Saturday, January 2, 2010

The Wave

My 52 Weeks for Dogs project with Coulee is about to come to a close. We missed 3 weeks all year - 2 that I know about, and 1 that I'm not sure what happened! All I know is that my numbering is off and I'm ending one week short. I haven't submitted my final photo yet, and I've had lots of different ideas as to what I could do.

I finally deided it would be cute if she would wave good-bye to all her flickr friends. We've been trying to teach wave for the LONGEST time but for some reason it makes her really anxious. She really wants to do a high five instead. So when we practice, she seeks out things to touch her paw to when we ask her to wave. She either run up to us and then "waves" or she'll high five the coffee table, or Lacey, or a chair, or anything else she can reach.

When there is nothing around her, she offers up anything else she knows how to do. The more frustrated she gets, the more she practices her "speak".

Here is how our photo session went yesterday...

Not only has she gotten too close, you can tell by all the tongue action that she is anxious.

Don't beat me! I'll wave for you!

Ooops! My incredibly hairy toes have thrown snow on my head!

I'm not sure if my timing sucked or if she never ended picking her paw up very high... But if we'd gotten our act together, this could have been cute.

Are you done torturing me yet?

I have about 101 pictures that all look the same as those above. Needless to say, I did not get my picture yesterday, but I have one last day to get it right!

Friday, January 1, 2010

Joy Is...

A snowy field to run in...
Having the stick everyone wants...
Beating your baby brother in a race...
Eating lots of treats...
Looking for critters...
Hanging out with friends...
Taking the road less travelled...
Dancing like no one is watching...
Feeling the wind in your hair...
Being more than just a pretty face...
Singing your heart out...
Finding a quiet moment, amidst the chaos...
May you all find your own joy this year. Happy New Year.

Every Day

Every day, dogs are euthanized in animal shelters. It makes me sad so I try not to think about it. But every day there are happy endings too.

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Time for Sledding

While out visiting my family we did a mini photo session. There is a reason I'm not a people photographer... there is so much to learn that is different than pets! While I like a lot of the images that we got, I'm not 100% thrilled with any of them. They don't seem to be in crisp focus, and the compositions could have been stronger with just a few little tweaks. We took the photos on the last day so we had no time to repeat the effort but we can always try again next time! Right?

So that is Steve in the back, then my sister Debbie, then my nieces Sarah and Alison.


Steve was a seasoned model the whole session. :)
Alison too always knew where the camera was and turned on the charm.

I love this photo of my sister!

Sarah has a smile that can light up a room.
As can her little sister!

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Christmas Part 1

Marlin and I have been doing lots of traveling this Christmas. Our first stop was Camrose where his family gathered on Christmas Eve. We had a wonderful potluck dinner in the basement of his Grandpa's place. The kids had lots of toys to play with and the adults had lots of good food to eat and good company to chat with.

We then set off for a 12 hour drive to Nelson. It was a very long day. The girls got the chance to run a few times in farmers' fields and even a dog park in Canmore.

We are having a great visit so far. My sister's family got a Wii for Christmas and I am completely addicted... and a little sore. I think I over did it during the boxing match. :) We have managed short breaks to go out with the dogs in the snow. We had to bundle up though.

Gotta go and get back to the Wii!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Another Wubba

I think I need a second Wubba. There was a whole lotta this going on today.







Lacey seems to have finally discovered the attention she gets whenever she has it. She was full out sprinting for the toy today and not backing down if Coulee was hot on her heels. I was impressed.

Coulee had to up her game to get the toy so she turned on the focus and determination.


What is Lacey looking at in the distance?

An old daycare buddy named Otus. We hadn't seen him since he was still a pup!

We have a few long road trips ahead of us these next couple of days. I hope they got enough exercise this afternoon!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Working Out

Somebody looks like she has been hitting the gym!