Story Time

I took Nicholas to the MSPCA this past Friday for story time. I had known about it for awhile but finally remembered to look it up and get there! It was a lot of fun and Nicholas had a great time. It was about 15 minutes of play with kids that were about 5 and under, and then a quick story (about 3 minutes). After that, the MSPCA worker brought in 5 week old kittens for the kids to pet and then we took a walk around the facility and checked out the available pets.

I have to say, the dogs at the MSPCA just broke my heart and I had to hold back tears. While I am thankful the MSPCA exists and that the owners were humane enough to surrender these dogs, reading some of their info cards just made me so sad. Dogs that were not good with other dogs, cats, or kids, not house broken, and were 1-2 years old and older than that. While every dog and situation is different, I felt that a lot of them were just not properly cared for, socialized, or owned by people that realized how much work a dog can be. There were also a lot of pit bulls, which require even greater care and socialization. I can't wait to be able to help animals like this hopefully have a better life.

xoxo

Lowell Humane Society Steps for Pets

A few weeks back I participated in the LHS Steps for Pets and it was an awesome day. Nicholas and my Mom along with Dexter came with me, and the rain held off for the walk. It was a little tough with Nicholas because he wanted to be up and playing with the doggies, but I managed to keep him in the stroller for the whole event.

Dexter went through a nose trial type thing (it is completely escaping me as to what it is actually called!!) Where he had to sniff out hot dogs in all different sized boxes. He did great (he's very food motivated) until he got to the next to the last box which he promptly peed in. They of course had extra boxes on hand and assured me it wasn't the first time it had happened. He even found the hot dog in the deep box and put both feet in and knocked it over.

Here are some pictures of the day, which also raised over $28,000 for the Humane Society! Woohoo!

Sleeping Adventures

First of all, I'm super thankful that Nicholas is still in the crib and has not made even the slightest attempt to get out of it (ok fingers crossed I did not just jinx myself).

Second of all, I'm also thankful to have a monitor to watch his crazy antics. Number one, because I know that he is safe, and number two, it's kind of hilarious.

Lately, he likes to take all of the sheets off of the crib, throw them out, and then take off all his clothes (I should also add I'm glad he doesn't take off his diaper, again here's hoping I did not just jinx myself).

But, he often pulls the mattress protector or the sheet back in, pulls it over his head and wraps it around his feet, and then falls asleep. Of course, Mom that I am, I then creep back in to pull it off of his face. I know he won't really suffocate because he's obviously able to breathe and take it off his head but it gets awfully hot up there so I just feel better when I can see that his face is uncovered.

Here are the pics I've gotten of his antics. Enjoy!

Simone Update

I've got a potential adopter for this girl tomorrow! Fingers crossed please!! I will be leaving her at the Humane Society and if she is not adopted tomorrow, I told the shelter manager I would take her back when we are home from Memorial Day Weekend in New York. She has been a total sweetheart and has warmed up and come out of her shell, I'm so proud of her (ok and of me a little) and I know she will make someone very happy.

Lila's Third Birthday

Last weekend we celebrated my friend Maggie's daughter Lila's 3rd birthday. Nick stayed home with Dexter as he had been a little off for a few days and I was afraid to leave him alone. Nicholas had a GREAT time. Maggie's Dad commented that he felt bad for me because I spent the whole time running back and forth across the yard with Nicholas. Honestly, I had a great time and I'm so glad Nicholas is happy and so full of energy and ready to do just about anything. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't glad to relax with a glass of wine when I got home ;)

Maggie did such an awesome job, from the food, to the decorations, and we had a great time!

This is the first picture I sent Nick, haha

This is where I found him when it was time to leave.

Bouncy House Fun!

Sweet Lila!

There may have been a disagreement (or 3) over this lil' stroller :)

Cupcake=Good.

Another Semester Down!

I finished my first year at school a few weeks ago. Final grades came through this past Friday and I am happy to say I got straight A's again. This semester I had Canine Training (so much fun!) Canine & Feline Nutrition, and my first non Animal Care class, Principles of Management.

I've been working with Dexter on some of the things I've learned in canine training and he is doing really well. He came to class with me a lot and I've definitely seen an improvement. I've also taught him using the clicker training method and I've taught him how to spin (he doesn't have it down yet but is doing really well) along with "leave it" and we've done some target training. As most of you know I love Dexter so much, he's my first "child", and I'm so glad I have him to be a part of something that is so very important to me. Here are some pictures of my little furry dude:

First day of training. He had no idea what was going on, but was his usual over excited self.

Passed OUT after his first day of training. It is mentally exhausting for the dogs, especially when they are so new to clicker training. Also, he had so many treats that let's just say the house did not smell so great for a few days..

Here he is with my teacher Professor Watkins, showing everyone how awesome he is.

This is Schultz, he's a Leonberger, was about the size of a horse, and totally mellow and awesome.

We were trying to teach him how to get on a towel up on a bench without saying a word (clicker training, google it if you are not familiar...) Here he's giving us a look letting us know he knows what we want, but he just doesn't feel like doing it.

Principles of Management was a class I didn't think I was going to enjoy nearly as much as I did. I really liked the teacher and his teaching style, and actually feel like I learned a lot. On my last day of classes the Professor said to me "Crystal, you did excellent this semester, nice job." I said "Thanks, I really enjoyed the class." He gave me a look and I said "No, I'm not being sarcastic, I really did!" And he laughed and said thank you.

Canine & Feline Nutrition was taught by my favorite Professor, Professor Shaw, and I learned a lot about how what we feed our pets and how it can affect them. I switched Dexter's dog food and he's done really well, and when friends ask me questions now I try to help them as best as I can.

I've said it before and I'll continue to say it, leaving my job was the best decision I could have ever made and I've never been happier.

xoxo

Easter

The day before Easter we had an Easter Egg Hunt with Nick's cousin Sam, his wife Aisling, and their children Nicky & Maggie. Nicky is 6 and did an awesome job helping Nicholas & Maggie (who is a little younger than Nicholas) find eggs.

On Easter we went to Nick's parents house and it was so awesome- fabulous food and lots of laughs, and it's always great watching the kiddos play together. Alice is getting bigger by the minute (those bunny ears!!).