Caution!! Dog in the bed.

So I finally got Daddy to consent to letting Dexter sleep in the bed with us last night. And all it took was a little shock. Let me explain.

In the past Dexter has chewed through a cord for a heating pad, but luckily it was not plugged in. After a serious scolding, he pretty much left cords alone. Until last night, that is.

I was sitting on the couch, writing, and he had been running around, but it was getting pretty late, so he laid down at my feet. I was impressed at how good he was being, until I heard him give a little yelp. I looked down to see what was wrong, and saw he had chewed on my charging cord for the laptop, which unfortunately WAS plugged in. I reached down to snatch it away from him, and I got shocked a little. He had exposed a wire, and had gotten a very small jolt. Now, to me, this was so small it just made my fingers tingle a little, but to a little pupper do like him, weighing in at less than 10 pounds, I was worried this might have been enough to hurt him.

So I begged, and pleaded with Daddy, to let Dexter sleep with us. Finally, he consented, as long as I had Dex sleep on the outside of me, so he would not get rolled over on through the night. Dex slept in the crook of my right arm all night long, happy as a clam. At 6 am he rolled over on me, and changed to my right arm, because he wanted to snuggle with Daddy a little too. We got up a little bit ago, did his morning outside trip, and he ate breakfast. He is playing right now, so I think he is fine.

I doubt I can get Daddy to agree to another night in the bed, but the day is young, and who knows what trouble Dex will get into today that will require Mommy's watchful eye through the night.

Let's go swimming!

Oh my goodness, what a week of excitement! First off, my dad, who shall now be referred to as Pappy, was here for several days, helping Hubby with some home improvements that turned out just gorgeous. During the course of his stay, Dex became his little shadow. They woke me up one morning playing. On Pappy's last night here, Dex snuggled up in the recliner with him, as if he knew he would be leaving soon. He certainly misses his Pappy.

After the projects were finished, I got the bright idea to get Dexter a swimming pool. Not sure how he would do with it, I just got a cheap one from a big box retailer, and I am proud to say I inflated it myself, no pump needed (Pappy always did say I was full of hot air!).

We put him in the first night, and the water was cold, and he was not sure what to think. So we were doubtful he would like it. But yesterday, every time he went out to potty, he would play, and then want in the pool. He went in 4 times yesterday! At first I thought he just wanted to drink the water, but he will just stand there, with his tail wagging. It is a nice way to cool down for him I think.



I can already tell, it is going to be an awesome summer!

New project and Welcome Wednesday

First of all, I want to tell you all about a cool new project am participating in, thanks to one of my friends. It is called 365 Project and it is a site where you make a profile, and each day you upload a picture of something that you did that day, or that happened, or you made. Basically, a picture of each day in your life for a year. I have been looking for an excuse to take more pictures, in the hopes that maybe Hubby and I will have reason to get a new camera. So, this is the perfect start.

So, please check out my profile and if you join up, follow me, and I will follow you back, so we can see each others pictures. I think it is going to be really fun!

Now, on to Welcome Wednesday!

If you do not know what this is, it is a blog hop, and here is how you join in the fun:

1. Follow the Welcome Wednesday Host (Take It From Me) as well as the 2 Spotlighted Blogs of the Week. (These will make up the top three slots on the Linky)

2. Link up your blog name and URL with our Linky. (You only need to add your info once for it to be seen on all the blog hops)

3. Grab our Welcome Wednesday button and include it in a post about the event on your blog.

4. Go to as many blogs on the MckLinky as you want and Follow them. Be sure to tell them you are from Welcome Wednesday!

5. Be sure to Follow back any followers you have gained from our Welcome Wednesday event!


So, I hope to make all kinds of new friends here and over on my 365 Project!

*waves hello to new friends*

Mommy Time- by Dexter

What an exciting day so far! Grandpa came to visit, and is staying at least overnight, to help Daddy do some work around the house. I got so excited that I started causing a ruckus, and Mommy said she needed to get me out of the house to let them work so, yipeeeeeee Mommy Time!

Mommy did not say where we were headed, she just grabbed some water and off we went, what an adventure.
We drove in the car to a park called Crooked Creek, where we drove all around to see the different parts of the park and take pictures. Unfortunately, the beach part did not allow doggies, so Mommy kept driving around the different parts of the park until we found a part that did allow doggies to play in the water. HOORAY!

As soon as we got out of the car, all kinds of people started asking Mommy if I was friendly, um, hello, can't you see my tail wagging? All kinds of people were petting me and telling Mommy how handsome I was, she was so proud. Finally, we were off to explore. We did not get very far when we saw another doggie, and boy was he big. Mommy asked his mommy if we could say hi, and once we got the green light, I ran right up to him. Turns out his name was Eddie, and he was a Labrador, his coloring was black, and he was so friendly, he gave Mommy a kiss, and we played so nice. His mommy fed us both some snacks. Then another big doggie joined us, her name was Sadie, she was an American Shepard, and she was really friendly too. Her mommy said she had been abused before she joined her forever family, so it had taken her a while to become friendly, but now she just loved meeting new friends. I am so happy when I meet new friends, and hear that they have families as great as mine is! Finally, I said goodbye to my new friends, and Mommy and I went to check out the water.

At first I just wanted to climb on these rocks,

but then Mommy encouraged me to get in the water a little...

until I started drinking it.


She told me that sometimes that water can be bad for little doggies like me to drink, so I finally stopped. But I romped all around and around, and had such a blast. I got all wet and muddy and smelly, and it was the BEST TIME EVER.

Finally, I was tired, and it was time to go home. I was so thankful to Mommy for bringing me out today.
When we got in the car to go home, I gave Mommy a big hug and kiss, and settled into her lap for the rest of the ride.

Another Hoppy Saturday

Sorry for being so lax about writing this week, it has been a little hectic and exciting, with lots of great things going on over at Tall Tales from a Small Town and Tiffany's Bookshelf.

The kids are getting excited because Grandpa is coming to visit tomorrow! He is coming up to help Daddy redo the dining room floor and put a fence up in the back yard so Dexter can run around safely without being on the leash! Exciting times in our household. I am a little worried how the kids will act with all the commotion from the projects. Nora is still not quite herself, though she has been a little sweeter lately. The other day she did something she has not done since she was a baby. When I was getting a bath, she hopped up on the tub rim (not that unusual) but then she walked around the back and climbed onto me in the tub. She used to do this all the time when she was a kitten. I hope that this recent bout of crankiness is just her hormones adjusting after her spay, kind of like kitty menopause or something, but I am keeping my eyes open to anything unusual. Today her eyes are watering, but it is clear tears, so I guess that is a good sign. I was able to catch a great shot of her sunning herself on a dining room chair the other day.
Dexter has been quite the little doodle lately. Daddy actually called him a scamp last night. He is more and more the mama's boy, and as I spend more time out of the house enjoying the weather and doing things with friends that he can not always accompany me on, he gets very annoyed. I went shopping the other day with a friend and her son, and was gone for several hours, but I knew Dex would be fine. And he was. However, his good behavior was handsomely rewarded, as my friend's little boy had picked out a toy for me to bring home for doggie. He picked a squeaky strawberry, which Dex loved, and immediately chewed the stem off of. Sigh.

So that is the news with us. And it is Saturday, so that means, time to get hopping! We hope you will join us, here is how:

* * Link up your blog name and URL using the Linky Tool below. You only need to add you link once to be seen on all the Pet Blogger Blog Hop Linky Tools for that week.
* * Grab the Pet Bloggers Blog Hop button that our friends over on Life with Dogs made for us and include it in your Saturday Pet Bloggers Hop post so that your readers will know what is going on.
* * Follow your co-hosts listed in the first 3 slots of the Linky Tool.
* * Follow as many other blogs on the linky as you'd like
* * Take a moment to comment on the blogs telling them you're from the Saturday Pet Bloggers Hop
* * Follow back when you get a new follower through the Saturday Pet Bloggers Blog Hop

Talking to the birds

Today, as I was putting on my make up, I heard Nora engaging in one of her favorite passtimes. Talking to the birds.

She was sitting on a little stand we have at the top of our steps, just warbling away. If you have never heard a cat talk to the birds, let me tell you, it is funny to hear. It is not a meow, or a growl, but a tender coaxing kind of sound.

With my super special translation skills, I was able to determine that the conversation went something like this:

Nora: Hello Mr. Bird, what a lovely song you are singing.

Bird: Oh! Why thank you, (in British accent)

Nora: If only I could hear it better, can you come a little closer please?

Bird: (again with British accent) Why I would be happy to oblige a lovely lady such as yourself. (scoots closer)

Nora: Why, Mr. Bird, what lovely colors your feathers have, do you mind if I have a closer look?

Bird: Oh, well, by all means, I insist. (again with the British accent)

Nora: Let me just get a little...bit...closer (Nora takes flying leap at window and crashes to the floor)

Bird: Stupid frickin cat (spoken like a New Jersey hoodlum).

An Award for Dexter!

How exciting, Dexter won an award from the MilShelb at Life as the MilShelb!

So, Dexter asked me to keep the blogger love going!

Here are the rules:

1. Thank the person who gave it to you.
Thank you MilShelb and Mommy, I am so happy we have gotten to know you all through our blogs. It makes my Mommy happy to see your sweet smiling faces, and know that she is not the only crazy doxie mommy out there. Love and doggie kisses, Dexter

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

1. I will be 5 months old tomorrow! Mommy and Daddy got me 3 months ago, and my life has been one of pure joy ever since. They are my forever Mommy and Daddy, and this is my forever home!
2. I have special coloring, like Shelby, called dapple. I look a little spotted, and most people tell Mommy how handsome I look, they say my coloring is unusual. One girl said I looked like a cow, how rude.
3. I love to take naps with Mommy. Right now she is under the weather with a bad cold, so we get lots of extra nappies under her favorite blanket. I like to make a little fort out of it.
4. I just met the love of my life, her name is Rosie. She is older than me, but Mommy says age is just a number. She lives very close, and her family is friends with Mommy, so hopefully we will get to go on a date soon!
5. I have a very cranky kitty cat sister named Nora. She likes to pretend that I annoy her, but I know secretly she loves to play with me, because she always comes back for more.
6. My middle name is Hayek, after Daddy's favorite economist, Friedrich August von Hayek.
7. I recently started walking up and down the porch steps. Mommy says I look like a slinky when I do this.

3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and you think are fantastic:

1. Bruce at Bruce's Paws
2. Luna at Dog Blogging With Luna
3. Amanda at For the Love of Dogs
4. Allie and Frankie at Frankie the Dachshund
5. Macy at Macy's Puppy Tales
6. Maggie Mae at Maggie Mae Says
7. Mona at Mona and the Mommy Too
8. Morgan and Maisie at Morgan in Pittsburgh
9. Major at My Great Dane Is In Love With Me
10. Pibble at One Pibbles Wish
11. Ginger and Buddy at Pawprints in the Sands of Time
12. Addie, Lucie, and Hailey at Raising Addie
13. Sugar at Sugar the Golden Retriever
14. Lilac, Bunny, and Blueberry at Tales and Tails
15. Davinia and Indiana at Two Little Cavaliers

4. Contact the bloggers you picked and let them know about the award.
I will be doing this once the blog is posted. I hope everyone who does not yet know these bloggers goes to visit their blogs and say hello, they really are fantastic.

Thanks again MilShelb!

Crossover post

Not sure how many of my pet friends are also fans of vampire books like Twilight, the Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood books, Vampire Diaries, stuff like that, but in case anyone is, I am sponsoring a great vampire themed giveaway on my book blog. You can click here to check it out!

Books for pet lovers

Hello friends! Just a quick word to you all. I know several of us have friends who are dealing with the loss of a pet, or bad news from the vet, and I wanted to pass along some really beautiful books that might help during such a terribly hard time.

The author and illustrator of these books is named Christine Davis. I have reviewed two of her books on my book blog, one is called For Every Dog an Angel and another one is called Old Dog and the Christmas Wish. Click on either title to check out the reviews. She is a fantastic author, and she absolutely loves animals, so I just wanted to pass this along to all my friends.

Arranged Marriage and a Hop

I do believe that I am arranging a marriage for Dexter. He seems perfectly ok with this. Now, the lady in question is a little older (you cougar doggie you) and she is fixed, but Dex is going to get fixed too, so that is really no issue for us.

So, I present to you.....Rosie.

Rosie is a 7 year old doxie belonging to our neighbor a few streets over, whose name is Jane. Jane is also the aunt of a very close friend of mine, who will probably be moving into the house, and helping to take care of Rosie. Rosie is, how shall I put this delicately, a big girl. Not judging, at all, because, you know, us big girls got to stick together.Actually the plan is to try to slim Rosie down a little (same here sister), but regardless, I fell in love with her, and I do believe Dexter did as well.

Last night we walked over to meet Rosie, and to introduce Jane to Dexter. My friend and her boyfriend were there, so we let the dogs play outside for about an hour. They had a blast. I know it looks like Rosie is giving him the crazy eye in all the pictures, but trust me, she was loving it, her tail never stopped wagging.






I guess we will see if love blooms over the summer!

In other news, it is another Blog Hop Saturday!


Here is what you do:
* Link up your blog name and URL using the Linky Tool below. You only need to add you link once to be seen on all the Pet Blogger Blog Hop Linky Tools for that week.
* Grab the Pet Bloggers Blog Hop button that our friends over on Life with Dogs Made for us and include it in your Friday Follow blog post so that your readers will know what is going on.
* Follow your co-hosts listed in the first 3 slots of the Linky Tool.
* Follow as many other blogs on the linky as you’d like.
* Take a moment to comment on the blogs telling them you’re from Friday Follow.
* Follow back when you get a new follower through the Saturday Pet Bloggers Blog Hop!




Have a hoppy blogging!

The Great Cat Escapes of 2010 and of 2008

Last night, I was going out for a late night excursion with some friends (we were craving Indian food) and because he had to be up early this morning, Hubby decided to stay home. My friends picked me up, and as I left, Hubby walked me to the door and kissed me goodbye in the doorway.

Approximately 7 minutes later, Hubby calls me to tell me that while he was telling me goodbye, Nora slipped outside. He did not notice it until a few minutes later, when he walked past the door and saw black fur out of the corner of his eye. He got her inside, and called me frantic. I asked if she was ok, and he was, and then I kind of wondered what he wanted me to do. He said he just wanted me to know. He was really upset. I was not sure why, and then, I flashed back to an incident that happened just before we started dating....

It is a Friday in August of 2008. I woke up about an hour early, and did not feel like doing anything. Nora and I lay in bed snuggling and cuddling. She will curl up in the crook of my arm, paw outstretched and head on my forearm. It is adorable. It put me in such a great mood on Friday.

On Fridays, I got home from my job an hour earlier than other days, so I thought nothing of the fact that Nora was not at the door to greet me; I figured she was still sleeping. I watched a dvd, and around 7 I went into my bedroom, and lay on my bed. I called for Nora several times, and she never came. Then I noticed my bedroom window. The screen was knocked out. Nora had done this once before, but never went out the window, as I lived on the third floor.

However, this time, she was gone. I ran outside, walking all around calling her name, to no avail. I figure what must have happened was she was climbing on the screen, it knocked loose, and she tumbled out with the screen. I was frantic. I texted several of my friends (including future Hubby), and called my mom. How silly it sounds to say my cat ran away. After I got off the phone with my mom, I cried like a baby. I have not cried that hard in a very very long time. I talked to future Hubby, and you could tell he just felt so helpless.

After I got off of the phone with him, I decided to go into the laundry room in the basement, to open a window in case she came back. This way she could get back in the building. As I was doing this, I heard her crying. I looked all over the laundry room, and in the storage units, and still could not find her. I went back by the window, where I heard her cry, and called her name. It was then that I realized she was in the vent from the dryer. I ran outside to where the vent opening was, and looked inside. There she was.

Tenderly, I pulled her out. She was shaking, and covered in lint so bad she was gray. She was shaking, and so scared. I took her back inside, and let her eat. Then I had to bath her to get all the lint off of her. After she dried off a little, she spent the rest of the night curled up next to me, happy to be home.

This was about a week before Hubby and I went on our first date, so he had not yet met Nora. He felt terrible when this happened, and I think last night brought it all back to him.

So, Nora, how about knocking this crap off, ok? You are giving Daddy gray hair.

The no stuff stuffie

Like every other dog out there, Dexter loves the stuffies. But do not let his small size fool you. He can destroy a stuffie in record time. I bought him a peanut shaped one last week, and 6 hours later, it was dead. I could just keep buying him ones from the dollar store, but he actually gets pretty attached to his stuffies, so when I have to throw them out, he gets really sad.

When we visited Linus last week, they told us about the various brands of stuffing free stuffing free stuffies, and how durable they are. Today, I went to the Tractor Supply Store, and lo and behold, they had them there, and really reasonable priced too. The mini ones are perfect for Dexter, and only $5, so I got him the raccoon, which we named Rocky Raccoon.

Dex and Rocky became fast friends. Sadly, Dex already busted the squeaker in Rocky's tail (this dog is a menace sometimes) but there is a second squeaker in the head, and the toy is durable enough to be used for tugging play. It is machine washable so that when Rocky gets all slobbery I can give him a bath. So far, Dexter loves Rocky; he even joined Dex and me for nap time today.

Here is hoping the no stuff stuffie makes it at least a week.

Nom nom nom

Ok, so, this is not really a picture of my cat. But it may as well be. I am about to lose my mind.

Ever since I got Nora, she was tiny. The runt. I have a soft spot for runty pets. I could fill her food bowl up, and, 3 days later, she still had food. She was never on a feeding schedule, always just a grazer. She never, and I mean NEVER, bothered "people" food. I could leave food out, I could eat with her next to me, she never even batted an eye. In fact, I have dropped chicken or turkey on the floor accidentally during food prep, then tore it into pieces and put it in her food bowl thinking, eh, this is what her food is made of anyway. She would never, ever eat it.

Then.....we got her fixed.

And her table manners, among other things, changed drastically.

At first I blamed the dog. One night, we heard a noise downstairs, only to discover the brand new bad of puppy food on the floor in front of Dex's crate, with him in the crate mind you, with a hole chewed through it. Now, he is a bit of a mini-Houdini (houndini is more like it), so we figured he did it. I poured the food into a huge ziplock bag and put it on the buffet, far from his short legged reach. The next day, I discovered said bag with a hole chewed in it. I feared then that the cat and dog were in cahoots.

Now I suspect it is just her.

Hubby found a Hershey kiss in her food bowl on Thursday, still wrapped, as if being saved for later. Her food is in the basement, where Dexter never goes.

Twice yesterday, we caught her trying to steal candy, once the Reese's Pieces in the living room, and once the Valentine's candy that has been in the bedroom for, well, nearly 3 months. She must have really wanted those red hots.

But the coup de grace to her facade of innocence happened today. We went to visit my family for the day, and Dexter went with us. When we got home, Hubby realized Nora had been into the trash. At first we thought she just knocked it over, until I found the remnants of chicken wings in a trail through the kitchen, dining, and living rooms.

You might think perhaps I am not feeding her enough. Well, dear readers, her food dish was filled at 5:30 this morning when I went down to the basement to fold laundry. When we got home, it was empty. So, she ate all that, and then went hunting.

What has happened to my Nora, she used to be such a lady! Is this common to cats that have been spayed?

Do any of my readers have suggestions on how to handle this? I do not want to get upset with her, but clearly, this behavior has got to end, before she eats something that proves harmful to her.

Sigh, this really is like being a mommy you know. Happy Mother's Day to me I guess.

And the winner is......!!!!!

First off, thank you so much to everyone who entered! You made my first giveaway a success, and you have made me even more excited for the next one (still to be determined!).

This morning, using a Random Name Selector, I added all the entries of all the people who participated. It randomized all the entries and (drum roll please)....

The winner is

For The Love of Dogs!!!!!

Congratulations!

Unfortunately, I do not have your email address, so please either leave me a comment with it, or email me at the gmail address listed on my blog and profile, so I can get your shipping info.

Happy Pet Mommy's Day to you all, and Happy Mothers Day to those of you with kids as well!

Dexter and Nora are so happy to be making all kinds of new friends (so is Mommy)!

Have a fabulous, and as many of my friends say furbulous day!

My first award!

I am so excited that my blogging friend and fellow pet mom, Maggie, super mom to the MilShelb, picked me to win my very first blog award!



She chose me as one of her ten, so now I get to list ten things I love, and pick ten people to give the award to.

Things I Love:
1. Hubby. He is my best friend on this earth. He loves me unconditionally, supports me 110%, thinks I am beautiful even when I first wake up in the morning, and has taught me how to be the woman God created me to be. Thank goodness he was so patient, waiting for me for so long, listening to me whine about my bad date stories, being the kind of man I always wanted and never thought I deserved. I love you Stephen, more than words could ever express.

2. Our "kids". I love Nora and Dexter with all my heart. I never knew how much love you could have for an animal until these two came into my life. They really are my kids, and even if we have babies some day, they will always be my kids. I just love snuggling up with them, and getting sweet puppy and kitty kisses.

3. My family and friends. I have an incredibly supportive group of people in my life. My parents, siblings, in laws, old friends, new friends. Each and every one of you have touched me in a way that has forever changed me. I love you all tremendously.

4. Books. I know it seems silly to love books, and it makes me sound like a huge nerd, but I am ok with that. I love the magical power books have to transport me to different times and places. I love to learn new things. I love the feel of a book in my hands. And I love sharing a great read with other people.

5. Cooking for Hubby. I have always loved cooking, but never got to do a lot of it as a single woman. I tire of leftovers easily, so as a singleton I got used to making easy meals for one. Now that I am married, and we have lots of couple friends, I love nothing more than to make a big dinner for Hubby, maybe invite some friends over, and enjoy the food and the conversation.

6. Fresh cut flowers. Long ago, before I met Hubby, I got in the habit of occasionally buying fresh cut flowers for my apartment. Since we met, and moved into the house, Hubby usually shows up with flowers, for no specific reason, once every 4-6 weeks. It provides such a nice touch to the dinner table, and reminds me that he cares. I am so lucky (see number 1).

7. Tuesday nights. Recently, I have gotten into a routine of having Bible study on Tuesday nights with my friends E and J. We make snacks, have our study, and then watch Glee. I have never had such a great relationship with girlfriends before, so I look forward to Tuesday nights so much. Plus, ok, I admit it, I love Glee. Total Gleek, right here.

8. Blankets. There is something so comforting about blankets to me. I can not sleep without one. And the softer the blanket, the better I sleep. I will make it ridiculously cold in my house in the summer, just to justify sleeping with a blanket.

9. Fireworks. Maybe it is the kid in me, but I always have loved, and suspect I always will love, fireworks. I always wished I could share a beautiful fireworks display with the man I loved, to me this was the ultimate romantic moment. Last summer I got to, and you know what, I was right. So romantic.

10. Blogging. I have to admit how much I love to blog. I have 3 very different blogs that I maintain currently. I love it. I can not get enough. It has given me a creative outlet, and a purpose that I felt I was lacking. I hope to someday springboard it into a writing career, but for now I am greatly enjoying writing my blogs, and meeting all kinds of wonderful people by reading their blogs.

Which leads me to my ten award winners, from various blogs on various subjects:

1. Lisa at From Dead to Dangerous
2. Bug at In Bug's Drawers
3. Baxter and Mommy at Kalyxcornucopia
4. Hannalei at The Tail of Three Dachsies
5. Jeannie at The Character Therapist
6. Joshua at The Outpost
7. Jason at The Joy of Happiness
8. Tori at Book Faery
9. K. Dawn Byrd at K. Dawn Byrd
10. Michelle at Michelle V.'s Blog

Good morning!!!!

Just a final reminder, today is the LAST DAY to enter my giveaway, get the details by clicking here!

So, Dex did something adorable this morning. I slept in late (as in 8 am) while Daddy got up for the morning potty and breakfast duties. So when I came down stairs, Dex was so excited to see me, I could not do anything without him being right there. Not even check my email.

See for yourself.



Today is going to be an extra fun day, I can just feel it!

Blog Hop!

So, thanks to one of my blogging friends I discovered the beauty of the blog hop. It helps increase your blogs exposure.

So, if you write exclusively about your pets, consider joining the hop. I am looking forward to meeting some new pet parent blog friends!

Every day a new game

A couple more days left to enter the contest! Click here for details and share with your friends!

Dexter is at such a fun stage right now, every day he seems to discover a new game to play. While some of them, like Steal Daddy's Slipper or Chew Mommy's Flip Flop, get him into big trouble, most of them are good clean puppy fun.

As I sit here typing this, he is running laps around the coffee table, one clockwise, one counterclockwise, then into the crate and back out again. He has been doing this for about ten minutes. He is getting good exercise, that is for sure. He still loves to chase his sister Nora, and now he is almost as big as her, so he can put up a better fight.

Monday, we discovered a fun game called Bubble Hunting, and Dexter just loves this one. He goes nuts when I bring out the bubbles, and, well, watch for yourself...


When he hears the video play, he freaks out because he thinks he is getting to play with bubbles again. Looks like I will be stocking up on Dollar Tree bubbles :)

I feel bad, because I clearly write more about Dex than I do Nora, but Nora is pretty laid back and independent, I mean, that is what cats do, you know. So, Nora, if you want more PR, you better step up your game.

But you all know I love them both equally :)

Getting big and making friends- By Dexter

First off, do not forget my mommy's giveaway, still a few days to enter. Click here to find out more, and be sure to tell your friends!

Ok, so, wow, I have not personally talked to you nice people in a while, and the last 24 hours have been so so exciting for me.

Let's start with last night. Mommy and Daddy decided to take me for a walk, I just love going for walks now. The big noisy cars scare me a little, but Mommy calls that "healthy fear". Anywhosits, we walked up to this big house, and Daddy rang the doorbell. Immediately, I hear barkies from inside. Turns out, we went to visit a friend of Mommy and Daddy's who lives just a couple of blocks from us. And, it also turns out.....they have a doxie!

His name is Linus, and he is a full grown doxie, not a mini like me. At first, I was really scared of him, but Mommy convinced me that he just wanted to play. Finally, I warmed up to him, and we romped around for about an hour. Mommy tried to take pictures, but they are blurry because we were moving so fast.


You can see he is much bigger than me, and he is a handsome doggie. I hope I am as handsome as him when I grow up! His Daddy told my Mommy and Daddy all sorts of tips and things that I might like to eat and play with. I am so excited to have made a new friend, and one who lives so close. There was even talk of getting together to play in the grass, which made my heart pitter patter!!!

After all that, I was bushed and went right to sleep last night. Imagine my surprise when bright and early this morning Mommy and I got ready and got in the car. Turns out, I had to go to the vet for my very last shot, my rabies vaccine. This was the first time Mommy let me walk in on my leash, and it was a little scary from that point of view, let me tell you. But I did good, and met more doggies there, which is always fun. Shout outs to my two new lady doxie pals from the vet, Pickle and Katie!

So, they finally call our name, and step one is getting weighed. Guess what I weigh. You will never believe it. 6.9 POUNDS!!! Mommy says I am growing like a weed. After that the docs came in an looked at me, and told me a bee stung my bum, but I know it was really my shot. I do not get mad at them, they are just trying to keep me healthy! They said my ears look much better, and I got a new tag for being grown up enough to get my rabies shot!


Then it was time to go. I did so good at the vet Mommy said I could drive....

ok not really, but it was fun to pretend.

When we got out of the car at home, I saw the mail lady, and I love her, so Mommy let me wait for her outside. We noticed a little white doggie following her, so Mommy called him over, and was upset, thinking he was lost. Turns out he was visiting our neighbor, and got so excited when he saw me, he jumped over the wall to visit me. Wasn't that nice of him to visit? His Mommy did not seem to happy about it, and so I said, maybe next time, we make plans instead of you running away. His name was Eddie, Hi Eddie!!!

OH AND...... I met another doggie last weekend, his name was Zeke, his Mommy and Daddy are friends with my Mommy and Daddy. We were all at a party and I wanted to PLAY but Zeke seemed shy. Maybe next time.

So, yeah, life is good, I am making friends, pestering my sister, kissing Mommy and Daddy lots, and apparently, growing like a weed!

Until next time, lots of tail wags and kisses from
Dexter

Rain on my face

If you have not entered the giveaway yet, be sure to check it out here!

One of the things I find most fun about having Dex is watching him discover new things. Yesterday, I saw one of the cutest things ever, and I only wish I had my camera with me to capture it.

When I took Dex out after breakfast, it was raining. Not a cold, drizzly, miserable rain. It was a leisurely, summer-like rain, the kind where big fat rain drops just plop down as they please, to gently caress the flowers and garden startings. It was so comfortable, I did not even mind getting wet.

Dex has been out in the rain before, and he when he has to go out to take care of business in the rain, he is the model of efficiency. Head down, straight to work, no pauses, back inside, treats can wait until we are dry. But yesterday morning, even he realized this was a different rain. He could feel it on his coat, and shook several times, but made no effort to speed things up. He even started to play a little in the wet grass. And then....he lifted his head, and discovered the joy of this delicious, delicate, warm rain hitting his face for the very first time. And he savored it.

I could not help but learn from his example, and do the same. When we finally went back inside, I did not mind one bit the extra wetness to his kisses.

Want to see what the prize is?

Ok, so, I thought maybe more people would be interested in my contest if they could actually see what it is they were vying for.

So, with no further ado, the National Pet Week Giveaway Prize Package:

So here is what we've got:

• soccer ball toy
• a two pack of collar charms (one is a cupcake, one is a heart)
• gourmet dog treats from Honey's Bakery
• one pack of Pedigree Jumbones for small dogs
• a Bags on Board leash attachment, with bags (to clip clean up bags to your leash for a fuss free walk)
• leopard print plush toy
• camouflage rope toy
• 3 pack of doggie tennis balls
• insulated coffee cup that says "Dog Person"
• pink Snuggie, size small

I should mention I have received no compensation by any of the makers of these products. I simply hand picked them to sponsor something fun and make my readers and friends happy.

Thanks to everyone who has entered so far. Please consider entering if you have not already. You can find out what you do to enter by reading about the giveaway here.

Dexter seems to think it's a cool prize...
and we hope that you do too. Please enter, and enjoy National Pet Week.

Oh, and if you, like some of the other entrants, have kitties, be sure to let me know when you enter :) It will come in handy when getting ready to give away a kitty prize package!