2 X 2s

So Vito and I have started our 2x2s. We are using Susan Garrett's method of 12 poles in 12 days, but we will not be done in 12 days. As of yesterday, we are still working on "Day 2" material eventhough we were technically on day 4 of training. I wasn't sure if Vito was really ready because he didn't seem to be getting it, but yesterday he got fed less at meal times so that I could increase the value of the poles for him with treats. It seemed to work!!! He was much more eager to please, but I am still having a hard time getting him to not come back through the poles? We will see how today's sessions go and hopefully we can advance. However, we won't be moving on until I am condfident that he understands what his job is. If we can't seem to get it, we will quit (I hate to use the word quit, maybe take a break sounds better?) for now and work on something else and then come back to it.

I love my dogs! They are alot of work, but they are worth every bit of it. On the worst of days, they keep my mind off of things and help to keep me busy. Vito knows when I need a little extra lovin' and hops up on my lap to give me love when he knows I need it. Luca is a constant source of entertainment, he's so chubby and lazy, he cracks me up. So thankful for the happiness they bring to my life in their own special ways.

Mostly love dogs more than people.

Meet Luca!

I am pleased to announce a new addition to our family; Baby Luca! On Sunday, Z and I bought a new little puppy. He (yes, he. I am completely out numbered by boys) is 10 week old pomeranian. He is black with a white stripe on his chest and little white soul patch. He only weighs 2.5 lbs, but has a big personality. He is literally just a ball of fur, he is soooo cute. So far him and Vito seem to get along pretty good. Vito is very gentle and careful not to hurt his little brother. But it appears that Luca may have a bit of a mean streak, he is a BITER! We had better get that under control in a hurry!

Luca had his first vet visit yesterday, ear mites and a respiratory infection, :(. Sad, but he is getting ear drops and taking antibiotics. He should be top notch in no time!

We are heading over to R & C's tonight so Luca can meet the girls before I house/pet-sit for them this weekend!

So, it's official, I have been bitten by the puppy bug! We've been talking about getting another puppy for awhile now, but up until this past weekend, it was just that, talk. We went to Trader's Village last weekend and there were soooooo many adorable little furballs that needed a home. They were all cute, but nothing was really catching my eye. UNTIL...there she was! A cuter than cute, uber tiny Shih-tzu/Schnauzer girl! She was so pretty and dainty. She was a little more than we thought we wanted to pay, so we didn't end up taking her home. So sad. :( Anyways, we are going to go back this weekend and maybe she will be there!

The rest of the weekend was spent with Z's family. They boiled crawfish on Good Friday and we all had some friends over to swim and visit. Sunday we went to Mass and then out to a fancy restaurant for brunch, it was delicious. I ate way too much, I was food drunk. Fo sho.

Tonight we are going to R & C's so that they can help me groom Vito, tomorrow I am going out for dinner with Erin & Julie to celebrate Erin's birthday, Saturday back to R & C's for a day of puppy fun with Martine and then Sunday back to Trader's Village. BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!

AND THE WINNER IS.........

ALL OF US!!!!! We had our weigh-in this past Saturday for the Weight-Loss Challenge. It was very close, but I am proud to say that Z and I were the official takers of the pot. We enjoyed a delicious celebratory meal, compliments of Rhonda & Crysal and a special thanks to Jamie for providing our deprived sweet teeth with some super yummy cake! We think we might take a little trip with our few extra dollars.......

Also, some very exciting days ahead. Tomorrow is Z's Birthday and we are going to the Black Eyed Peas, Saturday we are going to Brooks & Dunn and Sunday we are going out for dinner with Z's family (a late B-Day celebration)! Busy, Busy........

Sad Day.......

So, today is a sad day. Z's parents have two Bassett Hounds, Willy & Daisy. They are brother and sister and are about 10 years old.

Daisy has had some health issues ever since I've been around, she gets these huge bumps all over her body. Originally the Vet thought it was because hounds have oily skin and and that her pores were getting clogged, causing the lumps. Some of the growths became so huge that they had to be surgically removed, she has had a couple of surgeries just in the last two months or so. Today Z's mom went out to head for work and discovered that Daisy had burst one of the lumps on her hip. Once it was broken, she kept licking and biting at it leaving a large hole where the lump had once been. Z's mom loaded her up and headed straight to the Vet. Bad news........the Vet suggests that they put her to sleep. She said the growths will just keep coming back and that to spare Daisy any further discomfort that she thinks "it's time".

Chelsie is going to meet Ed at the Vet so that she can say her goodbyes and then when it's all over, they will bring Daisy home to be buried. Z and I are heading over after work. As hard as it for the family, I know that they made the right decision, no animal deserves to suffer.

My heart aches for poor Willy, he has never known life without Daisy and I'm sure he will be devastated.

Daisy will have many to meet at the Rainbow Bridge......

FINALLY!!!

FINALLY, Z will be home tonight! I am so excited and can't wait to see him!!! He lands around 5:30 pm, but by the time he picks up his truck and makes his way across town I probably won't actually see him until 7:30 or 8:00. He has kept up his no-carb diet while he was offshore and he had to shave his beard, so I'm not even sure if I'll recognize his skinny, bald face! Vito might even think he's a stranger and try to attack him, ha!!!

We had our 5th Agility-Prep class on Tuesday night! We did really good and our hard work over the past week with "HUSH" and Crate Games is definitely starting to pay off. Vito was much more focused and way less vocal!! However, we still have a long road ahead of us, but are feeling much more motivated now that we are seeing some results!! We even got some good feedback from the instructor, which was great! So proud of my little guy! I can for sure tell that the bond between us is growing daily and we are much more in-sync with each other.

So, still not seeing the great results in the weight-loss challenge that I would like. I seem to have plateaued, but I guess that's better than gaining.... Still have just over a week until the weigh-in, so hopefully I can get out of this rut before then.

Work has seemed especially stressful the last couple of weeks, not sure if it's because Z isn't here or the arrival of the new boss or what, but am definitely feeling mentally exhausted. Definitely ready for the weekend, although Z will probably be jet-lagged and not feel like doing much, :-(. Oh well, I'm just glad that he will be home!!!!!!