Archive for December, 2010

Snow Dogs

Thursday, December 30th, 2010

Baker and Alex watch the snow fall

Yesterday I was telling a friend about my new dog, Baker. She’s been thinking about getting a dog. “But I wouldn’t want to have to walk one in this weather,” she protested, glancing outside at the snow on the ground and the dreary day.

Yes, it is something we humans mind – but the dogs are eager to go outside no matter what. We don’t have a fenced yard, so every time they go out my routine is something like this: (more…)

Happy holidays!

Monday, December 27th, 2010

Alex enjoys his Christmas present!

We had a lovely Christmas with 8+ inches of snow. Alex and Baker are enjoying their present, a fake fur throw from FetchDog. I bought it to dress things up for the holidays and to cover a favorite chair which got tattered by Alex’s puppy teeth. Alex and Baker love it! It works as a crate pad too, for long winter naps. What did Santa bring your dog?

A Christmas with Dogs

Friday, December 24th, 2010

To all  my readers, thank you for your support and friendship. May you have a peaceful holiday season with your loved ones. Here is one of my favorite dog poems of all time. Enjoy!

A CHRISTMAS WITH DOGS

– Taken from the Internet: Author unknown

It’s the day before Christmas, and all through the house,

the puppies are squeaking an old rubber mouse.

The wreath which had merrily hung on the door

is scattered in pieces all over the floor.

The stockings that hung in neat little rows

now boast a new hole in each of the toes.

The tree was subjected to holiday whims,

and now, although splendid, is missing some limbs.

I catch them and hold them. Be good I insist.

They lick me, then run off to see what they’ve missed.

And now as I watch them, the thought comes to me,

that theirs is the spirit that Christmas should be.

Should children and puppies yet show us the way,

and teach us that joy that should come with this day?

Could they bring the message that’s written above,

and tell us that Christmas is all about love!

The Best Gift Ever!

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

Alex (top) and Baker

Since Emily died in February 2009, Alex and I have been a pack of two, and we have become very close. Our daily routines have melded into a comfortable rhythm of walks and play time and quiet time. But for the last 20 years, I have always had at least two dogs, and when one passed away, I found a certain comfort in knowing that their life overlapped with the ones remaining. I got Alex as a puppy in the last year of Emily’s life, and I treasure the photos of them together. I think of all of them as a chain of hearts, each connected to the next. Thus, I have been thinking for some time of getting another dog as a companion for Alex. I thought I would get another English springer, and I checked out the dogs on the Springer Rescue site weekly, if not daily. Occasionally, I checked the Welsh Springer rescue site as well, but Welsh springer rescues are few, as it is one of the rarer breeds in the US, and breeders are extremely careful in placing their puppies with forever homes. But, in even the best of homes circumstances can change, and that is why Baker,  a lovely five year old Welsh springer, was up for adoption in early November. (more…)