I've been leaving everyone to their own devices to figure this place out in the week since we've moved in. I've been too busy unpacking and Christmas-ing and tagine buying to coddle the cohabitants. The cat has figured out where the litterbox is (it took a while), the dogs are learning where they are supposed to sleep, and slowly but surely it is dawning on them that this is their new abode. There are different sounds to learn, a new territory to navigate. Apollo has to re-learn where the ... Read more »
Brody
Next Step Baby Monitors: Exonerating pets since 2012
It's been a long time since I've needed a baby monitor. Not that long, mind you, but long enough that technology has apparently been soaring by me in leaps and bounds since the year I slept with static-y radio by my side. When I was asked by Next Step Baby monitors if I wanted to review their cameras to see what my dogs were up to while I was gone, I agreed, because oddly enough- and this never ever happens- my husband had JUST SAID "We really need a baby monitor or something to figure out ... Read more »
I am grateful
Normally, I'd be spending today running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Thanksgiving is MY holiday, the one I normally host at my house. My mom gets Easter, my mother in law gets Christmas, but this is the one I take because I love going overboard on things like caramelized squash bisque and focaccia sage stuffing and pretty much every kind of turkey shaped serving dish one can own. Well, all the turkey shaped serving dishes are currently in a storage facility and I barely have ... Read more »
The dog, the barge, and the scars I’m going to have a hard time explaining
Well, we did it. Brody and I survived our first surfing competition. Let me start by saying I never would have dared even show my face there had I not known the local surf dog community previously. They're an accomplished bunch, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars and setting world records and getting on Times Square billboards and the like. They are also really good surfers. Next to them, Brody and I with our handful of goes on the board and our lackluster ability, were total rubes. But ... Read more »
Wordless Wednesday: Bonding
Can't complain about living in San Diego. :) ... Read more »
Surf and Spokes and Supers
Surf OK, so first things first- yes, we surfed in our first competition and no, we didn't win (the well deserved honors went to the always amazing Surf Dog Ricochet, as it should.) I will be posting about it when I get back later this week and I have the rest of the pictures. I always had a ton of respect for the So Cal Surf Dog group, but after seeing them in action in competition I love them all even more. As busy as everyone was with their own dogs, many of whom were in multiple heats, I saw ... Read more »
Love Match
I can see a thousand things, and I can go a thousand places, but not a thing brings so much joy as doggie kisses on happy faces. ... Read more »
SQUIRREL! Or, close enough
When you're a dog, there are certain things you learn to do early in life. Like ask to go outside. This is something every dog does differently. Some jump insistently at the door jamb, scratching at the glass. Others have learned to ring a bell. Some, like Koa, wait until they are positively bursting at the seams, sit silently for 30 seconds and, if no one comes in that time frame, go and pee on the floor. Dogs like Brody are stoic, waiting patiently but insistently at the door and nudging ... Read more »
Bad houseguests
We had a lovely time on our vacation, and by all accounts the pets had a lovely vacation from us. Apollo, who had the run of the place while we were gone, has most of his fur back from the chicken incident- no opportunities to sneak people food when there were no people, of course, and the dogs had a blast at Grandma's, where they were spoiled, treated, and brushed into oblivion. Even Koa had to work to muster up some enthusiasm when we returned. For the most part, they were good, was the ... Read more »
Happy Memorial Day
A happy Memorial Day to all of you. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to the men and women and families who give so much so that I can do things like to go my mother in law's beautiful yard and take pictures of the dog. We have it pretty good here. ... Read more »
Snakes on a patio
As regular readers will know, I've been on a hiking kick lately. I can't tell you how much fun Brody and I have had exploring the region together, despite my persistent and uneasy fears about mountain lions that my friend who has spent months researching said lions has done nothing to dissuade. Her only input was, "get an airhorn," and, "you're not running, are you? Because then you look like prey." No matter, it's worth it. Better to go out in a flame of glory and be eaten by a cougar than ... Read more »
Baking With Brody: Power Bars for Pups
Have you ever tried Gu when you're out exercising? It's like trying to swallow phlegm: pasty, sticky stuff that seals your esophagus shut with something that is supposed to be good for you. I don't care for it (obviously.) I think Brody feels the same way about biscuits. They're fine for home, but if you're out working up a sweat/pant/whatever, a dried out dessicated crunchy thing may not be the most appetizing choice. He doesn't care for them. So I decided it was my goal for Be Kind to ... Read more »
Where the Wild Pups Are
RIP Maurice Sendak, a true visionary. Where the Wild Pups Are The night Brode wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind and another His mother called him "Wild Thing!" and Brody said "I'll eat you up!" so he was sent to bed without eating anything. That very night in Brody's yard a forest grew, and grew until the ceiling hung with vines and the walls became the world all around And he sailed off through night and day and in and out of weeks and almost over a year, ... Read more »
Stay bloodthirsty, my friends
I couldn't figure out why every single babysitter on our list turned us down for Saturday , and then I realized- oh, it's Cinco de Mayo, otherwise known as A Good Day for Tacos and Cervezas here in San Diego. No self respecting college kid would be at home. In honor of the occasion, I'm going to whip up some Brody's Surf Shack Fish Tacos, crack open a Dos Equiis, and oh yes, put a sombrero on the dog. *cue music* He walks himself...because no one can do it better. Cats hate him ... Read more »
How his holiness got me safely off the mountain. Kind of.
It wasn't until I almost passed out at the top of a mountain that I really understood how much I underestimated the effects of dehydration. I have the Dalai Lama to thank for this, you know. No, really. Sure, I knew hydration was important for everyone else, but I figured, meh, I can do without for a bit. When I went out hiking last week, I packed a little water bottle for Brody- he hikes with a fur coat on, after all, and filled my little Camelbak running pack and set it on the counter, ... Read more »
Ticky Tacky Town versus Crazy Town
This weekend we went and looked at houses. We can't make any offers until our current one sells- SO HURRY UP SOMEONE AND BUY IT- but we can at least get a good feel for where we want to live. We're moving with two priorities in mind: lessen my husband's commute, and get us into a good public school district. To that end, there are two communities we are considering. Ticky Tacky Town is made up of little boxes on the hillside, and they're all made of ticky tacky and they all look the same. ... Read more »
Snakes on a plain
Maybe this rattlesnake aversion stuff does pay off. To the left is a shed skin just hanging out on the side of the road. Brody sniffed every single bush in that park but refused to show the slightest interest in the skin. NOT that I'm complaining! We did an aversion training session when he was eight months old, but we are due for a refresher. With spring in full bloom, the snake babies are everywhere and ERs are gearing up for what is looking to be a brisk bite season. If you live in ... Read more »
Speaking of mountain lions…
You all know I am irrationally petrified of getting eaten by a mountain lion. Every time I start to get close to being OK with the risk, someone comes around and says, "Oh yes, some woman DOWN IN SAN DIEGO had her scalp eaten by a mountain lion, I remember reading that in the papers, and she only lived because some guy rode by on a mountain bike and threw the bike at the mountain lion" and then I get all freaked out again. (Thanks, Susi.) Yesterday Brody and I checked out a new-to-us area ... Read more »
