Walk Around the Block

Now that it is getting cooler in the evening hours (instead of still scorching hot) Jude, Liam and I are talking walks around the neighborhood. It’s been great to get out and not immediately burst in sweat. Poor Liam, he misses his walks so much, he pulls so hard on the leash for half the walk, until he wears himself out, because he is so excited. It makes it a little tricky to control the stroller and Liam (he’s very strong for a little dog), but it’s improving.

It’s also great to take Jude out since the last time we walked with him regularly, he was a newborn and slept the whole time. Now he laughs and points to things. We go visit Blue the weimaraner. He’s been so cranky lately, since he is getting five new teeth. But he is never cranky on the walk, so it’s nice to enjoy the peace.

 

The Price of Saving Money

So, I have a horrible confession…we haven’t given Liam heartworm medicine for almost 6 months. I know, that’s pretty bad. We keep him up-to-date on his shots and we love our dog, but it was pure economics. After Christmas, we were really broke. To get Liam heartworm medicine, our vet requires he have his annual check-up in order to purchase another year of medication. So, it ends up being $130+ once you pay for the visit fee, the test, and the medicine. Quite frankly, we just didn’t have that much extra money, considering we are still paying the vet for Liam’s hospitalization last year.

We kept saying that once we had the extra summer school money, we were gonna get Liam all squared away. Then, I realized that we could take Liam to one of the non-profit animal wellness clinics in Austin and save some money on the office fees. So, Friday we took Liam to get tested for heartworm (he’s negative, yeah!!) and purchase a year’s worth of meds. Everything cost us $55, so we saved at least $60-80, by not going to our regular vet (whom we actually really like).

But, here’s the price we did have to pay. Apparently the day we went must have been the training day for their volunteers, because the waiting room had more volunteers in it than pet owners. They proceeded to make small talk with the owners, and made their rounds around the room, as I am sure they were instructed to do in their volunteer training. People asked us what our dogs name was, if they could pet him, etc.

But, here is the annoying part. Not one, not two, but five different individuals came to talk to us with almost this same script:

Superhelpful volunteer: So what are you here for?

Me: Oh, we are getting him heartworm medicine.

Superhelpful and suddenly annoying volunteeer: Oh, that is so great what you doing. It’s so important to give them heartworm medicine.  Good for you.

Me: ———

I know that wasn’t an accurate reenactment, but it was very patronizing. I wish I could convey the tone of condescention. I know they intended to be helpful and encouraging, but the implication was to go to this place, you must be poor, uneducated about animal wellness, and maybe even a lazy owner.  They also wanted to point out that Jude didn’t have shoes on, like he was some ghetto-baby.

It was a weird feeling. I wonder if people who get public assistance get treated like that? I certainly hope that I don’t treat the families I work with like that. It just made me feel stupid and irritated. I don’t think I should have to explain to strangers why I am there. But, in the end Liam is fine and I think I will continue to buy our medication there, since it is cheaper than the vet.

 

After Party

After everyone left and Jude woke up from his nap, he spent the next hour climbing in and out of his Cozy Coupe. In — shut the door — out — in — shut the door.  A WHOLE hour! He also played with all his toys and after his bath, he sat in the dog bed with his favorite dog and thought, “Man, that was a great party, right, Liam?”

 

Birthday Party

Today was Jude’s birthday party. We had a great day and it was worth spending all day preparing for the event. I thought it would be fun to have a dachshund themed birthday party, so I made cupcakes with little dachshund outlines traced in chocolate. I also made a dachshund pinata that we dubbed the “Lim-yata” and the kids got “doggy bags” to take home.

Here are pictures of Jude hanging out with the other kids. All the kids got to pull a string on the pinata to open it up (instead of hitting it blindfolded), but I didn’t design that part very well, so I just had to rip it open to release the candy and toys.

Present time was fun. Jude would get so interested in the different things that he saw. Of course, his Mimi would say “Oh, he really wants to play with that” and get the toy out of the box for him. The other kids thought Jude’s Cozy Coupe was pretty cool.

We sang happy birthday and Jude really did not want to eat his cupcake at first and cried. But, after a sweet kiss from his Daddy and a taste of frosting he changed his mind. He even posed for a picture with his parents, grandparents, and cousin Jason. Then he realized, “I hate wearing party hats!”

It was fun to see our family and friends, and Jude managed to stay in good spirits until the end, when he was ready for his nap. Thank you to our friends and family who came from near and far and took the time out of their day to spend it with the Mitchells. I know a one-year-old’s party is not the height of excitement. For those who were not able to join us today, we missed you and Joe and I ate your cupcakes for you : )

 

Patch of Sun

On Sunday morning, Liam was laying in a patch of sun that was coming from the window above the front door. He looked so sweet all stretched out. I tried to take some pictures of Jude and Liam relaxing in the sun, but of course they get each other worked up instead of being calm and serene, like the moment I was trying to capture.

 

Off to the Races 2009

It’s that time of year again…the annual Buda Wiener Dog Races. We did not enter Liam to race this year, but we did go to enjoy the day outside and have some family time. This was Jude’s first time at the races and he was pretty much unimpressed. We are not sure if he was still tired from his nap, but he just sat back and took it all in.

It was a fun afternoon seeing all the other dachshunds and we timed it just right that we got to sample all the entries in the bake-offs after the judging, which means yummy little squares of cakes and pies. We got to visit with my friend Amara, who also loves dachshunds. Her and her husband brought their two pups, but they were a little overwhelmed. It was a nice family afternoon out and we couldn’t have asked for better weather today.

Our annual picture in front of the Wienermobile.

I wish I were an Oscar Myer wiener...

Enjoying a snack break

You gotta wear your dachshund shirts to the races.

 

Expressive Eyes

I get these great pictures, but because I try not to use the flash, they are out of focus (a baby and a dog aren’t exactly known for staying still). I need to upgrade my camera to a digital SLR, but that is not going to happen for a while.

 

iPhone Finds

I just wanted to share some cute photos of Jude I have on my phone (since I am blogging from my phone in bed). Well I couldn’t leave Liam out, so there are some lovable pictures of him, too.

 

For Your Viewing Pleasure

 

I told you Liam likes to roll around in dirty towels. Don’t pay any attention to our messy closet.

 

Liam Turns 3

Oh, there is so much catching up to do. I’ve really neglected the blog lately. So, I will just start with the occassions that I remember the most and work backward or forward…which ever on works.

So…

Liam turned 3 years old on January 5th…or 21 if you like to get into those dog year things. It was a subdued birthday because it was the day Joe and I returned to work. We basically let Liam have whatever snack he wanted since we didn’t get him a dog cake. It was a good day and I hope Liam knows he’s still a prince in our book.

I'm waiting for my treat.

 

Liam celebrated his 21st birthday like any other sophisticated pup...with a glass of wine. (No, we didn't really give him wine!)