Dog Mountain

Eating lunch with the dogs has become a real challenge - what with everyone trying to play 'king of the mountain' on the picnic table during our breaks. And then it dawned on us - A mountain! It's time to create one just for the dogs. Just as we were imagining what Dog Mountain might look like, a wonderful donation from LUSH Charity Pot showed up to help us get there. Woot! Perfectly timed. So the pressure is on: It has to be functional AND beautiful too, to honor our kind donors.

So, Voila! Here arrives our new agility tunnel to replace the old nasty blue one that the dogs loved just a little too much over the years. And just today from the wine country - because every self respecting play structure should be built of recycled goods - a batch of used wine barrels, beautifully stained with the best merlot. Viva Northern California!

So we heaved everything into a circle for now and stood back and stared. How do you make a Dog Mountain? How high should it go? Sassy hopped right up on our first layer and said, "This is good. Keep going." And Corndog smiled up and said, "Will there be food up there? I need steps!"

So we'll stare and heave and rearrange and stare some more, and hopefully we'll have something mountainous to report back on very soon. Suggestions welcome!

Many thanks to LUSH Cosmetics Charity Pot for giving us a way to give some fun to the dogs. We're thrilled!

the senior dating scene

Jimmy stopped by for a visit yesterday and had a good time flirting with Miss Sassy. We're not so sure that they appreciate all the chaperones on their blind date, though. How's a guy ever gonna to steal a kiss with this kind of audience?

Video Time!

Jilly's been working very hard on a little video project so her people can find her. Has she convinced you?

Diamond wonders why....

Last night, Diamond worked soooo hard on the 'leave-it' command but from the look in her eye, I think she was secretly wondering just WHY we were playing this 'game'. 

On the other hand, we find this mastery of this command very helpful in daily life.  How has learning 'leave-it' been helpful to you and your pooch?

hide-n-seek sassy

I lost Sassy for about 10 minutes too long the other day. After a good sized heart attack, Elliot found her new secret fort under the bathtub stairs for me. Jeezus Sassy! I thought you'd levitated over the fence when my back was turned.

Score one for sassy bitches who love themselves a little well-deserved private time.

what's that look?

Monday night at the barn, I was admiring Farnham's heart shaped eye patch.  As we gazed into each other's eyes I wondered......

- is this "the look of love" a la Burt Bacharach? 

- or, is this a "Love love me do" early Beatles look? 

- or something else totally different? 

Waddya think?

One thing's certain, Farnham is ready for Valentine's Day.

Seriously

This guy is constantly acting like a clown. 

How is this going to help my forever people find me, Uba?

I'll just sit here in my crate waiting for someone to love me and make me their baby girl. One day they'll find me, despite Uba messing up my glamour shots.

love,

Jilly

a winter romance

With every new batch of orphans, Boy Wonder seems to choose one special dog to be his special friend. Now that Oscar has left for his new home, it's all about Sassy. And for Sassy, it's allll about Elliot.

Magpie's New Years' Wish Comes True

After spending a few days at sleep away camp, aka the barn, Magpie went home. During our drive she wasn't sure, "where are we going, chauffeur lady?" her worried brown eyes asked. When we arrived on her new street, surrounded by well manicured front yards, she wasn't sure if a little puppy from West Oakland should be in such a nice neighborhood. Then her new mom opened the front door and immediately everything was all better. 

Next, she said hello to her friend Karlee and met big sister Darian. 

Karlee demonstrated her training skills and Magpie and her new big brother, french bulldog-mix Ami, demonstrated their tandem sits.

Home at last for the little pie bald puppy. Mama Etta Bull and daddy Zeus would be so proud to see their last girl with such a lovely family.

Thank you to foster mom Rachel for taking on a little tyke and helping her grow into such a lovely young dog.