Auntie Aubry Visit

Aubry made a quick trip back to Virginia for a few days. Of course we took her to visit a local winery. Keswick Vineyards is about 45 min from our house.Right down the road is a new cidery, Castle Hill. Less alcohol than wine, more like a strong beer. Very crisp and refreshing. While waiting for our cheese plate, the two married ladies perused the wedding magazine.
The crisp cider paired nicely with the stinky cheese. Yum!
As we settled in for the night, Jaime and Stella showed how much they missed their Aunt Aubry. Stella really missed having Aubry rub her rump.
Jorja found a nice soft spot to lay her head.
Stanley didn’t really notice. He was zonked out.
While Sunny snuggles with an Angry Bird on the bed, Jorja is between beds.
In our effort to keep their teeth clean, the kids gnaw on some bully sticks.
The kids were great while we held an adoption at the house. Mojo (right) arrived an only child, and is going home with her new brother, Edge.

New Teeth Scraper

We were getting ready to head down to Trina’s for her birthday weekend. The kids were greeted by a dozen or so turkey vultures. The only thing more offensive to Stella than a neighborhood hoodlum on a skateboard is turkey vultures. Of course she told them what for by barking her head off, but they were more interested in whatever was dead in the ditch. These two were giving me the stinkeye while I took their picture.
After we spent the day at the Virginia Wine Expo and the night eating and drinking at the Chef’s Table at The Blue Goat, we were still recovering the next morning. Good thing everyone could fit on Trina’s new couch.
We were watching Dusty and Fern for the weekend. Dusty catches some morning rays while waiting for his brekkers.
At the wine expo, we got the kids a special treat. A deer antler. Stanley went right to work on it.
Stella gives it the once over.
Not sure what it is, she decides to take a nap with it.
Jaime knows exactly what to do with it.
Old bone or...
New bone?
Definitely new bone.
Little Jorja chews on bone more her size.

Isabel

Isabel would have been 13 this year. She took one last trip to the vet this morning. We had been doing our best to control her kidney stones, but it finally got to the point where she couldn’t keep her food down.

I got her from a friend who found her at the dumpster at a carwash. She was my first pet at the age of 30. She was such a sweet kitty. She used to sleep under the covers with me. When I moved in with Kris, Isabel learned to live with two other kitties and Parker.
When the greyhounds came into the picture, the kitties were allowed to run free, but Isabel and Greyson decided it was a quieter and safer in the basement.
Needless to say, Greyson is one unhappy camper about being the only kitty in the house.
Bye sweet Isabel. The kidney stones will bother you no longer.

Nap Time

I’m not sure if I take after them, or they take after me, but nap time is a ritual here. The last post showed me with the pups. But they are just as happy to snuggle with each other.

Not a few seconds after the baby gate is removed after putting clean sheets on the bed, the kids are ready for a nap.
Really, Jaime? Good thing that is not Stella tooty rump.
Yes, Stella. You managed to pull three blankets off the back of the couch. And throw in a pillow just in case.
A three way of ankles, feet, and nose. Does it smell like Fritos?
The larger picture. Stanley throws in ETS for good measure.
It really is hard to remember when Stella got all growly when we first got Jaime. Now Stella does not just tolerate it, sometimes she initiates it.
Nap time is over for Jaime when food is involved. Momma, I really wants that cookie!!!

On the Couch

I guess I am not the only photographer in the house. Kris went crazy with her iPhone. She posted it on her Facebook page, but not everyone is on FB. I’m not. What happens on your couch?

Here I am training Jaime to take a pretzel from my mouth. Is that a bad thing? She is so food motivated, it didn’t take long. She was very gentle.
Stella does not need a reason to attack my face. She loves her daddy.
Sometimes there just isn’t enough space on the couch, and we just have to share. Stanley started out roaching, but Kris decided that this was a better shot. One FB comment said that it looked like a Shakespearean tragedy.

Ms. Lilly and More Snow

We haven’t had a true foster in a while. Ms. Lilly was with us for a few days. She whispers sweet nothings in Stanley’s ear.Lilly reminded us of Jaime when we first got her. Very black with white chest and white footsies.
On Saturday, the sun was out and temps in the mid-40’s. Within one hour, the temp dropped more than 15 degrees, an inch of snow fell from the skies, then the sun came back out. Watch out Stella, looks like there is a stalled greyhound on the ramp.
Parker is better built for snow, and doesn’t mind the cold so much.
Stella returning from doing her business at the far end of the yard, shows off her close to the ground, low center of gravity style of running in the snow.
Jaime doesn’t really enjoy the cold. She came back in from the hard icy ground to find the softest warmest place on the couch.
Abby and Blue have been with us the past week. Abby could always be found in her favorite spot, the mini-couch bed in front of the tv.
Blue mulit-tasks by shaking the bejabbers out of a stuffie, then using it as a pillow.

Close Ups

Took some random close up shots of the kids.
Jaime.
Stella looking Needle-Nosey.
Jaime napping with her head in the toy basket.
Parker showing one of the few front teefers still hanging on.
Stella.
Stella teefers.
Stella maximizing her space on the couch.

Little Bit of Snow

A couple of weeks ago, we had a little bit of snow fall in the area. Not much. And it didn’t hang around long. As our 2012 has mostly been in the 50-60s, I’m not complaining.
A little snow didn’t stop the kids from their potty break.
Stella does not like it when I follow her around while she tries to do her business.
Jaime uses 4-paw traction to make it back up the ramp.
One poor greyhound was left outside in the cold.