Today found me in front of the PC finishing off a few portraits. Then it was time to turn my attention to the dogs, out for some fun…yippee. I brought my camera with me for the hawk has been hanging around and I would love to get a decent shot of him. Today was not to be that day for it seems the dogs are camera hogs. I mean really….why oh why would I photograph anything else but them
No matter where I went, or how I positioned myself…there they were front and center….just waiting for me to photograph them.
It always amazes me just how easy the pups make me smile… a good laugh is always had when we are just hanging out. I can think of no better way to spend an afternoon…can you
I saw a tee shirt the other day and simply fell in love with it so did a very quick scribble and used Rocky as the model….yes indeed, he earned a cookie for being a wonderful model I am now sipping my tea in style.
**Please know that I would be more then happy to design something for your mug, however this design is not for sale. I will search the web to find the artist who so cleverly came up with the original
Earlier today found myself and my ever faithful pack wandering the yard….camera in hand and ready to stop and photograoh those findings that are interesting. The last of the lilies….seems such a short season however I know that this is due to me not feeing well and not making use of the camera and taking the time to enjoy the flowers in my yard.
While in the agility yard I watched all three dogs…last night I had a student from about 10 years ago stop by to introduce me to his new GS pup. What an adorable puppy Sasha….but then I have a thing for GS’s….love them. What a smart puppy, as she will again be stopping in next week and I will have a few pictures of her to post. Being a puppy she made use of the grassy area in the agility yard….while none of my dogs met her….they knew she was in their yard and this morning just had to investigate. Each had to reclaim what is theirs as they stopped at each location the little pup had urinated.
As all of my pups are now full grown we have been thinking of eventually adding another. Keep thinking something will just come along for in the past that is how we have gotten most of our dogs….or maybe another Golden for how can you just have one
This lovely portrait is of my sweet little Nik-Nak. I did a quick sketch (every once ina while they will actually let me do a live sketch) then quickly filled in with color….created in Painter X. Classes starting again in Sept.
Niki enjoying the large Bumper Bed in Brick and Sunset (twill fabric).
I am always in search of products that my dogs will give Paws Up…and these beds do just that. I have been in search of comfortable dog beds….made in the USA and found a company that is here in the states….what really sold me was that so too are they a green company as are the beds affordable ($79.00-175.00 plus S&H). Did I mention all covers can easily be unzipped, removed for machine washing….the perfect dog bed!
So, coming soon to Paw Prints Store will be several of these wonderful beds.
The Bumper Beds come in nine colors that by mixing and matching you have up to 81 different combinations to choose from. The Tuckered out comes in two colors (plus a Premium which is in cow print….fun).
Roomy enough to share!
These beds are stuffed with 100% recycled intelliLoft …and they are very well made!
Rocky and Niki in the x-lg Tuckered Out Bed in the Beach Glass / Chocolate (made with reinforced Berber material).
Beach Glass/ Chocolate & Oatmeal/ Chocolate
Each bed is well made and is zippered so covers can be easily removed and machine washed! So “Paws Up” from my pack!!! Please know that if interested and you just cannot wait until listed in Paw Prints Store, just contact us and we will order one for you!
Paw Prints Studio does it’s best to support local small business’s and business’s located in the USA and actually stands behind their products beings sold as Made in the USA products.
Yesterday found me sitting on the floor grooming the dogs. I have a grooming table, however this pack of dogs….I am terrified Niki will fall off for she cannot stand for long periods of time, so to groom her I actually have her down and on her side…she is till so very sensitive through out her spine and hind legs and paws. I never taught Rocky to Hup onto the table for he has Pano (sore joints) and did not wanting him jumping off and I cannot lift him off the table. Gemma…well what can I say…the easiest to groom soI just do the same with her.
So, Niki the ckr mix has her face clean shaven with a #10 blade and body shaved with a # 7 blade, then paws, tail and ears are scissored with straight shears, the top of her head is trimmed with thinning shears. Then her nails are “sanded” with the dremel tool. The nails come out nice and smooth when doing it this way. If wanting to give that a try remember to introduce it to the dogs slowly…the noise, the vibration and very important to make sure they understand stay. Paw fur should be neat and trimmed…you can even put a little sock with whole cut out the toe end onto the dogs paw to protect the fur from getting caught on the rotating sander drum. Now, grooming Niki is time consuming for I need to take a lot of breaks, as does Niki. Since the dogs were not getting a bath following thier hair cuts their ears were cleaned with a home made ear cleaning solution and they are also flea combed (yippee….fleas are under control). Niki was given a good waterless bath, then sprayed with a mixture of vinegar, water, cedar wood, lavender and tea tree oil. For being such a good girl some Peanut Butter as a reward
I have three 7f blades that at the feel of them getting warm I swap for another, this way I do not have to use the spray to cool them down (I cannot handle the smell). Plus the fact we take several breaks everything stays pretty cool.
Then Rocky’s turn…good brushing. I do not remove the whiskers on his face….just a personal choice. The thinning shears are used on his ears, the inside of his ear flaps….all the fur near the ear going down on the side of his neck. Then his front legs….Rocky has a lot of “fuzzy hair” growth that is removed on the front of his legs with thinning shears then the backs are trimmed with straight shears. His rear legs….again a lot of fuzzy fur growing every where….thinning shears used….then rear feathering and tail. He is then told to down, over onto his side where the fur growing out between the pads of his paws is removed with a #10 blade. Then fur on top of the paw is brushed against the fur growth and the thinning shears is once again used to remove all of the fur….and he has allot of fur that grows fast like a weed. Once the paws are completed I also shave the fur in his groin area….followed up by some medicated powder. He is told to stand ears are checked and cleaned with the appropriate cleaner and he is brushed once again then sprayed with the vinegar, water, cedar wood, lavender and tea tree oil mixture. PB is given as a reward. Rocky is never ending for he has sooo much fur.
Gemma….easy, easy…easy. Good brushing, told to down over and nails are sanded. Placed in a stand and another good brushing, ears looked at and wiped clean and then she is sprayed with mixture PB is given as a reward.
All three are kept neat and trim, I will not be winning any grooming awards anytime soon. They are brushed just about on a daily basis….grooming takes place about every four to five weeks….I do try to sand their nail more often…about every two to three weeks.
All three will be bathed over the weekend then a quick going over with the comb and scissors.
Grooming Tools Used: Pin Brush, Greyhound Comb, Flea Comb, Straight Shears, Thinning Shears, Dremel Tool with Sander, Clipper, #7 F Blade, #10 Blade, Home made Ear Cleaning Solution, Ear Flush, Waterless Bath Spray, White Wash Cloths, Vinegar-Water-Cedar Wood Oil- Lavender Oil- Tea Tree Oil Spray, Gold Bond Medicated Powder
Today found the dogs and I hanging out…playing, exploring and even resting a bit. Look at each of their faces and really, what is there not to love about them. They are adorable…even if only through my eyes The best thing about them…they are the best fun police dogs! They know when I need to get up from the PC and just play and romp with them. Have you had fun with your dog<s> lately? Weekend is here…go for a nice walk…explore, have fun. Don’t forget to bring your camera along, make sure you share those images with us!!!!
Today found me finally going through some footage on the video camera....then playing around in imovie. Very amateur editing but I really have no clue as to what I am doing. The credits at the end, although I slowed them down once uploaded to You Tube it sped up...hopefully my skills will improve....that goes for the video camera as well Take a break, make a nice cup of tea and sit and enjoy the dogs.
A fast portrait created in corel Painter X. Digitally Painting Animals starts up again in July! Please contact Dee if wanting to commission her to create a lovely, one of a kind portrait of your beloved furry friend. If in the Atlanta are she can photograph your pet, or she can work from your images.
Sunday Morning, up at 8….since Mike is away for the week in Singapore it is my job to rush the dogs out the back door in the morning, all without allowing too much time for Niki to pee and poop along the way. Since her spinal injury she does not have the greatest control over her bowels, and her bladder.
Some of you may already know this, those of us with RA…well we are a bit slow in the morning. It takes a couple of hours for us to “unhinge”. Not only do I feel like the tin man from wizard of Oz in need of a good oiling, so too do I move like him. The dogs and I wander the yard….dogs do their morning thing, I make sure Niki’s bladder is completely empty having to do this twice for I cannot bend so early in the day (her bladder must be “squeezed” to make sure it is completely empty for bacteria can build up causing an infection.
Once inside I then can go do my thing All the while avoiding the mirror….as always my entourage has accompanied me down the hallway into the bathroom. The only thing on my mind is a nice cup of tea….I am not even sure if there is any caffeine in it for I had switched to green tea months ago. It helps with the “unhinging” process for I can wrap my hands around the warm cup. Once the water is up, stove on… me and my entourage wander back outside to fill the kiddie pool. Now, here in the Atlanta area we are still under drought conditions….I am not sure just how strict the county is currently enforcing the outside use of water for while I have followed the rules (with almost a full week of 90 something temp all you have to do is look at my lawn and weeds….dried brown mess….not to mention just how dirty my car is) I have been filling Niki’s pool just about every other day. Well worth any fines that may come my way for during the course of the winter she has lost so much strength and muscle tone. All of which I am uncertain if she can get back….but we will give it our best shot. As to if she is in discomfort….there are some days she moves a little like me. There is no yelping, or crying….just slow movement. I am really unsure if the county would have sympathy due to the fact Niki requires this in order to build her strength back up….or just to keep what she currently has. To view her walking in the water you see those back legs really moving, plus the sit, stand game we play (very tough to have her sit without floating…if she can touch the bottom of the pool….lots of concentration on her part she gets a click and treat). The movement is easier for her in the water, while at the same time it is so much more of a challenge for her… forcing the use of muscles she does not use on a daily basis.
Last summer when I introduced the pool to her she was not a happy camper…and the same this year. Refusing to go near it…..this morning I managed a few shots of her and the other two while I was filling the pool up. She was not happy….but since I had a few tasty treats she gave into sitting by the pool. As the pool fills… time for the birds….they want their feeders filled up. Yes, our wild life has us very well trained
Tea Time….water boiling away I pour the water into my cup and let it steep wile I feed the pups. Now, in my green tea I add a little milk….I know this has shocked some that have actually witnessed me doing this….I just like it that way. While sitting and enjoying my tea….my stiff hands slowly absorbing the warmth from the hot cup I spy the clock, the true testament of just how slow I move in the mornings, 9:45. I smile for I thought I had moved about in a speedy manner. My mind drifts to the fact that it is Sunday…I guess my age but I remember when stores were closed on Sundays, dinner was planned earlier in the day….you got to relax, eat dinner with the family….hmmmmm, sounds good to me. So. plans for the day….hanging out with the dogs, PT for Niki, depending on the heat and smog (bad air along with the heat) will determine how much out side time we get…then….relax.
