Where Have We Been?

It has been a long time since I wrote a blog post and a lot has happened in the last few years. I will attempt to bring us up-to-date.

In March of 2011, we had our three month old granddaughter placed with us by the state, after she came into care with some very serious injuries. As we waded our way through court hearings, surgeries to correct her injuries, meetings with DHS, visitations, countless doctor appointments, therapy appointments, more court hearings, and more meetings, it became increasingly difficult for me to keep up with sewing and filling orders for the designer dog clothes that I had become known for. When it became clear that our granddaughter would not be able to be returned to her parents, we knew that there was no question that she had to remain with us and we were granted adoption. I closed down the business in December of 2014.

June 2011

Kaelynn fit into the family well, being a dog lover from the start. The dogs were not so sure about this new "puppy" that had descended upon the household, but soon accepted her and have always been so good with her. Poor Cooper probably got the shortest end of the stick, having come to live with us just two months prior to all of this. He didn't receive the extensive training that the girls had, so he is a little more of a wild child. But, he and she grew up together and have remained the best of friends.

August 2011

Stormie and Breezy loved to follow her around and were always willing to get free pets and loves.

We have made sure that she has been fully indoctrinated to love Chihuahuas first and foremost, even if it was at times a subliminal message.

Life has definitely been busy as we adjusted to parenting a child once more, at a time when we thought we were approaching an empty nest. But, life has a way of changing on you, just when you think you have it all planned out.

In the Fall of 2014, Breezy became very ill and was diagnosed with Gastrointestinal cancer and was started on a regimen of medications. She responded well to these and we were able to eventually get her down to the minimum dose required and she rebounded and was doing quite well.

In early Spring of 2015, Stormie developed a persistent little wheezy cough and we took her to see the vet. She was diagnosed with a significant heart murmur and was also placed on medications. I was doing well with keeping up with their daily doses and everyone seemed to be holding steady.

Then, one of the worst days of my life happened on the morning of June 27. We woke up to find that Stormie had passed away in her sleep. I was devastated and inconsolable. I have had to have several dogs put down over the years due to illness, but somehow you convince yourself that you are doing what is best for your pet and you come to peace with the decision. This one hit me so, so hard.

Stormie was my first Chihuahua and she was what is referred to as my 'heart dog'. She was so in tune to my emotions, always knowing when I needed a snuggle. She never wanted anything but to be held in my arms, snuggled up to my neck. She would often lay in her bed and just stare at me. I loved that little girl more than life itself. Losing her in that way, without the chance to say good bye was unbearable. 

My life has been so drastically changed in the last few years since we got Kaelynn and I have had to sacrifice many things, my business being one of them. Stormie was the original model and face of the company. Now it was all gone. The business was gone. Stormie was gone. Even still, great waves of grief wash over me when I least expect it. 

I did my best to move on, missing my little shadow, but having so many other responsibilities in my life, there wasn't a lot of time to linger in my grief.

Then, on the day after Thanksgiving, November 27, it was obvious that Breezy was in a lot of distress. She had also recently been diagnosed with a moderate heart murmur, as well as her other difficulties. I knew in my heart, as I scooped her up and rushed to the vet, that this was going to be good bye. Five months to the day after losing Stormie, I held little Breezy in my arms as she took her last breath and slipped away. Our vet cried, all the technicians, even the receptionist, were crying. And I sobbed harder than I could remember ever sobbing. My grief over Stormie slammed violently into my grief over Breezy and I thought I was going to literally die right there on the floor of that exam room. My heart could not handle it. How do you lose another one, when you hadn't recovered from losing the first?

Slowly, I have come to grips with the fact that I no longer have "The Girls". I still have Shimmer, who is in good health and is her sweet self, as well as our Super Cooper. Adjusting to two dogs has been a challenge. When I take them outside, I often find myself looking around for the other two, that momentary panic when I think I have lost one. 

Shimmer

Cooper

I appreciate those who have reached out to me when I announced on our Facebook page that we had lost Stormie, and then Breezy. My heart is healing. I'm even thinking about perhaps adding a new pup to our little pack. Not right now, but perhaps soon. Shimmer and Cooper still bring me so much joy and I am thinking of new ways to share their fun antics on both our Facebook and Instagram pages.

I plan to get back to writing my blog, as it has always been something that I enjoy doing, and hope that there are still some people out there who want to read it!

Thanks for listening,

Kelli

Snow Days

We have been having quite the snow storm here in the Pacific Northwest this weekend. This always creates quite the dilemma for our little dogs. It doesn't take much accumulation to be considered deep for them.

The first day there was not that much snow, but Cooper would have nothing to do with it. He stayed on the covered patio as much as possible.

Cooper

  

Once the really heavy snows started, he would just go out on the patio and whine. The wind had blown quite a bit of snow in on the patio, so it wasn't that much of a reprieve for him.

A tough guy he is not.

The girls were a little more tolerant of it, but not big fans for sure.

Stormie

Breezy

Stormie and Breezy

Shimmer would not get out in the snow much either.

Really, I think these girls forget that they spent the first few years of their lives living in Spokane, Washington, where the winter months stretch on and on with snow. We made the drive up there two years in a row to pick up Stormie, and then Shimmer, in the middle of horrible snow storms.

Perhaps it is just a diva thing.

They are much more comfortable stretching out on the couch for a nap.

Life is good.

Dogs in the Hood

I am not sure who invented the hoodie, or even how long they have been in existence, but it seems that everyone enjoys them.

Perhaps it is the combination of shirt and jacket. Kind of like you are getting away with something extra when you wear one.

Or perhaps it is the name. Hoodie. It is a kind of funny word, don't you agree?

They are certainly a popular, hot-selling item in our shop.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, where the weather is a little bi-polar, being sunny one moment and raining torrents the next, they are an essential wardrobe staple.

The girls enjoy wearing their hoodies on damp days like this.

Cooper, not so much. But then Cooper HATES wearing any clothing.

Not sure if this is a fashion statement of his thoughts on my designs. Or he is just a boy and clothing is not an interest. Either way, he can wiggle out of anything I put on him, so I am almost to the point of giving up.

Meanwhile, the girls and I are facing the day wrapped in our favorite hoods.

Have a great day everyone!

Easter Goodies

Yes, the Easter Bunny made a stop at our house. The girls got cute little Easter bonnets.

Shimmer is opting for the "If I just hurry and look sweet, they will take the picture and I will be done' look. She was successful.

Breezy has the "I cannot believe what they make me do" look.

And Stormie just poses like the pro and shows everyone how it's done.

They also got these absolutely gorgeous collars from Crazy for Collars. They are called 'Chihuahua Princess', so of course the girls had to each have one. And wonderful Suzanne added the bling with the rhinestone crowns in the center of the bow.
Everyone got a basket full of yummies and goodies:

Shimmer always looks like she is smiling.


Breezy, once again, just wants it over with so that she can dig into the goodies.

Here is Cooper's basket....

And here is Cooper:

We never could get both in the same picture. Cooper never stops moving. You will notice the treats in his basket. They are the Bil-Jac treats that everyone here loves, but they are called 'Little Gooberlicious'. We always say to Cooper "You are such a goober', so I (I mean the Easter Bunny) couldn't resist getting them for him. He also got two new collars from Crazy for Collars.

Yep, pretty spoiled pups.

Cooper thinks that's just the way it should be.

Our Prize Package came!

Our package came from Pet flys!

Stormie and Breezy had their pictures chosen as the July winners on the Pet flys website, so they received a HUGE basket of fun stuff that this company sells.

They are wearing the cute little dresses that they received. There was also a sweater for Shimmer and one for Cooper, too!

There are toys, toys, toys and TREATS -- their all time favorite thing in the world (next to me, of course!) There are brightly colored doggie waste bags, a really adorable photo album and a reusable shopping bag with a Chihuahua on it!

We send big hugs and thanks to Pet flys and Monkey Boy for choosing our picture as the winner for this month.

If you would like the chance to win big like this, just order some of their great products, then take pictures of your dog with the products and submit them to the website. Each month they choose two pictures as winners - you have a great chance to be a winner!

Snow Day!!

Well, it finally happened, and we actually got some snow this winter. We have been promised it numerous times, but it didn't ever really materialize. While the rest of the country has been buried with storm after storm, we always seem to dodge the bullet.

It wasn't much, but when you're a Chihuahua, it doesn't take much snow on the ground to make for a fun snow day. We went outside first thing in the morning and it was a good thing, because a few hours later it was pretty much gone.

Cooper had the most fun, but then, according to Cooper, EVERYTHING is fun!

Shimmer usually enjoys the snow, but then she loves being outside and enjoys whatever she's doing out there. She thought it was great.

Somehow, the only picture I got of Breezy is just as she was squatting to potty. Don't tell her!!

Stormie hates the snow. And the rain. She always sticks right next to me, looking pathetic and begging to go back inside.

I had plans to go back outside and build a little snow Chihuahua, but it all melted too quickly.

At least I had pictures to prove it happened!

If Only We Could Bottle This Energy...

I had forgotten just how much energy a puppy can have. And I know the girls have certainly forgotten. Or perhaps they hadn't, but just were content to not have any puppies around to pester them.

Stormie, Shimmer and Breezy do all take turns playing with Cooper, sometimes two or three at a time even. But, they weary of the antics long before he does.

Yesterday was just such a day. Cooper was in a fiery 'play with me or else' type of mood. He just went from girl to girl.

First, Breezy was willing to play with him and participated in a little tug-of-war. I know the pictures are slightly blurry, but YOU try to capture action like this and not be a little blurry!

It is obvious who won the prize in the end!

Breezy gave up, so Cooper went on the search for another victim. Shimmer is the least likely to play with him, and in true typical little brother fashion, he knows this and will seek her out to torment her.

She was sleeping peacefully in one of the beds, but was willing to consent to a little tussle.

Stormie came over to check out the action for a bit, but wasn't interested in joining in.

Just as suddenly as it started, it stopped and it was time for a snuggle and a nap.

Needless to say, I am having a hard time staying on task with my sewing with so much fun and action going on around me. That's okay. He will only be a puppy for a short time, I am going to enjoy every minute of it!

Christmas Bed

The girls had a marvelous Christmas, getting spoiled, probably getting too many snacks and treats, and much time snuggling with Mom, who actually spent time away from the sewing machine!

Christmas morning found a new house/bed for the girls near the Christmas tree, filled with their favorite treats: CocoTherapy Coconut chips, Bil-Jac's Peanut Butter-Banana treats, a couple boxes of Buddy Biscuits and three new antler chews (you can't see all of it inside the bed, but they are there!) The huge bag of bones next to the bed is, alas, not for them, but rather, for Carson. They did get a little excited when they thought they had a bone bigger than themselves to chew on!

The new bed was quite the hit. It found it's way into the sewing studio, where it was thoroughly checked out by everyone. The first day they played musical beds, with all three of them trying it out and even at one point all three of them were piled in it together.

But soon it became apparent that someone decided to take ownership. Can you guess who..???

Yep, Breezy is the one that usually runs right into it and is not too excited about sharing. I am trying to get her used to the sharing concept, but I can see it will take some effort.

This is the look she gets if Bonnie dares to get too close to the bed:

Sometimes she even curls that cute little lip. I am just waiting for the day Bonnie sticks her whole giant head in there, lifts it off the ground and runs around the room with it. THEN we will see how brave the tiny Breezy is, huh?

Stormie just gives me this look that clearly says, "You are going back to the store and getting another one of those beds for Shimmer and me, right?"

Really now girls, I didn't have this much post-Christmas problems when raising six kids!

And yes, Stormie, I probably will be going back to get another one. You can never have too many beds, right?

New Mailbox!!

We have been searching for a larger mailbox for quite a while now. Our standard size mailbox just wasn't proving to be large enough to hold all the orders that we have going out. Often times I was having to cram as many as I could into the mailbox and then still take a stack to the big blue mailbox on the corner a few blocks away.

This last weekend we finally found one! Truth be told, all three girls could fit in this mailbox! I don't know if this is a great Christmas gift for me or for our long-suffering, very patient mail carrier. He is going to be pretty happy.



Breezy was happy to pose for a picture next to the new mailbox. I believe she is thinking that with such a nice big mailbox, she should be getting lots of BIG packages filled with new collars from Crazy for Collars, or treats, or toys, or anything else anyone would like to send her.

Or maybe she's worrying that Bonnie might stick her in a box and stuff her in the new mailbox and ship her off somewhere....

Revenge Is Sweet!!

I made a discovery the other day.

I have a sneaky, revenge-seeking little hoarder in the house.

I have previously mentioned how disgusted the girls get over Bonnie stealing their toys. Once their toy or chewie has "Bonnie slobber" on it, they will have nothing to do with it ever again.

Yes, they are snobs.

So, the other day was grooming/bath day. As part of that event, I go around and gather up all the blankets in the beds and crates and wash them also.

Imagine my surprise when I went to this bed. Innocent enough looking, right? Nice little bed, cute cuddly blanket to snuggle with. This is one of the beds in the office, it is usually tucked under a side chair. I brought it out from under the chair to take these photos.

When I picked up the blanket, I discovered Bonnie's Antler chews hidden underneath.

I hadn't noticed that she was missing them, but I am sure that Bonnie knew they were missing. Perhaps that was why she was completely emptying her toy basket lately. She was wanting her Deer antler chew and her Moose antler chew.

The girls are somewhat interchangeable in the beds, often playing musical beds as they move from one to another. However, it didn't take me long to observe who was most anxious to check out this bed once she had the chance.

Yep, you guessed it.

Breezy does have a diabolical side to her.

I admire that girl.

Sweater Weather Has Arrived!

I know we really cannot complain, it is the last part of October. It is NORMAL to have the weather be cooler now. So, it was time to put away the summer clothes and bring out the sweaters.





These pink sweaters are my favorite. I purchased them at Petco a couple years ago and cannot find them again, so I do not have one for Breezy. I don't think it bothers her near as much as it bothers me, but I keep looking. I check eBay all the time, just in case someone is selling one.





Breezy seems to really like this green one as her favorite sweater. I guess it goes well with her red hair.

The important thing is the girls are toasty warm in their sweaters. And they look so stinkin' cute.





Wish I looked so cute in anything I wear!