Heat is on in July

Literally, Janey-Mac is in heat this month. Oh well at least she will be done before we go away mid-August. Phew! Hasn't been fun but at least the end is in sight. Miss going places with her. We were suppose to go to the Uxbridge Highland Games with her but we ended up not taking either dog. Which was all for the best because near the end of the afternoon, the skies opened up and it poured so much rain in the next hour that roads and homes were flooded. We enjoyed the games and there will be a next time. We saw and played with the Scottish breeds. We met some Joanne from Susan's wolfhound fun day with her collies. We met some beautiful Scottish Deerhounds and Dandie Dinmonts. The Gordon Setters were great fun and the kids had their fill of dog licks for at least an hour. I would say that the highlight was having the marching band come by while we were eating lunch under the trees and perform in the rain. Beautiful!!! Afterwards, my daughter was given the opportunity to test out the drums with both types of drumsticks. Very cool. She was thrilled. In spite of the downpour the kids loved the Scottish cattle and the vendors were great. We did some serious shopping. One golf shirt, one Irish t-shirt and Green Celtic hoodie (shhh - I know it's the Scottish Highland Games). A beautiful stone plaque with what else but the Celtic dancing dogs from the 7th century. Reminded me of Janey.

I've included some photos from the games and some photos of Janey with Uly. Earlier today it was very hot and humid. Uly went around and sat on every air conditioning vent he could find. He was too exhausted from being chased by Janey in the backyard to even bother lifting his head. He just smiled! Well he'll have to put up with a horny hound for one to two weeks more.

Irish Wolfhound Funday

Well the annual funday rolled around early this summer. The weather was perfect especially for the hounds because it wasn't too hot. We were looking forward to the event on Sunday and then Thursday guess-what? Janey-Mac went into heat. Oh noooo, that meant she couldn't come to the funday because it wouldn't be fun for me to have puppies (nooooooooooooo) and drive all those male wolfies bonkers. Thankfully we neutered Uly last summer when he was 14 months. In many ways it's good timing sooner than later because we will be going away on vacation with the dogs and kids next month so who needs that on their vacation.

Of course the funday was just that absolutely fun and it was great to see some of the familiar faces that we miss throughout the year. Have to admit both of us missed the dogs all day long and our children were with friends so we didn't have them in tow. Notice how we missed the dogs not the kids. Haaaahhhaaaaaa.

The dogs were fine. Janey-Mac was more interested in the giant marrow bone I gave her and Uly did the "sure leave me behind and not care" face that makes me feel SO GUILTY. He knows what buttons to push.

The picture of the female wolfie in the orange collar is Janey-Mac's half sister from the Z-litter. When we met both Zenia and Tallulah it was looking at Janey-Mac's twin. The family resemblance from their father McEnroe is amazing. Oh well fun was had by all so it was a nice way to spend a summer day lounging around and basking in the warmth of all the loveable wolfies.

Our furkids

when your activities almost always include your furkids you know your home and life has gone to the dogs .... happily so I might add

sometimes the pictures make us laugh when we see them from a different perspective - the picture at the park with our Leo behaving like a typical Leo (conserving his energy and lying flat as a pancake while watching the kids play) looks to someone that he's totalled the bikes in the background .. hhahhaa

Wolfies love to jump up and hug their people and Janey-Mac loves to do that ... the secret is to teach her when to do it as opposed to not doing it at all .... she's about 6'2"

yummm - ground fresh hamburger .... although raw feeding isn't for everyone, it has worked really well for us especially with Janey's allergies as a pup ... once again Janey made us search outside of our comfort zone and think outside the box ....

I have to admit I like doing that quite a bit - I mean she has shown us that we really do hold ourselves back sometimes and that we are happier when exploring and learning new things

our dogs keep our minds, hearts and bodies young

Janey-Mac's originals

Remember how I said that Janey-Mac brought inspiration and made me challenge myself to come up with a way that I could work from home so that I could be with my kids and with my dogs. I think she saw a rainbow and made a special wish (being and Irish dog - she brought me some of that Lucky irish thinking). She helped me dream a little bit ... being a creative person I am enjoying making all these coats and capes. I haven't forgotten how much credit I owe her and so each coat has her name and a number on it. She is never far from me when I'm sewing and always curious to take a bit of ribbon or fabric leftover she oversees all the creative process. LOL Anyone who has a hound knows just how "into everything" they can be.

Well I felt that this chapter would become big enough to need it's own space and I was right. I've created another blog called Janey Mac Attire. The blog is my photo album and information space for all the coats. Janey and Uly continue to inspire me to create. Hope you get a chance to check it out.

Summertime is a busytime with the kids off of school and I'm trying to set up a website that best suits me for the coats. My dogwalking/sitting job (thankfully) is on vacation until the end of August where I'm looking forward to seeing my buddy and friend, a chocolate Labrador called Lucky. He has been an important part of my everyday routine since last September. I have seen him grow and mature into a wonderful companion and friend. I hope he is having a great time enjoying his vacation.

This section I've decided to post my pictures of the coats that I've made ... to think it started on a whim from a person who was terrified of evening opening up the sewing machine box .... LOL now I suffer withdrawal if I'm not working on a design, idea or a coat. Well isn't it obvious that dogs inspire us to do better and be better. Thank you to my canine helpers!