Back by Popular Demand AGAIN

Since Rowley's arrival, we haven't been doing the best job updating the blog. One thing we have been doing is taking plenty of candids of our 4-Legged Friend. Before to many more questions come our way regarding why we haven't posted any photos, we thought it would be best to share them. Enjoy the slide show below.

Rowley May, 30 2008

Back by Popular Demand

Since many of you have asked to see more photos of Rowley, we thought we ought to post some now considering how quickly she has been growing. If you click on the small photo below, you will be able to see a new portfolio of her and her mighty, mighty paws.

Rowley 12 - 13 Weeks

Standing Tall

We were a little caught off guard when Rowley's ears started standing on their own. The kennel told us they would be standing tall by 6 mo. It being the beginning of her 11th week, she seems to be ahead of schedule. We have included our second slide show of Rowley below. Please click on the thumbnail to view the album. More photos to come soon.

Rowley: 10 - 11 Weeks Old

The Bark

Rowley just got her first piece of mail today! Paul and Sheila were kind enough to send a funky magazine we have yet to stumbled upon, called The Bark, our way. Once Rowley drifts off to sleep I can't wait to spend some time flipping through the pages. I'm already in love with some of the funky dog beds pictured on the inside cover! Maybe we could figure out a way to make a Popsicle Pants Parker dog bed in our free time! We will keep our fingers crossed. Thanks Paul and Sheila. Rowley loved the surprise!

Rowley's Arrival

Rowley has arrived! After much work "dog-proofing" our house (the place hasn't been this clean since we moved in), purchasing crates, toys, and treats we were ready to head to Maine to pick-up our new pup.

Last weekend we made the trip to Warren, Maine for the newest member of our family. It's hard to believe we have had this little German Shepard for a week. We swear she has already grown. Fortunately, she has started to sleep though the night. It took us a while getting use to waking up every 2 hours at night to let her out -- sleep is something we haven't had much of until trading off who looks after her this weekend. Managing on a few hours of shut-eye each day is the least of our troubles considering how rewarding every other minute is with her by our side.

Fortunately, Rowley doesn't mind us sticking a camera in her face. We'll try our hardest not to post too many photos of her -- it's not easy considering how cute she is!

Here is the first of many slide shows: (Click on the thumbnail below to start the slide show).

Rowley
March 22 - 29 2008

Rowley's Arrival

Here Comes Hiroko

Last year we asked our friend, Gary Demercurio, for some pictures of the dog he rescued - Hiroko - a very young and very adorable Akita. Hiroko (generous child in Japanese) and Gary lived for a few months together in their North End apartment seeing the sites and selectively marking their own territories. Then Gary took a job in Connecticut at Sikorski, the helicopter manufacturer. Now they have plenty of room to lounge about suburbia. It only took about a few hundred days to get Gary to send us some photos of Hiroko but we've finally got them to share. Hopefully he'll keep us updated with more photos before the next leap year returns.

Willow 2000 - 2008

When it rains it pours. At least that seems to be the best way to explain the current absence of any 4 legged friends living at 59 Winthrop Street.

On Monday, we decided to put Willow down. Although we are still recovering from Sydney leaving us, Willow's unpredictable behavior was getting too risky for us or guests to be around. While he may have been missing a few marbles, it doesn't make it easy to say goodbye. Fortunately, I was able to take a good number of photos of the little guy this weekend. He certainly was a gorgeous cat. I loved his slate blue/gray coat and bright yellow eyes. Thankfully, he always was a good model.

Sukee Kennels

After we had to say goodbye to Sydney, Jay and I were eager to find a kennel that may have a litter of German Shepherds available this spring or summer. As luck would have it Sukee Kennels in Warren, Maine has a litter of shepherds that will be looking for new homes on March 22nd.

After doing some research, we decided to put down a deposit for one of their puppies. It looks as if we will be heading to Warren on the 22nd to pick-up our new female puppy -- we have decided to name her Rowley.

Today Sukee Kennels sent us these photos of the litter. Since the "interviewing" process is fairly complicated we have yet to be "assigned" a particular puppy. Even though we don't know what puppy pictured below will be ours we had to give you a sneak peak.

Mayhausens Pretty Sydney 1995 - 2008

On Monday Jay and I had to say our final goodbye to Sydney (her legal name was Mayhausens Pretty Sydney -- the Kennel came up with it). She had eaten very little for the last week and last weekend she ate nothing - not even the "bedtime" bones that she use to take one after another each night from me.

She was thrilled to see Paulette (her first Mother) on Saturday and Sunday. We spend the time at home, sitting on the floor with Sydney in various rooms of the house - talking, laughing, and petting her. Paulette left Sunday around 4:00 pm. The timing of everything was uncanny. Sid went outside Sunday night with her usual 'need no help' attitude but once she was back inside laid down for the night. The next morning she refused to get up even after Jay tried to lift her into a general standing position -- she would not/could not stand or sit. She cried and whimpered when Jay finally carried her downstairs.

After agreeing that she was experiencing more than dehydration and fatigue we drove her to the vet. Fortunatly, both of us were able to put our obligations at work on hold for the day. It is amazing how much Sid was a part of our life. I don't think I ever knew how many dog toys/treats we owned until we started packing everything up. It's going to take a good deal of time before we can adjust to her not being around. We are just so glad she was a part of our lives. We wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Hippo Is Back!

After purchasing a bright fushia hippo toy (that of course lets out long squeaks) this past summer for Sydney, Jay thought I had lost my mind. Over time the toy became Sid's favorite. This month, Sid's ability to use her back legs has dramatically declined. Her state started to get the better of us this week when her personality shifted. Instead of bringing her hippo to us each evening to play (if we didn't follow her lead she would nag us with numerous barks -- a tune that grew old the moment it began) she now made no effort to engage with us. After her second treatmet of acupuncture last night she proudly came to us with the hippo. Jay and I couldn't be more excited to see Sid back in action with a huge smile on her face.

This upcomming July Sydney will be 14 years old. This last month has been a painfull reminder of the reality that comes with caring for an older pet. All of the little things Sid does daily for us have become "big" things. Each day we realize how much she means to us. We never thought a day would dramatically change if a hippo wasn't squeaked in our face. Since Sydney is constantly on our minds, last night's playtime was a much welcomed treat.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

One of my absolute favorite aspects of teaching has to be snow days. The night before a huge storm rolls our way, I find myself captivated by each and every weather report. To my disappointment, last night school had yet to be cancelled. This left me overjoyed when the phone rang around 6:00 this morning announcing school had been cancelled. Nothing can beat the luxury of sleeping in surrounded by a blanket of snow before heading outside to put all the energy you have conserved to good use lifting layer after layer of inch after inch surrounding your feet.

To make matters all the more exciting, upon waking we found the branches of our birch trees in desperate need of assistance. The weight of the snow has left them arched to the ground and finding additional support on our electric lines. After clearing some snow off the branches, we have been preparing for a sudden lost of electricity in the hours to come.

At least we have enjoyed killing the time with Sydney. Watching her prance around in the snow and attack the shovel makes the winter one of my favorite seasons. Our neighbors couldn't have made the afternoon all the more enjoyable. They seem to like shovelling for hours while blasting Britney Spears from their car radio. Could life get any better! I guess there is a new trend when it comes to shoveling. I must say they win the award when it comes to how to encourage those living near by to pick-up the real estate section and start house hunting. I'm sure they will make our life all the more interesting during the snow storms to come.

We couldn't resist including an image of Sydney enjoying the snow as a pup. Although she has gotten a bit more grey over the years, once winter comes her way her level of energy never seems to change. Hopefully Sydney's energy will mirror that of our supply inside and nothing will change today!

Deck the Halls

We had a blast helping Mom and Sammy get her house ready for the 25th. After a hard day's work, I must say the house couldn't look better. Between her gorgeous tree, nutcrackers, endless ornaments, and of course a good dose of Irving Berlin's White Christmas we are ready for the holidays. Here are a few photos of us decking the halls. Mom, thanks for a wonderful day. We love you!

Sydney's Snifferoo

Wherever Sara and or I travel, be it upstairs for a pair of socks, into the basement to empty the dehumidifier, or outside to enjoy our morning coffee, Sydney likes to accompany us. Although it's perfectly obvious that outside is her favorite. She has plenty of toys but you might not know it because she likes to bury them around the yard. However, what passes for hidden by Sydney is pretty comical. Half buried Frisbees are common sight. Sara's sister Emily is home this week from California.

Last night Emily, Sara, myself, and of course Sydney, enjoyed a wonderful meal with their father, John.

Sydney took her usual Shepard Position at the end of the porch steps to guard our outside dinner party but got up during the middle of the meal and headed for far end of the back yard and stepped directly into the garden. Knowing her fondness for digging, I left my second or third helping of chicken with cashew nuts, and went over to ensure she didn't do any damage.

I was please to see that she was not digging. Instead Sydney was sniffing around like a Swivel Sweep infomercials and was just moments from discovering the skunk that was working its way through the back corner fence between John's yard and his neighbors.

With the eye-burner-stink-bomb crisis averted, we finished our meal in peace and enjoyed a game of bocce ball - during which I achieved maximum glory by winning on account of everyone knocking my bocce-balls closest to the pal lino (the little ball) for the final two points.

A little fun Massachusetts's Bocce Trivia:

There is a cocktail called a bocce ball, made with orange juice, amaretto, and club soda. Michael DeCoste of Duxbury, MA made these popular in the late 1980's after appearing on Family Feud and touting, their "delectable taste" and "clean finish."


I wonder what cocktail DeCoste would have come up with if his game had been interrupted by a skunk.

We had to include one photo of The Hagan Crew (san skunk).

JB

Our Garden Rocks

After a year hiatus (weddings can be a bit distracting), we attacked our rock garden with full avengence this afternoon. Success -- well, we're getting there.






Sydney kept guard -- she knows how vicious worms can be.

Jay at work -- check out the hat. You never know what will appear after cleaning our house!

Sydney enjoyed the new found attire -- more images from her fashion show are included below.

Here are a few images of what will hopefully continue to grow.

Sydney may have gotten a little sun stroke. At least one of us was able to take a nap.

More shots from Sid's fashion show.

We splurged -- I got a new pair of gardening gloves. They don't look all that new anymore. I think this must be a good sign.

I couldn't avaoid including an image of something orange. The new crocs did come in helpfull.

Our summer drink of choice helped keep us hydrated.

4 grams of calcium? We don't know.