Valentine’s Day, Big Life Changes, Birthdays, and Life Rearranges

I can hardly believe it’s already the middle of February. Wasn’t it just last weekend that we celebrated the new year? I guess it just feels that way, and while so much has happened in just the few short weeks since the beginning of the year, I still can’t help but look back and wonder where all the time has gone.

Yet, here we are, Valentine’s Day, and in our household this day is extra special. Today also happens to be Simon’s birthday. As of today Simon is 7 years old (at least it human years), and that officially makes him an old man. Don’t get me wrong, he still has way too much energy, but he seems to love to indulge in his morning naps just as much these days. Seriously, some days he will not get off the couch until at 12:00 in the afternoon! By the late afternoon, however, he is always ready for his daily walk. I’m not sure he’ll ever really slow down, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing since Simon’s antics always seem to keep everyone on their toes—if you know what I mean. Still, it’s weird to even think how much has changed in the past 7 years since bringing Simon into our lives. We were newbies to dog ownership (serious cat-only zone here), totally unprepared (although can you ever really be completely prepared?), and had no idea what kind of adventures we were in for. Now though, looking back, I can say it was definitely all worth it.

Happy 7th Birthday Simon!

Yet, life is set to change again with job changes, commutes and overall daily schedule changes. The dogs as well as the cats, I’m sure, will adapt to the new changes and daily schedule just fine. Really, it’s mostly me who is going to miss having the ability and flexibility to spend so much time with Simon and Rosee during the day (why must adulting be so hard sometimes?).

Nevertheless, with our pet family growing—seriously, we gained 4 cats in 1 year!—both pups getting older, and our own personal lives changing, I’m excited to see what the future may hold and the adventures that are in store.

So, whether you celebrate Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day, or Pawlentine’s Day…we hope it was a good one!

Day 12 of 13 Days of Halloween

Double, double toil and trouble

Why must you irk me so?

I give and I give,

and I give and I give,

but somehow you just want more!

Be it cookies, or food,

or leg room, or toys;

you just do whatever your stubborn heart desires.

I’ll stay right here,

in my corner of the couch,

ready for whatever transpires.

Whether it’s muddy paws, or incessant barking;

stealing new pillows, or tearing up boxes,

I’ll always love you Rosee.

And if he’s lucky,

I know you’ll consider letting Simon in on the fun;

but only maybe, just maybe.

 

On this, the eve of her sixth birthday, I solemnly swear to always give up my seat on the couch for you little girl. May you stay happy and smiley, and bullheaded and stubborn for the years to come. Happy birthday Rosee!

Happy 6th Birthday Simon!

To the mutt that stole our hearts,

(And tore them all to pieces),

May you live on forever,

(If only so our patience never cease . . .-es).

Seriously, patience isn’t always a given virtue–it’s a hard-learned skill that can only be shaped by ear-shattering whines and never-ending sessions of fetch.

Happy Birthday little man! (Don’t ever change.)

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Day 10 of 13 Days of Halloween (2017)

Remember that second birthday I mentioned earlier this week?

Well, the second birthday of the month of October that also happens to coincide with Halloween is Rosee’s 5^th birthday!

I know for dogs (and other animals too, probably) birthdays don’t mean as much to them as they do for us humans. Yet, I can’t help but feel that Rosee’s 5^th birthday is really a big milestone. I mean, she’s finally a whole handful! More importantly, by turning five Rosee is officially an adult dog. By age five dogs should be out of their growing phases, meaning they’re not teenagers anymore. Thank goodness!

Still, I can’t quite believe that Rosee is five years old. It’s almost unbelievable that she’s been a part of our lives for so long, and yet it seems that the time has flown by so quickly at the same time. She’s grown so much over this past year especially, and while I still like to think of her as my puppy (mainly because she’s the youngest), she is most definitely an adult dog.

Rosee listens better, is more focused on her humans rather than getting distracted by outside influences, she’s learning not to be afraid of other dogs and can walk past them (as long as she has some space) without issue, and she doesn’t try to test her boundaries as much as she once did (meaning she doesn’t steal the TV remote anymore). Don’t get me wrong she is still full of spunk and spice, but she channels it into more appropriate behaviors. For instance, when anyone arrives home she grabs her bone to bring to them as they enter the door rather than jump on them in her excitement. Win!

Life really is never dull with Rosee in our lives and I know we wouldn’t have things any other way.

Happy 5^th Birthday Rosee!

Expectations, 4th Birthdays, and Halloween!

The other day as I was perusing my newsfeed I came across a story written about a pit bull named Meli. The author, Katie Crank, shared the four things she “wish[ed] I knew before loving-and losing-a pit bull.” When I first read the title of this story, I thought for sure I knew what was going to happen: a person who maybe didn’t know much about pit bulls or more or less believed in the negative stereotypes adopted one and suddenly their mind would be changed for the better about these dogs. Yet, when I actually read this story I got so much more.

You see, Simon has been an easier dog to have, and it’s mainly because we’ve had him since he was a puppy. That’s not to say that adopting an older dog is a bad thing, it’s just easy with Simon because we know all of his issues. Adopting him so young allowed us to do our best to socialize him, put him in training right away, and just get him used to things from an early age. With Rosee, things have been a real learning process. We had to learn what makes her tick, if you will. I’m not going to lie either, Rosee has had her issues. She’s not very trusting of strangers, can be reactive to certain types of other dogs, and likes her personal space.

As I was reading about Crank and her time with Meli I honestly felt as if someone was finally articulating everything I’ve learned with and about Rosee, but have never really said out loud. For instance, as Crank explains there are so many things we, as human owners, believe that our dogs need to be able to do. They need to behave and walk nicely on a leash, be able to get along with other dogs, and general be social beings, just to name a few. However, our expectations of dogs aren’t always right for them. Some dogs aren’t necessarily very social, and that’s okay. As Crank writes, “it is absolutely ok for her [Meli] to say no.” (when it comes to not wanting to meet some dongs she may pass by) Dogs each have their own personalities, and much like humans not all are social creatures. Really, why should I expect my dog to be the most outgoing animal on the planet, when I myself am not always in the mood to interact with others? The point being that our dogs (pit bull or not, large or small, furry or bald) all have something they can teach us as long as we’re willing to pay attention.

Rosee may not be the “perfect” dog, but she is a loving dog who has taught me the fine art of cuddling, she often reminds me to let my voice be heard (even if I have to bark), to not worry so much about what other people think, and to be confident in everything I do. My family may have been the ones that adopted Rosee, but I know that she owns us. So much of what Crank wrote really struck a chord with me, and it was not just because it was about pit bulls. Rosee came into my family’s life at a time when we weren’t really even looking for another dog. Honestly, Simon was more than enough, and yet she gave us everything we didn’t know we needed. It feels like we’ve had Rosee forever. I can’t imagine a time when we didn’t have her. I mean, seriously, what did I do with myself in the days pre-Rosee?

Especially, this past year with a broken toe and a subsequent 8 weeks in a leg cast, an extreme case of hives, and everything in between, it’s amazing learning exactly how resilient Rosee and the rest of us truly are.

So, Happy 4^th Birthday Rosee and here’s to many more years of doggie escapades!

And to everyone else, all of us here at Play Hard, Bark Often wish you a frightfully fun (and safe) Halloween!

A Little Late, But Still Grrreat

It happened. This past February 14th, Valentine’s Day for those who are more inclined to red, pink, and all things heart-shaped, my majestic, powerful, sweetly annoying, pushy, frustrating little boy Simon turned the big 4. Unbelievable! I mean just yesterday is seemed like he was being a little devil pulling on his leash, stealing food off of the counters–oh wait, that was yesterday. (At least it’s not as frequent as it used to be. I call that progress!)

So, let us take a look at how the birthday boy spent his big day (especially since he had to share it, ugh.)

The playful pup was happily gifted with a giant birthday treat and a giant tennis ball. The tennis ball is made by Kong (as it so subtly displays) and comes with quite a high-pitched squeaker inside that Simon thoroughly enjoys squeaking to death. The ball itself seems to hold up really well, it barely has a scratch on it even after four days of exhaustive play, the squeaker still sounding strong. Also, its bigger size makes it easier to take out of Simon’s mouth compared to regulation size ones, so that’s a plus for my beleaguered fingers.

As for the over-sized bone it is made of Simon-friendly ingredients, meaning no peanut butter. (Unfortunately, the stuff gives Simon and Rosee the worst hives so it’s best just to stay away from.) Instead this treat includes a much better flavor with applesauce. He very much enjoyed his birthday bone. Simon was even nice enough to share his goods with Rosee. He’s so benevolent is his old age!

Let’s hope that 5 proves to be just as fruitful (or should I say bone-ful?) as 4 has been.

Happy Birthday Simon!

I Put A Spell On You . . . And Now You’re Mine (Or We Are Hers)

**Warning** This post is seriously, hilariously, egregiously, ridiculously . . . late.

We here at Play Hard Bark Often love Halloween. It’s just such a fun holiday that never takes itself too seriously and encourages a multitude of decorations to litter front yards. Similar to the winter holidays, yet with more mischief and spooks hanging around. I personally find Halloween fun because it means carving pumpkins, breaking out the tombstones, and wearing all ten of the Disneyland Haunted Mansion-themed t-shirts I own without feeling like I’m pining for something. All in all it’s a great holiday filled with gooey baked goods, a miniature village with frightening sounds, and two pups trying to wrestle themselves out of strange costumes their silly humans keep trying to wrangle them into.

Halloween and the entire month of October has always been a greatly anticipated month, but about two years ago this holiday took on an entirely new meaning when we brought a new addition into our home and family.

You see, October 31st, the day dedicated to all things Halloween-related, in our house is also dedicated to all things Rosee-related as it is the day of this esteemed girl’s birth. That’s right. It’s Rosee’s birthday!

We’re definitely looking forward to moving out of the terrible twos.

It was two years and four months ago that my family walked into our local PetSmart while it was holding its weekly adoption event and saw Rosee being walked around the store with a cute little vest on that proclaimed “Adopt Me.” We were sold. Two weeks later and she was ours.

Her first day home.

She was about nine months old at the time and Simon was about a year and a half. It was love.

Now at three years old Rosee is a little ping pong ball, bouncing around the house, making a racquet, and generally getting spoiled. She enjoys long walks to our local parks, keeping the squeaky toys away from Simon, and taking up the whole couch for her naps.

This year I decided to go all out for the big 3, whipping up candy treats for humans and trying my hand at some sort of tasty pumpkin cake for the pups to enjoy. Now, let me start by saying as much as I love to bake and cook and try my hand at all things with clear, concise recipes I wanted to be a little more adventurous this time. So, I put on my big girl apron and tried creating a birthday cake for Rosee out of sensitive-stomach-dog-friendly ingredients. After making about five different versions of some kind of pumpkin cake (because it is Fall after all), and Simon and Rosee enthusiastically taste-testing all of them, I finally settled on a version. It turned out to be a little closer to pumpkin bread, but it tasted pretty good, looked even better, and was eagerly gobbled down by the birthday girl and her partner-in-crime.

It was a fun evening and even though I’m pretty sure the pups have absolutely no idea why they were happily given new treats to eat, they enjoyed it all. However, getting so much attention does tend to tire a girl out pretty quickly.

The only problem: I have no idea what to do for Simon’s birthday in February!