Memories....and wishes for a Happy New Year, without Regrets

Happy New Year!

I was actually looking for a funny photo of Kate, my old girl, to wish you a wonderful New Year. But while going through photos, I found this one of her half-sister, Lizzie, that I had entitled "Mom, I am sooo tired of this photo shoot!"  Because I think that was exactly what was in her mind when we took this photo.

We owned a boarding kennel then, and Lizzie had put up with over an hour of photos before this, out in the training field, then we had taken her over by the pond, trying to get a "relationship photo" of the two of us. I am not so sure what this photo says about our relationship, but it has always made me laugh.  I believe this photo was taken in 2004 or 2005.  Sadly, we lost Lizzie in 2008, just before she turned 7 years old, from lymphoma. Kate, her younger half sister, is now 11 and not doing well.  We sure miss the days when both were well and happy--they brought us so much happiness through the years.

No, this is going to be a sad post.  Just a reminder.  A reminder to love your dogs, your friends, your family, while they are here with you this year.  Because we never know what the future may bring. Hopefully this will be a year of health and happiness.

But part of life is loss, no one lives forever.  So TODAY, do something fun with your dogs. Call or email a friend.  Better yet, drop a note in the mail!  Did you know that there is still such a thing as a mailbox, and many people would love to open that box and find a note from you next week?

Wishing you and yours the very best New Year ever. Lots of everything good, but God's true comfort should you experience a loss.  And most of all, no regrets.

Melanie, and her Poodle friends Kate and Hudson

Abby & Murray on Great Pond

Don't forget the Caption Contest! Thank you Chris for sharing this photo of your daughter and Poodle! Wow, it's August already, go swimming while you still can!

Poodle Joy After Pond Swimming!

I love to receive emails like this one I received tonight from my friend and Poodle photographer Rick Miles, who said:

Sadie was very very happy after her swim. Jeanne commented on the e-mail list that this was a great poodle joy picture and I just had to send it on to you.

Thank you soooo much Rick for sharing this photo (and a note to Jeanne Haight--you know me so well Jeanne, I do indeed love this joyful photo!)

Twasn't Me!

No Mom...really, it was not ME who destuffed the tiger! (Kate, you certainly do look guilty!)

Happy New Year from the L'Abbe Poodles

Looks like Chris L'Abbe's boys had some fun over the holidays...they sent these photos for us to enjoy!

"Umm...should we just pose here, or is this possibly a piece of agility equipment?"

"Wow, Mom, this really is a cool jump, way cool!"

"We are just lovin' this new jump!"

"Mom, please let me take it home, it's just a little stick!"

"No, it's not really time to go home already, is it?"

Anyone for a Walk?

Houdini obviously doesn't mind the hot weather, and will fetch his own retractable lead if needed in order to encourage his owner to get up early for the morning walk!

Thanks to Rick Miles for this photo of Houdini. Taking photos of "Poodle joy" moments is Rick's specialty!

Whatcha Got There Sis?

My friend Jeanne Haight never fails to make me smile with photos of her lovely silver Poodle girl "Morgen" interacting with her newest addition, "Cole".

What often makes the photos so cute are the captions that Jeanne includes. I thought this one was especially cute!

Whatcha got there, Sis.........more rabbit poop????

Thank you Jeanne, for sharing their fun with us!

Houdini is having a good week!

Many thanks to my friend Rick Miles for this fun photo of his Standard Poodle "Houdini". Maybe he was feeling as happy as the rest of us this week due to the big news we are seeing on TV? I don't know Houdini's politics but I know he is a guy who loves life and certainly loves to pose for the camera!

Houdini is such a character, and I never get tired of his funny faces!

Thanks again Rick, I so enjoyed this photo.

Snow Anyone?

Chris L'Abbe's dog doesn't look too worried about how he is going to hop out of this, does he?  When I was growing up in SC,  I honestly believed there was no such thing as too much snow, sort of along the lines as no such thing as being too rich.. The snows we had last winter here in Virginia made me change my mind.  But for my friends in New England and the ones near Chicago.....whew, this recent winter storm has been record breaking - even though the dogs are enjoying it, I think everyone else is yelling -   enough already!  And it's only the first of February so there is sure to be more to come!