Happy New Year's Eve

Well readers, pals, family and friends, 2015 is about to end. We can't believe how fast this year has gone! We are spending a quiet evening at home. In part because we are recovering from the first major snow storm (about 30 cm/ 12 inches) and 50 hours with a 19 month old (more about both next week), and because there is no better place to ring in the New Year than in our home. Lady says she is going to try and stay up until midnight - we think she will be lucky to see 10:30.

However you spend tonight, from the bottom of our hearts:

May 2016 bring you healthy and happiness!

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday - Christmas Treats

The pups were spoiled this Christmas. 

Phod hugging his new donkey toy.

Hailey chewing up a rabbit's ear. She ate hers the slowest. She would eat some and roll on it, eat some and roll on it. It was very amusing.

There was beef trachea. (I missed getting pictures of them eating it because they ate it so quickly).

The overall haul:

Thank you Uncle Chris for the big dog and squirrel.

Thank you Auntie K for the snowballs and the snow rope toy.

Thank you Santa for the above mentioned rabbit ears, beef trachea, cookies, chicken feet and stuffies.

Lady will have to get better with her photography and get some pictures of us playing with these things. 

Mischief Monday - Teasing Edition

First, on Christmas Eve, imagine the scene when Hailey looks out the window and sees someone who looks a lot like her boyfriend Easy out marking the yard. At first she thought the nerve of him, coming all this way and not saying hi. Then she realized it was the neighbour's dog Ghost. She was then angry for a whole different set of reasons!

Then, the Man, teased Phod with a new game. The Man takes the toy and pretends it is his and that Phod can't have it.  It makes Phod mad, he actually vocalizes his protests, and totally amuses the mean humans!

Note: We will do our best to be around the next couple of days, but human cousin Maggie is coming for her first sleepover without her parents for a few days. Lady is not sure how she is going to manage an almost 19 month old, the dogs and life in general. It should be interesting!

Black and White Sunday - Buds

Winter Has Not Arrived Yet

Christmas Eve was the warmest on record.  It was 17 C/ 62 F. It was sunny.  It was so warm that on my walk back with the dogs, I took off my sweatshirt and walked home in a t-shirt. On Christmas Eve, I walked 2 km/1.2 miles in a t-shirt! It was wonderful. The wind did pick up in the afternoon. We lost a tree out front (in fact, Uncle Chris had to move it off the road to get here). Many in our area were without power for over 24 hours. Our power flickered but never stayed off. 

The local power outages made me think of the first Christmas we were in this house 3 years ago. A storm knocked out hundreds of trees. We were without power for 72 hours. It came back Christmas Eve day.  We lived for those 72 hours without any electricity, heat or water (because we are on a well). Those 72 hours were long and cold and we just sat snuggled on a mattress by the fire under every blanket we owned. When the power came back on the area of house we were living in was 11 C/ 52 F. After a second power outage that summer that lasted 95 hours got a generator, so we would be much more comfortable if we were without power again.

Christmas Eve Day - Zaphod, Hailey and Emma

Christmas day was not as warm, only 8 C/42 F. I didn't need a hat, or boots, or a winter coat, just my fleecy. It was lovely. Normal temperatures for this time of year are -10 C/14 F, so you won't hear me complain!

Near fear, looking at the forecast, Old Man Winter is about to wake up and head our way. We will enjoy these last few days before we are back to reality!

We will tell you more about our Christmas in a day or two. We hope everyone had the Merriest of Christmases!

Merry Christmas!!!

From our home to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

From 3 dear deer: Hailey, Cousin Emma, and Zaphod

T'was The Night Before Christmas

And all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse (it has been 19 days since the last one).

This is a rare picture of the pups laying together by the fire. It is a Christmas miracle!

We wish you all a wonderful Christmas Eve.

We Can Hardly Stand To Wait

Christmas don't be late! We are tired of having to dress up!

I'm Dreaming Of A

Green Christmas!

We got a dusting of snow Saturday night. It was cold enough (-4 C/24 F) to stay for a bit. However, the forecast says it is going to be 12 C (54F) on Christmas eve. This could be the warmest Christmas Eve on record!

We did get a bit more snow on Monday, while Lady was at work but it will be gone before we can really enjoy it!

Happy Winter Solstice! We are very excited that the days will start getting longer tomorrow. Sunrise has been around 7:30 am, and sunset around 4:20 pm. The days feel very short!

Mischief Monday - Santa Paws Is Still Watching - by Phod

Pals, I think that Lady and Hailey have forgotten that Santa Paws is still watching and you can still end up on the naughty list.

It started yesterday morning when Hailey went crazy and, I can't even believe I am having to write this - stole Precious.  That is right, she took Precious. Not only did she take Precious from me, she brought it in the house and got to play with it inside. I never get to play with it inside. I was beside myself, I hardly knew what to do, so I stood and watched and kept going to the people, who laughed and did not help.  Finally, Man took it away and put it back in its spot in the garage.

Next, and while we were warned about it, I didn't believe it would happen either, Lady went through our toy boxes and took out tonnes of stuff. She said it was time to cull. She said we have lots and are getting more because we are spoiled and we don't need bits and pieces of toys. I totally disagree.

Perfect pieces of toys

Look at how much of our great stuff she took away!

I think they both should go to the naughty list, what do you think?

Black and White Sunday - Hailey The Black Nosed Reindeer

Sleep In Heavenly Peace

Thank You Murphy - by Zaphod

Hi everyone. I got mail from my pal Murphy. He got my name in the Blogville gift exchange. Lady let me open it early because she said if we wait until Christmas, cousin Emma will steal everything. (Lady says she will put my new gifts away so that can't happen).

First, I gave the package a good sniff and check out to see what the best way to open it. I let Hailey sniff it too because she let me sniff the package from Easy.

Next, Hailey completely stole it and tried to open it and Lady took it from her and said that not everything was hers.

I got a little piece open and started to pull out my gift.

Hailey kept trying to take my stuff like she always does help. I kept asking her to go away.

Finally, I carried it over to my bed to finish opening.

Look what Murphy sent me!!!!! 3 wonderful toys. The one in the middle helped out the ASPCA. A toy that helps animals, what could be better!?!?!?!?!?!?

Thank you Murphy, I love my new toys!

And I am even sharing with my sister because she made me because I love her so much and wanted to.

My True Love Gave To Me - by Hailey

First to answer some questions about our tree.

I believe it is 15 feet. It is fake (I am too allergic to real ones). We ordered it from Home Depot when we moved into the house. We do use a ladder to decorate part of it, and we also lean through the bars upstairs!

Zaphod is about twice as big as Hailey. She is about 35 lbs and he is close to 75 lbs. 

Now own to Hailey's post! 

--------------------------------------

My heart got a little faster when Lady brought the mail in and there was a parcel for me, from my true love Easy. I could smell him on it. Being the lady I am, I let Phod smell it too. 

Lady actually let me start to open it. I wanted to show off my mad ripping up skills to Easy.

She took it away before I was done, because she didn't want me to damage what was inside. I think it gives Easy a tease of what I am capable of. 

First there was a beautiful card, made with Easy's own paws (ok the paws of his Lady, but under his close supervision). Look at that handsome face. 

Easy sent me (and because he is such a gentleman a gift for Phod too and the Lady) an advent calendar. Unfortunately, Lady read the directions and it says only one piece a day, so we are getting only one a day. I get it after Lady shoves the pill down my throat. The gift for Lady, well it didn't say one a day and it barely lasted 2.  (I won't say she is piggy but you can come to your own conclusion about that).

Thank you handsome Easy, you are a pawsome boyfriend!

Wordless Wednesday - O Christmas Tree

Cat Rescue Network

As you may remember, in lieu of sending paper Christmas cards for the Blogville card exchange, I decided again this year to make a donation to an animal charity. I love all our fur friends and know they are the lucky ones with homes, so in the spirit of the season I wanted to help others. This year, because it was the first year in 20 Christmases I don't have a cat (and I would love to have one), I decide to help out feline population. I picked the local organization Cat Rescue Network. It is a volunteer run organization helping cats in our community.

Here is part of the email I received from the rescue after our donation:

"Because of your generosity another cat can be taken in and cared for.  You may soon see a cat named Bo posted.  He is one of our most recent intakes and, if all goes well, your gift  has ensured that we now have raised all we need to get him to the vet.  He is a sweet cat, and was abandoned in a rural area where he had little chance of surviving. Happily, someone found him and called us and we had a foster home available.  We also have a kitten named Troy who requires 2 surgeries, so will cost quite a bit over and above his eventual adoption fee.  So, every donation takes the edge off the costs we incur and allows us to keep going. "

I borrowed this picture of Troy from their website, (I hope that is ok cat rescue network), so you could one of the cute faces we all have helped this Christmas.  Thank you all for doing all you do to help animals in need and provide wonderful homes to the ones you have. 

Merry Christmas

Mischief Monday and Updates

First, thanks again to everyone who participated or visited yesterdays Festival of Lights. It was more successful then I had expected. YAY!

Mischief:

This weeks award goes to Phody. First, when we were in the bush on our walk, he ran over to the where the new house is being built to see 2 new dogs who were on the job. These dogs looked like leaner bull mastiffs. They were very nice. Once came over to say hi to Hailey (who was very calm). The issue was, that he didn't come back. After sniffing the dogs, he got sniffing the wood and other things, I had to get him.

Then, later in the day, we walked to get the mail. The mailbox is right across from this house. Hailey, of course got herself worked up into a frenzy. One of the dogs came over. My friendly boy, turned into a horrible beast, on his back legs snarling. I believe he because so upset because Hailey was so freaked out and because he was on leash. The other dog remained calm and went back to the site, so all was well. I really need to find a way to expose the dogs to more dogs. I think they are too isolated.

Card update:
Paper cards:     Dogs - 18      People - 2 (and they are a real 2)
E-cards:           Dogs - 7        People - 1 (and it is from the realitor they used 3 years ago - so not real)
Totals:            Dogs - 25       People - 3


Blogville events:

There are some fun events this month.

We have a blog hop with Sugar.

This will be followed by hijinks!

The Festival Of Lights - Updated

The big moment has arrived! 

Your hosts:

Hailey

Zaphod

Next up we have Madi sharing the lights while she was out doing her shopping.

Celebrating Hanukkah are Dakota and Cody.

Dakota

Cody

Reilly and Denny bring us some Christmas cheer while they rock their Santa hats.

Ziggy  is taking on the lights with this entry:

Our new pal Cinnamon is rocking the antlers.

Flat Lassie and Benji stopped by Storybook Land to visit with Phil and Phyllis, the former mascots of the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team. 

The barked a lot at the evil light up tree-rat.

Beautiful Lexus could pull Santa's sleigh if Rudolph is available.

Frankie and Ernie  sent along the following, including some evil snow freaks for our festival.

#MaddieThePug checks out the gifts under the tree. We are sure they are all for her.

Hailey's french boyfriend Easy was sooooo handsome . . . . . . .

she couldn't help but try and steal a kiss.

Nola settles in for a long winters night. 

Sarge shares his favourite light up decorations.

Happy Hanukkah, as  Sammy lights the menorah.

This next glowing entry is from Bertie.

Wesley  has the perfect silhouette. 

Mr. Bailey, Hazel, and Mabel  shared the cutest snow-freak:

Cookie is lighting the menorah and waiting for her gifts.

The night is bright thanks to the Bell Fur Zoo.

Missy and Buzz are waiting for Santa to pile the presents under the tree. 

Dory and reluctant reindeer Arty are going to win best light display on their street. 

Wag'n Woof Pets have sent a beautiful tree to light up our festival.

A festival would not be complete without a princess. We are glad Princess Leah joined us.

We are super honoured Blogville Mayorz Murphy and Stanley shared the best lit park with us.

Casey the Boxer and Jessie model their Santa dresses as they await the big day.

From his bunny house Speedy has shared his beautiful tree.

We love celebrating bacon day and the holidays with Sammy.

This shining wreath is from Stella Rose, Maggie Mae, and Gussie.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, thy lights shine so brightly, thanks to Foley Monster and Pocket.

Patiently waiting for presents are Ciara and Lightning.

Rounding out the festival is Hailey's cousin Ojo and beautiful Cobi.

And a very last minute addition Whitley

Thank you to all who participated. Lady did the count, she decided $1 per picture, but if a blog with more than one pal sent a picture with more than 1 pal in it, she would donate an extra dollar for that one.

The grand total that will be donated to Wounded Warriors - PTSD dog program is . . . . . 

$47 48!!!!! YAY!

Thanks again for joining our Festival of Lights.