Category Archives: Dogs
Thora, my ultimate dog.
Having one senior dog is tough, having three? It really is a lot to deal with… but I wouldn’t part with even one of our oldies. Today’s challenge was to photograph something old. I jokingly asked my husband to pose for me after telling him what my challenge for today was, obviously he turned me down. 
I thought about snagging a snapshot of one of our antiques… in the end though, Lily-Ann’s idea won out. Sweets wanted his supper, Brandibuck wouldn’t sit still, so Thora it was. I’ll admit, I don’t like photographing her with my iPhone. It just doesn’t do her justice. She really is a gorgeous, gorgeous dog. I have a hard time believing she’s twelve. I remember the first time I saw her in person – after her trek with the underground railroad (traveling to us relay style driven bit by bit by volunteers like ourselves) – I broke down in tears. She really was the most beautiful puppy I’d ever seen, and to this day I’ve never met her equal… not in brains, drive, beauty, or spirit. She is a dog who is unmatched in every way, and I have been so blessed to have her as part of my life.
The light seems crazily yellow here… but that’s a camera phone for you.
A sweet story and a building project!
I had three completely unrelated things to share seeing how I needed to post a photo for challenge days 18, 19, and 20… but then I realized I could very honestly share a project the three of us worked on today and have it fit for all three topics. Yeah, it may be a bit of a cheat – but it’s not a huge one, especially considering I did grab snapshots on both Friday and Saturday, even if I’ve decided to only share a series of images from today. LOL
But first? First I have to share a really quick little story that is super cute and totally warmed my heart. 
On Friday I was over at my parents place – watching everyone so Mom could go with Dad to an out of town gig. When Marie, my sister (whom Lily-Ann is named after), got home she came upstairs as usual then asked for my attention. I stopped working on supper and looked over at her: “Yes Marie?”
“Moby.”
“Yes.”
“Moby, look.”
And with that she held up the index finger on her right hand as if to say just one second. Then she bent WAY down to where little Thor (one of my puppies from the Avenger litter whom is now my Dad’s puppy) was standing, and gave him a little pat. She then stood back up. “Moby.”
“Yes Marie?”
My sister, who has never been much of a pet person and who does her best to just ignore the other two dogs in the household, gave me a great big grin and an enthusiastic thumbs up. To which I replied “Awwww…. Marie! I’m so glad you like him. He’s a cute little guy, isn’t he?” She nodded in approval, which made me feel awfully wonderful.
Okay… now onto my challenge photos.
So, I need to share for something I bought, sweet, and someone I love. Well… here are the girl and her Dad working together to put up the last couple of shelves in her room (which he and I started putting up while she was out with my sister Riki earlier today). I think this series of pictures covers all three challenge topics pretty darn well.
Good Morning!
This morning I got in some puppy snuggles before even getting out of bed. Thankfully I keep my phone on my nightstand so snapped a quick “good morning” photo of little Bruce. I do have to admit, I’ll really miss this boy when he goes. He’s such a snugglebug – and I’ve always been one who loves an itty bitty little snugly baby.
Little Baby Bruce, Our Tiny Hulk.
It’s strangely quiet in our house tonight as suddenly there were just two. With Rogers in Regina with his new family, and Thor having a trial sleepover with my Dad we only have Bruce and Tony home. It’s an odd feeling. I’d kinda gotten used to the chaos four three and a half month old puppies can create.
I really do hope things work out with my Dad and Thor. With Thor being Lily-Ann’s favourite, it would be really nice to keep him in the family. And my Dad hasn’t had a dog that was really HIS in such a long long time… and Thor might actually get to accompany my Dad on his many out of town gigs. With Thor staying, I’d also get to show him – which would be fun too. I do have other options for him if it doesn’t work, but it would just be really nice for all of us if things panned out.
In addition to the challenge, tomorrow I’ll be sharing a very special author interview. So make sure you pop in to check it out. Her newest book is hitting stores and she’s shared a little with me about herself and what you can expect!
My bag, a glimpse into my life.
Rogers, who we are registering as Aes Sidhe Captain America, left us to go live with his forever family. Of course, they have a thirty day trial period to ensure things work out first, but I’m confident in this placement. I really do think he’s a perfect fit for them… and the picture they sent me earlier this evening – of him all snuggled in for a snooze under his new Daddy’s chin, the two of them laying together on the couch – just further cemented it.
It’s always a weird few days after someone leaves. Whether it’s a puppy going to their forever home, or a client dog who is returning home after being a part of our pack for several months… when someone leaves the entire dynamic of the house shifts. And that’s happening here now.
So… onto today’s challenge: “in your bag”.
My bag used to be a purse. Because I used to be a girl. Now I’m a mom, and more fierce than any girl… Grrrl, gurl, or Woman works for me. And my bag is not a purse… it really is a bag. And instead of a compact, lip colour, and moisturizer I carry a spare pair of pajamas for the kid, snacks, reusable bags, cloth pads, and cute princess and fairy bandages.
A person’s bag (if they carry one) can reveal a lot about that person. You really do get a real quick glimpse into their life and the things that are important to them. Amidst the papers and bits of “stuff” one just naturally accumulates (that needs to be cleared out every so often) are bits of treasure and parts of a life well lived, or wasted, depending on your point of view.
…all the essentials in one place.
Tomorrow? “Something you’re reading”. After that? “Happiness”. Something that having all the right things in your bag can help ensure… at least when you have a little one about.
Favourite: on collecting art
I spent a lot of my time through the morning and afternoon thinking about what I could share for “favourite”. After all, there are so many ways a person could go with such an open ended photography challenge. I thought about it while brushing my teeth, while running errands, while watering the plants… It wasn’t until it was almost time to pick up the girl from kindergarten that I settled on my subject matter. I would share my favourite piece of art.
I’m an art collector. I love original art. Due to lack of funds I often have to be creative to feed this particular passion. Trading and bartering are wonderful things – and something I encourage even in my own line of work. As a photographer I’m happy to trade time and skill with other artists and craftspeople.
My collection includes work by local talent, and those across the globe from me. It includes digital works as well as more traditional pieces. I’ll admit to the inclusion of a print as well – it’s an Emily Carr, and as much as it would thrill my soul to have an original of hers, purchasing one would put us out on the street… where it’s especially difficult a collection.
And through all this variance, and all this beauty? My current favourite piece of art is hanging on my fridge:
An untitled, four part piece, in ink, glitter, and stickers on construction paper by Lily-Ann Smith and her Uncle, Wilson Yandt:
One of my favourite memories from our first month in this house was watching the two of them sitting at her art station shortly after my brother had moved in. I loved listening to the back and forth, the love and genuine sharing. It filled my heart in a huge way. And I think what they created together is beautiful. It is bright, vibrant and full of goodness. There is a real possibility it may end up in a frame before the Winter is out. I think it would break my heart if anything were to happen to it, so while it’s on the fridge now, I think it will be much safer behind glass.
Tomorrows challenge will be much easier.
Chihuahua Puppies Make Me Smile!
The challenge for today was to capture something that “makes you smile”, that was another easy one. My babies! And being how I vowed to take this challenge through the lens of my iPhone this capture made me laugh repeatedly as I attempted to capture The Avengers sitting still long enough to be something other than a blur.
Clearly unsuccessful – but cute none the less. LOL That’s Rogers on the far left, and as the biggest “goer” in the group I knew I didn’t have a chance of getting him without blur. Next to him with his tongue out and ears back, licking his own nose is Tony. In the back, wondering what the heck my husband is doing, is Bruce. And up at the front, looking like he’s only got one front leg (gotta love the blur) is Thor.
Well that’s a LITTLE better… and shockingly Rogers is actually standing still – that’s him on the far right self stacking so nicely. On the far left (on the floor, unimpressed with all the attention the puppies are getting that obviously should be being lavished on him) is our old man, and the puppies Daddy, Sweets. Tony is blurred next to him behind Thor, who is looking oh so darling sitting on that orange pillow. And last but not least, between Thor and Rogers, is little baby Bruce.
Yep. Puppies NEVER fail to make me smile.
Hmmm… what’s tomorrows challenge?
…oooo. “Favourite”. I may have to think on that one. LOL
Craft Crazy!
This time of year I tend to be on crafting overdrive. Far too many projects and not nearly the time needed to comfortably complete them all. I love it anyway though. 
A My Little Pony Artist’s Trading Card for the Trading Post. The theme was “holiday specials”, which is why Frosty is stuck in the corner – clearly I didn’t feel adventurous enough to sketch him myself.
It used to just be me, crafting all by my lonesome… but now that Kid Kid is five, she’s in it right along with me. It’s awesome to see how well she’s doing to, in so many mediums. Embroidery, sewing, painting, drawing – and that’s just today. We still have planting, baking, decorating, packaging, more painting, more embroidery, more drawing, and a buttload of sewing still to go.
Paint covered play clothes. Crafting is a dirty job, but somebody’s gotta do it.
I wish I could share all the projects, but some of the folk who are on the receiving end of our efforts may stop by the blog, so we gotta keep it all under wraps. I gotta say though, as artsy fartsy as we are, all this creative work is absolutely exhausting. It is with great relief that we welcome bedtime tonight.
The girl and Sweets (the old man chi) drifting off to sleep as Daddy reads… a bedtime well deserved after a day of working hard.
Puppy Puzzle – Hastings Style Evaluation
Today the boys of the Avenger Litter turned eight weeks old… kinda hard to imagine there are people who send their babies home at this point. I can’t even imagine sending them off so early. For us, eight weeks marks the time for puppy evaluations and well baby check-ups with Dr. Wickstrom. So that’s what we did with our afternoon.
The boys all had a blast playing on the floor of the exam room – as did a few members of the Acadia Vet Clinic staff. Our boys aren’t shy, and are happy to have a chance to zoom around and explore a new environment with new people. Altina was very impressed with each of the boys, and complimented “mom” on doing such a great job with them. LOL
I figure this is also a good a time as any to put up a page for them on my Sidhe Dogs website. After all, with evaluations as great as theirs, I wanted to brag a little – and really, that’s what my Chihuahua website is for: a chance to brag on all my wonderful babies. So I’d like to invite you to stop on over there to have a peek at some photos of the boys on our kitchen table – doing their best job at self stacking – and to have a good look at the results of our puppy puzzle evaluations.
Sidhe Dogs – http://sidhe.tobi-dawne.com/The_Avenger_Litter.html
