Christmas 2016

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas!

How I shop

 

Let me explain.  I am a minimalist with my outside Christmas decorations.  A few lights and a small tree on my front porch, Christmas mail box cover and a wreath on the door.  That's it.  No flashing lights, no tacky yard art, no music, no flood lights or rotating shapes on the house. 

 

So what did I buy today (Black Friday) at Walmart?  Dachshund yard art with lights!  How could I resist - he looks like Bentley and it was only $20! Will it go outside or inside - that is an unanswered question for now.

Reluctant weiner dog

Let's just say that he was not too excited about posing in the Weiner Mobile, but he did!

One tired little dog

After riding for 12 hours in the car Bentley was ready to crash on the nice big hotel bed.  Only when we travel does he get this privilege!

My llittle hat

Oh dear. My mama says that this little hat makes me look cute, but I'm not sure it's really my style. It's terribly plain, no ribbons or flowers. And it's terribly small with only a little teeny tiny brim. What's a little diva girl to do?

A weekend of firsts

This was a weekend of many firsts for Baylee.  After much debating and thinking through the process I decided to take her along to the dog show in Dallas.  I've felt for a long time that Bentley needed a doggie companion on our show trips; other more experienced show people always bring along a companion if they are just showing one dog.  I ordered a crate that would hold both of them - the others I have were either for one dog or for several. I packed all the gear and off we went on Thursday morning.

 

 

What I didn't account for in all my thinking things through was that Baylee had never been on a long road trip.  She has never really been anywhere other than trips to the pet store, the vet, and to the Botanical Garden for Dog Days.  She isn't much of a walker so I rarely take her out in the neighborhood or to the park.  As much as I always think about the dogs and how they perceive activities and events I never gave this a thought...until we were on the road. The only road trip she had ever been on was her ride to her new life when I brought her home from Louisiana.  I'm sure she was a bit puzzled at times, but she took it all in stride!

We stopped at a rest stop about an hour from Dallas for a potty break and walk.  She had never had to potty on a leash, but caught on quickly.  I munched on lunch while she and Bentley stretched their leashes as far as they could and sniffed all the interesting smells.  Then back in the car and on to Dallas.  I put down the second row seat so (1) I could see them and they could see me and (2) they would get plenty of air.  It was a hot day and I knew that at times they might catch a little sun. There was no napping; I had four little eyes glued on me every time I snuck a glance into the rear view mirror.



While we checked into our hotel I left the dogs in their crate - what a scene they caused!  So many people stopped to chat and we had a lot of fun.  I only had the not so great cell phone with me, but snapped this picture.  Baylee's first hotel stay worked out fine!  She quickly learned that her half -howl half-bark was not appropriate.  We had a little hesitation on the first elevator ride, but she followed Bentley, the expert, on the elevator and then looked up at me like, "Ok, I'm trusting you here".  Most importantly, she was happy sleeping in the crate and we had no accidents!

Baylee was very patient while Bentley was getting ready and in the ring. She was happy when we walked around and enjoyed the attention she got.  The barking and noise didn't really bother her although once when several really large dogs started barking I could tell that she was intently listening to their bark and wondered if there was a doggie message being transmitted!

Friday evening it was time for some fun!  We headed out in rush hour traffic to Klyde Warren Park near downtown Dallas.  This beautiful 5.2 acre park is built over a freeway and offers a quiet place to relax in the heart of the city.  There is a very nice dog friendly restaurant in the park.  Bentley and I ate there last year, but I really wasn't hungry on this visit so we didn't eat. I'll do a post on the park on Small Simple Things of Life soon and put the link on this blog.

We parked across the street and as we were waiting for the traffic light to change I realized that Baylee had never been in a busy city situation.  It was rush hour and traffic was heavy and moving fast on the street. When the light changed I stepped off the curb and, on cue, Bentley fell into place next to me.  He's a pro and she followed along!

Our first stop was at one of the waterscapes.  Neither dog was interested in getting in the water or getting a drink.  I did put water on Baylee as she was really hot - it's all that fur that gets in the way! There weren't many people there that night and all evening activities had been cancelled out of respect for the law enforcement officers who were killed the night before.  We enjoyed the cool breeze while sitting in the shade.  Several children and adults came up and asked to pet the dogs.  I always love it when people politely ask to pet them!

Doing what hound dogs do best- putting their noses to the ground!

The park was very relaxing and we enjoyed walking around.  I did drop the lead while we were in the middle of the large grassy area and they stayed close to me.

When we got home I threw the new crate pads that I had bought on the sofa.  Baylee, feeling quite pleased with her new skills and feeling like the Queen of Everything, curled up on them and proceeded to take a long, long nap! 

The Water Dog

Over the past few days we've had rain.  Not a lot, but enough that small puddles have appeared in the neighborhood and water has accumulated along the curb in places.  This is the perfect situation for Sawyer who loves water. He loves water in any form except, of course, the water in the bath tub!

When we went outside early this morning it was still raining lightly, didn't bother him one bit.  The backyard was under water and there he went, splashing across the yard in the rain! Yes, he was a mess, but I couldn't stop him from having a little fun.

On tonight's walk it was the same way; I had to let him splash through the puddles!  After all, an adventure dog has to have a little fun!

Organization Inspiration

I've been trying to figure out a way to organize all the leashes, collars, harnesses, and leads that I have scattered around in various spaces.  I've been working on a little applique wall hanging with cup hooks that I intended for this purpose, but it only has 6 hooks and isn't steady enough to support anything other than a small dog collar.

The previous owner, for some reason, had put this belt holder on the inside of the linen closet door.  I've never used it until I had one of those lightening-bolt moments of inspiration.  I moved it onto the inside of the cupboard door in the laundry room.  It's perfect!

There are 31 hooks on this thing.  If I have any empty hooks after I round everything up, then I think that means that I can buy a few more!

Misery & Joy

This weekend Bentley has run the gamut from miserable to being very pleased with himself.

Saturday started with an early morning drive (3 hours) to Navasota, Texas for a dog show.  He won his class, but that was as far as he got.  Oh well, there's always next time!

He was very relaxed!

 

 

After the show we headed into Navasota for me to do a little yarn shopping at the WC Mercantile.  While I enjoyed the creaking of the floor and the nice selection of yarn Bentley was not too happy.  He had been zipped into the doggie stroller!



Mom, what an insult!  I can't believe you zipped me into this thing.  Really!

 

Is that a sad face or what!

 

Today was much better!  This afternoon we went downtown to the Starving Artist Show that is held every April in historic La Villita. Bentley is a great shopper-he is content to follow along and wait patiently while I look at things.  No, he doesn't carry packages! And, he loved all the attention he received! He was in his element being petted and admired.

 

Stage of the Arneson River Theater



Of course, I can't go downtown without a walk along the Riverwalk to my favorite Mexican restaurant. They are dog friendly in their outside seating area along the banks of the San Antonio River.  Bentley was patient while we waited for 30 minutes and he was quite happy to sit under the table while I ate. Of course, I had brought a small plastic bag of chopped up hot dogs for him to snack on!

 

Oh what a difference a day makes!

 

 

 







Dachshunds and Bluebonnets

 Is it just me or do dachshunds and bluebonnets (the State Flower of Texas) just go together?

Hey, Mom you're wearing sunglasses.  Did you forget that the sun is shining very brightly today and you want me to sit here and "look cute"? I can't keep my eyes open. Can we go now?



 

 We love Dog Days at the San Antonio Botanical Garden!

Are you tired, Bentley?

Maybe if I pretend to be asleep she won't make me go in the ring.  NOT!

Bentley has never done this before, but while waiting to go in the ring he laid down and took a little nap.  Not sure if he was tired or he just decided to make the best of the situation and take a nap!

Those ears, oh my!

Little Blossom loves the winter sun.  But I love her ears and her tail!

Just another day

Today has been a fun day, although a long one.  Up early and on the road to the dog show in Rosenberg, Texas (about 2 1/2 hours east of us). As I started out to the car with the first load of last-minute-things-to load Bentley ran ahead of me through the kitchen, through the laundry room and was waiting excitedly at the door into the garage.  This little guy knew he was going on a road trip! He went in and out with me as I loaded and then was ready to hop in the front seat and settle in.  I think he knows the clues: lots of grooming and fussing over him, a bath the night before, and then up earlier than usual.  He's too smart!

The sky was just beginning to turn light along the horizon as we pulled up onto the freeway.  I love watching the sunrise while driving.  Maybe that's one of the reasons I like these day trips to shows.  There were no clouds this morning, just a clear sky with the morning star shining down on us. The temperature dropped below freezing for a while and there was a heavy frost that made the pastures and fields look like snow had fallen.  Beautiful!

The show venue was a little tricky to find; thank goodness we had plenty of time.  It was inside one of the show barns with a packed dirt floor.  Oh joy trying to push a cart with a crated dog and bags of gear piled on it!  Fortunately I had worn sneakers to drive over and then changed into dress boots before walking inside.  I kept Bentley off the floor at first, but then decided to just not worry about him.  I gave him a quick brushing and a spray with finishing spray and he was ready for the ring. 

 

I had one minor panic when I realized I couldn't find his show lead anywhere.  I know I had it when we left the car, but where it is now is a mystery.  I had a lesser quality lead with me, but managed to find one vendor that sold the martingale leads. Lesson learned to always have an extra with me and to keep all of them secured. 

So how did the little guy do in the ring?  He was great!  Very relaxed and walked fairly well.  The judge was very nice, but didn't give me time to stack him.  She did everyone that way - I think she knew what she was looking for in the breeds she judged. He took Reserve Winners Dog and made his Mom very proud! I did have problems keeping that long dachshund nose out of the dirt - he loved it!

Same song, different verse

I didn't think the day would ever come when I could go somewhere without a) a small bag of Goldfish and b) a plastic bag containing a diaper, training pants, or a pair of size 2 underwear in my purse.

Now look at what's in my purse.  Dog treats and poop-pick up bags.  Oh well, life is good.

Cheering 'em on!

BLOSSOM:  I'm so cute, why just look what my Mama bought me!  A little cheerleader outfit!  I've never had an outfit before, but now I feel so special. I'm ready to cheer my team on to victory.

They're winning the Sugar Bowl tonight!   Yes, I now think I'm a "Hotty Toddy Girl"!

BENTLEY:  I'm sporting my nice warm fleece jacket to support my team.  They, uh, had a bad night in Houston this past week.  I don't take all this sports stuff too seriously, but I love my jacket.