Long, Long Winter

This has been the longest winter I can remember since my childhood.  It has been snowing all day once again and here it is March 20th, the first day of Spring.  Not even the forsythias, which usually bloom the weekend of the Big 12 basketball tournament, have made an appearance.

The Norfolk terrier puppy, Kauffman, went out first thing and promptly started to dig under the new snow into the freshly laid dirt that was brought in this week to finish off the landscape grading after last year's remodel.

I'm letting him out on a lead now, so all he can do is sit at the door and wistfully remember the early morning hours of digging - for the resident mole I assume.




















"Fenway the Elder", a  Border terrier, wants none of the snow and would prefer to snuggle in his. bed.

"Hanny Bannany", our little girl Border terrier, is in between, not minding the snow, particularly with her jeans jacket to stay warm but liking the snuggling she can get inside on my lap.  She is doing pretty well, considering she has bladder cancer.  We're hoping all the home-cooked meals and flax seed diet are helping.  It's been two months since her tumor was discovered.  To keep her hydrated, we give her and the other dogs yogurt and crushed ice smoothies, with blueberries mixed in.




























Please, Mother Nature, I'm begging you - warm up so I can use the new porch that I can only look at from the warmth of the new sunroom.

March Madness

My absolute favorite sports time of the year - basketball mania for three weeks.  I just watched University of Northern Iowa beat UNLV.  Fun for a friend who graduated from UNI.  The Kansas Jayhawks up next.

It Is I, Kauffman, Snow Dog of Kansas

I heard on the news today that my birthplace, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C., is going to get 20 inches of snow.  Well, we didn't get that much snow in Kansas today but I want my Maryland relatives to know that I, Kaufmann, am a true snow dog.

Since I wanted to play outside all day, my dad decided to make a snowman.  All three of us pups liked the snowman, particularly me.

Here I am trying my darndest to get that pineapple mouth.
 



I could see that Hanny had her eyes on the yummy pineapple.  I can jump really high.  But, I couldn't jump high enough to get it.  Luckily, dad didn't let Hanny eat it.

I also liked it when dad threw the snowballs.  I tried to jump high and catch them.  I am a real acrobat.  I think I would make a good frisbee dog.  You can see in the second picture that I caught it.  Wow, was it icy and cold!

I kept a close watch on that snowman after dad made us go into the house.  I was looking out the window after dinner and discovered that the pineapple mouth had fallen to the ground.  Just so you know, we Norfolk terriers are scavengers and never pass up food.  My ancestors used to be barn dogs and had to find their own meals, usually rats.  So....... my instincts took over.  I faked having to go potty, ran outside and gobbled the pineapple, as my mom (who has been using a cane, so couldn't come outside to get me) tried to call me in.  I know better and go DEAF when it's convenient.  She would have taken that tasty pineapple away from me.  Yum, it was good and I didn't share with Hanny or Fen.

Mom has been really sad she hasn't been able to get outside during the winter snows and foggy days to use her camera.  So, today, she took it with her on a short  ride and said she played around with slow shutter speeds as she sat in the moving car.  Kind of fun.

I hope all my relatives in Maryland have as much fun in the snow as I did, particularly my mom Geordie.

Signing off now....

Royal Chesapeake Kauffman Camden Brett

Our Hanny

We learned last week that our little girl Border terrier, age 10, has bladder cancer.  We are devastated.  She began her journey with the Fowler family, as our daughter Amy's dog.  However, when Amy moved to an apartment during Hanover's first year, she liked to "sing" when Amy was gone.  A Border terrier's singing is a cross between a yodel and a howl - and is LOUD.  After the Apartment manager asked a friend of Amy's to go into the apartment to check on Hanny, only to discover that all Hanny wanted was company, she moved to our house, where she became a member of the Fenway and Camden pack. 

We think the cancer is in early stages, being only 1 cm in size.  However, it is a metastatic cancer and will grow and spread.  She is on a medication that has helped some dogs' cancer slow.  We are hoping we have her for many more months but are showering her with even more love and affection than normal.

Both Fenway (age 13) and Kauffman (age 10 months)  sense something is wrong.  However, they like the home cooked meals they are getting to help Hanny's kidneys function better.

To have two dogs get two different types of cancer in less than 18 months is baffling.  Although we have always fed high quality prescription foods we got at the vets, they had lots of chemicals and preservatives.  We've switched to home cooked or all natural dog foods in the hope we can avoid having this happen again, particularly with the puppy.   

I just love this photo, taken a few nights ago.  Hanny is always cold in the winter, so wears sweaters.  Someone  visited in January and when he saw her in this pink and green glittery sweater, he exclaimed "Are you going out tonight" to Hanny.  What a cute, sweet little girl.  Of all our pups, she is the one who just wants to love and cuddle.  We can do that!

P.S. I am recovering from my knee surgery fine and will return to work next week after an 8 1/2 week absence.  We are working on long dormant quadriceps muscles in physical therapy.  The progress is slower than I had thought it would be but it was liberating graduating to a cane recently.   

Sisters on a Beautiful Fall Day!

Finally, some beautiful fall days!  We had a miserable October in Kansas City -- rainy and cold.  We went for one stretch of 15 days without seeing a ray of sunshine.

The good news is that the cold, wet autumn has given us the most beautiful fall we've had for years.  The colors were gorgeous and the leaves stayed on the trees in full color for several weeks.

Our department at work had a silent auction last year so we could adopt a family for Christmas (great idea by the way - lots of fun things to buy and all for a good cause!).  One of my contributions was a photo-shoot.  We thought we'd never get it in, with me being in a walking boot for most of August, September and part of October, and the cold, dreary October weather.

However, Mother Nature surprised us and gave us a fabulous weekend for the first weekend in November -- great for fall photography.

The girls' pup is a best friend and a wonder dog.  A few years ago, brand new to the family, she located their grandparents' dog who had been missing for over a week.  It's an amazing story.

Sisters who are best friends!  Does it get any better?

Brother & Sister

These kids are so cute. You may recall that I had the privilege of photographing this little guy when he came into the world in April. I can't believe how he's grown. He's the happiest little guy I think I've ever been around.

His big sister continues to get prettier and prettier!  Today she was in the mood to show off her new cowboy boots and some pretty fall leaves.

The Pups' Excellent Maryland Adventure

There is a new post on my other blog about our trip to the Eastern Shore of Maryland earlier this month with our three pups, Kauffman, the new puppy, Fenway and Hanover, the oldsters.

http://imagesbycarolfowler.blogspot.com

Pups, pups, pups

We are having so much fun with Kauffman. The two older dogs are bonding with him very well and we are thrilled by that. Kauffman is growing like a weed and is venturing further and further into the gardens each day to explore. He still likes to stay near Hanny but isn't totally attached at the hip anymore. I'm having way too much fun taking photos.

Kauffman learned last week to climb the dog stairs we got a while back to help the oldsters climb on the bed - I know -- some of you are thinking Yuk! But, once he figured out the stairs he figured out that he could look down on the other two, who tend to curl up on the rug at the foot of the bed. I think we have an alpha in the making!




He often lays just his head on the big fluffy dog pillow. We're not sure why.



I love this bed - Kauffman blends right in.




Hanny, looking every bit the princess she is, nestled in the flowers



And, last but certainly not least - Fenway doing what he likes to do best these days - lounge around



Woof, woof!!

The Life of Pups

Kauffman and the other two pups are settling in together nicely. Kauffman is Hanny's shadow when they are outside, intently watching everything she does, including the hunting of critters. They play tug and wrestle with each other several times a day, having a blast.

It's taken Fenway a little longer to decide to engage Kauffman in play. The game Fen and Cam played went like this:

Fen would play bow with a toy in his mouth and Cam would snarl at him with tail wagging and chase him across the room, play biting at Fen's tucked rear. We called it the "tuck your butt and run game".

Fenway has initiated the game with Kauffman and can get Kauffman to chase him but Kauffman catches Fen and tries to bite the toy. Fen gets frustrated and looks at us as if to say "he doesn't get it does he!" They'll work out a game. We're just glad that Fenway is engaging with Kauffman, who is a typical puppy "brat" at times, nipping and yipping. Fenway, as the nearly 13 year old "oldster", has little patience at times and moves to another room.

Kauffman is growing and weighed 6.9 lbs yesterday, so has gained nearly a pound since he came home with us. He is so, so smart and is learning from the other two dogs. We once put Hanny in a down and looked over and who was in a down but the Little K!

We are having a blast with our newest family member.

Here's Kauffman last night. All the pups were resting after a busy day.



Hanny is a cutie.



Our shaggy gentleman who has earned the right to remain shaggy - need I say more?

This is the Life!

I would guess that Kauffman feels right at home. Check out the exposed belly -- napping on his back with his head on his favorite toy. Does it get any better?

Kauffman's Home!!

Kauffman arrived in Kansas City last night at 10:00 pm. It was absolute chaos when we introduced him to Fenway and Hanover. The two older dogs were in a high state of excitement and Kauffman was on overload. After an hour, we decided it was best to retire for the night. Today it's been a lot calmer and all pups are bonding. There have been several tug toy games between Kauffman and Hanover. Fenway is till trying to figure out how best to play with him.

Kauffman is one happy, smart, inquisitive, fearless little pup. The eight steps from the family room to the kitchen were daunting to him last night. I helped him up one time and that's all it took. He has been running up the stairs (not down yet) at full speed. Not bad for an 11-week old puppy.

Just like a small child, everything is going straight to his mouth. We're headed to the pet store to get some teething toys.

Here's some early photos. Enjoy!

Kauffman's home in Maryland - quite a view







He loved the hotdog toy Bob took to Maryland as a first gift







How do I get out of this??



Meeting grandma for the first time






Tuckered out after playing with Fenway and Hanover



Welcome home Kauffman. We're excited the day finally arrived!

A Gift from Over the Rainbow Bridge

Today is an exciting day - we're getting an 11 week old Norfolk puppy. You may recall that Camden, our Norfolk terrier died unexpectedly last October after a diagnosis of lymphoma and two surgeries in three days. Camden's loss was traumatic for all of us. I no longer cry crocodile tears when I think about him but tears well up in my eyes at least once a week when thoughts of him cross my mind. Fenway is nearly back to his old self but he has taken the long journey in recovery.

Kauffman, or as he's been dubbed by me "Little K", will never replace Camden but we hope he brings the pure joy of living to our lives that Camden brought. Bob is on the Eastern Shore of Maryland tonight, after having picked Kauffman up from his breeder on Kent Island. The breeder called Kauffman "the little lover", which is funny, since that was one of Camden's nicknames.

A friend told me after Camden died that he would send the right puppy to us at the right time. She was right. Camden gave us the gift of Kauffman on Bob's birthday when we received the news that we had been chosen as the forever home for one of the two puppies born in the litter. It's been a long two months waiting to meet Little K but Bob says when he met him for the first time today, he was immediately showered in puppy kisses.

Camden - you did good! Watch over Little K and Fenway and Hanover from the other side of the rainbow bridge and sprinkle them with your zest for life. Thank you little man.

P.S While you're at it, Cam, you might teach the puppy how to play the chase Fenway game. He misses tucking his butt and running, with you barking, chasing and pretend nipping. Hanny won't play this game at all!

It's Dad's Vacation

I posted a new blog entry on my second blog about the family vacation I just took in Colorado. It was a special trip planned for our dad. If you're interested, you can read it at

imagesbycarolfowler.blogspot.com.

Enjoy!

He's Home!

It is absolutely amazing how quickly babies grow. This little guy is only 3 1/2 weeks old and looks so much bigger than the day he was born. Being naked was not his favorite thing! Although mom and dad said he always sleeps after he eats, he resisted the urge today. We were able to get a few sleeping baby shots but most of the time, he wanted to check everyone out.







His sister is a real cutie too!



What a great family! It was a pleasure to spend time having fun with the kids today and I thank them all!

Cute Niece & Nephews

We got to spend a fun afternoon with family. I was playing with my camera and a new lens, so couldn't resist taking some fun photos of my very cute nieces and nephews.

The new lens has an aperture of 1.4, so I played around shooting wide open quite a bit today. It's a lot more challenging than I thought trying to get exact focus with an aperture that wide! But, the nicely blurred backgrounds more than make up for the challenge!










We're hoping we soon get some real May weather. It's been chilly and very rainy. I don't think we've gone for more then four days without rain for the last month! I'm not sure global warming has come to the midwest.