Christmas wishes

We have three dogs in the house for Christmas, our two and daughter Kirsten's Zoe. That's Zoe, the 6 lb toy poodle in the photo, waiting for Kirsten to come back from a shopping trip.

We'd planned to adopt Zoe but she's little; she also has something wrong with her hind legs that prevents her from coming along on our long walks -- her former home had three toddlers. We wonder if they dropped her, in addition to her having loose and deformed joints (common with little poodles).

Anyhow, last year Kirsten was around about the time we found Zoe. They fell in love with each other. Zoe is the perfect companion for Kirsten, who has arthritis and takes a while to get moving. "By the time Zoe gets going, I'm warmed up, too." They do two walks a day and Kirsten's careful to feed and groom Zoe regularly. The doggie adores her!

Our two toy poodles got groomed by Yvonne in Woodinville (best groomer ever?) and were ready for their treats.

These two rescues often are mistaken for siblings or twins. They're not related, rescued from different homes in different years via Craigslist. Missy (left) is 8. Ziggy (right) is 6. They're such good fun, especially when they're playing together and rolling around on the dining rug.

Fall walks

We're big walkers around here. The dogs love to get out into the occasional sunshine and don't seem to mind the Seattle drizzle. They're trained to walk together on the coupler. More accurately, Ziggy takes Missy (who would run ahead) for a walk at my heels.

When we get back to our driveway, I unclip them and say, "Go home!" They head for the front porch.

"Up!" and they jump on the porch bench while I go inside for a towel to dry them off or wipe their paws.

"Good dog!" and the clean one jumps off the bench to wait at the door.

"Shake!" and they shake their coat clean of raindrops.

When I open the door, they wait on the front rug. "Wipe your feet!" I wipe their paws on the entry rug. I've noticed Missy - the smarter of the two - wiping her feet on the outdoor mat a time or two. When she does, she gets to skip the indoor foot wipe.

They love routines. And I like my clean house. Good doggies!

Who's in charge here?

The dogs hate to be walked by children, but they love Kinsey our granddaughter. Looks like they're resisting her being in charge (see Missy's heads down?) She's the boss though, very deliberately, since day 1. Oh to have such power as a youngster :-) Good girl. And good doggies.

Falling back into place

Seattle autumns are nothing to brag about. The grey overwhelms us from morning until night, even memories of sunshine eluding us. We skipped our morning walk since it was raining. Ugh.

It's a strange thing. When the rain falls, it's hard to remember that it's ever sunny here. And when it's sunny, our friends start whining about the heat... when temperatures hit 80o. Never mind if it get to 90o. Then it's totally "unbearable" for those cold-weather aficionados. I crave the light and warmth every day. I only have to wait 9 months until mid-July when the sun's out reliably again...

The dogs and I love morning walks when the wind is still and the sun has come out. Since we're in the forest, we have to hike to the top of the street to get sunshine. But it's worth it! (On the days it appears.)

Next week it's back to the groomers. I found an excellent groomer in Kalispell who gave them a great cut @ $60 for both dogs. My groomer moved from a failed business (working for someone) to open her own shop. She's now closer to our home, too.

"No perfume, no bows, please. Big topknot." That's the standing request. They prance in the door after being groomed. Good doggies!

Poodle days

 We're almost "back to normal," once again at home. I took time off for a dissertation (whew, that's done!) and 2 months at the cabin in Montana. The dogs went through it all with me, of course.

Relaxing on the cabin floor after a
morning walk

Missy and Ziggy loved the stay-away as I recovered from studies. We like the quiet gravel roads where they run off-leash, explore new smells, and take me on daily walks to the post office a mile away. (I wrote a postcard a day to get us out of the cabin and into the little town.)

Dog play 101

Now we're back into the routine of morning walks, afternoon writing, and redoing the house decor. OK, I'm actually decluttering the rubbish from over a year of dissertation neglect.

One of the fun things I'm looking forward to as I get out and about again is buying new collars for the dogs. They've had utilitarian ribbon collars since I got them. I think we'll celebrate fall together with nice new neck-gear. I'll post photos once I find them.

Fun and games on the office rug

Meanwhile, hope you enjoy us being back and will be reading updates as they appear.

Oh, they're such good doggies!

Rolling around so Ziggy and groom
the other side

Sunny walk

What a great walk we had this morning. I have to get in shape for a few hikes in May so we've picked up the pace.

My new insight is that the leash is less important than the perception of a leash. Guess that's as true of life for people as dogs. Good doggies!

Update sent to previous owners

A note sent to the wonderful people who gave me their poodles...

The doggies are happy and healthy. You can see that they weren't all that excited about "Wait!" for photos before they could go for a walk. We then had a nice jaunt (about 2.5 miles) around the neighborhood. The walking coupler that means one (untangled) leash, and they trot beside us like little ponies.

THANK YOU both for trusting me with your doggies.  Other news:

• Our first grandchild is 9 months and is learning not to bother the dogs. Both dogs have trained themselves to walk away when she crawls over, too.  No fuss, no growls. Well-socialized and compliant pups, I must say.
• We love the new small dog park in Kirkland and go there a few times a month for fetch and playing with other little dogs. Both dogs are UTD on vaccines so I don't worry about them getting sick.
• They get along great, walk and sleep together, love to play fetch in the house and park, and have kept me company while I finished my dissertation. I'm done ( YAY! I graduate the first wknd of May) and we're all looking forward to longer walks and more play. They are wonderful companions and part of our family.
• I found an excellent groomer who makes them look like show dogs once a month. Between, they look straggly but clean like the photos (after 2 weeks, I give them a shower). I'll try to remember to take a picture of them when they come home from Yvonne's - they look fabulous until the rain curls them up again or they take a mud bath at the park.
  

Spring has sprung

It's been a long winter. The dogs and I went on short walks and came back home. All of us are out of shape. But the dissertation's done and I'll collect my degree at the beginning of May. Thank God.

I'll be taking the camera phone along again and posting pics. Thanks to those of you who have patiently waited to see the doggies again.

If you like cute

Check out this Easter video about puppies, bunnies, and chicks. Click here.

March mania

Can't believe it's March already! The dogs went along for the ride (and walk) around Molbaks today. I met a great friend for a chat while the dogs sniffed all the interesting stuff. They're snoozing beside me, ready for bed. I think our young granddaughter tired them out yesterday: she's learning to crawl and they're keeping their distance.

One of the cool new places in our neighborhood is the KDOG park in Kirkland. If you know where the old Costco Home store is, you'll be close to the dog park. The road to the store turns back to NE 124th, and in that curved elbow, volunteers have created a nice running and small dog spot. If you're out of shape, remember that the park is set on the north side of a hill so you may be chasing your dog up or down the slope (or retrieving a forgotten toy.)

Volunteers have also left a bunch of tennis balls and throwers for the pleasure of dog owners who forget their own. Thanks to everyone who continues to make it a great place to visit. Because of my dissertation, I've only taken the dogs there once.

We're looking forward to becoming regulars this summer. Good doggies!

February valentine

I truly love my doggies. They're so much fun. Tonight they're snuggled up beside the desk while I finish work and blog. I got a note from Mary, who gave me Ziggy (front in photo). She's recovering from knee surgery and wants to know how he's doing. I'm so happy to report that he is just fine! He loves fetch and plays happily with his toys.

Now that he's groomed, his beautiful face just shines. He's a happy boy, eager to play, loves to snuggle, and has a mellow temperament.

Missy's more of a princess. She greets family members with a wrow-wrow-wrow when we come into the room. She's been the surrogate cuddler for my 30 year old daughter, recovering from surgery and missing her own Zoe. Poodles are fantastic dogs. this little valentine to them is a reminder that CL is a great place to find dogs who need homes and are willing to love you back with all their might! Good doggies.

Baby it's cold outside!

We're looking at our snowed-in yard, branches drooping on the pines from heavy wet snow. Tomorrow a winter storm warning predicts more snow, wind, and freezing temperatures. The dogs, their crate warmer on and snuggling under a wool blanket cover, don't seem to mind. They seem to love sleeping in the enclosed conservatory, and they're all frisky when they reappear in the morning. Of course, I put on the room heater when temps dip.

Oh, how I hate snow and winter! (Everyone asks, why do you stay in the north? Because my husband loves his work here. I'd leave in a heartbeat.)

The dogs got a bath yesterday morning, and we did a few loads of laundry, between toys and bedding. They are completely curly, but smell SO much better. Somehow the cold exacerbates the dog smell.

The dogs stayed up late, helping us watch TV last night. We snuggling in Kirsten's room. Surrounded by wheelchair, walker, and assorted medical gear, they leap up on her bed to cuddle a few times a day. She misses Zoe, her own poodle, whom roomie Jennifer is watching.

"I can't wait to see how excited Zoe will be when she sees me," Kirsten says. "She's always waiting by the door when we come in, and is full of wiggles and joy when I walk in." Ah, the love of doggies ... how we miss them when we're apart.

The dogs run outside to potty. And shake on command, before coming back in to have the snow wiped off their feet. Good doggies!

Walking or non-walking please?

Today's another day without a walk. We did get a nice walk in the other day with dry ground and warm dog coats. The dogs fairly trotted along. They love to get outside, as do I. I especially need the light in the long damp Seattle winter. I hate Seattle from October to May. We live here because my husband has good work.

Our daughter has severe arthritis, and came up from TX for surgery. While I'm working on my dissertation, my husband is her primary carer, the first time ever. Or that's the plan.

I'm dying to get outside into the light, such as it is. I've spent the day until now (1pm) waiting for W to get home. He agreed to get people in to care for her when he's gone. He works, and loves his job. Of course he can't be home all day. And we don't expect that.

I'm working too, though I work in a home office. But I don't love my job most of the time. I can't wait to get this phase of life over and done with! The finish line is on the horizon, if I can keep going every day (Sunday off) until late at night.

I think I'll have to work at the library with its enclosed garage, walking the dogs on lunch hour when I need a break. (They have cosy dog seats in the car.)  I sure can't stay home and not work...

"You can't take care of your daughter but you take care of your dogs?" my husband asks me when I tell him I can't afford many non-working days if I'm to graduate in May. We're both tired today.

Truth be told, the dogs take care of me. I put food in their dishes, let them out to potty, and enjoy their quiet company beside my desk. I'm so grateful for canines who are so little work! And of course there's no comparison between a daughter and animals.

Fantastic daughter! Good doggies.