Happy New Year, upgrades and more

I have just switched all my blogs over to google+ so please be patient as I try to figure this all about. I am also happy to report that by request I have start)ed another new blog. (I know 3, I think I am crazy) You will be able to find all of my australia adventures leading up to and during my trip at just-journey.blogspot.com.

I will also in June be taking a year long break from writing this blog as well as Blair's blog. I will be coming back to this blog afterwards however the future of Blair's blog has yet to be decided.

I hope that you all have a great new years eve and I will be back soon with my annual resolution list!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

WE WISH A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY FOR ALL OUR FRIENDS!

It is almost December but whatever

HALLOWEEN PICTURES!

A Head Start

Yes yes, I have done it, I have started on the christmas cookie baking for this year. I did some gingerbread snowflakes and butter almond cookies decorated with icing of course.

I even started on the holiday shopping too, I'm am not sure what the dogs have on their list this year yet though!

Snuggles

Snuggles between a boy and his cat

* It seems my manly cat and brother secretly share snuggles at bedtime. 

Some much needed time...

Thank you all for being so patient while I took some much needed time away from blogging. I haven't truly been away since I have been reading all your posts, it was nice to be here without really being here.

School has been crazy but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel..at least I think I can. I am finishing up my last two classes and am trying to have my work hours count towards my last placement. If all goes to plan I should graduate in December and become an official Early Childhood Educator.

I have recently accepted a job in the daycare centre that I supply with in the preschool classroom. I am on contract until December 31st as an enhanced support. I am finding it somewhat stressful but do enjoy it most days. I think that by taking the job I am finding more about what types of work I enjoy and what I do not. I am also still part-time at Petsmart which is generally still fun but takes up a lot of my free time. The pay cheques make it all worth it in the end.

AUSTRALIA IS STILL ON! I am not going until June but will hopefully end up in Sydney. I am very excited and am currently just working on my passport papers to renew my passport. I will be applying for my working holiday visa as soon as my passport comes back. I have found a great family and fingers crossed everything works out with them!

The pets have been good, we actually just went to the vet on Saturday. My Koda is getting old as he has the beginning of cataracts, and he is still overweight. Maybe someone can suggest a good diet food? He is already only getting 2 cups of weight maintenance a day but he doesn't get much exercise. Sophie is doing good she is a healthy 4.8 pounds!  She did really well getting her shots considering she doesn't have much to stick into. Blair and Jack get their turn on Nov 3rd since I didn't have a helper with me. 

Sorry for the super long post but hope to be posting more often now!

New Fishes

All the way back in February, petsmart had a big sale on fish. I was drawn in to two little male bettas which I then named One Fish and Two Fish. They lived happily together until March when another sale happened and I bought a little red male betta for my sister. And then we had 3 male bettas, all living happily in their jars.

I didn't expect this to grow anymore.....until this weekend, when I went to work and came home with 3 more fish. Yes that puts my fish count up to 6, and they are all separated except for 2. I came home with another beta, this time a female who has been named pretty girl, along with 2 little goldfish who have not been named yet.

I think I have begun a fish adventure to start off my summer!

Bed

Occasionally I make the dogs leave my bed...come on they both have awesome beds to sleep on. We don't all have to be curled in up a corner on mine. Usually its when I get too squishy with them and I say off, go to your bed. 

Sophie thinks I mean, pick anything that could possibly be a bed as long as it isn't mine. 

Yep the laundry basket is where she choose to spend the night.

HAPPY CANADA DAY

I am in Ottawa celebrating and wanted to wish you all a 

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

OSPCA Walk-a-thon

I though you might like an update with pictures too!

The dogs, my sister and I all went to the OSPCA walk-a-thon, it was a great way to learn about helping those less fortunate. Even the dogs got in on the act, Koda gallantly allowed a shelter pup to sniff him all over even when he was being rude, Sophie got in on the act by looking at everyone. We walked 3km and by the end of the walk, both dogs were dragging their heels. 

We had a blast and look forward to more summer events,

Living Life

There comes a time I think when we need to focus on living life, not being attached to a computer screen. I have been trying more to focus on that hence the lack of posts. I have been working, hanging out with friends, going to the gym, spending time with family, spending time with my pets and yes silently reading your blogs. I think that this summer living life is going to be my goal.

For the record, this is what I have been up to in more depth.

- Koda, Sophie, my sister and I went to the dog park, hung out with some owners cause they wouldn't socialize with the dogs.

- Sophie went to the groomers and had her hair all cut off, she looks like a rat now.

- I went to my sister's last dance recital, hopefully she will find a place to dance at university.

- I started summer classes, one class and one placement.

- I met a wonderful au pair family whom I would love to go live with but sadly for me the au pair coming for them in June plans on staying a whole year.

- I am still looking for another great au pair family.

- I have been working lots at petsmart.

- I have been watching old movies.

- I celebrated a jack and jill (pre-wedding fundraiser dance) for my friends.

- I have been visiting university friends....lots, I think they might be getting sick of me soon lol.

- I have called the university to inquire about going back after my trip abroad.

It has been a lot but I am actually enjoying being too busy to blog lots. I hope everyone else takes my advice to get out there and live life. Blogging is way more fun when you do so!

Bathing Koda

Bathing Koda is a huge process, the fact that he doesn't like baths makes it even harder.

Intruder Alert

Keeping watch for those pesky chipmunks and squirrels that think they can walk all over my yard!


ps. I have lazy-itis which is my explanation for no comments or posts, I have been reading though!

On Easter weekend I was able to attend the All About Pets Show in Toronto at the International Centre. Wow what a blast, I didn't ever want to leave and didn't see half of what I wanted to see. There were breeders, rescues, pet supplies, agility, dock diving, and more. I specifically wanted to meet the mini australian shepherd breeders and see their dogs. I had a wonderful time petting everything and anything including a parrot. My family actually started just walking away from me because I would pet everything for too long haha. Here are some pictures from the show;

Indy, OWW!

As you can tell from the post title, this post has to do with Indy and a whole lot of owwing from me.

Indy bit me. hard. on the thumb.

How did this happen? call it a rookie mistake. I like to pride myself on listening to dog body language and being an alpha owner but in this case it was all alpha but no body language.

I recently picked up with my Dad an antler for Indy to chew on. They are really healthy and great for big chewers. Indy loved it, great perk. Indy loved it a little too much however and was growling at people as they walked by. My sister ignored it, I didn't. I grabbed the scruff of his neck and said no, he dropped the bone but kept growling....here is my mistake...instead of talking to Indy and giving commands or smacking his bum.....I tried to grab his mouth to hold it, he snapped at me and bit my thumb.

My Dad did give Indy trouble by smacking him, and putting him outside until I was in a position to have the dog inside. (I fainted while trying to stop the blood flow) After coming inside Indy did not react negatively at all other than staying away from me for a little bit.

LESSON LEARNED, the hard way this time.

My mental note and advice for next time: Always use verbal commands like drop it, no, bad dog, etc. before touching the dog. I would even recommend putting the dog into a down stay away from the bone before picking it up and putting it away.

My thumb is still swollen a little bit but is otherwise healing. I am just glad that it wasn't more severe. I do believe that this was a case of me not reading his body language however the motive of giving him trouble for growling was correct. This is why all trainers and dog people will recommend hand feedings and taking things away from young puppies so that they do not have this issue.

Fantastic Friday

I hope that you are all having a fantastic friday especially since I am back to blogging! To be completely honest I have been sitting here for a few days trying to get back into writing. I have had a few good ideas and a few good starts but haven't really been into it. Weird.

I have told you many times that this blog will chronicle my life changes and back in January I attempted to become more of a professional blogger. Right now that isn't really feeling like me. Me at this point in time is about sharing my stories and talking about my pets. So we (the crew and I) are back hopefully until the next time that I am completely overloaded with school work time happens. I just keep thinking 2 more semesters and 5 more courses!

The dogs have been enjoying the sunshine and the swamp stench (thanks Koda) has overloaded my room again. Fleas are back....wonderful.....Sophie has already been bathed once for them. Indy is well Indy and has the makings for his own post. Jack is battling death threats over his late night meows inside and outside, and Blair is her usual self (her blog will be back up and running today too)

It's feeling good to be back!

Blogging Break

Hi all,

I know that I haven't been posting much but I am swamped with school work and a blogging break is needed. I have been reading but no time to do much else. I hope to be back soon!

Wordless Wednesday Leap Day

Worldly Adventures

I recently watched the movie The Way with Martin Sheen which is the story of a father who goes to collect his son who died on the Camino de Santiago, he then finishes his son's walk spreading his ashes along the walk. It was truly a touching story but it was the walk itself that interested me.

I seem to have lately acquired a lust for travel. The Camino de Santiago is a month long journey which I would love to do someday. I have continued my search to become an au pair. My top choices are still NZ or Australia. It is going to take a lot of effort for me to save up the money needed to go while still paying for school. It is really something that I feel like I need to do. I am beginning to feel a need to go out and explore the world.

Have any of you been on worldly adventures? Are their any that you would recommend?

Journey Tales Saturday Shares

Many of you who have followed my blog from the beginning know that I have a great love for my pets. In fact I have Facebook albums named "Love Me, Love My Pets", I certainly don't know what I would do if I fell in love with someone who was allergic or didn't like pets. Actually the latter would probably be a deal breaker. It appears that many other people who have pets feel the same way according to the globe and mail; http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-hot-button/love-her-love-her-pet-or-youre-in-the-doghouse/article2341121/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A+RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=Home&utm_content=2341121

What do you think? What would you do if a prospective partner didn't like your pets? How do you deal with it if your current partner doesn't like your pets?

Please, Please, Please

Please make today count as the first day in the rest of these lives

Please make your voice heard.

Please make a commitment to help those who can not help themselves.

Please make noise for those who can not speak for themselves.

And please make Bill 16 a reality today.

Here at Journey it will be appreciated.

*Photos are from the Bullies in Need website*