PUPS RIDING SHOTGUN

On high alert, heading to town!
TAKEN: JAUNARY 31st, 2026

Because I work from home, I like to get out into 'the land of the living' at least one of the two weekend days. And, no matter where we go, the pups are always happily riding shotgun.

We bought these beautiful sisters (same mother, different fathers) about eighteen months apart.

Growing up, I never had a dog. My mother was a cat person.

My hubby and I got our first dog just prior to my starting my maternity leave with our eldest. I figured that would work best as I would be home for sixteen weeks, having the time to properly finish basic training before returning to work.

Almost forty years later, I still roll my eyes when I think that Jukebox slept through the night after three weeks – and I got up with the dog to pee in the middle of the night for more than six months!

Anyway, as Miya gets ready to turn five, you can see her chin is beginning to turn white and I am starting to think it may be time to consider putting The Oreo Gang back together (two black labs, with our yellow representing the filling). But I know it won’t do that until my amazing breeder decides she may breed again - as she is currently on hiatus.

There is something to be said for a dog that has been hugged and handled from an early onset. The nurturing that both my dogs received in those first eight weeks are a testament to their temperament as well as their responsiveness to affection and overall canine socialability.

I was talking with a coworker that is looking for a female Belgian Malinois, as they currently have males.  I sent her a link to a beautiful girl I found online, and her husband said no.

If Leslie at Labradorables called me tomorrow and told me that she was expecting again, I would be elated. If my husband disagreed with our timing, I would listen intently and quickly respond in a very positive tone.

Informing him that because the garage is heated, and that he would be very comfortable sleeping out there. What… You didn’t think I would make him sleep in back of the car, did you?

Because if there was a mattress back there, how would the girls ride shotgun with us on the weekends?!

#yagottalaughaboutit

COUNTING AND COPING

Our struggle with outdoor doggie
washroom conditions are real!
TAKEN: JANUARY 22nd, 2026

Yesterday morning, the control panel on my 60V Greenworks electric snowblower, bit dust. 

Even worse, their service department confirmed the part's backordered, and they cannot offer a timeline for shipment. I automatically knew I would be back to manually shoveling snow.

Now, as I have written here before, at Old Bessie, our gas-powered beauty of age does the heavy lifting - but I am responsible to clear entrances, decks, and dog trails; that our old girl cannot access.

Well, just as my winter clearing lifeline went on hiatus, The Weather Network announced that we were to receive 40+cm of snow (about 16 inches for my American readers) forecasted to fall within 24 hours. 

So, shovel in hand, I was dealing with the accumulation I had missed through the day last night until I was ready to go to bed, to ensure by morning we could open the back patio door, and that the dogs had a path at 6am.

By 6am this morning, Mother Nature added another 8+ inches fallen, which told me that we were only about half-way there before we might receive any reprieve.

Out went my travel buddy hubby with Bessie blowing in the dark, as I took shovels to the decks in my PJ pants. We worked our way of digging out from the accumulated snow and as the sun rose the blizzard continued. 

Then our obvious problem hit. It was on my 9:30am break, where the dogs go to do their business. 

Where the hell do they go?

All I can say is that from the photo I am sharing… their struggle was/is real. 

Hope I can see their eyes peeping over the banks by this time tomorrow!

#yagottalaughaboutit

FEELING DEFLATED?

Winter have you feeling deflated?
...Not our beautiful Miya!
TAKEN: JANUARY 6th, 2025

When Doggie Daycare took their lunch break this afternoon, the beautiful Miya pulled her old, deflated football (that we call the hut-hut) out of the toy box as her item to retrieve. 

After her tenth run, I held it up and realized how this raggedy old ‘thing’ truly symbolizes my general mood perfectly this time of year. That said, I am pleased to report that the majority of my seasonal affective disorder symptoms stayed at bay this fall, and thanks to a quiet holiday break I am hoping the worst is over.

I know I always reference the weather this time of year, but when you don’t leave your house except to move snow, it tends to be a focal point. Moving snow since the beginning of the season led me to notice an overall loss in snow removal muscle mass over last season.

As a result, I decided to put an exercise plan in place so that my day consists of something other than staring at multiple computer screens and recess with my dogs three times a day; where all I do is stand in one spot and throw their item of choice.

I am also in the midst of a cleanse. I have never done one but did quite a bit of research prior to starting, hoping to increase my overall energy. Once completed, I will transfer to a program called The Livy Method. I have done it before with great success, so I thought I would reignite the enthusiasm that had me shed almost 18lbs while recalibrating my eating habits in 2023.

Which brings me to my original question. Does this winter have me feeling deflated?

Actually, it is kind of the opposite. Though I would like to think my stomach is flat (which would never leave any middle-aged woman feeling deflated), it seems my issue appears to be when I look in the mirror.

Because the simple truth is the as I spring into 2026, letter ‘L’ in the word flat... 

Is definitely SILENT!

#yagottalaughaboutit

REMEMBERING 2025

I don’t know about you but for this cat, 2025 flew by incredibly fast.

The Psychology Today website says it is because ‘time speeds up with increasing age because we have fewer new experiences and our perception is less vivid.’ Whatever, I call that therory total bullshit.

As this past year was jampacked with a ton of new experiences that were carefully executed as well as financed thanks to a hectic year at work; with a plethora of overtime worked and rewarding deadlines met.

As we all prepare to raise a glass and get ready to welcome a new year, I would like to wish all the best to you and your loved ones in 2026… And thanks again for reading.

~ Rhondi

PS: As you reminisce with me electronically you can click links to the month of journal offerings (57 in total) and photos that you may have missed, or wish to revisit. 

Remember, never one to shy away from being blunt, so keep your hands and feet in the ride at all times!

Most Unexpected Moment (centre) - The swift and unexpected passing of my mother in law. My husband called me when he was leaving work to tell me he was headed to meet the ambulance at the hospital, and less than eight hours later she was gone. Godspeed Angie, may you forever rest in peace.

(LINK TO REVIST: SHOCKINGLY, UNEXPECTED)

January: After a deep freeze the first of the month, the end of the month had us and the pup (top left) enjoying the Fire and Ice Festival. Nothing too spectacular, except for the fact this was the very first time they wore a collar and walked with a lead, and circulated in public. They both did amazing, getting lots of pets, love, and attention.

(LINK TO REVIST: JANUARY POSTS & PHOTOS)

February: The implementation of the tariffs in the United States, along with the 51st State rhetoric had us make the decision to not to cross the border for the next four years. As a result, we had numerous staycations in Ontario and traveled twice to the Caribbean and Mexico.

(LINK TO REVIST: FEBRUARY POSTS & PHOTOS)

March: The ice storm of the century hit Muskoka at the end of the month, and it was unlike anything we had ever experienced. Scary times for sure. Though the month came in like a lamb, it most certainly went out like a lion. We were hit so hard at the cottage, that we still have approximately 40% of the branches that fell to clean up and burn. 

(LINK TO REVIST: MARCH POST & PHOTO)

April: This month, my travel buddy hubby and I traveled to Aruba to celebrate my milestone birthday. My birthday (top right) had me enjoying a drink with my dad on beautiful Palm Beach. This adventure was one for the record books. We experienced the entire island while we were there.

(LINK TO REVIST: APRIL A-Z POSTS & PHOTOS)

May: After February had us cancel our plans to travel to Colorado and experience Sheryl Crow at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, it was announced that Zac Brown Band was returning to Ontario in May. I immediately joined his Fan Club and secured front row tickets. Coincidentally, the only other artist I had experienced in the front row at the venue was in fact, you guessed it... Sheryl Crow!

(LINK TO REVIST: MAY POSTS & PHOTOS)

June: This month, start to finish, was spent clearing the cottage from the ice storm. From repairing fascia, to rebuilding stairs, we worked hard to contain the mess and burn whenever we could. The photo I am sharing was my hubby (with Katie Kate's) trying to process the tree he hit with his AVT before he went into the water. It was so large, it never got removed from the water until September.

(LINK TO REVIST: JUNE POSTS & PHOTOS)

July: An early morning phone call from my son Goob had my husband rushing him to the fracture clinic in Orillia for surgery. He had an e-scooter accident that resulted in a broken humerus bone right at the shoulder that required the four screws and a metal plate being inserted. Thank God he was wearing a helmet!

(LINK TO REVIST: JULY POSTS & PHOTOS)

August: This month saw our entire community work together to find the beloved neighbourhood girl, Josephine. This pup, a rescue that was a street dog in Isreal, knew how to hide and not be found. We first began looking around dinner time on August 19th, and all the posters, and social media support had her home four days later. A real good new story for sure.

(LINK TO REVIST: AUGUST POSTS & PHOTOS)

September: This month had one explosive weekend that produced a ton of fun. We stayed in Downtown Toronto to experience the Toronto International Film Festival, as well as taking in Brittany Howard and Alabama Shakes at Budweiser Stage. An expensive weekend, but money very well spent.

(LINK TO REVIST: SEPTEMBER POSTS & PHOTOS)

October: A busy month with us hosting Thanksgiving dinner, we decided to head to our fourth concert of the season and experienced Amanda Marshall for the second time in two years, this time, up close and personal. Unable to perform for twenty years because of her former manager, you would never know it. This lady can most certainly sing, and offers an overall vibe that compares to Janis Joplin.

(LINK TO REVIST: OCTOBER POSTS & PHOTOS)

November: This month offered me some closure of sorts. As you've read here many times, my former colleague was brutally murdered by her husband in January of 2023. Her murder, which was featured in an NBC Dateline episode (The Running Man) answered some questions that I thought would always remain hidden. Rest in Peace Ash, I miss you...

(LINK TO REVIST: NOVEMBER POSTS & PHOTOS)

December: This month ends my year with a selfie by the Christmas tree, and other than a couple of blonde whisps at the very bottom, my hair is officially white. When I got it cut just before the holiday break, my hairdresser told me she was proud of me that I stuck it out. A journey I started on May 5th, 2023.

(LINK TO REVIST: DECEMBER POSTS & PHOTOS)

TRIMMING TRADITIONS

Finally finished trimming the tree.
TAKEN: DECEMBER 13th, 2025

The Wednesday evening after we returned from Cancun, our highspeed internet went out. Just as we always do, my travel buddy hubby called his sister who lives in assisted living two streets away.

After confirming she was out too, I reminded her that she could create a mobile hotspot with her phone and she could run her Smart TV using that. It was at the point that she told us it wasn't an option, as she didn’t own one. The very next day my husband bought her a 43” streaming television for her bedroom.

Since our children finished post-secondary school, each year our pups buy gifts for those that wouldn’t necessarily buy that item for themselves. This year it was a new television, one year it was a laptop for a mother of one of the twins that was a shut-in from chemotherapy – the list is long.

That said, this will be the very first year that there will be no wrapped gifts under our tree, nor monitary gifts haning in the tree. 

This year, 100% of our spending will be donated by Miya and Katie Kate to those in need. Gift cards for the grocery store, cellphone bill payments for the year, even the payment of streaming subscriptions.

I used to put cash in stockings in the tree but this year I have decided against that. As the money will be long gone by new years and bills will still keep coming in.

I guess that is why I cut off the base of my Christmas tree in the photo I am sharing. 

For me the tree is all about the Christmas lights and how they make me feel. It has never been about what is under it.... And for the very first time, there will be nothing.

Not going to lie, taking that offical step feels great!

STELLA ESCAPED

Our girl embracing an
autumn adventure.
TAKEN: OCTOBER 17th, 2025

After our epic day of burning on Saturday September 27th, we spent the next few weekends in town.

With a Baker’s Dozen dining with us for Thanksgiving, I had to steam clean our carpets the weekend before. A week after our turkey coma subsided, we were back to the cottage to begin shutting it down.

Because my travel buddy hubby cannot bring his work truck home throughout the week, we swap at lunchtime which has him picking up the car at home. In this instance, it had him taking the pups and me to the cottage to get the place warm and where I would finish my workday.

As I headed down the stairs, my immediate reaction was that someone had stolen Stella. As I sauntered toward the dock, I discovered that she had simply escaped. Will the fall colour in bloom, I thought she looked so pretty perched in our alcove, keeping our turtles company.

Not wanting to try and rescue her with the unconditional help of two pups, and a premonition that I would end up in the lake, I decided to wait until the next morning to hunt for the hip waders.

The next morning the closing ritual began. Up and out came the pedal boat and dock ladder, in came the ramp with Stella safely perched for the winter. With it too windy to burn, we managed to work at getting the cottage close ramped up.

With everything out and up the hill and the only task left is to shut off the water, we are officially prepared for the end of another cottage season.

...Which has been our 26^th.

Stella is all settled for the winter.
TAKEN: OCTOBER 18th, 2025

TROLLING THE SHORES

Miya Maria (left) and Katie Kate (right).
Soaking up the super fun Stella vibes.
TAKEN: AUGUST 9th, 2025

With us having to unexpectedly cancel my travel buddy hubby’s birthday weekend in Montreal, I decided to use my Triangle reward points to buy new super speedy trolling motor for our floating picnic table. 

Trouble was, with all the ice storm clean up, we never had the time to get it unpacked and attached when he was off in July.

Well, once we got my sister back home, we decided there was no time like the present to get the party started; and down to the dock we went to strap our girl into her shiny new double battery powered upgrade.

Honestly, I had no apprehension about it being Katie Kate’s first trek, which was probably my first mistake. To offer insight, I posted a series of neat photos on my socials with the following caption:

‘We got the pups out on Stella (our floating picnic table) this afternoon. A first for the wee Katie Kate.

It was spicy and dicey getting off the dock, and both girls only jumped off 4 times in the half hour we trolled. Which is probably why we were out only for half an hour!

Don't get me wrong, our dogs are very well behaved and very well socialized. They go everywhere with us. 

So, I shouldn't have been surprised that as soon as someone on shore acknowledged the pups off the chart "cuteness factor," off of Stella they went. Quickly swimming the fifteen feet to say hello to the people and kids waving. 

You know, I have shared here this season that I feel it may be time to tune up the fat lady and sell the lakeside shelter where we've spent the last 25+ summers.

Then we ultimately realize it will never be replaced... and how fortunate we truly are.

MY CANADIAN GIRLS

Happy Canada Day!
TAKEN: JULY 1st, 2025

I would be remiss if I didn’t put up my annual dog shot of the pups at the cottage on Canada Day. 

The last few years Miya has been my model; this year I thought Katie Kate could wear our Canadian (dollar store) crown.

With cookie pals behind my ears to bribe her, this was as close as she was going to allow me to put this silly thing on her head. Still a cute shot but this is what a hard NO from a cheeky yellow lab looks like.

All and all we really enjoyed the day. Next year I think I may have to try and snap a photo when she’s a sleep.

... Though I am sure my result will be precisely the same!

#yagottalaughaboutit

A PAW-FECT TEAM

Katie Kate is the epitome of a great team player!
TAKEN: JUNE 28th, 2025 

What a week. 

I was so grateful when end of day Friday of the Canada Day weekend officially arrived. When we started our chores on Saturday morning, the magnitude of what had to get done really hit home. 

Finding a good balance of owning and keeping a home and a cottage maintained twenty kilometers from the other, has always been a challenge the last two plus decades. Throw in an ice storm of a lifetime and the reality that there will never be rest is a harsh reality.

We’ve always invested in the right tools to do the exterior maintenance efficiently but there is just so much we literally choose our battles wisely. Saturday was 'whipper snipping, leaf blowing, and clearing the upper drive and ATV trail', as I took the hacksaw to any saplings’ I wanted gone. 

With my travel buddy hubby in the hospital last summer, all our ongoing maintenance was overlooked; and the ache in my lower back Sunday morning was the reminder it was missed.

When I finished on the ATV trails and septic bed area, Miya and I headed to the top to see how our other crew was making out. As you can see, they were just finishing up and the team leader was rushing up the drive to give me her report.

Specifically, that her coworker WAS wearing his hearing protection, but NOT his safety glasses. After careful consideration, it was decided not to formally write him up. And that a verbal warning (this time) would suffice.

The corrective action was successful implemented once he began leaf blowing! 

#yagottalaughaboutit

Important Notable: Not a single treat was not used to entice a favourable recommendation from our paw-fect team leader!

K IS FOR KINDRED

 

Our kindred sisters...
TAKEN: MARCH 7th, 2023

This is Miya (on the left) and Katie Kate (on the right). Sisters born eighteen months apart to the same Mum and different fathers.

Miya came to us via a CKC breeder once we discovered that our 10 year old yellow named Puddin' was full of cancer. After Puddin' passed, I was so lost without her, that I called my breeder to get on the list for another yellow. 

Well, that call came less than six months later. Now, we could have passed and waited for Minnie's next litter, but she had gone into distress and an emergency section had to be performed to save her nine pups.

The breeder instantly decided to have a full hysterotomy done, deeming Minnie sterile. If we wanted a sister to this black beauty, we had to buy a pup from the nine that were birthed on December 5th, 2022.

From the moment Katie came home, these two were inseparable and the best of friends. Our older girl, a flat-coated retriever named Annie, welcomed her as well and The Oreo Gang was back together just over six months since Puddin' died.

With Annie leaving us last September after a short battle with brain cancer, these two became even closer.

I say that they are kindred sisters, but it's more than that. The two of them, along with my travel buddy hubby and I, are all kindred spirits.  

Unconditionally connected for as long as we have time together on earth.

MY HEAP-O-HELP

Our sweet Katie taking inventory of
every one of her sticks being burned
TAKEN: OCTOBER 24th, 2024

Up until my beloved Annie passed, I use to introduce her fur followers Miya and Katie like this.

"Meet our Miya, she is absolutely beautiful." Then, I would continue with,  "this is her little sister Katie... And she is simply beaut-EVIL!" 

It's always grabbed me a laugh to whomever was meeting them for the first time. But now that they are officially a pack of two, this little one has settled into not having to act out like she did, which I always felt was her puppydom combined with her need to be the center of attention.

At a mere twenty three months of age, I realize now how she struggled to fit in a pack of three. She always respected Annie as her pack leader, yet from the day she arrived, she terrorized Miya incessantly. I am pleased to report that said behavior has stopped since my sweet girl left us.

Now, I'm not in anyway leading you to believe that she has a halo over her head but her need to dominate over Miya is now very focused. 

You see, her retrieving instincts are so deeply routed through her DNA that we have to expel the energy multiple times daily. Frisbees, nerf footballs, rubber pigs, and of course wooden sticks.

Take a dog with no fear, that vibrates when you pick up a stick, and you can imagine how hard it is to do yardwork with a fire going. I'm not kidding when I type that I have to throw a stick into the gully before I place sticks on the fire; because I am afraid she'll jump in to fetch them.

Think a toddler sticking its tongue out an accessible electrical socket. Her extreme personality makes one of my very favourite outdoor chores, extremely stressful.

Which you would never guess by the angelic expression of joy she shoots at me whenever a fire is burning close by!

WE RESCUED STELLA!

Stella, who? 
Can't you see the yellow football? 
...We had a great day!!
TAKEN: OCTOBER 5th, 2024

Well, with the weather on our side, we headed to the cottage Saturday morn to begin the ritual of shutting it down.

Up the hill went a 42” Roku TV I’d used as an office monitor the last few years, as well as any/all perishable food we wouldn't need. Items of clothing that weren't officially labeled ‘cottage’ were packed for the season, including all my Quintana Roo appropriate swim wear. 

It was a long day, considering any other odds and sods that may freeze and make a mess when we open next spring we also packed and hauled. As a bonus, our washing machine was also drained and stored ahead of schedule.

The last thing we tackled was securing my beloved Stella (a.k.a the floating picnic table).

We had put her into Orillia Lake the long weekend in May, then three days later, all hell broke loose and my travel buddy hubby landed in St. Michael's hospital trauma unit for three weeks.

I know to most, pulling an old picnic table out of the water may not be considered a mentionable accomplishment. But, the fact that my guy could do the stairs and the ramp to help me pull Stella out of the lake and safe for the winter was amazing. When he made it to the first landing, he looked over the railing, acknowledging that this was 'the first time I have been down here all summer'.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention a more significant milestone. Last month, the stroke clinic assured him, his hard work was really paying off. Did you know that if you suffer a stroke, your brain only tries to heal for the first six months?

Though I worried he was pushing it, him doing the stairs at the cottage actually worked in his favour. 

Him not being a quitter, has 95% of his stoke symptoms gone; the 5% remaining are very minor, and we have 54 days left on the calendar for  those to subside. We are grateful.

Here's looking to next year, and Stella getting the workout she has in the past. 

Stella and me both!

W IS FOR WANDERING

Miya Maria and Katie Lulu
My famous Facebook wanderers.
(Photo copyright Meta via Muskoka Bulletin Board)

Because I am fortunate enough to work from home and run a doggie daycare hand in hand, I will confess that I steer a tight ship and an even tighter daily schedule. 

I know I shouldn’t laugh, but in all fairness, what I am about to share is really quite comical.

I will start by disclosing that we do NOT let our dogs wander willy-nilly. We have a large yard, yet once in a blue moon they make a break for it. Kind of like George Clooney in O Brother, Where Art Thou?

On this particular morn, break arrives and out the door they go. Annie heads into the gully and the other two follow. I call immediately from the back deck and only one of three return. I continued to call but no furbabies appeared. On go the Crocs, and to the top of the hill I go.

I immediately see them at the bottom of the hill and my tone changes; no reaction. They are literally 100 feet away at the bottom of the hill near the railway tracks. 

It wasn’t until I invited Annie to 'go to the Wal-Mart,'  that the wandering duo book it up the hill home. Less than ten minutes from me putting on my Crocs, we are all back in my home office and back on schedule. 

Minutes after we settle, my phone begins to blow up with messages. Goob even calls from work. It appears, in all their enthusiasm, they tracked (no pun intended) something into neighbours yard directly behind us. 

What I didn’t expect was that the post would go viral locally. Over a hundred shares, cross posted to multiple, to get these poor pup’s home. Seems there was a black and yellow missing in town, hence the post.

But, seriously, just look at the expression on Blondie’s face. I burst out laughing when I saw it. Instinctively she knew that she had ventured to the wrong side of the tracks. Those railroad tracks that is.

Hmm.... Perhaps Andy Warhol was right. With the whole '15 minutes of fame' theory. 

#yagottalaughaboutit

C IS FOR COMPANIONS

Top Left - The Kids and Toby
TAKEN: JUNE 2008
Top Right - Hubby, Daisy and Dottie
TAKEN: MARCH 2012
Bottom Right - Puddin' rocking the dock!
TAKEN: SUMMER 2017
Bottom Right -  Miya & Annie soaking up the ocean breeze in Outer Banks
TAKEN: OCTOBER 2022

Growing up, my mother was a cat person. The idea of letting a dog in the house was simply a hard NO.

Then, once my husband and I married he explained how he'd always had a dog. To his credit, he did entertain a cat or two until he refused to getting a third. Instead, when I was getting ready to go off on maternity leave with Jukebox, we decided to get out first dog. 

The methodology behind the decision was that I would be off work for sixteen weeks and I could house train a dog and change diapers as part of my daily routine. Well, my son slept through the night after three weeks, and I got up with the dog to take a leak in the night for almost six months!

Giggles aside, in all our decades together, the overall canine tally is nine. Three of those are still alive and living their best lives with us. It is in my will that the ashes we have accumulated be buried with my remains, and I don't think I will ever not have a dog in my life.

Because the truth of the matter is, a bond between and person and their pups is like no other. Not only are they our life long companions, they are always along for the ride no matter what ups and downs life brings

They personify unconditional love and I swear if you treat them right, they will love you more than they love themselves.

CARVED ONE, THEN CLOSED IT

The Oreo Gang making sure my husband is disconnecting the water intake properly.
(Miya Maria on the rock, Katie Lulu on the step, and Annie Bannanie on the hill)
TAKEN: OCTOBER 29th, 2023

Over the years, more often than not, we head into the cottage for the last Saturday in October so I can carve a pumpkin. Then, the following morning, we pack everything up and close it down for the season.

For me, this year in particular, was like no other at the cottage to date. I worked from my upstairs office space four days a week,  and usually in my bathing suit. Though my workload was grueling and my days were long, there is something to be said for looking out from your desk seeing the water.

As you know, this was our wee Katie's first year at Orillia Lake, and she embraced everyday like it would be her last. Saying that she loves absolutely everything about cottage life would be an understatement. 

Miya, though still a pup herself, simply couldn't keep up with KT's high energy zoomies. Annie, now a sexy senior in her own right, stayed at my feet the majority of the season, with the odd burst of puppy like behaviour shining through about once a week; it was perfect.

As far as upkeep goes, each year we tend to alternate from interior upgrades, to exterior elbow grease. This past season, a lot of our focus was spent outside. 

We had wanted to replace all main floor flooring this year, but a milestone anniversary had us take a last minute trip to Jamaica in June to celebrate. I love how we mutually decided, with a 'let's go for it' for good measure, that my saved flooring dollars would more than pay for our unexpected excursion nicely.

That said, though I know I will get my new floors next spring, a bush hog for the exterior is definitely a must have as well. Every second 'working the lands' year arrives with such optimism. We always have such a positive outlook on the clearing, hauling and burning brush at the cottage property from hell.

This year, we finally came to the terms that we aren't in our 30's anymore - and we are definitely Stihl in need of extra help, as no one ever offers. (Get that? Stihl, I mean still!)

Anyway, as an aside, as a woman in construction in Muskoka I can't stress enough how hard it is to find good ticketed trades to service the home and cottage industry here. 

Closing our cottage gives me hope we may have reprieve on the horizon. As you can see from my Sunday morning pic, we officially have three new furry plumbing apprentices.

All wanting wanting to help with the task of turning off the water for the season.

#yagottalaughaboutit

BLUE MOON MUSINGS

Earlier this week, I brought the dogs into town as I had both in-office and site meetings, and moving them for the night made the most sense. On in-office meeting day, the gang of girls were as good as gold. Site meeting day, all freaking hell broke loose.

After I got the steam to stop rolling out of my ears, I cleaned the upper level disaster zone, then posted on social media:

Anyone want a dog or three?

Had an early site meeting on Lake Muskoka, only to return home to discover the dogs 'ate my homework!'

...AND my brand new sandals, two pairs of flip flops, three pens, and a jumbo role of toilet paper making it look like it snowed in here!!

#notimpressed #bad #katielulu #anniebananie #miyamaria #thissucks

Left: The Oreo Gang on National Dog Day
Right: Some home office evidence of evil!
Taken: August 25th & 29th, 2023

When I was going through the comments and reactions, I noticed our breeder responded saying  that her gang had been evil devil babies as well, noting, 'there must be something in the air.'

It was in that moment I had a genuine lightbulb moment. It dawned on me that the blue moon was upon us. Could that have been what made them all go batshit crazy?

So, I Googled, can a dog sense a full moon? This is what came back (via wagwalking.com): Your dog may seem to be much more alert, they may bark and howl more, they may growl, begin to chew things they normally would not, and may pace a lot if they are feeling restless and antsy. In all my years of having pups, I had no idea.

What I will say, is that when Katie came home in January, I was already working from home four days a week. I had a plan for her ongoing teething and had puppy proofed our home. As she grew there were challenges but nothing like what I came home to a couple of days ago. The difference this week was I knew all three participated; which has never happened before.

I will say, they do have a good gig living at the cottage but it's not like they are living in a van down by the river in town. They've got it really good. I will admit, now that I've calmed down, I think they are all beginning to suffer from a bit of separation anxiety as our routine is really quite regimented.

I start work an hour early every day so that I can exercise them three time a day, which they have come to know as recess. With three dog beds at my feet at my top of the stairs make shift cottage office, they tend to sleep while I work and talk on the phone knowing recess will eventually arrive. 

At the end of the day, I guess I'm just really pissed they ate my shoes. Even then, I suppose it's my fault. 

For whatever reason, I seem to keep buying their favourite flavours! 

#yagottalaughaboutit

TOLIET PAPER EATING TODDLER!

When we brought our wee Katie home at the end of January this year, we knew that we would have to budget for the added expense of having three pups. Little did we know that our second biggest expense would be due to unusable toilet paper!

My point being, look at those eyes. She definitely has a mind of her own.

Working away at my home office desk, I turned around to catch her in action.
TAKEN: May 31st, 2023

When I first met our two options from the litter of Miss Minnie’s nine littluns, I asked our breeder which she would recommend we select. Her choice was the other yellow female.  When I asked why, her response was one word; “her personality.”

“It depends what kind of dog you’re looking for,” she continued. “She will definitely be high energy". At the time, with Miya being so young, 'high energy' wasn't a deal breaker. 

The truth is I chose her because when we'd visit, she would immediately come to my husband and sit on his feet. Cute at the time, but now I am pretty sure she was terrorizing others in the pack and needed a safe spot for protection based on her mischievous tactics. 

The night we paid for her and we brought her home, we were told she would challenge the weaker male dogs in the pack. As we head toward her seventh month birthday next week, I have come to realize that those early behaviours have evolved, translating her into a bit of a bully.

With me in charge and Annie as our four-legged pack leader, Miya is a very competent co-captain. Yet our Katie insists on continually trying to run the show. Both the other ladies allow it to simmer on low until she crosses that evolutionarily line... Which is when all hell breaks loose.

Because I work from home four out of five days a week, I see and hear it all. Sometimes it is comical, other times painful to watch as both the big dogs run her until she barrel rolls to take her down a peg and back into her place in the pack.

Don't get me wrong, she is a beautiful and very intelligent dog. Though her dad was an award-winning retriever and her momma a beautifully bred gem, I am beginning to think she may have a couple of screws loose. Either that, or she is crazy like a fox!

A fox that loves to shred two ply toilet paper... that I am pretty sure she hopes I didn't buy on sale!!

P IS FOR PUP(s) POEM

From left to right:
My beautiful Dottie on Toby's Rock (RIP July 2019) ~ Taken 2014
My Puddin' (RIP June 2022) & my Annie Banannie (11 years old October 2023) ~ Taken 2020
The amazing Miya (Born 4/9/21) and wee Katie (Born 12/5/2022) ~ Taken March 2023

Now I lay be down to sleep,

The king-sized bed is soft and deep.

I sleep right in the centre groove,

my human beings can hardly move.

I've trapped their legs, they're tucked in tight,

and here is where I'll pass the night.

No one disturbs me or dares to intrude,

'til morning comes and "I want food!"

I sneak up slowly to begin,

and nibble on my human's chin.

For morning's here, it's time to play,

I always seem to get my way.

So thank you Lord, for giving me,

this human person that I see.

The one who hugs me & holds me tight,

...And share their bed with me each night

                          

                                   ~AUTHOR UNKNOWN~

NEVER, UNTIL NOW!

As I shared here last summer, never, have I ever, rushed to replace a pup out of sheer emotion. And though I know you can’t ever replace a dog, when my Puddin’ died of cancer last June, our deep friendship and her beautiful characteristics left a void like no other I have ever experienced. 

With my heart ache not subsiding, about three months after Puddin’ crossed the rainbow bridge, I reached out to our amazing CKC registered breeder that we purchased Miya Maria from - asking her to put me ‘on the list’ for a yellow female should her beloved Minnie have one.

I will be honest, she only breeds one litter a year, so our expectations where that we would have a wait. Then, on December 5^th, I got the call. 

Minnie had in fact had a litter of nine and there were two yellow females available. Now, you may think that we could have passed and waited a couple of years, but that is where this gets truly heart wrenching. 

There had been complications in the night with Minnie’s delivery that included a trip to the emergency vet, the delivery of the nine babes, and a full hysterectomy for our mama: rendering her sterile.

If we wanted the same lineage and an extension of Miya, this would be our only opportunity. My husband and I both immediately agreed, without hesitation, we were buying another dog!

Allow me to introduce the newest member of our puppy pack - KATIE
TAKEN: JANUARY 21st, 2023

When visiting our new girl again yesterday, we were told owners like ourselves had intended to purchase, but for reasons unknown to us have decided against. That said, because our breeder really does only work on a referral basis, I offered to get the word out as there are still a couple of these beauties available.

Now, I caution carefully. You should only reach out if you're looking to have the most amazing pet experience imaginable and for your heart to be filled with puppy love for years to come. 

I can attest first hand that with my husbands health woes last year, Miya truly changed his outlook and for the first time in all the dogs we've had, he has that magical connection I had with Toby, Puddin', and continue to have with my ten year old Annie. 

If you think this is something that may interest you. You can send me a personal message, or hop over to Facebook and check out Labradorables and message Leslie directly. 

Better yet, here's a link: Leslie @ Labradorables 

I promise, you won't be disappointed. 

Oh, and be sure to let her know that the wonderful Katie Lulu sent you!