HOUND DAWG BLOG

All of my babies...

2012-01-17T13:51:00.001-06:00

Cuddled up on the couch on a cold winter's day.

I hope that everyone has a picture like this... a picture that captures what you love the most dearly and makes you smile everytime you look at it; that actually makes your heart feel warm; and that makes you choose to turn a bad day into a good one.

Forlorn Basset Hound

2012-01-16T12:05:00.001-06:00

Why I love my husband ~ 2011

2011-12-20T13:43:00.011-06:00

I used to post regularly about the funny and sweet things my husband does that make-up the largest part of what I love about him. In 2011, I was a little stingy with my compliments. I thought that I would try to make up for that atrocity by endlessly gushing about him for this entire blog post, but all I really need to say is this...

I'm a handful.
I'm emotional.
I'm difficult.
I'm selfish.
And he tolerates all of this. I absolutely love Kris more than anything or anyone else on this entire planet. After 15 years together and 8 years of marriage, "I do" every single day.

enjoying some Polka music, Feb 2011

New Year's Eve, Dec 2010

recovering from knee surgery,
June 2011

Bbq'ing, of course! Sept 2011

So handsome in San Antonio, Nov 2011

Happy Howlidays from Clemmie

2011-12-20T13:20:00.001-06:00

Setting up a space to work in

2011-12-07T14:54:00.001-06:00

I am slowly trying to get set up in a corner of our office. What I am trying to set up exactly is not quite clear... a workspace, a yarn studio, a sewing center? My husband did his part and got rid of the big couch that was consuming this room. Now it's up to me to turn it into a place where magic happens!

Bassets are better in pairs...

2011-12-04T23:40:00.001-06:00

Proof is in this new Target holiday commercial!

Clemmie's perch

2011-12-03T15:15:00.001-06:00

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-02T16:54:00.001-06:00

Snuggling for warmth...

2011-11-30T06:51:00.001-06:00

Because there's no other reason for them to share a bed.

We're ready for the holidays!

2011-11-27T19:37:00.001-06:00

They really love this blanket and this spot

2011-11-16T16:49:00.001-06:00

Atypical Basset body

2011-11-14T12:52:00.001-06:00

I can't help but think that Clemmie has an unusual body for a Basset. While she has many of the normal attributes, her lean frame and long legs are different... at least compared to Blue.

Ready for candlelit Fall-inspired dinners

2011-11-13T14:55:00.000-06:00

In an effort to put the focus of my life back where it belongs I am going to have dinner with my husband at the dining room table with the tv turned off at least twice a week.

Blue's beautiful eyes

2011-11-12T12:21:00.000-06:00

Keeping Mama warm

2011-11-09T08:41:00.001-06:00

Sleeping arrangements

2011-11-07T21:38:00.001-06:00

Yes. This is just another picture of the girls sleeping. But why I captured it is because we've been wondering for weeks where they sleep at night since we haven't replaced their dog beds. So every night for the past 10 days I have put eyes on them before going to bed. Every night they are on the smaller sofa. Sleeping together.

Smells like my daddy

2011-11-07T07:07:00.001-06:00

I was sorting laundry and Blue decided to get involved... I say she was interupting the process, Kris said she was just trying to help and took a break.

Clemmie and her weiner dog stuffie

2011-11-04T15:35:00.002-05:00

Silhouettes

2011-11-01T23:22:00.001-05:00

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T18:11:00.001-05:00

Breaking our own rule

2011-10-30T20:41:00.001-05:00

We decided to let the girls in the bed this morning to cuddle with us since it was pretty chilly. They eventually huddled together like this... so we do not regret our decision.

Fresh, Clean and Ready for Halloween!

2011-10-22T15:19:00.001-05:00

Blue's nursing a hangover, apparently

2011-09-25T22:48:00.001-05:00

Sleepy head

2011-09-21T15:13:00.001-05:00

Head scratches are the best

2011-08-31T23:24:00.001-05:00

Dog days of summer

2011-08-25T09:50:00.001-05:00

Getting organized

2011-08-22T12:05:00.001-05:00

This morning I spent some time organizing the girls' things. They don't take up much room, but I don't like to keep anything that I don't need.

Basket #1:
Halloween sweaters
Football jerseys
Collars
Accessories

Basket #2:
Medicine
Ointment
Nail clippers

Outing bag:
Baggies
Collapsible water bowl
Training treats

Happy Sunday morning at our house

2011-08-21T09:10:00.001-05:00

Slumber party

2011-08-18T15:36:00.001-05:00

She's snoring

2011-08-15T10:17:00.001-05:00

Today is one of my work from home days and Blue is sleeping under the desk

Everyday, I have to kick them out of my bathroom

2011-08-12T13:26:00.000-05:00

What she does best

2011-08-08T10:32:00.001-05:00

I am addressing postcards to send to my niece at summer camp and this is Blue's level of participation.

This freeloader needs to be evicted

2011-07-28T21:06:00.001-05:00

I am sorry for the lack of variety...

2011-07-27T13:33:00.001-05:00

But this is really all they do.

No rain... Bad for yard, good for outdoor naps

2011-07-26T15:33:00.001-05:00

New mama-made pillow is approved

2011-07-21T11:38:00.001-05:00

The Pipsqueak

2011-07-12T23:21:00.001-05:00

They are distracting me from True Blood

2011-07-10T21:55:00.001-05:00

The good life

2011-07-04T21:16:00.001-05:00

Mid-Morning Nap Time

2011-07-03T11:45:00.001-05:00

Finally, no doggies sleeping in the bed with us

2011-07-03T07:19:00.001-05:00

Clemmie turns 3 today!

2011-06-30T12:21:00.001-05:00

Letting them sleep in since I know their week's gonna be rough

2011-06-26T08:50:00.001-05:00

Walkies are exhausting

2011-05-30T21:31:00.000-05:00

Yeah, time for a new bed

2011-05-27T16:27:00.000-05:00

Pics of Basset Hounds running...

2011-05-24T16:20:00.001-05:00

How can you NOT check this out!!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/basset-hounds-running?s=mobile

Fresh from the groomers!

2011-05-02T15:13:00.002-05:00

Look how bright the white fur is! And they smell so good. I love clean babies!! Unfortunately, they will be dirty by the time I get home because the smell that is pleasant to me stinks to them.

I can't imagine how bad this would be if they actually had sweat glands!

2011-04-29T19:13:00.001-05:00

Ugh... Allergies!

2011-04-20T10:58:00.001-05:00

Blue does not care for the outdoors very much. Her allergies were bothering her so much that she couldn't even enjoy being in a field of her namesake flowers.

She was singing "Cowboy, take me away..."

2011-04-12T14:21:00.001-05:00

Harnessed up and ready to go

2011-04-10T21:31:00.002-05:00

More pictures of our Girls' Day Out to follow...

My baby

2011-04-09T22:24:00.001-05:00

There are no words to describe what this dog means to me...

How do those little legs hold all that up?

2011-04-08T22:38:00.002-05:00

Home is where the Basset is...

2011-04-07T18:42:00.002-05:00

She found a bone that Clemmie didn't hide

2011-04-06T17:12:00.002-05:00

Basset Hound Booty

2011-04-03T18:24:00.001-05:00

Mornings around here are not very pretty

2011-04-02T09:49:00.002-05:00

She ain't foolin' me

2011-03-24T18:17:00.002-05:00

Any second now she's going to jump of the bed to look for something to steal and destroy.

Siamese Basset Hounds

2011-03-22T10:14:00.001-05:00

In case you had any doubt I was raising her to be a proper lady

2011-03-21T08:43:00.001-05:00

She's so cute, I don't even mind that she eats poop.

2011-03-18T15:51:00.003-05:00

A good St. Patty's day was had by all

2011-03-18T10:10:00.002-05:00

Taking the shenanigans to the twitter

2011-03-17T13:04:00.001-05:00

New treats to savor

2011-03-16T12:53:00.002-05:00

A small biz here in Austin called Bark 'n Purr Pet Center delivers dog food to your house. They specialize in providing food for you dog's specific needs like weight, allergies, etc. They happen to carry our preferred food so I decided to give them a try - delivery is free if your order is over $20. I placed the order on Monday and the food was delivered on Tuesday. While I was browsing their website I saw these treats from Stella & Chewy and couldn't resist. The girls seem to love them especially the bison treats.

I am really happy with Bark 'n Purr's service and we'll definitely order from them again. I was very happy to be able to get a 35-lb. bag delivered which will last me a few days longer than the 20-lb. bag we usually pick up from the big chain pet store.

Luckily for everyone in the country, they deliver nationwide. At the very least, their website is worth a look (be sure to see the Our Service tab). I don't intend for this post to be an advertisement for this company, but I most certainly mean to endorse them - Bark 'n Purr is Tobi, Blue & Clemmie approved!

Messy Myrtle

2011-03-15T14:06:00.001-05:00

When I was in the 2nd grade, I was in a school play and my character's name was Messy Myrtle. Every time someone on stage said my character's name I'd have to throw confetti up in the air and recite the same line - "Messy me." So I took this picture and sent it to my mom with the subject line of "Messy Myrtle" . She replied "Well, we know who she takes after." I love that my mom never forgets that stuff. Wink!

Napping in the kitchen

2011-03-14T11:11:00.002-05:00

Another work from home day for me... but all I can think about is that I need another dog bed for the puppy. Can you imagine how much I love that they are napping in here because I am working on my computer at the table??? They love to keep their mama company.

Saturday brunch with mom & dad

2011-03-12T18:56:00.002-06:00

We took the girls with us to have brunch at one of our favorite local places. Kris and I enjoyed egg scrambles and Boddington's while the girls enjoyed pets and sweet words from other patrons. Hooray for family quality time!

Seeing double

2011-03-09T13:52:00.002-06:00

I don't even think I could handle two Bluebonnets. Cool picture is courtesy of the FX Camera Android app.

I iz never drinking again

2011-03-08T09:26:00.001-06:00

Working from home...

2011-03-07T13:06:00.001-06:00

Is definitely worth it!

Not amused...

2011-03-03T14:21:00.001-06:00

... at being on the rock, at me taking her picture, having to go for a walk on a "trail", or for being outdoors on a lovely day. She just wants to be home, on the couch with the tv tuned to a good Criminal Minds marathon.

Making "being cute" look easy since 2008

2011-03-02T17:24:00.002-06:00

Good for absolutely nothing

2011-02-26T18:47:00.001-06:00

Except being freakin' cute!

Sweet Clemmie Kisses

2011-02-18T12:46:00.001-06:00

Sunshine feelz good

2011-02-17T13:27:00.001-06:00

Getting a little sun

2011-02-12T19:44:00.001-06:00

Missing my girls

2011-02-02T16:11:00.002-06:00

Last week Kris worked from home and sent me this picture... the girls were looking at the front door, waiting for me to walk through it. Just melts my heart. Love, love, love.

OKC

2011-02-01T12:47:00.005-06:00

I'm in Oklahoma City for work the week and wouldn't you know it... snow storm! I realize that it's not the end of the world but snow is not something I'm used to and it definitely puts a halt to my productivity since I can't train people if we can't get to the office to do it. But I'm safe, I'm comfortable, I'm warm and I can still communicate with everyone as normal so all is good.

I am missing Kris and the girls quite a bit. I'm tragically dependent upon my husband's company, Clementine's exuberance and Bluebonnet's cuddling to get me through most days and being away from them makes my heart heavy. So I have a nice little game plan for OKC to make the most of the time I have to be away from my family - local yarn store visit, Thunder game and the Memorial. Despite the weather I am still hoping to check all of those things off my list. At any rate I can add OKC to the list of state capital cities I've been to.

Why I love my husband

2011-01-27T14:49:00.004-06:00

Background: A year ago, I left the hair salon and within blocks I was pulled over by two policeman on bicycles in downtown Austin for allegedly running a red light.

This morning Kris informed me that he would be driving me to my appointment on Friday. When told him it wasn't necessary he said "The last time you were down there you were pulled over for Voguing by two bike bike cops."

Sisters

2011-01-27T14:42:00.002-06:00

These girls are so sweet to each other sometimes. It just warms my heart to see them napping together. It's a nice break from Clementine's imaginary races and Bluebonnet's food thievery.

Not sure what is worse...

2011-01-26T10:28:00.002-06:00

... that I allowed my beautiful silk yarn to get tangled like this or that the project bag I designated for it is a Ziploc.

All I can say is that I am working through the tangles and I ordered a sweet Lantern Moon project bag that should be delivered today.

Tobi

Confrontational Basset Hound and WIP's

2011-01-25T11:45:00.003-06:00

I'm just throwing in a picture to show how confrontational Clementine can be. This is not a quality I care much for in anyone - canine or human, but since I have no control over it, I just roll with it. One day I was working at home on the sofa. I was sprawled out across it, taking up all the space and Bluebonnet was sitting on my ankles. Clementine stood next to the sofa and barked at me repeatedly because she wanted on as well. As you can see from the picture she is irresistible so I made room for her.

The next picture is a scarf that I'm working on that I'm calling "OKC LYS GYC Scarf" because I got the pattern for free from the co-owner of a local yarn shop in Oklahoma City called Gourmet Yarn Co. I've been on Ravelry a lot lately looking for crochet projects and inspiration and since I'm going to OKC for a work trip I wanted to find an LYS to visit and this is the one I found - then I found their group on Ravelry and you can surmise the rest. I went to Gauge which is the closest LYS to me in Austin and found a dusty blue yarn to go with my favorite sweater that I bought from Macy's and haven't taken off all winter. The yarn is Berroco Weekend Chunky and it's a crocheters yarn. The pattern calls for a K hook so the stitches aren't too big. I want to finish it before I leave so I can show it to the co-owner, who was nice enough to introduce herself to me and tell me about the free scarf pattern on their blog, when I visit.

Lastly, I wanted to share a picture of this beautiful Double Sea Silk yarn in Hemlock that I got from Gauge. Gauge has great customer service and one of the ladies there helped me find a crochet pattern to make with this yarn, Crobaktus (which I'm sure knitters will recognize as the crochet version of Lacy Backtus). Anyway, I'm sad to say that I took it upon myself to wind the yarn into a ball from the hank and created a tangled mess. I have been untangling it for the past 4 days a little bit each day but am getting more and more frustrated because I want to start my project. This is a lesson I only need to learn once - next time I will have the shop wind it for me. I will post pics of my Crobaktus as soon as I finish it... at this rate, just in time for summer.

Rainy Sunday in Austin

2011-01-09T15:34:00.002-06:00

Nothing to do but get comfortable and just relax... Ahhh.

Crocheting away

2010-12-31T11:48:00.001-06:00

I recently joined a knitting/crochet group and I am loving it. These ladies are educating me on the fabulous world of yarn. I am amazed at the differences in appearance, color and feel among the different brands and fibers. I am now hooked on the good stuff (non- acrylic). However, I won't be avoiding the affordable yarns... in fact I just finished two projects using 100% acrylic yarn, a pattern off the Lion Brand website and single crochet & shell stitches. The one pictured is pink and brown with a button closure. I love how it turned out.

She's already killed the santa and the penguin

2010-12-28T09:37:00.002-06:00

And now she's after the bear.

The ear flaps are not necessary

2010-12-27T10:31:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas Amigos!

2010-12-24T10:33:00.003-06:00

Bluebonnet and Clementine want to wish all of their friends a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Happy New Year!

Blue likes to be tucked in more than a dog should

2010-12-23T10:10:00.001-06:00

Lost picture in the ivy

2010-12-21T15:16:00.001-06:00

This picture makes me think of two specific things...

1. We no longer have this ivy in our backyard; it's been replaced with decomposing granite.

2. About 3 minutes after I took this picture Clementine threw up for 12 hours straight. Luckily I worked from home that day and could administer tummy rubs.

Now ready to attend holiday parties

2010-12-20T09:02:00.001-06:00

Bluebonnet is so fresh and so clean from Groomingdale's and is now fit to be seen out in public. I had started calling her Sandy because she looked like a little street dog.

TGIF

2010-12-17T07:22:00.001-06:00

It's finally Friday. And it's finally cold again here in Austin. After breakfast, that conatined a few surprise pieces of steak from my doggie back last night, the girls are in bed and bundled up with us. This weekend they are getting their Christmas presents... a day at the "doggie spa".

We hope everyone has a great, relaxing weekend.

Tobi

Bluebonnet is 5... going on 90

2010-12-16T11:01:00.004-06:00

Yes, little, baby Bluebonnet turns 5 years old today... however she acts more like a 90-year old man. She's grumpy, overbearing and sleeps a lot. She can't even stay awake for a show as riveting as The Sing-Off. And she constantly remarks on how the lights on the Christmas tree should be white. But I love her to pieces despite all of those things.

Watching old movies

2010-12-15T15:01:00.002-06:00

I took this picture when I was home with the girls watching that dreadful Inside Daisy Clover movie. Blue and Clem are not Natalie Wood fans either.

Clementine gets some "me time"

2010-12-14T23:46:00.001-06:00

Here is a rare moment of Clementine not in motion. She did a little sun worshipping on this nice, cool winter day in Austin.

Co-workers

2010-12-14T08:12:00.001-06:00

The best part about working from home, besides getting to stay in my pajamas all day and not having to deal with traffic, is my super-pleasant co-workers. We take lunch and go on bathroom breaks together if they can be bothered to move from wherever they are napping... er, I mean working.

Clementine and Bluebonnet, today

2010-12-13T16:29:00.001-06:00

The girls sometimes relax next to each other. It is rare so I always try to capture the moment. They both wish everyone Happy Holidays!

Like McRib... I'm back even after my FAREWELL tour

2010-12-13T12:20:00.011-06:00

That's right, if for no other reason then my mother told me that she missed my blog. So... yeah... the blog is back! It's been a 9 month hiatus so many things have happened in our household for both the humans and the canine babies since I last posted, most notably Little Clementine Francine turned 2 years old! I can't go back and recap the past 9 months so I'll just jump to today. It's Christmastime, the best time of year. Here's some snapshots around the Ditmore house:

The longhorns got garland this year!

The girls in their Jingle Bell collars

Once the temp drops below 60 degrees we can have a nice fire

Bluebonnet thinks she hears Santee!

Beer coaster garland

I couldn't find traditional wooden shoes so these resin cowboy boots will have to do!

Adios, Goodbye and Farewell

2010-04-07T08:46:00.003-05:00

After much thought I have decided that I don't want to blog anymore. Although I have loved sharing the lives of my "babies" with the friends I've made online and have enjoyed making said friends, I find that I just don't have the time, my heart isn't in it and I have really been putting too much of my business out on the Interweb. I would love to stay in touch with everyone via one portal - Facebook. So if you are on FB, please look me up and add me as a friend, because I'd love to know what's going on with your doggies and with you!

Sincerely,
Tobi Dtimore

Another video post - this one featuring ME!

2010-04-01T06:00:00.005-05:00

Happy DOT! If you haven't already be sure to check out the other blogs linked to today's Dogs on Thursday post here.

Video: Fun @ The Dog Park

2010-03-30T19:30:00.005-05:00

Yesterday the girls got a treat - instead of a walk, they got to get their exercise out at the new dog park in town.

All loaded up in the wagon!

At first they only played with each other...

But it didn't take them long to make friends.

We especially liked this fella - a smallish bloodhound. We didn't get a name or a number, but we know where he hangs out!

Here's a video of the girls running around the park.