HAVING YOUR PICTURE TAKEN

by Andrea ( Bea )Vonk • 13/07/2014

Photo's: Andrea ( Bea ) Vonk  Styling: Andrea ( Bea) Vonk

  

I love photographing my dogs. They reckon it's a pain, but as long as they get taken somewhere nice afterwards, they don't mind too much., Looking at my dog Millie today, it struck me how she looked so very much like a small painting  of a little dog that I have. It's really hard to handle for her little sister, Maud, if Millie seems to get more attention.There's quite a bit of reproach in the one eye as you can see.   As it's July there are lot's of local village fetes  at the weekends , where you can find book stalls, plant stalls ,live music and dog shows. Perfect for a bit of distraction. So they were both very happy afterwards when we took them to one of the village fetes and they were BOTH much admired. Ah well. You've got to have a bit of attention !  

Get the party started !

This weekend the festivities are starting in the U.K. for the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend- and Maud and Millie are ready to roll..

..Maud's got the rosette and Millie has the Union Jack ribbon, so they want to know now when the party is starting !!
Hope you all have a great weekend!!

 XOXO

Happy Easter- and 2 dogs equals only one useable arm

Yes, I have certainly made a rod for my own back as far as using the computer is concerned..
And my lap is certainly not really big enough...

But you know, you get pretty handy typing with one arm...

As long as you realise you can simply not use your left arm as two dogs are sleeping on it, you just get on with it.. it all takes a bit longer, but it's pretty cosy...
It's been a good winter with quite a bit of snow which is quite fun..

And I am pleased I bought these coats as it has kept Maud and Millie nice and toasty throughout..
But I think both of them are now quite pleased the snow has gone and Spring has arrived..

Especially now all the blossoms are starting to open

 and the crops are starting to grow..

"mmm interesting .."

Yes, I know, I know.Crops are the farmer's livelyhood and dogs should not be walking around in it.. so I do always chase them out of it...

So here's a very happy Spring and a very happy Easter to you all from a very happy Maud and Millie in the Spring sunshine..

Happy Birthday Maud and Millie

Tomorrow is Maud and Millie's Birthday- they are two!! 
We have had so much improvement since we have picked them up from the dogs home last December, you would not think these are the same dogs.They are confident,..

...relaxed..they love running around in the car and poking their head out of the window...

....they bark (!) - they used to be completely silent...

and they are really developing their own personalities.. Maud the deep thinker.....

the pheasant-chaser,  full of affection, pushy, the independent minded one,
and Millie,

cute,obedient, now slowly getting more affectionate and also demanding cuddles.
Very good at giving you a mighty shove with her nose in your side when she wants to go out .

What fun little personalities they are .

Yes, there are still some problems. They are slowly learning nothing frightening is going to happen when they are put in front of their bowl of food.
Goodness knows what happened earlier in their lives, as they still feel very insecure and threatened about getting fed.But with patience and not making a big deal about it , it is getting better, and lately they even go in sit in front of their bowl when they are hungry.

So here's to Maud and Millie- a very happy Birthday...

.....and many, many more happy years and many happy returns.
These two adorable dogs are from a dogs home, and if you think of getting a dog, please consider re-homing a dog from a home... they all deserve a chance !!

Have a great rest of the week!
XOXO
Bea

Take it easy....

It's been a while since you've heard from Maud and Millie or as we sometimes call them the Maudster and Millicent.We do lots of silly names in this house.Thomasina has become Sinaassen for some reason and she responds to both- see -cats are clever!Or at least they understand treats and things- but so do the two pups.
The last month has been very good for them as I have spent much more time with them.The anxiety levels are going down a lot and no more ( or very seldom ) anxious sprinkling and accidents from Maud.We had that a lot when she first came.Not sure how she was treated before she came to us, but anything would set her off..Trying her to get inside from the garden.. trying to give her her breakfast.. calling her....she would cringe and sprinkle ..I got pretty handy with the wipes and antibacterial sprays.
She is pretty relaxed now.Here she is checking out the rabbit trail on the green this morning .." hmmm!"

"And this smells of rabbit too!"

They have their own routine.
First round of the green:
-Rabbit trail sniffing.
You will only see two bottoms.The rabbits presumably are holding their breath.

They will never forget where the rabbits were earlier..
"This is were the rabbit was last time "..

And this is an activity which can't be curtailed..
"Talk to the hand cause the ear is not listening. "" I can't hear yooooooooo".

Second round of the green :
-Crazy running..

-Obstacle race
   

-Chasing

And then obviously a rest..

and a cuddle.They have been so good this week and such a solace.The house is a sick bay with my 16 year old cat Gibson being gravely ill with kindey failure.

Such a gorgeous and lovely cat.
They all know and are concerned and in their own way try to say to Gibson " we care about you, are you OK?".And tip-to-ing around the house.Going very carefully to him, not touching, tiptoing away.They know the kitchen, were Gibson is lying is out of bounds .So the walks are a great way of being a bit more cheerful and getting rid of some energy.Having a break.Taking it easy.....Dogs bring your blood pressure down they say..

I don't doubt it for a minute...





                                               
          

The first day of spring

The first day of spring and the first dandelion- we are most definitely on our way to spring now!

We had not been for proper walks for a while as I had some knee problems, but I have got myself some new stout walking boots

and pills and heat treatment and it seems to be OK more or less  at the moment so out we went.

There are always loads of things to sniff in the field- I wish I had a sense of smell like a dog!   

                         

Or maybe better not !!

There are still a few pheasants hiding away in the undergrowth..

On the way back we came across this nest- it probably was too early for eggs !!

Just imagine having to have your little chicks in there - it looks so cold and bleak..

 

On the way back, Millie and Maud loves to play fight- and Millie especially likes to bite Maud in the back leg-

 

Which usually after loads of chasing and a nice meal, leaves them completely pooped- so then I finally have some time to do their blog!

Cosy evenings in

It's luckily getting lighter and lighter in the evenings so we can start nice evening walks again.

But I think however,what the pups love most of all, is, after the walk and the dinner,is the cosy evening in, on the sofa in the study.

There is a lot of playing, throwing of balls that need to be caught, cuddling and trying to cuddle up to the cats going on. If only I wasn't on the computer.A reproachful eye is shot at me.

Although it can be used to catch up on some needed sleep..

But overall, the opinion of the pups is: less blogging, and more playing.

It just makes Maud sad to think of all the time that could be spent playing.
I think their favourite game is our morning "sock game".
I try to put on my socks, and they try to eat the socks.

That's pretty good- and I still win but I guess one day I won't and will have to buy new socks.
But it's worthwhile seeing little doggies smile so what will be will be!