Dog Park Fascination

Yes, I know what you are thinking… am I really that kind of person? The short answer is “kinda.” No I don’t necessarily think my dog is the end all and be all -- and she doesn’t eat dinner with us at the table (maybe underneath the table…), but I do love her, and as such I clothe her in winter (sometimes for Halloween too) and I take her to the dog park. She loves it okay? She’s not too social, but she loves the smells, the dog-raderie , the ability to run free and wild amongst her peers, and the Pupperoni her delighted owners feed her whenever she does something cute. She, however, does not, enjoy the ride to the dog park. The shining rolling metal box that takes us to the park is a trial and tribulation that all must live through. We have tried every technique in the world to get her to enjoy the car ride, but nothing works. She squeaks, she pants and she squirms to get under my seat and there she remains for the 5 minute ride.

This is as calms as doggy can get. Once she gets to the park it’s a different story. She is the queen of the park and every blade must be christened. Take a gander at her in the park and you’ll see why most every Sunday “we go to there.”

Tomato Thief – CSI

Recently our resident tomato gardener rushed into the house, face pale, arm raised clasping a tomato in his trembling hand. “Someone has stolen our first tomato and bitten it,” he exclaimed. We all turned simultaneously and looked at the suspect. Shamefaced she refused to look up or even to answer some simple inquiries as to her whereabouts. It should be known that last year she was caught red-pawed with a Mr. Stripey in her mouth. Her guilty look certainly makes it hard to believe in her innocence.

As of today, the house stands divided; one camp insisting that Lydia is to blame, the other blaming miscellaneous tomato-vore squirrels. For now, Lydia is not allowed the freedom of the garden without a warden on constant watch. It seems to be working since no further tomato thefts have been recorded, but I’m worried…. yes I’m worried.

A Project, an Injury and a Satisfied Client

Last week I took a book out of the library called Ready Made. The book contains projects that allow you to “reuse” items that may have been winging there way to the trash. Two projects stood out  -- one a dog bed made out of recycled jeans and the other making a messenger bag from fused plastic bags. Each project has a very clear picture followed by a short set of instructions. Having a surplus of jeans and a very outspoken puppy-princess demanding a new bed… I decided to try the jean bed. On the page, the project looked very easy – however, one very sore finger later and three pairs of jeans later I can attest that the instructions were not very good. I did manage to finish not one but -- TWO beds and I have tips to pass on.

1. Make a  straight tube from each pant leg.  Cut the triangle fabric at the but section
2. The bigger the jean, the bigger the tube, the happier the puppy.
3. It’s easy to overstuff the bottom and cause the puppy not to fit into said bed.
4. Cut out the big seams on the jeans before sewing the tubes together.

Puppy Fascination

I've got the smartest puppy in the world and I will brook no argument. We got her at the pound seven years ago and I'm still in love. Yes I know she has food issues and she's never passed up a rug she couldn't help but "mark" in one way or the other, but I love her nonetheless. Anywhere I go, my little shadow goes. She's at my side and scorns those who would try to claim her as their own.... except for anyone who has any trace of food or boy-boy's girl or man-man or... -- I never mind since I know that her heart belongs to me. Click on the picture to see more picture of this woman's best friend.