Saying Goodbye to 2012

I must admit that I'm excited to see 2012 go. It feels like it's been one exhausting year and I'm ready for a new year. A new start.
I'm excited to see what 2013 brings us.

I thought it would be fun to look back on 2012 with a post from each month of 2012.
There is a snapshot from each post and if you click on it (or the post title below it) it'll take you to the full post.
Enjoy!

January

I'm pretty sure Ella was trying to bury me...

I still think that was what she was up to

February

My Dog Does Yard Work

This post inspired many more posts which eventually earned their own page. *points up* "My Dog Does... "

March

Upside Down Tug

What can I say? My Ella was a gifted little nut.

April

Preparing for Easter

Watch out for that Easter Bunny, guys.

May

Monday Mischief: Trash dog

Lassie causes trouble. :O

June

Ella's Hostage

Ella liked to trap poor, unsuspecting Collies.

July

Ella is 6!

Ella celebrated her sixth birthday.

August

Ella - July 26 2006 - August 5 2012

The very worst part of 2012.

She passed away the same day my grandpa did 4 years prior.

I also want to link to this post: Our gratitude because I am still so grateful and still so in awe of all of  you and your kindness.

September

Kitty? Or extremely soft pillow?

Petal kept me smiling after Ella's sudden passing.

This dog is wonderful.

October

Happy Birthday, dude!

Lassie's eighth birthday!

November

Thanksgiving

Just a few of the things I was thankful for in 2012.

December

Petal is 3!

Black and White Sunday: 8 years

Santa Paws and Reindeer Dog

So I couldn't resist linking to 3 posts for December. I had to link to Petal's birthday and to Lassie's gotcha day and then, of course, I had to link to a Christmas-y post. ;)

Thank you all for following us through 2012 and being so kind to us. We love you guys.
I hope you all have a fun, and safe, New Year's Eve and a wonderful new year!
♥

Black and White Sunday: This face

Thisface. ♥




Today we are participating in the Black and White Sunday blog hop hosted by You Did What With Your Weiner, Dachshund Nola and My Life In Blog Years.

We call her Ginger. Ginger Head.

I'm hi-lar-ious Petal.
Hilarious.

And you're a good girl to put up with me.
The one who feeds you.
Just thought I ought to remind you of that.

Petal wants to know, do you ever put toys/other things on your dog's head?
Petal would also like to add that she is going to runaway and live with the first human that says, "No, I never put things on a dog's head."

Wordless Wednesday: Presents given to the Collies + Collie presents given to the human

I may have spoiled them this year...


My Collie gifts (2 Lassie books and 4 Collie watercolor paintings). Thank you Carly for the books & my parents for the paintings! ♥

What did you lucky pups get for Christmas?






Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all are enjoying the holidays with loved ones.

Love you guys!

♥

Marquie, Lassie & Petal

Monday Mischief: Early Present Opening

Petal snuck into the Forbidden Room today and ripped open one of her gifts.
She couldn't resist any longer.
It's Christmas Eve, Petal.
You couldn't wait one more day?

Merry Christmas everyone!
♥

Black and White Sunday: Snowy faces

Today we are participating in the Black and White Sunday blog hop hosted by You Did What With Your Weiner, Dachshund Nola and My Life In Blog Years.

A Petal for Christmas

It's nearly Christmas, just a few more days to go, and let me guess, you still have last minute presents to buy, don't you? You're strapped for time and strapped for cash. What are you going to do?

Why not get your loved one (*you know, the one you love so much that you forgot to get them a present until just now, when I reminded you) a Petal for Christmas?
Every home should have one!



All together now, "Awwww!"



You can't go wrong with a Petal.
What child wouldn't want to find a Petal lying under the tree on Christmas morning, **snacking on a candy cane she plucked off the tree? You know which one, the one you promised your kid could eat in the morning. On Christmas morning.
Whoops.
But don't worry, once you get your kid to stop crying, they'll really enjoy their new Petal!



Just think of all the fun they will have with their very own Petal!
The possibilities are endless!
Think of all the poop they will have to scoop!
This Petal could provide 15+ years of poop to scoop!
Think of all the vet bills, dog food, dog toys, collars, leashes, bowls, tags, beds, chews, replacement furniture, replacement shoes, etc etc, you'll get to buy!

This Petal will provide you and your loved ones with plenty of exercise and training for years to come. There will never be another dull moment with her around!

She'll bring you unconditional love and loyal commitment, be sure you are ready to provide the same!

Now with free gift wrapping!

All this and more for the low low low price of

$9.95!

+ Shipping & handling

+ A lifetime of commitment

+ All future costs associated with owning a Petal

+ Unconditional love


Let's be serious now, guys.

A puppy is not just a "puppy for Christmas!"
A puppy will grow into a dog and both require time, work, patience, training, grooming, vet care, food, love, and more for years to come. Do your research and think it through before you commit, because a puppy is a commitment, not just a present.
And consider adopting a shelter pet.

Merry Christmas!
Happy Holidays!

*Don't feel bad. You know those two Collies that I love and adore? Yeah, they have nothing because I haven't gone shopping for them yet. Oops.

**Yeah, I may have caught her with a candy cane yesterday morning. Can you say "naughty list"? I'm sure my name is on there and Petal is laughing about it.

Wordless Wednesday: We Woke Up to a Winter Wonderland





Monday Mischief: Stuck

Today, just like any other day, Petal was barking out the window at the neighbor dogs across the street. She was getting excited, as she usually does, and she had her front paws on the windowsill.
She got more and more excited until she hopped up into the windowsill entirely. She does this on occasion and usually it's no big deal.

However, with it being Christmas time, we have a Christmas tree right in front of the window.
Which means Petal couldn't find an easy way to get back down from the windowsill.


"Help! I'm stuck!"
"I know you think this is funny, but could you please stop laughing and help me get out of here?"

Oh, this crazy dog.

This is not the first time Petal has gotten herself stuck in such an odd place.
About a week and a half after my surgery, on the same day we got our first snow, Petal got herself stuck under the couch. Now our couches don't stand very far off the ground. Just far enough for Petal to fit while lying on her side. So it took an incredible amount of talent from her to get herself stuck under there.
To this day I still have no idea how she managed this.
I was resting on the couch when I heard the sound of dog claws scrapping across our laminate floors. Nothing unusual, really, but I looked around anyway. Lassie was asleep on the floor and Petal was... where was she?
I looked behind the couch, where she likes to sleep, but she wasn't there. I called for her and heard more scratching on the floor. I thought it was crazy, and very unlikely, but I looked under the couch anyway and saw this little face:

 
"Oh, hey, could I get a little help here, please?"

She wasn't scared or hurt, just... well, stuck. All she could do was kick her legs and look pathetic.
My Dad and brother came to the rescue and lifted the couch up just high enough for me to grab Petal's harness (lucky she was wearing that) and drag her out from underneath the couch. She got up, shook herself off, and then went about as if nothing had ever happened.

Her mischief never fails to make me giggle.
Though I will admit that her mischief, at times, causes me great stress.
Just be careful, my crazy dog.