Finally... SNOW!

and I can't decide what's more fun to see... 

Oreo deciding exactly how long she wants to stay out...

her and Pearl licking snow off each other once they're inside

or seeing how much Oreo loves the cozy Lakota blanket!

What a darling snow baby!

“The only creatures 

that are evolved enough 

to convey pure love 

are dogs and infants."

No wonder life feels SO good - 

I own 2 dogs 

and I work in a 

pediatric hospital!

Barely a dusting...

and, while disappointing for me, 

the girls took advantage of what little snow we got - 

and romped!

 If all my family 'Up North' 

would just send some of yours down here, 

we'd appreciate it!

Do you believe how big Oreo has gotten?

wrapped around her finger...

and always in his lap!

Yup, she has him just where she wants him!

Oreo and GI Joe crack me up - 

even on Christmas!

Believable?

Going too fast

Sometimes I catch a look at Oreo - and she still seems like a puppy.

But other times, I see exactly how quickly puppyhood

is going...

and I see shades of the adult dog she'll become.

Did someone mention a drought?

Only takes a tiny shower

 to make my girls happy!

 Trust me... 

if there's a puddle of mud anywhere in the yard, 

this one will find it!

Good thing she's so cute!

End of the world?

MY Oreo suggests 

folks find their favorite spot
and just chill 

too!

Be alert

as you watch a dog at play or at rest.

Let the animal teach you to feel at home in the NOW,

to celebrate life

by being completely 

in the present.

The dog has no self-image, good or bad.

so he has no need to play roles; 

nor does he love himself or hate himself.

He has no self!

How to live free of the burden of self - -

what a great spiritual teaching!

It's about sharing.

Apparently,

some of us didn't get 

the memo!

 

 The way they each REFUSED to give up -

or give an inch -

 made me think 

they'd be excellent

politicians!

That realization 

did NOT

make me happy!

No matter how amusing it was to watch!

(Don't worry; no animals were hurt in the making of this post.

There wasn't even any growling.

They do love the gamesmanship of it all though!

The stalemate went on for 5 minutes - and lasted through 2 rooms!)

Boundaries

hard to tell where Oreo stops and her toys begin!

Yup, I'm one of THOSE pet moms!

All my children, including my furry ones, have personalized ornaments - and getting them out every year is a wonderful bittersweet reminder of all the wonderful canine companions I've had over the years.

There was Fritzy (1978 - 1990), Morgan (1994 - 2006), Jack (2004 - 2012), Pearl (2006 - present) and now Oreo (2012 ).

Of all of them - Oreo has been the hardest to find an ornament for.
With her distinct facial marking, I wanted something that would come close to capturing her cuteness. - and it wasn't easy.

So, I commissioned an ornament from Doggerel Designs on Etsy - and, while I didn't think it would get here before Christmas, it arrived yesterday.

I'm pleased - it's the closest I've found so far...

I DO love how she got her tail right!

I guess I just have to reconcile myself
to the reality that 

when you have the cutest puppy
in the known universe

any approximation 

is going to come up short!

Right, Oreo?

Hey,

don't stick your tongue out at me; 

I'm doing the best I can to find the right ornament

for you...

be patient!

Trip to the vet

13 weeks...

and 26 lbs!

No wonder my back was so relieved

when Oreo decided she could do the steps -

up AND down -

by herself!

Healthy, playful, loving

and so darn cute

we can barely stand it!

It's only been a month that she's been home with us

yet it's impossible to remember

when her antics weren't 

part of our life.

Understudy

Oreo was reading the sports page recently 

and saw that David Beckham was retiring...

She would like the world to know

she's ready to fill in.

Just sayin'

Where are YOU headed?

"At first glance it may appear too hard.

 Look again...

Always look again."

Oreo prefers heading UP... don't we all!

See this nose?

 Yup... this one!

It might be hard to tell, but it's a bit out of joint.

Not that Pearl complains

but it's hard to compete 

with the cuteness of a new puppy.

She's SUCH a good big sister...
patient and long suffering.

Those baby teeth
that are nipping at her
so regularly during the day
have to hurt!

So talented...

Oreo imitating a gerbil!