Painting with a Twist - Pet Portraits

Painting with a Twist  - the concept is basically a BYOB painting class. You show up with your wine, they provide the art supplies and instruction based off of the design for that day. There are similar classes, such as Sip 'N Doodle, Canvas and Corks, etc. These can be found all around the country. Every so often they offer a "Paint Your Pet" class.

A few weeks ago, my friend and I went to a Paint Your Pet class. We emailed the pictures of our pets ahead of time and when we arrived, they were sketched out for us, ready to paint.

That night, I painted my chihuahua Kola.

 

A few weeks ago I went back to paint Cissy my rat terrier.

 

 

 

 

I'm pretty pleased with how they turned out!

 

 

Who let the dogs out?

Woof woof woof woof.

That song is stuck in my head. And now, probably yours too.

This weekend we had a cold front come through (that's what the weatherman called it), and since it was a frosty 95 degrees outside, we figured it would be the perfect time to take Cissy to the newish dog park.

One of my missions for this year was to get my city to open a dog park. I know of the perfect place. I just need to get on that. {note to self}

There are a few dog parks within a reasonable distance, but honestly, they are almost far enough that it's a pain. A few months back, the suburb south of us opened up a dog park...in a shopping center parking lot. I know it sounds weird, but it's actually pretty ideal. It's only about 5 minutes from our house. And when they were planning it, they left a 2 acre patch of grass and trees in the parking lot for this park. There are lots of benches, clean up stations (dog poo bags, Purell for our hands), and did I mention, tons of trees? That alone makes it worth going to this one instead of the others where you're hot as blazes with no protection.

The dogs were so quick, it was hard to get a good picture of any of them. They were well behaved (except the one little mutt who wouldn't stop humping Cissy...and the owners didn't try to control him...that's the only thing that gets on my nerves at the dog park). Cissy was very good, too. I was proud of her. There was one creep of a guy who was ugly to a few teenagers, but they remained very respectful to him (though I'd have stood up and said something to him had I know they didn't know him). I think he might have had some mental issues, so it was best that I kept my trap shut.

I'll share some of my favorites from yesterday.



{handsome feller who knew lots of hand signals}















{hubs trying to get Cissy to chase her ball...she was really more interested in the other people and sniffing every tree in sight}



{this little 3-legged german shepherd was the fastest dog there!}



{"ready to go home momma"}



{"I got my exercise for the day"}



{"is it ok if I take a power nap back here?"}

*I just realized this is my 100th post. I've been blogging for almost a year. Just goes to show I can yap about a lot of crap! ha!*

Recycle old pillows: no sew dog bed (or floor pillows for the kids)

Remember the no sew fleece blankets that were all the range a few years ago (I still have mine and love them...the dogs even have smaller versions, too)? This project is a spin-off from those. Here's a great way to recycle some old pillows you may have, you know, the ones that are flat and have lost their shape. We all have them tucked away in a closet somewhere! I have to warn you, the pictures came out dark for some reason. I hope you can still see.



I started by throwing them in the washer and dryer to freshen them up and get them somewhat fluffy again.

Next, take a yard of fleece and fold it in half, cutting along the fold so you have two separate pieces. I'd have preferred to use brown fleece, but since this bed is for my 15-year old dachshund, and she's almost completely white now, I knew the brown wouldn't work as well because she sheds so much...I didn't want the bed to look like it had a fur coat on. ha!



Start by cutting a 4" square from each of the four corners.



Then cut 1" wide strips all the way around.



Once you've cut strips all the way around, begin tying knots from the back and front pieces. I doubled-knotted mine because I know my dogs will scratch and dig at the pillow to make it just the right degree of comfiness, but I'm sure a single knot would be fine, too.



Tie knots all the way around, leaving enough space to stuff your pillows inside. You have two options at this point. You can leave the knots showing on the outside. This looks nice, like fringe. Or, you can turn the fleece inside out so the knots are on the inside, then stuff your pillows. Knot the remaining strips, and tuck inside (if you aren't leaving fringe on the outside).







{Join the DIY party and share your latest projects at Kimba's!}

This crazy busy life

It's shameful, I've totally neglected my blog and blog friends lately. :( The last couple of weeks have been a world wind. First we had the Kenny Chesney make-up concert (it ROCKED!! He played for over 3 hours!...more on that later), my cousin's out of town wedding, my parents in town, my grandma and aunt in town, my inlaws in town, a summer cold and a found stray dog. Whew. I'm beat.

I had a great time seeing my grandma! She lives in Indiana and hates to fly, so we don't get to visit very often. She and one of my aunts flew down for my cousin's wedding. The wedding was about 3 hours away, so afterward, grandma and aunt came back to my house with my parents and spent the night. We had a lot of fun visiting!

Isn't my grandma cute?!



It was nice to spend time with the parents, too. Unfortunately, hubs couldn't make it to the wedding. He was on the road with out of town gigs.



Last weekend, while walking our dogs, my hubs found a little tiny scruffy poodle or bichon (or one of those types of breeds) running around the road, nearly getting hit by a few cars in the morning school traffic. He ran back to the house, told me to get my shoes on, and off we went. We were finally able to catch her. She had no collar, no tags and is not microchipped. Ugh! Cripes! I always find the dogs with no obvious sign of a home. Though she's definitely someone's pet. Though she's dirty from being outside, she's been groomed recently (short nails and hair) and is housebroken. I think she's been someone's little lap dog. She only has one tooth, and because she looks like a little blue-hair lady who forgot to put her teeth in, I've nicknamed her Hazel. She's sweet as can be, but she obviously is missing her family. She paces the house and cries. We've put up signs in the neighborhood and I've posted to several "lost and found" pet websites, but nothing. I'm hoping someone we know may want her, or hopefully a rescue friend can help (because I've definitely helped a lot of folks over the years...I may need to call in a favor!).



We had a round of storms the other night with some crazy lightning. I tried to get a couple of pictures, but it was difficult to get the lightning. Here's a couple before and during. You'll probably have to click on the pictures to really be able to see the lightning. The sky looks creepy over the house across the street!







I've been working on a couple of projects that I intend on showing you in a couple of days. One is a before/after and the other is a project using antique glass flower frogs.

Hubs and I went down to the square yesterday morning for coffee/tea and strolling. While down there, we passed one of the art galleries and found out they are having a watercolor class coming up soon. I am thinking of signing up for it. Anyone ever do watercolor? Is it enjoyable? I usually do "funky" type art, but I'm itching for something to do and think this may be nice.

Also, my beloved flat iron died a horrible death the other day, and I am needing to buy a new one, quick! I got the Solia last time because not only did it get better reviews than the Chi, but when you purchased the pink one, a portion of the $ went to breast cancer research, and I'm all about that. However, I'm wondering if I should go for the Chi this time, just to see if it works. The Solia was AWESOME. It worked wonderfully for over 2 years. I used it nearly every day. My stylist has the Chi, and it really does wonders on my hair too, but I've read the Chi shorts out and breaks down after a year for a lot of people. Opinions?

Also, if you've stopped by and left comments on my last few blog posts, I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to get back to you and comment on your blog. As you can see, things have been nuts and I'm trying to get back into my blog groove. I really appreciate you stopping by and visiting! Thank you! {much love}

Caption this....

Thought this might be fun! Think of a caption for this photo and leave it in my comments. :) I love seeing everyone's sense of humor!

Introducing Cinnamon

This week, we have a temporary foster dog. I received an email on Tuesday from an animal rescue acquaintance of mine. She is a coordinator for a dachshund rescue. There was a doxie in a local shelter who was going to be euthanized due to lack of room at the shelter (as is always the case). This acquaintance of mine didn't have room herself (she has several dogs of her own along with several fosters). But she had a lady with a rescue in Abilene who had room. The catch was that the lady in Abilene couldn't get her until Monday. So I was asked if I could pull the dog and foster her until Monday.

Introducing Cinnamon.



Isn't she cute?! This little gal is one of the sweetest we've had come through here. She's very calm and sweet. She gets along famously with my dogs (which isn't always easy...my dogs aren't very accepting of new ones). She appears to be housebroken and has perfect house manners. She walks very well on the leash and loves to cuddle. She loves men, women, children and other animals. She's really the perfect dog. Someone will be lucky to have her.



She was an owner surrender. Animal Control told me that her owners claimed she escaped, and decided they didn't want to deal with it anymore. 1) I can't imagine that she escapes, because she's our shadow, has to follow us everywhere. Many times people will lie and come up with stupid excuses when surrendering an animal. Who knows what the truth is here. 2) Even if she did escape...fix the problem! Did they leave the front door open? Is there a loose panel on the fence? Does the gate work? All things that can be easily remedied. People just can't be bothered.



It's going to be difficult to say goodbye to her on Monday. However, she's safe and will be going to a rescue, and that's why I'm able to do this. Just like with the transports I do...I can easily hand them over because I know they are in no danger of euthanasia. I thank these angels like Lynn and Virginia who help out our furry little gifts from God!



And just as a friendly reminder, please spay and neuter your pets! Don't breed or buy while shelter pets die! 3-4 million dogs and cats are euthanized every year!

Sawing logs

Yesterday was a big day for the chihuahua. We woke up early and went for a ride. She thought she was so special since her sisters didn't get to go with us. You could tell by the way she was sitting in the seat with her head held high. She's sort of selfish like that.

Then reality set in once we pulled in to the parking lot and got out of the car.

I opened up the door to the building, and she realized the true nature of our ride once the smell of antiseptic hit her in the face.

Unlike previous times, she did not try to run away. I picked her up and we signed in. She started shivering violently.

The assistant came out to get her while I signed all of the paperwork and releases.

On the list of grievances against the chihuahua were: a dental, a lump removal, anal gland draining and a pedicure.

We figured since she hates getting her nails clipped, it would be easy to do while she was under anesthetic. And the anal glands...that's just something I can't bring myself to do. It's worth the $10 or $20 to let the professionals handle it.

Around noon the vet's office called to say she was doing well and waking up nicely from the anesthesia. Around 4 pm I went to pick her up. On the drive home, she was still pretty doped up. She was falling asleep while sitting up. Then she'd fall over. This happened several times until she realized it would be easier to stop fighting it and lay down.

For the rest of the night, she slept. And snored. She's normally a snorer anyway, and rivals a grown man snoring.

I was able to catch it on video, though you have to turn it up to hear it. You can tell how doped up she is by the way her eyes don't fully close.



This morning she is almost back to her normal self. Though I can tell she is angry with me, because she refuses to give me kisses. I'm sure the next time we go for a ride, she'll be a little suspicious. :)

Crime and punishment

The crime.



The perpetrator.



Notice how she won't even look me in the eye.

Does this face say "guilty" or what?



The punishment: a heavy dose of scolding. It hurts her feelings (as you can see by picture #3).

Yuck.

Rescue transport and awards

Last night I drove another rescue transport for three precious pups! There were two pittie pups and a boxer pup. They were so good on the drive. The two little ones shared a crate, and the larger pup sat shotgun. I didn't get to take any pics...it was so cold and dark outside by the time they were handed off to me, but fortunately, another driver who is overnighting the dogs sent them via email to the rest of us this evening!

Avery (white pittie pup, approx a few months old) and Rufus (boxer pup)



Rufus



Miley (pittie pup, just a few weeks old)



Miley's pic from the pound...she's a tiny little bugger!



These babies are so precious!

A few weeks back, I drove a transport for a sweet, beautiful German Shepherd named Hilde. Loved her. Wanted to sneak her back to my house.



And I'm so far behind, I am embarrassed. I was kindly given a couple of awards and want to thank these sweet girls!

Joanna and Brandi gave me the lemonade award.



This award is for showing great attitude or gratitude and making lemonade from lemons. I honestly don't know that I've done a good job with that lately, but I'm trying (in my own way!). :)

And sweet Ally gave me the Friends Award.



The Friends Award is given to blogs that are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and to be friends.
The hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated.

Thank you girls! I appreciate you thinking of me! I've met so many sweet people via blogland, and I am thankful! You all are in my hearts!

Found out today: Sammi has a heart murmur

:( And because of her age, it's very possible that it can progress very quickly. Right now it's a grade 2 (out of 6). We had no idea. She's not shown any signs (coughing, etc.). We just simply were at the vet for a routine visit, shots, anal gland draining, etc. and when she listened to Sammi's heart, she told us what she found.

I held it together pretty well. After all, I've seen and heard of lots of dogs having murmurs through my volunteer work. And it never seemed serious.



We received some medicine for it, and we are supposed to bring her back in a month to see if it's helped. She said it could progress in 3 weeks or 3 years, there's no way to really tell. But because of her advanced age (approx. 15 years), it's likely that it will lead to congestive heart failure quickly.

And that's when I started crying. Hubs even had tears in his eyes.



I hope and pray it doesn't progress quickly. You all probably already know how much I love my dogs...they are our children. And honestly, I really don't need any more upset right now.



I love that dog so much! We've had her for 14 years. And though I know she won't be around forever, I just simply can't imagine her not being here.