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This is headed home from Boxerstock, a fun all day event for ALL dogs.  The kids are completely tuckered out.  There were rescue groups, pet vendors with goods such as treats, clothes and costumes, collars and leashes, blankets, insurance, yellow fall photos of your pup or you and your pup, and Christmas photos too.  There were live bands and agility courses mixed in with guest speakers such as Victoria Stilwell, who has a new TV show coming out on SKY TV.  She previously did It’s Me Or The Dog, where she helped one of our friends and his wife learn to handle his THREE Mastiffs.  Fletch, Bates and Polly managed to pose for fall photos and Christmas photos, and got to meet some sweet dogs along the way.  The smallest was a 4 pound brown Pomeranian-Chihuahua that was full grown that had traveled from Macon to be here.  The largest one was one so large that he lowered his head to set it on the table while the rest of him was sitting on the ground.  He was basically the same height of my first pony.  If you keep a basic calendar of things you like to do each year, mark your calendar for next October and bring your furry kids out to Boxerstock.  We stayed away previously thinking that it was for Boxers only.  Our vet had brochures on their counter for it and said no, it is for everyone.  Boxers were half of the dogs there, but dogs of all shapes and sizes and ages were enjoying the magnificent fall weather and this special event for dogs and their owners.

The kids go with us every chance we can take them.  I think Bates is sending a clear message that next time this suitcase goes somewhere, he’d better get an invite to come too!  Unfortunately the last two trips have been ones where he could not tag along.  Next up we will be getting our first round of family coming for the holidays so he will have to wait a while longer for a puppy road trip.

 

This curious mind checks out every square inch of the yard.  Today we went out with the kids after doing some yard work.  Bates decided to walk across all the bamboo pots instead of the ground or the sidewalk.  He has a routine where he goes to the very far corner of the yard to do his business, then across the yard to the opposite corner where he can almost see to the top of the street, then he comes back to hang out with his family.

Cali craves anything warm.  She follows the sunshine around the house, perching on her kitty condos or sitting just inside the windows.  When it’s even remotely chilly, she finds a blanket or lap.  For some reason, these blue blankets by Charter Club are universally loved by ALL of our kids.  I bought the first one for myself, then Klunkers took it over.  I bought a replacement, and by that time Cali had fallen in love with them. Macy’s sold out and even Amazon did too so I had to wait until the following fall to get two more–one for me and one for Libby.  The new kids have the same affection for them.  I’m not sure exactly why this one type of blanket from this brand is preferred over all other blankets, but do your kids a favor and pick one of these up this year.  They go on clearance after Christmas and your kids will spend every second on them until you pack them away in the spring.  I buy way too many blankets and throws so it says alot that 100% of the kids choose this one.

This has been a tough week and having this sweet soul in my corner has been immensely comforting.  This kid is such a caring heart and an it’ll-be-ok vibe.  There is a reason why all of his siblings treat him as their BFF.  He’s earned it.

Our kids let their feelings be known when we are packing for vacation. They definitely object.  Even though they get to stay home with a really great dog sitter that works at the vet’s office.  They are in very capable hands.  And did I mention they get to stay in their own environment, walking in their own yard, sleeping in their own beds, eating out of their own bowls, jumping on the same couches, playing with the same toys, you get the idea.  When we come home they stare at us for most of the first day, as if they cannot believe we are really home.  On that first day back home, if one of us steps out of the room, the kids will follow or watch intently as if they suspect we are headed to the airport again.  Lucky for them we are all home for the rest of the year.

This precious little face is Beethoven.  He could not be cuter if he tried!

Everyone’s afraid of the vacuum cleaner so they are hanging out together to let this pass.  Bates and Polly were in position, then Cali came up and took her seat, and Fletch came up last.  He watched the vacuum like you watch a tennis match– back and forth, back and forth.  He likes it the least of all of the kids.

 

This throwback is the baby photo of the athlete you’ve come to know as Libby.  We named her Libby because she was such a little bitty girl, coming to us at 2.4 pounds and 8 weeks old.  At the time she shook up the house as a little blur of energy running through the house when we had laid back Tippy and Bella.  Now we have Polly, who is part chihuahua and a tiny ball of energy zipping through our universe.  So many of the things she does brings Libby to mind.  We will always remember Libby and it is even easier to do so when Polly shares some of her quirks and behaviors.

Fletchy likes to lay where it is cool if he has a choice.  Depending on the time of day, the front porch will be a cool place for him.  From here he can watch all the neighbors go by and chase any brave squirrels or birds that get a little too close to him or just hang out with his siblings.