Christmas Pictures

Courtesy of Twyla, we have some Christmas pictures. We started at Zach and Liz's last Saturday for some family time.

Tink opening her gift--Dogswell happy hips---yum!!

Snuggling

My little book rest. I received a reproduction copy of the 1926
"The Boston Terrier" by E.J. Rousuck---I'm so excited! (Tink
obviously did not share my enthusiasm)

Nick in all his Eagle glory

Cute baby Owen!

all snuggled up and warm--do not disturb!

Christmas afternoon we were over at Granny and Papa's house for another Christmas rendition.

Tink over looking the gift opening process

Taking a nap with Josiah

Tink received homemade gifts from us this year--- 2 new coats, a crate cover, liver treats and a clean bill of health from the vet (ok so that one wasn't homemade, but still.) She had received so many gifts from friends and we are soooo grateful. We will post pictures of Cheri and Brandy's generous Christmas gift soon!

We're currently getting ready for the last Christmas expedition with the entire Rowe family on new years day. Then Tink is having a 5 day sleep over with her Gram, Pap and Maddie while Nick and I travel to Florida for my brothers and Katie's wedding--it's coming so soon!

Tink's Annual Vet Visit

Tink had her annual visit on Thursday morning-- The vet said she looks great. He's impressed with her overall health and thinks her weight is perfect at 15 lbs : ) The vet techs eat her up while we're there too. "she's so cute...look at her!"

One annoying thing is that we still can't get rid of these worms--supposedly round AND hook. This is surprising everyone. We're doing 2 more rounds of panacur to see if we can kick these buggers. If that doesn't work we'll have to see what our other options are.

I asked Dr. Haver about a grade 1 heart murmur that another vet this summer had mentioned her having. (A surprise vet visit shall we say : ) He said yes she did have one but it's not a big deal and not something that he wants me to stress over in any way.

Tink's a healthy little girl. She's been acting GREAT, eating everything, she has lots of energy and she is loving 5 days of vacation that we're all on!! We'll post more pictures of our Christmas adventures soon!

A Little Confused

Tink took these pictures... she was wondering what the heck her daddy was doing in there...

But she figured if he was in there, she couldn't fit!

Surprise!

The Latest Sewing Adventure

Well, here is our newest sewing adventure: a crate cover for Tink. I've been talking about doing it for a long time and yesterday Nick and I stopped at Weaver's Dry Goods, a huge fabric place and found some nice jersey type fabric to work with. The plaid was perfect to use as it gave me easy and straight lines to follow. Hopefully this will keep the drafts out and not get lint all over her like that stupid blanket did that's been on her crate for awhile.

Front

Front/Top

Side Angle View

Back

Back again

Needless to say, I really had no idea what I was doing and how much fabric I actually needed. I have about half of the 5 yards left and the plaid actually looks really good on Tink. I think it's safe to say some new plaid outfits will be in her (and Aby's) future. I might make a matching blanket for the crate, but with her peeing on stuff like she does, we'll have to see.

I am just so pleased that it actually worked!!! It would have taken only part of the afternoon instead of all of it, if my sewing machine and I didn't fight like cats and dogs so frequently. But we finished nonetheless in about 5 hours, fights and all. Don't expect any creations by Vicki on the market any time soon--this is certainly a one of a kind piece!

Tropical Treasure Zoe's Collection Collar

Tink's award winning Zoe's Collection collar came last week and we finally took pictures! I am totally hooked on these collars! They are so thin, yet just as durable as the more bulky collars you can buy.
up close-pink with cute green palm trees--c'mon summer!

sit pretty? I can do that!

Any treats yet?

No? ok, i'm leaving

This is my good side

Nah, this is my good side

Pretty in pink

Belated Thanksgiving Pictures

I totally forgot to post pictures from our Thanksgiving trip up to MA! Here is the menagerie. As you can see, it was a tough long weekend for the dogs : ) At least the horses had some exercise!!

Don't work too hard guys; don't worry about us!

Aby, our special girl!

"baby" Jewel

She was flying around the indoor arena---
galloping, flying lead changes, and roll backs!

Oh Christmas Tree...

Tink helped set up the tree and hang the lights this holiday season.

She left the untangling to those with opposable thumbs

Busy supervising

ummm, do i look like da tree?

I still can't see them, i don't think they work, mum

I can smell the tree, it's behind me. You keep doing dis and I gonna pee on it!

Let it Snow!

Tinker has received a lot of mail lately! She received a surprise package from Kacey that included this cute little "let it snow t-shirt." Incidentally, it snowed the first night she put it on. She was none too thrilled when she needed to actually go out in the weather.

an inaugural chewing of a Sam's Yam.

Cute hiney shot : )

Early Christmas

Tink and I participated in the Woof! gift swap again this year and Kacey and Melissa were so kind to us!!!

The panoramic view

Tinker sitting pretty

mmm, this smells good!

Why do I have to WAIT?!?!

My little candy cane girl!

Tinker loves the treats so much!!! I didn't even let her sniff the bully stick yet : )

Merry Christmas!!

Thanksgiving

Tink has certainly been enjoying her holiday break up in MA visiting with Granna and Grandpa. We've been taking it easy and eating like it's our job--of course Tink needed some thanksgiving dinner as well yesterday, so she was not denied : ) We had Thanksgiving at my Aunt Lori's house for the first time in 14 years and everyone was there to enjoy it who was supposed to be there : ) After a fantastic dinner, we all went for a walk. Tink did excellent down the dirt path, over the rocks, and through the wood chips--she's a regular outdoors girl! I do not have any picture's yet, but we will have to take care of that!

I entered a Zoe's Collection contest on the Woof board a few days ago, and we won a pink collar with palm trees on it--now called "tropical treasure." It's the picture currently on Zoe's collection home page! Randi is a complete doll and Tink's collar was personally and quickly made to her measurements! She mailed it out today and should be there soon!!! We will certainly post pictures when we get home!!!

Also, Tink's Woof gift swap is on its way as well! Kacey lives in Alabama and has sent a package to Tink! Tink will be sending her package as soon as we get home. I'm really pleased with all that Tink picked out and made for Kacey! I can't wait to mail it to her!

Tink is currently catching up on her beauty sleep and dinner is almost ready--there has been lots of relaxing and sleeping and eating going on--our kind of vacation!

Good News for Oliver

Oliver went to his forever home this past weekend!!!! Tink, Nick and I are so excited we peed on the carpet (ok, only one of us did and she didn't have to clean it up!)

I love happy endings!!! Oliver now has a great family with another little dog, a mom, dad, and 2 grown kids with a back yard and lots of love!!! Go Oliver go!

Sleeping Beauty....

This is where Tink usually ends up in the mornings before we go to work.

Sometimes, she leaves me some covers.

And when she's ready to go out, she leisurely gets up and stretches and sits nice and pretty.
Of course, I have no photographic evidence of that one,
you're just gonna have to take my word for it!

Tink's top 3

We've been compiling a list of Tink's favorites. Here they are:

1. Belly rubs
2. Raw medallion snacks before bed
3. Greeting her Mom when she gets home!

She also greatly enjoys liver snacks, snuggling and hogging the couch. Ok, mainly the left side of the couch or the spot you were just sitting in that's nice and warm!

Oliver

how could you resist that happy face?

Tink and I have been volunteering with NEBTRescue which we've been enjoying very much. Currently we're working on finding a forever home for Oliver. He's a 3 yr old neutered male and is being fostered in Rochester NY and is a complete love bug. He's come a long way in a month and a half and is ready for a permanent home where he can be loved and have "his" own people. He's a submissive guy who is learning to play. A true velcro dog! We've thought a couple times now that we've found THE home for him, but both times we've learned otherwise. (Better now than later!)

The world of rescue has been opening before my eyes. I knew that it was a lot of work, but I never realized just HOW MUCH volunteers put in behind the scenes to make everything work and to get the dogs into the right homes. I am loving what I'm doing and definitely have learned a new appreciation for all the work that went in to getting Tink ready to go for us!

So, if you know anybody (or are that somebody) who would like to adopt Oliver, go to NEBtRescue and fill out an application! You won't be disappointed by this little guy!

Tinker gets her Chi on...

With Tink's ups and downs in mood and pain level recently, Nick and I have been researching different methods to help decrease her pain and generally level her out. So, after how pleased I've been with acupuncture, we decided to try it with Tink

Tink went for her first acupuncture treatment bright and early this morning. What an amazing experience! She has a general clearing done and then Nancy focused on a few lower back and brain points. Tink and I have the same acupuncturist; Nancy is certified to work on animals in PA and MD. I love Nancy so much and I knew that she would be so great with Tink. Actually I've been excited for Nancy to meet Tink!

Nancy loved her. (who doesn't?!?!) One of the first things she asked was "is she always this mellow?" to which I replied "yup, except when I get home!" Apparently Tink has a lot of ying! Tinker was so relaxed and calm the whole time; she explored a little when we got there. No shaking, no nervousness. I feel she really enjoyed it. She sat so patiently and every once in a while when a "sweet" point was hit she turn her head around to Nancy as if to say "ya, that's it!" It was actually an energy booster for me to be there as well! It was funny to see her look like a little dinosaur with 5 little needles sticking out of her back! (Nancy used the tiniest needles and barely put them in!) When Tink was done, she stood up and Nancy took the needles out.

The treatment generally makes dogs mellow, but Tink is so incredibly mellow to begin with I was wondering how that would work. It actually gave her more energy this morning and we went for another walk went we returned home. She is having a great day with more stretching and higher activity level. She's not grunting or acting stiff when we pick her up either. She's acting more alive and more like "Tinker" if that makes sense!

Nick and I will be watching and monitoring her for the next few days and then weeks. We will probably bring her back for another treatment in 2-4 weeks. Hopefully this is something that Tink will only need on occasion after the first few treatments. Nancy doesn't want to over treat her and she was careful not to move too much Chi in the first session. Yay for a happy dog!!!