Pecan Pie Puppies

it's that time again...

2011-10-14T13:15:00.000-04:00

Oh, yes... it's time for Christmas collars once again. I'm putting them in the shop a little earlier this year because I'll be closing down the shop the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

From about November 1st until December 23rd last year, I was getting about 3 hours of sleep each night (and pulling an all-nighter at least once a week) to get all of my orders out on time. And while I was SO incredibly grateful for the business, I literally began to hate the holidays because I was sleep-deprived and REALLY cranky. I had zero time to shop for or wrap gifts, spend time with family and friends and if it weren't for my mother, I probably wouldn't even have had a Christmas tree.

So I'm determined to actually enjoy Christmas this year... hence the reason the shop will be closing on November 27th.

So make sure to order early this year... I think the new styles are pretty cute! And my classic Poinsettia collar, along with my tartan bowtie collars, are back in the shop this year too!

football season is upon us!

2011-09-09T12:30:00.001-04:00

Just for you Bulldog fans...

Happy Friday friends... It's football season folks and I'm excited! I love this time of year, and I'm sending good thoughts to my Clemson Tigers. My blood runs orange and if you've never experienced the most exciting 25 seconds in college football, you don't know what you're missing!

I just added a new collection to the shop this morning that features a new style of bow collar in college team colors. So far you'll find the University of Georgia, University of Alabama and the University of Texas. I'll be adding Clemson, South Carolina, Ole Miss and Iowa (and perhaps Auburn) next Friday.

You might be wondering why a Clemson collar wasn't the first version I made. Well... it's freakin' hard to find cute "true" purple fabrics for some reason! I'm on a mission this weekend to locate a purple fabric that will work and as soon as I find it, rest assured a Clemson collar will follow close behind!

And if you have a favorite team that I haven't listed, you can always contact me for a custom order...

back to school!

2011-08-15T11:26:00.000-04:00

My newest collar... just in time for Back to School shopping! It would be super cute for those pups headed to obedience and training classes. Or it would be the perfect gift for a favorite teacher that loves her four-legged best friend!

happy 8th birthday oliver!

2011-08-14T20:35:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to wish the old guy in my house a Happy 8th Birthday... I can't believe that little scraggledy pup I found wandering around in the rain on Valentine's Day so many years ago is eight years old! Love you and your giant ears sweet boy!

beat the heat with honest kitchen ice pups

2011-08-11T15:26:00.000-04:00

Honest Kitchen Ice Pups are awesome. I recently ordered some for my crew, and they are now Ice Pups' biggest fans.

Honest Kitchen is an amazing company... I highly recommend their regular foods as well. But the Ice Pups are so great for summer. It's basically a tin filled with a healthy mix that you combine with warm water. And in an age where I can't pronounce half the ingredients in many foods I find, it's so nice to find simple and healthy products. Ice Pups have eight ingredients... Chicken, Turkey, Whey, Dandelion, Asparagus, Watercress, Honey, Parsley.

You just freeze the mix in an ice cube tray (I used this ice tray that makes little bone-shaped treats), and in no time you'll have icy treats that dogs LOVE. And another great feature is that you can serve this warm as well... so in the wintertime, you can offer it to your dogs as a toasty treat.

missing my brother...

2011-08-10T10:57:00.000-04:00

My brother is spectacularly awesome. I know that as his older sister I'm sort of obligated to think he's that way, but all bias set aside... he really is amazing.

He's an F-18 Hornet fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy. And he recently deployed aboard the Navy's newest aircraft carrier - the U.S.S. George H.W. Bush. My mom, sister-in-law and I are constantly trying to come up with creative and different things to send him while he's away. So I figured that I should just use what I have at my disposal - the dogs (and my cat!).

just to make you smile

2011-08-10T10:15:00.001-04:00

I'm sure LOTS of you have seen this video, but I'm posting it anyway. It makes me laugh so hard every time I see it, and I never get tired of it.

I think what makes it so funny is that if a dog could talk, this is exactly how it would go...

new kid...

2011-04-12T13:40:00.000-04:00

So what was that I was saying about enjoying having only four dogs for a while? Yeah, y'all didn't buy that right?

How handsome is that kiddo above? His name is MacDougall (Mac for short) and he's been crashing at my pad for about a month now. And he's precious. And large. And fluffy. And I love him.

So here's his story... I got an email the last time I was up in Greenville, SC about a six year old Bernese Mountain Dog that was living chained outside and the family didn't want him anymore. My heart about broke in half because I've always had a major soft spot for Berners, and I knew that as a Berner, he wouldn't live much longer because six years old is pretty old for that breed.

So the rationalization in my head went... "I'll just let him live out his remaining time with me. He won't be around much longer, and I'll make him comfortable and happy for as long as I have him."

Well, I showed up to the meeting with the people who had him (who, incidentally, actually brought him there ON THE CHAIN and not on a leash), and lo and behold, he was most definitely NOT a Bernese Mountain Dog. But he definitely was sweet and gentle, and I was a goner.

So now I have a middle-aged giant fluffball (my best guess at his origins is perhaps a Great Pyrenees cross) living in my house. He gets along splendidly with all my kids, loves everyone he meets, and is a model tenant.

Unfortunately, he does have some health problems that are beyond his control. He was never given heartworm meds, and so he is heartworm positive. And he had some x-rays done last week that revealed severe hip and elbow dysplasia. So right now we're working on pain management with fish oil supplements, glucosamine/chondroiton supplements and Rimadyl. And he's feeling so much better! And - don't tell him this - but big boy will have his manhood taken away tomorrow (he was allowed to wander prior to being chained up so I shudder to think how many mini-Macs there are running around Greenville County).

So glad you guys have met my newest addition! I'll keep you posted and up-to-date on his progress!

i love a good print...

2011-03-28T13:59:00.000-04:00

I love it when someone manages to capture an aspect of the relationships we have with our dogs just through a simple illustration. I can't tell you how much this reminds me of my dad and Quincy. Ping Zhu is such a talented illustrator, and you can grab the fantastic print above at her online store here.

a legend lost

2011-03-24T10:19:00.001-04:00

Elizabeth Taylor was the living definition of a movie star. She got her start as a child actress working alongside the most famous collie in the world, and one of her famous quotes is - "Some of my best leading men have been dogs and horses." She will be missed...

yum...

2011-03-23T17:34:00.000-04:00

Get your cupcake on...

post its

2011-03-23T10:21:00.000-04:00

Usually all I can think about when I see post-it notes is that episode of Sex and the City where Berger breaks up with Carrie on a post-it. Know the one I'm talking about? He leaves her apartment in the middle of the night, and just sticks a note to her computer that says "I'm sorry. I can't. Don't hate me." God, I miss that show.

Anyway, getting back on track here... How cute are these doggie post-its? I use sticky notes all the time for EVERYTHING so I'm going to buy these as soon as I finish typing this post!

japan

2011-03-17T09:39:00.000-04:00

We all watch with heavy hearts as the events in Japan unfold, and I know most of us want to do whatever we can to help in big and small ways. All proceeds of the sale of these dog bandanas go to World Vets - a group who works in emergency situations with teams of first responders in disaster areas to asses and begin treatment of the animals affected by the disaster. Their teams are already on the ground in Japan working tirelessly to help as many animals as possible. So if you and your pup would like to support the work they're doing in Japan, you can purchase a bandana here or contribute directly to World Vets here.

something to strive for...

2011-03-16T10:36:00.000-04:00

I've always loved this saying and now it's available as a hand silkscreened print in the sfgirlbybay shop!

easter time...

2011-03-14T15:56:00.000-04:00

Meet the twins... Sylvia and Lewis... they're pretty cute, right? They're available in the shop through Easter!

thanks petsugar!

2011-03-09T11:13:00.000-05:00

Head on over to PetSugar to check out their March must-haves... they're showing Pecan Pie Puppies some love! And while you're there, make sure to look around at all the other fun information they have available!

And if you want to win a free Pecan Pie Puppies collar, visit Life as a California Wife and enter to win!

wisdom panel dna test

2011-02-16T10:11:00.000-05:00

I have always wanted to try one of the DNA tests on my various mutts and mixed breeds. So a few weeks ago, I finally got around to it and ordered a test kit for Oliver - my slightly nutty but super sweet guy.

I chose to go with Wisdom Panel... and I've been very pleased with the entire process. They have the most breeds available out of all the DNA kits out there right now - over 185 to be exact. The kit had super simple instructions, arrived quickly and was easy to use. And once I sent it off, I received an email in just a few days to let me know they had received the samples. In less than three weeks, I received another email to let me know they had completed the processing, and Oliver's breed report was available online via PDF... yay!

Ollie is obviously a very unique and exotic looking dog, and for obvious reasons, I had always assumed he was mostly Dalmation (ahem, white with black spots? deaf with blue eyes? all classic Dalmation) with maybe a little terrier or something else thrown in to give him his giant ears. So you can imagine my surprise when I got this (click to enlarge):

Not a bit of Dalmation anywhere! And after I looked at the report, I was like "Duh... of course he's Husky and Australian Cattle Dog" but I had been so hung up on Dalmation his entire life that I'd never considered other possibilities. He's shaped exactly like a Cattle Dog, and has the blue eyes of a Husky.

This was SUCH a fun experience, so if you have a mixed breed pup and you want to know what you've got on your hands, I definitely recommend the Wisdom Panel test. You'll see your dog in a whole new way! One disclaimer... if you have a true Heinz 57... one who's grandparents and great-grandparents were also mutts, none of the DNA tests out there will be able to tell you very much unfortunately. Because there's so little purebred DNA to work with, it's hard for them to be certain about it. I'm about to test my Mona Mae, and I expect that I might have this problem with her, but I'll keep y'all posted on the outcome.

Wisdom Panel is having a special right now on their breed test, and you can purchase it online for only $69.99 plus I found a coupon code that should work for another $10 off! Just enter INSIGHTS10 during checkout (make sure you use ALL CAPS or it won't work).

my four-legged valentines

2011-02-14T11:08:00.000-05:00

They're a pretty good looking crew if I do say so myself...

let's talk...

2011-02-10T17:56:00.000-05:00

I realize I've let you guys down lately. I promised to be more diligent about blogging on a regular basis, and well... I've definitely dropped the ball on that one. Life just took over and somehow on my daily list of things to do, the blog got pushed to the bottom.

So now I shall attempt to prove to you that I am a changed woman, and I will attempt to reclaim my place in blogger-land by posting a lot more regularly.

One good piece of news that I have to share is that the precious nugget you see above is now living in her new forever home. Matilda was with me for almost a year and a half as a foster, so it wasn't easy parting with her, but it was what was best for her and the rest of my family of four-legged kids. She is the sweetest, snuggliest and most precious girl, but my Penny Sue hated her... with a vengeance... so she had to move on. She's with a great new family, and it's a wonderful situation for me because I will get to see her from time to time.

Because of Matilda's departure, I'm down to just my four dogs for the first time in a LONG time. I realize that four dogs might seem like a lot to many folks out there, but to me it feels downright calm and quiet! I kind of don't know what to do with myself. Well, that's not entirely true. Because it's chicken time people. That's right. I'm in the process of planning out my Palais de Poulet, and I hope to have my new coop built in the spring. Hopefully I'll have some feathered ladies moving in soon after, and I'll share them with you once they're settled.

So that's what's new with me... Oh, and there are fun new St. Patrick's Day collars in the shop so check 'em out!

thanks pupstyle!

2011-01-06T16:13:00.000-05:00

A big thank you to Pupstyle for their feature on Pecan Pie Puppies collars today! Head on over and look us up, and while you're there, check out all the other fun things on the site.

sorry boys...

2011-01-04T14:33:00.000-05:00

Nothing for you this time around. It's cold, dreary and my living room looks so bare and empty now that the tree is gone. So I was in the mood to make some pretty and colorful new flower collars to brighten things up.

My favorite one this time around is my new Spunky Bruiser collar above... my nickname for the one and only Matilda Rose. Isn't she adorable? If you think so, she can be all yours because she's available for adoption!

I've also been dying to make a new hydrangea collar in pink... and here it is... gingham is my new best friend. It's making a comeback people - it's not just for your Grandma's country curtains anymore. And I made the fun Purple Polka Dot collar on a whim, and it turned out so nice, I put it in the shop. As alway, you can find them all here.

instant monkey

2011-01-03T13:53:00.001-05:00

Yes. Who can't use a little more monkey in the new year?

we love orvis

2010-12-22T13:02:00.000-05:00

We love Orvis in our neck of the woods. They have great dog products, and their dog beds are the best out there. I highly recommend their memory foam beds if you have a pup that's getting on in years and has joint pain, or if you have a certified "Dog Bed Destroyer," check out their tough-chew beds.

But now I love them even more. For every new "Like" they receive on their Orvis Dogs Facebook page in the month of December, Orvis will donate $1 to the Morris Animal Foundation's Canine Cancer Campaign up to $10,000!

It's only for the month of December, so go like them right now! Go on... get!

paloma's nest

2010-11-30T11:36:00.000-05:00

This has nothing to do with dogs, but it IS Southern, so I have to share. I've always been a fan of Paloma's Nest... I love the simplicity of her designs. But this ornament is so fantastically Southern that I had to show you guys.

You slap "y'all" on pretty much anything and I'm on board. It's one of the most convenient contractions ever. For my non-Southerners out there - you really need to start working it into your conversations. You'll be amazed at how much time you save.

Thanks SHAPE Magazine!

2010-11-29T09:17:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited that SHAPE Magazine included my Pink Peony Seersucker Collar in their holiday gift guide this year! How cute is that model?

SHAPE Magazine is giving away five of my collars (plus lots of other cool stuff from their gift guide) on the web site... just go here to check it out!

new collars

2010-11-18T13:57:00.001-05:00

So I seriously underestimated how quickly my holiday collars would sell this year. It's a great problem to have, and thank you to everyone that has purchased already - you guys are great! - but I've already run out of the fabric that I used for my original Holiday Tartan collars. And since I can't order more, I've added two different tartans to the shop. So it turned out to be a good thing, because I am in L-O-V-E with the new emerald green fabric that I found.

You can find them in the shop!

ornaments anyone?

2010-11-17T11:06:00.000-05:00

Christmas will be here before we can all turn around twice. I'm doing two trees this year to make up for the fact that I didn't put up a tree last year... One will be my pretty, color-coordinated tree and the other will be a smaller, dog-themed tree with the custom ornaments I've had made (more on that tomorrow).

Here's a little mini-round up of some cute puppy ornaments out there...

Clockwise from top left: 1) Handmade felt breed ornaments from Best Friends Studios (he looks just like Quincy!); 2) Custom ceramic bone ornaments from Sunshine Ceramics (I've ordered a bunch of these for myself and family!); 3) Fabric dapper doggies from Crate and Barrel; and 4) A classic from Pottery Barn.

rover

2010-11-09T14:49:00.001-05:00

I don't dress my dogs in outfits and things, but I will have them rock a sweater or coat from time to time if the weather gets cold enough (which almost never happens in South Carolina). But when I found these tailored, classic jackets from ROVER, I almost fell out of my chair. They're all handmade and available right here.

Y'all don't tell Mona Mae, but that khaki trench up there is probably going to be her Christmas present. How faboo will she look sporting that coat with one of my red flowers pinned to the collar?

it's dangerous to be my friend

2010-10-29T16:19:00.001-04:00

This is what ends up happening if you're my friend... I convince you to take animals from me, and then you end up with an adorable yet neurotic dog that has the legs of a giraffe, and a terrorist cat that has been (affectionately) dubbed Osama bin Martin.

They look awfully cute here, but this was probably before all heck broke loose and things went downhill. For example, Amos absolutely refuses to eat his dog food out of anything. Seriously. You can't give him his food in a bowl... he's scared of it. He used to just eat his food straight off the floor, but I think they've made progress and he'll now use a paper plate. And Martin the cat? He will climb you... up your leg, he'll take a detour under your arm, scale your neck and then to the top of your head.

But my friends Kati & Matt are animal people and they love their special needs children. Although I am surprised they're speaking to me these days...

back from the big city

2010-10-25T15:29:00.001-04:00

I have returned from Atlanta with my brain full of new dog training info and my purse empty of money. Just take a look at all the fun dog stuff I scored at the APDT Trade Show. I won't bore you with everything I purchased, but some of the highlights are the Kong Wobbler, a couple of Nina Ottosson toys (the Tornado and Twister) and a new Premier Slap Happy. I also went a little nuts at the Dogwise booth and bought several new books (on the topics of shy and fearful dogs, managing a multi-dog household and canine cognition). If you want more info on any of the books or any toys you spy in the picture above, just let me know.

We went non-stop every day during the conference, and I was so excited that I got a chance to learn from some of the top trainers and animal behaviorists in the country. One of the big highlights of my week was meeting Patricia McConnell in person and having the opportunity to listen to her presentation on canine cognition and emotions.

I also attended an "Intro to K9 Nose Work" presentation at the conference, and I am so excited about it. It's a relatively new sport in the dog world, and the great thing about it is that you don't have to compete to actually enjoy the sport with your dog. It's all about developing your dog's natural scenting abilities, and it's lots of fun for both owner and dog. The K9 Nose Work concept was developed by Amy Herot, Jill Marie O'Brien and Ron Gaunt, and their presentation was a basic introduction to the sport and provided just enough information to make me excited to start working with my dogs. If you want more information on it, you can check out their site.

That's going to have to be all for now because I'm off to catch up on collar-making and hanging out with my pups... I missed them!

hittin' the road

2010-10-18T11:02:00.001-04:00

I'm taking this show on the road tomorrow and heading to the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. This is my first conference, and I am so incredibly lucky to be mentored by a couple of APDT veterans - one of whom is a past APDT president. I hope to return with my brain bursting with new and insightful canine information (and my wallet a little - or a lot - lighter after I hit the trade show). I'll be checking in here regularly though so make sure to stop by from time to time this week.

holiday collars are here!

2010-10-15T12:36:00.000-04:00

So it's in the the shop... the new 2010 Holiday Collection. I know it's early... but here's something I've learned since opening my store. I used to be one of those people who got really ticked when Target started putting out Christmas gear before Halloween had passed (and I still get apoplectic when I hear Christmas music on the radio before Thanksgiving). But now that I've been on this side of the retail situation, I realize that folks expect your Christmas stuff to be available this early. I get emails and inquiries that start in early October asking about my Christmas collars. So there you go. Christmas in October.

But I am really excited about this year's collection. I love Christmas, and it's always a lot of fun for me to plan and design my holiday collars. And now I can share it with you... take a gander...

I'm bringing back the poinsettia this year - but this time it's available in all three colors...

And there are a couple of bow tie options for the special man in your life...

And in addition to Mr. Santa up there, there's also a saucy little red bird and the tartan trio...

front door warning

2010-10-14T15:32:00.000-04:00

This doormat is perfect for me. It would provide ample warning to guests that animals and fur are in ample supply just beyond my front door.

While I don't have any hooved animals in my crew (see doormat), I have been seriously considering adding a couple of chickens to the family now that the city allows them. But I must devise a way to keep them safe and secure from crazy dogs before I can expand my brood. I also must reconcile myself to the fact that the chickens wouldn't be allowed inside when it gets cold. I'd be the crazy lady trying to round up her chickens and put them in the bathroom every night during the winter...

sneaky sneaky...

2010-10-13T12:30:00.001-04:00

A little sneak peek of what's to come... the 2010 Holiday Collection in the shop this Friday:

a pick-me-up just for you

2010-10-07T15:55:00.002-04:00

This isn't dog-related at all, but I needed a little pick me up this afternoon, so I thought I'd share it with you too. Wouldn't it be nice if we could greet everyday like this? Ok, I'm out... gotta go practice this dance...

a former marine finds a home

2010-10-06T11:24:00.001-04:00

Photo by Anne McQuary for The Wall Street Journal

Gunner, a former bomb-sniffing dog in the Marines, has found a new home with the Dunhams whose own son died in Iraq protecting the men with whom he served. And now they've opened their hearts and home to an emotionally scarred Labrador who needs lots of love and guidance. I hope that together this new little family will be able to begin healing, and I hope that the Dunhams will get Gunner the help he needs to adjust to his new life and learn to be a fun-loving Labrador once again.

Read more about Gunner and the Dunhams here.

keeping it simple

2010-10-05T14:28:00.000-04:00

I love making my collars with the cute owls, watermelons and turkeys. They're lots of fun, but I confess... my favorite collars are always the ones with just simple blossoms or bow ties. And I LOVE my new plaid collars in the shop. Usually my dogs get the cast-offs that don't ever make it to the store, but these are so pretty that I'm going to make my crew a fresh batch of collars.

And can we talk about how much I love plaid? There's something so perfect about plaid, and I'm currently obsessed with it now that's it's getting a little cooler outside. I realized today though that I need to mix it up a little in the bow tie department... I only have one non-plaid bow tie collar in the shop. I'm going on the hunt for boy fabrics soon so I can remedy the problem.

You can find the new plaid collars in the shop here.

fetch & win a freebie!

2010-09-28T17:39:00.005-04:00

I've always found it interesting how some dogs have zero interest in playing fetch while others would literally walk over hot coals to retrieve a ball and bring it back.

Sure... those delightful retrievers are hard-wired to fetch. My perfect Labrador Retriever was a certified fetcher - he should've had some kind of laminated card he could whip out that said "Every tennis ball returned within one minute or your next throw is free." If there was a ball within a one mile radius, he would find it, and he couldn't focus on anything else until the ball was located and then dropped at my feet.

But what about those dogs that aren't tried and true retrievers? I have a Pit Bull that will almost jump a six foot fence trying to get to a tennis ball that has gone awry. But the other Pittie in the household will go fetch it a couple of times and then look at me as if to say "Been there, done that. What's next lady?" And then of course there's Mona Mae who's definitely more Labrador than anything else and she couldn't care less about a ball. Retrieving is sooo beneath her. My hound mix is kuh-razy about playing fetch, but my Dalmation mix is hit or miss depending on what day it is (or perhaps it just depends on which one of his wires is loose that day).

In my "fruit basket turnover" of a doggie household, I have a canine at pretty much every point on the Fetching Spectrum. DNA obviously plays a big role in how ball-crazy a dog will be... And there are ways to train even the most ball-ambivalent dog to fetch. But I just think it's an interesting discussion.

So let's hear it guys - do you have a crazy fetcher in the family? Leave a comment telling me all about it and you'll have a chance to win the stylish set of Harry Barker tennis balls above (maybe Mona Mae would fetch if I bought her cute tennis balls). They come in two different sizes so even the little bits can play.

Deadline to enter is ~~Saturday, October 2nd at noon ET.~~ TIME'S UP!

One winner will be picked at random and announced sometime Friday late afternoon. Good luck everyone!

The winner is Stella Louise! Congrats... Please email me here so I can get your address. Thanks so everyone for participating!

EmersonMade

2010-09-24T16:47:00.000-04:00

I have long been obsessed with EmersonMade. They started out making handmade flowers (which of course makes them kindred spirits), and they recently branched out with a clothing line and additional accessories that are so awesome it almost makes me shed a tear.

Do y'all see how fantastic that clutch is? Someone pass me my wallet STAT.

turkeys r cool

2010-09-22T12:27:00.000-04:00

Just added my one and only Thanksgiving collar to the shop... Ted is his name, running from Farmer John is his game. Ted can rest easy though since we're vegetarians round these parts... check him out here.

dog-friendly beaches round-up

2010-09-20T10:08:00.000-04:00

Coastal Living has a great round-up on their web site of dog-friendly beaches around the country. While my fave didn't make the list (Sullivan's Island, SC), there are plenty of great options so make sure to check it out.

dogify the kitchen

2010-09-17T12:24:00.000-04:00

Any Bulldog or Berner fans out there? Hang one of these on the oven door and you'll smile every time you're in the kitchen. It'll make emptying the dishwasher a little more cheerful.

entourage

2010-09-15T15:57:00.000-04:00

Awesome. Requires a dog with plenty of swagger to pull it off.

gone fishin'

2010-09-15T11:21:00.000-04:00

Not really... but for those of you that visited my shop in the last couple of days, I'm sure you noticed that all of my collars were missing. I had an issue with the online shop, but it's back up and running now. Thanks to all of you who were concerned about my whereabouts!

And now that I'm back in business, I've added my 2010 Halloween collars to the shop. So go check 'em out.

friday frog legs

2010-09-10T09:48:00.000-04:00

Frog legs make that bone taste better... you didn't know that?

these creatures

2010-09-03T09:57:00.001-04:00

So when you have five dogs, you have dog bowls EVERYWHERE. I only have two dogs that can happily eat together side by side... the other three have to be fed in completely separate locations in order to keep the peace. But if I didn't have that problem, I would be all over these hanging feeders from these creatures.

Here's a dog doing his thing... I love the fact that it would keep a dog that likes to flip her bowl over from doing so (ahem, Matilda).

I'm particularly fond of the Pit Bull style... I swear, it looks like Quincy secretly went and modeled for it.

early fall

2010-09-01T14:01:00.000-04:00

I've got a girl crush... and her name is Olive. She makes me happy.

Just added a few new "early Fall" items to the shop. And yes, I know it's not quite fall, but I'm so ready for cooler weather, falling leaves and COLLEGE FOOTBALL baby! Go Tigers!

love me some books

2010-08-31T10:42:00.000-04:00

These two new books will be making their way to my bookshelf. The cover on the first one alone was enough to hook me. Check out Oogy and The Lost Dogs.

kids say the darndest things...

2010-08-31T10:18:00.001-04:00

Can't take credit for this one... my friend was passing it around on her Facebook page, but it's so adorable that I must share. My bully lovers out there are going to be very happy campers.

SUV dog crates

2010-08-19T13:25:00.000-04:00

I pride myself on knowing most of the handy gadgets and helpful everyday items for dog owners that are out there. (That happens when you have five dogs and your entire life revolves around them.) So how did these extra-narrow, SUV dog crates escape my notice? I had a friend mention them to me recently, and I was like "WHAT?". So I immediately tracked them down.

I'm sort of ashamed to admit that I am REALLY excited about these. But at least I'm among dog lovers here. You can order them at Amazon for only $80 each (that's for the large size) and it easily will fit my largest dog (around 62 lbs). For those of you with really big dogs, never fear. They have an even larger size that is still the same width.

I've also been searching for a new vehicle (since my poor little Escape was sent to car heaven when I had my wreck), and I'm pretty settled on the Chevy Traverse.

It is deceptively roomy... and the available cargo space is considerable - 116.4 cubic feet! And it's pretty too. I will be able to fit FOUR of the SUV crates in the back if I need to (which I do... because I have 100 bajillion dogs). And it gets much better gas mileage than something like a Tahoe or Expedition.

I also considered the Honda Element, and it was a strong contender. But its cargo space - even with the back seats removed - couldn't compare to what the Traverse could offer. So I'm currently on the hunt for a Traverse that has all the features I want. I can't drive right now anyway (lovely cast on my right leg and all), so I have plenty of time to make sure I find exactly what I need.

dusty girl

2010-08-12T14:16:00.000-04:00

I love chalkboards. I realize that it's strange to love chalkboards. But I do.

I love making lists and writing things out, and chalkboards - although messy - are just better looking than most white boards.

So this chalkboard - with it's little doggie shaped eraser - is right up my alley.

furbish dog beds

2010-08-04T12:25:00.000-04:00

I don't know if you guys read I Suwannee, but if you don't... then get on it. Jamie has an awesome blog, and she now has an fantastic store - Furbish - based in Raleigh, NC. I love that she's taken the big step to open up her own shop... she's working hard, but I can tell she's loves what she's doing. I'm super inspired and envious... I'm always dreaming of what I hope to do some day, and I'm working toward that goal, but so far, I'm still going through the daily grind until I reach the point where I can leave my job with a steady salary and benefits and live my dream.

But I digress. Jamie just unveiled her new line of dog beds at Furbish. Can you say eye candy? And she also has an adorable schnauzer Rowdy that is with her at the shop most days (also super jealous that she can take her pup to work with her). And if you happen to live near Raleigh, you can head over to Rowdy's birthday party this Saturday at the store! If you bring a puppy friend, you get a storewide discount and there will be all kinds of fun doggie things for our four-legged friends.

And even if you can't get to the store in person, you can email Jamie for pricing information on her new dog beds. She ships straight from the store. Happy shopping!

wrecked

2010-07-21T23:01:00.000-04:00

Hi guys... just wanted to explain my recent absence. I was involved in a pretty bad car wreck early last week. I totaled my car, was banged up pretty good, and dislocated and broke some bones in my right foot.

I'm doing ok... and luckily I have a wonderful mom who has practically moved in with me to take care of me and all my puppies. I also have fantastic friends that are dog-sitting for a few of my babies as well.

I'm very lucky that I wasn't more seriously hurt considering the severity of the wreck, and I'm incredibly grateful that I didn't have any of the dogs with me. I know without a doubt that they would have most likely been killed if they had been in the car.

This has brought home to me that they need to be as secure as possible when I have them with me in the car, and making sure they're safe is my number one priority as I choose my new car. I'll keep you all posted as I research dog-friendly vehicles in the next couple of weeks. Thanks guys!

the skinny

2010-07-12T11:07:00.010-04:00

So since I've been away so long, I thought I'd fill everyone in on the pups' current activities... we've been busy.

Mona Mae is currently in Rally training. If you don't know what Rally is, it's basically a course that we go through together where we have to perform different obedience tasks... Not as physical as agility, but fun all the same. We hope to start entering competitions soon! And don't you think she's looks extra cute these days too?

Quincy is still visiting with me as my Delta Society Pet Partner around town. He visits a local assisted living facility, an oncology unit at a local hospital and a VA medical facility. He loves visiting and passing on his doggie love, and I enjoy the fact that we get to change the perception of pit bulls one person at a time.

Oliver is... still Oliver. He's a little kooky, but sweet as can be.

Penny Sue had recently become more and more anxious and nervous. She's always been skittish, but she has gotten worse in recent months. I'm working with my vet on different medication options, and we've been test-driving the Thundershirt. So far, we've had some success with it, but I think it gives even better results with other anxious behaviors (thunder and other sound phobias, etc.) than it does for her general anxiety.

And guess who's still around? Matilda... also known around these parts as "Flapjack." Oh yes, she still lives with me. I haven't been able to find a good home for her yet. But I've been having a blast working on clicker training with her. She has taken to it like a duck to water, and she has learned all kinds of useful and fun things. We've also been working hard on "sitting for petting" because she tends to be rather enthusiastic about greeting new people. She also is a pain to photograph... she either won't sit still or she looks like she does to the left - like she has a stomachache or something. But she's still available for adoption so spread the word!

So that's the skinny on my puppy pack. Well, that... and the fact that they're all shedding like crazy and I feel like I live in a dog fur snowglobe sometimes.

blueblood indeed...

2010-07-08T16:36:00.001-04:00

Let's just say my dogs are about as far from "bluebloods" as they can get. I pick them up from the side of the road, when I'm going through a fast food drive-through and from the shelter. But that doesn't mean they shouldn't be treated like one.

Blueblood dog products are so chic and well-made. I seriously love their dog beds (the purple one is my favorite), and the reversible totes are calling my name. And right now, if you use the code JULY 4, not only will they give you 20% off your purchase and free shipping, but they'll also donate the proceeds to the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund. It's a pretty sweet deal so make sure to check it out...

y'all bear with me...

2010-07-07T17:43:00.000-04:00

I'm working on a new look... and I hate this one... but it's 5:45 and I'm out. I'll try to fix this mess tomorrow!

yummies

2010-07-06T13:36:00.000-04:00

So I have a friend who is a dog trainer, has adorable Shelties and she competes in Rally (more on that later). She also makes liver treats that my dogs (and every other dog I've ever known to try them) absolutely love. So I'm passing along the recipe.

Pay attention folks - I don't think I can emphasize enough how BANANAS these will make your dog. I've known my dogs to almost tear my purse apart trying to get to some of these I accidentally left in my bag. And I make no guarantees, but I'm pretty sure you could convince your dog to do a back handspring followed by an advanced calculus problem if you promise them one of these treats.

They're great for just everyday snacks, but you can cut them up into small pieces to use for training time as well. My dogs are always much happier to work for these than they are for store-bought treats. And make sure you follow the advice she gives in the recipe - cook with the windows open. The smell from the baking treats can be pretty... stinky.

You can find the recipe right here.

watersliding anyone?

2010-07-01T09:13:00.001-04:00

This is so what Quincy would do... if he had access to a backyard pool with built-in water slide...

new and improved

2010-06-30T12:17:00.001-04:00

Hi to... well, probably no one at this point. It's been almost exactly three months since I've even logged into this thing. To be honest, I was trying to decide whether to continue my foray into the blogging world... I just wasn't sure that what I was offering up to the world wide web was worthy of you guys reading it.

But lately, I find myself thinking... "Oh, man - I should totally share that on the blog."

So I've decided to take another run at this. And I promise I'm going to make it worth your while. I'm going to be adding giveaways, recipes (tested in the Pecan Pie Puppies kitchen and reviewed by my very own discerning 4-legged tasters), product reviews and more. Of course, I'll still provide you with the crazy stories that only my dogs and I can give you. There's never any shortage of those.

it's been a year

2010-04-01T12:21:00.001-04:00

and I miss him as much as I did the day I lost him...

That's my sweet man on the left...

Emmylou Harris

tidbits of goodness

2010-03-23T10:49:00.001-04:00

Stamps. Super cute stamps. And during the rollout, a million meals will be donated to shelters. I'm going to stock up on these so I don't end up having to use the Forever stamps (sorry folks... I know that the Liberty Bell is patriotic, but it's not the prettiest stamp I've ever seen).

And something a little (or a lot) less world-changing, but important nonetheless. Poop Freeze. Need I say more?

french 101

2010-03-22T16:54:00.000-04:00

I had a friend pass this along to me... I've always wanted to learn to speak French. This is probably how I'd go about it too.

my, what large ears you have...

2010-03-11T13:28:00.000-05:00

How cute are these Easter Bunny Lab dog toys? Oh, how I wish my dogs didn't destroy stuffies in 30 seconds flat.

a star is born

2010-03-09T10:13:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately, we had a dog attack here in South Carolina last week and a woman was killed. The dog was believed to have been a pit bull. The whole situation was absolutely horrible, and my heart goes out to the woman's family.

But I'm incredibly grateful to Stewart Moore and WIS-TV for allowing my friend and dog trainer Teoti Anderson to come on their morning show last week to discuss dog aggression, how to protect yourself in the event of a dog attack, AND why breed specific legislation doesn't work. She also wanted to show viewers that pit bulls can be great dogs, and so she asked to borrow my man Quincy! In the wake of this sad tragedy, I was grateful that WIS was eager to show the softer (and more accurate) side of pit bulls.

Please forgive the terrible video quality. WIS didn't provide the clip online, so I literally had to record it by playing it on my TV and then recording it with my camera.

Quincy was a natural, and I hope he won over the hearts of everyone watching. I can't see how the viewers couldn't help but love him! And Teoti did a great job as well. The only problem now is that I'm afraid the fame might be going to Quincy's head:

stylish snoozing

2010-03-03T16:01:00.004-05:00

Pretty bed. The dog's pretty cute too...

happy birthday, pea soup!

2010-03-01T14:13:00.003-05:00

My shy girl Penny Sue (aka Pea Soup) celebrated her fourth birthday yesterday! Her birthday gift was a top notch bully stick, and she made the most of it...

have y'all met george?

2010-02-26T10:47:00.001-05:00

He's a big boy... the biggest in the world, as a matter of fact.

strange habits

2010-02-24T10:41:00.003-05:00

Quincy has developed a very strange habit... he chatters his teeth. It doesn't happen all the time - usually just when he's taking treats or smelling something very intently. I have no idea why he does it, but it is so funny. I tried to capture it on video to post here... he wasn't doing it as emphatically as usual, but you'll be able to get the idea.

(PS - that's little Matilda you hear in the background. She was wondering why she was in her crate when there were cookies being handed out.)

snoot of steel

2010-02-22T13:44:00.003-05:00

Take a look at the photo below. See the little pink box I've placed there? Look carefully at the crate bars in that area... see how they're all bent? That's because Matilda likes to sit up and stick her snoot through the bars. She hasn't used her teeth to pull at them... she's just pushed her fat, little nose through there enough that she's been able to bend the bars. Crazy.

snow!

2010-02-17T09:49:00.004-05:00

So we got snow... LOTS of snow... this past Friday night. To those of you residing in less balmy regions, you probably can't understand my excitement. In fact, you're probably sick of snow right about now. But down here, we don't ever get snow, and certainly not nine inches.

The only one of my dogs that had ever seen snow before is Oliver. But even he had never seen more than one or two inches at best. So it was hilarious to watch them go piling out the door for the first time after it fell and watch them all come to a dead stop. They looked around at each other like "WHAT is this STUFF?!" But then it took about 30 more seconds for them to decide that it didn't really matter what it was because it was FUN!

Ollie ate it. Penny liked to catch snowballs in her mouth. Quincy just did huge donuts in the yard. Henry just ran around trying out the different activities of the other dogs. And Matilda... well, let's just say her new nickname is "Snowplow." I tried to capture it on video, but it was just too dark. She would take off running, get up some speed, and then hit her belly and slide through the snow. It was one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

Matilda sat in this chair most of the following day... fascinated by the melting snow falling off the trees.

But of course, all the snow is gone now. In fact, most of it was gone the very next day. But we all made the most of it while we had it!

feelin' lucky?

2010-02-09T15:13:00.001-05:00

Green beer, anyone? Sorry puppies... none for you.

St. Patrick's Day is one of my favorite holidays... I love Ireland, I love green and I love my dad (his name is Patrick). I realize it's not necessarily a big holiday, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to craft some collars to celebrate.

As always, you can find them in the shop!

need a nap?

2010-02-08T10:13:00.003-05:00

So Oliver had a dental and a tooth extracted on Friday, and the vet had to give him anesthesia of course. He was still a little loopy when I picked him up. I can't help but laugh like a crazy person when I watch this. Sorry Ollie...

flying dog

2010-02-01T15:38:00.002-05:00

Exhibit A: Handsome, energetic and enthusiastic dog sits at the top of a rather tall staircase...

Exhibit B: Handsome, energetic and enthusiastic dog's banged-up legs after said dog decides that the stairs simply take too much time... he'd just rather fly... and then do a face-plant into the sidewalk.

Seriously people... he also has a scraped chin and chest and a busted lip. He PLOWED into the concrete, and then didn't miss a beat. Just kept running. And there I am trying to chase him down to make sure that he didn't indeed have a broken jaw like I was sure he must have.

well that's one way to draw a crowd

2010-02-01T15:27:00.000-05:00

talented friends

2010-01-22T11:52:00.001-05:00

I have a very talented friend who is a great artist and photographer. She's also my go-to "Mona Mae Keeper" when I go out of town. And for Christmas this year, she was super generous and gave me this lovely painting that she did of my sweet miss.

She recently opened her own shop on Etsy that features all original work. Make sure to check it out!

another way to help haiti

2010-01-19T13:39:00.004-05:00

Search and rescue dogs are working overtime in Haiti right now trying to find those buried as a result of the earthquake. The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation - the only non-profit in the nation that recruits rescued dogs, partners them with firefighters, and trains them to find survivors buried in the aftermath of disasters - has deployed several teams to Haiti to help.

USA Today ran an article this weekend about the efforts of search and rescue dogs in Haiti. One team - Bill Monahan and his Border Collie - rescued three young girls buried under a four story building.

If you'd like to support their efforts, please take the time to go to their web site and donate.

[NOTE: Apparently their web site is down because they're receiving so much traffic. You can learn more about what they're doing in real time by following them on Twitter.]

Watch the video below to see a hero-in-training:

puppy love

2010-01-15T11:17:00.003-05:00

Valentine's Day collars are in the shop! My favorite is the HeartBreaker Bow Tie... Check them out here.

Who says guys can't wear pink?

And all my proceeds from this year's Puppy Love Collection will go to the Morris Animal Foundation Canine Cancer Campaign. I lost my puppy valentine to cancer less than a year ago, so by raising some money for the cause, I hope to save someone else's valentine.

anthropologie doorstop

2010-01-12T13:46:00.001-05:00

Where's a poorly hung door when you need one? I really wish I had a good excuse to bring this guy home...

the dog hair factor

2010-01-11T16:23:00.001-05:00

I don't know if I've ever mentioned it here, but I love interior design. It's a huge passion of mine, and if I had a chance to do it all over again, I'd say "forget political science... let's get an interior design degree!"

Anyway, the reason for my digression here is to confess that my design choices in my own home are primarily dictacted by two things: 1) Do I like the way it looks and 2) is it dog-friendly?

So when I look at a photo like the one above, the conversation with myself goes something like this:

"Ooh, I love this bathroom. So pretty! I love the way they've hung the deep green velvet drapes outside the door. And the rug is such an unexpected choice for a bathroom, but it really adds interest to the room. Oh, but it's probably an antique. I could just see my face the first time one of the dogs tracked mud on it. And can you imagine the scratches their nails would make on that floor? And those velvet drapes - you might as well just hang a sign on them that says 'Dog Hair Magnet.'"

But here's the thing... I love my dogs WAY more than pretty velvet drapes, white floors and fancy rugs. So I stick with what works (i.e. washeable, wipeable, nothing too fancy), because at the end of the day, an expensive sofa isn't going to greet me at the door with a wagging tail and an open heart.

all it takes is just one thing

2010-01-11T11:13:00.002-05:00

Just do one thing... no matter how small.

You can keep tabs on Stanley and join his Facebook page here.

ridiculous

2010-01-07T13:22:00.003-05:00

So I'm working in my home office last night... sewing away on a few collars... when I stop to listen for the sounds of puppy mischief. And - "crickets". And while you might think that the quiet was a good thing, I know better. Complete silence around my house usually means that someone (or everyone) is up to no good.

So I ventured out into my living room, and I saw this:

Adorable and completely insane at the same time, no?

gigantic goldendoodle

2010-01-06T13:30:00.004-05:00

This is Oscar. He belongs to my brother & sister-in-law, and he makes me laugh.

whew!

2010-01-05T15:07:00.007-05:00

"You mean this isn't my bed??"

So the pups and I managed to survive another holiday season, and I hope that I still have some readers out there after my hiatus... hopefully... anyone... out there?

I had lots of great customers that took home lots of my Christmas collars this year. And that combined for a wonderful but busy holiday season. I think my dogs wondered what had happened to me... I definitely neglected them for about a month or so while I was glued to my sewing machine!

Quincy has had to get used to sharing his snuggles with others...

To kick things off with a new year around these parts, I want to officially introduce everyone to my current foster dog - Matilda. I've actually had her with me for a couple of months now, but I've waited to post about her until I got her healthy. She arrived at my house with demodectic mange (thank heavens it's not contagious), and because of that, she had a bald head and a few other bald patches on her body. So we had to wait to take her glamour shots until now. But she has turned into quite the cutie with these beautiful honey-colored eyes, little freckles across her muzzle and head, and big, blonde polka dots on her back.

She's now mange-free, has had all her shots, and she'll be spayed very soon before she goes to a new home. She's a young one - somewhere between eight to twelve months old - and she definitely acts her age. She's very playful, L.O.V.E.S. my other dogs and from time to time she'll have one of those crazy, running-in-circles moments.

But once she settles down, she gives my Quincy a run for his money in the snuggling department. There's nothing that makes her happier than cuddling on the sofa... whether it's with me or the other dogs. And she gets along well with my cat, although a less tolerant feline might find Matilda to be a little too enthusiastic.

She does well in her crate, she's housetrained, and she's learned sit, down, off and leave it (although that last one is negotiable if it's something REALLY interesting).

Although she loves kids, she will need to go to a home without them because she is a mild resource guarder. Some of you out there probably know what this means, and you might even have a dog that has this problem (I've learned lately that it's more common than I realized unfortunately). But in case you don't, this means that she can be possessive of high-value objects like rawhides - occasionally (not always) she'll growl when you try to take a rawhide or special toy away.

[To learn more about resource guarding, you can listen to Dr. Ian Dunbar discuss it in depth here].

I've been working with her on it, and she is doing really well (we've had growling on two different occasions during the two months I've had her). But this does mean that she can't live with children, and she needs to go to a dog-experienced home where the new owner(s) are willing to continue working with her using positive reinforcement.

This does not mean she's not a sweet and wonderful dog... she's probably one of the sweetest dogs I've ever rescued. But she does have this issue, and I will only place her in a home that is a great fit - one where everyone involved understands the problem and where they will work with her on it and continue her training. There's no doubt that she will bring a great amount of joy and love into the right home.

If you'd like to help Miss Matilda find her forever home, please take a minute to post her on your blog or Facebook page, or send around an email with a link to my post. She's an incredibly special girl that deserves an incredibly special future. So spread the word! Anyone interested in learning more about her can email me here.

PS - Most of you know that I'm a tireless Pit Bull advocate, so I just wanted to make sure that everyone knows that resource guarding is not just a "Pit Bull thing." I've seen resource guarding in goldendoodles, shih-tzus, and hounds... just to name a few. Ok, that's all... carry on.

dealing with disappointment

2009-12-22T15:06:00.004-05:00

I've recently had to deal with some disappointments... particularly with my dogs. I work very hard to train them so that they are the best dogs they can be. And sometimes I forget that at the end of the day... they're dogs. And they'll make mistakes - some big, some small.

So I was really touched by the story of Ricochet. Take a look at the video below...

merry christmas to me...

2009-12-16T09:07:00.004-05:00

I bought myself a Christmas present. I discovered this wonderful artist in New Orleans - Susan Woodard - who paints watercolors of children and pets, and I loved her style so much, I commissioned a portrait of my sweet Sully.

She was so easy to work with, and I received the painting about a week after I sent her the photo to work from. And on top of that, her pricing is unbelievably reasonable.

From photo to watercolor in just a week...

You can see more of her work here... and make sure to check out her portraits of children as well. They're absolutely adorable. If you're interested in ordering a watercolor for yourself, you can e-mail her here.

it's making the rounds

2009-12-14T13:32:00.001-05:00

but it's so funny I couldn't resist...

a dog's life

2009-12-03T11:28:00.004-05:00

A couple of my dogs already think they should be famous, so I think I'll stuff their stocking this year with these treats that have their pictures on them. A Dog's Life gives customers the opportunity to customize their packaging with their own dog's photo. They have lots of different varieties... some organic, some all-natural and one that's even grain-free.

And for your dog-loving & wine-loving friends (or yourself)... you can order a bottle of wine that features their pooch as well. Merry Christmas to me...

rifle paper company

2009-11-30T09:47:00.002-05:00

I found these cheeky and adorable dog cards today at the Rifle Paper Company. A dog in rainboots? Excellent. I think I need these for all my after-Christmas thank you notes.

it takes two to tango...

2009-11-24T11:59:00.002-05:00

Matilda: I LOVE YOU SO MUCH... LET'S PLAY!!!

Penny: Bring it on, new kid...

dogpile

2009-11-18T16:03:00.001-05:00

UP

2009-11-12T10:20:00.005-05:00

I realize I'm very late to the game on this... but once I missed it in theaters, I had to wait for it to come out on DVD. UP became available this week, and since I had a rainy day off from work yesterday, it was a perfect opportunity to finally watch it.

And let me say... it did not disappoint. It's a BEAUTIFUL movie, with a very touching storyline, lots of humor and it provides a fantastic portrayal of dogs.

When the movie originally came out, I had read an article in The BARK magazine that looked at the movie from a "dog perspective." From that, I learned that Pixar had consulted Dr. Ian Dunbar - he's pretty much a rock star in the animal behavior and training community - to make sure that their portrayal of the dogs in the film was as accurate as possible.

Dug wearing the "Cone of Shame"

That was all I needed to hear. And the movie definitely lived up to my expectations. Dug - the Golden Retriever/Lab mix that is the main dog character - was perfect. From his body language to his actual speech and speech patterns... it was so on point that you could almost forget that dogs don't usually have the ability to communicate with speech.

I got the DVD through Netflix, but I'm planning to go buy the 2-disk deluxe edition that includes a short film featuring Dug called "Dug's Special Mission" and a documentary called "Canine Companions" that showcases the amount of study that went into crafting the dogs in the film. There are interviews with Dr. Dunbar and footage of lectures he gave the Pixar animation crew about dog psychology.

If you haven't seen it... you're missing out. Any dog lover will want to watch it again and again.

guess what I found in my backyard?

2009-11-09T15:48:00.003-05:00

And then somehow... it ended up here:

(please forgive the picture quality. Camera phone + 6 AM = bad picture)

the perfect gift

2009-11-03T10:06:00.003-05:00

As we begin creeping closer and closer to the holiday season, we'll all be searching for the perfect gift for those special people in our lives. I think I might have found it.

These custom "pet doodles" from LMNOPrint are so cute and quirky, AND they're a great price.

All you need to do is email her photographs of your pet along with your (or your friend's) pet’s name and breed. She also asks to know about any unique markings, and asks you to describe your pet’s personality in three words (i.e. “goofy, loyal, loving”) so that she can accurately depict your pup (or cat!).

You can also find her web site here.

more holiday collars...

2009-11-02T13:28:00.004-05:00

I finished up a few more Holiday Collars over the weekend. I'm so in love with the reindeer... I've named him Bob.

Check them out here.

it's that time again...

2009-10-30T14:11:00.007-04:00

I can't believe I'm already showing you guys this year's Christmas collars! Where has the time gone?

I've brought back a couple of styles from last Christmas, but I've added a few new ones as well. I've also placed a few plain tartan styles in the shop, and I'll be adding some other boy collars to the shop on Monday, so stay tuned!

You can find all the new Christmas collars here.

scoundrel

2009-10-29T14:40:00.003-04:00

This dog is a mess. For an old, stray dog that had never set foot in a house before, he sure has come a long way in six months.

exciting times on dogwood street

2009-10-28T11:39:00.003-04:00

Things have been kind of crazy in my house these past few days... First, I'll start out by telling you that three out of five dogs in my house are on medication for three different things: Henry - antibiotics for his lick granuloma, Penny - something to help with her wicked upset stomach she had late last week, and Oliver - all natural "stress pills" for his recent anxiety attacks. And of course each of these required a separate trip to the vet. Why can't they understand that it would be so much better for me (and my bank account) if they'd just coordinate the timing of their ailments?

Anyway, two nights ago, I was in Martha Stewart mode and had baked a bunch of fun Halloween cupcakes to take to the office and give to friends. I had placed several - seven to be exact - cupcakes on the table in the dining room in order to make more room in the kitchen. When I went to retrieve them about 15 minutes later, I discovered Henry polishing off the very last one. Of course, they were chocolate. Chocolate cake and chocolate frosting. So I immediately begin trying to chase him down. But he thinks he's in trouble so he immediately begins running from me. I manage to catch him, dump him in the tub and then pour a couple tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide down his throat. I won't go into detail, but I'll just say that I got my seven cupcakes back - wrappers still on - about 2 minutes later.

And then last night, around 11 pm, my entire crew cornered one of these in the backyard:

So there I am, in my pajamas, trying to convince a pack of dogs that the inside of my house is more interesting than the live possum sitting on my fence. Miraculously, I did manage to persuade all of them of that... except for Ollie. That dog just has too much terrier in him to let a varmint go willingly. So I had to go and physically drag him back in the house while praying that the possum didn't decide to jump on my head.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we've had our fill of excitement for a while. I can't take much more...

stud muffin

2009-10-26T09:15:00.004-04:00

Oliver is looking sharp in his Pecan Pie Puppies bow tie collar! And those long, curly chocolate ears! He is such a dapper dandy...

A big thank you to his mom for sending in the photo!

daily chuck

2009-10-22T16:47:00.005-04:00

Do you guys read the "Daily Chuck" over at Dooce? If you don't, get on it. You won't be sorry.

Photo courtesy of Dooce

hilary swank & home 4 the holidays

2009-10-22T15:59:00.005-04:00

I actually managed to get up early enough the other day and have enough time to sit down with a cup of coffee and watch the Today Show before going to work. Hilary Swank was on promoting her new movie Amelia (which, incidentally, I am super stoked to see), but she also took some time to promote her other new project - Home 4 the Holidays.

I've always been a big Hilary Swank fan, but after learning that she has partnered up with Iams to promote animal adoptions, she has moved right to the top of my list. In addition to being the proud mom of two rescue pups, Karoo and Rumi, she's helping to promote the rescue cause by lending her time and energy to make sure that this year's Home 4 the Holidays project reaches its goal of 1.5 million adoptions. At this point, they've adopted out a little over 140,000 animals.... which means we've got a long way to go!

So let's help her out... here are just a few ways you can help:

All my blogger buddies out there... take a few minutes to post about the importance of animal rescue, and promote Home 4 the Holidays' 2009 goal of 1.5 million adoptions. Call to action!

Make a donation - whether it's to this cause or any other shelter... and donations don't have to be monetary. Call your local shelter to see what they need. Many times they can use old dog beds, blankets, towels, food, etc. I know I've personally NEVER turned down a used crate, and there have been times at my house that every single crate I have is occupied.

Offer up your time! Many shelters need volunteers to help with everything from dog-walking to record keeping. Another really great way to volunteer is to provide transport for rescues. It's super easy to drive a couple of hours each way so that a few dogs or cats can make their way to a better life.

And finally... if you can find a little extra room in your heart and home (and as long as your other fur-children will cooperate)... please consider adoption. I love me some pound puppies (and kitties)!

And just because I'm so excited about the new Amelia movie, I'll leave you this afternoon with the trailer... it looks superb.