Texas Life.

He sure does like it here.  There are plenty of walks everyday because we no longer have the excuse that "it's too cold".  Actually right now I can't even use the excuse that "it's too hot".  So, I have to be the bad human and use the "I'm too lazy" excuse.

We've found a couple of dog parks in the area that are really nice.  He's not exactly a dog dog yet (he still thinks he's a person), but he's working on it!  He only walks up to the dogs that want nothing to do with him.

The only thing I can think of that he's not thrilled with are these little stickers or briers in the grass.  These evil thorny devils are painful.  I would know I stick myself with them when I find them on Wilson's paws.  I'm not sure how to get rid of them but once I find a patch I spray them with weed killer.  Hopefully this spring when the grass grows back, we won't have so many.

Here's to sunny warm days.

I Survived Doggie Day Camp!

All tuckered out, Wilson is curled up in his favorite spot right by the window.  

In an effort to help Wilson become a little more of a social butterfly, we signed him up for his first doggie day camp.  If you went for a walk with him in our neighborhood you would think he was an old curmudgeon who disliked dogs.  He would pull at the leash with his fur in full mohawk mode.  I'd ask him, "Do you want to eat that nice little dog or are you just protecting me from his cute little button nose?"  I don't think Wilson was aware that dogs can be friends with each other.  It is our fault after all, for not getting him out more when he was a puppy.  Besides the occasional dog friendly get together, he's always been a leash length away from any possible furry friend.  Our goal here is to be able to take him to the amazing dog parks in the area.  However, we needed to make sure we weren't going to put ourselves in a situation where someone would get hurt.  This is when I heard about doggie day camps.

I found a place that has a reasonably priced puppy day camp close to our new home.  After doing some research I found them to be trustworthy of my best friend's well being.  Wilson was dropped off first thing in the morning so he could become comfortable before his playmates showed up.  We were told that it doesn't help for nosy parents to hang around so we left and ran some errands.  Naturally, we returned two hours later and peeked around the corner to see how he was doing.  What??!! A little over protective?? Or do I just love my dog like people love their kids??!!  

His report card showed that he was pretty shy and enjoyed watching the other dogs.  Naturally, he loved getting attention from the handlers.  At the end of the day he was graded as a "happy camper".  I think a few more trips to camp and we'll be ready for the park.  

Cupcake!

Never say CUPCAKE at the dinner table!

We brought some treats home for the family during our visit.  While we were sitting at the dinner table finishing up ... someone said the word "cupcake".  Within seconds the cutest almost two year old put down her fork, pushed away her bowl and said, "Done.  Cupcake."

This picture is of a hibiscus mango cupcake.  Purchased at the amazing Georgetown Cupcake in Bethesda, Maryland.  It was delightful.  I obviously couldn't wait to enjoy this sweet tidbit since this picture was taken in the car.


This lesson works with all other treats too.  Cookies, Cake, Ice Cream .... Maybe if we all got this excited about veggies ... Na! Who am I trying to fool?!

Gone Country ....

A dog walked into a bar and asked for a beer.
A man at the bar said, "I don't want to drink at the same bar as this dog."
The dog and the man got into a fight and the man shot the dog in the foot.
With that the dog yelped, ran out of the bar and down the street.
A week later the same dog walked into the same bar.
This time he was wearing a black hat, a black vest, black chaps, black boots, a black gun belt with a pair of black colt .45's one on either side, and a black bandage around his sore foot.

He goes up to the bar and says to the bar tender, "I'm looking for the man that shot my paw."

Baby Pictures

I found myself looking at "baby" pictures today of Wilson.  There is something heartwarming about seeing a fuzz ball full of love.  

The top picture is of Wilson the day we found him at our local SPCA.  Jorge and I had stopped in a few times and were thinking about adopting a dog.  We were walking down the hallway of kennels and an employee opened the door holding a towel.  I immediately asked, "Hey, what do you have there?".  The guy looks down at this little ball of brown fur and said, "Look you didn't even make it into the kennel and you are already getting adopted. You are one lucky pup!"  As soon as we sat down and played with him, Jorge looked at me and knew we were taking him home.  I've heard people say that pets have a way of finding their owners.  I know we found each other that day.

Wilson's story is that of your typical pound puppy.  He was dropped in a restaurant parking lot. Luckily an off duty cop came upon him and reluctantly took him to the SPCA.  They described the cop as a rather "large" man.  I picture this big burly guy walking into the pound holding this tiny little puppy with a tear in his eye.  They said the officer was sad to leave him but knew he'd find a good home.  After being left in a kennel for x number of days to see if someone claimed him, he was "released" for adoption.  He was so tiny and scared, it just broke my heart to think someone wouldn't have just taken him home right from the parking lot.  

This is how Wilson became a member of our family.  

Happy Valentine's Day

I'm really lucky that Wilson doesn't mind having his picture taken.  

Last year Jorge was away at work during Valentine's Day.  I'm almost sure that was the second year in a row.  Lucky for us, we can still stay in contact so I took this picture and emailed it to him.  

Happy Valentine's Day to my friends and family.  We love you!  

food for thought

Do you ever think that sometimes there is a little "Jiminy Cricket" following you around reminding you to act right?