Janey-Mac Attire

Well she doesn't mind modelling - she's got the figure for the job and Uly is quite a handsome Leo. It's nice that they want to help me considering how expensive it is to feed them. Hahhahaa - they are working for themselves. Both Janey-Mac and Uly are raw fed. Leonbergers are not big eaters but wolfies are .... Janey will hoover down her portion and his if given the opportunity. If only I could eat as much as Janey and have her figure ... I want to come back as a wolfhound - tall and lean.

A day for kite-flying

a simple thing like making the time to do something with the kids and our friends - finally a somewhat windy day and our friends can finally have the kids fly the kites they bought for them ... of course Uly and Janey-Mac cheered from the sidelines

it never ceases to amaze me at how completely gentle and aware of their size a wolfie can be when playing with a small child

The After-Party - Woofstock 2009

Janey-Mac admiring a soap bubble. Magic moment! The bbq at our friend's house was a great way to come down from the excitement and craziness of Woofstock.

Sometimes when I look at Uly I wish I had that "magic" collar that the dog in the movie UP had. The expression on his face .... what are you thinking?

Woofstock 2009

Yeah, school is just about done and the dogs are trying to figure out how to control the air conditioning. Although the weather is great for some for a Leo it's TOO HOT! Poor Uly - he really tries but he hates the darn heat and humidity. The month of June including attending Woofstock 2009. Janey-Mac attended both days and Uly just one. Thankfully the weather was a lot cooler than last year and both dogs once again proved what great ambassadors of canine friendliness and good manners both of them were. We took our oldest daughter this year while our younger children stayed with friends. Of course Janey-Mac once again dragged me in front of a camera for Dogs in Canada. What is it with her, the more I try to avoid cameras the more she aims directly for them ... and let's face it ... she's not inconspicious is she. I almost had no vocal cords left on Saturday from answering people's questions about her and having our picture taken more than a hundred times (no word of a lie). I was exhausted and she was happy and chippy and full of energy when she got home. The next day she did the same thing over again with Uly and then we went to our friend's house for a bbq where Janey-Mac and Uly both had enough energy to play with the garden hose and chase soap bubbles. It turned out to be a great weekend and the dogs were so happy to be a part of everything we did. Thankfully by Monday both dogs were tired and recouping from all the weekend activities.

May 2009 - Happy Birthday Uly and Janey-Mac

Well one day and one year apart, both Uly and Janey-Mac are celebrating their 1st and 2nd birthdays! Although they are both astrologically the same sign (Taurus) they are completely different. Uly was his low-keyed self preferring to avoid the camera and have a good snooze since the weather was quite warm and Janey was her usually busy self.

June and summer just around the corner. A great time for taking those nature walks. Janey-Mac has grown into a lanky young wolfie and Uly into a handsome Leo.

Mothers Day 2009

Well we packed up the kids, the dogs and headed to a park. The weather was great and the whole afternoon was spent enjoying the playgrounds and answering questions. It's a LE-ON-BERG-ER, no an Irish Wolfhound not a Russian Wolfhound. Yes she'll grow more, no he's done's growing. Yes they weigh over a 100 pounds ..... yes you can take their picture .... they are very friendly.

Uly was kind enough to pose in some of the coats for me so that I could get some good outdoor shots. Hotdogsand french fries at the park meant no dishes or cooking for me. Not a bad way to spend the day.

The Leo Spring Fling 2009

Well it was our second year at the Leo spring fling and the weather was fantastic. Couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. Not to warm or cold and hardly any bugs. Uly even ventured into the water this year and I saw his paws peddling water for the first time. YEAHHHH. Janey-Mac was an honourary Leo for the day. We went up with our friends including Molly the Bichon and Abby the Australian Shepherd. The kids rode in the car with our friends and we had all four dogs with us. It was quite the car ride considering Janey thinks of herself as a giant lap dog. She's quite happy sitting on me everytime we are in the car.

One little boy that was picnicing with his family got a thrill. He was able to play tag with both our dogs and his. It was beautiful watching Janey run fast and free.

Spring 2009

Well in the Spring 2009, Uly participated for the second year at the All About Pets Show. This year he spent two half days meeting and greeting and being a great ambassador for the breed. I was very proud of him. He even had a red rain slicker that made him feel special. We noticed that he was paying attention to Janey's coats and all the attention they brought her. I felt the twinges of guilt so I made something for him. His whole face lit up. It was the first of many coats for him too. It's funny how both dogs have such special places in my heart. They are completely different and I love them both.

St. Patrick's Day Parade (2009) - Toronto

oh Janey-Mac how did I end up doing this?

I've spent over 40 years avoiding huge crowds, parades, media coverages etc. - little did I know I had a publicity hound on my hands. Here I was terrified about doing this with a young wolfie (such a huge parade) - yuk cameras, must avoid - wait, wait Janey is loving it. Ever stranger that comes running up to her, all the noise, the bands, the cheering - what she's enjoying herself? No, say it ain't so .... but it was just the beginning. She loves being the centre of attention and in the limelight ... it doesn't matter if I feel sick to my stomach and hate having my picture taken. It was a beautiful sunny day but chilly. I was worried about Janey getting to cold so for the first time in years I decided to try my hand at making her a celtic cape (fancy and pretty) and warm for the parade. I sewed it by hand because I hadn't had time to learn how to use the sewing machine that my husband bought for me (many years ago and still in its box).

I have to admit the coat turned out better than I hoped and I had fun being creative again. The coat itself received many compliments that day from friends and strangers who wanted to know where I bought it. Hmmmm - Janey smiled at me saying see I helped you find your calling but the credit is mine so it should be called Janey-Mac Attire since of course she's the star.

All kidding aside, I was very proud of Janey that day. She was the one that comforted me and she showed me the ropes. How mature, responsible and what a delight to spend such a special day bonding with her. It changed our whole relationship. She gave me possibilities.

The kids, my husband and friends were there. The kids took their first subway ride that day. Janey-Mac charmed all the crowds afterwards with her warmth and good nature. She didn't mind one bit meeting all the friendly strangers who wanted to meet a wolfhound (most for the first time) and take pictures with her. She even dragged my sorry behind into a camera crew doing interviews with parade participaters for an overseas Irish broadcast. No .... nooooo..... I'm convinced I played a complete fool and she just sat nicely and smiled. I hope the piece ended up on the cutting room floor so-to-speak.

A new year - 2009

The soulful look of a hound. The baby face is leaving and all sorts of expressions, smiles and sulks are expressed. Are you really going to eat all of it ... just a tiny bit for me ... please. It smells soooooooo good!

Do you like my new coat - it's a Christmas present. Hard to believe that a wolfie is quite fond of clothing but it's true. Janey-Mac would lead me into a great adventure. A coat company named after her.

Even Uly seemed to enjoy the idea of wearing a coat made for him. In fact Uly decided that he wanted his own special line called the Ultimate Canine. I guess he wanted to be "street" cool.