Toby couldn’t wait to wake me up this morning to tell me that it snowed. He was so impatient to go out that he didn’t even ask for my breakfast. Once he got out, he Boing! Boing! Boinged! all over the place. It was so nice to see him happy and bouncy again!
The cold temperatures and 5″ of powder were all worth it to watch my puppy in the snow.
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If you would like to share some puppy cheer, consider sending friends and family these Waiting for Santa greeting cards. (Without the watermark, of course.) The inside is blank so you can decide if your household is a “Merry Christmas” or a “Season’s Greetings” one.
These and other great gifts are available from my shop, L Bowman Studios.
I think most of Stinky McPooperson’s crabbiness comes from his diet. He got really used to humans giving him food to be “the magical talking dog” (as the little ones call him), and a mere two meals a day is getting on his nerves.
For a while I have felt guilty calling Toby “Bitey Dog” when it was really his brother’s moniker, but Toby finally put forth the effort to make it his.
Dogs do so well at hiding their feelings sometimes that you can miss their signs of pain.
On Friday I leaned over to ask if I could help Toby reach the treat that he had pushed behind he furniture, and he exploded in a furious attack. Twenty four pounds of muscle and anger (and teeth. Let’s not forget the teeth) launched themselves straight for my face. This was so out of character for my pup that I was completely caught off guard.
I managed to get him into his kennel so I could assess the situation. He immediately fell asleep. I ended up with puncture wounds on my cheek, lip and nose. Also, my top lip had been ripped apart like a rabbit’s. Gross. Trust me, the look is only cute on bunnies.
Tuesday was the earliest I could schedule an appointment with Toby’s vet, and she told me that he “did not mince words” when she tried to examine his left knee. Also, he somehow managed to gain 2 pounds in 6 months. Oops. Looks like the shutdown got to him too.
The combination of extra weight and already wonky knees left my boy in incredible pain. Me getting near his treat on Friday sent him over the edge. I didn’t know that, though, and spent the weekend afraid of my dog. Now I feel guilty that my little boy needed comfort and understanding, and I kept him at several arms’ length.
Toby got sent home from the vet with pain medication and guidelines for a strict diet. By this afternoon he was feeling so much better that he was driving me nuts. He is evidently hungry too because he keeps stealing my things in order to trade them for food. I can tell that the next two pounds are going to be really tough on both of us.
As for me, I am hoping to be able to drink from a glass again someday. For now I have to use the ultra-super-mega Verboten drinking straws. (I wouldn’t be surprised it Greta Thunberg comes ’round at night and beats me up.) For some reason I don’t bruise purple, I turn yellow/green. It looks I have smeared mustard all over my face where Toby hit me.
Despite the unpleasantness, I am glad that I finally understand Toby’s pain and was able to get him help. If we’re lucky, the medication and the weight loss might help him to feel good for a long time to come.
Go away. I don’t feel good.
(Don’t you mean “well”?)
(Do you want to get bitten again?!?)
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Were you among the lucky who got chilly weather this week? If so, you know the value of a warm, cozy quilt.
This patchwork Butterfly Quilt can bring a touch of whimsy to your home. Whether resting on the back of the sofa or decorating the guest bedroom, the colorful handmade quilt will be a treasure for years to come.
Toby and I play a game where he gets a treat for touching the toy that I name. This day, we were playing “Blue Puppy/Red Monster”. He did well with Blue Puppy, but when I called out “Red Monster”, he bopped me on the head.
Sorry, Toby. There are no rewards in life for honesty.
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Are you expecting a new little monster in your life? If so, welcome him or her with a handmade layette set. This sweater, hat, socks and blanket were all painstakingly (and I do mean painstakingly) made of extra soft brushed acrylic.
Over the summer, I tried to keep busy by crocheting blankets to donate to the church when they collect baby gifts in the fall. Unfortunately crocheting and knitting really mess with my Bell’s Palsy, but I pushed through finishing as many blankets as I could to welcome new life.
On Saturday I took my donations to the church to place in the collection cradle. As I set them down, a lady walked over to me and suggested that I might want to put my name and number with the blankets because she didn’t know if they would be accepted, you know, because of covid. Try as I might, I couldn’t figure out how a malt in a yarn covered sweater had anything to do with baby blankets. I looked down at the very, very few donations in the cradle and wondered if the family dropping off the bag of diapers got a similar warning. Somehow I doubt it.
As I picked my blankets up to take with me, the lady tried to herd me back to the cradle, saying that I could put them back in. (Mind you, everyone at this church is scared witless by covid yet the woman stood mere inches from me.) I told her no thank you: I knew of other groups that would welcome my gift and walked out.
Within hours, a different church gladly accepted my donation. They are experiencing a lock down baby boom and need lots of gifts to help welcome new members. Thank heavens the Protestants ’round here aren’t too scared to live.
I told you you should have spent that time doting on me and not messing with that stupid yarn!
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This time of year, the nights become chilly. Make sure you or someone you care about is wrapped in both beauty and love with this hand stitched Rose Afghan.
For more details, click here. Rose Afghan is available from my shop.
These two have spent so much time together that they are starting to look like each other.
I do worry aboutPeppermint, though. I’m sure her feelings are hurt.
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Tell them you love them without saying a word! (Right, Toby?) Give someone you care about this stellar pillow with an E.T. hand signing “I Love You”. Not only is it a loving reminder, it is also a great conversation piece.
This was my Halloween memory, year after year. I felt cheated that I didn’t get to go Trick or Treating with the other kids. After this year, a lot of young people are going to be having similar memories of not getting to get dressed up or pester neighbors for candy. It will be interesting to read blog posts years from now after children have developed some perspective on current events. Will they have happy memories of an evening with their families, or will they go all out making sure their own kids and pets have a spectacular, spooky celebrations?
I obviously went the second route.
(This evil bitey monster was Geordie. He was willing to model pretty much anything for me. Not sot he Tobester…)
Whether reliving your own Halloween memories or spending an evening at the opera, this black cape with red satin lining is sure to make a dramatic statement. Sized to fit size S-M. Add a dash of the unconventional to your wardrobe today!
I used to have to count exclusively on these guys to work as my tears. Today I found a new way. Since I was by myself, I decided to sing along with Happy Together on the radio and burst into terrible wracking sobs. Either my horrible singing hurts even my own ears, or my body is coming up with creative ways to cope with not being able to cry. Either way, got to skip using eye drops this afternoon.
Just don’t cry on me. I hate damp fur.
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I heard that retailers are looking to start the Christmas shopping season tomorrow. In case you are hoping to get a super early jump on the holidays, come to my shop where you can pamper yourself with handmade luxury.
I don’t know if this is the same snake that was the garden earlier this year or a different one. Either way, this one is about 3x larger than the first. I was able to find it because Toby tried to stick it up his nose.
This was the baby that came to visit in the spring.
Geordie was petrified of snakes and wouldn’t go near them. At least I didn’t have to worry about him being bitten.
Real Life Me is a badass.
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Looking for a gift for someone special? Cooler weather is right around the corner. Consider giving that special person in your life a hand knit tweed cardigan. Available in a variety of colors and sizes, all are made with love. And coconut shell buttons.
