Monday Mischief: Green Dog Toes and a Winner

Mother Nature continues to have different ideas than we do about spring.  As each variety of flower, blooming shrubs and tress begins to bloom their hearts out, along comes a storm and the petals are on the ground.  Lots of rain, high winds, and even some hail add to the "fun."

In between storms, we run around cutting bouquets to enjoy in the house and try to keep up with mowing grass.  

Yesterday the Dog Daddy jumped the gun and began mowing when it was definitely still too wet and lush.  (You know what's coming, right?)

Technically, Rudy is a yellow Lab.  In reality,  he is a white boy.  

At least he was white.

 Now he's a white boy with green feet!

And in other mischief related news...  

We have a winner in our book giveaway!  

Congratulations to Larrielle P.   

She was selected by Random.org as the winner of a paperback copy of It's Just A Dog by Russ Ryan.    

Larrielle, I need your shipping information within the next 24 hours or an alternate winner will be selected.

Mischief Monday: Too Much Party Punch?

 Rudy may have had a bit too much punch

 at Jeffie's birthday party...

Hopefully, he'll sober up in time for tomorrow's

 dog treat review and giveaway!

About the only mischief we managed this weekend was to do some taste testing of new dog treats.  The "photo shoot" was pretty hilarious since all three dogs wore party hats.  Jeffie, Rudy and Rosie were very well behaved, so I'd have to say it was the humans making mischief in this case!

Not only do we have a dog treat giveaway planned for tomorrow, we have lots more fun planned, including another dog treat giveaway, a barking good photo contest, another For Love of a Dog jewelry giveaway and much more!

Jeffie is excited to announce the winner of the Monkey giveaway!  Jodi was selected at random via Rafflecopter as the winner of the For Love of a Dog monkey earrings and Skinneeez Big Bite dog toy!  Congratulations, Jodi! 

Adoration: Rudy

Rosie and Rudy 

Did you ever adopt a puppy or dog for your dog?  We did.  Well, sort of.  

We'd been talking about adding a puppy or young dog to our family to give Jeffie a partner.  Lucy and Tucker were seniors when we adopted Jeffie.

Poor Jeffie was always the third wheel and odd man out.  Lucy tolerated him; Tucker wasn't much interested in playing with him.

Our pack at that time: Tucker, Rudy, Lucy B, Jeffie

At least that was one of the rationalizations we used when Gary fell in love with Rudy.

Jeffie and Rudy

Jeffie knew it.  Rudy was his puppy from the get-go.  We were amazed at how Jeffie devoted himself to that puppy.  In fact, Rudy even seemed to feel he belonged to Jeffie.  What a duo.  Jeffie was almost five years old at the time, but he became both a puppy, as well as an older brother to Rudy.

In January, we adopted our girl, Rosie.  She clearly adores all of us, but something special happened with Rudy.

Rosie

Rudy, the big lug of an overgrown puppy, at age 2 1/2 fell in love.  He is besotted with Rosie, as only an older brother of a baby could be.

We already knew Rudy was a sweetheart, but we didn't know just how sweet.
 

Jeffie, Rosie and Rudy

Rowdy Rudy has played so carefully, so tenderly, with this puppy that it is hard to describe.  He began bringing his favorite monkeys (what we call plush toys) to her for Rosie's inspection, approval, and delight.

Rudy brings Kongs and balls to Rosie and rolls them for her.

Rosie and Rudy

His most prized possession is his Jolly ball.  She was not much bigger than the Jolly ball the first time Rudy brought it to her.  He dangled it in front of her.  He tossed it on the ground before her.  He play bowed.

These days he still is enthralled.  Rosie wins every game.

Rosie and Rudy

When Rudy comes running to me with his Jolly ball - beside himself with excitement to play - the moment Rosie decides she wants to play, too, the ball is hers.   There's never a moment of keep-away.

Rudy and Rosie

We have to keep a close eye when treats are given because Rudy will gladly give his up to Rosie.

Rosie wants his food?  Fine by Rudy.

He does all this with such a sense of joy and with such a look of tenderness on his face that he breaks our hearts wide open with love.

Rudy, big brother extraordinaire!

.

Wordless Wednesday: Best Friends

New Yellow Labrador Retriever Jewelry Star Bracelet

Does a yellow Lab have a starring role in your life?  Then check out this new yellow Labrador Retriever dog lover bracelet at For Love of a Dog.

This handmade bracelet is full of multi color hand carved gemstone stars, hand wire wrapped with gold jeweler's wire.  Charm include a sweet coordinating jasper gemstone heart, gold three dimensional dog bone, and a hand crafted yellow Lab dog charm.

Perfect gift for any yellow Labrador Retriever dog lover!

Fetch more Labrador Retriever dog jewely at For Love of a Dog.  You'll find yellow, black, and chocolate Lab necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pins and pendants that all are handmade and one of a kind!  

Shop For Love of a Dog now and enjoy fast free delivery within the United States, plus cute gift box packaging.  Use this code at checkout to receive 10% off your entire order:  FLDNEW

A Story of Puppy Dog Sweaters

I've been thinking about puppy sweaters.  Well, about winter dog clothes in general.  I have a collection in several sizes because when you add a puppy every couple of years... well, you need them!

Shown at top is Rudy modeling the smallest sweater.  The next size is a purple cableknit that I can't find a photo of.

 When the puppy outgrows the purple one, he or she graduates to this very vintage green and white striped sweater.  Vintage because it originally belonged to my dog, Benji, many, many years ago!

Next is a red knit sweater.  And finally, the puppy graduated to a coat like the one shown above.

Many years ago we added a black lab mix puppy, Spanky, to our family in January.  At the time we lived on a very isolated farm.  A winter storm rolled in with heaps of snow, frigid wind chill temperatures and we couldn't get out of our place for a few days.

However, the puppy definitely needed to be able to go out of the house!  No way to run to town for a puppy sweater or coat.  

I had what I still think is a brilliant idea.  Taking a child size knitted ski mask, I carefully pulled out the seams at the very top of the head, leaving a hole in the top for Spanky's head.  Spanky's front legs went through the eye holes in the mask.  A puppy sweater!

Somewhere along the line in our moves, I've lost that recycled, upcycled, make-do puppy sweater, darn it.  So when Rosie joined us and she was too little to fit in the smallest size I had on hand, I just had to shop.

Here's Rosie in her new sweater.  Why blue and green?  Because she'll soon outgrow it and the next puppy could be a boy, of course!

New Yellow Labrador Retriever Dog Red Coral Bracelet

This yellow Lab red coral bracelet would make a perfect Valentine's Day gift for someone special.  

Adorable hand crafted yellow Lab charm is two dimensional (flat on back) and hand cast resin from an original carved mold with lovely sculptural details.  

Hot tomato red coral gemstone beads have a high polish and are teamed with pretty silver beads.  Other charms include a sleek silver heart and a three dimensional silver dog bone.

Fetch more Labrador Retriever dog breed jewelry at For Love of a Dog.  You'll find unique, one of a kind bracelets, necklaces, pins and pendants in yellow, chocolate and black Labs.  Each piece of artisan jewelry is hand made and come with free standard shipping.  Gift boxes, too!  Shop now for best selection.

Rosie and Rudy: Wrapped Around Her Little Paw

Our sweet yellow Labrador Retriever, Rudy, is two now.  His very favorite toy is his jolly ball.  

Whenever we step out in the backyard, Rudy is zooming off to retrieve it, then appears before us with that expectant look.  You know, THAT look:  throw it!

So, on day three of Rosie's life with us, it came as a surprise when Rudy brought his jolly ball... to Rosie.

Since that first time, it has become a kind of ritual.  Rudy brings the jolly ball to Rosie and seems to be trying to help her learn to play with it.  It is obvious that she's not going to throw it for him.  He's simply sharing... his most prized possession. 

 See, Rosie.  You grab onto the rope so you can carry it.

 That's it, Rosie!

 Don't run away, Rosie!  Come back!

 See?  I'll show you again.

It has been interesting having a puppy in the house again.  It took some time before Jeffie and Rudy really warmed up to the idea.  Rudy cracked first when he saw Rosie playing with some toys inside the house.  Pretty soon he was bringing some of his favorites to her, then just watching to see what she would do with them.  She was entertained by the toys;  Rudy was entertained by Rosie!

Here's my sweetie, Rudy.  What a wonderful big brother!

Talking Dogs Christmas Photos: Wordless Wednesday

 

Rudy is at the back door because he heard the camera turn on.  Believe it or not just a moment before he was nicely sitting in front of the Christmas tree.  

Neither of my boys ever like to have their picture taken.  I used to think they were Amish, until my friend, Kristi, informed me she was sure they're in the Witness Protection Program.

 

The camera dings; the dogs race to the back door.  In this photo Jeffie has already removed Rudy's reindeer headgear.

 

Honest.  These are the very best photos of Jeffie in his reindeer headgear.  He HAS to be in the witness protection program. 

 

Don't let Jeffie fool you.  There is nothing of interest out in the back yard!

 

I managed to catch a face shot!  

Rudy is not amused.  

The jig is up! He can now be recognized!

Wordless Wednesday: Rudy Memories

December 2010

 

December 2011

A little trip down memory lane with our yellow Lab, Rudy.

Wordless Wednesday: Close Encounter of the Skunk Kind

Is that a challenge?

Looks like the skunk is sticking his tongue out at Rudy!

As in:  Come and get me, dawg!

Dog Tale: Rudy Riding Hood and the Prairie Wolf

Something out the dining room window caught my eye.  A canine emerging from the high grass of our fallow meadow.  Giving itself a shake.  I grabbed the camera and headed for the front door.

Just as I thought:  a coyote.  On three legs, dazed, confused and headed for the front door until it heard Jeffie and Rudy going crazy.

We live in a very rural area of the Missouri Ozarks and frequently experience the serenade of coyotes.  In fact, so often that I'm careful about letting the dogs out at night.  Our backyard is large - about 2 acres - and the yard fence means nothing to coyotes.  I know that for a fact.  One snowy winter day a hunting pair searched there for their lunch.

The coyote that came through here Friday morning wasn't looking for food.  It was trying to escape danger.  In fact, it looked as though it's back legs had been hit by buckshot or the ammunition from a pellet gun. 

According to the Missouri Conservation Department, the coyote is also know as the brush wolf or prairie wolf.  Though they sometimes travel in large groups, they primarily hunt in pairs.  Typical coyote packs consist of six closely related adults, yearlings and young.  Primarily nocturnal, they can often be seen during daylight hours.  Their territorial ranges can be as much as 12 miles around their den and travel occurs along fixed trails.

I couldn't help but worry about where this one's hunting partner was and suspect it might not have been so lucky to escape this day.

Rudy, who has been hanging around the refrigerator waiting for more The Dogs Bark Bakery treats had other worries....

 And if you'd like to hear a pack of coyotes...

Wordless Wednesday: The Eyes of My Dog

 Take a good look into the eyes of your dog. 

If you don't see what I see, then spell dog backwards.

Dr. Frank Vigue

Yellow Labrador Retriever Dog Jewelry and Holiday Gifts

We loved Labrador Retrievers!  Our own yellow Lab, Rudy, has captured my heart.  If you love a yellow Lab, too, please visit For Love of a Dog to see my handcrafted Labrador Retriever jewelry for dog lovers.  

Though the jewelry shown here today all depict yellow Labs, I do offer necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pins, pendants, and more in chocolate and black Labs, too.

Shown at left is a yellow Lab pendant.  A two dimensional (flat on back) yellow Labrador Retriever dangles from a red jasper gemstone heart and sterling silver bail.

If you prefer a pin to wear close to your heart, how about this sweet silver heart pin.

Shown below is a yellow Lab charm bracelet.  In addition to the Lab, there's a darling little three dimensional gold dog bone and crystal charm.  I used white three dimensional lampwork dog bone beads and peridot crystal rondelle beads to coordinate with the handmade daisy and rose artisan lampwork bead. 

The yellow Lab dog lover necklace shown below really proclaims your love!  The dog pendant includes a chubby red jasper heart.  The necklace is loaded with hot red jasper gemstone beads and lots of three dimensional tan lampwork dog bone beads.  

Fetch more one of a kind yellow Labrador Retriever dog lover jewelry at For Love of a Dog.  Enjoy the satisfaction of handmade jewelry made by a dog lover.  Receive a 10% discount on your entire order and fast free standard shipping by using this code at checkout:  FLDNEW.  .