THIS IS TEDDY. He is my mom’s four month old Pomeranian puppy.

Sam’s dog had puppies and we couldn’t resist keeping a few in the family. Oh don’t act surprised. you knew it was coming. And before you ask, yes, I still have Ollie. I think Grams would kill me if I didn’t.

The big pup is Dozer, far right is Sheba, Sable colored mutt is the Mandy the mom, and Teddy is front and center, posing for the camera.

Teddy likes:

• Biting the other dogs
• Food
• Sitting under the sprinkler
• Playing “keep away” when you try and catch him
• Food
• Digging in mud puddles
• Food (I feel like we’ve mentioned this before).

Teddy’s Alter-Ego names:

• Harvey
• Harley
• Koda
• Peanut
• Runtling
• No No No!
• and my personal favorite, “Hey You”.

While he may look sweet and innocent. . .

With that big pink tongue,

Small sweet face,

and fluffy coat…
don’t let him fool you.

When he thinks you’re not paying attention,

His evil side comes out.

Oh heavens.

It happened.

The evil is out, full force.
. . .And we’re loving every minute.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY LOVELY SISTER, SAM.

She is older by three years, which means she’s turning Twenty Three today! And look, she doesn’t even look any older up close. . .

I lived with her for a year when I was being rebellious against my parents. It really taught me a lot about what a relationship with a sister should be, and sometimes what it shouldn’t be. We were literally joined at the hip at her house and did everything together. Vacations to Vegas, horse riding competitions in Price, working together up the canyon to clean the mansions that she does, eating the same food, wearing the same clothes (she used to steal mine out of the washer, might I add. She could’ve at least waited until they were dry!).

Every night, Sam, her husband Mark, Dale and I would meet up at the arena and just ride. Those were the best times of my life, up there on the back of a big strong horse just trotting around with Sam.

Or we’d catch baby kill deers and then realize that this is the best picture of us of all time.

Happy Birthday Sam. Love ya!

Post note: I look like the Hunchback of Notre Dam. Just sayin.

I HATE WIND. I said it. And if you really know me, you’ve probably heard me say it more than once. There’s just something about it pushing your hair into your face, throwing your papers around and then budging your car all over the road that drives me crazy. If I have one elemental enemy it is definitely that.

But regardless of wind, rain, hail, or (heaven help me) snow, I have a responsibility to take my four legged soul mate outside. So I threw on jeans, flip flops and a half hearted smile and out we trooped. There is a beautiful church next door to my house in downtown Provo, and this was our chosen spot to wander. Ollie finally does not need a leash – and I know I’m going to get some angry comments for that sentence, so I’ll rephrase that. Ollie is TRAINED enough to STAY BY MY SIDE and not chase people or cars, so I feel I can trust him in a huge, fenced field.

I’ll be honest – it’s time like these when I have a million things to do, that I sometimes wonder why I got a dog. Then again, it’s hard not to be frustrated when you’re waiting for a dog to choose his “spot”.  I’m standing with my hair all across my face, freezing and irritated,  crossing my arms, stomping my feet and making the hhuuuph noises I make when I can’t help but be impatient. And Ollie? He’s blissfully exploring, wandering, smelling. Taking life in. So I try to enjoy it a little too.

Maybe it’s not so cold.

Maybe I do have a few minutes to let him be a dog.

With that new attitude in mind, everything shifted. The wind was no longer an enemy, but a gentle hug from a long lost friend, greeting me after the long awaited winters reprieve. It was change, bringing fresh air and seedlings waiting to grow. Whispering to the earth wake up, it’s Spring. It was invigorating, awakening, beautiful. It made me feel care free, like I wanted to run. So I did, with slow little Ollie in tow, looking behind me as he pushes himself harder, and harder until he’s sprinting past me. Witnessing as, for once he actually acted more canine than feline and chased a group of robins with reckless abandon. Watching my dog, playing, leaping and bounding with his tongue half out and that crazed look in his eye, I realized life is more simple than what we make it out to be.  Life is about living.

And life doesn’t get any sweeter than the birth of four beautiful, healthy baby Pomeranians that Sam’s dog just gave birth to. Welcome to the world, little ones. I know you’ll always help remind your owners what the true meaning of this world is, just as Ollie reminded me tonight.