Gifts: Two Cents Tuesday Challenge
Gifts – sometimes the first thing we think of when someone mentions the word is that box that is wrapped prettily and bowtied up. But I have to admit that I am more apt to think of all the gifts in my life that are not wrapped and bowtied. For the purpose of this challenge I want to go with the furry gifts that I am or have been blessed with! Our dogs and cats. So here is my post for the Two Cents Tuesday Challenge: Gifts!
I have to admit to feeling a little like Mother Nature at times. It seems I have a bit of a natural connection to animals. Having never really thought about it I didn’t focus on it but with all the creatures now around me – living in the country – I’ve found I love them all and truly enjoy interacting with them. So here are a few of our furry gifts!
Cedar is our oldest puppy. He is a little over 3 years old. He has such a young soul and always a ready smile. We call him our smilin’ dawg because he literally smiles at you and wiggles his hinny – he only has a 1 inch tail – when he sees you!
Tori was our oldest kitty. She was 8 years old when she moved on to animal Heaven this past August. She survived half of her life with kidney failure – such a strong little one. She was definitely a diva but she was well loved and truly enjoyed naps in the sun and with Momma (me).
Lily was the next little lady to join our family. She also has such a wonderful, loving soul. She is very laid back – which is an opposite to Cedar’s lively, always moving self. Lily absolutely LOVES people. Her big brown eyes draw you in every time! She had puppies on my birthday, too!
We have two cats that hang around our house – Tabi & Bella. Tabi is Bella’s mother. They each have their own unique personalities. Bella is a bit more vocal and fluffy. Tabi is a calm, laid back soul, too. Tabi is due to have another litter of kittens any day now.
And then we have all the pups from Lily & Cedar. There were 7 of them and we have 3 still at home. Blue, Louis and Bear. Definitely different and strong personalities. Blue, the light coated one on the right, is a very smart pup much like his daddy. He would be the mini-me of Cedar. Louis is in the middle and he is Mr. Super Laidback. He loves belly rubs just like his daddy, too. Bear, on the left – we call him the Dos Equis dog. He embodies the personality of the Dos Equis male character in their commercials. His best move is to lay by the water bowl so it is easy to get to.
And last, but certainly not least, is Tripper. He was my little gift upon arriving home about 3 weeks after the puppies were born. I pulled into the drive and this bundle of black & white ran toward me. He is about a week and a half older than the puppies and someone dropped him at our house. He has the biggest heart and truly enjoys life. He always is ready to play. If he were a human he would be such a special soul that one could not help but to like him. He has some issues – his pelvic bone or left leg was likely fractured within the first 2 weeks of his birth so he hops a bit like a bear quite often. This is his baby picture – the first week that I had him. 
I hope you enjoyed the photos!
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Black & White or Sepia
Cee is challenging us with a series on colors! This challenge is for black & white or sepia. I really like the tones but have determined that you must have some good photos to do the colors – or lack thereof – justice. Some good contrast or the right object for the sepia.
So here are a few photos for you to enjoy!
2012 in pictures: Weekly Photo Challenge
2012 was a busy year! A lot of great opportunities for photos in new places. Here is 2012!
January in Beavers Bend
February with our daughter
Exploring Arkansas in March
April brought rainshowers
Memorial Weekend in Hot Springs
June in Oregon near Wakheena Falls
July with our daughter creating art
August – friends’ wedding in Las Vegas
September in Muskogee, OK
September at Pea Ridge National Battlefield
November sunset at home
October – found a little gift
December Gallery exhibit
Best animals or people of 2012: Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge
Cee gave me a bit of a difficult one this time with her challenge of best animals or people of 2012. I have a lot of photos of animals. And I even have a few of people – though they are usually more of the usual family photos. So here are a few I picked that are more personally relevant to me.
These are of our good friends Darla and Ray at their wedding in August where I was privileged to photograph moments for them.
Darla & Ray
Gorgeous Bride
This last one is two of my favorite doggies, Cedar & Lily. They love to play! So I snagged a shot of them in action.
Cedar & Lily
Sunday Post : Concept
I had to try this shot while attempting to get a shot for a shoes challenge earlier today. If you have read any of my posts on our dog, Cedar, you will know that he is super obedient (usually), loving, affectionate, and all around a sweet dog. So here is my concept of how all those little dogs out there feel when their owners put booties on them. This is Cedar “wearing” one of my winter shoes.
Last day to vote!
Remember voting ends at midnight for the April m.c.s.! Get your votes in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vote for my April entry to Static Instants Monthly Competitive Series!
Take a minute to go vote for one of my photos on the Static Instants April Monthly Competitive Series!
My photos are #1
#2
& #3
Weekly Photo Challenge: Indulge
When I think of the word indulge it means that I get to treat myself or someone I love with something that isn’t had every day. So here are a few photos…
- Indulge – in a good nap with someone you love
Indulge - in a pedicure with friends
Indulge - in a good martini
Indulge - in a good cigar
It’s a dog’s life – part 2
In my previous post of It’s a dog’s life I also mentioned in the comments that Cedar was the ring bearer at our wedding. One of my readers expressed an interest in seeing that. My long-time friend, blogger extraordinaire, and journalist, Pamela Price, talked about the wedding in the Daily Yonder as With a Blue Heeler as Ring Bearer. I have to give credit to Pamela and another friend of many years, Lisa Stahl, for all the pictures of Cedar at the wedding – I was a little busy being the bride and didn’t take any at all. Here are a few that I don’t believe appear in Pamela’s article, too.
(© 2010 Lisa Stahl)
(© 2010 Lisa Stahl)
(© 2010 Lisa Stahl)
(© 2010 Lisa Stahl)
(© 2010 Lisa Stahl)
It’s a dog’s life – pictures from yesterday
Our dog is such a sweet soul who loves us dearly. He’s been known to be called the smiling dog because of the literal smile on his face when he’s happy – though I have yet to capture that smile – our daughter has. He’s my travel buddy on the road. He’s my husband’s recliner buddy. And he absolutely loves to have his belly rubbed. So here are a couple of the fun photos of him! Enjoy!
Not Quite Innocent
first day at home worn out from playing with toy
Momma's Helper
Cedar and Tori napping together - one time shot - it never happens
I'm ready when you are - loves to ride
Tisha Clinkenbeard
