handful at daycare. She is very high energy and has made a lot of puppy friends. The trainer gave me a raised eyebrow look today when I asked how she did. He said that he had to work with her a lot. It's true that Willow is squirmy, jumpy and full of energy but she's only five months old. Sounds normal to me! The daycare is a way to socialize her and to get the crazy energy out. She seems to be enjoying it though and even though it's pricey, it's worth it. Don't get me wrong, I don't take her every day. That would be insane! Only as necessary and as money will permit.

Puppies

I had truly forgotten how much energy puppies have. Buddha and Simba haven't been in that pup stage in many years and I don't think they were ever as hyper as Willow. She has an endless supply of energy and jumps on everyone and everything without hesitation. She chews on everything she can get her paws on and is quite clever. This is all completely normal of course but I really did forget how much supervision a puppy needs at all times. Since I have a grumpy Shiba Inu, I can't leave her alone with him. He has not fully accepted her into the pack and as such, he could bite her. With time and training, all will be well but until then, she will have to be watched.

Christmas Joy With The Boys

Fast Friends

Simba loves to play with Caesar. They are very similar in size and when they get in the mood for a rumble, it's ON! They chase one another around and around. Caesar will bark at Simba and they will continue the chase for several minutes. I love seeing how care free Simba is when he plays. It is rare that he finds a dog that he likes to play with these days so Caesar joining the pack was great for all of us.

Of course, it wasn't easy to introduce Caesar to our pack. Simba is set in his way and he likes to growl and bark at other dogs. We had to hire a very special trainer to help us, help me, to gain control. Now, these guys cuddle, play and share treats. We are all so happy.

Minion Pups

I certainly enjoy dressing these pups up and Caesar is a part of the pack so he gets to join in on the fun! This year, we went with a Minion theme. They weren't exactly pleased but they were good sports about it. After all the torture, they received lots of treats and praise! Love these pups!

Camping

I'm not much of a camper but we decided to spend time in the great outdoors. Of course the dogs loved it. They stretched out in the grass and leaves and got nice and dirty. At least they enjoyed the feeling of freedom. I couldn't let them loose because they would likely take off but we used extra long leads. Caesar is the only dog that can be trusted off leash and he loved to rub it in the other dog's faces.

Lazy Day

From couch to bed to floor, these guys know how to relax.

Halloween For Three

After a lovely walk through the park, the boys dressed up for Halloween fun! This year I decided to dress them up as....well I'm not entirely sure. I liked the idea of putting ties on them and found some fun hats and a mask. They are used to dress up time with their mom so this was nothing unusual. The only difference was that Caesar was a part of the crew this year. A three pack! Caesar has fit in very nicely. Simba adores him now. I love it. Happy pups!

Welcome Caesar!

Caesar is my boyfriend's ten year old Cockapoo. He is an absolute sweetheart. He was introduced to my pack and we knew immediately that we would have to hire a trainer for Simba. Over the years, Simba had developed fear and aggression towards certain dogs. We don't know what triggered this in him but nothing has worked in the past. So I was very hesitant and anxious to introduce Simba to Caesar. We worked with an excellent trainer for several months and he noted that I added a great deal of stress and fearful energy to the pack and it fueled Simba. I learned a great deal about myself during Simba's training and feel that we all benefited in the end. After just a few weeks, Simba accepted Caesar and everything in the house normalized. I can't tell you how stressed I was during this transition. I kept thinking that Simba would attack and kill this poor pup. I couldn't live with that kind of guilt. But we did it and I am proud of myself, my boyfriend and all pups involved! Welcome Caesar!

Sleeping Simba

He's just so darn handsome. I love when he is sleeping and at peace. Over the years he has become a bit of an anxious and fearful dog so when he relaxes it warms my heart.

Valentine

Star Wars Pups

Our first Halloween at our new home. To share my love of Star Wars, I dressed Simba up as Darth Vader and Buddha as C-3PO. Buddha is goofy like C-3PO and Simba is devilish like our favorite Sith lord. I don't think I'll ever stop dressing these babies up.

Let Them Eat Cake!

Even after five years, I still buy special doggy birthday cakes for my boys. They deserve to have a special day. People don't always understand my rationale. Maybe I don't have rationale for buying pup cakes but I don't care! They are pretty and I love singing happy birthday to them.

Snowing in Spring

Smell of Spring!

Spring is in the air! My pups are feeling the heat. Buddha has already started panting and I have to vacuum my house every single day because there is fur everywhere. They wake me up earlier because the sun creeps out and there is no rest for the weary. But I'm glad to be up early and going to the dog park early gives me time to breathe it all in and listen to the chirping of the birds. It brings a smile to my face and peace to my heart.

So tomorrow is the first official day of Spring and it is also the Persian New Year. The vernal equinox marks the first day of the Persian New Year as this calendar is solar. Iranians everywhere will celebrate with their families and with beautifully colored haftseens in each home. A haftseen is a spread adorned with seven items, which each have a symbolic meaning.

1. sabzeh(سبزه) wheat, barley or lentil sprouts growing in a dish - symbolizing rebirth
2. samanu (سمنو)- a sweet pudding made from wheat germ - symbolizing affluence
3. senjed (سنجد)- the dried fruit of the oleaster tree - symbolizing love
4. seer (سیر)- garlic - symbolizing medicine
5. seeb (سیب)- apples - symbolizing beauty and health
6. somaq (سماق)- sumac berries - symbolizing (the color of) sunrise
7. serkeh (سرکه)- vinegar - symbolizing age and patience

In other words, symbols are powerful and they are found in every aspect of the Persian culture.

To all of my Persian friends, NOROOZ PIROOZ! Eid Mobarak! Here's too a wonderful new year filled with happiness and health. :-) 

Sibling Rivalry

Every morning I make sure to give the boys their CET Enzymatic chews. I turn on the TV and make sure that they have a full bowl of water too. This is my morning work ritual after we have gone on our walk. They truly look forward to receiving the chews and it makes the anxiety of me leaving almost a moot issue. Unfortunately, I have noticed that Buddha's behavior has changed towards his brother. He takes his treats and watches to see where Simba is going with his. I try to keep them separated because I have noticed that Buddha will slyly go up to Simba, steal his chew and hide it under his paw! I was amazed and flabergasted that this silent, kind dog was being a bully. Simba is typically the alpha in the group but he doesn't even go towards Buddha when this happens. He sulks in a corner and looks at me.

When I do see this behavior I immediately correct it but unfortunately I am not there most of the time to see what's going on. Other indications that there is something going on between the two of them are that Buddha pushes Simba out of the way when I come home. He will even go as far as chomping the back of his neck if he is getting too much attention from me or chase him around the house. He doesn't typically hurt Simba but there are moments when Simba will scream.

It disturbs and saddens me because Buddha does not have any aggression or cruelty. He would never bite a person and he is just such a playful, relaxed dog.

Anyone out in the doggy world have any suggestions? I think that I am going to take Buddha back to training. But he is so well behaved with sitting, staying, etc. so I'm not even sure if that will help.

Why The Long Face?

I just can't get enough of these dogs. Even when they roll around in the mud they are still adorable. Simba typically refuses to get dirty but today he let loose and dug a huge, muddy hole at the dog park. He loves to eat mud and wood chips so it didn't matter that he was filthy afterwards. It only bothered him when I cleaned him up when we got home. On the other hand, Buddha was filthy and when he gets dirty the mud gets embedded in his fur. Bath time!