Lexi's Pet Portrait by JP

My boyfriend JP, who is an amazing artist

painted Lexi as a gift for my birthday

It is a 30x40 oil painting, and the background
is based on a wildflower field in Vermont that we visited

This was the work in progress stage

JP is thinking about painting other people's pets
for extra cash to sustain his other personal projects.

He loves photographing the city with a 4x5 camera,
and also enjoys filming, sketching, and sculpture.

I joke to him that he does MMA;
mixed-media artist, not the mixed martial arts~

He possesses classical, academic technique along with
incredible, visually stunning concepts in his other mediums.
He is the most talented artist I know that is alive today : )

Thank you so much JP!

Old photos & memories

(2008) 

 (2009)

*Holiday Gifts*

This XL, multiple dog bed with memory foam from Orvis,
(Carly is hiding the personalization "Wilson & Co.")
was their very pricey ($319) but worth it gift from me : )

Yes, the dogs are wearing stuff on their heads again...

I'm worried they might call animal cruelty on me, but really

this time it was my mom sending me 4 identical hats from Korea

to put on the dogs for Xmas photos...
They do look adorable though : )
Happy Holidays Bloggers!

Orvis Dog Bed Review

 As I mentioned before, this therapeutic memory foam bed from Orvis was a gift for my 3 rescues

 

 The XL size is indeed very large, & the bed is well made, sturdy, & very comfy.

 I knew all 4 dogs wouldn't fit, but as you can see they do try!

 I would love to buy them another one ...

but it's pricey, so they're gonna have to squeeze in for now~

(above image is a screenshot from the Orvis website)

Dogs rate it: 5 Stars for super comfy foam, bolster

(Wilson says,"It even has my name on it!")

Mom rates it: 4.5 Stars for superior quality, but it loses half a star for still being too pricey

Just chillin' around (with no hats!)

My older sister, Sonia (who has a fashion label, Bensoni)
let the dogs in her room despite all their flying fur

and they really loved rolling around on her beautiful rug~

Lexi enjoyed the Egyptian cotton~


and Wilson was certainly having a good time!

The Three "Muttsketeers" 2nd Birthday!

Happy Birthday my beautiful mutts!

They seem to be saying,
"Is this party really worth the ridiculous headwear?"

I just can't resist the photos, sorry my darlings~

Their 3 layer ground beefcake decorated with:
Chicken rice balls, T-Bonz, Cesar treats, Easy Cheese

Cesar wet food cut outs, cooked liver,
Evo biscuits, Cadet chicken chips

some outrageously junky
"Snausages Bacon n' eggs" treats by Del Monte foods

Cadet biscuits & "Snausages in a blanket"
(cute, but also super junky)

Some party balloons and toys~

Hope the cake & junk treats made up for the headwear : )
Happy Birthday babies!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Winter Fun '09

Recommended Reading About Dogs

http://flyingdogpress.com/

http://www.patriciamcconnell.com/

http://www.janfennellthedoglistener.com/about.htm

All of these books have helped me and our dogs to live happier lives, better understanding, and leaving behind sad and damaging trails of "alpha" dog training.

Remember to use your own knowledge about your dog to filter what you need and what you don't need from training manuals.

Question why you need a specific training, does the reason make sense? Will it make sense to an animal? How will the training help the dog understand?

Dogs don't understand the human language, and most human reasons will not make sense to your dog. Find the balance of co-existing while compromising beliefs, and help your dog understand what you want through close observations of your dog's behavior. You need to observe and listen your dog to figure out a way to communicate with each other.

Tone of voice, pitch, body language, where you are looking, your body weight distribution, posture, facial expressions are all ways to communicate with your dog. Language, is one of the least effective ways of communicating with a dog.

Don't think of it as training. Your dog has the right to exist in this world as a free animal. Think of it as teaching. Teach your dog how to co-exist peacefully with you in your home. Teach your dog how to communicate with you. "Listen" to your dog by observing every detail: ear movements, eye movements, tail, posture, facial expression, they are all clues to how your dog is feeling, what it is thinking. Use this information to understand your dog.

There is no one perfect training method, because all dogs are individuals with different needs.

We utilize bits and pieces of several trainers, and behaviorists to fit our specific needs.

Our dogs aren't perfect, but we don't expect them to be. Remember, dogs are animals first before they are pets.

Through time, consistency, and lots of fun we will help our dogs live happily and safely in our human society with better understanding and communication.

These books are bound to help your relationship with your dog(s) as they did for us.
Happy reading!

Hawk House

480 acres vacation rental link: http://www.vrbo.com/2731
More pictures and videos coming soon! (I have finals, very busy)