:: so long, my sweet girl ::

When you live in a household filled with pets, you have to accept the fact that you're going to have to say goodbye far sooner than you would like. 15 years with our wonderful girl…while I can't remember NOT having her with us, it still feels like just a moment. For those of you who are not animal people, I'm sure it's hard to understand the deep attachment we form…I mean, it's JUST a dog, or a cat, or whatever. The fact is, they are so much more than that. Animals love us in the purest way possible. There are no judgements, they do not hold a grudge (well, maybe cats…but they get over it eventually), and they are overjoyed to see you every single time you come home, without fail. They do not know nor do they care about the color of your skin or the size of your jeans. They simply know love. Their hearts are just not capable of anything less. They leave a paw-size hole in our hearts when it is time for them to pass on but they also leave us with the feeling that we were loved completely and they, in turn, know that we loved them. It's impossibly hard, but also so wonderful to feel as though you gave a living being the best life you possibly could. Yes, we have 2 other dogs, 2 cats and what seems to be the longest living bunny on the planet (10)…but that doesn't take away from our heartbreak over Caylee. Just like people, they have individual personalities and touch our lives in different ways. It is never easy, whether you have one or many. It was definitely Caylee's time to go and I feel so fortunate to have been able to help ease her suffering. My son and I were with her as she passed and there was a sense of peace that filled the room. It was 100% the right thing to do and 100% one of the hardest things I'll ever have to do.

Rest peacefully, sweet girl.

Caylee

1999-2015

:: f-f-f-f-freeeeeeezing ::

I love winter, I love winter, I love winter…I have to keep reminding myself!! I'm actually somewhat jealous of the snow in New England…so beautiful (I know my friends in Massachusetts are not agreeing with me on this point). Our winter here in Maryland has been brown and COLD. Seriously, it's supposed to get down to -5 tonight…that's right, -5…the ambient temperature, not even the windchill. I grew up in upstate New York, I lived near Cleveland, Ohio and Fairbanks, ALASKA for crying out loud! I have proven my winter toughness, but this girl is getting old and apparently a bit more sensitive to the cold. On the flip side, I hate being hot. I'm pretty much doomed. 

So since we got our season high 4" of snow the other day, I decided to get my camera out of hibernation…my models were two of my dogs. They both had fun, but the puppy LOVES the snow. She has the best time and is so much fun to watch. Until, of course, it's time to go inside and she is not on board. Frustrating! I'm an excellent dog trainer. Excellent!

this may be directed at me…

she's sexy and she knows it

"now where did I put that…"

"do I have something on my face?"

for those of you ERMAHGERD fans… {ermahgerd…sner}…say it out loud while looking at that face, you'll understand

she looks like an angry elf

still looking...

"I'm flying!!!"

f~f~f~f~frigid....

...really. Not even kidding. The beautiful Miss {S} knew for months that she wanted to have her "fun" pictures done in the snow. Finally, January 12th, we got enough to actually cover the grass. As cold as it was (30 degrees with 25mph wind gusts!), I was really excited to do something out of the ordinary. I have to say...the snow and the beauty did not disappoint. Thank you Miss {S} for being such a good sport and for finding such great spots!

...I am in love with everything about this picture...

...meet Bear...her new puppy...

...beautiful...

...this picture makes me cold...