Big Honey Dog Has a Store!

We are excited to announce that our friend Honey the Great Dane has opened her own store. We want to spread the word to all the other Dane friends out there. Also, Honey's little kitty sister, Muesli, has her own stuff too. Check it out here: Big Honey Dog

Update on Sir Lancelot... He is eating and drinking well, finally. He has his moments where he snubs his food, but eventually gets around to it. I think he is hoping we will add some people treats to it, which is a no-no in our house. Since he drags his toes while he walks and his nail are nubs that bleed, we are in the process of trying out different boots, without going crazy on expenses. Until then, the Pawz have worked fine, we just keep adding duct tape when a tear happens. Since XL comes in green, and using the silver or red duct tape we had on hand, he looked very decked out for Christmas.

He and Cinderella get along just fine. She has only swatted him twice, and that was because he "licked her ears". (Now there is a sentence I never thought I would ever say... "Sir Lancelot licked Cinderella's ears.") She walks between his legs and hasn't been stepped on. When she is sitting high and he wants her attention, he will let out a little bark, and she just stares him down. When she sends out a high-pitched howl, he will come see if she is OK. She had her first vet appointment, which went very well. She is being treated for ear-mites, so she has sensitive ears. We didn't know her exact age, so the vet is estimating she is between 2-3 years old. She is very curious exploring every space in our house, and is starting to show signs of wanting to sneak outside, which we are hoping to avoid.

Stay tuned for an introduction from Lance himself.

Happy New Year from The Parents.

Gotta Think Creatively

Lancelot has had stomach issues. His meals are not processing very well. So we are trying a bland diet of rice and chicken to hopefully bulk him up. He is not drinking much water, so we are worried about him getting dehydrated.

How do you get a dog to drink water? Before I "googled" it, we came up with our own idea. Add chicken to a bowl of water. It's working. He is slurping. YAH!

After success  I just googled it, and it says to add chicken broth to the water, after they have sniffed the broth. Well, I came close.

On a new journey - The Dane Parents

Saying Goodbye, Saying Hello

On our annual Monterey trip this year, we brought Sasha's ashes and said a final goodbye. This is the beach we went to each time she came with us, so it was extra special to leave another memory here.

Then we came home and picked up our new family members.

Introducing...

Sir Lancelot and 'Cinder"ella

 

We are still 2 days into our new chapter. As soon as Lancelot allows us to see the "real" him, we will allow him to introduce himself. Cinder is already a character, and quite animated with all of us. As you can tell, Lance is doing well with her antics. This is something I have dreamed and hoped for a long time, so it makes my heart pitter-patter when I see him lick her and clean her ears.

Stay tuned for updates and a new blog.

Happy belated Thanksgiving.

Teaser

Tonight we met our new guy, for the first time!

He was very loving, gave us lots of kisses and wanted to come home with us.

 Since we are going out of town this week, we will be picking him up as soon as we return next week.

Until then... here is a teaser...

And he will come with his own furry companion, teaser #2...

And yes, it was hard to walk away without them, but knowing they are in good hands and will be ready for us in a week... we can relax, enjoy our last trip for awhile and come up with a list of boundries and rules to start off with right away, so we dont end up with this is the first week...

She was very lucky that she lived almost 6 more years after THIS incident :-) All good memories now.

Stay tuned...

Big Dog Fix

What are the odds? I started a new Bible Study and one of my leaders has two Irish Wolfhounds. I about jumped across the table to hear more about them. She was so sweet and said we were welcome to come by anytime to meet them. So last weekend, we headed over and spent a couple hours watching and loving on them. More like, we were being loved on. My heart was just pittering away. Look at these beautiful giants.

When we arrived, one was standing up on the chain-link fence, ready to greet us. She was taller than my hubby. My heart was lost on the first "lean." They circled us, and were very eager to start the lovin'

The one in the front is Brady. He is only 7 months old. The other once is Callie, and she is a year and a half. 

The owner is a tiny little lady, and I was so impressed at how well trained both the dogs were. Callie even "prayed" in her down position.

I can't even put into words how full my heart was when we left. Every time I look at these pictures I can't NOT smile! How can we resist such a gentle giant, such a precious face and such a huge heart to just love US! I had to look at the calendar again, to see how soon it would be for our own giant again.

Even better news... yesterday I got a call from the rescue we use. They have a dog for us, think it would be a perfect fit. I am sure you know how hard it was for me to not just hang up the phone and RACE over there. I had to remain calm, ask the questions and then tell them I had to confer with hubby. Either way, the week after Thanksgiving, Lord willing, there will be a new Gentle Giant in our home. 

Stay tuned...

Bite-Size Tease

Although our baby girl was a fawn, this image just reminded me of the difference between the size of the doxy we pet-sat, and the size of the baby girl we lost. Just not the same. 2 months to go... count down time. Cannot wait to see what new dog is waiting for us to take him/her to a forever home.

To be continued...

The Pain Now is Part of the Happiness Then

A friend found this cute stuffed Dane in her little boy's toy box. She said he had never played with it and offered it to us.  I came home to find it sitting on a chair on our front porch. It touched my heart so much. When hubby came home, I set it up like this and showed him, and he instantly teared up. What a nice memory of our baby girl. 

For healing, we have taken advantage of our new freedom and have enjoyed long day trips and short weekend trips to enjoy each other without having to worry about an elderly dog. We have even offered up our services to house/dog sit as long as we are "pet-less", which is another adventure on its own. This weekend we were given free tickets to the San Diego Zoo. We couldnt go until later in the day, and my comment was.. "As long as we get to see the BIG CATS, I will be happy". Well, that prayer was answered. While waiting for the last bus to the front of the park, we visited the Lion and lioness. They were both awake, prowling and roaring. What a grand vision. The female even came up to the window and stood on her hind legs and pawed the window. My heart raced. After spending a week of dog-sitting a little doxy, I had the mad craving to pet, thump and hug on a very large animal. I guess a Lion would not be a good choice, but you big dog owners know exactly what I am talking about. 

We are always asked... are you going to get another one? And the answer is YES! After taking our time to mourn and become clear headed again, we both feel in our hearts that we need a little bit of time for ourselves again. Then we will be ready for the plunge again. Our logical thinking leads us to starting over in December, the same time we started with Sasha. It will be a dog filled Christmas (and maybe kitty too) and a new joy to start the new year. And yes, we are hoping for another Dane, or maybe even.... take a deep breath... an Irish Wolf Hound. We just know we need another Giant Dog in our hearts and home, even with all the risks involved, we are ready for ride again.

Recently we watched the movie Shadowlands, C.S. Lewis story. There was a line in it that touched both of us. The lead who is dying, says to her husband, "The pain then is part of the happiness now." After she dies, he says, "The pain now, is part of the happiness then." That is exactly how we feel about loving and losing our girl and taking the risk all over again.

Remembering Sasha...Enjoy her story through this video

Around the World

I just can't walk away from this blog. There is something therapeutic about coming back here and reading and re-reading the postings and comments. We made so many friends from all over. Just for kicks, today I checked the stats and was once again am amazed at where Sasha's friends came from. I can't believe how far she reached. I wish I could go to each place and give/get a hug personally.

We do miss our girl so much. Here are just some of the "triggers" that hit us at times:

• Walking through the living room, we still drift to one side, as if her bed is still on the other side.
• When the doorbell rings, there is not a crazy barking issue to address
• We still try to keep food put away, and start to warn the other if it is left out
• Coming home, we still listen for a "roo roo roo" from the other room
• We still leave music playing when we leave the house
• No more morning walks (not the same alone)
• Clean kitchen floor
• No fur bunnies throughout the house
• Sleeping through the night without any interruptions
• No "bombs" in the backyard

There are many more that just pop up. Recently we have gone for a bike ride and a walk. It felt odd to not be greeted by passerby's. Without our girl, we are just an ordinary couple (I hope that doesn't sound arrogant). My husband is going on a very short trip soon, and it just hit me, I will be coming home to a totally empty house. I haven't had that in almost 6 years. I am not sure how to prepare for that. Fortunately someone will be staying with me on one of the two nights he is gone. 

I got the call yesterday that my baby girls ashes are ready to be picked up. We have already discussed the different places we want to let her go.. backyard, university quad (most of our walks and runs) and Monterey. Some of her ashes will go into a stone that we will make, so she will go with us everywhere we go. Along with her brother Max and sis Spike. 

As I write this post, I have been interrupted 3 times by a Blue Jay that has been insisting on calling for his peanuts. The odd thing is that I have been feeding him for a couple years now, but for the past 6 months he has been gone. He just showed up again the past week or so. I don't believe in re-incarnation, but I do believe God sends us what we need for comfort, so I will thank My Lord for this small blessing and keep tossing the peanuts.

Thank you for sharing my journey-- Sasha's mommy--MindyLu

Sasha the Princess 2001-2012

Sasha graduated to rainbow bridge on July 7, 2012. She will be forever in our hearts. Enjoy watching our journey with her here. 

Saying Goodbye

Sasha

2001 - 2012

The time finally came that we had to make "the decision." We chose to spoil and love her beyond limits during her last week. Here is her point of view...

I helped Daddy work in the backyard by supervising.

I supervised Mommy while she washed the big green machine.

I got to enjoy the cold sweet treats!

Mommy and me would mediate by the big water bowl.

 I watched all the hoomans get ready for the big "barks in the sky" day.

I visited with friends.

 Daddy and mommy laid down a lot with me. 

Mommy made me meals of Rice and Chicken- My FAVORITE!

I got lots of orange stick treats.

I got to lay in bed with mommy and daddy and watch a movie with them.

Mommy and daddy let me sleep with them.

 I got a last treat of an ice cream cone.

Mommy and Daddy loved me BEYOND THE LIMIT!

We sadly said goodbye to her today. A video will be posted soon. Thank you everyone for being her friend. We will share more when we can see beyond the tears.

Lazy Dog Day

Mommy and I worked in the yard today. I supervised her.

When she was done, I tried to convince her to give ME a massage. Think this face worked?

Your darn right it did.

BARK! Sasha the princess!

Bed Collection

When I first came to my forever home, I tried to claim this bed.

 But Mommy and Daddy said NO!

 Then Mommy got me this big bed. It is the biggest they found at Costco. I have gone through many of these beds.  

When I get bored with it, I flip it and try to squeeze back on.

When I started having accidents, Mommy got me an alternate bed to use when she is washing my regular bed. Here I am trying to do Doga on it. It is not my favorite.

This weekend, Mommy and Daddy went "Yard Sale-ing" They said that is where people go to other peoples lairs and dig through their junk and bring it back to their own lair. 

They met some other people who used to have a big doggie and when they heard my story, the peoples gave them this BIG BIG bed for me. They said it would be real helpful for my sore leggies. It is the PERFECT bed. It fits all of me. I really like it.




BARK! Sasha the Princess!

I'm Still Here

Oh my, mommy just signed on and everything looks different. It has been WAY too long!


Well anyway... I am still here. My leggies are getting worse and I need more help getting up to do my thing. Mommy and Daddy are being very patient with me and showing me lots of love. I sleep a lot, but still go for my morning sniffies, just not very far from the lair.


Sometimes mommy's eyes start to leak and she comes and lays down next to me and gives me lots of lovin's. And when mommy is gone at night, Daddy does it too. He tells me what a good doggie I have been and that he does not want me to go anywhere. They both take turns cleaning up my messies, even though I try real hard to keep them outside. I know Mommy and Daddy love me lots.


Mommy said the Princess collar was looking pretty bad. Parts of it were following off.

 So she went out and got me a NEW Princess collar. Here and daddy made such a big deal about how pretty I looked with my new necklace.

What do you think?

Leaving you with a laugh!

BARK! Sasha the Princess

Clean Paws

My paws are clean again. Mommy even gave me a pawdicure this morning. I just layed in the sun and bathed while she clipped and filed my nails down. It was getting hard to walk on the wood floors in the lair.

 For those of you who asked for another hint, mommy found the only item that she could pin on me. But I challenge her to find ANY paw prints on this!

Bark- Sasha the Princess

Dirty Paws

"I was framed, I tell you. It wasnt me!"

" What? My paws? There is nothing wrong with my paws.
 I think they are very pretty, princess paws!"

" Umm, well, you see, it just sort of jumped into my mouth, and what was I suppose to do?"

No evidence was left behind, except a spring. Can you guess?

BARK! Sasha the Princess

Sasha in French

Bonjour!

My friend Lincoln in France is having a French Craze Contest. I know I have been MIA on my blog lately, but same thing, nothing exciting to report when you just sleep and make messes all the time. So finally mommy got some excitement about a contest. Here is my entry...

Mommy wanted our entry to be relevent. First of all, I have a thing for glasses. No really, I do. They taste GREAT! Especially daddy's. He needs them to read and they smell just like him, so if he leaves then out, then I take care of that!

Second of all, some people ask mommy and daddy why they got a BIG dog. Well, their story goes... after purchasing their first house, the next step was to get a doggy. Mommy started looking at PetFinder.com. They both knew they wanted a large dog, like lab, german shepard or something like that. But then mommy saw a selection for GIANT dogs, and upon opening that page, when the Great Danes popped up, her heart was gone. That excited daddy too. They got me from a Giant Dog Rescue, so in perspective, PetFinder, led mommy and daddy to ME! This book I am reading is about other pups that were discovered there too, and their happy endings.

 

BARK! Sasha the Princesse

Lay Down Sasha

Mommy says I am being weird when I lay this way.

I dont see a thing wrong with it.

Bark- Sasha the Princess

My New Favorite Toy

Some of you may remember last time Grammy and Grampy came they gave me a new toy. It is squeeky and makes lots of noise. It isnt really a big dog toy, but it is more fun than any toy I have ever had. I just love to play with it, and make mommy and daddy play with me.

Mommy was shocked one day, when I brought it into her room and dropped it at her feet and stared at it until she would play with me. Mommy said something like "Well, I guess old dogs CAN learn new tricks!"

Hmmmppphh, who is she calling old! Watch THIS old gal play:

BARK! Sasha the Soccer Player Princess!

A Pet's 10 Commandments

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you. Always!

All is well in the Princess kingdom. But mommy thinks that all  you furries can handle only so many pikchures of me sleeping away.

Credit note: This was borrowed from a rescue site.

The Liebster Blog Award

I won an award. Mommy is amazed... I am not suprised. After all, I AM a Princess!

Mommy thought we were losing our friends, since she hasnt been posting much about me these days. In spite of that, we won this award, not once, but TWICE last month! At least we still have 2 friends... BOL
Thank you to Luke and Milka for not forgetting about me, even if I am getting to be a boring sleepy old lady.

Part of the process of getting this award, is giving it to 5 people of my choice. Here are the RULES:


(1) Thank the blogger that gave you the award and then add a link to their blog.
(2) Reveal your top five picks (with less than 200 readers) and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.

(3) Copy and Paste the Award to Your Blog.

(4) Hope that the people you’ve sent the award to forward it to their five favorite up-and-coming bloggers, and keep it going!

My 5 friends that I want to share the award with are:

Waldo & Gus: They moved above us in Callee-for-na and we havent heard as much from them, but mommy managed to find their mommy's blog and read all about the move. Each time mommy looks at Waldo, her heart gives an extra beat in memory of my later brother, Max

Randi: Another big doggie that lives below us, in Calee-for-na too. I cant beleive she is almost as old as me!

Digby & Delta: Digby came to his forever family after they lost Mr Darcy. We dont get to hear from them as often as we like, but they are still my buddies.

Nala: She has a new hooman baby sister and she takes really good care of her.

Lincoln: Mommy thinks it is cool to have friends in other kuntrees. Lincoln lives in France. Mommy wonders if he Barks in french?


So what have I been up to?



Daddy is tearing up the Big Water Bowl... again!



And of course... I am supervising!



What else is a Princess to do?

BARK! Sasha the Princess