Too Smart for Her Own Good!

What do you buy...

for the pup who has everything? Simba and Buddha have been pretty naughty recently. I wrapped their first gift and put it under the tree along with all the other gifts. After I left the room they quickly found their gift, ripped it open and proceeded to try to open the packaging. I walked into a room with wrapped paper strewn everywhere. I guess it's the excitement of Christmas that is getting them so hyper and naughty.

Another Rick Perry Comparison

I think by now everyone has made the comparison between the jacket that Governor Rick Perry wore in his campaign video that was flamboyantly anti gay and anti Obama. People put his picture next to Heath Ledger's picture from the movie "Brokeback Mountain" because the jackets appeared to be exactly the same. Now it's time for me to make a comparison of my own. While at the dog park this morning I noticed a cute little white pup in a stylish jacket. He was this tiny little guy who tried to hump several of the other male dogs in the park. Naturally, I could not get the image of Rick Perry's jacket and message out of my mind. I might have even offended the owner but I had to take several photos of the dog with his Rick Perry style jacket. Clearly, the dog is MUCH cuter.

Holiday Spirit

Christmas decorations are up and running. There will be an explosion of pictures next week but I have already started my photography rampage! I still need to purchase sweaters for the dogs but for now they must pose in the nude!

58 pounds

Buddha baby had his annual checkup this weekend and he is now a whopping 58 pounds! He's had a crazy year but at least he is healthy and I hope he will be disaster free from this point on!!!

A look back

Before Simba and Buddha I never owned dogs. I had a guinea pig once and a cat for a brief period of time but that was it. No matter how much we begged and pleaded, my sister and I were never allowed to have a dog.

I have always adored animals. I became a vegetarian at the age of fifteen and never turned back. My furry friends were always on my mind. So even though I loved animals and especially dogs, I was also fearful of them. I was bitten by a German Shepherd mix when I was young and that scared me away from bigger dogs. For many years I was sure that I wanted to get a Pomeranian. They were cute, small and cuddly. I still think that they are adorable but I am so glad that I have my "bigger" pups.

The first day that Simba came home to us I was frightened and allergic to him! My whole body broke out into hives. I shed some tears and was scared that he was going to get big and bite me. This fear crippled me for the first few days as I adjusted to life with a puppy but it quickly went away. I was determined to be the best dog mommy I could be. I picked up all of the Cesar Milan books, watched every single episode, took my pup to class and socialized him every chance I got. I would NOT have a hostile, sad or angry dog! So while I provided these basic things for my little Simba he provided so much more for me.

I never realized how much having a dog in your life can change you. On the one hand, I lost many expensive outfits, accessories and electronics but on the other hand I gained two companions. Simba and Buddha have taught me to wake up extra early (rain, shine or bitter cold) to experience calmness and serenity. This had led to patience. Be patient as the dogs sniff every little thing and choose the perfect spot to do their business. I have had to learn the beauty of persistence as I tell Simba for the hundredth time in an hour to stop biting on the coffee table.

Every morning they are the first to greet me and they are always happy to see me. I am fortunate to have made the decision to get over my fear and embrace two amazing animals.

All dolled up!

All I wanted to do today was get Simba and Buddha's pictures taken with Santa Claws! We went last year when Buddha was a pup and I could think of no better way to spend my Saturday. This difference this year was that Simba was afraid of Santa and barked at him several times. Buddha couldn't care less and I persuaded him to sit nicely because I had a treat in my hand. Simba was more difficult to persuade but eventually he sat next to Santa for his picture.