Give Us A Kiss! Happy St.Patty's Day!!!

 May the Luck 'O the Irish 

be with you today and always!

Happy 5th Birthday to our "Roary Boy"!!

 Oh my where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday I saw a photo of my boy on Petfinder and submitted an application. Now, here it is, Roary's 5th birthday!!

I hate to admit this but I think that Roary is the most intelligent of all of the cats I have been blessed to live with. Roary is our "Little Professor". He doesn't kill bugs or flies, he sits and studies them, as he does with so many other things.

Roary knows where certain toys are that he can only play with when Levi isn't home (because Levi will eat them), and Roary will open drawers to get to the toys. He also is adept at opening cupboards and certain doors.

Roary is incredibly loving. He loves to sit and cuddle he also loves to push all of Levi's buttons to send him into a frenzy!!

I often feel bad for Roary because due to his having had bladder stones a couple of years ago, he is on an extremely strict diet. No treats, no human food, no nothing except his prescription food. Actually, his surgery turned out to be a Godsend. It took me a LONG time to truly bond with Roary because I was still deeply grieving Cody. When Roary had his bladder stone surgery I was with him CONSTANTLY. Roary knew this and that was when our bond was formed. We both needed each other so much !

Roary comes into bed every morning and kisses me to wake me up. He also "talks" a blue streak to me first thing in the morning.

Roary takes everything in stride. He is laid back, truly a "chill" cat, he is virtually never angry (even though he puts up with A LOT from his Sheltie brother).

Our precious boy who was named after the Detroit Lions mascot "Roary", has brought us so much joy and love and has helped us to heal more than I ever thought was possible.

Happy 5th birthday to our "Roary Boy"!!!!

We love you more than you could ever imagine!

xoxo

Mom, Dad and Levi

Happy National Pet Day 2025

 My boys mean the world to me!!!

Roary and Levi  certainly have a different dynamic than Cody and Dakota did. While Roary and Levi love each other, their relationship is much more adversarial. 

They will occasionally play together, but Levi still, even though being almost 5 years old, often has to take it to another level.

That being said, Roary gives as good as he gets! He is a MASTER at knowing EXACTLY what to do to send Levi over the edge and it works, EVERY TIME!!

Here's to all of our fur babies who give us so much unconditional love and bring us tons of joy!!!

Valentine's Day 2025 (Love is In the Air!!)

 Valentine's Day is definitely in the air around our house!! A few weeks ago Levi bought a Valentine's cookie for his girlfriend at Canine College, Sadie!! Then, Sadie bought one for him!! Levi and Sadie have been an "item" for some time now. Levi is definitely smitten!!

Sadie is the large Shepherd mix with the curled tail. The photos aren't good because I took them from the camera while I was watching him at Canine College !

Then, poor Roary is still looking for a girlfriend! Anyone interested?

Who could resist that face?????

Last but definitely not least, I want to wish my husband Lenny a most wonderful Valentine's Day!!! I love you, hang in there, this is one bumpy (or should I say "lumpy" ride???? Bad joke I know!) Love you always!!!!

And...to ALL OF YOU we wish you a Happy Valentine's Day!!!

xoxo

From My Turkeys to YOURS....

 

ALSO...If anyone would like to, we posted Levi's 4th Gotcha Day post on November 21st and no one read it.........you can read it here.

Have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving!

Happy 4th Gotcha Day to Levi!!

 If you are on Facebook you saw this.......if you aren't here you go!

Happy 4th Gotcha Day to our most loving, determined, stubborn, brilliant, cuddly, challenging, quirky and oh so cherished and spoiled, Levi! Levi’s favorite things are:following the staff at Canine College relentlessly (we actually think he thinks he works there!), Milk Bones, KONGS filled with cheese and bacon, our postal carrier, Natural Farm Bully Sticks, hamburgers, wrestling with Sadie at Canine College, BARKING, his groomer, Misty, (but he hates baths!!), he loves kissing Daddy, his private walks with Mommy, his brother Roary and ANYONE who fawns over him. Levi definitely has a mind of his own! Levi is beyond affectionate to those he loves and knows well and he is fiercely protective! Levi truly gives us the most unconditional love and we are blessed to have him!! Happy Gotcha Day my crazy boy!!

The Facebook post has more photos!
If you're on Facebook
Go check them out!

Our Sweet Dakota Left Us Four Years Ago Today

 My first ever Sheltie, Dakota, my sweet boy passed on July 9, 2020 (9 days after Cody), after having been diagnosed with Hemagiosarcoma (a tumor on his heart) a mere month before. He was 13 (as was Cody).

It is an awful disease that has taken many beloved dogs of friends and family members. We were blessed to have Dakota with us for a month after he was diagnosed, many I know weren't that lucky. 

To think I thought Dakota was crazy when he was young! Little did I know what would be in store for me with Levi.

Dakota was sweet, stoic at the Vet, he HATED other dogs, was devoted to his "pack" at home, but wasn't much of a fan of humans that he didn't know. He never would have enjoyed going to daycare or boarding like Levi does.

He was a great brother to Cody. They truly loved each other.

He hated taking walks, wasn't thrilled with the car (he would sit on the floor). Didn't like to sleep in his bed, he preferred sleeping on the floor. If I stirred eggs he would bark. If I used spray butter he would bark. He was the quirkiest dog ever!

He LOVED his precious Greenies, popcorn, red peppers (not hot ones!), apples, carrots and the doggy meatloaf/meatballs/hamburgers I would make for him.

He also ADORED HIS DADDY!

Dakota was extremely bonded with Lenny when he was young, as time went on, he and I became extremely close. He had a sixth sense of knowing just when I needed extra loving.

He was the first dog I had as an adult and was the fulfillment of a childhood dream of having a Sheltie. He was special in so many ways.

He loved running and playing fetch when he was young.

He adored his red, white and blue Dollar store ball that we have safely tucked away in a trunk. That dog had sooo many toys and that disgusting worn out plush ball was his absolute favorite. 

The 13 years he was with us went by in the blink of an eye. I am grateful for the many collages I have on the living room wall of both Cody and Dakota, this way I can still see them both every day.

Dakota you were such a good and special boy. Daddy and I think of you, love you and miss you every single day. 

About a minute after Dakota left us, I noticed a yellow butterfly that flew right into our patio doors, I am certain that was our sweet Dakota letting us know he would always be there.

 I had always loved the name "Dakota" and when I was selecting a name for him I had looked up the meaning. In American Indian the name "Dakota" meant "trusted friend." He completely lived up to his name and more. 

Thank you, Dakota, for sharing your life and love with Daddy, Cody and I. You were the PERFECT first Sheltie.

Much Love Always,

Mom

Happy 4th Birthday Roary!!!

Roary is upset because the way I did the artwork by his face
 it looks like he is wearing lipstick!!

 Happy Birthday to our Little "Professor!!"

Roary is one of the sweetest cats you could ever hope to meet! He greets EVERYONE who enters our home (he is particularly fond of our next door neighbor Mary, who also has a kitty). When she comes over Roary walks up to her and meows every time!

Roary loves nothing more than having a good nap. His favorite places to nap are the cat tree and a bin that I have on a shelf in our second bedroom. Lately he enjoys napping on top of Levi's crate if I have the window open.

Unfortunately, since he is on a restricted diet due to the bladder stones he had last year, he can't have any sort of a treat or any human food. He probably is better off NOT having them!

Roary puts up with a lot from our high maintenance Sheltie, Levi, but he also is GREAT at knowing EXACTLY what to do to send Levi over the edge! (Staring at him from the other side of the baby gate is ALWAYS a good option!)

Another favorite thing of Roary's is when Levi is boarding at Canine College. Then, he will just sprawl out, relax and enjoy the silence (I have to say we often enjoy it too!)

Roary is good with our granddaughters as long as they aren't too rough with him, and if they don't chase him, but he always is happy to see them leave.

Roary wakes me up every morning without fail. He will come into bed and gently touch my face and give me a soft meow, I look forward to it every single morning!

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY TO OUR "ROARY BOY!!"

You mean the world to us, even more than you know!

You bring us calm when we are on edge from Mr. Attention Hog Levi!

In honor of your birthday, Dad and I are taking Levi to the V-E-T for a nice big shot !!! You get to have some peace and quiet AND a good laugh about your brother having a shot (hopefully in the butt!)

Looking forward to cuddling with you later!

Much love,

Mom, Dad and Levi

Happy 3rd Adoption Day Roary!! #ThankfulThursday

 It is so hard to believe that our super intelligent boy who was formerly named "Felix" (a name I think I should have kept based on his personality), is with us THREE years!

Roary is extremely bright, he LOVES to figure things out. He studies everything carefully. He opens cupboards with ease and often will sit and hide in them. 

He is a "people" cat. He greets anyone and everyone who enters our home (except for kids). With kids he will keep his distance studying them, and eventually he will approach them as long as he isn't being chased.

The biggest change in Roary this year is that he is FINALLY sitting on my lap!!! It took nearly 3 years but he now will sit with me most evenings. 

This came about after his surgery. I believe he noticed how I barely left him during his recovery and we began a nightly ritual called "Brush, brush" where I would brush his fur near his neck when he was wearing the "cone of shame". Roary LOVES being brushed! That tradition has continued and it has been the main way that Roary and I have finally bonded.

Roary is a loving, sweet and patient kitty who puts up with a lot from a certain woofie who also resides here!

HAPPY 3RD ADOPTION DAY "ROARY BOY!!"

We all love you so much and are so happy you are part of our family!

Mom, Dad and Levi

xoxo

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day 2023, My Babies

 ABOUT RAINBOW BRIDGE REMEMBRANCE DAY:

Deb Barnes founded Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day (RBRD) in 2015 as a special day for pet guardians to honor the memory of those beloved pets in their life they have loved and lost, but never forgotten – whether fur, fin, feathers, scales or something else. It’s held every year on August 28, in honor of the day Deb had to say goodbye to her  precious Ragdoll cat, Mr. Jazz, the meow author of Purr Prints of the Heart – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond.  

My "Baby Bobo"

The first to make his way over the Bridge was my precious Angel Bobo. I had found Bobo late in 1989 during a blizzard in Ohio. He was approximately 6 months old at the time. I was blessed to have him in my life for 18 years. Bobo was truly MY cat. He hated other cats, wasn't a fan of dogs (except for one Sheltie who lived near us in Ohio, that Sheltie was named Kelly and they used to eat grass together when Bobo would go outside on his leash.).

 Bobo was the first kitty I had ever share my life. We had a bond that I thought would never ever be as intense as it was, until:

My Cody

 

My Cody, My Codester, my precious love bug, my cuddle bug, my shadow, my heart, my soul. My "Velcro kitty". When Cody was adopted July of 2007 (two weeks after my Bobo passed), I never, ever thought that I would have a bond like that again. My Cody, the day I adopted him he crawled up my chest at Petco and wouldn't let go. From that day on until his tragic, unexpected death in 2020, he DID NOT LET GO. My chicken loving, catnip loving, Sheltie-loving cuddle bug only wanted to be loved from the moment we laid eyes on each other.

Cody was the reason that this blog began. He was my "co-pilot", my sidekick. Our blog started October of 2009 and to honor his memory, while the name of the blog has changed, the link never, ever will.

Cody gave me more happiness, love and yes, heartbreak than I could ever imagine. My precious boy, I miss you beyond words.

I used to love when Cody played with certain toys from kittenhood on, he would do a somersault while he played. It was the cutest ever. Cody was a "people cat". Anyone who entered our home, in his mind, was his friend.

He spent every single night on the armrest of the couch next to me while I watched TV. To this day, that armrest remains empty. 

When he wasn't sitting with, or following me, or playing with his brother, Cody loved nothing more than to spend time in his cherished cat tree.

I will be forever grateful for Cody's cat tree as well as his custom-made urn, where Cody is at rest. He gets to spend eternity in his favorite spot in the world, his cat tree.

My Dakota, My First Sheltie

Believe it or not, when Dakota joined our family in October of 2007, while I loved him, it took us a few years for us to truly form the deep bond that we had.

Daddy was the one who used to take Dakota to the Vet and to grooming, so he bonded with him earlier than I did. While I was CRAZY about Dakota, our bond deep bond began probably when he was about two years old. From that time on, Dakota and I were deeply bonded. So much so that he had an uncanny sense of understanding my emotions, coming to me to give me kisses when I would cry. He was my cooking buddy; he would watch me like a hawk from the babygate whenever I would cook, and I would tell him everything I was doing.

Dakota was stoic, funny, barky, quirky, handsome, loving, loyal and all I could have hoped for from my first Sheltie. Dakota was the fulfillment of a lifetime dream of being a mom to a Sheltie. I couldn't have asked for a better dog.

He adored his Daddy and his Mama, popcorn, apples, chicken, hamburgers and his beloved red, white and blue ball. 

He didn't like other dogs, wasn't a fan of that many people, but he was fiercely loyal to his Daddy, Mama and to his brother, Cody. Dakota loved with everything he had, even in his last moments. I am grateful for each and every moment I had with this special boy and miss him terribly.

Dakota and Cody adored each other. Many who wrote me notes of comfort when they passed, a mere 9 days apart, felt that the two of them planned on leaving together.  I'm not surprised. When Cody passed first, Dakota was lost. He kept looking for Cody everywhere, it was the most heartbreaking thing to witness. Dakota had already been diagnosed with cancer (Hemangiosarcoma), and when Cody left us, it was as if Dakota lost his will to live. He wanted to be with his Daddy and Mama but missed his brother terribly.

The photo below was the last photo of the boys taken together; it was taken extremely close to when they passed. I am grateful that I have it. Cody and Dakota brought his Daddy and Mama more joy and silly, loving moments than we ever could have imagined.

This is the sweatshirt that was on the floor of the closet

where Cody ultimately passed.

He chose to lay next to it.

This sweatshirt had been missing for years.

Until Cody passed away on it.

"Coincidence? I think not."

To each and every one of you who have lost beloved babies,

please remember:

"We all shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun"--John Lennon

Thank you, my precious pets, for your unconditional love, for the happy times and memories that will live with me forever. Thank you, my beloved Cody, for this blog and all that I experienced because you were the first to make it possible. Love forever to all of you, always, your Mama.

I didn't intend for this post to be quite this long, and I thank you for taking the time to read it. I also would like to thank Deb Barnes for creating this wonderful event. I send my love to each and every one of you and look forward to reading your stories and seeing your photos of those "who came before." May we all derive some comfort from these posts.

National Dog Day 2023

  Happy National Dog Day! 

from Levi!!

The photo on the top left and the photo on the bottom right
 were taken by Alyssa Paris from Canine College

In honor of this special day, I wanted to share some of my favorite Sheltie and dog quotes with you:

"If Lassie had been a Sheltie, Timmy never would have fallen in the well in the first place."

"Silence is golden, unless you have a Sheltie, then it's SUSPICIOUS!"

"Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen."--Orhan Pamuk

"Everyone thinks they have the best dog and none of them are wrong."--W.R. Purche

For our final quotes, we are sharing a photo of our beloved Angel Dakota:

"Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love, they depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces an old dog, it merely expands the heart."

"Shelties, once they love, they love steadily. unchangingly, till their last breath."

"Having a dog will bless you with the happiest days of our life, and one of the worst days."

I wouldn't have it ANY other way! Kisses to all of the woofies out there!!