Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Look out Tyra

you have competition on the cat walk.... 

Here with have Athena modeling the lastest fashions in winter wear. Please note the striking colors that not only are complimentary to her coloring but they are great for safety purposes. 

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The hood is fashioned to allow the wearer a full range of vision while keeping her ears warm and toasty. 

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The non binding sleeves will provide hours of warm comfort while frolicing in the winter wonderlands. 

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Of course we all have to note that Athena has been waiting for this day...she is known only by her first name, just like Prince, Maddona and now ATHENA !!

Thank you to our Friend Sodas Mommie for the awesome commentary!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Temporary Guest in the Smith House

Meet Caya 

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I'm holding her until the weekend so she can go back to where she came from originally in 2005. She was adopted out and then recently dropped at my Local shelter. So i offered to pull her and drive her to Modesto this weekend. 

She is a sweetie pie. Just isn't compatible with my crew 100%. Athena is a in your face rough and tumble, bark and wrestle with me dog. Caya Not so much. Even my moms dog was trying to get her to play and she snapped at him for trying. So for now she stays on the dog bed (which she loves) and Athena and maks sit on the couch staring her down wondering why she isn't like them LOL. 

Hopefully she will find a owner who will put some time into her. she needs obedience training to keep her from jetting off when the door opens and basic manors. She does know how to sit though that's a plus right? haha

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Athenas "your not replacing me are you?" Look

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Maks "i don't know about that one auntie" 

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Some times i forget how difficult it can be to find compatible dogs to live together. I've been lucky to find dogs willing to put up with Athenas rough and tumble antics or dogs who are just like her....

Monday, December 15, 2008

Helloooo Santa

I want lick you. You taste good, why does your beard move when i lick you? Is it a toy? You are moving do you want to play? I love the santa whats under your hat?Are there treats? Why was there flash? Hey Santa..how do you know my name? I'm a good girl. I want ALL the toys here. 

End product

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Santa looks a little weary of such an inquisitive dog :) 

Monday, December 8, 2008

Young Lady

Two years ago roughly i went to a ladys house who had a litter of oops puppies. I wasnt hopeful  i would find anything. I had been searching for a pup for a while and for some reason her ad caught my eye. As i sifted through the puppies. One kept crawling into my lap wanting only to be with me. When i put her down she proceeded to chew and pull on the back of my scrubs. I looked at my friend who came with me and we both just smiled. I scooped her up and took her home.  In reality looking back she was probably a easy puppy. Picking up new tricks and commands like a pro.  What i got is one Kick ass dog. 

Happy Early Birthday Athena

First day i got her home

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First Bath

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Big girl Pic

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Precious Frisbeeeeee

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Mt girl through and through

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O where O where did my little dog go?? Here she is not so little anymore! 

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Friday, December 5, 2008

Go Frolic in the catnip Fields and be at peace

Howard was one kick ass cat. I got him From my ex who no longer wanted to keep him for what ever reasons. i fell in love with him while we were dating and told my ex he was not allowed to take Howard to the pound because i will take him. The first few days he just hid under my bed. Wondering if it was safe this new place, with new smells and people. After a few days it was his house. He was a mischievous cat, stealing my keys and hiding them, slippers etc. When Athena came along he taught her all the tricks of the trade, Opening doors, getting out of her crate, innocent yet guilty looks. Howard was my best friend, my cuddle buddy, my confidant and my cat. I miss my boy 15lbs of lovin!

December 15, 2007 one of the hardest nights of my life. I came home to blood and urine everywhere and my big man looking at me like "mom i can't do this anymore." Howard my big cat had re blocked only after a week of being home from unblocking him. I called an e-vet in fremont that we took our dog in the past too. They told me to take my time making my way to the office. So i sat on the ground crying and talking to him in my room. Apologizing for not being able to make him better. i blamed my self. Maybe if i had more money to spend, maybe if i hadn't fed him that food, maybe maybe maybe. But this wasn't about me anymore. It was about my cats quality of life. And as much as i loved him. i couldn't put him through anymore pain. I've had enough bladder infections to know they are very painful, but a urinary blockage? i can not imagine what type of pain he was going through.

I packed Howard up into his crate as well as Athena his partner in crime and best friend and went on my way to the Evet in Fremont. Why Fremont since the San Leandro vet was much closer? I didn't like how they treated me when i took him in when he first blocked and i wanted his passing to be a peaceful and stress free event. On the long journey to the Vet Athena cried the whole time and curled her self around Howard's crate. How could i take her best friend away? After all i think she is more cat then dog sometimes. When they first met he wasn't too found of her, but before long he was talking to her and coming to get me when she was doing something not to his liking. They played like they had known each other forever. They had a bond i hadn't seen between a cat and dog. Maybe because Howard was part dog? He came when he was called, played fetch with his ball and LOVED his belly rubbed. As we pulled into the parking lot. i just sat in the space and cried. People pulled up next to me and knocked on my window asking if i was ok. I told them no, but thank you for the concern and i had a sick cat that i was brining in to be put down. They gave their condolences and went on their way. I gathered up both howard and Athena. And despite her normal out of control self when she was in new places. Athena was extremely calm by my side wanting to be as close to her friend as possible.

I sucked it up long enough to check into the office and wait for the doctor. This sweet lady (i can't remember her name) who i remember from when my old dog lucy was sick came out and we sat and talked about everything he had gone through in the last month. I told her that it was just not fair to put him through anymore pain. She supported me in every way possible. I am truly greatful for her support through this. She took Howard back and put in his iv and brought him back to me to say my final good byes. I let Athena say good bye as well she was sitting next to my legs leaning on me. She gave me a look of udder confusion as to why i'm crying and why her best friend was just laying there. The doctor came back in asking if it was time. I nodded yes. She sat on the ground and administered the meds to send him on his way. With his final breath Howard put his head on my leg and just sighed. At that moment the doctor said " Go frolic in the catnip fields and be at peace." And i lost it. The doctor squeezed my hand and left me to my grieving. I whispered a prayer and told my granma to look after him and that he loved to be petting and have his belly rubbed. I stood up and reached for the door. Before i opened it. i said one last good bye and attempted to walk out. I was stopped not by my own self, but by Athena. she was confused as to why we were leaving her best friend, her partner in crime, her big brother. I told her that it was time for him to go home to my granma. She turned and looked at him walked over and gave him one more kiss. Then she looked at me not with a confused face, but acceptance like she knew Howard had left. I left the office with a weak smile trying to keep the receptionist from crying after she saw Athena's reaction. There was a new client waiting to be seen. All they saw was a girl crying her eyes out walking out with a perfectly health puppy and the look on their face was confusion. I hope that someone explained to them as to why i was crying because i just couldn't. A few weeks later i sent a Thank you card to the clinic with a picture of Howard thanking them for having such compassion during a time where i was falling apart inside from loosing my best friend. To this day Athena will look around if i say his name. Makes me cry every time.

RIP big man Mommie will always miss you so will Athena.

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Behave Big Man

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Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Schedules

It's amazing how altering your daily schedule puts a kink into your body. When i had to commute 25 miles each way i had a strict schedule. I lived on my own with no one to mess up my sleep schedule. My roommates kept to themselves. Now that i live with my mom its a whole other way of living. I got use to sleeping in to the last min then rushing around the house. Though Athena had me up by 5am every day i went back to sleep after i let her out in the back yard rather then taking her for a mile walk. I didn't realize how this messes with my energy and mental alertness though out the day. And now that i am on some migraine prevention pills that make me even more groggy if i don't eat or sleep, i decided i needed to get back on a schedule again.

So last night after getting home from Athena's training class. I wound down. Had some tea, watched my favorite show (NCIS) and got ready for bed. I was in bed and out light a light by 9:45pm. I set my alarm for 6am and told my self that Athena would go back to sleep if i ignored her.She needs to get back on a schedule as well. And when the alarm went off it woke both Athena and I up. I guess she was tried from class since she tries to get me up at 5am most days LOL. I let her out to potty and fed her and sat down with come coffee to read through the Safeway ad. To my surprise Athena came into the living room and curled up on the couch next to me instead of going back to bed with my mom, her granma. Of course i couldn't help cuddling her for a a few before getting into the shower and leaving early for work.

So far i'm feeling pretty good. Not sluggish or anything. I stopped by walfart to get some vitamins since i haven't taken any in a while and i thought that maybe another reason for my tiredness was not only the pills or lack of sleep, but maybe i was not getting what i needed out of my food. So Vitamins it is. I do not mind taking them since i use to take them daily and felt awesome when i took them. Silly body why must you be so complicated?

Over weekend i plan on sitting down and writing out my schedule. This will help me stick to my goals of working out and more importantly sleep.