Category Archives: Wordless Wednesday

You Did What?

Posted on by

Mirror-1

It’s a question I often hear when people hop in my car for a ride.  I flip my visor down to block the hot Texas sun and then you see it – my two-sided round mirror attached to my visor with a dog collar – a very pretty dog collar.  The setup clearly exposes my design philosophy, first find a way to make things function (or in this case dual function), then make it pretty.  Thinking outside the box helps.  It’s really just as simple as that.

You see my Honda Element came with a mirror on the passenger visor, but not the driver visor.  I thought about it and decided if I bought a nice cosmetic mirror and could find a way to attach it to the visor, it would be especially nice as I could then also remove it for use if needed.  Think “gee I forgot to pack a mirror in my suitcase…oh yeah there is the one on the visor”  kind of thing.

Mirror-2

Then the second part came to me; just use a nice dog collar to attach it.  I mean, they have those great snaps, which make it very easy to quickly remove the mirror, and hey, you never know when you might find a stray dog that needs your help.  It works, and I keep a couple of extra leashes in my car too.  You never know when they might come in handy!

Working Hard

Posted on by

Lucy-Jo-Ann

Lucy & Jo Ann

I have been sewing a LOT lately, of course with the help of my friends Lucy and Jo Ann!

(Love the art style of this photo…check out my “how to” in Monday’s post!)

This post is part of a Wednesday blog hop. Please click the “Blog Paws” button in the sidebar to follow all the other wonderful pet blogs. Happy Blogging!

 

Spa Day

Posted on by

Final-Gracie-Bath-1

Gracie getting a bath in the kitchen sink

She had a gleam in her eye when she happily announced that today was doggie spa human torture day. I watched as she scurried around the house gathering her implements – combs, brushes, scissors, trimmers, and the most dreaded nail grinder. I thought about scampering for cover, but then remembered that my body was not made of jello like that of the household kitties, who conveniently slide under furniture during storms. So I just sat rigid on the sofa and only flinched a little when she picked me up.

It didn’t start out so bad, although I don’t know why she always gets the big cushy floor pillow to sit on during my grooming sessions, while I only get to rest at her feet. Seems like a raw deal to me. As the grooming begins she manipulates my body like a mad chiropractor. Doesn’t she know that what I really want is a long afternoon nap, or maybe just a good squirrel or two to chase in the backyard? Well at least I got some nice belly rubs through it all.

Uh oh, time now for the nail grinding machine. I will say it’s better than the trimmers she once used, but not much. I struggle and do my best to make her task difficult. She might as well suffer with me. There better be some treats at the end of this, that’s all I gotta say!

Finally the grooming is over and I am allowed outside for a break. When I come back inside the house for a nice rest, I find myself picked up once more and hustled off to the kitchen. What now? Oh no, she’s putting me in the kitchen sink with all that WATER!! I don’t like this one bit and climb onto the high spot in the middle of the metal sink, in my attempt to escape. She mumbles something about me “smelling like dead fish in an aquarium”. Well I don’t know what an aquarium is, but I think fish smell good. Hey lady, I’m a DOG. I’m supposed to smell like this. She also keeps insisting that this isn’t a lake and I won’t drown, but as far as I’m concerned this looks like a little lake to me and I want OUT!

 

Final-Gracie-Bath-2

The good stuff…the hair dryer!

Just when I’m starting to resign myself to this further torture I suddenly find my feet back on the floor. I give my body some good shakes to rid myself of the water and zoom down the hallway towards the bedroom, knowing full well now what will come next. I’ll have my clean fur dried by the marvelous blow dryer. Yeah, I know, you would think I would hate it, but I actually like this part of the spa treatment. Just don’t even think about painting my nails, OK? And hey, where’s that treat?

 

Final-Gracie-Bath-3

Now time for a treat!!

Do your doggies love their grooming sessions?

This post is part of a Wednesday blog hop. Please click the “Blog Paws” button in the sidebar to follow all the other wonderful pet blogs. Happy Blogging!

So Many Dogs

Posted on by

Final-Expo-Husky-DSC05133

Beautiful Hard-Working Husky

I was at the Austin Pet Expo this past weekend with two goals in mind.  The first was to take a look at the exhibitors and booth setups, since I will be an exhibitor at this event next summer.  The second was to try and get some nice photos of the many dog breeds I knew would be represented at this event.  Well, I was at least successful with the first goal!

 

Final-Expo-Mobile-2-DSC0513

Loved this Great OutDogs mobile store – not your typical booth!

There were quite a few exhibitors at this event, and many of them were local adoption agencies.  The exhibitor spaces were set up very much like career fairs I’ve been to, with each space a 10’x10′ area.  I have to say that most retail booths here were not quite like those I’ve seen set at craft or antique fairs.  I think that my space next year should really stand out amongst the crowd.  My products are, by nature, very colorful, and I intend to promote them by showcasing my sewing abilities.  I want to make a nice banner and special table decoration from some of my stocked fabrics.  And perhaps even my own backdrop fabric panel.  Makes sense, right?  Just being able to see the show one full year in advance has been a very big help to me.

 

Final-Expo-Bulldog-DSC05126

Gimme a big smooch!

Another great help was talking to several Etsy sellers that were at this event.  They all made pet products, but not the type of items I make.  They were great about taking time to talk to me and to give helpful suggestions.  I especially enjoyed vising with Leslie Cox from San Antonio, Texas.  She made the most adorable small dog outfits with beautiful fabric, and she had her teeny tiny little yorkie with her to show off her handmade goods.  Cute!  Cute!  Cute!  You can check out her shop at The Pooch House.

Final-Bull-DSC05122

 

This dog had the most fabulous shiny coat.

My second goal, taking photos of different dog breeds, proved to be rather futile because there were so many dogs and so many people at this event, that taking a separate photo of any particular dog turned out to be almost impossible!   Most of the photos I took  had multiple pets and multiple people.  I am trying to get photos of different dog breeds for a new project I have in mind, but guess I will have to go about that task in a different way.  Let me know if you have any suggestions.  I think perhaps I need to attend some dog shows in the area!

 

Final-Expo-Pick-Me-DSC05131

This dog had an owner, but there were plenty of dogs (and a few kitties) in need of a good home!

If you were at the show in Austin last weekend, I’m certain you had a good time!!  Ann, sorry I missed seeing you and your daughter.

 

Final-Expo-Boston-DSC05141

This pup was so tired she just sat down on her Mom’s feet!

This post is part of a Wednesday blog hop. Please click the “Blog Paws” button in the sidebar to follow all the other wonderful pet blogs. Happy Blogging!

On The Move

Posted on by

 

Final-Binx-Looking-DSC05061

I only want a peek!

Final-Binx-In-DSC05065

Seriously…where are my toys?

Final-Binx-Suitcase-DSC0505

Ok…I think we’re good to go now!

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity.  There have been trips to the airport at 4:30am, multiple texts and phone calls, vehicles in for servicing, and packing assistance.   But now the center of the whirlwind, my daughter, is gone.  The reasons are good – she secured a new job and a new apartment in a matter of days in her new home state of Minnesota, where she will complete her last semester of school at the University of Minnesota this fall.

She left early this morning for the long two-day drive back to Minneapolis with her three kitties.  I know that Binx, Mr. Moo, and Caska travel well, as my husband and I brought them to our home in Texas last February.  Having been under my care for such a long time, though, I have grown quite attached to them and will miss them greatly.  Already this house seems too quite…although my daughter and her kitties have once again left my home, they will certainly never leave my heart!  And I want PHOTOS of the kitties enjoying the STAIRS in their new home!!

Have you ever cared for a grown child’s pets long-term?  Did you become as attached to them as I have to my daughter’s kitties?

This post is part of a Wednesday blog hop. Please click the “Blog Paws” button in the sidebar to follow all the other wonderful pet blogs. Happy Blogging!