Gifts come in many different shapes and sizes, as well as forms and methods. It’s a gift in itself when others agree and are willing to side step the tradition of a store bought gift in exchange for an alternative. Lana, DeeAnn & I have an agreement that our Christmas gifts for each other are meant to be shared experiences, those that build memories. Let’s just say we nailed it this year!
It was well into January but we did make the time to have an afternoon together for the purpose of making home made dog treats. With dogs, now six of them and still just one cat, the three of us met at the 5th Street house to share time in the kitchen blending peanut butter with boiled carrots, rolling oats with pureed pears and checking the oven repeatedly for hours after. And when not checking the oven, looking everywhere (literally everywhere) for the dog boned shaped cookie cutters that mysteriously disappeared. Whenever something is missing, my first suspect is Holly. There is reason for that but in this instance it was a false accusation. Poor Holly was a trooper as I opened her mouth, checked under her body and searched her go-to corner of the dining room for the missing dog-bone cookie cutters. Later I apologized to her when the cookie cutters were found in the dishwasher stacked on a rung under a bowl, exactly where I had placed them.
With all that happening, the night ended with each us of taking home a few bags of delicious homemade treats, human grade! We also had our usual Chinese take out dinner sharing plenty of stories about our pets and taking a stab at solving world problems. While we were being domestic, our pets had their own fun happening. Little Kimber Blu was the life of the party. She made her rounds with each of the dogs, and theirs with her. As you can guess, Helen was Ms. Snooty Stand-Off but Holly lightened up and partook in some playful antics with Kimber, until Kimber starting making noises that confused Holly putting her in caution mode instead of play mode.
Kimber is a confident, fearless young lady who stepped into the house as if she had been there multiple times. A baby gate is separating her from a room where other dogs are – no problem, just knock it down and walk over it! Holly of course stands wide-eyed and mortified, she needs at minimum an 8 inch buffer zone between a baby gate and her body. That’s a securely mounted one, if it wiggles the buffer doubles.
Helen was cordial and tolerant with Kimber. We did get a good laugh though when DeeAnn left to go home, Helen charged out the door behind her and was begging DeeAnn to take her home with her. I guess you have to know the history between DeeAnn and Helen to find that comical. Let’s just say that DeeAnn has bumped up a rung in Helen’s world since Kimber has come along.
Seeing big brother Kooper tend to his new little sister is quite touching. He has a new job, a newfound purpose in life, and he is taking it very seriously. Our mix of border collies, dachshounds, golden retrievers, golden labs plus a cat, with ages ranging from 10 weeks to 12 years, all shared an afternoon, respectfully and rewardingly. Their diversity made it all the more special, for them and for us. Unlikely friendships carry an added depth and reflect a brighter love. If we just let it be.
First Come First Serve
Kimber (10 Weeks) & Holly (3 Years)
Lana & Kimber 10 Weeks
No Escaping Love
Spoiling Time
Kimber’s Kup
