Friday, December 31, 2021

Ring in the NEW!? Happy New Year 2022!

 I'm posting early while everyone isn't drunk, hungover, partying or sleeping !! Also, because many of you are in different time zones and will be ringing in 2022 soon!

I am sharing a few photos from the year that was the "repeat" of 2020...2021 and wishing you all nothing but the best in 2022!!!!

Buckle up, I think it's gonna be a wild ride!!!






Be safe out there!! Much love to all!!

HAPPY 2022!!!

Love, Caren, Roary and Levi

Friday, December 24, 2021

Happy Christmas 2021!!

 Posting a day early because many of our wonderful blogging furiends  are located all over the World and will be celebrating Christmas before us! Wishing each and every one of you a blessed, safe, and HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!

We're all finishing another trying year, but through it all we have ONE CONSTANT! The love of our furbabies!! Enjoy this video that sums our feelings up purrfectly!

 

I also wanted to post the lovely ecards we received, and those we grabbed from blogs. I am thankful for each and every one of you!!

Bird Brains & Dog Tales


The Island Cats


Florida Furkids


Cat Lady Confidential


Phenny and Nelly


Kea's Life


Impurrfect Life


Eric and Flynn


Tails Around The Ranch


Brian's Home




Zoolatry Blog




FROM ALL OF US TO ALL OF YOU!!!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Thank you to Alyssa from Canine College
for taking this great photo of Levi
by their Christmas tree!



Thursday, December 9, 2021

Our Holiday Card for 2021 and a "Stoned" Good Time!

 Hi everyone! Hoping you are all well!

First, my DEEPEST apologies that for the FIRST YEAR since I have been blogging (in 2009), I did not send out ANY holiday snail mail cards. Part of this was due to Chanukah falling disgustingly early, and I completely dropped the ball. I didn't have time to have snail mail cards made, haven't bought postage, and didn't even buy boxed cards from the store!!  The other reason is that I had a huge kidney stone attack the day after Thanksgiving and have not been feeling well at all. I am going in for Lithotripsy Number "I Lost Count, 15 Maybe?" on the 10th, so I wanted to be sure to post our holiday card for all of you now, on the day designated as:



 just in case I am feeling awful for a while after the lithotripsy. SO BE SURE TO GRAB THE CARD BELOW!!

In addition to our holiday card which was made by the sweet, thoughtful and loving Ann of the Zoolatry blog, I am including a couple of photos of Levi that Levi's most favorite person from Canine College, (Dylan), took yesterday! Enjoy!!


and from ME TOO!!!!

Wishing you ALL

a happy, safe and blessed

Holiday season!!!!

I am grateful for each and every one of you!



Do you think maybe Levi

could get a job with Santa 

guiding his sleigh???

Love to all of you!!




Sunday, November 28, 2021

Happy Chanukah 2021!!

 



Yep, it's spelled differently on the collage than on the header of the blog, (I prefer the spelling with the letter "C").

To those who celebrate, enjoy your "eight crazy nights!!!"

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Happy Thanksgiving to all of YOU!

 I know that not everyone who reads my blog is celebrating Thanksgiving, but to those who are, my little turkeys and I wish you all a blessed, happy and SAFE Thanksgiving! To everyone else, have a wonderful day! I am thankful for each and every one of you!!!!



AND REMEMBER....






Sunday, November 21, 2021

Happy FIRST Gotcha Day to our Crazy Levi! (Rowdy)

 A year ago today a LARGE 9 and a half week old bundle of FUR joined our family!!! Suffice it to say our life as we knew it, would NEVER be the same!

Today I am sharing three collages that show Levi then and now, hoping you enjoy them!!


That serious puppy face hasn't changed!! Levi STILL has that serious face!! 


L-loving

E-Energetic

V-Vivacious 

I-Intelligent



The photo on the top left was one of the first we took of Levi.  (He would give Gene Simmons a run for his money with that tongue!!) The two photos at the bottom of the above collage crack me up. It's hard to believe that at one point Roary and Levi were much closer to being the same size. By the looks of Roary's face on the photo on the right, Roary CLEARLY is laughing off Levi's "top of the charts" Sheltie size.


Levi is one of the most confident, bold, boisterous, clumsy (and at the same time agile, if that makes any sense!) dogs that I have ever known.

He often gets a bad rap. He has the bark of a Doberman, but loves to cuddle like a baby on the couch. Because he is much larger than the average Sheltie, some people think that Levi is older than his 14 months, thus they have much higher  behavior expectations.

Levi LOVES to make noise. He can't play with a toy without climbing on top of a crate or the couch where he  watches with joy as he flings the toy to the ground with just enough force to make the crashing toy sound loud and abrasive. Speaking of toys, he HAS to play with whatever he has right in front of our faces, Levi LOVES having an audience.

His other current LOVES are Dad and Mom, his beloved bully sticks, (we ALWAYS have to keep some extras around), his brother Roary (although Levi has a strange way of showing his love for him), his Aunt Judy and Uncle Bill,


His Aunt Nancy





And, one of his ALL TIME FAVORITES, who he loves with all of his wild and crazy Sheltie-self, his trainer......Dylan.


Levi is a super quick learner (when he wants to be) and is extremely intelligent. He is brave, fearless and if he greats you in a wild and crazy way, it is more likely than not, that it is his way of showing you that he is happy to see you and he is CERTAIN that you are happy to see him as well.

Happy Happy First Gotcha Day to our loving, wild and crazy Levi (Rowdy).....you definitely march to your own drummer, we often feel as if you actually came to us from another planet, (but he actually came from Ohio where his amazing breeder, Sue, of Greyfyre Shelties, has become a dear friend, Sheltie advisor and confidante!).......but when we get those famous cuddles and Sheltie kisses, we wouldn't have it ANY other way!! We LOVE YOU LEVI!!!!!




Friday, November 19, 2021

Pet Ki Cat & Dog Toys – RompiCatz & RompiDogz!! Perfect for the Holidays or ANY Day!



Hi furiends!! Holy Cats and Dogs the holidays are RAPIDLY approaching!!!  Are you at a loss about what to get your furry furiends? I'm here to help!! I am delighted to share some new toys on the market that we were lucky to receive from our friend Ellen at RompiCatz and RompiDogz! (I have been familiar with Ellen's creations  for a looong time, because she had another wonderful line of cat toys at one time that Cody adored!)

Roary was the lucky recipient of  a few toys to try and Ellen even sent a toy from her RompiDogz line for Levi!

Because "cats rule and dogs drool", I am going to tell you about the cat toys first!



2021 Rompicatz Teaser Toys
Photo from the RompiCatz/RompiDogz website



Plush Tip Teaser 3 pack - Pink

There is just something about this toy that I love as a pet parent. It's compact, it's fun to use and it's different.  I think I got as much enjoyment from using this toy as Roary did!

The Plush Tip Teasers come in a pack of 3 (but Roary received one, which is fine since he is just one cat! )


The Plush Tip Teaser is made out of a soft plush fabric. It is ideal for closeup play and is the purrfect length for cat training.

  • Compact size for travel and storage
  • Rod length: 11”
  • Polyester plush tip: 3”

Roary loved it but he is definitely NOT the most cooperative cat when it comes to shooting videos.




 

Photo from the RompiCatz/RompiDogz website


The above  toy is the only one of the three that I was sent that I couldn't get any decent video or photos of Roary playing with it. That being said he greatly enjoyed this toy as well!


Feather N' Bell Wand Teaser 3 pack

Drive your cats wild with this fun and feathery gliding toy. The feathers will be sure to entice your cats natural hunting instincts the bell will grab their attention! Available Fish shape. 

  • Stretchy string
  • Felt material with sewn in feathers
  • Makes soft bell sounds
  • Compact size for travel and storage
  • Rod length: 14”
  • String length: 25”
  • Toy Length: 6”



Feather N' Fabric Teaser 3 pack - Green

3 pack of toys

Slithery movements cats love! It's like a snake! Fun colors to choose from. Play around scratch poles or over furniture. 

  • Flexible clear plastic rod
  • Makes soft bell sounds
  • Compact size for travel and storage
  • Rod length: 14”
  • Polyester fabric length: 22”

Roary definitely had a lot of fun with this one!





YOU CAN SEE ALL OF THE RompiCatz toys I just mentioned on this wonderful video below!

 





NOW ON TO THE TOY THAT LEVI RECEIVED

RompiDogz Tug N' Toss Rope > Green

Photo from the Rompicatz/RompiDogz website



I was super excited to receive this fabulous  tug rope, and Levi was super excited too!!!




This toy is listed as being "perfect for all ages and sizes of dogs." And basically it IS!! With one exception. I am sad to report that although Levi LOVED (the word being "loved" is in past tense and you will read why in a second), Levi is a STRONG chewer. When I'm saying STRONG I am not exaggerating! We had many toys left from after our sweet Dakota passed and Levi decimated each and every one of them.

We bought him some new toys. He destroyed ALL of them. Basically, while I LOVE rope toys (and Levi does too, if he would just play with them and not eat them), until he is older he cannot have them. He completely destroyed this toy in approximately 5 minutes. (He started chewing on the rope and started to unravel it).

 This toys IS a "fun and interactive exercise toy". It is PERFECT for games of fetch, etc. But, if you have a strong chewer like Levi, unfortunately, that dog shouldn't play with it unless someone is playing WITH him. 


Don't let Levi's shenanigans prevent you from purchasing this toy. You can see from the photo IT IS well made and is TOUGH (for MANY DOGS), just not a super strong chewer like Levi. Levi is only 14 months old, I am certain if he had been given this toy at an older age he would have been fine with it.

FEATURES:

  • Soft rope toy for dogs to get a good grip.
  • Interwoven for strength and durability.
  • Returns back to shape after being stretched.
  • Easy to hold onto when playing with your dog. 
  • Made from a Polyester/Cotton blend.
  • Large Rope - 10.5” x 2”
  • Small Rope - 8.5" x 1.4"

 There is even this disclaimer: "This is not a Chew Toy. Please supervise your dog while playing and take away if it becomes damaged."

In fairness we DID allow Levi to have the toy on his own (we were in the room and never left the room and he was NOT harmed because he started unraveling the toy, but we should not have let him play with it without us playing with it with him). I just should have paid closer attention to the warning. THIS IS A GREAT TOY!!! I should have supervised Levi more closely so he wouldn't have unraveled part of it and he could have enjoyed it more if I had.

 

 


Here is another video of just how great this toy truly is!

I would like to thank Ellen for sending such great toys and for her kindness and patience!! I was not compensated for this post in any way other than receiving the toys in exchange for an honest review.

Check them out on facebook! @RompiDogz 
and on Instagram @RompiDogz_Toys

As well as their website 

You can also find them on Amazon!!

Your kitties and woofies will be glad that you did!

Saturday, October 30, 2021

Halloween 2021: The Lion King and the Wild Cat!!

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN ALL!!!

I am posting a little early because we will be busy with football on Halloween and I didn't want to miss the opportunity to share some incredible graphics that were created by Ann from the Zoolatry blog (you really MUST contact her for artwork, holiday cards, headers, etc. if you haven't already). Ann captured the personalities of Levi and Roary even better than I could have!! Ann TOTALLY outdid herself!

First, we have Levi. From the day Levi joined our family as a 9 and a half week old puppy, he envisioned himself as being the KING:


Even with barely a mane or body fur, Levi had visions of not only ruling our family, but the WORLD!! Now, at 13 months old with the mane and body to match.....Levi has OFFICIALLY dubbed himself as: THE LION KING!


I laugh myself silly every single time I look at that photo!!!! No matter what anyone will tell Levi, in HIS mind, he is the KING (with a secret desire to be a CAT!!)

Speaking of cats, many of you saw this photo the other day, but for those who missed this adorable depiction of Roary by Ann, since the original intent was to use it for Halloween, here it is!!


I think Roary and Levi have their roles mixed up, don't you? That being said, Roary IS a WILD MAN much of the time. He is daring, bold, adorable, cuddly, brilliant, friendly and will investigate everywhere and ANYWHERE.....(especially places he is NOT  permitted to investigate, such as cupboards, tops of doors, the top of the shower stall, etc.)

These two really keep us on our toes and they give us a FRIGHTENING run for our money!

We wouldn't have it any other way!!

From our crazy home to yours, we wish you a happy and safe Halloween!

 

Friday, October 29, 2021

National Cat Day 2021! "Born To Be Wild"

This adorable photo
was created by Ann of the Zoolatry blog
for Halloween, but I wanted to share it today
because it's PURRFECT!!

 Today is National Cat Day!! Yes in our home (and yours!),  it is EVERY DAY but October 29th is the day that Colleen Paige officially dedicated to cats to help bring awareness to the number of cats that are waiting to find their furever homes.

Today I am honoring our adorable and sometimes WILD Roary!!!! 

Roary is one of the friendliest cats I have ever known. He is super confident! Last week when we went to the Vet for his rabies shot, he strolled around the exam room checking EVERYTHING.....he even checked out "Dr.Smiley's" computer. He never attempted to get back in his PTU (even after they gave him the shot and trimmed his nails). He was purrfectly happy to continue investigating.

Roary can open any cupboard with ease, he holds his own with Levi (which is a MAJOR challenge), he is athletic, and frankly I have yet to find ANYTHING that he is afraid of (and he is 16 months old). Vacuums don't bother him, thunderstorms don't bother him, the Vet doesn't bother him. He is our easy-going, fun, inquisitive WILD boy and we love him to pieces!

Roary has the best qualities of my Angels Bobo and Cody rolled into his adorable Marshmallow self, with some wonderful special qualities of his own thrown in. Here's a secret: he TALKS...but ONLY to ME. Never to Lenny. Only me and it's darling!! He's probably cursing me out lol. 

Hoping you all have a purrfect National Cat Day and give your kitties extra kisses from us!



Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Happy World Teachers' Day!!! 2021

Happy World Teachers' Day!!!!

 If you are looking for cats or dogs today, I'm sorry but there are none here! Today I feel it is important to honor Teachers, one of the most thankless jobs that there is. How teachers are able to navigate successfully everything going on with the pandemic is beyond me. In my mind, they are ALL worthy of a medal (and much more income than they receive, but I digress).

I was blessed to have a number of super good teachers in my life. My first memory is of my kindergarten teacher. I no longer remember her name, but I remember HER. My 5 year old mind  thought she was a Princess. She had long blonde hair, and she was the sweetest ever. I remember crying because I couldn't figure out how to put my boots on (not the brightest bulb on the tree for sure) and I was afraid I would miss the bus because of it. She patiently sat with me and helped me figure it out, I will never forget that.



I was also blessed to have a wonderful teacher in 5th Grade. Her name was Mrs. Sullivan. She had beautiful red hair, and truth be told, I think I mostly loved her because she had a Collie. She lived in the neighborhood, and I would take walks by her house with a friend hoping to catch a glimpse of her beautiful Collie.

In High School, my favorite teacher was Mrs. Bevington. She taught English and I adored her (and vice versa). She took a special liking to me and always encouraged me to write. I remember her beautiful BIG smile and that her cheeks were always flushed.



In college I was enthralled by my Philosophy professor,  Dr.Burlingame. He was soft-spoken, his lectures captivated me, and he would smoke a pipe in class (I LOVED the smell of his pipe tobacco).....He wore tweed suit jackets with turtle neck sweaters, I thought he was charming and captivating. We barely spoke one-on-one but I enjoyed his classes so much that I went on to minor in Philosophy (I took at least 4 classes that he taught, if not more.) At the beginning of the semester he would look at the class, see me and say "Ah!! I see a familiar face!!".



Last and far from least, was Dr.Osborne. He was a professor of mine for a number of classes in Rhetoric and Communication. He used to call me "Tuff." I had a HUGE crush on him (don't get excited, nothing ever happened!!). My senior year of college was particularly hard on me, my grandmother passed, and my parents divorced. I used to spend hours in his office just talking about what I was going through, and occasionally we would go out to lunch. I was crazy about him. He truly listened to me and cared about what was going on in my world and he always tried to help. He also smoked a pipe (Captain Black tobacco lol! My father was a pipe smoker too so I bet that had something to do with my attraction to pipe smoking professors!!). He used to tell me he saw a "special light in my eyes.", and that I was always more animated and interested than many of his other students.



 When I graduated I was devastated to leave and dreaded returning home. I remember Dr. Osborne saying to me "Tuff, go forth and do GOOD things!" I was  heartbroken when I heard he had passed a few years ago.


Of course my husband is a teacher! Just look at who he resembles!!

My husband is also a teacher!! (Nope! He doesn't smoke a pipe!) He taught Special Ed. in the City of Detroit (Amelia Earhart Middle School) for 36 years, his mother was a teacher, his sister was a teacher, his niece was a teacher, another niece is a guidance counselor, and another sister is a Speech Pathologist in a school in Florida. My step daughter is an Assistant Teacher for a day care provider. My husband now is a permanent sub.  There are strong ties to teachers and education in our family!!

Hence, World Teachers' Day is a special day to me! " Considering that teachers mold future generations, taking one day every year to say “thank you” is the least we can do. No matter where you are in the world today, remember that teachers matter!"


A most heartfelt THANK YOU to all of the teachers in my life, past and present, and to ALL teachers everywhere!! You rock!!