The first pictures of our new addition

Here are the first pictures of Miss Texas. She was born on Monday, June 30th and the dog breeder emailed these pics to us on Thursday along with pics of her mom, Daisy and her dad, Oliver. We originally were told that her dad was Leroy who happens to be Blue's dad, but the breeder was mistaken. While we think that would have been very cool, we weren't too disappointed about the news.

She will be 6 weeks old on August 11th so the following Saturday we are going to drive up to Lexington to pick her up and bring her home. She's a Lemon & White Basset so she'll be quite a contrast to her big sister who is Tri-Colored, we hope that the differences between them stop at their outward appearance and can only wish that she will have half the personality that Bluebonnet does. With Bluebonnet doing most of the rearing after Miss Texas is 6 months old and no longer spending her days in a crate that is pretty likely to happen.

The first video of Bluebonnet

This was taken on January 31, 2006. We had her exactly 3 days when this was taken. She was almost 7 weeks old. It's pretty short but all of the others I have of her are quite long. This one is one of my favorites... she had just noticed her reflection and I guess the glass tasted good.

Bluebonnet is gross

I'm almost positive that this blog is changing direction and will be nothing but a Bluebonnet video blog now that I know how to upload the numerous videos I have of her. Today, I finally caught one of her burps on video. Normally, I would think this is gross behavior but in the case of my perfect little angel dog, it's just freakin' cute.

It's right at the 23 second mark and I wasn't as close as I wanted to be so you may have to turn the volume up.

It is impossible not to love this dog

Bluebonnet and Aunt Karen

Bluebonnet's godmother, Aunt Karen, came over for dinner last week and per usual brought Bluebonnet two containers of gourmet doggie treats. The excitement between animal and human at seeing each other is unsurpassed by any others. I always wanted Bluebonnet to use her cuteness for good and in this case she goes above and beyond - you see Aunt Karen has a Basset of her own, Walter, but he lives in Canada. So Blue helps Aunt Karen get through the pain of missing Walter.

always treats for Blue

always lot and lots of hugs and kisses for Blue

always lots and lots of hugs and kisses returned to Aunt Karen

sweet, little Bluebonnet giving Aunt Karen some hugs

always a chase scene after dinner

It's the Rocky & Blue Show

Yesterday, Blue's buddy Rocky came over for a play day. Rocky lives about 2 minutes away so I went and picked him up from his backyard at around 10 in the morning. Rocky's dad (Cody) and I were talking on our work IM and I said I wish I had a webcam to capture the Blue & Rocky Show - it's a cycle of wrestling, fighting over a toy, chasing each other and then crashing into power naps.


taking a pause before heading outside to chase each other


getting water together (and I think stealing kisses)


resting after a good chase


back to wrestling


more wrestling


power nap

Why I love my husband - Super Chicken edition

I love Kris because he brings home things like this for Bluebonnet. It's Super Chicken - you can grab his feet and gullet and shoot him across the room. When you do that he makes a sound like a rooster... I still can't figure that one out.

Cuddle time

Caring for Bluebonnet

Bluebonnet gets utterly excited about three things:

1. company coming over

2. anytime I pick up her leash

3. when I say the word "treat"

She also loves riding in the car. She's a very good passenger. But that wasn't always the case. Back when I first started taking to her puppy day care she was a little uneasy in the car. On one occasion, I hit a pot hole pretty hard and it scared her so much that she jumped under my legs making it difficult for me to push the pedals. I couldn't coax her out from under my legs and I actually made the situation worse when I started banging on my steering wheel and screaming "What are you doing?" Somehow I was able to make it to daycare without getting a wreck or driving us off the side of the road.

Today I took her nibs to the vet where she got two shots, her ears cleaned, her temperature checked and a fecal exam - oh, and we also discovered that she has taken off over 10 lbs (she once weighed 52 lbs and is now at a svelte 41.8 lbs). I must say that she handled it better than I would have - one guy restraining your torso and another putting foreign objects up your bum... so not my idea of a party. However, my girl was a trooper today, a real trooper. She was whisked away from the vet's office for her 10:30 appointment with the groomers. The pictures above where taken during her car rides today.

Now she's exhausted... but more importantly she's tri-colored again, her nails are short, about 5 lbs of fur is gone and she doesn't smell liked dried mud on the bottom of shoes. The second we got in the house, she ran outside, peed, pooped, came right back and passed out on a pile of decorative pillows - she's taking a well deserved rest. Even though she looks so peaceful and content right now, all I want to do is mess with her and poke her in the belly and pull her ears. Sometimes I can be annoying. I'd say that's a taste of her own medicine.

I want to be very clear

This IS NOT my Little Bluebonnet. And that is why it is so hilarious.

Bluebonnet is my baby girl

This little 50 lb., four-legged demon baby has caused me more frustration and aggrivation than anyone else - animal or human - that I have ever come into contact with in my entire life. She straight-up gives me a rash sometimes for all the irritation she causes me.

And yet for some damn reason sometimes all I want to do is go home in the middle of the day and kiss all over on her snoot.

Bluebonnet's Mailbag

Bluebonnet's Mailbag

Bluebonnet asks: How many nicknames can one dog have?


Blue, Bluezanov, Punky, Lil' Punkin, Punkers, Punksalot, Bluesy, Lil' Bluesy, Bluezanator, Shorty, Shortstuff, Sweetpea, Cutestuff, The Baby, The Princess, Muffin, Fatty, Lil' Fatty, Blueberry, Lil' Blueberry and The Blueberry

Bluebonnet & Friends

The unlikely best friends: Rocky & Bluebonnet

He's black and tan. She's tri-colored.

He's mixed. She's purebred.

He's 7 months old. She's 2 years old.

He's tall and slender. She's short and stubby.

He's a he and she's a she.

They are so very different yet they can't get enough of each other. Even after leaving them alone for hours to play together they still want to show off to the parents and demonstrate their new wrestlin' moves. They have the good life.

Bluebonnet's Mailbag

Baby girl Bluebonnet,

I have pretty much had all I can take from you. Last night you crossed the line sister. You have peed in MY AND YOUR FATHER'S bed for the last time. I am not sure why did this last night or the two times before but I wish I could understand. All I can say is that you are so lucky that we had that super thick mattress cover so your ridiculous amount of urine didn't penetrate all the way through the comforter, sheet or fitted sheet to the mattress cover. Because I'm not sure you wouldn't be homeless right now, walking the streets of Northwest Austin holding up a sign that reads Will Sit Pretty for Food if pee had touched the actual mattress.

The time has come to wean you from sleeping in the bed with us. It's going to be rough and there will be a lot of tears (mostly from you and daddy), but it has to be done. You are a big girl now and you need to find a spot for yourself one one of the 3 couches, 5 arm chairs and huge doggie bed available to you. And really, aren't you tired of getting kicked about the head, stomach and spine from my jimmy-legs?

In time, I hope you will realize that I am doing this for you because I love you.

Love,
Mommy

Bluebonnet's Mailbag

Bluebonnet's Atchafalya voyage

I know Bluebonnet can't swim and I have no intention of ever testing this, however she loves the water and over Easter she went on her first canoe trip on the canal my parents live on. Here are more pics from our little trip up and down the canal.

D Family Easter Road Trip

AKA ... going from A to B.

Nothing's packed yet. Leaving in 3 hours and 17 minutes. We are so not ready.

Six hours in the truck with my husband who likes to keep the truck cabin at a cool 45 degrees and a 52 lb Basset hound that likes to jump from the front seat to the back seat to the tempo of her own cries when she's not pacing the back bench seat.

Should be awesome.

Bluebonnet's Mailbag

Dear Bluebonnet,

You are the source of all of my non-human joy. We have a deep relationship. We have a shorthand. I believe you are my soulmate. And I don't even believe in soulmates. I love our starring contests even though you usually win. We have so much in common... tv shows, preferred walking route, time and distance, we like the same people and we both prefer junk food instead of the food we really should be eating. We love to cuddle on the couch with each other. All the love I give out to you is returned to me. I can't imagine ever loving another animal as much as I love you. And that is why you will remain an only child.

Love you,
Mommy

The concerns of a dog's mama

Yesterday Kris informed me that Bluebonnet told him that the time change has really screwed up her sleeping schedule. I wish I could articulate how sorry I am for this poor little dog that she can't get her regular 18 hours of sleep per day.

Me + My dog = Bliss

Here are two cell phone pictures of me that show the truly content Tobes. You will also notice that my dog is in very close proximity. Conincidence? Probably not.

The Clean Take-Down and the Pile Driver

My life is mostly about my dog. So what! I had more fun with these two dogs last night than I do with most humans (with the exception of Feelin' No Pain and Flux Capacitor).

I couldn't actually capture Rocky's patented Body Slam on Bluebonnet but I got these other gems:

Clean Take-Down
Pile DriverI really don't even know if these are the correct wrestling terms for the techniques pictured, but they sounded funny.

Why I love my husband

The last few weeks at work have been difficult as I try very hard to seek a new and challenging role. I've had a couple things come up in my personal life that have left me either upset or confused. During the day today I called my husband to pretty much whine about one of these particular issues. He just listened to me and when I was done he said "Well here's what I think you should do... ... but ultimately don't let it ruin your day." A few hours later I received a text message that said "I left something for you on the table. I hope it cheers you up."

When I get home, I find that he has framed an 8x10 picture of Bluebonnet for me to put on my desk at work so I'll always remember when I'm away from home that my happiness is waiting for me there.

Body Slam Me Rocky!

Blue isn't much of a fighter. She often will submit to other dogs and just lie on her back and try to swat her short little legs at them as they playfully jump around her. Her new friend, Rocky, however has shown Bluebonnet some new moves... specifically, the Body Slam. Maybe someday we will be able to capture the Rocky Body Slam on camera, but until then, here's a picture of Bluebonnet just waiting for it.

I Want to Squeeze the Crap out of my Dog

It is not legal for a dog to be this cute. While I was working in the home office today, I noticed that Bluebonnet's newest obsession, Henrietta, was right next to my foot so I called her over for some Henrietta Tug of War and some fetch.

Tired dog = Happy Mommy

It's 80 freakin' degrees in February in Austin, Texas. So on a late sunny Sunday afternoon that means one thing... take the pooch for a nice long walk which accomplishes three things - exercise for mommy, exercise for doggie and a restful evening for everyone.

Lucky for me I have two choices of park in my neighborhood; one for walking a specific distance that has a track to go around and around (Schroeter Park) and one for more leisurely walking with a nice dip in the pond for your feet before heading back home (The Quarries Park). Today we opted for The Quarries Park where Bluebonnet got some brief off-leash time to run and play before putting her paws in the pond.
The proof is in the pictures on how successful I was at tiring her out.

Bluebonnet

This is little Bluebonnet. She's 2 years old. Her nickname is Personality Plus because she often ignores her mother and father and goes about her own agenda. That agenda is chock full of napping on one of the three couches in the house, sunbathing in the backyard, barking at her dog friends that play with her toys, pushing the curtain aside to see out of the window and trying to steal socks. She also enjoys a good race down the hallway, probably because she always wins. The one thing she is not good at is the staring game. She's a good starer alright but is always the first to blink. She is without a doubt, the apple of her mother's eye even if her dog modeling career is not taking off so well.