Dogs

AMAZING photos by Seth Casteel

Raining dogs at Fiesta

Today was a perfect day for a walk in the rain.
The weather is a far cry from Monday's triple digits.
Today we had rain, thunder, and lightning.
I went to Fiesta Island with my friends Cindy and Renee, and their dogs.

It was Roxy's first visit to the beach!
One of my favorite things is seeing the kind of joy the beach brings to dogs--there's nothing like it


Duke


Rudy

Bella

I just finished dog sitting at a little beach cottage, for long-term friends.
The house and garden are comfortable and familiar, as are the three old dogs and the three cats.
But they have a new kid on the block too--she's almost four months old.
Isn't she sweet?

Playing with the boys

Dylan's new toy


Reese is foam boy at the beach, wind in his ears

Scenes from my life

Snapshots from the last couple of weeks

Some days are tough ;)


Fiesta Island right before the flowers bloom


Dog Beach Del Mar with the three boys


The simple joys of life (like rolling in sand)


Fireplace by the sea...
inspiration...


Cute kitchen


Stamped concrete


Leroy

More Doggies

Amigo


Mick


Brody


Rudy


Dukie and Reesie with silly faces

Playing around with my camera....

Mist on the camera made it look like snow!


Sunset at Dog Beach in Del Mar, with Reese


Kellogg Beach


Partial doggie faces


Do you remember chewing on Sour Grass as a kid?

I used to love it.
I guess adults now put it in salads.
My mom couldn't believe I would buy a weed at the Farmer's Market, but it filled me with good memories.
And it's pretty.

Salmon Cookies

I usually give my doggie clients something for Christmas.
My favorite doggies (the dogs I watch the most) get treats and toys.
Some just get treats, some just get a toy.
Sometimes I'll make up gift bags of treats and rawhide candy canes or something.

This year, to go along with my homemade rope toys, I made homemade treats--I made oatmeal cookies.
Well, kind-of.
Oat cookies with eggs and salmon.

Those of you who know me well are cocking your head right now and saying, "huh?"
You see, I loathe seafood.
I won't touch seafood.
If I go out to dinner with you, I hope and pray you don't order fish.
Seafood just grosses me out.

I once had a boyfriend cook fish sticks on my cookie sheet, and I would never use that cookie sheet again.
It was tainted.
I gave it to him.
Just sayin'.

But for the sake of my doggies, tonight I molded canned salmon into balls, flattened them with my very own hands, and baked them on my cookie sheets (okay, I used parchment paper. But still).
Pretty darned cool if you ask me.

I got the recipe from Get Some Hairapy!

This photo is about the cutest thing I've ever seen, so I had to share.

It's from White on Rice Couple.
They have a recipe for Flax Seed Dog Biscuits I plan to try (pictured).
And a Peanut Butter Dog Biscuit recipe with about the cutest doggie Christmas card ever, so go take a peek.

First knitted dog toy completed

I switched from the yellow twine to a hemp cord, and...ta da!
My first dog toy!


Funny, it reminds me of that wood you find in the desert--the kind that's hollow with holes in it.

I think it will be fun to give clients gifts that I made myself this year.
If I have time, I'll bake some "gift cards" of bone-shaped biscuits with their names piped on in carob.

Dog Park Design

Many of you already know that I'm studying Landscape Design, hoping to eventually specialize in dog-friendly properties.
Yes, there are things you can do to a yard that channel your dogs to leave parts of it alone, while giving the dogs (as well as their owners) a sanctuary.

I found this post on Beyond Landscape, showing a dog park from this summer's Barkitecture exhibit.
The site uses reclaimed fire hydrants, in a whimsical display.
Everything about this makes me smile.

Two Boys

Stole this pic off their mom's Facebook, because
I love it (and them) so.
The Reesie and the Dylan.
(click image to enlarge...Flickr doesn't size them well)

Pillow Repair...aka, the dog ate my pillow

Sometimes Reese and Dylan's mom asks me to stop by when she and her husband have long work days, so the boys won't be alone, and so they can play.
Recently, I walked into their house and burst out laughing--
feathers were everywhere.
Far worse than these photos captured

Reese is about the best dog on the planet, but sometimes the temptation to chew things is just too great.
He has destroyed a brand new comforter, a remote control, pillows, etc.
On this day, he chose one of the silk pillows his parents brought back from Thailand.
Oooh, not good.

I decided to repair it for them.

Before, there were two matching pillows on this couchOn the damaged pillow, one corner was completely ripped off, the fabric a shred on the floor.
I cut the pillow down below the ripped portion, and saved any scraps.
I removed the liner pillow, dumped out all the feathers, re-stitched and refilled it
I see repeating circles often in Asian designs, so I used any scraps to cover the bite marks with two sizes of circles.
I concentrated on turning the grain lines so the light would hit the circles differently than the background.
I also concentrated on balancing the size and placement of the circles and rectangles.
Now this travel souvenir still matches its partner, it's just a bit smaller
(click on images to enlarge)

Sunset on the beach

(click on image to enlarge)
Duke silhouetted, running at Dog Beach in Del Mar.

The Cuteness!!!

Reese and Dylan at Fiesta Island.
Recent rains have greened the acreage--soon the daisies will be in bloom.

Gift ideas for dogs and dog lovers

Bring out your Jerry Maguire in "You had me at Woof" tee, by Planet Dog

Orbee-Tuff super chew-proof Woof and Fetch balls, with a hole to hide treats (I bought these for gifts this year)
Bamboo quick control leash and seat belt latch

There are numerous dog-themed aprons, oven mitts, etc at Etsy
(this one by lynnsdesigneraprons)
Good Karma rope toys, by Jax and Bones

If money is not an issue, have your pet's photograph turned into a canvas.
You can have surreal (pictured), soft brush strokes, or in paint, at Photo Wow

Another fun idea is to get a pet portrait with Santa.
Check local pet stores and the Humane Society for dates and locations.