To get list

I'm trying to maintain my cool, calm exterior in this madness! I love the holidays but I've got too many things on my plate this season!

Good thing is - I'm done with my holiday shopping and now I just need to pack for our annual Holiday Trek Across the Midwest.

I've got to pick up four things before our impending Holiday Roadtrip:

1) Mo's food- because where we're going, they've never heard of any pet food brand but Walmart and Purina. Welcome to the midwest!

2) A new tag for Daisy because her's was lost on a walk a few weeks ago. The second tag since June! She's like that kid that always lost their mittens.

3) Dramamine for Teagan because she has the worst car sickness I've ever seen in a dog. And it isn't pretty if she's unmedicated.

4) An air freshener for the car. Because nothing says "Christmas" like the smell of two dogs, a cat, and two humans sitting in a tiny car for 15 hours. Add in the possibility of dog puke and any food my husband eats, and rolling down the windows and enduring the frigid winter air doesn't seem so bad in comparison.

Toe Talk.

Teagan HATES getting her toenails clipped.

I know HATE is a strong word but I think it is suitable for Teagan's particular feelings here.

She hasn't ever gotten clipped to the quick, as far as I know, but regardless, every single time I clip her nails, she jerks her paw away and yelps and runs and hides in her crate. She always has, ever since she was a puppy. I try to do it once a month but it has become an ordeal.

I just put her in my lap and hold her and she shakes. SHAKES. Like- out of fear. If she even sees the clippers in my hand, she runs to her crate and hides and won't come out.

So traumatizing!!! For her and me!

So I tried to make it really fun and give her hotdog when the clipper is around but she just snatches the treat and runs away. Not fun. And I feel like a terrible dog-mom.

So I fell for the gimmicky Pedi-Paws thing right away. It was ridiculously expensive AND I had to get batteries.

I thought her suspicion of vibrating noises (my phone, the hairclippers, electric razors) would carry over but she overcame her suspicion with 15 minutes of hotdog and let me file her toenails with no struggle or shaking or yelping or running and hiding.

VICTORY!

Maybe now I should paint her toenails....ok...maybe not.

Maybe Santa Paws will make it up to them.

So with the holiday season approaching, you'd think we'd be busy dressing up the dogs in reindeer costumes and singing carols or something but we've been much too busy going insane.

I don't even have time for holidays this year. The dogs are thrilled.

Between finals, the hub's graduation ceremony and visiting relatives, sick people, working on my thesis proposal/thesis committee, end of the coaching season and planning a trip to Japan for next month, I haven't even THOUGHT about the holidays. Except to realize that we'll be in a car, with 2 dogs and a cat, for 15 hours in a couple weeks. OMG.

Needless to say, most of the shopping is being done online. And we've decided to scrap the cards this year. The dogs are going to get rawhides and blankets, nothing fancy. Sorry ladies.

However, just in time for our holiday visit with her cousin, Oliver Henry the puppy, Teagan has officially passed her Canine Good Citizen test. You go girl!

And maybe, one day, I'll get a picture of them remotely near the fireplace. Until then- wish me some sanity...and a little holiday cheer!

Black and Beautiful

Have you ever heard of black dog syndrome? I hadn't until I adopted my wonderful black lab mix from our area shelter. Definitely an interesting phenomenon and so sad!

http://www.blackpearldogs.com/

Teagan being a beautiful black dog.

Cold dog snuggles.

I love my dogs. :)

Since it has been FREEZING COLD lately, they've been extra cuddley too.

Daisy is even wearing sweaters regularly because her little naked belly and thin fur make her extra vulnerable to the chill.

Naked dogs.

As the holiday season approaches, Teagan is dreading the annual costuming of the dogs. Tis the season of sweaters, jackets and various other doggie decor. This year, she'll be sporting a fluffy red down jacket, complete with fur-rimmed hood, on her last trip to the frozen Artic, aka- Chicago in winter.

Last year, her hatred of sweaters was solidified. She was forced to wear a sweater while sitting on Santa's lap and I think it traumatized her.

Daisy has no idea what is coming next...yup...that's right...the Mrs. Claus costume she will be forced to wear throughout the holiday season. Enjoy your costume free Thanksgiving Daisy because you'll be wearing that little dandy the day after.

Daisy looks frozen with fear and but I suspect Teagan is filled with glee. Or she's just sleeping upright. I can't tell.

Oh Teagan, sweet sweet revenge for having to wear the Bears bandana throughout football season. Except you don't know, I got reindeer antlers for you...haha! Oh please, quit giving me that death stare. I'm not afraid of you.

So enjoy your naked time now dogs, for the clothing cometh.

Stage Mom Part 2

I was kind of freaking out about taking Teagan to dog school since she's lately developed a penchant for being crabby with other dogs on her leash. She has gotten too excited and even growled and snapped at a couple dogs on the trail. I have bought books, treats, and spent hours of time working on behavior modification with her for weeks.

And when I say freaking out, I merely mean it was consuming most of my daily thoughts. Ok, slight exaggeration. Probably about 70% of my daily thoughts. My husband patiently sat through me reading him aloud all my dog training documents, poor man. I have lost sleep worrying that she would freak out so bad that we'd get kicked out of class or that she'd attack someone or their dog. And then I'd get sued and they'd take her away from me and put her to sleep and I would die of grief. So, a little melodramatic but I was CONVINCED.

So we went to dog school last night. I brought the husband for back up. I forewarned the instructors. I ran her until she was exhausted and then I made her play fetch for 30 minutes.

When we got in the car- her eyes were as big as saucers and she began whining when we turned onto the highway because she knew we were going somewhere different.

And she was fine.

Apparently, all I need is hotdogs, and she could care less about any dog or person.

I was so relieved.

And my mother has banned me from having children. I'm ok with that. Teagan isn't fond of them anyways. :)