I just finished this crib size quilt.  I made it for someone who is expecting a little girl in early June.

To read about it and see more pictures click here.

We just completed our second 1/2 marathon this morning.  Compared to our first it was a breeze.  Although the route was  a lot tougher (climb in and out of the River Valley 3 times each) at least this time we didn’t have to contend with blizzard conditions.  We finished almost 45 minutes faster than we did the Hypothermic half.  I’ve got numb butt and stiff legs but other than that “I feel good”.  I’ve signed up to do a full marathon in August.  I can’t imagine doing today’s race twice to equal a full marathon.  At least it is a goal to shoot for……even if I don’t make it the full 42 kilometres.

Once again this year Tango and Hope co-hosted their annual birthday party.  Susan baked special dog friendly cups cakes smothered in “icing”.  Both Tango and Hope had their eyes focused on the same cup cake but when they got the go ahead to start eating, they quickly figure out which one was theirs.

As you can see by Tilly’s chin and her ear (in the picture below)…….everyone thoroughly enjoyed their treat.

Would you believe that less than 10 hours ago our yard was virtually snow free……look at it now. Mother Nature definitely has a sense of humour.  It is just so beautiful but the heavy, wet snow is causing havoc in Edmonton.  Trees are falling down and taking out power lines all over the city.  I’m glad I have today off so that I could go around the yard and shake/shovel the snow off all my shrubs and trees to prevent them from getting damaged.  The dogs are loving it!!

We have’t done any training in deep snow so we were not prepared for how much more effort it required to walk through deep powdered snow.  By the 10K mark I was exhausted and wished I could quit.   I’m still not sure how I managed to complete the full 21.1 kilometres.   My training times had me finishing in under 3hrs and 30 minutes but I ended up taking 3hrs and 44 minutes.  I trained with a group of people who have done many half, full and ultra’s and they all said that it was a very tough race so I guess I can take some solace in that.

I can now cross this one off my bucket list!

Last month I had strongly hinted that this Valentine’s Day I wanted to feel special…..you know…..I wanted to be romanced…like in the “olden days” when we were in lust. I have to take my hat off to the skinny guy. He took on the challenge and boy was I surprised. I have to admit I was a little worried when 5pm came and went and I didn’t even have a card yet….but then it started. First he produced a beautiful, long stemmed red rose. That was quickly followed by a beautiful pendant and necklace. Then I was told that I had to hurry up and get ready because a limo was picking us up in 30 minutes. We enjoyed a wonderful 4 course dinner and wine. I feel truly spoiled and loved. Move over Wally there is a new (renewed) love in my life with two legs instead of four!!

I found a talented local artist who did these spectacular drawings of our “kids”.  I just gave her pictures of the dogs and I got these wonderful keepsakes. I know that when they have all gone to puppy heaven, I will have these amazing drawings to ease my heartache.  She is particularly talented at capturing the eyes…they show the heart, soul and personality of our dogs.  People who have seen the drawings and know our dogs comment on how she has managed to convey much more than just an image.  I love them all but I especially love the one of Wally with his big, jowly puddles.  If you would like to commission a drawing of your beloved companion animal, get in touch with me and I will give you her contact info.

I surprised Don and got this extra drawing of Tango in her search vest that he can hang in his office at work.

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 4,200 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 4 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

We thought this would be a great way to start 2012 and a “warm up” for our half marathon in February.

Hope, Wally, Bentley, Tango, Trixie and little Tilly

The Alberta weather gods have smiled upon us this December.  Today it is +5 and sunny with just a hint of snow on the ground…..compared to last year’s arctic freeze with record snowfall. The gang  spent the day at Patty’s with all our dogs in tow.  We had a wonderful walk around her acreage and then it was back to the house for a delicious lunch prepared by Susan. What a perfect way to spend Xmas eve…..much better than fighting our way through crowds at the mall.  It always amazes me that we can have so many dogs together in the house (some even intact) and they all get along.

Tonight we are going to a Christmas concert at Susan’s church.  Hope is going to be a part of the Christmas story along with some farm animals.  I’m sure she is going to be the ‘star’!

Picture Courtesy of: Rene Mercier

 I am thrilled to announce that Team Tango passed their annual RCMP cadaver certification this morning.  As a reward, Tango got a Mega-P’nut treat from Bone and Biscuit in Sherwood Park and Don is going to get a nice ‘take-out’ dinner from the restaurant of his choice.  I think Tango got the better end of this deal.

To see all the blocks, click here.

Today is Ebony’s 4th birthday.  She and her partner Sam have formed an amazing working team.  It was wonderful to hear how much she assists him at work and in his day to day life.  It was always so hard to say goodbye to a foster puppy but it was especially hard to say goodbye to Ebony.  We had an incredible bond.  She was so easy to train and she loved to work and please me.

I always worried about my foster puppies’ future.  You hope they are going to be teamed up with someone who will love them and much as you do.  Well I certainly don’t have to worry about Ebony’s life.  She lives in the most beautiful home (my dream home), on a large acreage with a lake to swim in.  She’s got a puppy housemate named Bear that she can play with when she is not working.  Sam and his family obviously love her very much and my heart is at peace when I see them together.

Here’s a picture of my handsome boy Wally (Ebony’s Dad) with Sam and Ebony.  Look at that amazing view in the background.  You will notice that Wally managed to find the one pile of donkey poop on the property.  My boy has never met a pile of poop that he didn’t want to roll in.  Stinky or not,  I still love him.

Cash

2004FEB14 – 2011JUL26

Attention litter-bugs: puppycam ready to switch on.