Ouch! Part Two

Well, turns out both my ears were inflamed, not just my right ear, although it was considerably worse.  Not gunky and no alien stuffs inside.

Paws crossed, it is just a one time deal cuz I hate going to the vets' office! Sure, the lobby isn't so bad, and the technician was super nice and understanding (she gave me lots of treats).  And sure, Mom brought the best kind of treats (meat), and I even did tricks for her in the exam room.  But... Mom still made me wear the muzzle; I'll admit, I was too nervous to be pissed off about that, but thinking about it now, I don't know if I can forgive her.  (Okay, I already did.)  (Dog Mom here: I guess I lost sleep over nothing....  He was a stress ball, but he actually didn't put up a fuss at all with the otoscope.)

I plan on making Mom's life Hell for the next two weeks while she tries to treat my ears! BOL

PS.  It is super hot here today.  No AC.  'Nuff said.

Ouch!

My right ear is ouchy today. /sad puppy face here/  Actually, it started getting ouchy yesterday, but Mom overlooked it because I have never had ear issues--ever!  Well, I'm glad this is a first because it sucks.  I can really sympathize with all those cockers, now!

Mom flushed my ear and put some Entederm medicine in it this morning, hoping that would soothe it.  She doesn't like taking me to the vet unless it is necessary because I'm such a fussball when it comes to being uncomfortable.  Anyways, the meds didn't help, and I am just as pathetic as ever.  Mom's wondering if there is something down the canal....

I have a vet appointment tomorrow morning at nine.  I hope they figure out what is going on.  Meanwhile, I'm going to spend the rest of the day feeling sorry for myself so that Mom gives me extra treats.

Think Like A Lawyer

It should say, "Drink Like A Lawyer."  Am I right, or am I right?!  BOL. 


Like a Boss

Hi Guys, I'm going to try a new hop for today! Don't worry, Mom is still making us some tasty Turkey treats later tonight.

One of Mom's favorite project dogs was put to sleep at the shelter last week, after several months of rehab work and attempts to get him into breed rescue. She was very sad that their efforts didn't pay off. So I decided to join up with Dogs n Paws, for Tasty Tuesday, which features adoptable pets and feature... wait for it....

...

...

BOSS!

Mom knows the lady who is fostering Boss, and he has been looking for a home for quite a few months now. Boss would like his own family to play and snuggle with. He's a handsome orange and white English Setter, from some great field lines, but he really wasn't much more than a yard dog before he joined his foster mom.  He is 4-5 years old and is microchipped, fully vaccinated, and neutered.

If you'd like to read more about him, check him out here: http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/22739981

(BTW, Boss is located in Idaho and cannot be adopted more than 8 hours away from the Boise area because his foster mom does pre-adoption home visits.)

Thanks for stopping by!

Someone did a Little Shopping....

Dog Mom here!

Who doesn't love TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Home Goods?!  Anyone?!  Is there some reason I should hate them, ie horrible treatment of their employees?!

For now, I'll stick with lovin' these stores.  I was in a neighboring city for a hair cut and stopped by their TJ Maxx just to see if they had any different or better stuff than ours (they usually do).  I had to strongly resist getting one of their outdoor beds in cute modern patterns, and I had to strongly resist getting another indoor bed, especially when I saw a nester that my dogs would enjoy.

I did get these:

Can you believe the collar was only three dollars?  The rubber stuffable toy, which at least appears to be as well made as any Kong (and about the size equivalent to the medium size), was only four dollars!  Steal.  You can never have too many food toys....

Now, I'm not in love with the heart shaped buckle--not exactly my style--but it's subtle enough.  I do think the blue print looks great on Sophie, and the quality of the collar seems really good--solid, straight stitching, a reinforced end/tip, and rivets for the buckle holes.  

Happy Monday Mischief!

One Sofa, Two Blankets, & Three Pillows

I hope your life is just as cozy as mine.

Love, Sophie

Thank You Everyone! This Newbie is Sweet & Versatile!

Well guys... it's raining today it was raining Thursday when I started writing this!  (Although, I don't know if that warranted an exclamation point; perhaps an upside down exclamation point would be more fitting.)

I'm going to do something loooong overdue and address my awards nominations!  (Now that warranted an exclamation point!)  Thank you all for nominating me for the awards.  Really.  You are pawsome!   

At first, Mom didn't realize nominations equaled receiving/being awarded the awards, so we were kinda waitin' for the results (as if there was a vote, ya know?).  Silly blogging newbie mistake.  And then, when we realized how these things really worked, Mom was in frustrating limbo land with a broken keyboard, so each post was completed between her smartphone and computer and just totally time consuming.  It was stifling.  She almost made me take a break from blogging altogether.  (Dog Mom here: I'll add, for a good month, my professors thought I wasn't making any effort to take notes either because my laptop was up [with outlines], but I wasn't typing away like a madwoman....)  Finally, we're cruisin' again.

As it happened, because we took so long to get around, we were nominated a couple times for the same awards, so we have many bloggers to thank!

First up, way back when this was a puppy blog, on May 14th (has it really been that long?!) that gorgeous Miss Harper Lee nominated us for the Super Sweet Blogging Award.  Our first award nomination ever.  We were thrilled that not only were people visiting our blog, but that people (or their pups) actually enjoyed our blog!  Woofee!  Thank you Miss Harper Lee!

Then, sweet Finn & Coralee from Bark & Chatter nominated us on May 23rd for the Super Sweet Blogging Award and the Versatile Blogging Award.  Two award nominations in one day!  We were feeling the love!  Thank you Finn & Coralee (and your cute kitties)!

On June 6th, Jessica from Beagles and Bargains nominated us for the Liebster Award!  Okay, Mom didn't even realize that was German, much less knew what it meant! But we were excited anyways.  And I think at about this time, that we started to realize that the "nominations" were the official awards, BOL.  Also, Mom had better take some tips from Jessica about not going broke while pampering us....  Mom's a professional student.... Just sayin'.  Thank you Jessica!

On June 17th, that handsome guy Roy and his mom Shefali on Following Roy nominated us for the Super Sweet Blogging Award and the Versatile Blogging Award!  Wasn't that generous of them?!  (Dog Mom here: y'all are not helping with Champ's growing ego....)  Thank you Roy and Shefali!

Finally, today, we were again nominated for the Super Sweet Blogging Award and the Versatile Blogging Award by handsome Teach at Tails of Teach!  BOL.  I am so sweet and versatile!  Everyone loves me, Mom!  I'm unstoppable!  Thank you Teach!

Now, onto the rules:

Super Sweet Blogging Award:
>Thank a blogger for nominating you.  Paws, check.
>Include the award image on your blog.  Paws, check.
>Nominated and notify a baker's dozen sweet blogs for this award.  See Below, check.
>Answer 5 Super Sweet questions: (Dog Mom here: I love sweets, so I'm going to answer these!)

Cookies or Cake?  Cake.  I love looking at, baking, decorating, and eating cakes!
Vanilla or Chocolate?  Chocolate anything!
What is your favorite sweet treat?  At the moment, I'll go with Toblerones!  Mmmmm....
When do you crave sweet things the most?  Every evening.
If you had a sweet name, what would it be?  Sweets?  Seems appropriate.

Versatile Blogging Award:
>Add the Versatile Blogger award photo on a blog post.  Paws, check.
>Thank the person who presented you with the award and link back to him or her in your post.  Paws, check.
>Pass the award along to 15 favorite bloggers.  See below.
>Contact the chosen bloggers and let them know about the award.  Paws, check.
>Share Seven Things About Yourself.

1. Sometimes I pee on my legs.  It's true.  (Dog Mom here: FYI, these are confessions from Champ, not me.)
2. Mom says I am a space guarder....  I call it the "Champ Zone."  She thinks I should share with other dogs better.
3. I do not like the neighbors' dogs (and they do not like me), although I am getting better about them thanks to lots of treats and games.
4. I am a wimp about ouchies.
5. I am learning how to skateboard.  I'm a punk....
6. I hate crows.  They piss me off.
7. I like to take up 3/4 of Mom's bed and hog the covers.

Not so sweet now, am I!? BOL!

(Okay, I hope I can redeem myself a little bit by telling you that I choose to hang out in the room Elsie is crated in when Mom's gone to keep her company.  Isn't that nice?)

Liebster Award:
From Beagles and Bargains: "The Liebster Award is designed to help get the word out about new blogs, so it is for blogs with fewer than 200 followers."
>List the nominator’s blog on your blogroll with a link.  Paws, check.
>Answer 11 questions asked by your nominator. (Dog Mom in.)

Who is your blog inspiration? In general, Ree Drummond.  I have followed her blog almost from the beginning and am just amazed at how it has grown.
Candy or cake? Cake.
Where is your favorite place to vacation? Currently, at my parents' home!  Easy livin'.
How do you take your coffee or tea? Tea only.
Have you ever had a pet fish? Yes, a couple from the fair when we were young and a betta in college.  None of them lasted long.  I am not a good fish caretaker....
Mac or PC? Well, I have a PC laptop, but my next one may be a Mac.
Have you ever been to a desert? Yes, from high desert to dry desert.
Coke or Pepsi? Pepsi!
What is your favorite sport? Mainstream: college football. Otherwise/really, horse sports, like x-country, dressage, jumping, polo, etc.  I would love to get more into other dog sports, other than the upland bird hunting that we do.
If you and your pet switched places for a day, what would happen?  Ah, I would get to do whatever I wanted if I were one of the dogs!  Their lives are soooo difficult....  Now, if Champ were me, he would probably go blow off classes (wait, I do that anyways...) and go to the park and watch the birds like some crazy bird lady (as opposed to the crazy dog lady I am).
How long have you been blogging? Just over two months!

>Provide 11 random facts about yourself 

1. I am half Thai.  That's right.  And yes, I loooove Thai food.  But no, I do not speak any Thai.
2. I have lived in the same state (Oregon!) my whole life.  Sheltered, I know.
3. In middle school, I accidentally killed a baby pheasant that we were raising after one of our dogs destroyed its nest and cried for weeks.  No exaggeration.  I was traumatized.
4. My brother and I rescued a shot duck that someone had left in the field when we were hunting once, nursed her for awhile, and took her to a wildlife sanctuary.  We called her Daisy.
5. I love all things baby.  (Well, I mean, I'm not crazy about the diapers, but everything else makes those worth it.)
6. I can drive a tractor.  
7. I have had more car related "incidences" than I can count (including hitting a uniformed police officer in his personal vehicle).  See #1.  I confirm the stereotype, I'm afraid.
8. I detest hot weather.  I melt.  I die.
9. Aside from food smells, my favorite smells are: puppy breath, dog paws, my dogs, wet brown paper towels, books, horses, horse stables, leather, "rain," mountain air, Christmas trees, and Vicks.
10. I am terrified of earwigs, worms, centipedes, june bugs, and potato bugs.
11. I have a mirror-in-the-dark phobia.  I blame it on that childhood "Bloody Mary" game.

>Nominate 11 qualified blogs (less than 200 followers) for the Liebster Award and let them know through a post on their blog page.  Paws, check.
>Provide a set of 11 questions for the nominated blogs to answer.

1. What are your favorite non-food smells?
2. More importantly, do you like the smell of dog paws?
3. What are more repelling, spiders or snakes?
4. How many kinds of pets do you have?
5. Do you have middle names for your pets?
6. What is the best prank you've ever pulled?
7. What was the name of your first dog?
8. Have you been to the Pacific NW?
9. Have you ever ridden a horse?
10. Do you prefer buttered popcorn or kettle corn?
11. If you could be any living person in the world for a day, who would it be?

>Display the award on your blog! Paws, check.

Now for my Nominations!
The following are being nominated for the Super Sweet Blogger Award and the Versatile Blogger Award!
1. The Portuguese Water Blog
2. Sagira Therapy Dog
3. The B.A.R.K. Dogs
4. The Dogs Are Really In Charge
5. Dog Foster Mom
6. To Dog With Love
7. Dog the Dina
8. Two Pitties In the City
9. Carma Poodale
10. Lapdog Creations
11. No Dog About It 
12. Something Wagging This Way Comes
13. My Life with Flyball Dogs

The following two blogs are also being nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award!
[14.] Ruby the Airedale
[15.] Wyndson Farm

The following blogs are being nominated for the Liebster Award!
1. The B.A.R.K. Dogs
2. Ruby the Airedale
3. Dog the Dina
4. Abby the Labradork
5. Get Karma Adopted
6. Bark and Chatter
7. Parker Chronicles
8. Training Toby
9. My Imperfect Dog
10. Doxie Times
11. Coonhound Tales

Whew!  Three days later....  That was a bit time consuming!  But it was fun!  Thank you all again for your nominations!

I'm Not Impressed

Birthday "Cake"

This just in!  My keyboard is fixed!  <Do the happy dance with me!>  Let me tell ya, having a broken keyboard was a life changing experience.  (I know, first world problems....)  Now, I'm going to hand this off to Miss Elsie....  Happy Tasty Tuesday! --Dog Mom

Oh my squirrel!  I get to be in charge of today's post!  More big news: I turned nine today!  So did my big sister, Morgan!  We celebrated our birthdays today and one of Sophie's "birthing days."  She deserves some credit, am I right?!

Mom made us a pawsome birthday cake.  You might remember the first birthday cake Mom made for our friend, Coconut, but ours was made of the good stuff--meat.  

Here's how Mom made the Turkey & Sweet Potato Cake:

--Mix together the following:

1 lb ground turkey

2 eggs

1 cup quick-cooking oats

2 medium cooked sweet potatoes

1/2-1 cup other veggies (Mom used corn this time cuz it is what she had on hand in the freezer)

1-2 sprigs fresh chopped rosemary

1 generous tablespoon honey

--Pat into a loaf on a non-stick sheet or pan and bake at 350 for about one hour, or until the internal temp is at least 165F.

Mom also made a CranApple Mashed Potato Frosting.  Noms.

The how-to:

Boil a few skinned russet potatoes and drain

Blend with an electric mixer until smooth

Add a cup of raspberry yogurt and 1/2 cup Cranberry Apple Butter and blend well

The pics:

Since she was "forcing" us to eat her creations, Mom also tried a nibble of each out of curiosity.  Her comments: "On the one hand, the turkey loaf was disgusting; on the other hand, it was edible [for you dogs, anyways].  The mashed potatoes were just weird." 

She is crazy, though.  This stuff was ah-mazing.  I gobbled it up like it was no one's business.  (Dog Mom here: lesson learned; for Sophie and Champ's slices, I cut them up into bits.  Elsie pretty much chomped and choked hers down.... Not the most lady-like dog.)

Mom is going to use the leftover frosting for Kong stuffing and the leftover cake (she only gave us small slices--boo) for training this week.  

Me in my silly birthday hat being oh-so-patient.

And here is what Grandma fixed for Morgan tonight for her birthday dinner: oven bake chicken breast, with grilled sweet potatoes, and a dollop of gravy.  Yum!

What is a birthday without presents?  Here's my loot (a Wig Wag treat dispenser and a HyperPet floppy racoon), but I gotta be honest, I was really more interested in my squirrel.  

Here are some more photos from our afternoon.  We also went on our first group walk in months (Mom had been walking us separately) and I got to do some fun training in the front yard.  I was a super good girl, btw. And now... to top off a great birthday, Mom, Soph, and I are hanging out on the sofa.  Champ is such a loner over there on the love seat....  That's okay, though.  More snuggles for me.

BOL.  Champ is wearing a pink hat!

  

Look Mom! I can sit pretty!

My bio-mom and me.  Happy Birthing Day, Mama!

Rarrrrhhh!  Crazy face!

How to Hunt

First things first, guys.  Today is our two month blogging anniversary!  Thank you all for supporting us by visiting and commenting!  And thank you (you know who you are!) for nominating us for several blogging awards!  I promise, I will be dedicating some posts soon to them! 

Second, Mom's computer is going to be fixed this week!  Hooray!  That means we can actually be more active in the blog hops!  We have felt bad not being able to comment on as many as we'd like, but it is so time consuming to fill in m, c, v, x, z, and several punctuations.  Who knew those keys could make as much of a difference as they did!  (Thanks Elsie.)  (Dog Mom here--Thank you Elsie, too, for breaking my desk lamp....  Manners, Missy.)

And now for today's mischief.  We are going to talk squirrels and birds!

No, Elsie, not your squirrel.  I know you're obsessed with it, but there are actual real squirrels here that you totally miss out on while you play with your silly toy.

There is this squirrel that lives nearby, and we don't exactly love him because:
A) he pitter patters across our roof every morning and is super noisy. 
B) he emptied Mom's bird feeder, which was supposed to be squirrel proof.  (Yeah, right.)
C) he is a tease.  Anything that tiny and fuzzy should be eaten.  Asap.

So, I have taken it upon myself (sometimes with Sophie's assistance) to try to hunt said squirrel.  Tactics include begging him to come visit with me.  He must be a real jerk, though, because for all of my chit chat (Dog Mom here: read, barking), he remains elusive. 

When barking him to come down fails, as it inevitably does, I sometimes try to wait him out.  See how patient I am?

Or, I try chasing him from the ground.

At the end of the day, I have yet to taste--err, I mean, meet--him.  It is quite sad.

The same goes for the robin at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  I spent all day everyday pointing her (admittedly, I creep a bit), but for all of my efforts, she got away. Every. Single. Time. 
One of these days, all of my hunting efforts will pay off....  Paws crossed.

Happy Fathers Day!

Happy Fathers’ Day to my dad!  --Dog Mom

And Happy Fathers’ Day to my dad, Saika!  --Champ

PS.  Extra points if you can spot me in Mom’s Fathers’ Day photo!

It’s good to be back!

We were so happy to be back at Grandma and Grandpa's last night!

(Elsie, behind me, was having the greatest time running laps around the place.)

Here is Remi looking for bugs in Grandma's flowers.

-----------

Bonus photo: Here I was totally exhausted Wednesday night after a fun tricks class!

Road Trip!

Happy Friday blogworld!

We got to go home to Eastern Oregon yesterday!

Now, if you are familiar with Oregon, you may be wondering why we are excited about EO. It is rural and pretty boring to people used to busy, city life and all the amenities that go with, but we love it. Blue skies, open space.

If you like doing outdoorsy stuff, you can find lots to do, like camping, boating and other water sports, hiking, fishing, hunting (or wildlife watching if you prefer), etc. Anyways, EO is where we grew up, and our little Corner of the Earth is the near-perfect getaway from our busy lives in the Willamette Valley. Mom gets to relax and enjoy her family, and we get to play and run to our hearts' content.

Someone took these photos on the way home. It wasn't safe enough to get any pretty green-filled photos before The Dalles region because the roads are windier and had too much water on them (raining, of course). One of these days Mom will pull over and get a photo of her favorite scene on this drive.

Sleepy Sophie is a better traveler than me, so she gets shotgun now....