Quiet Night

  With my husband and pugs sleeping soundly all snuggled in bed together, I am spending some "me time" enjoying sitting here typing while I'm watching the movie "Father of the bride".  I am enjoying this time  right now, I'm taking advantage of the fact that I'm not surrounded by somone talking on their cell phone, or swearing at the baseball player that struck out at the plate on t.v.  Right now I'm not surrounded by phones ringing, people talking , walking back and forth between offices.  I am relaxed and clear headed for the first time today.
  For the year and a half that I was unemployed, I forgot just how crazy life can be with working full time and taking care of your house and family, it's a delicate balance.
  I try to carve out time for myself everyday whether it's staying up late like tonight or walking a few miles on our treadmill.  I have realized my "me time" is important to keep the balance, and as my husband has put it, i get down right "cranky" (I'm putting it nicer than he does) if I don't take time for myself.
  In a minute, I will be going to bed rested, with a clear head, have a restful sleep and get ready to face the day tomorrow.  Good Night!

Wordless Wednesday!/ Pug Love!

 Our pugs Lacy & Lilly wanted me to spread a little "pug love" around today, enjoy!

Surprise Visitor

Usually the only occupants of our house during the day consist of me and our two dogs. Well today was different.
This morning was like any other morning in our house, my husband getting ready for work, me taking care of the dogs etc... The usual routine. Well, my morning changed from "usual routine" to "chaos" in a blink of an eye!
The second my husband stepped foot out the door, an unknown dog swiftly ran in! The dog not only ran into our house, he instantly ran down into our basement (the basement stairs are right next to our side door)! I took off down the basement stairs yelling "here doggie, here doggie". the dog ran through the door and down the stairs so fast that I didn't even get a good glimpse of him. All I knew was that the dog was dark colored and was definitely bigger than our two dogs put together!
The second I got into our basement, the dog ran past me and ran up the stairs and started barking at our two dogs who were going crazy and barking back. At least the sight of our dogs stopped our "surprise visitor" so I could get a hold of him and try to get some of kind of control of the situation.
I quickly trapped our "guest" in my kitchen and trapped our dogs in another room, at least until I could get a good look at this dog and get an idea of his demeanor. He had a collar on but no tag, and looked well taken care of, and when I approached he quickly layed on the floor and rolled onto his back for a tummy rub. After a few calming tummy strokes I left him in my kitchen with some kibble and went outside to see if anyone was looking for a dog. No one was.
One by one I introduced the dog to our dogs and after a few sniffs of each others "you know whats", all three started playing with each other, under my supervision of course.
Our newspaper had no posting for a lost dog that matched this dog's description. I called our neighborhood vet and let them know I found this dog and gave them his description , and also called our police dept and let them know the same.
Since the dog was obviously someone's pet and had a great demeanor about him, we decided we were going to keep him until we found his owner, and if we couldn't find his owner after a period of time, he would be a welcomed "new addition" to our family!

Our "surprise visitor, Bowzer"!

Around 4:30 p.m. I got a call from our police dept. The officer on the phone said a woman called in frantic about her missing dog who matched the description of dog I was watching sleep on my family room floor. He is a 11 month old black lab and hound mix, and his name is "Bowzer". Turns out "Bowzer" had gotten out through the back door of his house because it was not closed all the way when his owner left for work this morning. The officer gave me the woman's phone number so I could tell her where to pick him up.
I called Bowzer's owner right away, and I could tell by her voice that she'd been crying (I felt so sorry for her). She described Bowzer to me down to the color of his collar. I assured her he was okay, and gave her my address (turns out she lives a few blocks away). Within minutes of hanging up the phone a black SUV pulled into our driveway. A young woman came to our door, I greeted her, then quickly brought Bowzer to her. The second she saw Bowzer, she hugged him, and without saying anything to me she quickly put Bowzer in her car and drove off.
Now, Bowzer is a very sweet, lovable dog and I didn't mind taking care of him for a day (or much longer if needed). Also, thank God Bowzer got himself somewhere where he was safe and he didn't get hurt or worse when he was running around the streets here. I really didn't mind having him here, I was happy to help him!
What I'm a little upset about in this situation is that the woman that owns Bowzer didn't even say "thank you". She didn't say "thank you" over the phone and didn't say it when she picked him up! If that happened to me, I would be extremely grateful and appreciative!

"Grandma-isms"

  It seems like ever since my grandma passed away last January, I find myself repeating some things she used to say to my brother and I when we were little. 
  When I cook and it seems like it takes "forever" for a pot of water to boil I find myself saying "a watched pot never boils", my grandma bestowed this wise observation on me when I was just learning to cook.  For the most part it definitely feels true.
  Our 2 pugs are "our children".  Our youngest pug Lilly (she's 3 years old), besided she wanted to play instead of go to bed at around 11pm last night.  My husband had to work this morning so he went ahead and went to bed.  With my husband and other pug in bed, that left me with Lilly.  Lilly decided to run circles around the first floor of our house while i chased her in hopes of tiring her out.  Yeah right!  Lilly then raced into the kitchen and quickly started to kick her bowl into the oven, making a loud "BANG" sound , meaning she had worked up an appetite now!  I gave her just a few kibble to satisfy her (this usually works, then she goes to sleep).  Well my plan didn't work this time.  It was now just after 12 a.m. and she was demanding to go outside, we don't have a fenced in yard, so this means of course that I have to walk her outside.   Lilly does her "business", I bring her in.  I picked her up and sat her on my lap for a little bit (which usually calms her down), no luck.  She jumped off my lap and started yet another race around the house complaete with and occasional toy tossing.  Now, we were looking at 2 a.m and thats when my grandma's wisdom again came into mind.  I looked into Lilly's face and told her "I love you, but I don't love your ways".
   "I love you but I don't love your ways" was always used by my grandma when my brother or I (usually my brother) got into some kind of mischief.
  It amazes me how much impact just one person can have on your life and how things can get repeated through the generatiions.

P.S  Lilly did finally calm down just after 2 a.m.

Taking It Easy

  I hardly ever get sick, but for the past week I've had a bug that I just couldn't shake.  So annoying!  Today I'm still not 100%  (more like 60%), but at least I have more energy today.  I have had some positives during my "down time" so it's not all bad.  I had time to read (which I seem to never have time for), organize photos into albums, catch up on some movies I've never seen such as "White Oleander", "The blind side", "Julia & Julia" just to name a few. 
  During the days I've had our 2 pugs Lacy & Lilly constantly at my side.  At night, I've had my husband/nurse taking care of me.  I slept through dinner one night (wasn't hungry anyway!), and when i woke up, my husband/nurse led me down the hall to a candle lit bathroom with soft classical music playing and a hot bubble bath waiting for me!  I was also given the best back massage while soaking in the tub!  So soothing!  I could have stayed in that moment forever.  The moment will be in my mind and heart forever though.
  In the next day or two, I'm hoping for more positives and less feeling "yucky".  Keeping my fingers crossed.

More "Pug Love!"

    I'm home all day with my "pug buddies" Lacy & Lilly today, so I thought I would spread a little more "Pug Love" around today!  "Pug Love" can be contagious, so be careful!
  I also thought I would share a cute "pug poem" a friend sent me last December!  Enjoy!

  My pug is a real delight, she weezes and farts and snores through the night.
  She is perpetually happy, always in a good mood, but her real self comes out with the offer of food!
  She spins in circles so excited for a trip.  But want to trim her nails?  She'll give you the slip!
  She has the run of the house, comfy beds galore, but when I come home from work, her nap spot?  The floor!
  Yes the life of my pug is the life of ease.  But when she sleeps on my lap, why MUST she sneeze?

Very True! lol!

Things I Love/Favorite Things

  As I am typing this, I am experiencing 2 of my favorite things at once!  I have both of my pugs lying at my feet fast asleep, that's the first thing.  The second thing is the thunderstorm thats raging outside!Rain & Thunder
  I love hearing the rain pounding against the windows and the roof.  I love the "booming" sound of thunder and watching the "lightning show" lighting up the night sky!  Lightning is of course dangerous, but it is beautiful to watch, and I'm definitely enjoying it!  Beats any show on T.V!

Things I Love/ My Favorite Things: Day 2 (Pug Love)

Today it's all about Pugs! Pugs! Pugs! Pugs! Pugs are my all time favorite dog breed.
It's really my parents' fault, because I caught the "Pug bug" from them!
About 10 1/2 years ago when I still lived in California, my mom and dad went on vacation to San Diego for a week. My mom and dad not only returned home with their luggage, they also had a extremely cute 8 week old Pug, they named Daisy! I took one look at Daisy's little wrinkled face and just fell in love! How could anybody resist! Pugs make my heart melt with their little wrinkled faces and pushed in noses, oh and their big brown eyes! I love the "snorting" sounds!
I moved to Ohio when Daisy was a year old. I moved in with my then boyfriend (who is now my husband). We lived in an apartment (no pets policy). The apartment seemed empty without a pug, I missed hearing "snorts" and hearing them over the phone wasn't enough!
My mom and dad started sending me pictures of Daisy and also Pug cards, they always put a big smile on my face!
The first order of business when we bought our first house was to get a dog! I wanted, you can guess it, a Pug! I didn't even want to look at other breeds. Don't get me wrong, I love all dogs, but I just wanted my own Pug.

We got our Pug Lacy a month after we moved in. She was 6 weeks old , and the cutest, tiniest thing you ever saw! OMG! We couldn't put her down, it was definitely "love at first sight" for my husband and I! Three years later, my husband got me another Pug as a Christmas present, he had me go on a scavenger hunt, and at the end was a little 6 week old pug puppy we named Lilly!
Our 2 Pugs together are unbelieveable! I love taking them to the dog park on sunny days, and watching them play together is "hilarious". We have true "Pug love" in our house.

I am posting a few pictures of our Pugs. Enjoy the "Pug love" today!

Nature's treasure = Our pleasure

Sunday was our pug Lilly's 3rd birthday! Yes, we celebrate every birthday in our house, even if it is a dog's birthday! Each birthday we try to do something special that we haven't done before. So for Lilly's birthday, we packed up both pugs and went to a park that's a few mile s form our house. This wooded park features a creek with a beautiful nature trail. Our dogs have never been to this park before or even set foot in a creek! We had a blast, so enjoy my "photo diary" of our little park trip!

Simple surprises

A big "THANK YOU" goes out to my friend and next door neighbor Heidi who, out of nowhere surprised me by bringing by 2 adorable personalized blankets for each of our pugs! Now Lacy and Lilly will each have their very own blanket to curl up on this winter. Heidi, again "THANK YOU" you guys rock!

Lilly's day at the park

I thought I would take advantage of our mid 70's blue sky, very sunny morning, by taking our pug Lilly to the local dog park! I put a red harness and leash on a very excited Lilly, gathered up a bottle of water for her (she gets thirsty at the park). I thought I might get some cool shots of Lilly soaking up the sun, so I grabbed the digital camera, checked the camera batteries which looked good to go, Lilly jumped into the car and away we went! The park wasn't busy, only one other dog there (perfect!). Lilly excitedly jumps out of car when I open the door, and we quickly head up the path to the dog park gate. All of a sudden what was once an excited Lilly, changes to one that doesn't want to go through the gate! I had "shoo" her through the gate. We finally get through the gate and the other dog (a big tan Boxer puppy)walks up to Lilly and gives her the obligatory doggy "hello" "butt sniff" greeting! The greeting made Lilly's eyes as big as saucers! I just had to laugh! Lilly wasn't scared, she was looking at the other dog like "who are you?!" Lilly was calm, but I thought the look on her face was comical! I started to talk to the other dog's owner and felt a tightening feeling around my lower legs. I looked down and realized that both Lilly and the other dog had been following each other around me, and I was wrapped up so tightly with two leashes that I almost fell over! I started laughing, I just couldn't move an inch! I was quickly "rescued" by the other people and able to move!
Finally a third dog came in, a smaller dog, who ran up to also "greet" Lilly, and for one brief, very cute moment they were nose to nose. I really wanted to capture the "nose to nose" moment so with camera in hand I hurried to snap a shot, only to find out the camera batteries died! Oh no!! Not now!!! Of all times!!
The next thing I now, I look up and the smaller dog, which is about 1/2 the size of Lilly, is up on Lilly's back trying to "hump" her!! OMG!! The smaller dog (named Oscar)'s owner quickly got the dog off Lilly's back, and Lilly ran over to me and stood between my feet. I moved away from Lilly (I don't want her to be really clingy with me all the time). I think she was "plotting her revenge" against the smaller dog "Oscar". Lilly sat and waited until Oscar went to the water bowls near the fence to take a drink. Once oscar started to drink, Lilly walked over and "flipped" the water bowl over while Oscar was drinking out of it! This poor little dog had water all over his head! Lilly then proudly trotted back to me as if she was saying "Ha,ha! Look what I did!" After that Oscar left her alone, so I guess it worked! Everyone who witnessed it was laughing!
a few minutes later we headed home, and now I have a seriously tired, worn out, sleeping Lilly, who is curled up next to her sister Lacy! How sweet!

Raindrops and muddy paws

At the very early time of 5:30 this morning, our two pugs Lacy & Lilly decided it would be fun and wake me up! I not only woke up to the sound of two barking pugs but to the sounds of "booming" thunder, pounding rain and howling wind! All I could muster was a weak "are you kidding me?" I slowly got up and staggered (being careful not to step on some paws in the dark!) towards the side door and put on my yellow raincoat and shoes while trying to put a harness and leash on an over excited pug! Too much energy for that early in the morning! Finally after conquering the "harness challenge" I carefully opened the door, then quickly closed it! No way was I going out there in that absolute down pour! When I finally mustered up the courage to venture outside, my once "over excited" pug had to be pulled through the doorway! No way I was letting her get out this! Luckily the rain let up slightly for us, but the thunder and lightening did not! I rushed both us to the back lawn (which was a disgusting swamp by now), and of course wouldn't you know it, she chooses this time out to carefully sniff every blade of soaking wet muddy grass while we both get poured on! I could hear the thunder "booming" and see the lightening striking in the distance. All I kept thinking was " right now is not the time to take your "sweet time""! Finally after what seemed like forever we sloshed our way down the driveway and quickly stepped inside. Only to then did I discover that because of the wonderful weather and the swamp we now have outside, my once clean 2 1/2 year old pug has mud covering the bottom half of all four paws, and the muddy prints on my light tile floor! I carefully picked Lilly up and put her in the kitchen sink to wash her feet off (which she hates!). In a few minutes I finally have four clean paws! I felt my "moment of victory" for an all too short time, because right then, my older pug Lacy reminded me that I was going to have to go through the whole experience again with her! I love "our girls" with all my heart but all I could think at that moment was "oh noooo" and once again brave the storm! "It's too early for this!"