Catching Up on Thank You's

Remember way back when Woofstock was happening and Copernicus and I were raising money for a local animal shelter? Well, I didn't formally thank those of you who donated on our behalf so I'd like to do that now, albeit a little late.

Thank you!

We raised $130 for the Richmond Animal League which contributed to the over $9,000 that was raised that day so that animals can continue to receive love, get healthy and enjoy safe living conditions while the animals wait for their forever home.

One of the coolest things that day was a photographer came up to us and said, "May I please take a picture of you and your dog?"

Beaming, as any proud Miniature Schnauzer parent would be, I said, "Of course."

She took a few pictures then handed me her business card and told me that my photos would be up on her website by the end of the day. I was so elated! None of my friends were with me that day to take pictures of us do the Strut Your Mutt walk so having a photographer take our picture was so cool!

Zee, the photographer, has a pretty amazing website so please take a moment and go check it out. Don't you just love how she captured us that day? Thanks, Zee!

Looking Back

Copernicus

He has not allowed himself to be in the moment because he's been so intent on looking back to how things were, instead of how things are, that he refuses to allow himself to be happy.  He has been unruly and stubborn and is just making himself miserable by pining away for things that aren't going to happen.  Unfortunately, he's been caught up in all of the change of our Coastal Craziness and he's letting everyone know exactly how unhappy he is.  

He's been acting out-of-sorts by:

• grumbling
• being anti-social
• chewing the foyer rug 
• taking toilet papers streams through the house
• not obeying simple commands on purpose
  

But, I saw a glimpse of the old him.  Just a small glimpse of a happier puppy who was ok with life for just a moment.  But, it wasn't until I said, "C'mon, Copernicus, let's go for a ride".  And, there, in the moment, I saw my sweet, lovable puppy.

Oh, Copernicus...put your Change Agent cape on and join the rest of us, won't you?  Take all of the change in stride and look at the brighter side - you're an only puppy for a little while.  You don't have to share anything right now and you get all of the treats and walks and lovin' and belly scratchin'.  That sounds like a pretty sweet deal for you, puppy. ;)

In the meantime, I'm doing my part and trying to spend as much time with him as possible. And, repeating, "I love my puppy, I love my puppy, I love my puppy", because things are really getting out of hand.  A rug?  Sheesssh....he didn't even do that as a little puppy guy! 

What a Match!

Mr. Smart Guy & Newton

... a match made in heaven.

(literally!)

Thoughtful Tuesday

"There is hope in dreams, imagination, and in the courage of those who wish to make those dreams a reality."

- Jonas Salk

Prevailing Winds

It may seem like I've been quiet.

It may even seem like I've been missing.

But, it's only because I've been caught up and tossed about in the prevailing winds of the Coastal Craziness once again.  I've had you on my mind and wanted to write to fill you in on all that's happened in the past few days and even wow you with stories but...well, ... that darned time zone change gets me every time.  

Maybe I'll just give you a few of the more dramatic highlights of the past few days so at least you'll get the gist of how my world was before I left Virginia. Or, maybe I should say you'll get the gist of how crazed I was. ;)

In the middle of an overloaded to-do list and with no time to spare, I locked myself out of the house just hours before my flight took off.  Desperate for help, I had to wait outside for about 20 minutes before the realtor came to my rescue.  It seems that I had forgotten that I gave him my house key to put in the lock box and no longer had the key on my key ring. {{oops}}

But, a funny memory popped into my head from last year as I waited to be rescued. ;)

/div>

But, wait...I had no time for memories.  I had to get moving!  

task. check mark! next?

pant....pant....pant

"Newton...get in your crate", I shouted!

Newton likes his travel crate so I thought it would be a much easier time than when Copernicus flew last year. It was easier getting Newton in the crate to go but he was pretty vocal up front about his lack of luxurious travel accommodations.  Pampered puppy!

So, we get to the airport...check Newton as baggage because of a mix-up that caused him to be on a plane separate from mine.  Um, precious baggage, please! ;)

The good news is that we arrived in Silicon Valley with no issues and I ran (ok, walked fast) to see Mr. Smart Guy!!  

And, I made it just in time for our anniversary!

... and then we, Newton and I, crashed!  We slept and slept and slept and... slept some more.

We all settled in and it felt strangely familiar to me as though I had never left California.  Mr. Smart Guy went to work, Newton was happily tired after a walk and then I ventured out to get some groceries and ... sticker shock!  I had forgotten how expensive things are in this state and that the sales tax was just raised to 9.25%.  (a small side note...the sales tax in Virginia is a paltry 5%)

I had so much fun in the grocery store though that I forgot that we lived in an apartment and had to park in an underground garage and had to take an elevator to our level and had to haul said such purchases to the apartment.  

But, fear not....I got a system for that! 

After I unpacked the groceries and started to fold up the reusable bags I realized the middle bag was surely representative of my vagabound lifestyle:

what goes around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around....

Dog-gone Monday!

There are days when having two puppies, not quite six months apart, seem to take all of the energy I can muster in one day.  And, just when I am tiring of their constant needful watch and maintenance requirements, one or both of them do something that makes me fall in love with them all over again.  

For instance, I am teaching them a new trick using the "capturing" method of training where you take advantage of something that the puppies do normally and reward them with a marker word and praise and/or a treat.  So, knowing that both of the boys throw their bodies into full-body shakes on a regular basis, I decided that their shaking could be a trick that they could do called "hippy, hippy shake!".  

Well, lo and behold, I tried to capture Copernicus performing his hippy, hippy shake! only to reveal a photo in which his ears look much more like propellers that are driving him backward.  

Then, there was a moment of sweetness captured on the stairs. 

...and my heart melts once again as I grab their leashes for another trip outside so that they can do their business again.  Yep, it's a Dog-gone Monday. ;)

Freedom to Change

In an effort to ready our house for selling, I decided that the baby, er...Miniature Schnauzer, gates needed to come down.  The three gates have been a mainstay in raising the puppies this past year and have helped to contain them to a manageable portion of our home.  But, there is a time for all of us to evolve and mature and have a little freedom to find, grow and explore new things.

... so the gates came down.

Copernicus, just barely over one year old, took to the newfound freedom quite fast.  He quickly went off to find his new boundaries without any hesitation or reservation.  He loved the newness of it all and then came back to get his brother to join him.  Copernicus then began to entice Newton into a game of chase so that he too could discover the great new space.  He loved the change and wanted his brother to feel the same way!

Copernicus

But, baby brother had some trepidation.  It was questionable how Newton, now just a mere six months old, would handle so much space albeit he's the more adventurous and wild one of the two.

It took him awhile to realize that the gates were down and he was surprisingly more cautious than his brother.  He kept looking back into the previously gated space as though he really wasn't sure he wanted to find out what was outside of the gates.  He wanted the new without leaving the old.

... and isn't that just like us?  

Sometimes we engage the change in our lives without hesitation and just drive right into the unknown like Copernicus did.  Then, there are those times when we just can't seem to push ourselves out of the comfort zone and into something new like Newton experienced.

Change is such a crazy mixture of  the "stop" and "go" that we experience throughout the movement of seasons within our lives.

For Newton, it took his brother's game of chase before he went into the new areas.  He needed the security of retaining something of the old with him as he went into the new.     

Once in the new spaces, he ran and ran and played with his brother and reveled in all of the fun! Sprawled out and panting he landed at my feet as if to say, "Thanks for all of this freedom!"

I hope that after all of the seasons of change and the maturing and the growing and the refining, I will resemble Newton's stance:  a smile on my face, totally out of breath, looking heavenward and shouting, "Thanks for all of this freedom!"

I vow to take all that comes my way today and delight in the freedom to change.  Won't you?

Top 11

Copernicus

Even though a Sussex Spaniel won Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show, the Miniature Schnauzer made a nice showing.  And, considering the AKC's most registered dog breeds list just posted, I thought I would let you know that the Miniature Schnauzer remains in the Top 11...in the 11th spot.  To celebrate the breed and brag on my boys, here's a few pictures for the day.  ;) 

 Newton

Copernicus

Newton

Two to Tango

 Enjoying what just might be the last few days of a warm fall season.

Seeing one who needed rescue from the depth of leaves.  

Feeding hungry boys.

Having two to tango is a little tiring.

(but oh, so worth it!)

Can You Even This Out?

I watched him go off by himself and start to get really upset.  Normally a content little guy, I became somewhat startled by his behavior.   I left my seat to investigate his angst and as I got closer to him, the scent of mint grew stronger and stronger.  Perplexed by the smell, I wanted to find out where it was coming from but I needed to tend to him first.  He was obviously in distress and needed me so the scent dilemma would have to take a backseat to the situation at hand.

I bent down and scooped him up into my arms as I cooed and stroked his hair in an attempt to settle him down.  And, as he was beginning to relax a little bit, 

I saw it. 

The cause of the problem.  

And, it was a really, really big problem.  

He allowed me to poke around a bit to assess the damage.  

It was a big wad of still-wrapped but now chewed piece of peppermint gum that had sprawled across Copernicus' beard and under his lip.  

The damage was widespread and immense.  

There was only one solution.  I needed the scissors.  I started to work with less than Edward Scissorshand style dexterity and managed to cut the affected area free from the gum.  

I took a look at him:  lopsided, half bearded, half shaven.  A mess, really.

It was reminiscent of being seven or eight years old when a little girl wields scissors to her head for a brand new do.  Her mom, upon discovery of the hair mishap, looks at her to decide the next step.  She chooses and carts her daughter off to the hairdresser asking, "Can you even this out?"

In the same manner, I looked at Copernicus and then carted him off to the groomer asking, "Can you even this out?"

Here he is sporting his brand new, non-bearded look.  Not quite the distinguished schnauzer-man of days gone by. 

Silly dog, gum is for kids. ;)

Welcome Home, Newton!

Another addition to our family.

Completely adorable.  

Definitely daddy's boy.

Absolutely perfect for Copernicus.

Welcome home, Newton!

I've Been...

I've been ...

waiting.

I've been talking about this day for months.

I've been dreaming of how my days would be if he were here.

I've been... 

staring.

Amazed at how gorgeous he is.

Wanting to jump beside him and listen to his heartbeat.

I've been....

nesting.  

Organizing and painting and readying the room.

Shopping in search of the best of the best welcome home toy.

I've been...

loving.

My heart full of joy and anticipation for him.

We pick him up tomorrow.

Newton da Vinci

Change

Do I watch it from the inside out?

...maybe even let it pass me by because where I sit is so comfortable?
So normal.

Or, do I begin to accept that change is for my benefit and take small steps toward new adventures?

Knowing that as I enter into the change process, I will need to be intentional. I will need piercing eyes that bring vision and clarity despite the feeling that I'm moving way too fast.

Turning slightly for a respite from the full-on frontal movement of change. Letting my eyes adjust a moment to a new place of being. Accepting the fact that I'm not done yet, but surveying where I am at the moment.

And...then getting back into focus. Turning my eyes towards the future once again. Back into the currents of change, steadying my thoughts and emotions and allowing the plan for my life to unfold without resistance. Allowing myself to enjoy the winds of change.

Dog Bites

We headed outside for an early evening walk, ready to enjoy the almost-but-not-quite-brisk air and take in the first scents of the fall season.

We turned the corner, made our way down the driveway and saw our neighbor and her dog waiting for us in the cul-de-sac. We tried several times to begin conversation, however, her dog did everything he could to prevent that from happening.

I had already taken Copernicus off his leash and allowed him to investigate the grounds around me. He calmly sniffed, stayed close to me and did show some interest in the little white dog. Neighbor's dog, though, barked and growled and was agitated at being held and restrained by his owner.

All of a sudden, the dog jumped out of her arms.

It happened so fast.

Neighbor grabbed the little white blur, firmly gripping him in her arms as she apologized profusely for her dog's aggressiveness.

I felt it even as she was talking. Sore and somewhat moist. I put my hand on the area to feel what had happened and she said, "Did he bite you"?

Incredulous, I pulled my shorts up and there it was - a bite. A dog bite! He barely broke the skin but the bite was fairly large.

I tried not to make a big deal of it. We exchanged a few more pleasantries and then went home with my well-socialized, well trained schnauzer guy, Copernicus.



After all the excitement we settled in and stretched out on the bed. The only choice was to watch an episode of the Dog Whisperer.

I think I'd like to leave an anonymous gift set of the show's first season on her porch. What do you think?

Friendin' Along The Way

Watching Copernicus and his buddy Dell navigate the arduous trails of Devil's Punchbowl , I considered their ways of friendship.

Friend Rule #1:

Find a great adventure together and go for it.

Friend Rule #2:

Run like crazy...and grab a rest stop when needed.

Friend Rule #3:

Allow friends to head out on new adventures.

Friend Rule #4:

Don't be afraid to go solo for awhile.

Leavin'...on a Jet Plane

Join me and Copernicus on our way to California...

It begins in the Dulles airport as we make our way to check in.

Daddy....wait up for me.

Readying myself to put Copernicus in his crate.

Daddy says goodbye to puppy.

Puppy as baggage headed for the cargo spot on the plane

Ahhh...California!

My cross-crountry travellin' puppy waits well as friend navigates LA traffic to the airport. Hurry up, girl!

We're here!! We're here!!

Let the fun begin!!

....and not only am I in friend heaven but schnauzer brother heaven too!

In my attempt to prepare for our upcoming trip to California, I asked Angi and Dell, aka the big brother, to help coach us through understanding all things crate-airline related.

With dimensions in hand, I took off to the pet store to get the brand-spanking new crate that's appropriate for air travel. I set it up in the kitchen and snoopy baby mini runs over ...

...sniff, sniff...

and proceeds to back up quickly with deft, dance-style moves.

uh-uh. nope. no way.

i don't care what you're thinking about...I'm NOT in!

...wait...

I hear Daddy coming home from work.

SAVE ME, DADDY, PLEAASSSEE!!

Mr. Smart Guy gives Cappie lots of lovin' and then begins to negotiate terms of getting near the new crate.

Ok, Daddy....maybe.

Hold the treat there and I might stand close to the crate.

But, that's it!!

No way! I am not going in!

Then Mr. Smart Guy says, "Let's take the top off and see if he'll just check it out. Maybe he doesn't like how closed in it is."

MMpphh...why are you guys so intent on wanting me to see this thing?

Pretty interesting....but I'm not getting in it. No way! uh-uh.

We quickly come to the decision that our approach is not working. We take the crate upstairs and set it side-by-side his normal crate. And, amidst Copernicus' verbal disapproval....put him in the crate.

I'm not happy!!

I don't care about the treat that's right next to me.

WHAT is happening??

...and, now you wanna take pictures of this injustice??

I hurried. I tried to make it painless as possible for him. But, he's spoiled and pouted for the rest of the evening.

After the initial shock of the smaller, more enclosed atmosphere, Cappie did spend more time in the airline crate without further incident.

He's ready to fly.

Am I?