Best In Show: BANANA JOE!

My heart was captured by little Banana Joe, the 5-year-old Affenpinscher (nearly 6!) from Massachusetts. He won the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. I've always owned a shih-tzu, so I'm partial to the toy group. This little guy is so precious! I love all dogs but when they're small enough to hold, they feel like little babies and seem extra sweet. Yay, Banana Joe! :)
















Now Playing: "Retrograde" by James Blake
*On repeat! Love this!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Ireland!

Today, I have a special birthday party planned for my little shih tzu, Ireland. She's turning 3-years-old. I baked a three-layer, pink ombre cake and invited all of her favorite friends. I'll try and snap some pictures of Ireland in her party outfit. She absolutely loves to open presents so it should be a fun little afternoon. Yes, I'm crazy :)














Now Playing:  "Always" by Atlantic Starr
*I used to sing this to my other shih tzu when I was little, lol. She would have been 18 on November 25th. I got her for my 9th birthday.

Heart-Shaped

I've had my shih-tzu, Ireland, for over two years but I just noticed that when she lays down, the coloring of her fur resembles the shape of a heart! The reason I never noticed was because when she's upright, her darker fur extends onto her back. When she lays down for naps or sleep, the line of her back creates the illusion that the fur is heart-shaped! She's such a sweet little girl so I just love this. When I'm laying in bed and look down at her, I only see the heart! So precious :)

Now Playing: "Any Day Will Do Fine" by Michael Kiwanuka

Katarina's First Christmas!

Back in July, I posted about finding a cat when I was outside watching a movie on my laptop. I quickly and without much thought named her Katarina July (thinking she would only be a temporary pet while I found her a permanent home). Of course, I got attached and she's now a Roman. She looks so much like Henrietta Pussycat from Mister Roger's Neighborhood that I'm mad at myself for not choosing that name. I dressed her up in this little Christmas outfit to take a few pictures. Before Peta attacks, she actually really liked the ensemble (as gaged from her purring).

Now Playing: "Little Saint Nick" by The Beach Boys

Precious

This video is pure perfection. Combining Bob Ross' soothing voice with the adorableness of a squirrel is too good to be true. Squirrels are some of my favorite animals. I often feed them in my backyard (they take nuts out of my hand) and love to watch them climb trees and tightrope across the telephone lines.















Now Playing: "Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap

Free Fallin'

Meet Otis, the 10-year-old pug from California whose weekend activities are probably more interesting than yours.

Katarina July Roman

I'm not sure what it is but cats always seem to find their way to me. Growing up, there was quite a few cats who would follow me home. In college, I took care of an abandoned cat (Audrey Hepburn) who ended up birthing a litter of six kittens while I was home for the summer. I came back to discover the babies living in a wooded area across from my apartment complex. I was fortunate to find them all a home together on a farm in West Virginia.

Last night, I was outside watching Vicky Cristina Barcelona on my computer, gazing at the stars and lightning bugs and listening to the crickets... when I heard a familiar sound. I thought it might be a kitten, so I followed the meows in the distance. Sure enough, there was a little baby across the street from my house (we live across from a funeral home). She was lost, scared and hungry. Instead of chasing her, I sat down on the steps and let her come to me. This quickly established some trust. After a few minutes of introductions, I headed back to my house and she followed. My family has a cat, Sasha, that we found a couple years ago (an interesting story there as well, but that's another post), so my Dad and I gave the new kitten some of her milk and cat food. In no time at all, "Katarina July" as I started to call her, was relaxed and snuggled on my lap, purring the night away.

When it came time to go back inside, I was so torn. I have a dog and cat that can be territorial, so I didn't want to risk any trouble. I decided to keep Kat on our porch with some blankets and hope for the best. She cried all night long to come inside but in the morning, she was still there. I'd love to keep her but I think I'm going to try and find her a home at my sister's or maybe my neighbor's.

Since so many cats have walked into my life, I've read a lot about their mysticism. While many people aren't into cats, I think they are usually quite astonishing and so cute.



Now Playing: "Do You Realize" by The Flaming Lips