A Constant Companion

I thought when my youngest had outgrown hanging onto my legs, or needing me every minute, I would be free - in a sense. 

Enter Kaiser. 

Whether I like it or not (and many times I just need space!) - he follows me wherever I go.

Waiting at my feet while I cook.  Hoping I will drop bits of something good to him. 

Unfortunately for him, I am not a messy cook!

But looking at his face, he does occasionally cause me to want to drop him something - just for being cute.

If I step outside, he is there waiting.

While I am on the computer, he makes himself comfortable.  Nearby.

When I sit in bed to read.  He waits.

When he sees I am staying a while, he gets comfortable.

I begin to draw my bath.  Kaiser tries to look cute so I won't kick him out.

Or throw him in!  (lol)

A dog can be a pain (yes I said it), but he does make up for it in cuteness, and in unconditional love. 

Not to mention, he takes lots of roughhousing from Joshua - all in the name of play.

Also, Jalyn and Joshua especially adore him.

Even I do - at times!

Kaiser the Show Dog

Kaiser looked like this just a few days ago.  Scruffy and unkempt looking.  But so cute.  Still like a baby.  Fluffy furball he was.
But, his furry little self was developing matts - like overnight it seems.  On his chest.  I tried brushing and brushing - to no avail - and didn't want to hurt him.
So, off to the groomers he went - for his first haircut. The lady at the groomers told me he would look so handsome, but not really like a puppy anymore.  I felt like a mom with a 2 yr old - full of curls - who was getting their first haircut, and then they would end up looking like a big boy.

And that is exactly what happened.  Just look at him. I couldn't believe it - looks like a totally different dog!  Jalyn was freaking out - she misses the furball!  She said he already looked like an old man - but now he looks like a really old man!!  Joshua's exact words were, "OOOHHH, I am so proud of Kaiser!!  He's so dorable!!"

It was so traumatic for him!  There was so much barking - and doggy stench!  He was petrified there!  He has slept ever since we got him home!

This old man actually turned 5 months today!  Not sure if we will keep up this new look for him or not.  Oh, and he lost all of his black fur - except for the under belly - he's all silver now! 

Now I had better wake him up before he decides he's done sleeping when it's time for us to go to bed!

Just Curious? - A Doggy Question

As I take Kaiser out in the freezing cold, and hear his feet crunching the freezing grass,

and as I stand there shivering under the stars,

or in the bright of day, bracing against winter's winds,

I often wonder, "Just how do people do this in REALLY frozen places?" 

Curious minds want to know - or at least mine does.  Does a dog willing step out into snow and go potty? 

Or is it a little like when it's raining here, and I have to drag Kaiser out the door, give him a little push,

and force him to go into the pouring rain? 

Or are "northern" dogs just so used to the frigid temps and snow on the ground, that they think little of it?

Do they like to be out when it is snowy?  Like to run around?

Do you bundle them up?  In cute little sweaters?  Like the one Kaiser keeps trying to chew off,

and the one I love to put on him - just because it's too funny - and too cute?

Do you take them out on a leash?  And stand there shivering - waiting for them to do their business?

Really - any of you snow people, fill me in... 

For Pet Lovers Only

I am a researcher at heart.

Whatever it is I am interested in -

I must know it.

Honestly, I can become slightly obsessed!

Just a little.

Whether it was when I was trying to get pregnant,

being pregnant, breastfeeding, raising children,

becoming a Christian, getting to know God, the bible,

whatever it may be,

I read about it, get lots of books, search the web,

I pour over and over it - until I know it.

As well as I can :)

When I got Kaiser, I wanted to feed him food that was good for him.

I researched dog food.

I went to pet stores, grocery stores,

read just about every website online, comparing dog foods.

I read vet websites, forums

 (some fights and fueds - what people will fight about!),

celebrity websites, many articles, etc.

Yes, I  know - obsessed.

This is what it is like without school on my brain!

Anyway - my final results are in:::::

There is NO perfect dog food.

BUT, there are lots of bad dog foods.

And I have decided not to buy those.

I did learn a lot about feeding dogs fresh food -

and have decided to do so, along with some better dog food.

So, obsessive as it may sound, I actually made a big pot of people/doggie food.

See, it looks good, doesn't it.

It's got chicken, carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes,

apples, and brown rice.

I filled 6 containers, put one in the fridge, and put the others in the freezer.

I mixed it with some of his food -

as I will do once a day.

I have never seen him eat so happily!

Really.

See how yummy it was?

Just look at that wet beard and sweet face!

It is worth it.

I figure a container a week, I will only have to make a pot

every 5-6 weeks.

Hey, it's much better that whatever mystery meat

is in canned dog food.

Besides, I think I want him to stick around for a while.

(Ha. Ha.)

Little Dog Syndrome

I have it...

I can't help it, after having such a big dog for so long,

it's just so cute to have a little one!

One where you can do things like this to:

Today we wake up to cold temps (for us),

and I gleefully say it will be that way all week.

So, Kaiser gets a sweater.

And other than possibly keeping him warm,

it makes me laugh everytime I look at him!

For that, it's worth it!

And just look at this face!

Can't wait for Jalyn to wake up -

she will gush.

He is her baby!

Tea and Cookies

Today was another beautiful, sunny, cool, glad-to-be-alive kind of days!

Me and Clay made some hot tea (his idea).

I am much more of a coffee person,

but an occasional cup of tea is wonderful.

I should do it more often.

Some of the supplies.

I made a cup of the raspberry tea.

I have to add a little cream to mine.

I also made a big batch of chocolate chip cookies.

I got settled in with my hot tea and my psychology book.

Serious reading and studying to do.

(Made better by the open windows and blowing breeze)

And this little guy curled up next to me.

He too enjoying the fresh cool air.

Finally, October is Here!

Aaahhhh.
That is me - breathing deeply.
The breath of open windows,
and blowing curtains.

After days (every day so far in October)
of rain and heat,
a cool front blew in.
Bringing in lots of rain as we slept,
lightening, and thunder.

We woke up to a cool but cloudy day.
I wondered when we would ever see the sun.

Then it came.
Brilliantly.

Just in time for sunny new Mums

And a newly placed pumpkin.

Brilliant blue skies.

A puppy, loving the cool breeze.

And loving playing in the mulch near another new "fall-ish" plant.

Pretty yellow wildflowers.



I am so happy and grateful for a weekend of cool breezes.
I sooo needed some fresh air,
blowing around me, and through me.

This is what God the LORD says— he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it:
Isaiah 42:4-6


Have a happy weekend!

Life With a Puppy

Kaiser

Puppy Kennel

Puppy Bed

Puppy Chew Toys

My scarecrow that keeps getting it's straw torn off and has been dragged around my living room - by puppy teeth

Puppy food and fresh water

A dark hallway - with all my doors closed - so that puppy will not potty on my carpet

Puppy Cuteness