Keeping Up with the Times

This week, I finally got my first ever smart phone. I haven't had one before because I work from home, so I haven't felt much of a need for one. But there have been more and more times when I wished I had one, like when I'm shopping for dog treats or moisturizer or running shoes and would love to look up a review to see which kind to buy. Or if I go somewhere new and want to look up a restaurant on Yelp. I was getting a smart phone for my daughter, and it was only $10/month more to get one for myself, so I figured what the heck.

My technological advancement made me realize I needed to keep up with the times in other ways, too. I figured it's time to stop struggling to update this blog, which is a struggle I've pretty much given up on. Unfortunately, Facebook has taken over, and it's rare that I enter the blogosphere these days. Although I have a love-hate relationship with Facebook, I think I've learned to make it palatable for myself by limiting most of my news feed to dog-related posts. I don't want to hear about people's political or religious views, or know what they're listening to on Spotify, or how many times they've given life in Candy Saga Farm Crush. But I do like pictures of and stories about dogs and keeping up with my local animal shelter's updates, as well as other animal rescue organizations.

So, I started a Facebook page for Cabana, mostly so I can have a place to record what's going on in her life and post photos that I've taken. (In addition to the smart phone, I also got a new camera this week. It was an expensive week.)

I hope you'll follow along if you feel like it. I'm not saying I'll never post to this blog again--I would feel sad to let it go all together. But I will definitely be updating Cabana's Facebook page on a MUCH more regular basis.

Click here for the link! Please "like" the page to see posts in your news feed.

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Feeling Thankful

A couple weeks ago, we had our family Christmas card photos taken by our wonderfully gifted friends, Bill and Nat, from Photo Lab Pet Photography. They used Cabana in a photo shoot a while back for a dog product website they were building. In past years, we've always taken our Christmas card photos ourselves, either utilizing the self-timer or just Photoshopping myself or whichever other family member took the photo into the best overall shot. Usually, I can pull something decent off, but last year, the final result was hodge-podgey, dark, and slightly embarrassing. So I decided back then, come heck or high water, I would have Bill and Nat take our photos the following year. As you can see from this photo, there is absolutely NO COMPARISON between their results and my feeble ones. They know exactly where to go for beautiful backgrounds, how to get Cabana (and the rest of us) to look in the right direction (although she is a very eager model, especially when treats are involved). They have a stellar eye for capturing the right second and the right light. And sure, they have expensive professional equipment. This photo was a sneak peek, so I'm still waiting with baited breath to see the rest of them!

Four years ago at Thanksgiving, Cabana was career changed. I remember being in Los Angeles at my sister's house when we got the surprising yet expected news. It sent me into such a quandary about whether to keep Cabana as our pet or allow Guide Dogs for the Blind to place her with someone else. Had we decided not to keep her, my life would look completely different today. It almost scares me to think how different. Without Cabana, I would not have become involved with my local shelter, I would not have even half the friends I now enjoy, I would not have my wonderful Etsy business, and I would not have a soft yellow toe warmer lying at my feet as I type this. My life is more successful, more fulfilled, more balanced, and more enjoyable. There's not an area in my life that hasn't been permeated by Cabana's presence, all changes that have resulted in GOOD.

Yep, I'm thankful today, thankful for everyday I get to spend with this beautiful dog.

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Wordless Wednesday - Sun Stream

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Colored Pencil Cabana

Recognize this sweet face?

You've heard me boast about my daughter's artwork before, but I just had to post her recent rendition of Cabana! The portrait is even more beautiful in real life--the digital scan doesn't do it justice. I love Cabana's happy expression and all the detail in her eyes, muzzle, tongue and fur. It's going to look beautiful framed.

Adrienne's Etsy shop is here. Commission a pet portrait with her this summer, and get 15% off. Enter the coupon code "PRINCE", valid through September 1, 2012.

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Now Playing - Valentine's Day

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Mango Minster - Cabana the Working Stiff

For the first time, Cabana and I have decided to participate in Mango Minster. Being extremely slow on the uptake, it has taken me about 3 years to figure out that Mango Minster is a dog blog show and contest, put on by the Mango Momma, based on the Westminster Dog Show. As Mango himself would say, "Duh!"

I have entered Cabana in the Working Stiffs category. After all, she may have flunked out as a guide dog, but she still works hard for her keep! Over the holidays, Cabana was invaluable as a babysitter, or more specifically, a young boy sitter. My nephews, ages 8 and 5, came for a visit, and Cabana was in stellar working form, which will undoubtedly lead to inevitable questions from the boys about why can't get their own dog back home in Louisiana. Sorry, but that's what happens when you come to the home of the greatest working stiff dog in the world.

Here, Cabana lets the boys practice reading to her. Her previous experience as a certified therapy dog/reading buddy came in handy. See how intently Cabana checks for accuracy? Or maybe she's having a staring contest with the Angry Bird on my nephew's shirt.

Always one to set a good example, Cabana shows the boys how to pose for a photo. They copy her, down to the paws! Now if only Cabana could teach them how to eat their vegetables....

Playing follow the leader, Cabana makes sure to steer the boys down the straight and narrow path. Exercise and routine are sacrosanct, and house guests are no reason for skipping a morning walk, especially when the standard dog rule also applies here--namely, a tired boy is a good boy.

If dog tummies make good pillows, cousin tummies must make good pillows, too. As with most things in our house, Cabana is at the center of the fun. With a single move, she can recapture the attention from all those bleepity techno gadgets, like iPhones, iPads, Nintendos and xBoxes. Cabana holds her own against them all--and that's got to be the toughest job there is! Any creature that can accomplish that deserves a prize, wouldn't you agree?

Hope you'll wish us luck in the contest. Or better yet, why not enter, too? I hear there are going to be some great prizes!

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Gift Wrapping Supervisor

Tree selected and decorated? Check. Presents purchased? Check. Presents wrapped? Almost!

Cabana is very serious about her supervisory position. She makes sure I'm using enough tape and mitering my corners.

Always very considerate about not touching things that don't belong to her, we've never had to worry about Cabana knocking down the Christmas tree, damaging ornaments or ripping open wrapped presents. As long as there's not any beef jerky under the tree anyway!

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Wordless Wednesday - Labby Love

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What's Better Than One Boyfriend?

What could possibly be better than one big puppy boyfriend?

How about another big puppy boyfriend! Today, we met this 10-month old Malamute, Luka. Isn't he amazing?

Even better is getting to play with BOTH big puppy boyfriends at the same time!

Beau and Luka loved having someone their own size and age to play with--but Cabana is in there somewhere, doing her best to be the center of their attention. (Can you see her tail peeking out?)

Ahh, success! It's a bit hard to see in this photo, but while Luka has Cabana from the top, Beau is nibbling her leg from the bottom.

Whew, it's hard work being popular!
P.S. Beau's owner says he is not a Shiloh shepherd, just a regular German shepherd.

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Playing at the Beach

Hi, I'm Cabana. I'm a yellow Lab and I'm 1.75 years old. What's your name?
My name is Bowser. I'm half German shepherd, half wolf, and I'm just 5 months old.

Wow, Bowser, you sure run fast for a baby!

Hey there, black Labs, can we play with you?

C'mon Bowser, we're playing Follow the Leader! Get in line!!

Time to do what Mom says for a minute. Cheese. Can I go play now?

Finally!! I don't have time to sit still. I gotta catch the waves...

...before they catch me!!

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Blending In

Summertime is dry season here, so unless it's regularly irrigated, most areas turn golden yellow. The same color as a certain little dog. The dry grass leads to brush fires, so keeping open areas mowed is essential.

Hey, I've got camouflage! Can you see me?

How about here? Can you see me now?

You've got a good eye. Me, too. See, it's this one!

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Handmade Dog Collar

Here's Cabana, sporting the new collar I made for her today. Making a dog collar is instant gratification--a fast, easy project that you can customize for your individual dog's size and coloring. I'm formatting the instructions, with step-by-step photos, into a downloadable PDF so you can make one, too. I hope to post it in the next day or two, so keep an eye out for it!

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Back in the Thick of Things

It has taken a week for us to recover from our busy week with Montego. Having finally surfaced from our sleep-deprived stupor, yesterday we went on a fun playdate outing with blogger pal Golden Samantha!

So while Sammie was channeling Esther Williams with her effortless dog paddle...

...Cabana was channeling THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON!

Honestly, talk about being dirty from the top of her head to the tip of her tail!


Although Cabana loves water, she isn't fond of swimming, so she stays in the shallows. In the video, taken by Samantha's mom, Cabana has to work hard to walk through the mud, as she sinks knee-deep into the mire, while Samantha and another golden retriever swim around gracefully.

But on land, Cabana romped with Samantha.

And with this black poodle.

And with just about every other dog there. Thanks for introducing us to such a great dog park, Samantha! We look forward to hanging out again soon!

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Tug-of-Montego

What's that, Cabana? You say you'll LET me win at tug-of-war??? I don't NEED you to LET me win.
Ha, see? Look who's got most of the rope!! Sheesh, you girls don't even know the rules.
Well...I guess maybe they do....Hey, you said you were going to let me win!

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Controlled Chaos

A semblance of sanity has returned to our household. Today, the dogs' play has changed quite a bit. Instead of constant frenzied hysteria, it's sort of like watching TV--a little action, then a station break, then a bit of drama, then another break.

Montego even slept in his crate last night! Woo hoo! I put him in at 10pm, and he didn't utter a single bark or whine. At 3am, I heard him whimper, so I got up and took him outside to relieve. Afterwards, he was rather "displeased" about going back inside the crate. I knew my sleeping family members were probably displeased at his displeasure--so I didn't push it. He slept the rest of the night on tie down.

Montego is so funny. He's rather large for his age (I think), but his movements are still so puppy-ish. He'll be walking around, and then suddenly, Plunk! He just flops down wherever he is, like, "Agh, I couldn't possibly take another step."

Huh, are you lying down AGAIN?!

C'mon, pipsqueak, let's run around some more, okay? I'll even let you win at tug-of-war sometimes.

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Baby, Baby, He's Just a Plaything

Aahhh, a few minutes of peace and quiet while both dogs snore noisily behind my computer chair. Think I might be able to get a good 20 minutes to write this post?

Montego is soft, cuddly, and CALM! Oh my gosh, his temperament is incredible--happy, easygoing, "chill" is just the best word for this little guy. He'd like nothing better than to flop down on the ground and chew some of Cabana's Nylabones. (Can you see the size of his paws in this photo? They are immense and SOLID--it's not just fluffy fur making them look big.)

Unfortunately, Cabana can't seem to leave him alone. She thinks he's the new toy I brought home for her private entertainment. And she'd like nothing better than to chew on him, all day!

And that means, of course, that Montego has to chew back.

This photo is blurry, but Montego's face is so cute, I thought I'd post it anyway. You can just see Cabana in the corner behind him--she's on tie down, so he can play in peace for a few minutes.

As for last night's sleeping arrangements, Montego slept on tie down next to our bed, while Cabana stayed downstairs. I think I might have slept for an hour or two--Montego wasn't noisy, but the sound of his breathing was enough to keep me awake! We didn't attempt to put him in the crate. He'd only been in our house for a couple hours, and with the new surroundings, I didn't want to cause any more stress than needed.

I fed Montego his breakfast in the crate this morning (this little stinker gets 4.5 cups a day!). Around 11am, neither dog had napped all morning, so I knew Montego was super tired. I put a few kibbles in his crate and he went right in. After I closed the door, he barked and fussed for maybe 3 minutes, but then, he konked right out. Cabana and I took a nap on the couch where he could see us. So I think a little bit of progress was made. We'll take it slow and play it by ear. Hopefully, the hardest part is behind us.

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