My Boy is featured on Up Country's website!

My Moosie boy is an Up Country celebrity! :-) For those of you who don't know the brand, Up Country is a fabulous company that makes doggie leashes and collars decked out in the cutest grosgrain ribbon patterns.
Last year, I submitted photos of Moose and Maui wearing our favorite UC collars into a photo contest they were holding (It was not so much a photography contest, but a cuteness contest :-)) and he was chosen in the top 50! They actually cut off the cutest part of the picture (he is standing over his beloved frisbee, smiling like a goon :-)
Check out the shot here in the gallery page. . he is image #50.
Way to go my little chunka-monka!

Family Movie. . .and a few tears

Last night, Phil and I sat down with the pups to watch Marley and Me. Maui curled up on my chest and fell asleep, while Moose sat on Phil's lap, staring at the screen, watching Marley's antics (I hope he didn't get any ideas!) It really was a wonderful movie, but by the end I was crying so hard I could hardly breathe. It was so sad and unfortunately, so true. At the very end, Owen Wilson (John Grogan) said something about dogs that I absolutely love. . . .

"A dog has no use for fancy cars, big homes or designer clothes. . .a water-logged stick will do just fine. A dog doesn't care if you're rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give him your heart and he'll give you his. How many people can you say that about? How many people can make you feel rare and pure and special. . . how many people can make you feel extraordinary?"

How true is that? I'm not going to get all sentimental and mushy, but I just have to put out there what a joy it is to have dogs. They can be as trying as children (I imagine) and certainly test your patience (and your home's carpeting :-)) when they're little, but it's so worth it. There is just nothing like coming home after a long, stressful day to a pup that is so happy to see you they can hardly stand it. . .they never judge, and never try to give advice. . .they just listen to your troubles and give big, sloppy heartfelt kisses.
Moose & Maui were so stinkin cute when they were babies (not that I'm biased!) Here's a few of my favorite shots from their teeny tiny days when we were first married (and before I knew anything about photography or had an SLR camera. . .please forgive the "snapshots" :-) )!

Baby Moose Feb. 2005

Baby Maui Oct 2005

Sleeping on the floor 2005

They helped us wash dishes

and listen to Dad as he played guitar
2006

Moosie and Phil, saturday afternoon nap 2005

Fall came
2005

Then winter. . .

And summer trips on Glen's boat
2006

Car rides. . .
2006

and LOTS of snuggles
2006

Now. . .Maui is 3 and Moose is 4 --- All grown up!

Spring is here!

Boy, am I glad to see the cold weather go. I suppose there's still that chance of snow on April fools day (hey, it's happened!) but Mr. Weatherman seems to think it's going to continue to warm up. When I walked out the door to work on the first day of Spring, I noticed these little beauties had popped up. I guess it's nature's way of reminding me that sun-tan weather is on it's way, and the day will come where I'll actually be wishing for those cool fall mornings again.

Brewster

This weekend my good friend Barley came over for a puppy play date with her Boston Terrier, Brewster. Brewster is by far Moose and Maui's best doggie friend, they're quite the little pack of terriers when they play. . it's very cute. After lunch, Barley and I took Brewster down by the river for a little photo shoot. Here's the little monkey at his best. . . . . .

The Brew dog, looking all serious

and being a goof. . .

Barley and Brew



Brewster loves sticks!


A quiet moment



Rolling around in the leaves




And they're off!

Frisbee Fun!

It would be an understatement to say that Moose and Maui love their frisbee. . . It is hands-down the favorite toy in the house. We frequently play frisbee on the weekends, but clearly have not been playing through the winter. So, today was a special day for the pups. . .the first real frisbee adventure of the year (yay for the warm weather today!) Watching them play together is hilarious, Moose's mission is to run after the flying frisbee, grab it and bring it back to Phil. Maui on the other hand just wants to grab it away from Moose, but she really doesn't know what to do with it once she has it. Poor Moose gets a bit frustrated with his lil sis and gives her a good grumble every now and then, he really is a good sport though. Here's a few shots of their antics. . .

Monkey #1

Monkey #2




Moose takes a potty break WITH the frisbee (I just HAD to post this one! :-)

Maui is determined to get it off him!

Hurry up Maui!

And they're back. . .

Oops! Frisbee got stuck in the brush

Not ready to give it up :-)


All done!!

ANOTHER snowy day!

The pups were just so cute this morning. We got about a foot of snow and Moose & Maui were NOT happy about going out to potty. It took a lot of bribing just to get them off the front step. Here's a few shots of the little rascals in their snuggly winter sweaters.
Mum. . .do we have to go out in THAT??