Animal House

To be pet-friendly or not to be pet friendly...

2011-03-01T09:24:00.000-08:00

That is truly the question! With about 62% of households in the United State owning pets and (get this) spending roughly 45 BILLION dollars a YEAR on those pets (APPA), I would think that being pet friendly is definitely the way to go!
I, of course, live in my own little fur-filled bubble where my pets rule the house, my life, my wallet and even the car (that might be a slight exaggeration but it is not too far off). My pets are my family and I include them in family activities, walks, picnics, trips home to Virginia to see the grandparents, and vacations. My vacation is planned so that my pets can come along, because they need to go to the beach, you know, to get away from laying around the house all day, barking at the mail man, and chasing the squirrels out of the yard. If I am planning any kind of outing or trip, I will look for pet friendly venues.
But sometimes, I have to step outside of my fur-filled bubble and look at the world around me. Tonight, I will be at the town hall fighting for my town to be labeled as pet-friendly.
My town commissioners are voting on an ordinance created by our town's planning board. This ordinance wants to ban dogs from three of our four parks and the baseball fields. We already have a leash law and clean-up-after-your-pets ordinance that are not enforced. So my concern is that the current ordinances are not posted in any of the parks (education is key) and they are not enforced.
So my hope for the night is that they will not pass the ordinance and move to enforce what is currently in place. We shall see.
I am a responsible pet owner and pick up after my pets and OPPs (Other People's Pets), but since this topic has come up in town, I feel uncomfortable walking around town with my animals now. It is probably all in my head, but I feel like all eyes are on me waiting to see if I will pick up the poop. I want to stop and scream, "I always pick up my dogs' poop!" But I don't! My quality of life has gone down and we are thinking of moving in the near future.
So cross your paws!

Motivational Eaters!

2011-02-20T15:47:00.000-08:00

I was recently visiting with a friend and she had just finished baking her youngest doggie, aka Skinny Kenny, a birthday cake! She kindly packed three servings for my crew.
As I walked through the door just at dinner time, the dogs were circling me with happy dancing feet and curious noses. They knew there was a BIG treat in their future. Lets just say they did not lolly gag when eating tonight. Sometimes if dinner is just plan ol' dry kibble (poor them) they (meaning Max and Georgia, Teeny's appetite is always robust, remember she is thick) will totally lolly gag. Georgia will eat a bite, stop, look up at me with wet little eyes, stare for a while and then go back for another bite. So sad. Sometimes Max will not even grace us with his presence. His bowl will lay untouched while he snoozes on the couch, not to be bother with dry kibble.

Well, again, there was no lolly gagging tonight. They were motivated to eat tonight. Teeny hopped around the kitchen, doing her T-Rex dance (this is when she lifts up on her hind legs and the front legs look like little T-Rex arms, hehehe) Max still has dancing feet and Georgia was, again, staring at me with wet little eyes!

Dinner was heaven for them! I can always tell when dinner was a success. The tell-tale loud clinking of the empty bowl as they lick up every possible crumb and heck, even the scent. It happened tonight.

So Happy Birthday Skinny Kenny from the Muttley Cru!

Almost 50% of all pet owners consider their pets to be family members. Don't you celebrate your family's birthday? We certainly do. It may not be a party every year, but there are always treats, special trips, car rides and frisbee time. Cakes have been made, plain cheeseburgers from the local Cubbies have been bought, gourmet cookies dipped in yogurt devoured. I do it for myself, heck yeah, I'll do it for them! It just makes me smile even though they are completely clueless as to the occasion!

There are websites, stores and restaurants dedicated to throwing your pet a birthday party. Just Goggle it and see for yourself!

Here is one of many pet-friendly cakes:
3 lbs of ground beef/ turkey/ chicken
4 eggs
3/4 container of bread crumbs
Mix Ingredient
Bake at 350-375 degrees for 20-25 minutes
Let the cake cool for a while and top with plain vanilla yogurt!

I am back...

2011-02-17T11:44:00.000-08:00

Wow, time sure flies when you are...hmmmm, what have I been doing? Playing Chuck-It, walking the dogs, hibernating with the dogs. Well, anyways, I am back and have lots of things to share and talk about.

First off, two of my dogs, Scarlet and Max, are hard-core fetchers. I mean I can walk them through a busy downtown without a leash by just carrying a ball in my hand and they will focus on nothing but that ball. Crazy for balls, frisbee, anything that can be thrown and fetched.

So for Christmas, Auntie Mere-Mere gave the kids a ChuckIt. What is a ChuckIt, you say! The GREATEST INVENTION EVER!!! Basically, it is a throwing device for tennis balls. They do make other products but I am obsessed with this because it means no more picking up slimy, spit-covered, muddy tennis balls and I can chuck the ball even farther making sure the children are getting plenty of exercise. Scarlet, aka Teeny, has lost even more weight in the last two months. The Doc is gonna be proud, since Teeny was a bit thick. We take the dogs to the park at least three times a week for a good romp!
Be sure to check out ChuckIt!

Twisty, the neighborhood cat...

2010-08-20T14:00:00.001-07:00

Back home in Virginia, my mother's street has always been one of my favorite roads. The houses are quaint, the people are friendly and then there is Twisty. I remember seeing this stray cat on death's door many, many years ago. He is a shy little guy with folded ears and a weary gaze. My mother's neighbor now cares for Twisty and he has become my mother's favorite neighborhood cat. So I make an effort to photograph him whenever I am home. I always have to approach him quietly and slowly, often whispering to him that I just want his pretty picture and that I would never hurt him. Big wet eyes always stare back at me and I can see the tension in his body like his is ready to bolt at any moment. I snapped the images quickly and left him be until next visit home. I wish we could save them all!

Biscuit... and Cole...

2010-06-18T13:17:00.001-07:00

This past Saturday, I set up a doggie photo booth at Lucky Bones Country Club's, Mt. Airy, NC, Paw-tastic Celebration. It was incredible, wonderful dogs with wonderful humans! I will say that the best poser for the day had to be Biscuit. She was a beautiful white terrier mix who at first was a shy girl. I thought, she is going to turn away from the camera every time just like my girl Georgia. It never fails, that when I bring the camera out to photograph my princess Georgia, she turns her little head like "Humff, I will not be photographed!" Well, shy girl Biscuit, who was recently adopted into a loving home and now has a blue Doberman for a bother (handsome man Cole), turned into a DIVA. She loved looking at the camera and would turn her little head just like a professional model!! I just fell in love with her, which brings me to another reason she wiggled her way into my heart. Biscuit was my very first dog. She had been dropped off at my father's clinic to be put to sleep because her previous owners did not want her any more. Well, Daddy convinced them to relinquish her to him and she came home to me. Now, Biscuit was a total Hines 57 mutt. We had no clue what she was but she was definitely a loving little girl. She lived with us for 17 years and it was a sad day when she passed onto doggie heaven. So here is to my girl Biscuit!

Girls Day at the Beach!

2010-05-16T20:56:00.000-07:00

A beautiful day off and we decided to hit the beach! With Max still healing from his surgery, we dropped him off to spend the day with Auntie and Chocolate Dog Ben :( We missed him so, but the girls had an incredible day! Beautiful sun, no humidity and PLENTY of room to run (off leash, shhh!!) Swimming, racing across the sandy shore, naps under the umbrella and digging in the sand. Fun was had by all and of course, we both got burnt!

Bright Sun Shiny Day

So this is how it goes...

2010-05-05T10:27:00.000-07:00

My dear darling Max, now 6 weeks post surgery, loves to sun. He will sit outside for hours basking in the sun's harsh glare, while my girls are over it in 15 minutes or less. One day, he had been out there baking for a good bit of time and I decided to try and convince him to come in for a snack. This is how it went...

I am ignoring her, maybe she will go away and let me enjoy my sun.

Still ignoring her, just looking out over my kingdom.

Stun her with my handsome face, give it a minute with a piercing defiant stare and "No, I will come in when I am ready."

Proving that I am the smarter creature, for the most part, I closed the door and feed the girls a treat. After hearing the treat jar open FROM OUTSIDE, he could not resist the pull of a snack. Low and behold, my handsome yet stubborn boy finally came in the house!

I need a GOOD home!

2010-04-09T08:26:00.000-07:00

Hello! I am a cute ball of fur who desperately needs a new loving home. I am probably a shepherd mix, so I will grow up to be a big boy. I am currently 8-9 weeks. With love and attention, I will grow up to be your best friend and faithful companion. Puppy breath kisses and wet noses, until we meet again...

A Week Later

2010-03-25T09:32:00.000-07:00

Max has been home a week now, thankfully. It is amazing how you can be surrounded by all of your other animals (four in our case) and still the house feels empty because your pack is not complete. But none-the-less, his surgery went wonderful and I only called about once to check on the little guy. I have been astounded by how fast his recovery has progressed in just a week. We keep him separated from the rest of the pack when we are gone, but for the most part, I put him on the couch and he hangs out there. We go Thursday to get his staples removed and he will be happy because that means no more e-collar.

The Road to Recovery...

2010-03-22T14:31:00.000-07:00

Max, my oldest furry friend, also known as Maxine, Puppa and sadly, Maxie Pad, tore his left cruciate tendon and needed surgery. This is not new to Max. A few years back, Max's right cruciate tore and also required surgery. At that time, we chose the extracapsular repair. Basically, a "large, strong suture is passed around the fabella behind the knee and through a hole drilled in the front of the tibia. This tightens the joint to prevent the drawer motion, effectively taking over the job of the cruciate ligament." (http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_ruptured_anterior_cruciate_lig.html) This surgery has done well for Max. His knee is stable. Of course, sometimes when he pushes a little too hard chasing his sisters around, he pays for it with a little soreness, but overall it has improved his life. So then the other left knee cruciate tears and what do we do now. I wanted to make sure he was stable and could enjoy his exercise, so I weighed the options and did my research and questioned every vet I know hoping to find the best fit for Max. I decided on Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy. This procedure was more invasive and caused me much anxiety in making the final commitment of calling the clinic and making the appointment. My animals are my children and this decision caused me sleepless nights and worrying about Max making it through the surgery and recovery. I worry, that's what I do. But after my research on both the clinic, doctors and the procedure, I made the appointment. TPLO, for short, the surgery "uses a fresh approach to the biomechanics of the knee joint and is meant to address the lack of success seen with the above technique long term in larger dogs. With this surgery the tibia is cut and rotated in such a way that the natural weight-bearing of the dog actually stabilizes the knee joint." (http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_ruptured_anterior_cruciate_lig.html) And people wondered why I was worried, ouch. I felt guilty about causing him pain to make him better. But that's life.
Today was Max's surgery. I was a nervous wreck, barely slept and broodingly quiet (something I rarely am). After a long day, we finally got a call saying he was out of surgery and in recovery. I cried...tears of relief and I have been able to breath again. This is the beginning of Max's recovery.

Here are some great websites in the subject:

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_ruptured_anterior_cruciate_lig.html

http://www.vetsurgerycentral.com/tplo.htm

http://www.lauriebryce.com/tplo/

2010-03-06T09:00:00.000-08:00

We have had an unbelievable amount of snow here in Eastern North Carolina this year. Though I might complain, my dogs love the snow. It breaths new life into and their friskiness knows no bound. This snow was light and fluffy, so they all enjoyed being about to romp and not slide everywhere like the previous snow. This video just shows how stinking cute they are and if you listen very carefully at the beginning, you can hear Scarlett's, aka Teeny, snapping her teeth as the basketball flies by her head.

2010-02-11T14:48:00.001-08:00

I photographed a wedding this past spring on the Albemarle Sound in North Carolina. Everything was beautiful, I had the couple on the dock catching a few sunset images and out of the corner of my eye something unusual caught my attention. I clearly remember talking to the couple and noticing what looked like a black dog and his human companion on a surf board being pulled by a boat. I did a double take, probably a triple take and ran as close to the water as I could to capture a few shots of the little guy. I was so impressed with that dog and immediately started planning just how I could get my dogs to do that. Then I remember that my dogs are not really water dogs...oh well!

Funny Video

2010-01-29T10:38:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I could not post this video to my blog, BUT you have to see it. Doritos has a contest for their Superbowl commercial. Of course, I voted for the one with the dog, but be sure to check them all out. I howled with laughter and have watched it multiple times today just for giggles.

Doritos Finalists

Goodbye Miss Maddie

2010-01-20T07:44:00.000-08:00

So if you have read my blog over the last few months, it has been depressing and I understand if no one even looks at it anymore... My best friend lost her 10 year old Maddie last week, very sad and heart-wrenching indeed. Maddie was a very special girl with loads of personality and sass. Over the years, Maddie had numerous adventures and many more admirers. She will never be forgotten or replaced... We love you, Maddie-girl!

A New Beginning...

2010-01-20T07:29:00.000-08:00

This past year was a trying year in the way of animals. With the loss of my Moki and dealing with the whole situation, my faith in the goodness of the world cracked just a little. But my good spirit always comes back to me and renews my strength. I continually try to rescue all the lost animals of the world, you know, one animal at a time... For now, I am nurturing my sweet little pets and enjoying quality time with them. On a lighter side... For my Christmas cards, I always like to dress the animals up and torture them with a photo session. Well, this year, no one but Teeny was having it, so Teeny was the Christmas card this year. I think I should come out with a line of greeting cards just featuring Teeny. What do you think...

Growing up Teeny...

2009-10-02T18:13:00.000-07:00

There are no words, the pictures say it all... Teeny, Teeny, Teeny

2009-09-25T12:01:00.001-07:00

Hello! It has been a while since I have even felt like blogging. With Moki gone, I must confess that my spirits have been low and my energy had all but puttered out. But I am bounding back and last Sunday, after a morning of safari photography, I came home to the hubby and Spike snoozing on the couch together. My heart warmed, as it does every time I come home and I'm greeted with dancing feet and wet kisses. My animals help heal all wounds more so than time ever will. My suggestion to those who are sad and lonely and need a little cheering up, go rescue an animal!

Goodbye to my boy...

2009-09-01T08:48:00.000-07:00

My beautiful boy is no longer with us and he no longer has the chance for a forever home. My heart is heavy and my backyard is empty. A disastrous set of events unfolded last week and that is all the I can say about it. I had put this off for a week, because I knew that I could not make it through this without a red face and blurred vision, but Moki deserves this...
What a wonderful little man you were, so full of life and smiles even though life had not been so kind to you. Your smile and dancing feet brought so much joy into our lives. Though we could not keep you as our own, you were part of our family and your spirit will forever remain embedded in our hearts. We dreamed of a home for you to call your own, a place for you to rest your head and call your kingdom. A place where hugs and kisses would be showered upon you for all times, where you could be someone's constant companion. Because in the end, little man, all you wanted was human love. I hope we gave you enough while you were here on earth with us and I can only pray that god has placed you on his lap in heaven. Please forgive us Moki. With all of our love...

Frogger Part II

2009-08-20T13:16:00.001-07:00

Here is the little man who needs a home so bad...frogger Moki.

Oh! Teeny and the gang...

2009-08-20T13:12:00.001-07:00

Poor Teeny! She always needs loving. Here are some images of her getting much needed attention, Max pleading with his eyes to get on the bed and Tasha waking up from a nap to Surprise! mom with a camera in her face!

The Fridge is a Magnet for Magnets...

2009-08-20T13:03:00.000-07:00

I am not fond of stainless steel fridges. But WHY, stainless steel is so in and classy and whatever. I cannot put magnets on a stainless steel fridge. My fridge tells the story of my life. You can learn a whole lot about Nick and I if you take the time to analyze all the stuff that clutters the front and sides of my poor little fridge. You will see our dogs' pictures, many of them, pictures of Nick and I, of our family, our friends... There is his sister's graduation notice, our Save-The-Date Magnet, our family crest, the humans guide to taking care of a dog, more pictures of my dogs and magnets that can tell you where I have traveled to in this world. The photo of Nick and I in the center is one of my very favorites done by my good friend and colleague, Erin Arsenault in High Point, NC. This is just a small portion of my fridge, can you learn anything about me? What does your fridge say about you?

It's My Birthday...

2009-08-20T12:31:00.001-07:00

Boy, oh boy, did I have a fabulous birthday or what. I spent the entire weekend with my husband, my mother and sister, and of course, the kidz. I also got a visit from my BFF and her husband. Nick and I had actually gone to Emerald Isle to photograph my friend's family on the beach Friday evening. Of course, it was an incredible session and we had so much fun. It was a great start to a fab weekend. Then my birthday came on Saturday and Nick started out the day with a breakfast for champions. I LOVE that he can cook, because if he couldn't, we would be eating fried bologna sandwiches or PBJ's. Take your pick! Anyway-so my mom and dad-in-law, Gary and Bennie, sent me a wonderful gift. A Canon Powershot. Now, I am a professional photographer. I own lots of cameras, but they are all so BIG. So I was tickled PINK that I now had my very own personal, pocket size camera. Moving up in the world, I am!! When I go to Girls Beach Week with my buddies, I never come home with pictures because I do not have a little camera that I can drop in my beach bag. Now I do, thanks mom and dad! AND THEN, my mom and sister upgraded my office from little rolling shelves to an actually desk with filing cabinets. I am so growing up now and am a big girl!!! I have wanted a deck systems for so long, especially after spending years hunched over what I was using as a desk, which was basically anything that the computer would fit on!! Thanks Mere and Mom. They are all too good to me! So then my sweet chef of a husband proceeded to fix an elaborate 5 star dinner. YUM! We started off with wine, from MyleStone Gallery and Wines thank you very much again Mere, and then we went on to more wine with our Sahsimi Tuna with Wasabi Glaze appetizer. It was so out of this world good that mom and I actually licked the plates. No shame. None at all. Then the main course consisted of Angus Porterhouse steaks from Fresh Market, buttery corn on the cob, mouth-smacking good mashed potatoes, and roasted asparagus. Have I mentioned how much I love my husband and that I have also gained 40 pounds since the day I moved in with him. We are foodies, what can we say! To finish this lavish dinner off, I had ordered myself my very own cake from Your Perfect Cake in Greenville, NC. Chocolate with chocolate ganache filling all covered in zebra print. Too cool. I felt like I had just turned 12 instead of 31! So I documented every minute of the day with my new camera and here are the images. Everyone should celebrate their birthdays as if you may not get another one. It may not be an important day to everyone, but to you and a few it is a very special day, the day you came into this world and blessed your family and friends with who you are and what you bring into their worlds!!

Frogger

2009-07-30T18:15:00.001-07:00

So Mr. Moki is, as everyone should know, very special! He survived the storm and then came out to enjoy the wonderful evening, froggy-style.

Summer Storms and Scared Puppies...

2009-07-30T17:53:00.000-07:00

This past Monday, we had a severe summer storm in Eastern North Carolina. Thunder shook the walls of our home and the streets were flooded within minutes of the torrential down pour. While Georgia, Spike and Tasha sleep soundly through the storm, Teeny, aka Scarlett, and Max were petrified and holed up in the bathroom. You know, in case of a tornado, Auntie Em, Auntie Em! So there was Max curled up and shivering, following me from room to room. When I made it to the bathroom to finish cleaning, Max plopped down on the floor and in flies Teeny (from her previous hiding place of under the couch) and into the tub she jumps, shivering all the way. Now, this sweet little girl is good when she gets a bath but it takes a lot of coaxing to get her into the bath tub. Well, little Miss Teeny only needs to hear thunder and she is ready for the tub...

Moki...Post Treatment

2009-07-08T13:03:00.000-07:00

So Moki the Man had his painful heartworm treatment performed by the wonderful staff at 10th Street Animal Hospital in Greenville! (Dr. Hayes went to vet school with my Aunt Margaret and that makes him okay in my book. Yes, I am a picky person when it comes to my veterinarians, but my dad and his brother and sister were and are vets. What can I say.) Back to Moki... After I picked up the smiling little man, and yes, as always Moki was smiling and as happy as he could be, I felt so guilty that I was determined to bring him into the house for the night. So that meant the cats had to be locked up and secured. Once the cats were out of sight, Moki came into the house and boy was it hard getting him out this morning. He napped the evening away, only moving his little eyes when I got up and moved around. He slept soundly in the spare bedroom and was back outside again this morning. Moki might have a home soon, so I am trying to soak up as much time with him as possible. Tears flood my eyes when I think of him leaving us, but he needs a good forever home so that he can always stay inside and get the loving he so deserves.

Sunday after the 4th

2009-07-08T09:40:00.000-07:00

Ahh! Another lazy Sunday with the family! We rarely get these days with work in the way so when we have them, they are so treasured. Here is Nick covered in the animals!! It just warms my heart to see them all smothering themselves! I guess I should get a bigger couch, but I know that they would still all pile up on each other anyway!

Farmville, NC on the Fourth of July...Small Town Charm

2009-07-08T08:52:00.000-07:00

In my early twenties, I sometimes pictured myself living in a big, bustling city and enjoying all the amenities that city life has to offer. Incredible eateries (because food and animals are the ONLY things that I spend money on), great concerts, museums, so many people that hardly anyone knows your business. I guess growing up in a small town where everything you do (or everything anybody does) is set under a microscope for examination can scare you and make you run for the big city lights. Though I have tried the big city and love to visit a big city (and eat my way through it, of course) I have returned to a small town to settle down and make a life. Farmville, NC is a small, quaint town outside of Greenville, NC. It is a town that I feel safe to walk in, where I walk down the street and people say hello, and where everyone knows the house you bought and someone they know has certainly lived in it at some point in time. I love that on Sunday morning, Main Street is deserted and the town stands still for a few hours. I love the painfully loud siren that alerts the volunteer fire department that a call has been made. I love to see people heading down Main Street to shop at our unique shops such as Farmville Furniture, Williams Jewelry, MyleStone Gallery, Windhem's and then stop in for a bite to eat at La Flama's, The Buzz Around, Farmville Cafe and Bonnie's. I love that our theater and arts council draws people from other communities and on event nights the streets are alive with people that make this little town come to life and sparkle for what it really is... a caring community where, as cheesy as it sounds, everyone knows your name! Visit Farmville!

Fourth of July Festivities!

2009-07-08T08:41:00.000-07:00

We could have certainly gone to the beach for the 4th or we could have gone back home to Virginia as well. But, you see, here in little quaint Farmville, the fireworks are literally set off in our backyard. As a matter of fact, the ash from the fireworks rained down on us the entire time! It was kind of like Fireworks Fallout! Anywho- we had a brilliant cookout thanks to my chef of a husband, and family and friends to enjoy the evening with and what an evening. All the puppies were in attendance as well. Moki joined the Wright Thompson pack in the yard for the entire day. Moki was so happy to be a part of our family, if only he like kitty cats, I would make him mine! So here are some images of Teeny, Georgia and Moki enjoying the hot Fourth of July!

Rescues

2009-07-01T12:24:00.000-07:00

As always, I am collecting stories of pets that have been rescued. Sometimes I wonder if I will be able to gather enough stories and then other times, I wonder if I can ever stop.
So I had the great pleasure of photographing the rescues of two extraordinary sisters. These are two individuals that take their time to foster dogs who need homes as well as work with their own organizations. Be sure to check out Hope Aid, http://www.hopeaid.org. I must say that I have been extremely inspired by their diligence and generosity. When you meet people like that, it makes you want to constantly do your best and see just what you can accomplish in this life.
Now for the doggies... Two were beautiful brindles, which I have always found fascinating. The patterns and colors create a texture that just begs to be touched. The larger brindle was definitely a camera lover. He strutted for me, flipped around in the grass like a supermodel in the surf. Very handsome man, indeed. The two girls were a little more camera shy. But that is just fine, most people are camera shy. It just takes looking for the one thing that will take their minds off the camera. For the smaller brindle, all it took was her mom! She perked right up and posed pretty as can be.
The tan little girl reminded me a lot of my Scarlett, aka Teeny. In some of the images, I am just amazed at the similarities. Though she was timid, she sure does look like a smiley dog, doesn't she?
In the end, I realized yet again how important it is to rescue. It is never an easy road, but what in life is ever easy!

Scarlett Time

2009-06-22T18:49:00.000-07:00

Scar, of course, is my now 19 month old "puppy." She is also now the largest animal in the house. Yeah... so I constantly create stories, personality quirks, nicknames, you name it, I will eventually think of it and apply it to the animals. Anyways, I strayed...Scarlett's story. For a good while, Scar's body grew tall and strong fast but her head stayed weeeeee little. So I made up a nickname for Scarlett with the tiny head... it is teeny. Not just teeny, but teeeeeeeeeeeny in a light little voice with major emphasis on the ee. She totally responds to teeny. Teeny, teeny, teeny has done it again. Now that is a line from a song that came out in the late eighties or early nineties, and I, of course, exchanged the original lyrics with Teeny! Let me know if you can name that tune!!
Here are a few images of Teeny lounging with Nick. Such a sweet little girl, I tell you!

Snoozing Max

2009-06-22T15:53:00.000-07:00

Max is my oldest dog! And he is also the love of my life. He has been through it all with me, breakups, deaths, moving, school and marriage... Well, Max has always tickled me pink in his sleeping habits. He prefers to be touching someone while he sleeps but of course it has to be on his terms. No snuggling for him, he prefers to nestle in the bend of my legs. Right now he is curled up near me, he always wants to be close. Of course, if his feelings get hurt or there is not a comfortable spot left, he runs to the bedroom to nest in his bed. Poor little guy. But recently, my fav thing is when Max falls asleep in the most uncomfortable positions. I know it has to be painful, but he is sleeping soundly and sometimes his little mouth falls open and he starts to snore. Too precious and no I do not need to get a life!!

2009-05-18T14:29:00.000-07:00

Moki will soon be courtesy listed with Annabelle's Pit Bull Rescue. Wish us luck. This is such a bitter sweet process. Moki is a part of our family, but unfortunately we cannot keep him. He deserves a farm with an owner who is okay with rubbing him for a few hours a day!

Lazy Sunday with the Family

2009-04-05T16:15:00.001-07:00

A beautiful weekend, rare and beautiful with nothing to do...

Look, it's Moki!

2009-04-01T16:20:00.000-07:00

Handsome pit bull looking for loving and loyal forever home!
So Moki is still hanging out at the Thompson homestead. The little guy has put weight on and enjoys lots of treats, long walks, lots of treats, a comfy green chair that I am sure could possibly be a family heirloom of sorts, maybe...with lots of treats. Moki also is quite fond of playing football and then getting some more treats!
Charming Moki! If you could only meet him...

Mr. Bumble Bee

2009-04-01T16:10:00.000-07:00

My oldest dog, Max, LOVES to chase bumble bees, like a fairy prince tiptoeing through the tulips. He dances after them for hours... Well, I bought Mr. Bumble Bee to spice up my barren, dismal and sad yard thinking Max would love the bumble bee. Max does love the bee, but mostly as an alternative to a fire hydrant. Too bad for Mr. Bumble Bee.

Moki...Three Weeks Later

2009-03-09T19:04:00.001-07:00

So the abandoned, starved and scarred pit bull that found his way to my home three weeks ago is still with us and we have given him a proud name...Moki. He is our proud little foster dog. We have tried so hard to find a proper foster home for him, but no one can take the little man. So Moki is still hanging with us. With each passing day, he is not as bony and his smile is bigger. He has taken to Nick so much so that he literally will lay in Nick's arms. Just a big ol' ball of mushy love, that's what Moki is and all he wants is a home to call his own and unconditional love and understanding.

Pit Rescue

2009-02-19T06:12:00.000-08:00

I may not be able to help all the animals that need saving, but I can certainly try...one dog at a time! This is Fella. He came to us last night. Someone was not so nice to him, but it has not darkened his spirit. All he wants is to be loved, we are hoping we can help that happen.
P.S. Fella is enamored with my husband and a BIG THANKS to Mere for finding the guy!

Check out Miss Scarlett

2009-01-21T12:45:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite places in Beaufort or most of North Carolina is Handscapes Gallery on Front Street. They send out a newsletter each month and each letter has a Furry Friends section. Take a look at who is famous. Thank you Handscapes Gallery!!

Alli

2009-01-21T12:22:00.000-08:00

After dinner on a Friday night, Nick and I were on our way home when I spotted a little dog running from door to door on Main Street. I knew we had to go back and find out what was going on. Needless to say, Alli came right up to me and jumped right in the car. I knew she belonged to someone who loved her. She stayed with us over the weekend. We took her on long walks hoping someone would recognize her, we put up flyers and called the police department and vet clinic. Nothing. Monday came and I had to go to work. At that point I was down because we had not found her home. She had such a sweet face and just wanted to be loved. But finally, someone contacted us and we had found her home. Alli was with us for three days and she was such a little sweetheart, I was a little sad that she had to leave. But I knew this was the right thing. She needed to go back to her home. But if she should ever need a home...

Syd Vicious

2008-11-24T16:23:00.000-08:00

Project Christmas Card 2008

2008-10-13T16:58:00.000-07:00

So I have really gotten excited about making my Christmas cards. Last year, we used images from our wedding and the card was absolutely beautiful. I was not quite sure how I was going to make this years card as good as last years. Then it hit me, dress the animals up in winter attire. So here is a sneak peek at some of Sunday's Project Christmas card outtakes.

Rescued

2008-10-07T17:41:00.000-07:00

A four hour trip to the western part of the state during a gas shortage and with prices for pretty much everything high...priceless. We met a wonderful couple who have opened their home and hearts to a pack of Weimaraners. It was quite possibly the best moment of our first anniversary weekend. We were on cloud nine after visiting with these dogs. Here is a peek!

Ode to Sunshine

2008-09-10T18:01:00.000-07:00

I met this sweet little dog briefly and cannot wait to see her again. She reminds me of our George! A little timid but such a sweet, loving heart!

Hurricane Hanna

2008-09-10T17:39:00.000-07:00

This is what Tasha did the morning Hanna dumped buckets of rain and fiercely blew all around us!

Dog Dayz at the Beach

2008-09-07T14:00:00.000-07:00

We were very lucky to get a few days at the beach with some friends. The first morning there, we rose with the sun and hit the beach. As we were walking, we saw an old dog come down from one of walkways. He joined us for our walk. We figured it was his morning routine. He splashed in the waves and then preceded to walk between us until we came across a larger group of people. He moved on with them. We did not know his name or his story but he brightened our morning!!

Twisty- The Neighborhood Cat

2008-08-26T17:24:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, a woman moved into my mother's neighborhood with all her cats. They roamed the streets, lounged on the neighbors' porches and pooped in my mom's back yard. There was this one gray tabby with short capped ears that always sparked my attention. He was so painfully shy though, he would run away if you looked at him. Well, the woman moved away and this little gray tabby was left behind. Heartbreaking. But my mother's neighbor now cares for him and loves him. But Twisty- as he is called- misses his buddies. Mom will find him looking at the empty house across the street, hoping his pals with pop up anytime. Personally, I think he his grateful that he now has all the food and attention!!

Dog TV

2008-08-24T15:29:00.000-07:00

There are times when I can sit and watch the kidz play for longer than I am willing to admit. But nonetheless it is true! This next series is so typical, but I giggle everytime.

Max and Scarlett chewing sticks. Scarlett wants to grow up and be just like Max.

Max pauses for a good back scratch. The condition were perfect for this moment- nice warm sunlight, freshly chewed stick, feeling super - let's roll.

Georgia sees Max left vulnerable and in a blur swoops in on Max, attacks and exits. She may only have three legs, but she is the fastest pet we got!!

THE MUTT-LEY CREW

2008-08-23T09:52:00.000-07:00

We have long been animal lovers!! Especially the ones that nobody else wants. Our goal in life is to provide a warm loving home to an animal that wondered the streets and had nowhere to call home. We kinda prefer our animals' companionship to most people. No offense but they entertain us, make us exercise, warm our hearts and remind us that we are not quite ready for children. So here is the crew, the pack and a pack we are. Seven of us total-two humans and five animals. Sometimes I wonder how five animals under my roof happened (especially when the 9 month old puppy is racing around the house terrorizing the rest of the crew) and then I remember (that is when that same 9 month old puppy is snuggled up next to me watching TV). WE LOVE ANIMALS. Welcome to the Animal House!

Max is the oldest. He loves frisbee and is a complete push over. My calm one!

Georgia! My three legged wonder. Shy and a smiley bug, Georgia is our princess

Scarlett-this is all you need to know about Scarlett. Nine months old!!

Spike! A big, fluffy cat. He is the epitomy of a cat and he is dangerously BRILLIANT.

Tasha aka schiky!! The littlest of our pets appeared on our doorstep almost three Christmas' ago. She is a dog trapped in a cat's body and that's just the beginning!