Queen Beast: Merlina

As anyone who has a cat knows, a cat is never "other" nor should they ever be distastefully lumped together with lowly dogs. Therefore, Miss Merlina gets her own post. Duh! Merlina is now 12 years old, and has long since ruled the household. Someone once said that it's not a matter of training a cat, but a cat training their owner--I mean, subjects--and this picture clearly captures her disappointment in my ridiculously slow learning curve. Merlina loves to hate the dogs and might vaporize if she couldn't "innocently" saunter by the dogs (especially Max) flicking her tail just so and looking so sleek, and did I mention innocent? When Max reacts by chasing her or cornering her--he plays along well and always falls into her trap (dumb dogs always do)--then he gets in trouble. Merlina is then satisfied that she reigns on as Queen. And truly what better way to show your superiority than by manipulating lesser beings? Occasionally, Merlina likes to snuggle and be pet, but I have sworn to keep it a secret so that news of her softer side won't get out. So, shhhhh, don't tell!

The "Other" Kids

For those of you who already know our Shelty girl, this is just one of many amazing pictures of her. She is beyond brilliant, but of course I am biased, just a bit. We walk every morning, rain or shine, she helps keep me in semi-shape and more importantly, she keeps me sane! This photo shows her brown eye, her right eye is a beautiful light blue. Shelty loves swimming, and has been known to flop down in many a mud puddle to cool off. One of my favorite things Shelty does is what I call the "Shelty flop." She will lay down next to me and flop her shoulders onto my chest--what a great way to get all the way awake after 2 or 3 snooze button sleep extensions? Shelty has been our constant and loyal friend since we adopted her from F.A.I.R. in Albuquerque. Paul and I really didn't like living in New Mexico, but I have often said we had to move there so we could find Shelty. Love her to pieces!
This is our new addition, Max. After our escape dog extraordinaire Koda made his final escape--he got out of an all metal crate, then pushed open a window in the house and was never seen again--it took me 2 years to convince Paul to let me get another dog. I had been looking for months when I came across Max in a heeler rescue in Phoenix. Now that he has been home for nearly 2 months, things are starting to settle in. He is quite smart, but also sort of crazy. He has claimed a "person" as most heelers do, and that person would be me. What this means is I cannot go a step without an escort and if I close the door to use the bathroom he whines outside the door. It also means that if Paul should kiss me, Max will shove his body in between us. Paul and I enjoy testing to see how keen he is, and he misses NOTHING! He was an owner turn-in which means he is a year, but has had no training, or love. I am trying to provide both, and they seem to both be working, but patience has been key. Max can be quite the snuggle-bug, but his attention span for everything except chewing his toys and trying to provoke Shelty into playing tends to be quite short.

Focused Face

Isaac and I went to one of his classmate's birthday parties today. At the party they played pin the tail on the fish. One of Isaac's favorite things to do is to color, and each child was allowed to decorate their own fish tail. After they were done with the game, Isaac decided he wanted to color another tail. I captured this "focused face" while he was coloring. He has a few varieties of this face and they all make me chuckle. Paul and I are pleased that he enjoys art as much as he does, a day doesn't go by that he doesn't ask to print a coloring page--which he can do all by himself on the computer, makes his daddy so proud! He also surprises us with some amazing drawings. I hope we are able to foster his love of drawing throughout the years.

Playing in the Hose Sprayer

Today Isaac and I started the summer off with a bang. We went out to breakfast at IHOP--I've been craving it for months. Then we went to the library to start the summer reading program they have. Isaac got and signed his own first library card and checked out three books. When we got home he asked if he could set up a wild hose sprayer he received as a birthday present. He ran through it over and over, singing and dancing like a wild banshee. It has been a while since I've gotten any pictures, so I decided to get out the camera and snap some pictures. Isaac is a riot and kept me entertained the whole time! I think he had a pretty good time, too. ;-)