The Fur Babies!!

Today, I'm linking up with a fellow blogger for 'Show Us Your Pets' at Kelly's Korner.  I saw this and couldn't resist!! 

Jackson came first!  I got him in August 2009, a short month after I had bought my house.  He was 6 months old when he was brought into the Humane Society as a stray.  So, his first 6 months are a mystery.  If only he could talk!  He's now 2 1/2 years old.

Right after coming home from the Humane Society in his cone.  Man he hated that thing and so did my legs!



Oh the puppy stage!  Destroying a huge pillow!

Such a smiley puppy

Playing in the fall

Helping mommy rake leaves!  Or rather, jumping in my leaf pile!

Mr. Santa Dog

His first "short" haircut...he's actually pretty small

Jackson's 1st Birthday



Bella came along in July 2010.  She was 6 months old and came from a family off of Craigslist.  She was rescued from Animal Control in Marshall, Missouri.  She is a pretty girl that loves to shred paper and eat her toys!  Bella is my cuddle buddy!

Bella's 1st Christmas (2010)

1st Birthday

She always looks sad in her pictures!



Jackson trying to help mommy with crafts!

They say you take more pictures of your first born...this is definitely true in my case.  Poor Bella!  It's also harder to get a good picture of her, she moves fast!

Obedience Class & Other Life Updates

Bella's obedience class has been very trying for both her and I.  The first class, I had an awful time trying to find the kennel!  Apparently, my GPS needs an update so I was having trouble finding the correct road!  Once I found the road, actually finding the kennel was still hard (and by now, it was dark!)!  After driving the road (and paying attention to the mailbox numbers) several times, I saw a small (maybe 8x10) sign advertising obedience classes at the end of a gravel driveway.  Low and behold, this was the kennel!  I expected a bigger sign!

I take Bella into class (her pulling me the entire way), and about ten minutes later, the trainers strongly suggest a pinch collar to help control her.  I oblige and pay $35 for this pinch collar!  She does alright for the rest of the class, but mainly wanted to lay on the floor and not participate.  For the next week (after the class), I worked diligently with Bella.  She was doing great!  We even managed to take some long, two mile walks (all 3 of us!) using Bella's pinch collar. 

Fast forward to this past Tuesday, and we had class #2!  We even arrived early and I was optimistic!  In the beginning of the class, all the dogs and owners are squished together in a long row of chairs against a wall.  About the time class was beginning, Bella decided she'd had enough!  She kept growling and barking at the dogs on either side of us.  The trainers noticed this and suggested to get rid of the pinch collar because it can cause aggression!  Ugh (the one I just paid $35 for!)!  They now suggested a Halti head collar.  Thank goodness I had the one I've used on her before in my bag!  She never would adjust to it.  After fitting her with the new harness/head collar, we joined the others.  Bella was so upset and only wanted to pout!  The poor thing keeps getting a new collar sprung on her at the beginning of every class!  With some tips from the trainers, I was able to get Bella to follow some commands and participate.  After class, I spoke with the trainers about Bella's behavior during class.  Apparently she's still shy (I thought she had outgrown this) and just very overwhelmed by the amount of strange dogs in a small place!  So, we still have some work to do and only 4 more weeks of class...I can do this!

On a different note, I weighed myself this week and I am down 4.5 pounds.  This isn't great (because it was over the course of a month), but it's a start!!!  I have set a short term goal; I would like to lose another 10 pounds by Christmas. 

Here's some pics of the pups after a long walk!

A Leather Fetish

No, it's not me!! 

What's that you might ask...it's Bella's new leather leash that she HAS to have for obedience class!

And those are bite marks on said brand new leash!!

I went to orientation for her class on Sunday.  The instructors were very adamant about having a four foot leather leash for the class.  Since I didn't have one, I bought a new one at the kennel.  I brought it home and put it on Bella (she goes crazy with excitement when I put a leash on her) so that hopefully she would learn to not associate going somewhere with the leash.  For whatever reason, she didn't mind having the leash on and didn't act like a maniac!  A short time later, I was on the computer when I heard one of them chewing on something.  I turned around to see Jackson chewing on Bella's new leather leash!!  Come to think of it, he's also chewed up several pairs of leather shoes (my own fault for leaving them out).  I guess the guy has a leather fetish!  But how could you not love these cute faces??

Thankful Thursday!

In an effort to be a cup is half full person, I present:

• I am so blessed with a wonderful and very supportive family!  They mean everything to me!
• I am thankful for my dogs...they give me something to rush home to.  Jackson and Bella provide me with entertainment in the evenings and they're awesome cuddle buddies.
• My friends are awesome, even though we are spread out!
• I am thankful for my job and house...both things seem like a luxury in this cruddy economy!
• I am really looking forward to being in Cape for 5 days during Thanksgiving this fall!

P.S. What's up with this 100 degree weather again?  I thought we were done with that!

Wordless Wednesday!

Roll the windows down...

"Roll the windows down, turn the radio up!  Let the wind blow through our hair"

I love this song by Alabama and it explains the gorgeous weather today!  I'm so glad it's beginning to cool off a little.  Okay...I'm off for a QUICK trip to Cape to drop off the dogs!