The Day of the Road Trip Has Finally Arrived!

Prinnie and Digby supervised the final packing of the car tonight in preparation for our road trip east! Each had to make sure that their treats, toys and favorite items were packed just so, and within easy reach for upcoming pit stops and potty breaks. Just when we thought we were done, we found two more back packs of dog "stuff", and once everything was crammed in and the door barely able to close, we remembered we had forgotten the stroller! Geez, it really feels like we are taking two toddlers with us - Blanket? Check. Food? Check! Snacks? Check. Toys? Check. Jackets? Check. Car seats? Check. Ear plugs?? Double Check! (The earplugs are for US!)

We hope to arrive in Tucson about 6-7 hours after we hit the road tomorrow am. We've warned Aunt Eileen and Uncle Bud that they are NOT to spoil our kids by teaching them how to demand breakfast in bed (they would give their eskie breakfast in bed each morning). I used to mercilessly pick on them when they spoiled their "baby", but with more crap belonging to the dogs than the humans for this trip, I might have to eat a little crow by tomorrow night!

After a long-overdue visit with our dear friends, we'll hit the road early Wednesday morning, bound for Albuquerque to share Thanksgiving with a very special couple and their eskie (Prinnie's BFF, Siku). The next few days we will be joining them in their recommitment wedding ceremony, and loving the time we will have together.

So, bags are packed, fields are plowed, cows are milked, and dogs are bathed. In just a few hours, a Venti Starbucks will signal the beginning of a week-long adventure that we will surely keep you updated on.

From our family to yours, we wish you a very Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving.

Four More Wake-Ups...

Just four more wake-ups and I will be at my BFF Siku's house in Albuquerque!!! I'm so excited!

First, my brother, parents and I get to stop at Uncle Bud and Aunt Eileen's house in Tucson for a day! Mommy said that I have to be careful because Aunt Eileen might prinnie-nap me, and not let me travel on to New Mexico with my family. I told her that it would be ok, because we will stop in to see Uncle Bud and Aunt Eileen on our way back home too.

I spent nearly ALL day packing my travel bag. So far, I have my Siku star blanket, our Star, my Starbarks, my coat, my silly shirt, two balls to share with Siku, my food, treats, my brush, things a lady shouldn't discuss (mom and mommy call them poop bags!), but NOT my whale. Mommy washed my whale today - ugh!!! How is Siku going to know how good he smelled?? I had taken him outside, rolled him in the dirt, drug him across the grass, back in to the house over all my hair on the floor, up to my upstairs bed and back down. Then mommy washes him! Geez! Now I have to start all over.

Later this afternoon, I helped mom bag up our newest treat for the Barkery - Hana's Hearts. It is named after Hana the Buttereskie who recently went over the rainbow bridge, but will never be forgotten. It made me a little sad to see her face on our bag of treats, but mom assured me that she is in heaven, sharing her love with all of the wonderful creatures that are with her.

After dinner, I asked mommy if she would help me with my farm chores, because all of my animals needed milking, and my trees needed harvesting. (Yes, mom and mommy got me my very own Facebook account so that I, too, can have a farm on Farmville and chase the kitties around - or so they tell me - it REALLY was because they needed another neighbor to advance their game, but we'll let them think it was my idea). Here is a picture of me at the computer telling mommy where to put my new tree and how to move my horse to another spot....

Anyhow, I am really excited about my first big road trip......we will be leaving in just a few days! I'm doing circles down the hall just thinking about finally getting to meet my Siku. Now if I can just keep mom and mommy ON the road and not pulling in to Starbucks every few hours!!!

P & D Go Shopping

As the work day wound down, Shar and I were gently being nudged by two very patient pups asking if we would take them to the store. When asked why, Digby told us that he felt it only appropriate that he and sister get a few things for their/our upcoming trip to New Mexico. As the days draw closer, we ALL are getting more and more excited.

Farmville and a half-full Frappuchino prevented us from jumping right up in the dash to put on harnesses, leads and seat belts. Apparently their crisis was becoming ours, as they began to demand that we "get crackin'" before the stores closed.

Being the obliging parents that we are, we caved to their demands and headed off to PetsMart for our first stop. Once there, Prinnie found a perfect-sized "rolley" (as she called it). She jumped in, sat down, and barked directions to Shar, who by now was in awe of how adorable she looked in the stroller made for pups. Digby taunted her a little, calling her a baby and saying that strollers were for wimps and that he was having nothing to do with it. Too many toys, pee spots, etc...to explore I guess.

After strolling (literally) around the store for what seemed an eternity, Prinnie led us over to the winter coats. She was insistent that she and brother would need something to keep them warm in the cold fall evenings of the desert. She selected a cute little pink coat for herself, and after a few fittings, found a matching blue one for her brother. He, being the perfect male, said "Fine. It fits - let's go". By now, the Queen had her subjects at her beckon call and needed one last visit to the foot wipes aisle.

After we loaded the newly-purchased stroller, bag of clothes and toiletries in to the car, we were instructed to head to PetCo. As we began heading down the road, a white eskie screeched in my ear that I was going the wrong way, and demanded I turn around to take "HER" to the next store on the list. Not wanting to have a power struggle on such a beautiful evening, I succumbed to her orders. Once we arrived at PetCo (yes, the stroller was out and in full use for her highness), we were lead by the tag-team pair to the collars, leads and harnesses aisle. Shar and I stood back as the duo hemmed and hawed about what colors to select, which would match more closely with their hair color, and what made one look macho and the other pretty. After the cashier reminded them it was now 15 minutes past closing, they jointly selected a new collar, harness and lead that was exactly the same for both, and was befitting a boy or a girl. FINALLY, we headed to the checkout as the little white one yelled - "Mom, just charge it!".

As we drove home, Shar grabbed her phone and called Parents Anonymous; asking for the next series of classes on how to deal with very spoiled children!

The "Trial" stroller ....................................................................... The "Final Selection"

In the Car

Goodbye, Hana

Today is the kind of day we wish never would be in our blog; it's a sad day. Hana, the sweet and inspiring American Eskimo from northern CA crossed, quite suddenly, over the Rainbow Bridge a few days ago. Our hearts are breaking for her mom and dad.

Hug those you love and hold them close because you never know when there won't be another tomorrow. I guess the only comfort of losing such a special eskie is knowing that on the other side of the bridge, to welcome her with open paws, was Dugan and Tobey and all the others that made their journey before her.

Run, Bark and be Free, Hana. You will be missed.

Presenting: The Derriere Press

Hey, no smart jokes about the jammies - it's freezing here and had already dipped into the low 60's when we shot this......

Dona Noblis Pacem (Grant Us Peace)

Today we celebrate with many across the world in a common hope for peace; peace for our own lives, peace for others, peace for those who struggle, peace for those we love and especially for all of the animals in our world who are living tonight without a home. Our peace globe shares some of the most special animals that have graced our lives over the years. What would your globe have in it?

Thank you, White Dog, for reminding us of this day xoxo

A Thought

"Youth is a gift of nature; age is a work of art."

Howlloween Happiness

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of being part of the San Diego Golden Retriever's Meet Up Group held at a dog park in SD. There were about 100 people that RSVP'ed, and although we don't know exactly how many showed up, all we could see everywhere we looked were dogs - lots of dogs. It was the first time we got to sell our product during a community-based event, and it was AWESOME!!! We sold all but one bag, and when we got home, were grateful that we had that one left, as our poor taste-testers supply was nearly gone. We gave out around 80 bags of brochures, business cards and treat samples, and more importantly, had the opportunity to talk with so many people who love their dogs as much as we love ours.

We wouldn't have had such a resoundingly successful (and really fun) day if it weren't for Sue and her family over at Random Ramblings. Sue is the Chairwoman of the SD chapter, which is the largest GR Meet up group in the country, and invited us to join her group for their Halloween festivities.

It was a really inspiring experience, and as we drove home, all we could talk about was how we can't wait to do more events. I heard Shar say about 100 times throughout the day that she was in her glory being surrounded by so many dogs. She wasn't alone. Our journey has truly begun.....

Quick Update

It's 9:30 pm and what we hope is the last little goblin just left! We are tired, tired, tired, but had a WONDERFUL day!!! Stay tuned mid day tomorrow as we post pictures of our awesomely wonderful Barkery debute (thank you so much Sue and Rob).

For now, we leave you with a few pictures of our neighbors. (Yes, they are all adults, and we REALLY have the best neighborhood in the world!!!)

Tony

Ryan and Lana

Terri

Ray (Frankenstein)

Ryan

Ray again.....

Could it be...no, it's Ray....

...Our Neighbors!

Getting Ready for Our First Showing

We've spent the better part of our evenings this week preparing for the San Diego Golden Retriever's Meet Up Group being held tomorrow. We are so excited, and are now at a point where we are seeing all of the work we have been doing for months finally coming together!

We made 15 bags to sell at the event, put together 100 sample bags with a brochure, business card and treats, found a way to mount our 6' banner on our display table, put the money for change in the lock box, created a few forms, order sheets, etc...and have it all neatly packed away in the car. Now all we need is our pit stop at Starbucks and we will be on our way to the Barkery's first real event!

The best part is that the kids get to come with us and help us celebrate the day!! We'll be sure to do our best to take a bunch of pictures to post tomorrow night. Thank you all for your unbelievable support the past several months! Watch out world, here we come......