Last week I was running late, but this was just too cute not to stop and photograph. I walked into my bedroom and said, "kennel up"... but, in my haste I failed to say, "Hush, kennel up" and didn't specify which dog I was talking to. When I'm not home, Milly is loose in my bedroom, but her term is "Milly, go to bed," and she lies quietly on her dog bed until I leave. This said, there was a point in time, many moons ago, when Milly was crated, and "Kennel up" was her command to go in her crate. So, now with some back story, you can imagine when I said, "Kennel up," and looked up from tying my shoes, I was completely shocked to find both Milly and Hush in the crate.
For most people, you hear the words "Swimsuit Season" and start looking into gym memberships, spending more time exercising, and substituting a large salad for a big bowl of pasta. It seems everyone around me always loses weight during the summer, and sorry for calling friends out, but most of them gain a few pounds in the winter.
But then, there is me. I am the opposite. In the winter, I shed the pounds. Of course, you wouldn't know it, because I'm buried underneath oversized sweaters, big scarves, and cords that fit when I bought them in October, but by January are 1-2 sizes too big. I hear summer, and I think "Sangria while sitting in a rocking chair on a porch!" As soon as the weather starts to warm up and the flowers begin blooming I yearn for the smell of cheeseburgers cooking on the grill, and day dream of holding a ginormous Ben & Jerry's cone under the blazing sun, racing the rays to eat it before sticky droplets of Mint Chocolate Cookie dribble their way down my fingers, passed my wrist, and somehow land on my blouse. For me, summer is socializing time, floating in the pool, and indulging over lobster tails drenched in lemon butter.
But, this year is different. I have Hush as my motivation. She recently started swimming (and by that I mean going in the deep end and actually swimming), and she loves it. I've taken to walking her on long walks, we stop half way to lounge under the shade of a large tree and snuggle... usually sharing some granola while we do. So far, I seem to have not gained any weight, and if anything, may have lost a little. Ideally, I want to lose about 3 lbs and tone up a bit. Not too lofty goals, and things that should be easily attainable with my furry friend at my side.
As soon as she heard the pool was opening, I walked in my living room and found her like this. I didn't have the heart to tell her the pool does not allow dogs. She looks so good in a bikini that I think I need to work on my own body now!
While I was in Manchester, Vermont I took a trip to both the Orvis flagship store and the Orvis outlet. Orvis is quite possibly the most dog friendly store I have ever stepped foot in. The Orvis flagship store is HUGE! It was two stories, and had everything an outdoorsy person could ever dream of! As I browsed through all of their clothing and accessories, Milly was a great sport right at my side. Sales associates kept coming up asking if they could give her a treat, and she sure was spoiled. Milly learned that she needed to wag her tail for people who had not yet given her a treat, to maximize all treat potential! Afterwards, we walked outside and fed the trout in the casting pond while Milly chased geese. It was truly an experience, and I recommend anyone visiting Manchester hit up the Orvis store and outlet, and pay the 25 cents to feed the fish, it's worth it!
The flagship store has a huge dog section where you can test out all of their beds, I’ve been thinking of getting Milly a therapeutic bed as she’s aging, and they had one that was just her size and 40% off! I might call the store to see if they still have it and could ship it to me.
As you all know, I absolutely adore Golden Retrievers, and am dying to get a second (and then perhaps a third) Golden. My only major complaint with Golden Retrievers, and I feel the same way about labs, is their tails are at perfect coffee table height! They are such happy dogs, and as soon as their tail gets going it can easily knock over anything on the coffee table. Milly has knocked over countless glasses of wine or other beverages, picture frames, and even the TV remote with hers! I find I always have to set drinks in the very center of the coffee table so she won’t knock them with her powerful happy tail.
I was tickled while in Orvis to discover they’ve designed a coffee table (and end tables, too) for this very purpose! The Anti-Tail Wagging Furniture line sounds incredible, and I’m dying to purchase it. But, the price tag is not cheap, so I’ll have to wait for it to go on super duper sale before I splurge.
As we all know, there are two things that never mix: a full wine glass and a happily wagging dog’s tail. Orvis set out to solve this problem and the solution in one you won’t find anywhere else. Their anti-tail-wagging storage coffee table furniture features unique recessed areas where glass, food, and any breakable items can be placed safely out of range of your dog’s exuberantly wagging tail. Expertly crafted from solid pine, the storage coffee table features two drawers and a sliding tray, while the end table has one storage drawer.
SPECIAL SURVIVOR TO PARTICIPATE IN STOKES CO. RELAY FOR LIFE
Meggie Olivia Taylor is a cancer survivor who has beaten the odds. Diagnosed with t-cell lymphoma on Jan. 31, 2008, and given 6 to 8 months to live, the 10-year-old will participate in the May 15 Relay for Life in Stokes County, NC. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life is an annual 24-hour walk held in hundreds of locations throughout the country.
What makes Meggie’s story so remarkable is that Meggie is a dog – a red-haired golden retriever to be exact. Meggie also has a knack for fundraising. She currently is ranked second on the list of fundraisers for this Relay for Life event, having collected $1,625 in contributions from friends and admirers.
After Cindy Taylor of Germanton, NC, Meggie’s ‘mom,’ posted her story on the Golden Retriever Forum, an on-line community of golden retriever lovers that includes members in the U.S. and around the world, contributions started pouring in. Meggie soon met and quickly surpassed her initial $200 goal. Soon thereafter, the $500 goal fell, followed by $750 and $1,000 targets. Her current goal is to raise $2,300 to aid the fight against cancer.
“Having Meggie with me every day is something I don’t take for granted,” Taylor said, “but knowing that Meggie has inspired and given hope to others makes her life even more special. We hope that through this Relay event we can give back and help fight back against cancer.”
Meggie will participate in the Survivor Lap, complete with a special purple T-shirt, at the start of the 24-hour event, most likely riding in her shiny, new, red wagon. Meggie tires easily, so she sometimes needs to use her ‘wheels’ to get around.
Meggie finished her chemotherapy in May 2008 and also underwent two half-body radiation treatments at North CarolinaStateUniversity’s veterinary teaching hospital. As a result of the radiation, Meggie lost her hair and went through several months of intense skin issues, but she has regained her beautiful red coat.
Now in her 15th month post-diagnosis, this canine survivor also has struggled with several other complicating factors, including a grade VI heart murmur and a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis in December 2008 after a bad case of pneumonia.
The West Stokes Relay for Life will be held at WestStokesHigh School, with the Survivor Lap beginning at 6 p.m. Additional contributions to Meggie’s fight against cancer can be made at
