Sunbathing

It's 90 degrees, the fur is flying and the dogs are HOT! I keep telling them to come inside but NOPE they want to sunbathe. I wonder if it is something innate that makes them want to be in the sun. Perhaps they know that they need their vitamin D. Either way, I have to buy another vacuum because the fur that I pick up every single day has destroyed the machine. It's unbelievable because I brush these guys all the time, bathe them and give them omega supplements. Yet, every time I don a black suit for work it is covered in fur within the first two minutes. Double coated dogs. FUN! :-)

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!

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.