A walk in the (dog) park...

The weather has been beautiful....the trees and flowers are blooming...there is love in the air! Ok, perhaps not so much on the last one, as Ruckus sure doesn't "love" the dog park. I've been trying to socialize her a bit more. We have so many friends with dogs and she wimps out around all of them. Except...for Banjo. Banjo is my family's dog. He is about 2 inches taller than Ruckus, with a smaller head and shorter ears! They are quite a pair when put together for a lengthy amount of time. However, other than Banjo (and the 100 lb. lab in the neighborhood who Ruckus thinks she can beat up...) she has no interest in other canines! Does she bark at them fiercely from the porch? You betcha! But when confronted, she shys away like a kindergartner meeting their teacher for the first time. So...we're taking it day by day and pushing a little harder each time!

To best depict Ruckus' fear of other, dominating creatures....take a peek at this montage of Ruckus and Rwwar.

Until next time, happy spring!

Hello Spring? It's Sarah...

Spring seems to have come and gone here in Georgia...and the only thing I can say is "SLOW DOWN!" I am a lover of all seasons...and well frankly, spring and fall are my favorites. However, for my current location...their lifespan is incredibly short, so when they come...I try to embrace the few weeks they last.
Ruckus has really formed quite the quirky personality lately. On top of her complete lack of regard for anything we have tried to buy for her to make her comfortable...she has taken to "burying" things. Now, clearly living on the second floor, there is simply no place for her to bury anything outdoors. However, what we do have in our apartment is lots....and lots....of hiding spots. Corners, space behind things, underneath things...you name any small space...she has found it. So all of these yummy bones that we buy in order to keep our floors and walls from being further destroyed....have been buried. The picture above is her "in action!"

Turns out socializing dogs is not as easy as it may seem. Meet Bango. My parents black lab/possible jack russell terrier mix. And the only dog Ruckus loves. While we are out walking/running/visiting Trey at the store, Ruckus watches dogs very closely. Sometimes she barks at them and leaps hoping to be able to go meet them. Other times, she wants nothing, and I mean, NOTHING to do with them. So today...I took her to the dog park not too far from our house. My logic was: there are tons of dogs here, open space, AND she gets to be off her leash. Well...it didn't go quite as planned. Instead her behavior was similar to a shy child who sees a classmate at the grocery store. She clung right by my leg and acted completely uninterested in any of the other dogs or people who were very interested in her. Sigh....perhaps we'll try again tomorrow.

Most of my stories are about Ruckus because well...she's the one who does the craziest things...and I can usually catch them in picture. However, Rwwar has developed what we affectionately call "Princess Syndrome." She thinks very highly of herself and only wants things...when she wants them. It is quite comical to watch...especially if we aren't prepared to give her what she wants. Imagine....toddler temper tantrum in cat form. Here she took over Ruckus's brand new bed. And refused to give it up...even when Ruckus came for it! And we wonder why Trey loves her the most....

As for Trey and I...well we've taken up gardening. At least, to the best of our abilities. I have never had much of a green thumb...but have yet to kill my orchid from Valentine's day, so I'm feeling pretty darn confident! (Here's hoping my confidence doesn't get busted.) Trey, on the other hand, grew up growing all of his family's fruits and vegetables in the backyard. You name it...they had it! It was amazing...and we have TONS of canned yumminess because of it! So above we have my contribution: daisies, because I am convinced they are the happiest flower (and they are not too hard to keep alive!) and then Trey's tomatoes, lettuce, and an assortment of herbs! I claim that I get to take credit...because I help water them! I'll keep you updated once they start to grow!

I'll wrap things up with a few of my Spring Favorites:

• lemonade/sweet tea
• Braves games
• End of the school year fun!
• LONG walks outside with Ruckus
• Short sleeves
• Pool Time!

And a few fun pictures....

Until next time...GO BRAVES!

Spring has sprung!

Thank goodness spring has finally arrived! Now, don't get me wrong...I was the first person in live begging...pleading...for winter. And now, well, I guess I always want what I can't control. And for the last few weeks...spring has been on my list! 
These past few weeks have found me weak....sick...worn out...and incredibly busy! After school, meetings, and CRCT Planning have consumed me. But...luckily, only 9 more days! Then I finally have an entire week all to myself!
On top of my busy schedule, Trey is in full preparation for his upcoming promotion possibly coming in May! And to make matters even better....here's a look at Ruckus' time by herself!

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This is the nice side! That bed....is now gone. She pulled the side out and tore it to bits. So these are the only pictures I was able to pull from day 1 of spending the day in the bathroom. How did she end up in the bathroom you ask?
WELLL....one Thursday evening I came home from work all prepared to start packing for my upcoming trip to Savannah the following day! Ruckus had spent the day in the living room in her kennel like always, only this time she only had a towel laid in her kennel. Yet, still....there was "something" all over the floor. So I put my things down and realized that she was also shaking...something similar to a child put out in the cold in shorts and a t-shirt. So....I move her. Only to discover a whole the size of GRAPEFRUIT that she had dug into our carpet. Our BRAND NEW carpet mind you. OOOOOHHHHHH!
So, now she stays in the bathroom until we can get to Home Depot to get a wooden piece to put under her kennel. Onto my trip to Savannah....
So while on my way down, Trey calls and informs me that he called our leasing office to inform them about what happened...and what we should do about it. To which they responded that they would have to replace the entire carpet system..and it would cost $900. Perfect! Needless to say...we decided to wait to have the carpet replaced until she is done with this "stage" in her life.
Now...on to the bathroom. Like I said those pictures are from "Day 1." Since then we have lost her second bed...my IPOD headphones...a towel bowl brush...and 2 bones! Any suggestions on dealing with a teething puppy...would be greatly appreciated!


Until next time, go out and enjoy the gorgeous weather!