Todd the Westie

I want to preface this post by saying that I'm not by nature someone who complains about customer service.  I usually don't send food back, and I don't enjoy embarrassing or battling someone over a service, unless I feel really strongly that it's warranted, and then I try very hard to 'stay calm.'  That said, in the two years that I've had Todd, he's only gone to one groomer and I've always been pleased. Which was why when "Irina" (who also grooms Charlie and the other dogs) had to cancel Todd's appointment because she had to go out of town, I was fine with that.

But then I decided Todd couldn't wait a couple of more weeks. So, even though we are in a serious seven year committed relationship with our groomer Irina, I made an appointment for Todd some where else. Yes, I was feeling a little bit guilty.  But I couldn't resist the temptation, especially when they told me it would only take them an hour, as opposed to leaving Todd there the entire day and it would be less expensive. They are also right next to my vets office, and where I buy dog food, and I can I just mention that the shop is also owned by the same person who ran the daycare Todd attended?  How could what seemed so right be wrong?

Well, I think it kind of did end up being wrong.  I am mostly happy with how Todd looks, but I really think he has a wee bit of a West Highland Terrier appearance now--I know, I know, I'm being too particular and I shouldn't be, but I'm obsessive compulsive about these things.  Todd's neck and parts of his face should have been shaved, and his beard, eyebrows and mustache should have been shaped into that square characteristic look of a Scottie, and it's not....I guess I just really like him to look like a Scottie, at least part of the time.  But obviously the groomer is like others that gets the two breeds mixed up.

Todd should have looked more like this:

See what I mean??  I noticed it right away, but not wanting to cause a stir I didn't complain when I picked Todd up.  But later I did write a 3-star review online which quickly got the attention of the owner, who has offered to 'touch up' the mistakes I feel were made. I responded back that I appreciated it, but that it wasn't necessary because Todd doesn't seem to notice that he doesn't look much like a Scottish Terrier.  Plus none of the dogs are making fun of him, and he was happy afterwards.

 I guess that's what really matters.

Blog-Writers-Block and a Milestone

~Charlie~

Do you ever get writers block when trying to come up with something to blog about? Well, if so, I can assure you, that you're not alone. I’ve been a blogging mess lately. And if the truth be told, for the last several weeks, I have been completely stymied when it comes to my blog.

Writer’s block?  

Yep. I’ve got it.

I know, it's crazy because I have plenty of things I can write a post about; the dogs, my flowers, even the weather...  

But when I sit down to write a post, the blank screen mocks me, practically daring me to come up with something.  

And I can't......So I don't.....

So while I'm waiting for clouds to clear, here's just a snippet of what we've been up to while I've not been fully with you. 

I made a delicious Raspberry-buttermilk cake for a co-workers birthday. 

 (Recipe Here)

And we just passed a humbling milestone. Last week marked 14 years ago that we adopted our very first dog from the Golden Retriever Rescue.  That dog as you may know is Wendy.  At about 16 years old, I worry about her, especially when she has days that aren't the best.  But for now those days are outnumbered by the good ones and for that I am extremely grateful for what I consider 'extra time' with her. 

My work week has ended and last evening we went to a friends house to watch our town's fireworks.  It was a block party and I'd forgotten how enjoyable it can be to get together with neighbors.  

Our July 4th holiday will be spent here at home. With a few things planned for the rest of the weekend and a co-workers wedding on Saturday, I'm hoping that those proverbial clouds will clear and my blog-writers block will pass. On a walk with the dogs this morning, and now that I'm almost done with this post, I think they just may be.  

~Cissy~

I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable 4th!  

~Cissy Rolling in the Deep...grass~

The Heat and Our Week

If you live in my neck of the woods, and muggy summer heat was what you were craving, the wait is over. A high pressure system with plenty of heat has moved in and given us plenty of humidity.

With the heat, the dogs have preferred to spend most of their time indoors with plenty of ice.  Even Taylor (below) has been enjoying it. She has really settled in nicely and continues to get along well with our dogs.  However we've had a few storms this week, and we discovered that she's very nervous during them. Experience has taught me that once dogs are her age, it's hard for them to get over their fear of storms, and so we do our best to find something that comforts them.  So far, we've not found what that "something" is for Taylor, but we will.  

~Taylor~

Last nights storm brought a little cooler start to the day and the dogs were quick to find a cat that had wandered onto our property.  They chased and treed it, but (thankfully) didn't injure it.  I could tell it was a young cat, and after I'd gotten the dogs back inside, I put a bowl of food next to the tree, figuring that it was probably hungry.  When I left for work, the cat and the food were both gone.

Other than the cat and the heat, it has been a quiet and uneventful week.  And I think we're all okay for that.

~Cissy~

All of us except for Todd, of course. He patiently looks and waits for anything to happen.

Berry Picking

It's summer and it's time for berries.  Around our property I always look forward to picking the black raspberries.  This is the second time I've picked berries this year and unfortunately we don't have as many as last year.  But you just have to know where to look for them because they are there, hidden at the edge of the woods, and along our driveway.

However Sheba always seems to be able to find them. She and the other dogs, really enjoy them and will eat them right off the bushes.  I actually like to have the dogs with me when I pick berries.  When I picked them as a kid, I wasn’t really worried about snakes and I never wore protective clothing.  But age has made me more than a little paranoid about snakes, so now when I pick berries, I wear socks, long pants, long sleeves and let the dogs go ahead of me  to scare off anything that may be under the brush.

Todd, who I've no doubt would be great at scaring anything in the bushes away, watched from the front porch.  

As you know berry picking can be a lot of work, even for the dogs and Sheba became pretty hot and tired.  I was glad when she took a break and watched me from the shade.

But I did pick enough to make a very simple cobbler. (Click here for the recipe)

After dinner, we all sat on the porch together and enjoyed it. Even without the ice cream to go with it, it was pretty good and a nice way to end the weekend!