Why so Happy?

Why is Vito looking so happy?

Well that is because Vito has the ball.

Not that Vito wanted to play with it or anything. He just knew Coulee and Boone wanted it.

Meanwhile, Lacey did her usual thing.

Through the Looking Glass

Lacey and some of the other little dogs love when the plastic picnic table is pushed up against the wall so they can stand on top of it and look through the window into the office. Lacey tends paw very cutely at the window as if to ask if we can come visit. I can never resist her.

Needs Work

In early January I purchased a little "netbook" and set up a small office in the back of the daycare. It is essentially a storage room - brick walls, no windows, no heat and no electricty. Sounds classy eh? You can even see an old ladder behind me in the picture. The best thing about it though is that I am closed away and no one can see me so I'm not interupted by a ringing phone or clients coming and going.

I can't wait for summer though, it is a little cold in here. I usually bring a pup in with me to keep me company. Today was Ambers turn. She loves to sit on my lap so she was the perfect working partner.

The picture was taken with the little built-in webcam. It only took me 10 minutes to figure out how to make it work!

Rescue Puppy

Lulu is too cute not to post just one picture! Lulu is with the Prairie Dog Canine Rescue and is looking for a home.

Mama's Mitten

The girls have a bad habit of carrying around our socks. Apparently mittens are just as appealing.

40 Things

Sarah (not Amanda) tagged me to list 40 things about myself that you all may not know, so here goes...

1. I was born in Quebec.
2. I've lived in 4 provinces - Quebec, Ontario, BC and Alberta
3. I almost moved to Manitoba and lived in a camper for a summer (Thankfully Marlin got a job in AB and we didn't move).
4. Marlin and I have been together for 13 years but only married for 3.
5. Technically, I was the one to propose.
6. I wanted to shear sheep for a living but didn't think I was strong enough.
7. I know how to spin wool.
8. I can fall asleep on the living room floor in less than 5 minutes on any given afternoon.
9. I like to go to bed early.
10. I am not a morning person.
11. I am always cold.
12. I hate being the first person in bed - it is cold!
13. I completed a triathlon.
14. I used to swim competitively.
15. I can play the flute and trombone.
16. I used to work at a garbage transfer station.
17. I have my bellybutton pierced.
18. I cry very easily and hate crying in public.
19. I'm scared of bugs (and apparently sections of tapeworm in dog poo!)
20. I hate being in debt.
21. I've never had a job for more than a few years.
22. I've never had a student loan.
23. I never want to go out, but always seem to have a good time when I do.
24. I love to stay home and do nothing.
25. I hate cleaning.
26. I thought being self employed would be way too scary to ever do.
27. I think I look like a boy with short hair.
28. I love short hair on other women and think they look great.
29. I have a sleeping disorder.
    
30. I'm addicted to Starbucks but you probably already knew that.
31. My favourite drink is a Monkey's Lunch.
32. I like technology but am usually too cheap to keep up with it.
33. I was a nerd in high school.
34. I hate crowds.
35. Red is my favourite colour.
36. I like to bake but hate to cook.
37. I LOVE chocolate.
38. I'm a vegetarian who doesn't like many vegetables.
39. I eat a lot of cereal - always have, always will.
40. I'm always surprised by what I look like in the mirror and in photos.  Apparently my hair and complexion are not as perfect as I always imagine!

Fun Day

Yesterday was Fun Day. Twice a week I get a few hours to myself in the middle of the day because Jolene starts early. So these days have been nicknamed "Fun Days". Fun Days aren't always fun - I often have to do work errands like banking, paperwork, etc. but other days I get to sit in Starbucks and relax, go for a walk, or do whatever. Yesterday I decided to go for a walk with the girls to get some pictures for the Flickr challenge.

It was a little too cold for fingerless mitts so I took very few photos and spent very little time out there. None of the pictures turned out particularly well but the girls had fun.

Just One More

I liked this one too much not to share.

I was wrong

So I remember a time when I thought Boone wasn't very cute. I'm not sure if it is his wacky personality that has increased his cuteness, but now I think he is super cute! He is kooky and fun. I don't think I've ever had so much fun photographing a dog before.

So to make up for the last post with the stupid smudge, I thought I'd share a few that worked out a little better.

Boone is super agile but not very coordinated. I think he only catches the ball about 1% of the time. His timing is always off.

But he wins lots of points in the effort department.

Stupid Smudge

This is why you should always make sure you lens doesn't have any nose prints on it!  I'm so disappointed these didn't work out.

New Favourites

Jolene and I went out to Popson today to let the dogs have a good run. We have Vito and Boone staying with us this weekend and they also got to come along for the ride. I was a little worried Boone wouldn't come when I called him so he started on leash and then when we decided to just hang out in the group use area (it has a big field that is perfect for fetching) I let him off leash and he was very good.

My very favourite of the day....

I'll let Jolene share her favourites which is why you don't see any of her pups.

Where'd She Go?

The whole family went for a walk today at lunch. It was gorgeous out! I was trying to get a decent picture of Coulee for the 52 Weeks for Dogs. This is one of the outtakes...

Coulee didn't understand why she was in a stay, while Lacey still got to run around.

Little Man

After the Show

After Indoor Dog Park today I let the kids race around in the back. Coulee was obssessed with her toy as usual.

Lacey and Vito just raced around like crazy.

I think Lacey is channeling Wicca here.

Morning Light

Come Join the Fun

There is a group on Flickr called 52 Weeks for Dogs. You take a picture each week of the same dog for a year. How fun is that? You get to see how your dog changes, how your photography improves AND you get a record of your pup's life for 2009. Come on... don't you want to play?

My first picture was of both girls but Coulee is the "chosen one". For fun, I'm going to take pictures of Lacey too but not post them to the group.

Isn't Coulee nice to her little sister?

Just for Fun

Milestone

Can you believe our 9 year old van just reached 100,000 km today? We didn't own it for it's first 7 years which is the only reason it is so low. We've doubled it's mileage in the two short years we've had it.
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

Technology

These last two days have been very fun for me because I got two very fun things. Yesterday I went out and purchased an Acer Aspire One "Netbook" for my new office at the daycare (more on this later). And today my highly anticipated Blackberry arrived! So to celebrate, I've done this post entirely from my new phone. Hopefully it works because typing all this has been a little painful on such a tiny keypad!

A Very Good Year

I can't believe 2009 is here already but when I think back to last January I can't believe how much has changed!

The biggest change has been in my business. Last January I was still running around like a chicken with my head cut off because I was dog walking, pet sitting and working at the daycare. Now it is just the daycare, and I gotta say, that is so much better for my sanity. (Not my health though. I've put back on every pound I ever lost dog walking!)

I still don't feel like I have enough time to spend with family and friends but it is definitely getting better. The daycare is going better than I could have hoped - we have great clients, I get to work with great people, and the dogs are a lot of fun.

This year I'm going to try and spend more time with family and friends (especially my incredibly patient husband!), more time out walking the pups, more time taking pictures and more time just relaxing and hanging out.