Happy Halloween!

This would be Clover yearning for some yummy caramel corn we all enjoyed before heading out for some ghoulish fun!

This is the resident witch! 

Week 37 & 38

Evidently turkey dinners have the same effect on dogs 

We had a cosy Thanksgiving. There wasn't a large gathering, we like it that way.  The neighbourhood was peaceful.  The weather even reached a record 24+ degrees!  It was a nice shift from the rain to have a few days outside and the extra long weekend to tackle some large house projects.  Once the visitors had left and the chores were done even Clover was treated to a little turkey of her own.  Needless to say we all managed to sneak in a random snooze.

The rain returned midweek-and so did the mud.  I thought the spring was bad, but wow, Fall brought far worse than I imagined. The yard is hideous.  I'll walk outside some days thinking "who the hell tore up my yard with a back hoe?".  She's bigger now, and that means so are the excavation holes.  This time around I haven't witnessed any worm consumption (personally).  I still wouldn't put that past her. Honestly I'm shocked at the things she's quite willing to unabatedly eat.  Sometime soon I hope to get a picture of the blackened muzzle that comes to greet me at the back door.  Yep, it will be an expensive sod bill in a few months. 

The squirrels are working away at foraging for the upcoming winter and the birds are just as busy stealing corn from the stalks that adorn our house.  This puts Clover on high alert searching for potential land invaders that may give way to a fearsome chase around the yard.  After observing the "game" I'm of the opinion those cute furry-feathered creatures enjoy a good puppy taunt and thankfully we've not experienced a casualty... yet.  

What's this?

As it turns out yogurt snacks can create a whole lot of drama! Crazy dog batting across the floor, leaping and lunging at this tiny foreign object. It was a spectacular display of acrobatics.  It was much like watching a kitten in a Vizzy body! Eventually she decided it was good enough to eat.

Week 36

WELCOME AUTUMN

I love Fall.  September and October are simply the best months of the year.  It means 'Harvest' festivals, midway fairs and the whimsical magic of Halloween.  It also represents a time of renewal.  Preparations are begun for the next cold Canadian winter. Children return to school. We celebrate our son's birthday and recall the events that began a very personal journey (the year I miraculously survived postpartum IGAS-STSS.). It is a time of giving thanks and feeling blessed. 

We're sporting a new fall coat!

William enjoyed his back to school shopping (Ok, maybe mom loved it more).  Clover was going to need a few things too this season.  I was fairly certain our pup had out grown those first knit sweaters and she surely wouldn't make it through the snow without some warm layers.  I found this fleece lined jacket that will be paired with a chest blanket patterned after her houndstooth collar. 

Clover is head over heals for straw

Hanging out on the front porch

Sometimes you just have to stop and smell the chrysanthemums

Eight Months (Weeks 33, 34, 35)

Our  daily schedules have changed these first weeks back to school and everyone is exhausted by it all. The family room is the crash landing zone. Clover always seems to crawl into the craziest spaces refusing to be left out of any snuggle activity.

Fall Fun

Time to prepare for the cold winter months.  The pool was dismantled and the decayed grass became a muddy field.  The annual flowerpots were emptied and it was a puppy free for all.  I didn't have the heart to interrupt such grande V adventures, so I stood giggling at the kitchen door with a mop, a towel and camera in hand.

Who put rabbits in my kennel?

We recently celebrated our son's 6th birthday.  It was a farm theme of course! Clover was quite captivated by the bunnies on loan to us.   She was also extremely puzzled as to why they would take up residence in HER outdoor run.  I did my best to convince her that avian species were far more interesting than these lagomorphs.  I'm not sure that worked.

Cattail "snow"

I briefly caught on my peripheral vision what appeared to be snow in September.  As it turned out, Clover had just discovered what becomes of a shredded cattail.

Caught redhanded with a mouthful of downy fluff and loving every second

EIGHT MONTHS 47 lbs 25" Wither

Week 32

The summer months are quickly fading into Fall splendour.  I noticed travelling North over the weekend that the Sumac trees are turning red and some distant Maples are showing a hint of orange.  I look forward to photographing our beautiful Clover in the midst of these glowing leaves.

Once again the housing hunt resumes.  Our suburban neighbourhood is lovely but it's not our ideal residence... Still searching for a larger property after years of coming up empty.  Still determined to keep the dream of country living alive.  I'm lured by wide open spaces; dogs love 'em and so do little boys! With Clover joining the family, it  gives us additional purpose as our hearts are now filled with Vizzy love.

She certainly gets some good running exercise on the trails of local conservation parkland, and in the lush green soccer fields. Juggling a busy family and having an active dog has had it's interesting obstacles but we are carving out a flexible routine that keeps everyone in balance.  I can often be heard saying that there are few breeds I'd be this happy to live with, because finding the right "fit" mattered so much to me.  I'm daily thankful for bringing a pointer along the way. Frankly, every now and again she's the kick in the rear to get out for family adventure without excuse and the unrelenting comfort we all needed.

Dog days of summer are over but still enjoying a Zuke's bone...on the chaise of course!

One night, I was up after midnight organizing for the new school year when the doorbell sounded. followed by a frantic double bang on the front door. Clover, asleep in the next room was immediately startled by all the commotion.   She ran howling and barking at whomever dared to disturb the quiet slumber of our home.  As it turns out - no one stuck around, so whether we were the subject of a random prank or otherwise part of a more sinister plan,  I feel confident going to bed knowing the "alarm system" works.

Maximum comfort