Thanksgiving? It's a Puppy Reunion! Dog Party!

It's all a blur. We got back from Chicago, Mom and Dad and PJ picked Annie and me up at the kennel, and then my birth sister Ellie and her human mom and dad (Kristen and Ryan) arrived for Thanksgiving.

I recognized my birth sister Ellie right away! 



Our family is very close. You recognize Annie (in front, because she's the Queen.) That's Ellie with the worried look. She's not really worried, she's got premature wrinkles. And that's me, always trying to get my nose into everything. You can always identify me by the white ring around my nose like my Mama Kelle's.

At first I thought I'd be in charge--I mean, after Annie. But when Ellie and I play, I'm always on the bottom. She's longer, and I'm stockier. I let her think she's winning when we rumble. (Shhhh.) Annie was happy to watch. I think I'm a bit hyper for her and playing with Ellie gave her a break.



Mom was happy when things were quiet for a minute, but we only look like we were sleeping. We were just gathering energy for the next round of puppy craziness. It pretty much happened all weekend. And it was a long weekend.

Annie was good about letting Ellie and I catch up. Ellie and I had a lot to talk about. She's surprised that I'm not shy and quiet and hiding anymore. I told her Mom says I've come out of my shell. Of course, Ellie said, "You don't have a shell. You're not a turtle. Or a crab." So, okay, I don't know what Mom means. Ellie hasn't changed a bit, in my opinion. Except we're both bigger.

Mom bought Ellie a smaller crate just like Annie and mine for Christmas and gave it to her for Thanksgiving. We're pretty sure she'll outgrow it, but you never know. Ellie hasn't warmed up to the whole crate idea yet. Annie and I love love love our crates. Great napping happens there even when Mom and Dad and PJ are home. Can you see there are three crates in a row? Awesome. With a great view of the big screen TV, too!

Ellie loves to give kisses. Annie wasn't so sure about the whole kissing thing.

 

Ellie has spots on her tongue!

She does not have monster eyes. She does have a great smile, like me!

See? I don't have spots on my tongue!



Ellie wanted kisses. I gave her kisses--and a few nips!

See? I really don't have spots on my tongue!

Well, I'm out of time and space. There are more pictures. You know my mom. I think she only took about a thousand. She's ridiculous.

On Saturday the family decorated the Christmas tree and Ellie and Annie and I just watched. So far I've only touched one ornament, and Mom said they aren't for me. I'll blog about the reunion some more tomorrow. I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving! Can't wait for Christmas!

Love ya!
Layla

What Kind of Dog Am I? The Mystery Continues.

Okay, so I am told I am an Australian Shepherd/Lab mix. I look like my Mama Kelle in most ways. I wonder if the mix thing is like a cake mix? (Mom would never feed me cake, but it sounds good.)

Daddy left Mama Kelle pregnant and alone. She gave birth to me and my six siblings under a picnic table at the West Greens Road ExxonMobil office in Houston. Smart move! Who doesn't love adorable puppies?
                                
My siblings and I all look different. All seven of us! In true mutt form, I am proud to say.

According to the books and websites, Australian Shepherds often give birth to seven puppies. But it seems that many Australian Shepherds have very short air. That's not true for Mama. I like to think she's a mutt too! She might have some yellow lab in her.

Mama Kelle

My sister Ellie and her mom (Kristen) and my mom (The Mom) and I have been wondering about Daddy. Mama Kelle's lips are sealed.

Ellie's vet suggested Daddy might be a Chow Chow. Hmmm. Had to look that one up. (Thanks, Mom!)

Chow chow... my legs do look Chow Chow. My face looks a little Chow Chow. Not squished however. (But it might explain Ellie's face!) My tail definitely resembles a Chow Chow's tail and NOT Mama Kelle's. My tail's got the curl! So the mystery continues...

Well, I'll be taking a blogging break until Tuesday or Wednesday. Annie and I have our appointments with our wonderful vet Dr. Gunn today, and then we're boarding. I don't know what boarding means, but Mom took my favorite comfy seat and put it in a big bag along with a bunch of ziplocked bags of Puppy Chow and a blanket. She put my name on everything. Methinks I'm going on a trip. Annie says wait and see. 

By the way, not too excited about the rabies shot today... but I guess it's good for me, huh? I trust Mom and Dr. Gunn.

Love ya!
Layla 
PS I tried to upload a video of me running around the backyard and it didn't work. Maybe next time. The learning curve is high on this blogging thing. :)

Annie's Turn: Layla's Growing Up!

   Layla has been here one month. She's taking over (she thinks.) Mom's still working with her on walking on a leash. Just think of all the stuff she's missing!

       We're taking a practice ride in the car today. Tomorrow both we have appointments with the vet--shots (ugh.) Mom is a little worried that two dogs in the car will be the biggest adventure yet.
      
We'll be boarding at Dr. Gunn's kennel too, and Layla hasn't boarded before. Bet she's a cry baby! No big deal for me. Those ladies Dr. Gunn hired (xoxo) just love me, love me, love me. They make such a big fuss when I'm there. They probably won't love Layla as much. Just saying...

      
     Hey, I know Layla's tail is longer than mine--it always has been--but she's not really bigger than me, is she? Last time I was at the vet, I was 12.8 pounds. Last time Layla was at the vet she was 8 pounds. I think weight is the most important thing. Just saying...

    

 

         

     

    

     Well, I'll be blogging again on Thanksgiving--because it falls on one of my Thursdays.  Layla's birth sister Ellie will be here. I'm expecting a little excitement (and maybe a taste of turkey???!)

Mom is shaking her head no, but we know who the softie is, right?

Have a woof-f-ful day!

Love, Annie, who is a year older even if she isn't too much bigger

                                                                              

Matchy-Matchy

Hey, there! I can't blog without Mom, and she wouldn't sit down long enough this weekend to help me until now. Things are awfully busy around here. Forgive me for skipping a couple of days. Sooooo not my fault.

And would you check out my harness? This sure is not my idea of a fashion statement. Even though it's just like Annie's, it doesn't mean I want one like I want her food and toys. And, no, it would not help if it was pink.

 

I can put up with being matchy-matchy with Annie--to a point. Quite simply, we do not share a passion for leashes. Annie won't "go" without hers, and I'll go no matter what, but I don't like the front yard and the leash means we're headed to the front yard. I wiggle a lot so Mom can't get a picture of me walking down the driveway on my leash--or racing all the back to the house.

 Matchy-matchy! Next week I'll have my rabies tag too. 

Look at this! I'm bigger than Annie now! Not heavier, but definitely bigger! Wait just a minute--Mom got a picture of me with a leash attached after all? How did that happen?

Geez...

Annie, I'm holding you accountable. You had no right to tell Mom she could take my picture when I'm wearing a leash. If you're not careful, I'll tell everyone how you ran out of the gate again today and into the street. Oops. Sorry. My bad. I guess I just did. Good thing I'm a shepherding dog. Looks like you need one! 

Well, something good's cooking in the kitchen. One of these days I'll be in just the right place at the right time and catch a bite of something better than Puppy Chow. Guess I better sign off so Mom doesn't burn supper. (And yes, that is a Christmas blanket on the couch. Mom says it's a test run.)

Behave yourselves! I heard Santa Paws is watching.

Love ya!

Layla

Words of Wisdom from Annie, the World Explorer

Annie, The World Explorer (right)

Layla, The Sly Dog/Perfect Puppy/Total Suck-Up (left)

Hey, kids! Annie, here! It's Thursday and my turn to blog. Today I've got a helpful hint: Do not sneak out under the gate while Mom's standing in the yard. I guess I had to give it a try, right?

It probably didn't help when I didn't obey the commands "Come," "Sit" or "Home." Heck, I pretended I didn't hear Mom shouting my name.

I'm awfully surprised she didn't capture the whole thing with her trusty camera. But then, she probably didn't have it handy. She was just stepping out of the shower when Layla and I told her we urgently needed to go outside and do our business.

Maybe my helpful hint should be: Do not sneak out under the gate and run across the street and down the block when Mom is wearing only her bathrobe. 

I won't do it again. Schnauzer promise.

xoxo,
Annie 

Grandmarazzi in Austin!

 Hi, everybody! I'm Ellie, and that's my mama Kristen. We live in Austin. I'm Layla's sister, and you can see, we don't look a lot alike. In fact, I'm not sure we look anything alike. We think she's the runt of our litter. I'm a middle child, but I'm not sure if I'm older middle or younger middle since there were seven of us. Our big brother Rocky is probably the oldest and a giant by now. He was my size a month ago.

Grandma came to visit this weekend and she sure does take a lot of pictures. Snap! Snap! Snap!

I told her I don't  hold still for pictures. But she didn't listen and tried to take one anyway.

Yeah, that blur is me! Cool!

Then, when Grandma told me that Layla asked her to ask me if I'd guest blog this week, I realized a good blog post needs some seriously good pictures.

I figure you'd like to see how big and strong I am for my age. Grandma says my legs are lots longer than Layla's and my paws are lots bigger too.

So I decided I should pose after all. And aren't I gorgeous if I do say so myself? Sorry about the blurry tail. I just can't hold my tail still. It's a real wagger.

BTW, I love love love sitting on the bed. While Mama was in the shower, Grandma said it was okay just this one time--for a photo or twenty. Good thing Dad wasn't around, huh?

I think this is Grandma's best shot ever. Layla and Annie would probably disagree. After a little practice, I got pretty good at the posing for pictures thing. Just call me "Diva."

Well, I'll see you at Thanksgiving time when we go over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house--and I get to blog again. Yeah! Road trip! Can't wait to see Layla and Annie!

Waggingly yours,

Ellie 

All Is Well with the World!

All is well with the world. Dad survived our pranks while Mom was gone. Mom's home from Austin now and going through all the shower pictures. But I don't understand. Does she really take pictures in the shower? And, hey, is my sister Jenny a mouse? She took a lot of pictures of my furry sister Ellie, too. I can't wait to see her again and meet Jenny and my other human sisters Kristen and Melissa at Thanksgiving. I wonder if they all have big sequin covered ears. 

Won't Jenny be a beautiful bride? Mom says I won't be at the wedding, but I'm thinking about a road trip. Just Annie and me. If only I wasn't still afraid of life beyond the backyard... 

Tomorrow my furry sister Ellie will be guest blogging from Austin. Stay tuned!

Love ya!
Layla

A Thursday Tail by Annie

       Yep, that's me yesterday, laughing about getting a hair cut. I didn't tell Layla a little "away from you time" might be a good thing for both of us. I don't know where she gets her energy. She was so quiet and calm when she first got here. Now she's wearing me out! Luckily she's a great sleeper and we've getting about seven and a half hours of shut-eye without interruption since Day Eight.

Today Mom was wrapping presents and packing her suitcase for Austin. Wouldn't you know Layla thought the cardboard roller from the wrapping paper was a present for her? Layla, Layla, Layla...

Hey, is it my imagination or am I shrinking? I know Shelley trimmed me real good yesterday, but she didn't take any length off my legs and body...

Well, have a great Thursday! Mom's gone until Sunday night, so Layla's cooking up trouble for Dad. I'm keeping my nose clean. All I have to do is sit back and watch. Unless that silly puppy decides to push me around.

Can't wait to see what Mom thinks about Ellie. You don't know about Ellie? Ellie is Layla's birth sister. Her mom is my human sister Kristen who lives in Austin. (Our family tree is soooo complicated.) Anyhow, I sure hope Ellie is used to a flash going off in her face. Layla and I are getting used to it. We might even like the long weekend break from Mom and her camera. But don't tell her that. It would seriously break her heart.  

Happy everything! And lots of Milkbone Biscuits!

Hugs,

Annie, The Original Adopted Rescued Bowden Dog, weighing in at a trim and steady thirteen pounds (as compared to Adopted Rescued Monster Puppy Layla who weighed in at 8.2 on Monday in case she forgot to tell you)

Yesterday/Too Busy to Blog

Yesterday was a pretty busy day for Mom. While she was doing laundry and fighting with the dryer (it didn't want to dry) and cleaning the house and  getting ready for my human sister Jenny's wedding shower in Austin on Saturday, Annie and I rearranged the media room.

Annie and I aren't invited to the shower. :( Annie says she was invited until I came along. It's all my fault she doesn't get to go. But you know what? If she went without me, she'd really really miss me. She'd be lonely. Miserable. She wouldn't get any exercise. We're inseparable. Well, most of the time. I think I drive Annie a little bit crazy sometimes.

Mom thinks we should stay home because my birth-sister Ellie will keep my human sister Kristen, the host of the shower on her toes. I think with my dog-happy human sister Melissa around, there is no such thing as too many dogs. Mom says we'll find out at Thanksgiving. Ellie's coming for Thanksgiving!

I won't be blogging by myself while Mom is in Austin. When she says "no," she doesn't mean "maybe."

Hope you had a great Tuesday! Missed ya!
Love ya!
Layla

Day 15 and 16: Happy Times, But I Am Not a Pumpkin!

Yesterday was Halloween. I.Am.Not.a.Pumpkin.

Today was my two week appointment with Dr. Gunn. I am eleven weeks old and 8 pounds 2 ounces. I just love those people at the vet center. Mom says next time we go, three weeks from now, Annie gets to come with us. It'll be time for her next appointment. I think Sam, Lisa, Melissa and Dr. Gunn are all in for a really big treat. I hope they're ready!

See you tomorrow!
Love ya!
Layla