Five on Friday

Happy Friday!  It's been a while since the last time I've participated in one of April's link-ups.  I can't wait to swing by and see all your posts!

I was so surprised to hear that Alan Rickman passed away.  Like so many of you, I loved him as Severus Snape.  I will always think of him in that role, along with Harry in Love Actually, Metatron in Dogma, Hans Gruber in Die Hard...and so many others.

It's new computer day at work! The screen is MASSIVE. #work #mac #tech #newtechnology

A photo posted by Nicole Fowler (@cole711) on Jan 13, 2016 at 1:07pm PST

We got new iMacs at work this week.  I'm still getting used to it, but am LOVING the 27 inch screen, wireless mouse & keyboard, and the display on this thing is phenomenal! A terabyte of storage is pretty awesome too.

Everyone has been talking about Making a Murderer.  I think it might be time to binge watch it this weekend!

On a whim, my cousin Kristin and I decided to "knit the weather" this year. Above is an example of how the temperature breakdown works and suggested colors.  I decided to play with the colors a bit. I'll do a full post on it this weekend to show off how cold (but pretty) the Boston area in 2016! I should mention that I haven't actually started knitting yet...but do have a great spreadsheet of the temperature going.  Wish me luck!

It's new computer day at work! The screen is MASSIVE. #work #mac #tech #newtechnology

A photo posted by Nicole Fowler (@cole711) on Jan 13, 2016 at 1:07pm PST

Paisley has developed a love affair with my scarves lately.  Probably because the cold weather has FINALLY arrived around here.  I think it might be time to buy her her own little scarf.


What do you all have planned for your long weekend?

While I Was Gone...

I won't bore you all with the doldrums of what happened in my life over the past 19 days.  (You're welcome!)

Instead, I'll share just a few highlights...

My handsome Beckett turned 10!!

Happy birthday Beckett! You are vocal and stubborn and can be a bit of a loner. But you are one of the sweetest, most affectionate dogs I've ever met. You had Grammy convinced I needed you before you even had me convinced! I love you a bushel and a Beck....oh, um peck! #dachshund #dachshundsofinstagram #instadachshund #weeklyfluff #longhaireddachshund #instacute #beckett #birthdayboy

A photo posted by Nicole Fowler (@cole711) on Dec 19, 2015 at 12:13pm PST

If you weren't on my Christmas card list - you missed out on this cuteness!

I read three books while gift-wrapping at Barnes & Noble for Little Paws Dachshund Rescue.  Reviews coming soon...but this one is my favorite of the three, I think.

I took part in an dog cookie swap, and as you can see - Paisley thought our swap partner makes some GOOD cookies!  I think I might want to try a dog cookie (or human cookie) swap in February.  Would anyone be interested?  Maybe want to co-host with me?

She's a little piglet...but she's MY piglet! She LOVES the treats @ourdoghouse made! #baccookieswap2015 #christmas #badassclub #rescuedogsrock #paisley #dachshund #dachshundsofinstagram #instadachshund #weeklyfluff #longhaireddachshund

A video posted by Nicole Fowler (@cole711) on Dec 21, 2015 at 4:11pm PST

Now. What have I missed in your life?!



P.S. I've missed you all, so I think their will be giveaway coming soon!

They're Like Herding Cats...

Christmas is the happiest time of year.  Right?!  Sometimes I need a little reminder.

I should have taken Christmas card pictures of my darling herd 'o dachshunds over Thanksgiving weekend.  But I was lax, and starting my Barnes & Noble "residency program" (more info on that soon), and well...distracted.

So Tuesday night I tried to get the pups to all look in the same direction at the same time.  Which, no matter how sweet they are - is like herding cats. Brady wanted to play chase, Beckett wanted belly rubs, Paisley refused to look at the camera and Meadow kept turning and facing in the wrong direction.

I know, you're probably asking why I had to get my Christmas cards done Tuesday night.  Well, this crazy lady doesn't use those pretty plug and play Shutterfly/Tiny Prints/Minted templates.  She designs her own cards...and the Vistaprint 60% off sale ended at midnight. Motivation, thine name is SALE!

I won't show you all my Christmas card yet.  Instead, here are a few outtakes.  Sorry if you already saw them on Instagram!

I refuse to look directly at you, mumma! #paisley #dachshund #dachshundsofinstagram #instadachshund #weeklyfluff #longhaireddachshund #instacute #ibettergetcookiesforthis

A photo posted by Nicole Fowler (@cole711) on Dec 2, 2015 at 8:08am PST

Being a model is EXHAUSTING! #beckett #dachshund #dachshundsofinstagram #instadachshund #weeklyfluff #longhaireddachshund #instacute

A photo posted by Nicole Fowler (@cole711) on Dec 2, 2015 at 8:16am PST

Want to be on my Christmas card list? Fill out this handy form.  :-)

Tuesdays at the Table - Pupper Pumpkin Muffins & Thirty Days of Thankful - Rescue

Happy Tuesday!  Thanks to you awesome people who have participated in Tuesdays at the Table since I restarted the weekly linky.  I love you all!  Please keep linking up your recipes or sharing recipes you find here that you really enjoy.

This week we're going to the dogs!  I know my furbabies haven't been featured on the blog as much as they should lately - and I'm going to rectify that.  Unless you're new here (in which case, WELCOME!!!) you know that I'm one of the co-chairs and founders of Little Paws Dachshund Rescue.  If you asked me even five years ago if I would have two rescued dachshunds and a dachshund rescue - I would have asked what drugs you were on!  But I stumbled on dog rescue one day and never looked back.  Then I got involved and found people that understand me and are just as dog-crazy as I am. (P.S. LPDR's 3rd Annual Barksgiving Auction starts on Wednesday.  Click HERE to view items now and bid, bid, bid when the auction starts!)

Rescue is never easy.  Tears flow most days... Happy tears for the dogs we've found new homes for, sad tears for the dogs we don't have the resources to help or the ones that are just too far gone and we need let go as humanely and lovingly as we can, tears of frustration, anticipation and exhaustion. But at the end of the day, I look at Paisley & Beckett - my twin terrors; two of a litter of eight pups that wouldn't be here without rescue - and know I can do it all over again tomorrow.  If you could all meet the amazing people and dogs that I get to work with and for, you'd fall in love with rescue too.  I'm honored that I'm among the people that others come to with medical, behavioral or psychological problems in hopes I can help them find solutions or at least the resources to help their beloved dogs. I hope some day that rescue isn't needed...but in the meantime, I'm thankful to be the voice for some really amazing dogs.

Pupper Pumpkin Muffins

2 cups whole-wheat flour 

1 cup oats

½ tsp cinnamon

½ tsp nutmeg                            

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

4 eggs

2/3 cup canola oil

2/3 cup water

1 - 15 oz. can pumpkin puree

½ tsp vanilla

2 Tablespoons honey

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray mini muffin tins with cooking spray of your choice.

Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.  In a separate bowl mix together the eggs and canola oil. Add vanilla, pureed pumpkin and water. Mix well. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients.

Using a small cookie scoop, fill each mini muffin tin to the top.

Bake for 17 - 18 minutes. Test to make sure they are done by sticking a toothpick in the center of a muffin, it should come out clean.

Cool on a wire rack for a few minutes, then remove from pan and finish cooling completely.

Store in air tight container, or plastic zipper quart or sandwich bags, in refrigerator. 

What's cooking in your kitchen?

What A Nose...

For the purpose of this post...I'm going to let little miss Paisley tell you about the past few days. Her perspective on this story is much better than mine!

____________________________________

Hi everyone.  Iz Paisley.  Momma says I have to tell you a story...but I don't see da big deal.  She's just a nervous Nelly or something! (For the record, I'm not!)

OK, so I, da Paisley princess like to have an early morning potty run.  Usually between 3 and 4 am is best.  It's dark, I don't have to bark at squirrels and momma usually bribes me to hurry and and go back in the house.  Tuesday morning, I decided to get up for my crack o'dawn potty and stopped for a little sniff of something that smelled good.

Then I started coughing and reverse sneezing.  Just for a few minutes.  Then about an hour later for 5 minutes.  Then I ate breakfast like a champ...or um, daintily, like a good girl. A few more coughs and sneezes and I was fine again.

So momma went to work and glammy (or grammy) kept an eagle eye on me.  About 1 o'clock I kept coughing and glammy got worried and called the momma to make a vet appointment.  She told glammy to take videos of me.  Like I'm some sort of drama queen who won't cough or sneeze when we get to the vet!  The nerve!

Wouldn't you know it...we get to the vet's office and suddenly, I feel magically better!  But that bitch...I mean, my loving momma says we have to stay and get checked out. Da vet says he thinks I sniffed extra hard and have something in my nose.  But then he says to take pills and see if it comes out on it's own!  I mean, I guess that's better than sticking a camera up my nose, right?!

Thursday I had a huge sneezing fit right after momma came home from work and when I looked at her, momma said she saw something green on my nose!  So she pulled it.  Her is soooo brave.  Out came a 6 inch blade of grass!  Now I feel better and can say that I have a super sniffer!

But, um, don't touch my nose for a few days, OK?!

Wordless Wednesday - National Dog Day

These four.  What can I say?  They're loud. They're opinionated. They're goofy.  But they're also sweet, affectionate, loyal and love me for all of my flaws.  I'm thankful for them every single day.

Happy Nationals Dog Day from Meadow, Beckett, Paisley and Brady.  And me, of course.  :-)

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Wordless Wednesday - The Hawaiian Diva

This little diva LOVES to dress up!  Yes, I'm serious... Paisley enjoys clothes.  :-)

Wordless Wednesday - The Twin Terrors

Paisley and Brady don't sit still often...and then they do, it's with this look like they're waiting expectantly for something.  :-)

And....I'm Back

Hi Gang!  Long time, no see!  I mean, unless you follow me on Instagram...in which case, it's just HAPPY FRIDAY!

I logged into Blogger for the first time in a long time (::cough, a year, cough::) about two weeks ago and instantly felt the pull to start blogging again.  That started me on a path of introspection about why I started blogging in the first place and why I'd consider doing it again.  What it comes down to is connection.  I miss the connection with everyone.  Some of you amazing, beautiful, talented ladies became my friends because of blogging.  I looked forward to reading what you had to say and seeing the pictures as your families grew, you got new jobs, you went on vacation...and you just experienced LIFE.

I became a social media manager for my day job, started a rescue and quite frankly, lost a little bit of me.  I lost the connection that I shared with many of you and the ability to share my thoughts as I took care of other peoples (and dogs) social media needs.  Yep, I'm still a social media manager and I'm still co-chair of a quickly expanding rescue....  But it's time for me to find time for me again.

So, I'm back.  I had to buy a new domain name and I hope at least a few of you all can see this post.  I'll be by to visit and comment and would love if you all could say "hi" too.

In the meantime, Paisley and Beckett wants to give you all a woof hello too!

P.S. I'm accepting all recommendations of blogs I should be following these days and technical advice on how to get my subpages to reconfigure so they don't go to my defunct domain name!

A Month of Thanks... Day Six

Today I am thankful for music.  I grew up playing clarinet and piano, as well as singing in the school chorus and church choir.  I find such joy in music.

No matter your mood, what you want to say, or your prefered style - music delivers!

I've played this Pentatonix cover of Daft Punk's songs a few times in the office this week.  Tons of fun!



I also really enjoy music from the 30's to 50's.  Anytime I sing this song - Paisley comes running!

What songs move you?

Notes From Paisley's Crate...

Hi Peoples! 
Momma used to let Beckett write a blog post from time to time, and he snuck me her password....heeheehee.

Right now, momma is mumbling something about never being able to have pretty flowers ever again.  I have *no idea* why she'd say that.  All I did was pick them for her!  How was I supposed to know that I should wait until they bloom first?!?!

She also says she's having me de-pawed??  No, that can't be right.  Maybe de-clawed.  Nah.  She'd never do that to me either.  Maybe I shouldn't fluff her face again though....at least until the scratch I gave her this morning heals.  She seemed a little upset to be woken up that way this morning.

Think if I let her watch Animal Planet and play with my squeaky squirrel she'll be happy again?  It always makes me happy!

Ruff,
Paisley Skye

P.S.  Brady stole momma's credit card. That means I get a new dress!  Right?

Wordless Wednesday - Weinerbunnies

It's bad lighting..but Beckett willingly modeled his bunny ears!

Paisley was a little unsure of them...

 

 

I hope the Easter weenie...um, bunny was good to everyone!



 

I posted pictures to Facebook and got feedback that I'm mean for making them wear sweaters, a snugglie, etc....in this case bunny ears.  Sorry, but I'm not sorry!  Being my furbaby means you get good means, homemade treats, your own pillows (OK, I just let them steal mine), health insurance and endless love.  All I ask in return is a few embarrassing pictures a year.  Sounds fair to me! :-)

And, Then They Ate A Poisonous Plant...

It goes without saying that I adore my dogs.  They are freaking awesome (if I do say so myself)!

Paisley and Brady are still at the age that they want to taste everything regardless of what it is.  Yeah...they're just over a year old, but dachshunds stay in that "puppy" stage longer than larger breeds.  Generally, I don't take issue with them (or Meadow & Beckett) picking up a stick outside and giving it a good gnaw.

We all learned something the hard way last Thursday - hydrangea bushes are mildly toxic to dogs.  Paisley and Brady decided to nibble on a hydrangea branch before dinner.  They came in, and ate dinner as normal...five minutes later I hear tummy rumbles.

First Brady started vomiting.  Then twenty minutes later Paisley started too.  Between the hours of 7 PM and 2 AM, they emptied their system of EVERYTHING.  To make matters worse, Meadow decided to "help" me clean up a little (read between the lines folks) and got sick herself soon thereafter.

As my washer and dryer ran all night (let's just say the didn't warn me before they puked), I decided to start googling.  I keep a list of all the plants that are toxic to my pets.  Hydrangea was NOT on that list...but it is now.   Everyone was just fine after getting everything up; but I did call the emergency clinic to see what signs I should watch for.

Spring is going to arrive any day now, and I'll be updating my list of "safe" plants before I do any gardening.  I ask all my fellow pet parents to do the same!  Here are a few plants to get you started:

• Autumn crocus (Colchicum): Its active ingredient, colchicines, triggers an anti-metabolic effect that can cause rapidly dividing cells, shedding of the gastrointestinal tract, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting.
•  Azalea (Rhododendron): This popular plant can harm a dog's cardiovascular system and trigger vomiting or gastrointestinal upset.
• Daffodil (Narcissus): Toxic ingredients in the bulbs cause convulsions, tremors, lethargy, weakness, and upset stomachs.
• Hyacinth (Hyacinth): This popular plant can cause severe vomiting, bloody diarrhea, depression, and tremors.
• Japanese yew (Taxis): Extremely toxic to dogs, this group of ornamental plants can cause seizures or cardiac failure. The plant and red berries are toxic.
• Lily of the valley (Convalaria): This plant can cause heart failure, coordination problems, and vomiting.
• Oleander (Nerium): Extremely toxic, this popular outdoor plant contains cardiac glycosides that harm the heart, decrease body temperature, cause abnormal pulse rate, and can cause death. Beware: Even people have died from eating hot dogs roasted on an oleander twig.
• Rhubarb (Rheum): Although the stalks are used to make pies, the leaves pack the potential to cause kidney damage.
• Sago palm (Cycads): Resembling an upside down pineapple, this plant thrives in sandy soils, especially in warmer states such as California, Texas, and Florida. A few seeds can kill a dog.
• Tomato (Lycopersicion): Surprisingly, the greenery of this common plant, not the tomato itself, contains solanine, a toxic ingredient that can prompt gastric upset, depression, weakness, and a decrease in heart rate.

If you have any other plants that should be on the "no plant" list - please let me know!

Vote For Paisley...PLEASE!

OK...I promise I'll have a post soon that isn't centered around my awesome, gorgeous, smart, cuddly babies!

But first....please consider voting for Paisley.  As you all know, I'm one of Furever Dachshund Rescue's Foster Coordinators, their blogger and the one in charge of Happy Tails (ie. post adoption follow-up).  PetFinder has just started a "Luckiest Pet" contest and I entered Paisley.  The prize is $5,000 for the shelter/rescue of my choice (in this case FDR) and a $500 Petco gift card for Paisley.

Click on Paisley to go to her entry on Petfinder.com

Voting is daily through March 17th (or maybe it's the 18th...I need to double check!).  Thanks in advance for supporting me as I support animal rescue.  If you do vote - please let me know so Paisley and I can thank you individually!

Happy 1st Birthday Paisley & Brady!

An excerpt from my Furever Dachshund Rescue blog post:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

APOLLO, BEAN, BRADY, DUDLEY, LILLY BELLA, MAE, OLIVE, AND PAISLEY!!!!

 

A little over a year ago FDR took in Lulu and Angelo, a set of dachshunds in California. Like so many dachshunds that we rescue – they were fearful and living in conditions far beneath what they deserved. We quickly realized that we not only had two beautiful dachshunds that were in need of a new start, but Lulu was pregnant with an astonishing 8 PUPPIES!! You can see Lulu and Angelo’s “puppy shower” below.



Angelo found his furever home quickly with a California-based volunteer and Lulu made her way back east to deliver her babies.

On February 17th, under the watchful eye of our Chair, Laura and her two daughters – Lulu delivered all 8 gorgeous puppies! In rescue, we’re used to NOT knowing the full story. To rescue a pair; find out that the female is pregnant…and with such a large litter is really uncommon. To us, these babies are something to celebrate!

________________________________________

Because I haven't asked the other moms if I can show off their babies on my blog - I'll refer you HERE for all the cuteness that is the other six puppies.

Paisley and Brady,
I knew I was ready to add another puppy to my pack...but NEVER envisioned that I'd be adding two at a time.  Thank you both for all the joy, love, comedy and mischief that comes packed into your little (or in Brady's case, moose-like) bodies!

In your short lives you've cleaned up my tears, made me laugh hysterically, and forced me to do more laundry than I thought was humanly possible.

Thank you!  I can't wait to see what the next year brings us.

Love,
Your momma

P.S.  I'm sorry I celebrated your birthday by going to the Boston Wine Expo.  You're getting plenty of treats and toys to make up for it.

 

Notes From A Snowdrift...

I'm alive!  Thanks to the sweet people who emailed and tweeted inquiring how I weathered "Nemo".

It was quite the adventure, I tell ya!  Snow started coming down lightly Friday morning - which I took to mean as "let's go grocery shopping and try to locate the last D batteries known to man".  I spent the afternoon taking pictures and taking heat and electricity for granted.  You know where this is going, right?!

I lost power Friday evening as the snow started getting heavier.  That meant no heat either, making my already drafty house cold very quickly!  The pups and I bundled up with fleece and down blankets and hoped power would be back in the morning.

No such luck!  Snow continued to fall and the temperature inside my home continued to drop.  Saturday night I couldn't sleep I was so cold.  Turns out that it was below zero out...and probably only 20-30 degrees in my house!  My parents (who had power from Saturday morning on) showed up to help me dig out Sunday afternoon - BLESS them!!!!  When I realized that power wasn't going to come back on that day, I rounded up the furkids and make the trek to their home.

By Monday back, most people had power back. NOT ME!!!!!  I did get power back Monday evening about 7 o'clock or so.  HURRAY!!!

And...if you read this far, you get rewarded with pictures.

Yes, I did...and still do have snow drifts taller than my windows.

Check out the awesome icicles!

Brady was a little cranky that he had less luck scaling the snowdrifts than Paisley did.

Paisley is my little snowbunny!