Cold Weather Fun!

The weather has been NASTY here lately. Well, I guess I really shouldn't complain. It is "normal" weather for this time of year, but we were very spoiled by an unseasonably warm November. Now that December has hit us full force so suddenly, it's a little uncomfortable.

-30C to -40C windchills mean that we aren't getting outside very much lately. Potty breaks are conducted in record time, then back at the door ready to come in and warm up.

But, no fear, we have been keeping busy!

I've been working on holiday cards for a couple of card exchanges that I participate in. Notably the Dogs With Blogs card exchange, but also a Sheltie card exchange and a Dogster card exchange. And a Doggy Secret Santa exchange that I do each year with a group of online raw-feeding friends!

For the raw-fed dog Secret Santa, I thought it only fitting that I package the gifts in a raw food box! Sorry, fuzzy giftee(s), there is no raw meat in that box. But some other goodies that you will hopefully enjoy! All items have been Sheltie-Approved.


Gio offered to donate his football/rope toy. But, as you can see, it is well loved. So I convinced him that he would be sad if we gave it away.


Romeo, the eager pooch that he is, helped hold the stiff cardboard wrapping paper in place for me to tape.


The boys were very proud of their wrapping job ...


Until I informed Romeo that we were actually giving the goodies away. He didn't take that piece of information very well ...


We have also been playing a lot of indoor games to keep the boys entertained and me sane. Here is one of our favorites.

Spreading Christmas Cheer

It's that time of year again. The tree is up, the wreath is hung, the egg nog is stocked in the fridge ... and the Dogs With Blogs Christmas cards are starting to arrive!

Our first is from Indiana, Shingo, Molly, and family.

And a beautiful one from Sugar!

Present Wrapping

The best thing about wrapping Christmas presents ...

THE TUBES!

PS. It is FREAKIN' FREEZING outside today! We're sitting at -28C, but with the wind it is -41C. For the people relying on Fahrenheit, that is -18F, or -42F with the wind. Tomorrow it is supposed to be -45C with the wind (-49F). YIKES!

Now to catch up on some DWB Christmas e-cards ...

Asta

Fred

Johann
Sharon and Dobby
Ruby

Ho Ho Ho

Hercules
Mona and the Mommy
Kirby
Kess

BLU and Comet

Fun in the Snow

Now that it is getting so dark so early, I really value the free time I have on the weekends so that I can let the boys burn off some steam in the daylight. Today I took the boys and their Chuck-It to the park behind the house. I love this large park, it's usually empty (unless the high school kids are using it for sport practice) and the boys can really let loose! Of course they are on-leash ... very long fine leashes. What? You can't see the leashes? Hmm, that is odd. They show up perfectly clear in the pictures to me.



Of course, it is always good to stop and relax by catching a few snowflakes on your tongue.

Happy happy puppers!

Don't you just hate it when you get snow up your nose?


And of course, can't forget MORE CHRISTMAS CARDS!

From Beckett

From Ben and Twinkle

And from Happy

More Christmas Cards!

PHEW! These things are just flying into the mailbox now!

Thanks everyone!!

Harry the Pug

Abby, Rosco, and Tigger

ThoughtsFurPaws
Sophie, Dixie, Harles, and family

More DWB Christmas E-Cards!

One from Eduardo the Snuggle Puggle ...


And another from Cutie King King!



Many more are arriving daily through snail mail. WOW! We are overwhelmed! These cards are all so beautiful, and are really adding a lot of festive flair to the house.

Backin' It Up

And another DWB e-card!

We Blew the Power Out in the WHOLE City!

Okay, so maybe that is a teensy little bit of an exaggeration. Here's the whole story ...

This afternoon, "grandma" had a couple of hours off of work so the boys and I helped her decorate for Christmas. The tree went up and all the lights ... lots of lights ... many many pretty sparkly colored lights. The boys were great helpers, as always.

Headless Duck and Van Gogh Sheep lent a hand as well.

Gio mostly stayed out of the way.

While Romeo preferred to be right in the middle of the action.

And, of course, the obligatory "dress the dogs up in the Christmas decorations" event.
"Smile for the camera!"
"I will not."

"Come on, just a little smile?"
"You are an embarrassment to me."

"Cookie?"
"Wha?! ... DAMN! Fell for it again."

Romeo was significantly easier to decorate. Though he is more naturally ... err ... flamboyant. If this dog were a human, he would be Elton John. Think rhinestone glasses and sequined jackets ... Yeah ... That's Romeo to a T.

After much work in covering the small artificial tree with as many lights and bobbles as possible, the task was done. Lit up, the tree is gorgeous! Though I am a sucker for a bright Christmas tree, any one will do!

Later this evening were our regular flyball classes. Currently, we have one beginner class and two intermediate classes, plus regular club practice, every Saturday evening. The first intermediate class went well and it is followed by our second intermediate class. As everyone was gathering, mere moments before class began, the power went out. The training facility that we use was pitch black, even though the East wall is nearly all windows. That doesn't help much if the street lights are all out as well. Being as innovative and crafty as we are, a couple of people turned on their cell phones to use as small spots of light, and a couple of us trainers slowly maneuvered out way to the front of the building, avoiding stepping on dogs or tripping over jumps as much as possible. We arranged our cars in the front of the building and turned on the headlights so they shone through the large floor to ceiling windows. It was enough to light a good portion of the room and we were able to continue on with class as usual! Of course, the plan was altered a bit so that no one had to go running off into a dark corner, but we were able to work on some close box work. At least it wasn't a complete waste of a night. We did cancel the beginner class and the club practice, though. Didn't want to kill any car batteries or run anyone out of gas just to light the building!

From what we heard, it sounded as if the power was out for a good portion of the North end of the city. One of our club members is from Hepburn (about half hour out of the city) and she recieved a text message saying power was out there as well. We adjourned to a Tim Horton's on the other side of the city for coffee and donuts, again not a bunch of people that are willing to waste an evening! I had to head back up to the North end to get home a couple of hours later, and the power was back on.

Think it must have been all the Christmas lights on our tree ... yeah ... that must have been the problem!

And speaking of Christmas, another e-card arrived this evening! This one from LeeTal and CoCo.

A Doxie Holiday Card

Just received another DWB Christmas e-card. This time from Cayman.

Apologies and More Christmas

Hey all. First, I need to apologize for the pathetic upkeep of the blog this past while. Non-computer-related life has been CRAZY, and I have had neither the time nor the energy to be witty or intelligent or entertaining. I PROMISE to get back in the swing of things soon ... like tomorrow, when all this craziness should be over.

They boys are not enjoying this new life of "neglect" either. I fear they may have sunk into depression due to the lack of movement of their toys.


Romeo has even threatened "squeakicide".

"Play with me or the squeaky tug lion gets it!"

Soon, boys, I promise!

In the mean time, we got another Christmas e-card from the DWBs Christmas card exchange. This one from Rusty and his mom, Sharon.