Photo Shoot

It was such a beautiful day outside that we decided to do a photo shoot and enjoy the outside weather! Tinker prefers the shade so of course, that is where we started...

A beautiful damsel relaxing in the shade

Some nice pictures of Tink and Nick

They can't help it that they're so photogenic.....

...And so cute!

I love these 2!!!!

Of course I wanted in on some pictures with Tinker

Relaxing in the sun

Me and my pirate : )

A tender moment....

Daddy's little girl

Did someone say, treat?

Nothing like laying in the grass!

BAER Test Announcement

Tinker passed her BAER test. Both ears tested normal. That's about all i have to say. It was a long vet visit and she was poked and prodded pretty good.

She has a good quality of life and she is a happy girl. We'll take one day at a time : ) I just wish I had an answer for some of her disorientation.... we'll see : )

Busy Tink

Tink did an excellent job at both classes this week. It is so cool to watch miss Tink and Nick work on obedience exercises and bonding : ) She has been recalling pretty well this week. One change is that she hesitates as if she is figuring out where the sound is originating, and then she comes. So that's cool; she's adapting.

Therapy class went great overall. She got a little anxious with all the noise and craziness at one point, but a pee break and short walk helped. It was really cute to watch a little girl read to her while she was all snuggled up in her blanket (Tink takes class real seriously, she spends 5 minutes nesting on her blanket pretty soon after we get there and i have to wake her up to do some of the experiences!) One of the little girls walked Tink around and I realized how dependant she is on me and nick, she kept bumping my leg to make sure i was right next to her even though a kiddo had her leash. Another adult took her later and while she did better, she still wanted her Mum, and so we obliged and snuggled for a little bit.

We had her nails dremmelled. She was saint. All i can say is now we need one! (her nails look fantastic!)

Some nice positive events this week, and a lot of fun too!

Tomorrow she will be BAER tested. Here's to a good day!

Tinker Update

Well, since we've been back from MA, Tink has been showing signs of disorientation: not finding her food dish when clanked repeatedly, not recalling to me and going in several other directions, wandering around the apartment, etc. And after close observation and consulting with the vet, Nick and I feel she is losing some of her hearing. We think it's unilateral due to the difficulty she's having locating things. There is a specialist in Columbia at the St. Francis Animal Hospital that does BAER testing. This test determines how well and what frequencies the dog hears. It will help us continue the best way to meet Tink's needs. It's not a difficult test and hopefully will give us some answers. I don't plan on testing her out the wazoo in the event its not her hearing; we're pretty confident it is her hearing. We're just taking it one step at a time.

Tinker will be BAER tested this coming friday June 22.

She has been continuing to adapt to these changes (as they appeared to occur somewhat quickly) but in light of the recent events, i'm reconsidering the idea of getting her therapy pet certification. I know she CAN do it, but Nick and I are questioning if she would enjoy it and if its in her best interest. She's lived a long life and we're seriously considering a nice quiet "retirement" for her.

Having said all that, the therapy class and second level of obedience class have been great. We're continuing with those. Her socialization skills and confidence level have sky rocketed. In addition, Nick is handling her in obedience which is helping to foster a deeper connection between the two of them (and it is adorable watching her trot along side him!)

So that's the latest. I dreaded posted something like this 2 weeks ago, but having watched her even more closely the past few weeks, i am more than confident that this healthy girl will continue living life to the fullest with a high quality for a long time to come.

Good Boy!

I turn around after dinner and find Nick and Tink having a little conversation...

The air is cleaner down there i guess...

Apparently it's a private conversation

Tinker says to Nick: "shake"

"Lean in so you can hear me young grasshopper"

"Stay"

"Daddy, Roll Over!"

"Good Boy!"

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head...

Here are some pics of the rain coat we picked up on Monday... I couldn't decide which pictures to post, so i posted them all...

Another photo shoot? ok

I'm cute no matter what i wear!

Yup, i'm good i know it...

I'm getting antsy mum...

You think this is cute? I think its ridiculous!

OK Mum, enough's enough....

Mum, stop it with that camera and take this thing off me NOW!
(I love this picture!!!)

New Collar! Thanks Cheri & Brandy!!!

Our friends from the Woof! board sent a surprise gift that we received today!!! It's a wonderful patriotic bone collar and it fits Tink perfectly! And I received a boston terrier note pad that is awfully cute!!! Thank you Cheri & Brandy!

Taking pics of her neck is always proves to be challenging, but you get the idea : )

Trip to MA recap

We had a lovely trip up to MA and back. Tinker did excellent during the rides curled up in her little bed on my lap : ) She spent sat night at my parents while nick and i were had a night to ourselves and i guess she slept the whole night next to my father. Not surprising! Nick brought her into his room one morning and she curled up next to him and they both fell asleep : ) so sweet.

On the way back to PA we stopped in NJ to get our rings cleaned and polished and looking brand new again. So while we were waiting we went shopping over in the outlets that were right next store. And what did Nick spot, but a doggie boutique!! Of course we went in and the lady was a frenchie fan so we were quite at home! I put all kinds of coats and such on her (they were 50% off!) and we found a perfect little rain coat that as soon as it cools off a little i will take pictures of her modeling it. Its bright yellow with reflecting tape and a hood. It's even reversible!! And for little money, i couldn't say no (well, Nick couldn't say no to me either : ) We'll post pics soon : )

Overall it was a very relaxing trip and a lot of fun. I can't believe we've been married for 2 years and will have had tink for a year and a half next month. How time flies....

Is she good or what?!?!!!

Tinker once again did excellent in her therapy class. She now greets the 8 other dogs without snapping even with extended face time : ) She did fine around the wheel chairs, and loud noises, and instruments (i provided), and scooters and anything else they threw at her. She walked around and greeted everyone and acted like she wanted to be a part of the events (which i'm sure she did). So ya, an awesome night for the awesome girl. She is so comfortable there now and of course everyone is falling in love with the little princess and giving her treats and attention.

Now she's gearing up for the trip up north. Apparently her cousin stretch wants his picture on her blog....he's gonna have to beg i believe : )

There's no place like home....

....but the cabin is a pretty close second.

Friday afternoon the 3 of us drove up to the cabin for a weekend of relaxation and FOOD. And boy did we enjoy both. Unfortunately we have no photographic evidence to prove it, but you'll just have to take our word for it.

Tink, true to form, did excellent both enjoying nature's carpet to lay on and the couch on the porch. She wandered around and sun bathed to her little heart's content and mooched many an empty ice cream cup from Woody's, pretzels with cheese on them, bits of sausages, bread, soup, tuna steak, etc. Papa helped her take the cake with some prized steak for her to nibble on as well.

The thunderstorm that rumbled through just sent her to the couch to sleep and the rain one night into bed with us (which she did every night this weekend anyways : ) We slept late, napped frequently and enjoyed the company of family. Tink never needed a hand to pet her as someone was always looking to hold her or rub her belly upon request.

Pretty much she lived in the lap of country luxury this past weekend. It was such a beautiful and relaxing weekend.

Upon return, tink immediately found her snuggle ball and fell asleep with her little blanky. She was less than impressed with her spa session including a full manicure, pedicure, ear cleaning and luxurious bath complete with conditioner and spray to increase her shine! However she endured and is a beautifully pampered pup ready for a short week at home and another weekend adventure with her Granna and Grandpa Thomes this coming weekend!

Happy Memorial Day!

Congrats Christy and Dan!!!

Christy and Dan were married yesterday and had a beautiful day and weather that completed the beautiful ceremony, reception and of course the beautiful bride!!!


Her parents surprised them with the horse and carriage



After the wedding we went over to Anita and Barry's for some
more yummy food, relaxing and talking.

Of course Tinker was invited : )

She clearly was ignored and not given any attention

There were 2 babies over there and she seemed kinda interested in them too

And as usual, she loves her daddy

And her daddy loves her!

Things we've learned about Tinker....

As with any animal, we are continuing to learn new things about lil miss stinker bell.

Thunderstorm season has arrived and while she is still not a fan, she is a heck of a lot better than she was last year. The beginnings of the storms generally do not bother her and the larger claps of thunder and rain send her to the couch rather than a closet or continually bumping into things. She 'settles' on the couch and shakes and lets me pet her.

Also, we OCCASIONALLY will leave her laying on her bed while we go out for short stints of time and she appears to sleep the entire time. We left her while nick was leaving home and i was coming back a few weeks ago and then again when we left to go out to eat in town and she was good as gold. She appears more relaxed and content.... who knows? I do know that long lengths of time will not be safe for her as there is a whole house of accidents waiting for her. But shorter lengths while she normally sleeps? Her bed seems pretty safe : )

Tinker Meets Ali!

Tinker FINALLY met miss Ali friday night and boy did they do sooo well!!! Ali is a typical friendly puppyish boxer and all she wanted to do was sniff Tink's butt and sniff her face. Tink just seemed to know that Ali was either a) a puppy, b) a rescue, c) very submissive, or d) all of the above because she didn't snap at her or get all upset the entire evening. (ok there was 1 snap but Ali was trying to play and you can't prove that Tink wasn't trying to play back in her own special way). And when Tink had enough, she would walk away and/or find me to be picked up a for a little bit. I love that she's giving more signs and we're learning how to read them better!

It was a great evening of food and games for us big kids
and a time of introductions and chaos for the doggies

Plato plates was around too, we don't want to forget him!
He was upstairs hiding under the bed (fireworks were going off)
while this picture was taken

Sleeping girl...

So much has happened! We'll slowly get to it all today!!! Tink's second therapy class went well too! We're officially working on "leave it" and by golly Tink just walks away or turns her body away from the treat (even liver and turkey!!!) what a smarty!!!

Nick says Tink's taking after her mommy and daddy; we're music therapists and she's going to be a doggy therapist : )

Sleepy girl! (she looks seal in this pic but i promise she's not!)

living the high life...

Tinker Starts Therapy Class

Let me start by saying Tinker is EXHAUSTED. She is konked out on the dining room floor...she never made it to her bed in the bedroom... : )

Tinker and I are doing an 8 week therapy class in preparation to take the Delta Society exam so she can be an animal assisted therapy dog (YAY!) Tonight we worked on greeting the other dogs and talking over the general places, requirements, organizations and so on and so forth. Tinker did excellent with the greeting, even with the puppy. However, she quietly but noticeably let me know when she had enough which is good. I just need to help her out and remove her from the situation when she tells me she's done.

LouAnn has the cutest little Frenchie Gabe and he wanted to be friends with Tinker!

I'm not quite sure where we want to volunteer, but the possibilities are endless. A reading program was suggested this evening, but i may also entertain a pediatrics unit or something too : ) we'll see what God has in store for us!

More pictures soon : )