Thank you, Siku!

My BFF, Siku (aka White Dog) is the bestest friend a girl could have! She sent me (and brother) my own agility course materials for my "Gotcha Day" this week. When I was at her house last month, Siku's dad tried to teach me and brother how to maneuver on the course, but it was clear that I needed a lot of practice.

Mom helped me put our new course together today. I've started practicing so the next time I go to Siku's house, I can show her what I've learned. The best part?? I get treats as a training tool!!! Thank you Siku!

A Fun Day of Love and Play

I had a bunch of fun on my special day today. First, I got to bark all I wanted, as often as I wanted, at anything I wanted. It was heaven. Then, I got triple snuggle time with my mom and mommy. To top it off, I got treats every time I asked for them, and for dinner, mommy cooked me my very own piece of chicken. During the afternoon, my family took me to one of my favorite places, the Duck Pond. I love watching the duckies dive in to the water, and today we were fortunate that there weren't many people there. Brother and I were the only 4-leggeds there, so we had a million places to pee, sniff, bark and pee some more. I had to keep the ducks and geese in order, and make sure they didn't leave the pond area. I had so much fun.

Tonight, I get my own bowl of ice-cream with a treat on top (we've missed our DQ run the past two weeks, and I made sure to remind mom of that) . Then I will snuggle up with my family and fall fast asleep, comforted in the knowledge that I am loved - very, very loved.

Here are some pics of me today....

My Special Day

Today is MY day - a day that is all about ME! Prinnie Day!

Two years ago today, I came home to my forever family. I had just woken up from the anesthesia of surgery (I had to be spayed before the pound would release me to my parents), and these two very funny looking (and smelling, too) women came in to the waiting room at the hospital with their hands reached out, waiting for the vet tech to put me in their arms. I was scared - really scared. I didn't know who these strangers were, and I didn't know where they were taking me. They talked nice to me, but I didn't trust it. After a little trip, they got me out of the car and put me in a soft crate that could zip up. I was still very wobbly from the surgery, and was getting more scared by the minute. I didn't know what to do with all the new smells, two other doggies, a kitty, two strange humans, a new house, a new bed.....but I knew that I was hungry. As they began to feed me, I realized that I was in the home of the two who came to the shelter on Christmas day. They were calling me Prinnie, and I liked it - almost sounds royal, doesn't it?

After a few days, I started to understand that this really would be my forever home (even as I was tormenting the kitty - he he!). I began to trust my parents a little bit more each day, and as I did, I could see them trusting me too. They kept saying that they had fallen in love with me, and would snuggle me up really tight. I didn't like it at first, but now I love it when they do that. I love my toys, my bed, my house, my car blankie, my siblings and my bff Siku (and, ok, dragon too). Most of all, I love my parents because they took a chance on me and gave me their unconditional love. They showed me that humans really can love me, and that I am a good girl. They tell me that I am the light of their life. All I know is that the past two years have been the happiest for all of us. I am loved, and I am home.

Pictures of me when I came to my family in December 2007.....

A New Tradition

Last night, we decided to load up the "kids" and do something each of us had done as youngsters (yes, there REALLY WAS electricity that long ago) - drive around to look at the Christmas lights adorning our community.

Prinnie and Digby were quite intriqued by the massive amounts of lights of various colors and shapes, the inflated snow men, and silly designs of Disney characters. Some were beautifully done, some were...well....slapped together in a hasty attempt to get something up for Christmas, and some were a little over the top, but very festive. Prinnie was quick to share her thoughts on each decorated house, ranking them by a series of barks. One bark meant that we should move on, but several barks meant that we had to slow down to snap a picture. If we didn't get it just right, she would continue barking until we captured the perfect essence of their holiday decor.

Here are some of Digby and Prinnie's faves - including one that received two paws down!!! Can you guess which one?? :)

QC by P&D

As we box up a batch of Barkery treats and prep them for shipping this holiday season, we look to our Quality Control staff to assure our product is satisfactory in every way. First, we start with oversight of our labeling and ingredient lists. Next, our QC staff turn in to random taste testers, offering their expert palette to help us tweak the recipe to just the right balance, and finally, they revert back to their oversight duties to confirm our packing process will provide safe transport to the canine treats on their journey across the country. Here are some pictures of our in-house staff hard at work this evening...

The Christmas Lists

To help pass the time on our road trip back home this week, we gave the kids the opportunity to dream of, and then share, their Christmas wish-list for Santa. Here is what they came up with that we now must send to ole' Saint Nick:

Digby

• T-Bone Steaks
• More lizards to chase
• No baths for a whole year
• Real mice to hunt
• An ipod filled with "A Dog's Greatest Hits"
• The DVD's of Babe, Beethoven and It's a Dog's Life
• A heated bed
• An air-conditioned bed
• A queen-sized bed
• A heated, air-conditioned, queen-sized bed with 800 count linen sheets
• A big in-ground pool so that I can drink all the water I want, any time I want
• Dragon to come visit me - I miss him...he is fun to play with
• All the doggies in the world to have a safe home with parents who love them as much as mine do me

Prinnie

• A doggie door so I can run out and chase the kitties who come in to my yard
• A megaphone so Siku can hear me barking to her from my house
• My own tv, on the floor, so I don't have to strain my neck to watch Animal Planet
• A laptop so I can play Farmville whenever I want
• Mom and mommy to stay home with me all day, every day, forever
• More spaceships in the sky for me to chase and bark at
• A trip to PetsMart at least three times a week
• A baby whale that mommy can't wash
• The movie "The proposal" - that eskie looks a lot like me, don't you think??
• The book "All Dogs Go to Heaven"
• Snack time to be on Prinnie-time - ANYTIME I want
• My BFF, Siku, to come visit me and bring Dragon for my brother to play with

Peanut Butter

• NO MORE DOGS!

Traveling Back Home...Monday and Tuesday, November 30th and December 1st

Siku waived good-bye from her window perch as we backed out of the driveway, on our way to fill up with Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts before hitting the road for our travel back home. It made us tear up as we saw her beautiful white fur face wishing us a safe journey.

The trip was everything unexpected for the first part of our travels. First, we hit snow - yes snow - just south of Albuquerque. It was beautiful at first, but we soon got "over it" as the roads worsened and snow plows were working double time. As we drove further south east, the snow turned to rain - also a welcomed site to those of us in a perpetual drought. Hours later, the rain lessened and the sun was brightly guiding our foursome back to Tucson. Thanks to Bud and Eileen, we all had a great nights' sleep and were back on the road early the next morning. As we hit the San Diego region hours later, Digby and Prinnie perked up, as if somehow knowing we were close to home. When we exited the freeway for the final time, they were up on all fours, sniffing the familiar air and wiggling with excitement.

As we pulled in to the neighborhood, Prinnie began announcing our arrival - making sure to let everyone, and we mean EVERYONE - know we were home. After unloading the car and preparing their dinner, the two grabbed their toys and headed to their beds for a nap. We were home - sad that this amazing journey was over, but grateful we had all had the pleasure of such a wonderful experience and new-found friendships.

Sunday, November 29th

Today started with one final meal among the participants of the ceremony for Sue and Steve. Shortly after, we all hugged one final good-bye, packed up the cars and headed back to Albuquerque. On the way, we stopped at a great walking trail at the base of the Sandia Foothills to the east of the city where the dogs (all four of the honor guard) could frolic one last time together and us humans could enjoy a beautiful, brisk day with the clouds encompassing the mountain top.

As we headed back to our heart family's studio for our final night, Steve somehow sensed that we were in the thralls of full-blown Starbucks withdrawal, and kindly drove us to the front entrance of the closest java joint.

After we were caffeined-up, Sue, Steve, Gregg, Candace, Shar and I met at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, where we had the opportunity to see some incredible art work and exhibitions representing the 19 Pueblo Tribes of the Rio Grande. A perfect way to end our Albuquerque experience.

That night, Shar, Prinnie, Digby and I didn't want to go to bed because it would symbolize the end of a fantastic trip. None of us wanted to head home. We kept our hosts awake well in to the early morning hours with conversation, reflection and some trip planning for the future.

The Day of the Celebration and Recommittment - Saturday, November 28th

Today was the day that Sue and Steve would, after nearly 30 years of marriage, recommit themselves to one another in front of their friends and honor guard. What they may not know is what a special day it was for us - to witness their love, stand by their side, and share in our friendship through a special bond between us all. The day was simply magical. No other words can give you a sense of what the day held for all involved. Just magical, and loving, and real, and honest, and sincere, and passionate, and beautiful. A day like no other that we will always remember. A day we are thankful to have the memories of.....

Congratulations Sue, Steve and Siku. We will join you again in 30 years as your love continues to flourish and your commitment to the waterfall stands strong.

Let the Festivities Begin - Friday, November 27th

Following a relaxing morning (still stuffed from Thanksgiving dinner), we packed up the kids "weekend" bag of treats, toys and ceremonial ribbon necklaces and drove in tandem with Sue, Steve and Siku to the bed and breakfast that would serve as the location of the recommittment ceremony and festivities. Once there, we were escorted to our own suite/casita, which was beautifully decorated in southwest flare and adobe structure. As the early evening progressed, each member of the ceremony began to arrive, and after a few hours, we all sat together for our first of many meals and exhilarating conversation.

The boys, Digby and Dragon, had a blast with the long hallways in which they would chase one another through. Prinnie served as their referee, barking foul shots and instant replay demands from her roving location on the sidelines. Siku, however, was exhibiting her very best party manners and was a perfect compliment to her mom and dad throughout the night.

As a thank you gift for being part of the honor guard, Prinnie,Digby and Dragon were given personalized, hand-decorated bowls and treats from their hostess, Siku. All were excited and honored to be part of such a wonderful event.

The best part of the day was getting the opportunity to know each person a little better as the night progressed. What we found was that we REALLY enjoyed the company of each of them, and has since grown to a fondness and friendship that has enriched our lives so much already.

Thanksgiving Day, 2009

Today was what Thanksgiving, in my mind, is all about. The day was filled with great food, beautiful weather, and most importantly, incredible people. The dinner party would later be the same group of us that would share in the recommittment festivities for Sue and Steve over the coming weekend. We had the honor of having real chefs preparing much of the meal, with each of us having some role in the preparation. The honor guard for the upcoming re-nuptuals were all present, including Siku, Dragon, Digby and Prinnie. Each of them played outside as the turkey roasted on the grill. Later that evening, Steve (aka Tom the Turkey Man) gave each of the four-legged celebrators some of the days best food - Turkey! It was a wonderful day - one that dreams are made of.

Albuquerque - Wednesday, November 25th

We headed out in the wee hours of the morning from Tucson; bound for our destination - Albuquerque, NM and the home of White Dog and her family. We drove through the deserts of eastern AZ and western NM for what felt like hours upon hours with nothing more than a grazing cow here and there to break up the scenery of brown brush and rising mountains. As we reached the outskirts of Albuquerque, Prinnie began insisting that we call White Dog to let her know we were close and would be there in a few minutes. As we pulled on to their street, Prinnie and Digby jumped up with excitement, as if knowing they were going to have the time of their lives beginning in a matter of seconds. As we pulled in to the driveway, greeting us from the window was a beautiful White Dog. She immediately hopped down to welcome us to her home as her mom opened the door and her arms for us weary travelers.

White Dog was a perfect hostess and exhibited exemplary manners, however Ms. Prinnie was...well... a brat. She was bossy and loud, expressing all of her pent-up energy from the long car ride to anyone within a three block radius. Soon after, White Dog's dad came home and the hugs and barking began again. White Dog showed us where we would be staying for the next several days - a studio apart from the main house that was AWESOME! Prinnie and Digby immediately ran to lay on the bed, as if knowing this was a very special place that was perfect for our family.

That night (yes, we DID find a Starbucks that Steve and I walked to early that evening), we all talked for hours before falling asleep for the first time under the New Mexico stars.