Wordless Wednesday: Too Bright!

Turn out the lights!

Wordless Wednesday: Orange or Orange Ball?

Snow Day(s)!

Snowy day in Sculpture Park, Seattle

We were expecting a little bit of snow this week, but little did everyone know that it would turn into snowed in for 3 days! I've been home since after work on Tuesday and while I'm fortunate to be able to work from home, I do have a serious case of cabin fever! Did I mention that I've been stuck in my apartment for 3 days?

Ellie's been super bored as well. Each morning while I'm working, she paces the apartment and will stop and sit and just stare at me.

We've made it out on a few afternoon walks though, and I think she enjoys it a lot!

Ellie is keeping warm with her layers!

Snowman in the park

More park snowmen

Ellie says "get all this snow off of me!"

Did I mention that I've had a lot of time on my hands? I was smart to buy lots of yarn before the big storm, just in case.

I made an infinity scarf and leg warmers!

Ellie likes it too!

Pawesome Prizes from PetSafe

We entered a giveaway from PetSafe over the holidays and won some awesome prizes! This giant box mysteriously showed up yesterday and I had no idea what it was until I saw that it was addressed to Stacy and Ellie. Our prizes are here!

The box was as big as Ellie! (and she did not like standing there for this photo)

We got a heated pet bed! Looks a little small?

Also a couple of toys and treats and a filtering fountain!

Ellie's favorite was the squeaky toy which she took before I could get it out of the packaging!

It was quickly chewed to bits. Though somehow, the squeaker is still intact.

There were these special contraptions that dogs can lick for days and days because yummy bacon flavored liquid keeps coming out!

Well, maybe Ellie can fit in that bed. :)

Thank you so much PetSafe for the incredible gifts!
If you've never been to PetSafe's website, I encourage you to check them out because they have some awesome and innovative pet products - lots of necessity type of stuff, not just frilly toys and treats!

Dog Park Weekend

This weekend started off great because Chris and I did some apartment hunting! We expect to move in about a month and we are both really looking forward to it. :)

Ellie has been experiencing increasing separation anxiety lately and it is unfortunately accompanied by destructive behavior. So we have been stepping up our training to start working on manners.

She now has to wear a leash and walk right by my side everywhere we go, rather than being able to sprint down the hall unleashed when it's time for potty trips. She also has to sit and wait to go through doors, get on the elevator, etc. I'm hoping that tightening the reins will be a good first step towards teaching her that she doesn't run the show and always get her way!

The next step is desensitizing her to cues such as grabbing keys, zipping up a jacket or sweater, turning off the TV; all of which cause her to instantly shake like a leaf!

On the bright side, we made it back to the dog park this weekend! We haven't been there in a long time! My mom and step dad met us there with their three dogs (two Rat Terriers and one Beagle-Doxie mix). There were lots of dogs there and the weather was nice!

Panting from so much running!

Taking off to chase black dog. My mom's ratties Jackson and Dexter on the bottom.

Running back to mom after chasing black dog

First Beach Day of 2012

We had a very nice, relaxing long weekend compared to last weekend. With no real plans, we just did what we wanted! On Friday and Saturday, I walked to Pike Place Market and downtown to go shopping.

I also made some cupcakes to celebrate the new year. Chris, Ellie and I went outside to watch the fireworks shot off the Space Needle.

On New Year's day, we took a walk to the park which has a small beach. Ellie played tugs with sticks.

We are ready to take on 2012!

We had a merry, poopy Christmas

Ellie got Chuck-it balls in her stocking, she LOVES these!

Finally back to the digital world after a few days off, and I must say, it was very nice not checking e-mails, tweets, facebook, etc. for a little bit!

Since we were going to be gone from the house from 8am until 10:30pm, Ellie got to tote along for all of the Christmas festivities.

1. First stop was my mom's where Ellie was bullied by a Rat Terrier half her size for most of the morning. He is very territorial and not a fan of new friends so he followed her around all morning, growling, while Ellie was just trying to avoid him and find a place that she could hang out without getting bullied.
The back yard was usually the best bet. Of course, while I was going out to pick up after Ellie, I stepped in one of the other dog's poop!


2. Next stop was Chris's parents where Ellie got to play with her good friend Fonzie, the 100 pound Golden Retriever. We put them in the back yard most of the afternoon while everyone else was opening presents.
When I finally let Ellie back inside, I noticed that the sides of her neck were crusty. I assumed that it was drool from playing with Fonzie until someone asked if it was poop. A quick sniff of my hands confirmed and Ellie had to get a bath!


3. Last stop was my dad's. Luckily, we avoided any more poop here but had a fun time with the whole family: me and my two sisters, and five step sisters - that's 8 girls all together which only happens at Christmas time!

We had a very long day but it was full of family and fun. Ellie's favorite part? Balls of course!