Shades of Fall

Happy Howl-o-ween!!

This year, I wanted to carve a dog-related pumpkin.  While searching the internet, I found a Better Homes and Gardens post with some great dog breed stencils.  If you would like to carve a Boxer, Pug or another breed, there are some great examples here.  I decided to go with a wolf, and I'm pleased with the result.  There's nothing better than the smell of a candle burning inside a freshly carved pumpkin.  

Here are a couple of recent photos of my hounds, and fall foliage shots from our area.  Many of the trees will be naked soon, but the leaves are definitely a sight to behold right now.  I hope everyone has a fun, and safe, Halloween!

One last thing, our new found friends over at Cybersibes, are hosting a "Show Us Your Treat Jars" photo-post today.  We thought it was an excellent idea, with Trick-or-Treating just around the corner.  It's also a good reminder to stop by a local shelter to drop off some goodies for animals still in search of their forever homes.  So, here's a photo of our treat jar.  The hounds especially love that metal clasp because it jingles every time it's opened or closed.  There's no sneaking into it for one of them because they all hear it and come running!  Happy trick-or-treating!

Wordless Wednesday 10/27 - North Carolina Friend

Happy Gotcha Day to Roxie

It was 9 years ago today that Miss Roxie came to live with us . . . many moons and white hairs ago.   At age 2, Roxie was a beautiful tuxedo greyhound with a jet-black face, white chest and paws, and a white-tipped tail.  

When she was 4 years old, Roxie's black face started giving way to white fur.  I didn't expect this. Four seemed like such a young age, but I guess it's only natural.  Sometimes I tell her that I'm going to make her face black again with shoe polish.  It's not easy seeing her age and slow down, but she does give the whippets a (very short) run for their money in the yard from time to time.  We couldn't have asked for a better dog, and plan to enjoy every moment we have with her.  

Happy Gotcha Day Roxie!

Weekend in Charlotte

Happy Saturday friends and fellow bloggers.  I've made the journey south to Charlotte, N.C. for the weekend, to spend time with my best friend, and "partner in crime" from high school in college.  It sure is fun to spend time with her and recall time we spent together in our slightly younger days.  So many memories!  She too is a lifelong animal lover, and has a couple of Australian Shepherds, and a number of feline friends.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELANIE!!  We have a weekend of activities planned, but I didn't want to miss the chance to participate again in the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop.  I'll probably be playing Hop-catch-up Sunday night and Monday, but will definitely make rounds to see what everyone has been up to lately.  For now, I'll share some of our photos of this past week, and encourage you to please check out our Pumpkin Patch video if you haven't seen it yet.  It's sure to put a smile on your face!  Here's wishing everyone a lovely weekend!!

I realize that Zoe is a blur of fur in this one, but just love that smile on Xander's face.  Priceless!



Zoe modeling her new leopard print jacket for Fall.



We couldn't leave out Miss Roxie.  Here she is showing off a t-shirt with our good pal Nigel Buggers doing what he does best:  pole dancing.  You might recognize Nigel from Life With Dogs, one of the hosts of the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop, and an inspiration for Dogs Rock!!  I highly recommend LWD.  Nigel and his pals are always up to mischief, and put a smile on my face each and every day!!  Oh, and yes, that's me posing with Nigel in my About Me blog photo.  I had the privilege of meeting the entire LWD crew in September of this year.  Trust me, they're just as fun face-to-face, as they are in blog land!





Pumpkin Patch

Last Saturday, we made our annual trip to the Sinkland Farms Pumpkin Festival, in Christiansburg, Virginia.  The 30-minute drive is so worth it, as the picturesque Sinkland landscape is awe inspiring this time of year.  My hounds stayed home, but there were other pups visiting the patch, and I made a new Rottweiler friend, named Maddie.  I couldn't resist the urge to put the day's photos into a movie format to share.  If you love dogs, horses, and nature, I think you'll enjoy the show.  Thanks to my friends and fellow bloggers for visiting and supporting Dogs Rock!! 



Wordless Wednesday 10/20 - Sinkland Farms, Christiansburg, VA

Roanoke's Newest Fire Dog

Last weekend, we drove through a nearby neighborhood, and as we passed Fire Station No. 7, I noticed the largest fire-house dog I've ever seen:

Fire Station No. 7, Roanoke, Virginia

Upon doing a little research, I learned that the dog, called "Trojan Dog," is one of six public sculptures that were unveiled as part of "A.I.R.:  Art in Roanoke" this summer.  All of the sculptures are large-scale, but Trojan Dog has been one of the most popular.  He was crafted by local artist, Ann Glover, of marine plywood and paint, and bears the spots of a Dalmation in typical fire dog style.

Incidentally, on Sept. 3, an over-enthusiastic admirer (Not me!) attempted to "ride" Trojan Dog, causing its head to fall off.  The firemen rescued Trojan Dog, and Glover promptly mended the damage.  (Trojan Dog only complained of a nasty headache for a day or two.) 

In an effort to show Trojan Dog's scale a little better, Roxie and I decided to pose for a photo with him.  Roxie was a little intimidated by his girth, but was properly rewarded with treats for her efforts.  One thing's for sure, driving past Trojan Dog will put a smile on your face.

I know some of my close friends will appreciate a few fashion "statements" I'm making.  Here's a photo just for them:

So long, and have a rockin' weekend!!  Woof!

Please join us in hopping from blog to blog this fine Saturday!

Furtastic Friday!!

The weekend is coming!  The weekend is coming . . . and boy are we ready for it!! 

Here are a few photos from our week.  We wish you a happy and fun-filled weekend ahead!



Wordless Wednesday 10/13

Soaking up the Sun

As the cooler autumn weather sets in, we're enjoying the sun-soaked days while they last.  It's a beautiful time of year, but one that always brings a sense of dread for the cold, dreary winter days ahead.  With daytime temperatures fluctuating weekly from 60 and 85 degrees, we plan to enjoy the rays while we can.  Whether playing in the yard or napping indoors, a little sunshine can make an ordinary day brilliant.  Here's a collection of some of our favorite sun-drenched photos.  

Our Little Whippet Movie

It was a usual afternoon of play in the back yard. Mom with her camera, Roxie sniffing around, and Zoe and Xander involved in a speedy chase session, but this time there is a surpise ending for one of us. Watch and see. :)

We're thrilled to participate in this Saturday's Pet Blogger Hop!  Our blog is just 3-weeks old, but we've had lots of fun with it so far, and love meeting other pet-loving people.  Please come back and visit soon!  Click "Follow," and sign our Guestbook if you have time.  See you around the blogs!

Furtastic Friday!!!

Welcome to one of the best days of the week.  

Here's wishing you a happy Friday, and a beautiful, fulfilled weekend!

Wordless Wednesday, 10/6

DogtoberFest 2010

We would like to share some photos from this year's DogtoberFest, an annual event benefiting Saint Francis Service Dogs in Roanoke, Virginia.  Saint Francis is a non-profit organization that raises, trains, and places service dogs with children and adults with disabilities.  It's also the largest Service Dog organization in the state of Virginia, and is one of less than 50 accredited service dog organizations in the world.

With a new state-of-the-art kennel, Saint Francis is poised to train even more dogs in the future.  Each service dog is in the program for 2 years, and takes $25,000 to raise and train.  Saint Francis Service Dogs provide dogs at no cost to children and adults with disabilities.  They don't receive any state funding or insurance reimbursements.  All services rely on private donations, grants and fundraisers like DogtoberFest.  Zoe and Xander came along for the ride.  We learned a lot about Saint Francis Service Dogs, and had a pawsome time at their party!!!

A pumpkin and a bee!!

Good lookin' Doberman!

We didn't get our faces painted, but this young man made a great tiger!

Zoe making a new friend.

Xander and his daddy having a look around.

Xander and Zoe had lots of fun, except for Zoe's little freakout when a little Dachshund came in her direction.  LOL!