tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55307362536637705102024-03-13T13:43:09.858-04:00First Day of the Rest"To dare is to lose one's footing momentarily. To not dare is to lose oneself." ~ Soren KierkegaardDaniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-65145477499600733062013-03-07T10:54:00.000-05:002013-04-01T08:03:35.025-04:00We've Moved To A New Blog!<div style="text-align: center;">
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Come visit us at our new site:<br />
<a href="http://lifeinthedoglane.com/">http://lifeinthedoglane.com</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaT-9-Plg9HcZlF_dfy55p4ba-FMe-nPFxebTVacpJD0MsRq391xIUJY4B74z8FjPM_gKWgLag2wRniu85IDV6hX8G6JOqyP3NtNAUtiXEt8baotbxlpnYivmiaLqU2ti0vftzPEt3ITl/s1600/adilvirani.ca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaT-9-Plg9HcZlF_dfy55p4ba-FMe-nPFxebTVacpJD0MsRq391xIUJY4B74z8FjPM_gKWgLag2wRniu85IDV6hX8G6JOqyP3NtNAUtiXEt8baotbxlpnYivmiaLqU2ti0vftzPEt3ITl/s320/adilvirani.ca.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (image <a href="http://adilvirani.ca/">via</a>)</span><br />
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Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-27318989295082799782013-03-04T13:56:00.001-05:002013-03-04T13:56:17.360-05:00Coming HomeAfter travelling around the world, Juno has finally come home!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XYoCmQSVAX5FHgY-qn-OLE7kPxaSIQ6nnadCjrF729pX4T2win82XtoCG55MPfvu2sfIGWjF2d7d0BMTst3KjXNQhpwQtunuWgDcy2BSOiTMP9e4hMQBHtT3AEuWxMUR2xzYjFbRAZop/s1600/zazzle.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XYoCmQSVAX5FHgY-qn-OLE7kPxaSIQ6nnadCjrF729pX4T2win82XtoCG55MPfvu2sfIGWjF2d7d0BMTst3KjXNQhpwQtunuWgDcy2BSOiTMP9e4hMQBHtT3AEuWxMUR2xzYjFbRAZop/s320/zazzle.com.jpg" width="320" /></a>We're proud to announce that "Lessons from the Lab: 26 Life Lessons You Can Learn from a Dog...A to Z" is now available in Canada.<br />
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Get your paws on it at Amazon.ca, right here: <a href="http://amzn.to/Wr90Q7">http://amzn.to/Wr90Q7</a><br />
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Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-42040937225305506992013-02-28T08:52:00.000-05:002013-02-28T08:52:16.296-05:00Lift OffWe have lift-off. The launch is complete! "Lessons from the Lab: 26 Life Lessons You Can Learn from a Dog...A to Z" is now available on iTunes, Kobo, Blurb, and on Amazon around the world. So whether you live in Italy or Idaho, you can now get your paws on our book!<br />
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Here's a little video we put together to officially announce Juno's launch.<br />
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Take a sneak peek and place your order if you're so inclined. Permanent links to purchase the book are located in our sidebar.<br />
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Thanks, and...we hope you enjoy.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/U3z5Mc6k2JI" width="412"></iframe><br />
<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-28946066532834279892013-02-23T21:34:00.000-05:002013-02-23T22:30:44.763-05:00Introducing "Dear Dog Journal"<div style="text-align: center;">
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Got questions? The Lab's got answers.</div>
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<a href="http://deardogjournal.blogspot.com/">http://deardogjournal.blogspot.com</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.deardogjournal.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLycn8aDSM7x_FfW2Px2E7N3xXlMbjQuODEuPLxzD_e1UE6wcr2oxhSZCkHrgOyJl_5HnSlYExbFTPJk8t0VPfpmKnolGwNkiGa1Tphm7mjaS3N6Ifz18wXmWTK-edjyvRRLdLd8dh9Xm/s1600/Dear+Dog+Journal+2.png" /></a></div>
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(There's also a permanent link to the blog in our sidebar).<br />
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We'll be over there posting about dog-related issues<br />
a few times a week!<br />
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Hope you like it and visit often!</div>
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Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-15080966030014046672013-02-23T15:31:00.000-05:002013-02-23T15:31:05.234-05:00Have Book, Will Travel<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkUYrnJ5Kp66dtW6P-LqDWGWbJCLNBMRJdqRti2GpdrVe5xZDGLtHNeyIKx4CKo8znThKhUG5KCTZP5AmnkMwuy-sNrC4mDvfPdzZKA7e4nP58EFxXcfeg-Mz-ODcvON1k6Zmhgrakp1i/s1600/tumblr_mec4ikXHyS1raxwg2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkUYrnJ5Kp66dtW6P-LqDWGWbJCLNBMRJdqRti2GpdrVe5xZDGLtHNeyIKx4CKo8znThKhUG5KCTZP5AmnkMwuy-sNrC4mDvfPdzZKA7e4nP58EFxXcfeg-Mz-ODcvON1k6Zmhgrakp1i/s400/tumblr_mec4ikXHyS1raxwg2.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
Juno has landed in the UK and Europe!<br />
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"Lessons from the Lab" is <a href="http://amzn.to/UV2EGQ">now available</a> directly from Amazon storefronts in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain!<br />
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Get your paws on it right here: <a href="http://amzn.to/UV2EGQ">http://amzn.to/UV2EGQ</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(image <a href="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mec4ikXHyS1raxwg2.jpg">via</a>)</span></div>
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Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-66649921677418807132013-02-20T10:42:00.002-05:002013-02-20T10:42:45.906-05:00It's HERE! (Back From The Book-Making Factories)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFfiUY9mFPvaYjJUf9tMKw4KAnZUYWNtux3zVzJGELVgJrhL1ms8vwGNI7DL9Zaj7x5wLdKin6-F-pKRBkwwEQXE_KgLFuPEe1NgQsYo3lN5kNNyDzez-cv6rh9ltbHDWTKPfQ0bxwyU-/s1600/canine-rocket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFfiUY9mFPvaYjJUf9tMKw4KAnZUYWNtux3zVzJGELVgJrhL1ms8vwGNI7DL9Zaj7x5wLdKin6-F-pKRBkwwEQXE_KgLFuPEe1NgQsYo3lN5kNNyDzez-cv6rh9ltbHDWTKPfQ0bxwyU-/s320/canine-rocket.jpg" width="320" /></a>They've all launched! We're happy to announce that our book, "<b>Lessons from the Lab: 26 Life Lessons You Can Learn from a Dog...A to Z</b>" is now AVAILABLE in hard copy on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Lab-Life-Learn-Dog-A/dp/1482391384/ref=sr_1_30?ie=UTF8&qid=1361332295&sr=8-30&keywords=lessons+from+the+lab">Amazon.com</a> and at the <a href="http://www.blurb.ca/b/4034351-lessons-from-the-lab">Blurb Bookstore</a>, and in e-format on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/book/lessons-from-the-lab/id596216725?mt=11">iTunes for iPad</a> and on <a href="http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Lessons-Lab-26-Life-Lessons-You/book-QR-VNCGU50-39yFERq0iXg/page1.html?s=9dkmpZhMt02USCDGQITnrw&r=1">Kobo</a>. Links to purchase are also permanently in our sidebar.<br />
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Going live on Amazon.com last night was our last step in a long journey! We're now published on all the platforms we had aimed for! (We are still debating about Kindle...but it means a complete re-formatting, so we'll wait for another day.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1yg3-6-ilCyIIxFW5zuKXa6s7PQ69zYhEx-vYT3LYYQjCIDK0HrBKaaxWtChPwlNLXzLid6n4X28iEqIA24QBJfygZZknIt6391ZDnq5Ib-IYyFtDmvfsE3YkfnBQ9XmoHlOVLpOioen/s1600/dog_pilot_plane_sunglasses_hat_44848_1024x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1yg3-6-ilCyIIxFW5zuKXa6s7PQ69zYhEx-vYT3LYYQjCIDK0HrBKaaxWtChPwlNLXzLid6n4X28iEqIA24QBJfygZZknIt6391ZDnq5Ib-IYyFtDmvfsE3YkfnBQ9XmoHlOVLpOioen/s320/dog_pilot_plane_sunglasses_hat_44848_1024x1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thanks for all the support! Hope you enjoy.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(images from <a href="http://anda.they.org/Brody/Bunker/Photos/canine-rocket.jpg">here</a> and <a href="http://wallpaperscraft.com/image/dog_pilot_plane_sunglasses_hat_44848_1024x1024.jpg">here</a>)</span></div>
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Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-54817743111976131822013-01-30T16:02:00.000-05:002013-01-30T16:18:47.238-05:00Our Book Comes To Life!<div style="text-align: left; width: 350px;">
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Hot off the presses at Blurb! Our book is now AVAILABLE in the Blurb Bookstore in hard and soft cover versions.</div>
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Wisdom and intelligence from our Lab, to us, to you!</div>
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Take a sneak peek and place an order - we'd love your support.</div>
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<object data="http://www.blurb.ca/assets/embed.swf" height="270" id="myWidget" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="350"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
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<a href="http://www.blurb.ca/b/4034351-lessons-from-the-lab?ce=blurb_ew&utm_source=widget" style="margin: 12px 3px;" target="_blank">Lessons from the Lab by Danielle MacKenzie and Adam MacKenzie</a> | <a href="http://www.blurb.ca/landing_pages/bookshow?ce=blurb_ew&utm_source=widget" style="margin: 12px 3px;" target="_blank">Make Your Own Book</a></div>
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<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-4986073904264932282013-01-24T19:15:00.000-05:002013-01-24T19:15:13.451-05:00Our Dog Wrote A Book!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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OUR BOOK'S HERE Y'ALL!!</div>
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It's available NOW on iTunes!...Get your paws on it right here: </div>
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/book/lessons-from-the-lab/id596216725?mt=11">https://itunes.apple.com/book/lessons-from-the-lab/id596216725?mt=11</a></div>
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Hope you like it.</div>
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Time for a bone and a nap,</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;">♥ </span>Juno</div>
<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-37886255894225669322013-01-23T13:58:00.001-05:002013-01-23T13:58:36.299-05:00Puddle JumpingOn days when our patio doors are frozen shut, it's nice to be reminded that days like this are just around the corner.<br />
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Plus, this little boy and his dog are seriously adorable.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/PN-MjUC4f9k?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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I had seen this video a while ago, but my sweet mother-in-law sent it to me recently, so I watched it again. A nice reminder of the happy, quiet, simple things in life.<br />
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Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-35351757887697764122013-01-20T09:23:00.000-05:002013-01-20T09:23:26.767-05:00Time For The Woolies!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOjWTYKBch9pMnA_AVnuq24x0laHYGAHuJipzOXITGbFp9WsxPe1WOh6y9KcqKczqbZd6c1Ybn9Zxlz-GvumehKJbwFNUabJqPOiw1yvF5V4zzNGh-rOIX5ZA_8z4DVz113blU8XzsSnK/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-01-20+at+9.20.15+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOjWTYKBch9pMnA_AVnuq24x0laHYGAHuJipzOXITGbFp9WsxPe1WOh6y9KcqKczqbZd6c1Ybn9Zxlz-GvumehKJbwFNUabJqPOiw1yvF5V4zzNGh-rOIX5ZA_8z4DVz113blU8XzsSnK/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-01-20+at+9.20.15+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-61548755121612242942013-01-15T17:32:00.000-05:002013-01-15T17:32:14.156-05:00How To Keep Your Dog Fit In The WinterWe've noticed Juno getting a little round in the midsection lately. Chalk it up to freezing temperatures and consequently way less exercise than she's used to getting, and you get a rolly dog. Not to mention that she's a Lab, so has zero filter when it comes to what goes in her mouth and has never had a tendency to be a picky eater.<br />
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She's like the Lab version of this guy:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5qvVMqzKMWUWUTaxaRPvlC29DkLX6l4fTTkY84YdRM_HppdxoCdQT9FA6maq3pr38YuOuYz6iJIKHaHN4U5mUv2Cv5zxxVQOiwFpAlr_4gRwkfB_IRKWMFwiBN2kBTFU98vB_W-6nWkm/s1600/Cupcake_Dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5qvVMqzKMWUWUTaxaRPvlC29DkLX6l4fTTkY84YdRM_HppdxoCdQT9FA6maq3pr38YuOuYz6iJIKHaHN4U5mUv2Cv5zxxVQOiwFpAlr_4gRwkfB_IRKWMFwiBN2kBTFU98vB_W-6nWkm/s320/Cupcake_Dog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="http://i0.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/000/183/Cupcake_Dog.jpg">via</a>)</span></div>
So, mission fitness begins.<br />
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A couple of things we do when the temperatures dip during the winter are:<br />
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<u>Bones</u> - Juno can chew happily on a bone or deer antler for hours - the mental exertion keeps her from going batty when we're stuck inside because of the weather.<br />
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<u>Indoor games</u> - "Find it" (hiding either one of us, toys, or bits of kibble - no need for extra treats - we just use half of her breakfast or dinner) or "Fetch" (good ol' ball or disc tossing in the house - all of her toys are soft, rubbery, and quiet, so we don't worry about breaking anything - and we've mastered the aim over the years).<br />
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When we do go out during the winter, we go out for shorter, more manageable walks - several times a day. Nobody wants to get stuck blocks away from home with a dog who's lifting up their paws because their foot pads are literally freezing to the ground! Going for walks in the daytime is also helpful - the sun is shining, so it feels warmer - and mentally it's more enjoyable too. There are more dogs, more people - and, in general, more bustle to keep a dog's brain going enough to tire her out. And the wind just seems to pick up more when it gets dark - or maybe it feels that way.<br />
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<i>This was during the day.</i></div>
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These are some tips we use when the mercury takes a nosedive. What do you do to keep the pounds off your dog during the winter?</div>
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Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-62226396754276432712013-01-11T18:37:00.000-05:002013-01-11T18:37:39.452-05:00We're On Facebook Y'All!<br />
We did it - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lessons-from-the-Lab/298199500282475">our book has joined Facebook</a>.<br />
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Our book and faces...on the Facebook. So many books...and faces.<br />
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Hope you like it!<br />
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<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-28918841087065923842013-01-09T17:18:00.001-05:002013-01-11T18:38:10.424-05:00Proceed To Final ReviewApologies for the non-post...just have to enter our claim code to allow for blog membership on Technorati: <span style="background-color: #fcffe8; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">MAE5GBCJA28U</span><br />
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Cheers!Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-60600480126488596032013-01-09T08:39:00.000-05:002013-01-09T08:59:59.890-05:00Working With A Dog At Home <i><br /></i>
<i>We're being featured over on <a href="http://ottawadogblog.ca/">ottawadogblog.ca</a> today! If you're visiting from there, welcome!</i><br />
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I'm bringing this post back, particularly because it's been a good reminder for me lately, as we return to the usual routine around here post-Christmas!<br />
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From <a href="http://firstdayofrest.blogspot.ca/2011/06/working-with-dog-at-home.html">this post</a> in June, 2011:<br />
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If you're like me, and work from home with a 4-legged friend in your midst, then you can likely identify with a few of the following truths about working with a dog at home:<br />
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1. <u>Dogs know the routine</u><br />
Every morning, after we say goodbye to Adam, Juno stays at the front door, enjoying a full glass door view, watching the neighbourhood kids go to school, the commuters walk to the bus stop, and, on Fridays, the garbage and recycling trucks making their way along our street. She then moves to her bed where she stays for the first two hours of the day, at least. On mornings when Adam is running early and has a few minutes to spare before he leaves for the day, we notice that Juno notices. She fishes for more toys, barks more, does more leg tunnels, or just stares at Adam until she sees him getting closer to leaving, as if to say, "Don't you have some place to be? You're throwing my schedule off."<br />
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2. <u>Breaks do wonders</u><br />
Five minutes is all it takes. A bathroom trip and a good yard sniff do wonders for Juno. I enjoy the fresh air and brief changes of scenery. My brain comes up with new ideas, or relaxes for a few short, quiet minutes in the yard. Now that it's summer, this is all it takes. On cold or rainy days, a short walk is still doable (and particularly refreshing - that cold blast of air really gets all the senses going!).<br />
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3. <u>We get by with a little help from my background music </u><br />
Background music helps. It drowns out traffic noise, kids playing, construction, even talking - and that stealthy cat across the street that Juno hears, or smells, or just senses somehow. It helps to mask the noises that alert her to the door. We have our favourites around here - mixes of Dido, Alexi Murdoch, The Beatles, and if we're feeling jaunty, Hootie & The Blowfish.<br />
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4. <u>You need to eat and they try to share</u><br />
I like to snack while I work. I eat my way through the day with quick grabs of yogourt, fresh fruit, cut veggies, juices, water, tea, etc. during the day. Some snacks Juno has gotten used to and has no interest in. Others, she vehemently tries to share with me. Favourites right now are cheese - she hears the packaging, bananas - she hears that first snap of the peel, and any leftovers or baking we've covered in plastic wrap, foil, Ziploc bags or any other crinkly-sound packaging. I don't give in, and she still tries every day.<br />
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5. <u>Know one thing - the mail man is here to see her</u><br />
Any time the front porch thumps, the world as we know it ends, and all are summoned to front door. Clearly, the mail man is here to see her, as is every delivery person, service technician, neighbourhood child selling chocolate bars, canvaser, salesperson... This can happen a handful of times during the day (real and "perceived" company at the front door are treated equally), so it's best to latch the glass screen door!<br />
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6. <u>There is a witching hour</u><br />
Dogs have built-in alarm clocks. Juno's end-of-day alarm clock is a force of nature. If we've ever made it all the way to 4:15PM, Juno will work through her repertoire of noises (huffing, groaning, squeak-yawning, sneezing, bumscooting) and stare at me from across the room or chase her tail, all in a bid for my attention. This dog is a one-woman sideshow. Honestly, I could charge admission. Solid leg nudges also work, as do borrowing shoes or dishtowels and proudly marching around with them, held held high. Dinner time is around 4:30, and Adam comes home not too long after, for the "big walk", so I schedule my day to end by 4PM. It's easier for everyone!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIaD17-00d1zt1gRga2MlxykkaYjlJY_uxhQkEFM0xtSgF0BeimwLU6f35qtTorjo_C4rn-V9mfxjw-Q7EkdLrYtPbbezr-uN5DGk8x_g5tZjwrNIDY_y5kHwn68hcavZyQgg829letM_/s1600/DSC04951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIaD17-00d1zt1gRga2MlxykkaYjlJY_uxhQkEFM0xtSgF0BeimwLU6f35qtTorjo_C4rn-V9mfxjw-Q7EkdLrYtPbbezr-uN5DGk8x_g5tZjwrNIDY_y5kHwn68hcavZyQgg829letM_/s320/DSC04951.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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What about you? Does your dog do this too? Anything I missed? Honestly, I wouldn't trade it for the world, but do you have to manage certain parts of your day differently to work around having a dog at home?<br />
<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-54613324665220108992013-01-07T14:41:00.000-05:002013-01-07T14:44:39.958-05:00Basements and "The Walking Dead"...Oh, And Roses.Happy Monday all! Back with more basement overhauling. This weekend, the liveable side of our basement, went from this:<br />
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to this:<br />
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Cleaned up and cleared out? Check! And done for now.<br />
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After that, we took the dog for a nice wintry walk, added some cheery roses to our Costco cart, cooked up a delicious dinner, lit a fire, and sunk into (pardon the pun) Season 1 of <i>The Walking Dead</i>.<br />
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What did you get up to this weekend? Did you overhaul any rooms in your house or get lost in any zombie lore like we did?<br />
<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-86147667457843891432013-01-04T13:00:00.000-05:002013-01-04T13:00:33.326-05:00The Moose Is Loose And Other Friday StuffThis greeted us in the kitchen after a hurried walk with the dog (it's too cold to go out for long, so we spend more of our time taking shorter, more frequent walks). Our stuff was all wet with snow, so we hung up mitts, hats, scarves, etc. on any surface we could find. This was apparently a good spot for two gloves and a dog towel. Bonus, it looked like a moose. Startled me at first, but then I thought it was kinda' hilarious.<br />
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We also reorganized our furnace room / 'man room' last week during our last few days off for Christmas. It went from this:<br />
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to this:<br />
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It looks and smells better...? Fresher. The last of our moving boxes have been collapsed and moved out. One resin shelf unit later and a few hours spent pitching, sorting, vacuuming, and re-stacking, we were pleased as punch.<br />
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This weekend we'll be giving the liveable side of the basement the same treatment and maybe taking down our Christmas trees - they're the last vestiges of Christmas still up. Oh and more walks, so more moose, loose. <br />
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What are you up to this weekend? Any cold weather organizing going on where you are? Stay warm!<br />
<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-10998153826439800882013-01-01T21:31:00.000-05:002013-01-01T21:41:17.042-05:00Let The Good Times Roll!...With The Good Times Jar ProjectHow much of last year can you really remember? What is something you did that you are proud of? What made you laugh out loud? What surprised you? What was a memory worth saving?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfekAd-_etBjjoP1rqPUURDVdEy-cMPuIP5hS02OS2o9Eo6cw2eh7ANPlvqehRK6Hki_jorSA1mM_GPmG2t-EQUsjQrVl2J1-QeqEqS4pCNXxfhv7hWMm4NThNlXhXF8fNPR51d_Ch8DTl/s1600/Good-times-jar-2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfekAd-_etBjjoP1rqPUURDVdEy-cMPuIP5hS02OS2o9Eo6cw2eh7ANPlvqehRK6Hki_jorSA1mM_GPmG2t-EQUsjQrVl2J1-QeqEqS4pCNXxfhv7hWMm4NThNlXhXF8fNPR51d_Ch8DTl/s320/Good-times-jar-2013.jpg" width="213" /></a>Honestly, I don't think I could come up with quick answers for us for most of these questions. Maybe you can? If you can, kudos. Since I can't, I'm going to write them down this year. Little bits of the every day, and the big days, whatever is noteworthy in the moment. I'm going to pop them in my Good Times Jar for 2013 and we'll pull them out next New Year's Eve (or New Year's Day) to have a read through.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(image <a href="http://couponconnections.com/2012/12/lets-remember-the-good-times-start-the-good-times-jar-project-january-1st/">via</a>)</span></div>
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I'll be setting our jar up by the kitchen sink; it's the best place for it to be seen and, therefore, used. Remembering the good times - even that's a good time. Maybe that'll be the first addition to our jar!<br />
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Some other additions I might think about while getting started: goals we've set, goals we've accomplished, laugh out loud moments, good news, surprise moments, proud moments, hopes for the future. Memories worth saving. <span style="text-align: center;">You think you might want to try it too?</span><br />
<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-28831727934174309452012-12-31T14:27:00.000-05:002013-01-01T21:32:22.662-05:00A Lot Has Happened In The Past 12 MonthsIf any one company has their finger on what's happened in the past 12 months, what was popular, what people were interested in, it's Google. Every year around this time they release their "Zeitgeist Year In Review" video.<br />
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Here is a look back at 2012:<br />
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/xY_MUB8adEQ/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xY_MUB8adEQ&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xY_MUB8adEQ&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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Celebrate safely tonight friends!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIwIM-FY-7z0qc66bUiWGKswJdmzsU30gts4AWCxF9Hjsw1_KEyWAMf1mHK45351pmzn2RLHNULwiuuAmGTIGyDdyQ-RM8ij7I2RBThhH-mln3bIZpR67hZK3YpySAsA8nMoLBE6_iQJj/s1600/2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIwIM-FY-7z0qc66bUiWGKswJdmzsU30gts4AWCxF9Hjsw1_KEyWAMf1mHK45351pmzn2RLHNULwiuuAmGTIGyDdyQ-RM8ij7I2RBThhH-mln3bIZpR67hZK3YpySAsA8nMoLBE6_iQJj/s320/2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(image <a href="http://ctboom.com/googles-annual-year-in-review/">via</a>)</span></div>
<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-80493890826544512442012-12-21T17:59:00.000-05:002012-12-21T18:21:55.918-05:00One Magic ChristmasI so love this movie. Starring a 4-year-old Sarah Polley in her first movie. It's just so good. And sweet. And nostalgic. And it reminds me of being a kid in the '80s. We had these snowsuits and everybody had a hat with a pom pom on it (they always gave them away at gas stations or Canadian Tire each winter).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWbeFlTmkFH8UQ_V2j0eNOwGaoWZy8eJmbPxa_2ueyn5NLThQxsyZhxqjnoYLPg8GmVhphLH_gAqaKJYs3GPwijaHXfAni2uJ3GoOkY2yRHlY__SVmhzf1gdytOnFoRZjMGC-dGRVCbif/s1600/One+Magic+Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWbeFlTmkFH8UQ_V2j0eNOwGaoWZy8eJmbPxa_2ueyn5NLThQxsyZhxqjnoYLPg8GmVhphLH_gAqaKJYs3GPwijaHXfAni2uJ3GoOkY2yRHlY__SVmhzf1gdytOnFoRZjMGC-dGRVCbif/s400/One+Magic+Christmas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Moms wore big boots and puffy ankle-length parkas.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKOYmuW53pOKtqHdMWqUw5ALAyBPVMLQkuzP9ZSFelKh16HJfeQjZVHx_gpq61ajKmHHFn6iW6KjGrEJJs89q7hh6PTseJpgeryXqHwBdtIkd12Nlj4Ej8brNPacxB89dz9ogVuuABzs6/s1600/One+Magic+Christmas_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKOYmuW53pOKtqHdMWqUw5ALAyBPVMLQkuzP9ZSFelKh16HJfeQjZVHx_gpq61ajKmHHFn6iW6KjGrEJJs89q7hh6PTseJpgeryXqHwBdtIkd12Nlj4Ej8brNPacxB89dz9ogVuuABzs6/s400/One+Magic+Christmas_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">And cars were almost always brown (or beige) and linear and wagon-y. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoYzHyKdLmVu-bfWGqg82ukXlBICfDKP0zWgUdiPXDyJCgf-2cuvhyphenhyphenu4Y9B83nqjXSi9rKWayuzJ_gAD9Mcmnvc3Hy0MTDWIBIBhJYo0Xuudzs4NagFR2Dp4CEniFedcgtMffveXEEtjs/s1600/One+Magic+Christmas_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoYzHyKdLmVu-bfWGqg82ukXlBICfDKP0zWgUdiPXDyJCgf-2cuvhyphenhyphenu4Y9B83nqjXSi9rKWayuzJ_gAD9Mcmnvc3Hy0MTDWIBIBhJYo0Xuudzs4NagFR2Dp4CEniFedcgtMffveXEEtjs/s400/One+Magic+Christmas_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Plus, it was filmed in Canada, and not far from where we grew up, so it really <i>looks</i> like home. The city/town in this movie reminds me of exactly how I remember cities and towns as a kid.<br />
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Oh, and there's a wonderful Christmas message to the movie, which makes it pretty great too.<br />
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Have you seen it? Do you love it too?<br />
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If you haven't, check it out. You won't be disappointed.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(images from <a href="http://www.dvdizzy.com/onemagicchristmas.htm">here</a> and <a href="http://watch32.com/movies-online/one-magic-christmas-892">here</a>)</span></div>
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Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-64531772307599959832012-12-20T11:16:00.000-05:002012-12-20T11:16:54.316-05:00Still A Favourite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/2Fe11OlMiz8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-40995783748194565552012-12-19T10:12:00.002-05:002012-12-19T10:12:55.068-05:00Waiting for Santa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGaIp8D1mJGcc9OCxJYhOlfA5Ngon123HOJcBMfza2AKtCHamWJO78RoHqXExUUCHjy5ZqWmlyvOPOpX_MhUcjej6d8gPtu6zP0cFA2NQg2_w63XDRag2jb8c3uMsQPlr0-VzNNf3yOr-X/s1600/Sleeping+Santa+puppies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGaIp8D1mJGcc9OCxJYhOlfA5Ngon123HOJcBMfza2AKtCHamWJO78RoHqXExUUCHjy5ZqWmlyvOPOpX_MhUcjej6d8gPtu6zP0cFA2NQg2_w63XDRag2jb8c3uMsQPlr0-VzNNf3yOr-X/s400/Sleeping+Santa+puppies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (image from <a href="http://weheartchristmas.tumblr.com/">here</a>)</span></div>
<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-55037505123233793812012-12-18T08:49:00.001-05:002012-12-18T08:49:55.929-05:00Parking for Reindeer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANI6c-FJol47R9xSReOeDV5bucdnuCz11tLxuk0iaWmnJPJMbwuxiSWr8ROO_KHb7gkiR8dXvJQ1GnNwmOXBRHv527gdfSnsHFy2EtKbwoB1j7L2jXiPakYQ7kvi41jRL0Ex91pjb1E-p/s1600/Reindeer+at+traffic+light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANI6c-FJol47R9xSReOeDV5bucdnuCz11tLxuk0iaWmnJPJMbwuxiSWr8ROO_KHb7gkiR8dXvJQ1GnNwmOXBRHv527gdfSnsHFy2EtKbwoB1j7L2jXiPakYQ7kvi41jRL0Ex91pjb1E-p/s400/Reindeer+at+traffic+light.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: center;">(image from </span><a href="http://www.weheartchristmas.tumblr.com/" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;">here</a><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: center;">)</span></div>
Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-57354640093366863312012-12-17T14:31:00.000-05:002012-12-17T14:31:49.232-05:00Let Your Heart Be Light<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBypCFZBXnRBeiJEplrLak6r6OEBk_l25FDCk52FtLKNphBjyFVFiAy9txiv7bNhEt64nJEBoow8laT2D2nDUUDyuQ6ZQMMVAp7q1HRdvE2CoCmog_CErEd-5hCZsQgmyjIeBEL63rtiEg/s1600/Merry+Little+Christmas.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBypCFZBXnRBeiJEplrLak6r6OEBk_l25FDCk52FtLKNphBjyFVFiAy9txiv7bNhEt64nJEBoow8laT2D2nDUUDyuQ6ZQMMVAp7q1HRdvE2CoCmog_CErEd-5hCZsQgmyjIeBEL63rtiEg/s400/Merry+Little+Christmas.png" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #5588aa; font-family: Molengo; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 22px;">(image from </span><a href="http://weheartchristmas.tumblr.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #aa9b55; font-family: Molengo; font-size: x-small; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;">here</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #5588aa; font-family: Molengo; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 22px;">)</span></div>
<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-75848976440384669912012-12-13T17:53:00.000-05:002012-12-13T17:53:50.907-05:00Why Giving a Dog as a Christmas Present is a Bad IdeaDogs are not a gift.<br />
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Dogs are a responsibility.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EgTfykuR762P1CL8B-6yXLaP5Np5wxeoDcGsM_C_X02uKmJCfuMluJf4YsyyxaxKuZwbI4H0Ou2uzuVmK88rTRNh5HcrNMLWUDnkAmXUaevhvzJOaPRGNVVZLLRD-Wi7B_hG1aqVnEmg/s1600/DSC02138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EgTfykuR762P1CL8B-6yXLaP5Np5wxeoDcGsM_C_X02uKmJCfuMluJf4YsyyxaxKuZwbI4H0Ou2uzuVmK88rTRNh5HcrNMLWUDnkAmXUaevhvzJOaPRGNVVZLLRD-Wi7B_hG1aqVnEmg/s400/DSC02138.JPG" width="400" /></a>Dogs require commitment, consistent training, a heck of a lot of love and attention, a sense of routine and predictability when it comes to behavioural expectations and consequences, and their own line in the household schedule and grocery list. We do a monthly budget report and Juno has her own line in there as well.<br />
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Dogs are costly. They can get sick or injured and medications or surgeries are very expensive.<br />
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Dogs need healthy food.<br />
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Dogs need plenty of regular exercise.<br />
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As puppies, dogs need constant supervision and good training. We felt like we brought home an instant 2-year-old with Juno - she was into everything the night we brought her home. We literally followed her around to start teaching her what was ok for her to play with and what wasn't. The learning curve was a straight line - UP!<br />
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We learned on-the-job. When she wasn't crying or whining those first nights, she was making a mess...of the bathroom kind. And there was no diaper, so we became intimately acquainted with fluids and solids wicked fast. We stood out in 3am rainstorms under umbrellas in our pyjamas to teach her to go to the bathroom.<br />
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It wasn't a cake walk. It wasn't romantic. It was dirty and it was difficult.<br />
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Four and a half years later, it still isn't a cake walk. Juno gets taken into account when we do anything from making weekend plans to travelling to planning for a day outside to planning for a day inside to having furniture delivered or something installed or repaired. Word of advice: try to take care of the dog's feeding and exercise needs and then do what you've got planned. We've learned (especially with a bigger, more active dog) that it's easier to have a calm, needs-met dog underfoot than an overexcited, raring-to-go one while you're trying to get stuff done or have extra people in the house. A tired dog is a happy dog which makes for happy, productive owners and more time for relaxing as a family together later. <br />
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So, while a dog is not a good present to give to someone as a surprise when they're not prepared or involved in the decision, Christmas can be a wonderful time of year to add a dog to your family when everyone in your house is on board with the decision and plans to fully commit to raising a healthy, happy dog for, potentially, the next 8-15 years. And everyone may be at home a bit more than usual over the holidays, which can be really helpful too. <br />
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<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530736253663770510.post-36792225226727690362012-12-11T17:50:00.000-05:002012-12-11T17:50:04.859-05:00Many Muzzles Make Light Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/AUtPKbMwnRo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Dogs decorating the Christmas tree!<br />
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But, caution: These dogs are professionals! Don't try this at home.<br />
<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343573468746180679noreply@blogger.com0