Nothing like a little supervision!

This is where the dogs and I supervised the nursery re-do. We're very helpful and offer lots of decorating advice.

Side note - poor little Morey, the one laying down with floppy ears, was suffering from a "raging" (doctor's words) urinary tract infection in this photo and we didn't know it. Poor dude started peeing some blood late on Saturday and we took him to the vet immediately on Sunday. The doctor said she had never seen so many crystals in a dog's urine sample before. He's doing better now that he's been on his antibiotics and drinking lots of fluids (a mix of chicken broth and water...he's frickin' spoiled rotten).

L.

Ahhh...geez....they come home when?

Today was such a good day - it started with a lazy morning sleeping in. We had originally thought that we'd get up and go to our favorite breakfast place but it didn't work out that way - which is perfectly fine with me.

Korby, our Pomeranian houseguest, is still peeing in random places throughout the house, but no more poops, thank goodness!

This morning he pee'd on the bathroom rug and I looked at Shooter and said, "His parents are coming home when?" We have enjoyed having him but we are certainly not used to having a puppy in the house.

We ended up getting a call from our groomer offering us a discount on grooming for Moe and Leah - we jumped at it and took them off to get all prettied up.

I then went to have my cherry blossom tattoo finished and boy does it look good. I can't wait to see how the colors pop once it's healed...here it is below:

We're now off to pick up the pups and grab a pizza for dinner...good times...and Korby's going back to his home for a while....whew!

Later lovelies!

L.h

Wordless Wednesday - Life's Good

Oh, to live the life of a dog........

The Great Trash Debacle of 2008

So, Shooter and I went out to dinner with some of his work friends because one of his buddies is moving back to Colombia. We drove to a great Italian restaurant about an hour from our home and had a great time with all of his co-workers. On our way home we were talking about various things (I saw my counselor/therapist today so I had lots to discuss) and I mentioned something about how it's always nice when he cleans up the kitchen and takes out the garbage like he did today. Then I catch myself...I look at him...and I asked him if he took out the garbage that had been sitting in the kitchen floor. He looks at me and at that point we realized that we were in for a nice surprise when we got home. He had forgotten to take the garbage out of the kitchen before we left...and left it for the dogs to have lots of fun with. Here is a picture of their handiwork.

As you can see from the notes, two blizzard cups had been licked clean and torn apart. Several cans of dog food had been licked clean. We had made spaghetti last week and the cans/boxes used for the sauce had been licked clean. Also, the tray the ground beef came in had been carefully worked over and the liner pad had been chewed open. UGH! Also, Shooter had put the small container of pizza sauce in there....we had pizza last night and it was so good we didn't need our usual extra sauce to dip it in. Well, that was entirely consumed. I scoured the house and fortunately, or not so fortunately, we didn't have any mass vomits all over the house. Leah, on the other hand, has one HUMONGOUS belly...and a red beard to prove she was the consumer of most of the garbage. Hopefully Morey didn't take part in much of it...we certainly can't afford for him to get his system completely out of whack. Here are the culprits.

So, from us to you....hope you have a wonderful Saturday evening....we sure did.

I smell youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu, arroooooooo!!

Okay...this has to be the cutest thing ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a soft spot for beagles anyway...but this just made me smile...

She's yet to discover diamonds.....

I took this pic on Sunday morning - the pups had gone out already for their first opportunity to rid the backyard of all pests, vermin and annoyances. Leah came back in shivering and so we put her t-shirt on her. We put Morey's on him too....but he hates it with such a fervor that he rubs against every piece of furniture we have trying to rid himself of the heinous fabric attached to his back. So we took pity on him and took it off. Leah, on the other hand, loves shirts, jackets, sweaters. Her shirt says "Biscuits are a girl's best friend." Seeing as how she's the most food motivated dog I've ever seen...it fits her. I just thought this was a cute pic as this is where they stay most of the time keeping an eye out for any squirrels, birds, rabbits, cats, leaves, trash, moving tree limbs or other random item that need to be chased from the yard.

p.s. Yes, I know the sliding glass door is polluted with nose prints. You try keeping yours clean when you have two dogs who seem to think that their second purpose in life (after keeping the yard clean of all pests) is to put as many nose and paw prints on the door as possible.

Black Hole of Comfort

Well, I now have documentation of the black hole that is the corner of my new sectional sofa. We've heard people say that they sat there and were wide awake one moment and then sound asleep the next. We dismissed it initially....then it happened to Shooter. Today, it happened to me and the pups. I was pretty tired from having pulled and pushed and flailed and cursed the irises in my front flower bed. The pups...well, they were at the groomer yesterday and didn't nap. So, we took this afternoon as the perfect opportunity to catch up on a little shut eye. Shooter thought it would be soooooo cute to snap a picture of us. I am actually kinda glad he did....this is a pretty cute picture if I do say so myself.

Tomorrow, I'll reveal Extreme Makeover - Flower Bed Edition. Little did I know just how bad off my irises were in my front flower bed. I'm surprised they were even leafing out. Perhaps now they'll be even prettier....I just dread trying to split them all up though.

Hope ya'll had a great Sunday!

Extreme Makeover - Schnauzer Edition

Well, today was a day of beauty for the schnauzers. Morey had gotten quite shaggy and was pretty perturbed about the state of his appearance.



To add insult to injury, when he visited the vet earlier this week, they had to shave his leg to put in his IV for his fluids. He was quite embarrassed and asked me to knit him a leg warmer. I didn't get around to it...and they had an appointment with the groomer anyway....

Leah was quite despondent as well. I couldn't tempt her with the idea of chasing squirrels or cats this morning. I thought she was a lost cause.

Leah and Morey together were a sad sight.

And now...for the reveal!!!!!

Below, I present, Leah and her new Versace fursuit...it's one of a kind and was definitely a splurge. It looks smashing on her though, so it was worth it.

And here is Morey and new Dolce and Gabana fursuit. DG just fits him so well and we don't use any other clothier. He's so soft and velvety....I love it when he gets groomed. You can't tell, but they blended in the place where his leg had been shaved and it's barely noticeable!

Well, I hope you guys had a great Saturday!

Schnauzer sickness returns

Update: I heard from the vet and Morey's test for pancreatitis came back positive. Poor dude is at the vet getting fluids, a shot for the pain, a shot so he doesn't vomit, and a shot of antibiotic. We will pick him up later this evening and hopefully he'll be feeling better by then. *sigh* At least we know what's wrong and can get him on the right meds to get him all better.


*sigh*


Morey's at the vet this morning. We didn't feed him last night because he obviously wasn't feeling well and had horrible gas. This morning he gets up and goes out and decides to eat half the lawn. Joy. I try to dry off his paws and he won't even stand up to put his paws on my knees like usual. I'm thinking...this is NOT good. He comes back in and all he wants to do is lay on my belly...NOT a good sign. I could feel his belly cramping up and each time it would he'd whimper and push his face under my chin. I laid there crying and decided it was time for him to go to the vet. I dropped him off and they'll do the usual battery of tests I'm sure...


I just need my little boy to get patched up and be well.

An interview with the Schnauzers

I'm in love with Dlyn's interviews, so I sat the Terrorists down to an interview last night after the lunar eclipse.

I saw Morey and thought I'd talk to him first. You can see he's quite attentive and very ready to answer all of my poignant questions.

Interviewer: "So, Morey, how are you feeling these days? I read on one of the gossip blogs that you're rumored to be heading off to rehab...any truth to those rumors? I know you've not been feeling quite yourself and perhaps had gone to the vet for "exhaustion". We're just concerned."

Morey: "I refuse to stoop to your insignificant level and answer that question. As you can tell, I feel perfectly fine. I do not see any reason why I would have to go to rehab. Regardless, I won't go, go, go."



Interviewer: "Well, I'm just doing my journalistic duty and asking you the tough questions. On another note, it appears that you've really let yourself go. I know the shaggy look is in, however don't you think that this is a bit extreme?"

Morey: "Scruff is in, don't you know? Personally I am a bit put out with my unkempt appearance. The real rub is that I do not possess opposable thumbs so I cannot dial a phone and ring up my groomer. Therefore I am at the mercy of you, my owner, to call the groomer and to then drive me to my appointment. Perhaps you could call them now, hmmmm?"


Interviewer: "Absolutely, we'll head off this weekend and get you all neatened up. So, I also wanted to chat with you about the army that you and your sister have formed - The Squirrel Eradication Force - are you actively recruiting new members and how are your efforts working as far as lowering the population of squirrels?"

Morey: "Well, Leah is much more involved in The Squirrel Eradication Force than me. I am truly more of a lover than a fighter, but I never pass up the opportunity to bark after and threaten one of those tree dwelling, demon spawn vermin. Perhaps you should speak with Leah for more information on TSEF."

Interviewer: "Okay...I'll go see what info I can get from her. You've been wonderful to talk to."

Interviewer: "So Leah, what would you like say about TSEF today?"

Leah: "TSEF...I am not sure of what group you are referring to."

Interviewer: "Well I understand you you and Morey are co-founders of The Squirrel Eradication Force. I was hoping to speak with you regarding your promotion and recruitment of members as well as your eradication tactics."

Leah: "I do not speak to outsiders about TSEF. It is on a need to know basis and you do not need to know. All you need to know is that we are always looking for Schnauzers who are looking to join our ranks."

Interviewer: "Okay, I completely understand your need for privacy and security regarding your organization. So, perhaps I can speak with you regarding the rumor that you once had children?"

Leah: "Do I have to answer this question? This is so tiring."

Interviewer: "So, are the rumors true?"

Leah: "Perhaps I will let you leave with your ankles intact."

Interviewer: "There's no need to get personal. I just asked a question."

Leah: "I do not like speaking about these alledged puppies. I am done with this interview"

Well, as you can see, Leah can get a bit testy.

Happy Thursday everyone!

Ahhh...long weekends do a body good

Well, it's back to work for me. I thoroughly enjoyed my day off yesterday and got some errands done. I went and ordered new eyeglasses...I can't wait to get them. They're a cool funky frame. :-) I also picked up the decorative shelves from Target that I've been wanting to get for a while...I still have decorative tiles Shooter got me for Christmas that need to be hung, I was waiting on the shelves to do it...Shooter's waiting on us to get a new TV. I'm hoping that regardless, I'll have it all up by the end of the year. ;-)

I did some grocery shopping and made dinner. I was so industrious. :-)

I made beef strogonoff last night for dinner. It was heavenly and absolutely called for with the cold weather that has come in. Well, okay....it's cold for us!!! Here's the recipe, I don't have any pictures unfortunately.

Beef Strogonoff

1.5 lbs stew meat
4-5 tbs flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 can beef consomme
3/4 can water
1 can cream of mushroom soup
8 oz sour cream
2 small cans sliced mushrooms
egg noodles, cooked

I usually take my stew meat and go through it, discarding the tougher looking pieces. I'll also cut the big chunks into smaller pieces so all the cubes are about the same size. Toss the meat with the flour, salt and pepper and coat the meat well. In a heavy bottom pot, I use a cast iron dutch oven, add a couple of tablespoons of oil to the very hot pot. Add one layer of meat, be careful not to crowd it too much - you want the meat to get good and brown. Turn the meat over to brown on the other side, should take about two min per side. Repeat in batches until you have all the meat browned (not cooked through, just browned). Return all meat to the pot and then add the beef consomme and then 3/4 of the soup can of water. That should just about cover the meat. Cover and simmer for 1.5-2 hours. After you've let it simmer, add in the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream and mushrooms. Watch this carefully, you do not want it to boil - simmer is okay. Mine was a little runnier than I wanted so if this happens to you, take some of the sauce and add in a couple tablespoons of flour, stir it well and then add to the pot. Stir everything up nicely and let it come to a simmer. That should make a good thick gravy for your egg noddles.

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

Oh...and Morey's doing much better. We fed them last night and both pups did okay. They're do for their annual checkups here soon, so I guess we'll have the vet give him a good once over.

Don't hate me because...

I'm a heavy sleeper.

Okay....we're dealing with a sick pup again. Morey has a history of digestive issues. About two years ago we went through a nasty bout of pancreatitis with him. Luckily we weren't close to losing him, but it was still pretty scary. Through that experience we learned that male schnauzers are much more susceptible to pancreatitis than females...go figure. It is true of ours....Leah can eat anything and come out of it fine. Morey, not so much.

Well, he's gotten into something and hasn't been "right" all weekend. What was a Saturday filled with heinously smelly and moderately obscene farts turned into a Sunday filled with more farts and vomiting in obscure locations in our bedroom. Let's just say, the vomit was as offending to the nostrils as the farts. OH MY!!!!

Well, Morey apparently got up about three times in the span of 30 min between 11:15pm and 11:45pm and I never even knew. Apparently Shooter took him out three times to expel his demons and I still slept soundly in the bed. This didn't go over too well with him. He came back in after the third episode and tried to wake me up. He then proceeded to have a partially coherent conversation with me where apparently my ability to sleep soundly (thank you new pillow) was just not fair. You see...today is President's day and I am off of work today. Shooter, unfortunately, had to be up and at work this morning at 5am. Ooops.

So, I'm sorry I'm a heavy sleeper....really....I blame the new pillows, honey.

If I don't post for a few days....send help....

Ha! Those of you with dogs will appreciate this. I am writing while laying in bed. My male schnauzer is beside me and keeps farting in a manner that is causing Shooter to look at ME and ask me if I have some intestinal issue I need to admit to. We're getting ready to pull out the gas masks from our preparedness stash that we put together for Y2K and are hunkering down for what will assuredly be a long night. Please send help if you do not hear from me in a few days...it probably means we're suffering from some sort of toxicity issue not unlike carbon monoxide poisoning.

Signing off....

Laura B.

Anatomy of a Schnauzer

Okay...more crazy pictures of my fabulous puppies....

We call Morey "Mr. Velvet Ears" because he has the softest, silkiest ears.

This is Morey's tail....it grows so funny. As his fur grows out, he gets this fan growing that makes him look like he's part retriever or something. Quite funny. About now he's also demanding a neatening of his sanitary cut...he's not one who appreciates the occasional dingleberry.

Ahhh...da nose....but whose nose is it?

Oh my....one of the cutest things in the world....a schnauzer butt. I don't know why, but they are. This is Leah, and her funky tail. For some reason the groomers can't get her cooperation when it comes time to trim her tail, so they leave it. Sooooo...about a week or two after a grooming she has a tail that looks like she's growing an afro on her butt. The fur on her tail is still really wiry and coarse and just poofs right up. Personally I am enamored with the way their fur grows on their butts...those cute little curley cues...hehehe...

The ear....unlike her brother's ears, Leah's are cropped. We adopted her at the age of three so we didn't do that to her. Personally, I am a huge fan of the natural ear...we call them flops in our house. Morey ended up with the perfect floppy ears.

Leah's also a burrower. Must be the ratter instinct in her. She likes to sleep under the covers down by my feet, until she gets too hot and emerges around midnight panting so hard she wakes us up. This particular morning, I woke up and found her with her entire body under Shooter's pillows and laying on her back (as usual).