Gratuitous Cute Dog

I am constantly surprised by how cute I find Roxie.
It's like I never really get used it.

YES on 3

If you live in Massachusetts, help me out.

I feel pretty strongly about Question 3: The Greyhound Protection Act. It's a proposition to end greyhound racing in Mass by 2010. Hubby and I signed the petition to get this question on the ballot. If you don't know much about the racing industry, please watch this video:

In my opinion, this video isn't really propagandized. I have directly seen the results of the injuries and abuse. Our Griffin died of complications from a track related injury, Django has whip scars and Roxie is missing a large piece of her right nostril.

Abusing dogs isn't entertainment for me and I don't think it should be for anyone else either.

Our commonwealth is better than that.
Please join me in voting YES on question 3.

My Living Room

On any given Sunday, my living room looks sort of like this:

some dog drool

a few dirty paws

a sprawled out pooch or two

a fox

and at least three random rawhides (count the above too)

Exactly how I feel right now:

This was taken last Saturday after a big long walk. Our little Roxie was tuckered out. When I snapped this she was in and out of sleep, too tired to even pull her tongue back in her mouth. Know the feeling, gurl.

Sort of how I feel this week. Like someone's takin' me on a walk I don't wanna go on! Dudes! I'm cooked! I'm done. Send me to the couch!

Gratuitous Cute Dog

I love catching a pooch doing this:

Once they notice me noticing them, especially with a camera in hand, it's all over. They get up stretch, come say hi.

Downward facing dog!

Black Beauty

My black beauty is 8 years old today.

His eyes just kill me.

Seriously. The look above. It sears right through me.

He is the most sensitive, perceptive soul I've ever encountered.

He's been so kind to share his home with us for 6 years now.
I hate to see him turning gray.

You cannot make this up.

WARNING: not about yarn, knitting or wool. This story could gross you out and for that I'm not really sorry because I still think it's funny.

4am this morning, I am startled awake by the sound of a dog wretching in my bedroom. I could totally tell it was the type of wretching where the dog is straining and heaving, bringing up something from way below decks. I said my first thought out loud, "Oh no."

Now, I'm not really ashamed to admit that the emotions behind my "Oh no" were not 100% about the well-being of my dog. Maybe more like 40%. The other 60% was about my carpet. Dog puke is a terrible thing. A staining terrible thing at 4am when I can't even begin to think about where cleaning products are.

My "Oh no" woke up Hubby who has developed a rather ingenious dog puke technique. (Not that this happens a lot, but Django's becoming a senior citizen and still eats like a puppy. He still swallows rawhides whole. Whole things do not digest and therefore must come out the way they came in.) Hubby's technique includes grabbing the nearest dog blanket and sliding it under the dog and "catching" the offending nasties. The blanket can then be thrown directly in the wash, no carpet cleaning, no scrubbing. Sometimes, I just love this man.

So, I say "Oh no" and Hubby shoots out of bed ready to play catcher while I sit up, still in bed fretting over my carpet. The deed was done and Hubby walks out of the room with something in his hand and says, "It was this." In his hand he's displaying something for me to see in the dark. A rawhide I thought and laid back down.

Hubby returns from wherever he went and he climbs into bed a little too close to me. I say, "You're under my blanket?" (Why we have separate blankets is a story for another day, my friends. We're not mormon, we just have different ideas of warm and cold.)

Haddy: You're under my blanket?
Hubby: That's the beauty of it.
Haddy: The beauty of what?
Hubby: The beauty of Roxie puking a wiener.
Haddy: It was Roxie? Not Django?
*pause*
Haddy: A WIENER?
*pause*
Haddy: You used your blanket?
Hubby: Yes. I used my blanket to catch the wiener that Roxie puked.

Laughter erupts from our bedroom at 4am.

For the record, Hubby and I cooked out last night. Hot dogs. We had some extras and I distinctly remember Hubby saying, "I'm gonna give them a hot dog." Apparently, he split a hot dog and gave each dog half. Also very apparently, Roxie chose not to chew hers.

And thus ends my story of how my dog puked a wiener.

Gosh, I don't think that'll ever get old. I can't stop laughing.

Biggest snowflakes ever:

I forgot to post these. This was my Saturday:

Sorry for the blurry, but I cannot for the life of me figure out the no flash thing on my camera and Django needs face time on the blog. Roxie gets it all.

Roxie is 5!

The only good thing (in my opinion) about the greyhound racing industry is their recording system. All greyhounds have tattoos in their ears that give vital information about their identity. The right ear give birth info: month, year, birth order. Roxie's says, "23F" meaning: February, 2003, 6th born in litter. The left ear is an identification number similar to a SSN.

When we adopted Griffin in 2005, we learned of the greyhound-data website. Using the database we were able to find out pedigree and race information on Django and Griffin. Django was born "Dg's Fina" which we did not know at all (and btw, had nothing to do with him being named Django). Django did not race at all, which did not surprise us in the least and explains the whip scars he has (jerks!). We knew Griffin raced as "Wild Pepper" and was successful until he broke his leg. It was so great to find out where he had raced and that he'd actually won a few.

For the last year, Roxie's been a mystery. Her left ear tattoo is blurry. All I can read is 17----. When we first got her I did some digging on the greyhound-data site and even emailed them, but without the left ear I was out of luck. On Friday, we were reminded of Roxie's birthday by the dog walker. She left treats. I went online again to find that they had updated the site. There's an advanced search option now and I believe that Miss Roxie is "M's Fixed Option." The description and geography match, which means if this is her, she raced in 112 races, winning 15! She has the most wins of her litter. I'm 95% sure this is her.

This calls for celebration!

Meatloaf cakes with mashed potato icing for everydog!!!

At first, we were shy and tried to lick our way in:

Then we got so excited we needed a spotter to keep from knocking the cake onto the floor:

Dj, with his lack of front teeth, also needed some help. We tag-teamed it.
I'd break off pieces, he'd eat them:


Floor licking good:


Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

We also found out that Roxie and Django have the same grandpa!
They are cousins!

Yarn Fever

I've got yarn fever.

In the middle of last week, I was almost convinced that perhaps my obsession with yarn and knitting had waned. It had been 4 weeks since I finished my class and I was knitting, but I wasn't really into it. I had finished Hubby's sweater and I wasn't really interested in anything. I visited Butterfly Yarns on Saturday for the first time since August. August, people. I went in to find a baby sweater pattern for some chunky yarn I had attempted to make into a sweater for myself, but that had failed miserably. At this point, I figured I might as well use up the stash if my knitting interest was fading.

I left with a pattern, some monkey buttons:

and some sock yarn (mostly because I felt like a fool not buying yarn and this was the most gorgeous charcoal gray I'd seen in a least a couple hours. Yes, I'm still dressing like an undertaker.):

It's Lana Grossa Seta Cashmere 65% wool, 15% silk, 16% polyamide and 4% cashmere. If you've got pattern ideas, I'm ready to hear them.

It was good to be back at the Butterfly. I adore Kim and she's always full of ideas.

On Sunday, I cast on for the Minimalist Cardigan. My Monday night group is knitting this together. I had hopes of showing up on Monday, but we got slammed with snow and I was too tired from hoofin' it around the city all day in my boots.



I've been working steadily on these socks since Christmas:


This is Cherry Tree in a colorway I don't remember. I bought it about a year ago at Windsor. I made a feeble attempt back then at a pair of socks. I've made myself a few pair of socks and none of them fit me well. Always too big, too loose. I ripped these back three times and I think I've got it. These are plain stockinette 60 stitches on size 1 addis. Eye of partridge heel, twisted rib at top and soon a kitchener toe.

I was working on these socks early this week when my inbox got hit with that disgustingly cute baby wearing my sweater. Hm... she needs another sweater...hm.... I just bought that pattern this weekend and what? I already have the yarn? So, I'm almost done with the hoodie version of the Oh My! Baby Sweater:

I see that disgustingly cute baby's mom on Wednesday night and I plan to deliver her another sweater. :)

So for someone losing their interest in knitting, this was a pretty production week right? This is where the yarn fever hits me. Thursday I impulse bought some Brooklyn Handspun in Persimmon (!!!!!!!!!). There is only one skein left folks. One skein. This yarn is a favorite of my pal The Nut and she carelessly made mention of it at our SnB on Thursday. This color caught me and I needed it. Again, pattern suggestions are welcome.

Then, I spent most of Friday morning *cough* working *cough* and mentally casting on for no less than 5 projects. Yes, mentally casting on. You know, a project comes at you from a website, a friend, a blog, and then next thing you know you're about to hit purchase on the pattern and trolling the web looking for just the right yarn at the cheapest price all the while your head is screaming "I NEED TO MAKE THIS NOW!!!", but you're at *cough* work and you can't and you already got a bunch of other things on your needles and "Oh hey, look at this sweater pattern..."
and there you are, off to cast on something else and repeat the whole process again.

Here are all the crazy ideas I had Friday morning. I'm not proud folks. I'm not ashamed either.

• Yesterday morning I listened the CRL episode with Debbie Stoller. I forgot that Son of Stitch 'n Bitch was out. I spent a good 30 minutes viewing the patterns on Ravelry. "Perhaps I should just order it from Amazon?", I pondered. I had decided that I needed to make a hat, a hat and mitten set and a sweater from this book.
  
• Then I spent some time looking at what yarns people are using to make their Tangled Yoke Cardigans. I've been wanting to make this cardigan so badly. I'm a little afraid of the fit. Leary of the cost of yarn.
  
• The Babette. Probably my craziest idea of the morning. For this I was going to enlist my grandmother to make squares for me. I don't know Ka-rate, but I know Ka-razy. I actually emailed my mother and asked if she thought my grandmother might want to make all these squares for me. Yeah. Not my proudest moment. It was the wool, officer. I had yarn fever. Temporary yarn-sanity.

I think I'm scaring the pooches. I think they're looking to escape.

Productive Saturday

Roxie and I had a photo shoot today.

She's been doing so well lately. She's becoming more and more affectionate, but this is the look I get most often:

The "I'm keeping an eye on you lady" look.

We've also progressed into the infamous shadow stage in greyhound post-track development. This is about how close she is to me at all times:

The goal of the shoot was to get a photo for my desk at work. I think we have a winner:

I went to Butterfly today to pick up an order I made. Enough Plymouth Encore for another sweater for Hubby:

Hubby is so excited about this sweater. All he knows is that it's gray and that's all that matters to him. He was genuinely excited about yarn. He's a keeper, for sure.

I've just a few more rows and the Cobblestone sleeves will be done. Before I start the body, I think I might reward myself by casting on for Composed Mitts. I've got all my yarn:

Have a lovely Saturday.

Gratuitous Cute Dog

No knitting here. Just dog owner mumblings.

The hounds got new collars yesterday. It's hard to find martingale style collars for sighthounds. It's a long story that I won't get into, but I'm thrilled with new collars that fit. Django got his standard uniform red and my Roxie got a new girly purple:

Tell me that tongue curl isn't cute? I defy you!

I've been thinking about Roxie lately. She's been living with us for 8 months now. 8! We've shared our house with 4 greyhounds (Django, Griffin, Roxie and a little foster Annabelle. I prefer not to discuss Annabelle. She liked to sleep on my head.) and never has a transition been easier. She just fits.

But the part that has me thinking: Does she fit because of us or in spite of us? She prefers to sit, sleep and just be by herself. She does not want her head in your lap. She couldn't care less if you pet her. When you come home she just wants to sniff you and gets little frustrated if you impede her efforts by touching her. Her only request command is that we feed her and that we never, ever forget to feed her ON TIME. That's all. And really, can you blame her? Food is a pretty big need.

I feel like I understand Django inside and out. He looks at my sideways and I know he wants me to tell Hubby to move his leg so that he can get off the couch and tell Roxie to stop blocking the path out of the living room. He's thirsty and he needs me to tell these blockheads to clear his way to the kitchen. I know this. I know him.

Roxie I don't understand. She's got me at arms length. I only recently discovered that she's got a secret clubhouse in the shrubs against the South wall of the house. (So that's where she's disappearing to!) Probably it's a Hickory Hideout for chipmunks and she likes to crash the party.

Like any other greyhound with a racing past, I know she's revealing herself very, very slowly to us. When we were putting in the shade garden a few weeks ago, we realized she's terrified of any human holding anything stick-like.

These are things that trouble a greyhound owner. You're watching your dog discover things. New plants! *sniff* *nibble* "No, Roxie. Don't eat the plants." You pick up a shovel to plant that hydrangea and you see your dog cower, keeping 20 feet between her and you. You realize that she's afraid of the thing in your hands. You realize that you might resemble a trainer with a whip.

You drop the shovel and call her to you with your best encouraging tone. She comes. You try getting her to investigate the shovel on her own, hoping that you have gained her trust. She gives you that eye that says, nope. Not ready. You hug her a send her off to investigate the corner where the rabbits exit the yard.

A few things we do know about Roxie: She's a hunter and never tires of stalking the creatures in the yard. She hops up and down stairs back feet two at a time. She's the Kobayashi of greyhounds and has taught Django to eat dry kibble and to eat in a timely fashion. She likes to share potato and tortilla chips with Hubby. She prefers her bed to ours (YES!). She is not afraid of thunder. She gives kisses.

Maybe she does need us. Who else is going to feed her?

The new purple suits her.
I think the purple brings out her blonde highlights.(humor me, folks)

I can put a girly purple collar on her, but I can't make her act like a lady.

Gratuitous Cute Dog

Miss Roxie

Life is tough at the McGillicutty house.

Gratuitous Cute Dog

Seriously, folks. This face!

Gratuitous Cute Dog

I've been waiting for this one and I almost forgot! Django and Roxie sent Christmas cards this year and I wanted to make sure that this pic met its recipients in the mailbox first.

Roxy is my girl!

After I took the stash pic, I left the yarn on the floor. I caught Roxy trying to steal my Noro three times. You'd think that I would just pick up the darn yarn, wouldn't ya? No. I left it. Mark caught her with it in her bed. She was lovin' it. She torn the skein all apart. Luckily, she didn't break the strand.



As I took pics of the damage, Roxy came back for another attempt:





It's a good thing this girl is cute. I've heard of bad things happening to those who mess with a knitter's stash! At least the girl's got good taste. Noro Silk Garden!

Been Busy...

I've been busy and not blogging.
1. New dog. Meet Roxy. Yes, she looks just like our man Griffin. She may be smaller, but she's got his spunk.

 

 

2. Sweater's coming... slowly. I had a mild set back. I don't advice knitting on a train without a tape measure... I went way to far and had to come back for the arm decrease. whoops.

3. Fair Isle! I CAN knit two colors at once! YES! I can't show you proof as they will probably wind up as gifts. ;)