Black & White Sunday

Dashing thru the snow.... CousinRosy&Caper

Puppies & Geography & Big Brother

I'll start with Geography. 

I am starting to dread the return to school. Maybe, I don't miss having to do research papers. 

Currently, my block course this turn is in the study of Indigenous/First Nation Geographies and our professor has challenged us to 2 things.

1. To do something creative that represents our idea/experience of indigenous geographies. 

this is so much fun, not. 

I think I'm knowing what I'm doing. 

I'm going to learn to Quilt something. 

Stay tuned for the final project! 

2. To do a research presentation on this topic of First Nation Geographies. 

that's it. nothing else. 

I have an idea --- Something Urban, butI don't know what I'm looking at, or for.

I don't know what my thesis is. 

 NEXT!

In the process of avoiding working on these projects I bring forward some pictures of PUPPIES!

As you may already know, we got a dump of snow. After our beautiful walk at the dog park we hit up another beautiful park. However, unfortunately not enough people go to Forests for the World, and the snow was deep and horrible to walk through. We just let the puppies play in the snow before we went home

 Subsequently got stuck in the snow. This required the help of some good old sturdy men! unfortunately, Ashley's is out of town, and mine was at the work! So to the Dads! Ashley's Dad came to the rescue. Now if any of you reading this are wondering what to get for her upcoming birthday, a small shovel for the car would be great! maybe a collapsable one. I'd get it, but I already have something else in mind. 

Just being Beautiful

Watching for Ashley 

cold wet puppy cuddle pile

FINALLY

anyone else following Big Brother Canada, what do you think? 

Too early to tell? 

I don't know if I ever really watch these types of shows.

Currently chilling out to Criminal Minds. 

Snow Puppies

Long haired small dogs = A SNOW NIGHTMARE! 

Why? 

The picture speaks a thousand words. We were probably 2/3 through our walk at the dog park when I had to pick her up and carry her back. I had picked her up a few times and broken the snowballs off her belly, but alas, no avail. She had no coat on that day, but her coat wouldn't have prevented the issue. 

Poor little havanese. 

Her poodle brother doesn't have this problem because we cut his coat right down. :) 

he just gets cold now. 

So what did we do? WE WENT TO THE PET STORE!

And found her something more practical. 

A PUPPY TURTLENECK SWEATER

Today we tested it out. 

Verdit --- slightly better option.

But she still got snow up on the bottom half of her legs and on the far end of her belly.

They did have a long underwear style sweater... that might have been better. 

I think she might have to rock her muttlucks! 

Especially if we continue to have this horrible, but beautiful, wet snow. It's been like a foot of snow in the past day or so... such a surprise after spring-like weather for most of January/February

Winter Wonderland

So, apparently, Saturday's 7.7 Earthquake is still experiencing aftershocks, including at 6.2 last night. Crazy. We are too far away to really feel them, but every now and then somebody on facebook land mentions they felt something. And you go 'holy crap, still!"

Moreover, the snow continues to fall! Seriously. 

It's now at about 11-12 inches. 

PROOF!

First day of snow. Made the puppies a trail.

Alright.... and I know that I have been on puppy overload recently, but bare with me! 

With it being -20C this morning, I'm extraordinarily grateful that I finished my puppies coats!

They are super cute. And the pattern is unbelievably easy! 

Takes like an hour, two tops to finish the coats.

Daisy rocking her new coat.

Caper's coat. 

I attempted to make them matching booties.

FAIL.

Eric and I just went out and bought them booties.

We struggled with sizes. And ended up with an xxs and itty bitty muttlucks. 

So far, puppies haven't really figured it them out. 

They look so funny wandering around in them, but once I kicked them outside they understood better. 

Trying to get the booties on! 

The look of uncertainty.
What am I supposed to do with these things on?

Anyways, I'm off to catch an airplane to Vancouver!

Time to escape this winterwonderland for the rainy west coast. 

Winter Dog Care????

I was going to wait till another day to post this.
But it snowed like a lot last night.
I feel so underprepared. My dogs coats aren't made.
They don't have booties. And they aren't loving the snow at all!

The snow has fallen.

Now, how do I take care of my puppies?

The First Thing I've done in prep is taken them to the groomers.

I had their paws trimmed.

From what I hear, I'm going to have to be careful of their paws getting frost bite and ice clumps, and of the deicing chemicals on the roads when I take them for walk. 

The Second thing I'm working on is dog jackets.

My boarder suggested coats for when it gets REALLY cold and windy. 

At what temperature should my dogs where there coats?

anyone have any advice on winterizing their dogs?

The Third thing I'm thinking about is dog booties.

I've been thinking of making matching ones to their jackets. 

Like this pattern here or this one

Or buying some from Etsy or the Pet Store.

What are your ideas on dog shoes? Do you let your dogs where the shoes?

I'm also seeing some information about balms... 

 Something like this or this one, Mushers Secret

or maybe homemade recipes like this one

The Fourth thing I'm thinking about is house training.

Daisy already has a disadvantage. 

But today, I came home to not one, not two, but 4 puddles on my linoleum. 

This is Capers first winter.

Daisy has already expressed disinterest in snow. 

Puppy Pads? How can I puppy pad train my puppies? 

Check out these Nine Must haves...

And I must remember this post too about small dog care in the winter.

Airplanes ---- And Then Puppy Dog Sphinctors

The other day Single Dad Laughing posted a post about flying.

And while he might not have a preference. I do. 

My favorite. Window. There isn't a doubt about it. 

I don't have to pee or get up often. And I love having something to lean my head on. 

If I'm flying a short haul trip without any baggage. I like to be in the front rows (or the very back if landing into an airport that deboards from both ends). I HATE waiting for people to get off the plane. 

Heck, even if it's a long flight. I prefer the front. 

In my opinion, I JUST WANT TO GET OFF THE PLANE AND AWAY FROM THE PEOPLE AROUND ME when we land. 

The only downside is being crushed into the wall by the people beside you

And when you have to get up --- as a tall person, I ALWAYS hit my head on the light thing. 

When I was flying to and from Missouri. For some reason my Dad always booked me in seat 12 or 13 A. Always. Mid plane is okay, but not awesome.

In other news, Daisy went to the Vet today.

We were concerned about her drinking so much water and because I can't seem to 100% house train her. Every now and then we find little tinkles from her around the house.

So, she had blood work and a urine analysis done.

NO PROBLEMS! 

That's right. The worry was her kidneys'.

She's lost a little weight since the last visit, and as a Shih Tzu she is prone.

So, We are going to work on her sphincter because it might be weak. and that's why she makes accidents. So, tomorrow I pick up her hormone treatment.

Not quite sure.

I think I could probably be more diligent in house training.

I could probably do better.

I might be too lazy.

It's getting cold. 

Finally relaxed to sit down for a few seconds before being anxious after her tests. 

OH AND IT SNOWED TODAY!

That's right.

First Snow of the year/Winter. 

And it stayed.