Christmas Card Outtakes

Yep, I'm one of those people who puts their dogs on the Christmas card.  I imagine that our friends and families would rather see three goofy dogs than two goofy 32-year olds.  It's pretty much impossible to get all three of our dogs to pose together (one of them doesn't like the other two...). 

With a little patience and a lot of dog food, we made it happen, though.  On the way to the final picture, though, we had a few interesting moments.  I hope they show up as funny in picture as they were in person~

I'll share the final shot with you once we mail our Christmas cards.  And, more on my Christmas decorations as soon as I get them finished!  Are yours up yet?



Pupcakes

Monday was this little nugget's 3rd birthday~

This is Zetta, one of out two English Labradors.  She's the newest of my brood, but not the youngest.  Zetta came to live with us when she was 1 1/2.  Her breeder shows labs and actually kept Zetta as the pick of her litter with intent to show and breed her.  {Yes, she walks really pretty like the dog show dogs you see on TV.}  Zetta's legs didn't grow to full breed standard length, though, and she has a crooked tooth, so life kept her from being a show dog.  Her breeder wanted to place her with a family, and that's when I found her.  She's been with us since February 2010.  She is absolutely the most loving of our dogs.  She is very much "my" dog.  She stays by my side almost constantly. 

I'm certain she did not like wearing the party hat for this picture!!  But she did like what came next...Pupcakes.

I found the following recipe for Pupcakes online.  I've made a few edits.  The dogs loved them; and the husband was sorely disappointed because by the smell of them baking in the oven, he thought he was getting a treat!

1 large shredded carrot

1 egg

1/2 tsp vanilla

2 tbsp peanut butter

2 tbsp honey

2 mashed ripe bananas

4 cups whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp ground nutmeg

1 tsp ground cinnamon

3 cups water

Use a hand mixer to mix together the shredded carrot, egg, vanilla peanut butter, honey and mashed banana.  Add part of the flour and all of the baking powder, nutmeg and cinnamon.  Slowly add in the water and remaining flour.  Spray a muffin pan with non-stick baking spray.  Fill each cup almost full; they don't rise too much.  Bake for 50 minutes at 350.  The full recipe makes at least 24 pupcakes.  It's optional to ice them with lowfat or fat free cream cheese. 

They aren't the most beautiful thing I've ever baked, but the dogs devoured them.

Is anyone else out there crazy enough to bake a special treat for their pups???

The Greyhound

Another dog often found in design is the greyhound.  The greyhound is an elegant, sleek animal with a long, rich history.  A tenor that many designers want to carry over to their spaces~

{above images via decorpad.com}

And, a post about greyhounds wouldn't be complete without adding a pic of Sherry and John's hound~

{image via younghouselove.com}

Friday Favorites

I'm new to being a blogger, but I've been reading blogs for a long time.  I wanted my blog to have a catchy but meaningful name.  In honor of this blog's namesake, Maizy, who is our two-year-old English labrador retriever, I want to share a few of my favorite pet related items.

First, though, meet Maizy.  Seen here in one of this year's Christmas card pictures~

And, a few of our must haves:

If you're not familiar with UpCountry, Inc., go check out their website.  I'll be here waiting on you to get back.  Ok-welcome back!  Isn't their stuff just adorable?  I've bought collars and "pet futons" from them for several years.  The company has a great backstory and produces great quality, chic products.  Check them out!  The collars below are a few of my favorite prints!

 {all images via upcountryinc.com}

The Furminator!  If you have a shedding dog, but don't have a Furminator, you are missing out.  Go. Get. One. Immediately.  It's a must have!  You can find them at Petco or PetsMart.

{image via www.furminator.com}

And, last but not least, good dog food!  We have three dogs ~two labs and a beagle~ and have tried lots of different foods.  For Bobbie the Beagle, a senior dog, I love Wellness Just for Seniors, a holistic dog food that boats real meat as its number one ingredient.  Like many beagles, Bobbie struggles with her weight and energy level.  Once we started her on Wellness, she was a changed woman.  She ran, skipped and hopped.  We didn't think she had it in her.  Wellness can also be found at Petco or PetsMart.

{images via http://www.wellnesspetfood.com}

Have a nice weekend!  I'll see you guys back next week.