Itchy, nekkid girl

In the interest of keeping Miss Kirby cool in the summer, we decided to shave her.  I know, I know, I know...but she gave herself a hot spot while fussing over an itchy place and we made the decision to shave her in an attempt to keep the itchies under control.  

So...behold...here is our newly nekkid superstar modeling her new bandana from the groomers.  LOL

I'll tell you what:  she looks very slim and trim without all that fur!  There is not an ounce of fat on this girl.  LOL.  

The downside:  during the summer, Kirby usually comes to bed with us for about 10 minutes of snuggles...then she gets too hot and retreats to the tile floor in the master bathroom, where she can alternate between snoozing and watching over us.  Now?  She doesn't get overheated!  So she is snuggled up tight right between us all...night...long.  And this girl is a cover stealer.  I can't tell you how many times I've woken up at 2 am with freezing cold legs because she managed to wiggle them away from me.

I guess she figures if I stole her fur, she'll steal my covers.  Pffft.

Happy Birthday, Kirby Sue!!!!

I can't believe another year has gone by and our baby is now TWO years old! I'm the mother of a two year old! LOL

We have great plans to make Kirby a special birthday treat today - however, I don't think we'll be getting her any new toys...this girl is spoiled enough already. :) I think we'll just give her EXTRA belly rubs and hugs and love today. Between that and her ball, her two bones, her tug 'o war rings, her "floppy cow", her stuffed Saint Bernard, her teddy bear, and her "floppy moose"...she's pretty stacked in the fun department.

I think we'll make her a nice big birthday burger and then kiss every spot on her nose. :)

Happy Birthday, Kirby Sue...mommy's little big angel!!!

Kirby Sue...diet doctor

I have been remiss about updating everyone on the latest and greatest in the land of drool (aka MY house). The family has been through a few rollercoaster bumps lately, including the fact that I don't have a job anymore...but we're doing okay and are still better off than many others in these trying times.

I decided to get healthier since I have all this time on my hands...so I am eating less and moving more. It seems that Miss Kirby is in agreement with my decision and is determined to do whatever she can in order to help me to my goal.

Just this morning, I made myself a very healthy breakfast. I decided to eat upstairs in our home office and catch up on emails and bills at the same time.

Kirby sat in the kitchen as I prepared my tasty breakfast, patiently observing my every move. Obviously, this was not in the hopes that I would drop a piece of turkey bacon or accidentally throw a piece of whole grain toast her way. My 110 pound wonder puppy would NEVER think with her stomach like that! No, I am certain that she was diligently observing my efforts to ensure that I was sticking with my plan. I thought that was where her dedication ended, but I was sorely mistaken.

As I walked upstairs with my plate in hand, she was right there beside me. No, she didn't tip the plate or sneak food from it with her enormous tongue. She knows better than to do something like that. However...as we walked upstairs together, every time she pushed herself up another step...she farted. The kind of tight, squeaky farts that bring to mind an old lady in too tight pantyhose. You know what I mean.

Step. Fart. Step. Fart. Step. Faaart.

By the time we reached the top of the stairs, I was struggling to hold on to the plate and not buckle over in hysterics. She is the first dog I've ever had who is completely unaware of her own gastrointestinal pyrotechnics. It was hysterical and gross all at the same time.

I realized...how wonderful is this dog to sacrifice her desire to steal my bacon in order to launch strategically placed farts that will, no doubt, repulse me into not wanting to eat my breakfast? Pretty dang wonderful, I'd say. That's our Kirby: always thinking of others. :-)


** if you're interested in checking out my own personal Battle of the Butt, you're welcome to visit anytime...click here: Battle of the Butt

Drooly Easter, everyone!!!

Eukenuba Dog Show on tv today

Look who wanted to jump into the tv and play with all the doggies. :) Always the socialite.

SNOW!

This post is shamefully overdue. There are times when I get the wind knocked out of me in my personal life...but those are the times when I should remember to always give credit to those who bring me joy. And Miss Kirby is definitely one such person. A fur person, but a person nonetheless.

Last week we had record snowfall here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area...and there was a certain Saint Bernard who was completely in her element. She ran, she played, she leaped for joy. She dashed around and sprayed snow everywhere. :-) It was a lot of fun to watch.

These pictures were taken in our backyard in Arlington, Texas...although you'd never know, would you? It could be Alaska...look at all that beautiful snow!

Ho Ho Ho!

This blog has been shamefully left alone for too long. I apologize to anyone still checking it and will try my best not to let it happen again. I still get tons of inquiries as to how our large and in charge "mahogany flash" is doing. LOL.

Kirby is fine as always and is, in every sense of the word, sheer JOY itself. There is nothing that does not delight her big love-filled heart.

Today I am smiling especially wide because we took her to Petsmart to see Santa for the second time in her young life. Last year she was just 6 months old and already too big for Santa's lap. He had to get on the floor with her...



So today we took her back to Petsmart and Santa REMEMBERED her from last year. Everyone, as always, was overjoyed to see her. We love our local Petsmart.

Anyway, as we were posing her I realized...hmm...same Santa Claus, but...does he look a little SMALLER? Or is Kirby really that much bigger? LOL.

Yeah...she's THAT much bigger. Here is our Christmas baby:



There is nothing Christmasy about joy and love when you experience it all year round with a dog like this in your life. Look at that smile. :-)

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Best Friends, for sure

We had a bit of a scare last week: Hemi, our littlest kitty and Kirby's best pal, was panting uncontrollably for no apparent reason. I called the vet and they wanted me to rush her in, so we tucked her in the cat carrier and whisked her away.

It turns out it was nothing. They checked her for tumors, took her temperature, and x-rayed her to be safe. Nothing wrong with her. The assumption is that she got a hold of something that bit her...like a bug, which is totally like Hemi because she's my little bug hunter.

When I brought her back home, Kevin informed me that Kirby was an absolute mess while we were gone. She cried...she paced...she wanted to know what was wrong with her little buddy.

This friendship is absolutely adorable to me. Hemi was a whopping 6 pounds when we brought Kirby home. Thanks to lots of laying around in the sun on the window sills, Hemi weighed in at 10 pounds at the vet's office. But she's still a very tiny kitty...with a big round belly. If only there were cat sized treadmills.

When I pulled up in the driveway with Hemi in the car, Kirby was looking out the window at me with a decidedly upset expression on her furry face. I brought the cat carrier in the house, laid it down, and unzipped the front to let a very indignant Hemi out of her prison. She sprung out of it, meowing incessantly, and ran forward a few steps. Then she heard Kirby whine a little and she turned...and walked right up to Kirby and rubbed her head under Kirby's chin. "Hello, friend...I'm back. Thanks for worrying about me."

Kirby towers over little Hemi. Hemi, with her tail sticking straight up, can walk under Kirby and not touch the top of her tail to Kirby's tummy. But when she wants to express her love for her giant friend, Hemi stands up on her hind legs and rubs her little head under Kirby's chin. And we can always tell when she's done it...because her head is usually wet with drool. LOL.

These two sleep near each other, they look out for each other, and they even play together. They are true pals...and I think our little scare brought them even closer together. Today Kirby had a bit of an upset tummy and got sick (I won't elaborate, as it's gross). Hemi followed Kirby around, chirping like a little worried bird, fretting over why Kirby wasn't well. Once Kirby felt better and laid down, Hemi took up watch on the ottoman where she had a good view of her friend. Then they both fell asleep and I sat in the chair, grinning at them both like the big sucker that I am.

Pals.

Happy Birthday, Kirby Sue!!!!

Hey everyone!

Kirby officially turned one year old on Friday. We had a little party for her and she REALLY enjoyed herself. Let's just say she had a full belly and had fun with her toys. LOL.

** (No, she did NOT eat all the peanut butter on the plate. She licked a little off Kev's fingers and I told him to put the plate up. She gets a little frozen peanut butter once in a while as a special treat.)

Here is the highlight video: CLICK HERE

Joy, joy, joy!

It's 8:30 am and I've just dropped Kirby off at Doggie Day Camp at Petsmart. The Texas summer weather is now officially too much for Miss Kirby. It is too hot for our baby to play outside anymore, so I took her for some air conditioned play time at Petsmart. They put all the big doggies in a room together with an attendant and let 'em go crazy. She will LOVE that.

This is her first time at Doggie Day Camp and the Petsmart staff had to evaluate her to make sure she's social. (snicker!) This is the most social dog I've ever seen in my lifetime. LOL. She passed with flying colors, of course. The girls at the front counter jokingly told her "Kirby, I think you need to be more social..."

Now that I'm home without her, the cats are looking at me as if to say "Where's our dog?" Well, Hemi and Caesar look like they're asking that. Sarah looks as if she's saying "GOOD! You finally got rid of the 100 pound drool machine!" Sarah has never liked doggies...she only tolerates them.

Since it's her first time at Doggie Day Camp, I'm going to go back at 10:30 am to pick her up. That way the car won't be super hot when she gets in it. And she'll be tuckered out for sure. LOL.

When they came around the counter to get her, she didn't even look back at me. She was so excited to be somewhere she just went along with them. What a little boob. "Mommy? Who's Mommy?? Let's GO!"

What a weenie. :-)

Sleeping dogs

Miss Kirby has been extra cute in the sleep department lately.

Just today, she was playing with the polar bear that Santa brought her for Christmas last year...she was still in her post dog park playtime euphoria. :) All of a sudden Kevin and I look down and she's passed out on the floor, wrapped around her bear...sleeping sweetly. How adorable is this.

Bouncing

I have been remiss in keeping up the Kirby blog. I've been looking for jobs, going on interviews, and trying to avoid financial destruction. LOL. We're doing okay right now, so I have a minute to write.

I was home alone the other day and let Kirby out in the backyard for a while, as I often do. She usually walks along the fence line first and sniffs the permimeter of the yard...then disappears to smell every blade of grass. LOL. So I was doing dishes in the kitchen and turned around to see this flash of mahogany and white fur FLY by the sliding door. LOL. I stood there a minute and she came back the other way. She was BOUNCING. I've never seen anything like it...it was nothing but pure JOY. She was bouncing around the yard, running one way and then the other...with a giant fire log in her mouth. LOL.

We have a woodpile in the backyard, of course, because we have cold winters and enjoy having a fire in the fireplace. Kirby imagines that the woodpile is actually her toy bin. While smaller doggies have to limit themselves to play with tiny sticks, our gentle giant knows no boundaries. Stick? pffft! A firelog is her fetch toy. LOL. She goes over to that pile and sniffs them all out like she's shoe shopping at Macy's. Then she picks her favorite and starts bouncing.

I smile ear to ear everytime she does it. I stop what I'm doing and I just watch her. It's the best description of pure joy I can think of. That's our Kirby...the joyous one.

Worried about Kirby...

I am just not sure that she's getting all the love and affection she deserves. Doesn't she look a little stressed to you? LOL

Floppy Hoppy Easter!!!

Blue paws and all, Miss Kirby went to see the Easter Bunny today at our local animal shelter. She was very happy to meet him...and very happy to receive all the treats he had as well. LOL

From Kirby, the cats, Kevin and me...we hope y'all have a wonderful, safe, and happy Easter holiday!

Grandma's coming for a visit!!!

Kirby is all in a dither this morning because her Grandma Edwards is coming for a visit. LOL.

Kevin's Mom hasn't seen Kirby since before Thanksgiving. That's about...50 pounds ago. This should be interesting.

I've been very sick with the flu lately and Kirby has been playing the part of nurse very well. Last night, for example, I crawled into bed and she plopped down right next to me as if she thought she needed to keep me warm. I don't remember her moving, but she eventually ended up on the tile in the master bathroom...where she can sleep AND see me whenever she wakes up. LOL. She may be spoiled, but she's a very loyal girl.

More later!

Celebrity happens in the oddest places

Hubby warned me that our little bean killer would be nuts when I got home today. He didn't have the time to take Kirby to the dog park today...so she was saving all that pent up puppy energy just for me. :-) I got home and, sure enough, I couldn't even look through my mail. First she brought me the giant tennis ball, then she brought me the pink tug 'o war rings, then she brought me the floppy cow. The message was clear: I require entertainment. NOW!!! LOL

Kirby hasn't quite yet mastered the game of fetch. She's got the part down where she chases the ball, but she thinks it's much more fun to run right up to you like she's bringing it back and then VROOM! Drive by! She runs right by you with the ball in her mouth. So, try as I did, I could not play a productive game of fetch with this girl...because she was too excited to drop it. It was still light outside, so I took her to the dog park.

She romped and played with the few dogs who were there and had a great workout, as always. She met many humans who were so happy to meet her they didn't care that they'd just been drooled on. When we left a half hour later, we were both hungry...so I thought...Sonic?

Kirby's first exposure to Sonic was the night she graduated from puppy school at Petsmart. As a reward for her graduation, Kevin and I took her to Sonic and got her a hamburger (without all the dressing and goo, of course). She LOVED it. Since then, it's something we do for her occasionally as a "good girl treat".

We hadn't been for a while, so I took her...and she was so amped up from the dog park that she would park at each of the little car hop girls as they went by. It was as if she was saying "Burger! NOW!!!" LOL They would all smile and wave at her and I would smile apologetically. Finally, it was our turn and we got our burgers. The little 90 pound high school girl who was our car hop looked absolutely blown away at this extremely large cow in my back seat. (The back seat of my COMPACT car, no less.)

The girl smiled and told me what a cute dog I have and I thanked her...and explained that she's still a PUPPY. LOL. That's when all the questions started. At this point, Kirby could smell the burgers in the bag I'd just been handed...and drool was pouring out of her mouth and onto my shoulder. It's a...well, it's an unpleasant experience but sometimes it's worth going through to see the shock on people's faces.

I asked her for a child sized cup of water and she went in to get it. When she came back out, she was leading a parade of Sonic employees...all with astonished smiles on their faces as they waved at Kirby through the windshield. Kirby looked like she was going to start eating my seats.

I gave her some water, half of which ended up on me, and took the burger out of the bag. She was 110% focused on that burger in my hand. I held it up so the Sonic employees could see it and then I held it juuuuust back enough so that Kirby understood it was ok to grab it.

FLOOF! Gone. She opened her mouth to take it and the entire burger disappeared in her mouth. She laid down on the back seat and started chewing happily. The astonished group of Sonic employees actually burst into applause. LOL

A few more questions to answer and I was on my way. I hadn't even pulled out of the parking lot yet and Kirby was already done with her burger. A very loud, very wet, rolling belch emanated from the back seat. That's Kirby talk for "That was GOOOOOOD!"

So Kirby has yet another fan club. Her extended family at Petsmart, all her pals at the dog park, people on the dang HIGHWAY...and now...the employees at our local Sonic. And Miss Kirby loves them right back. Especially their plain and dry Sonic burgers.

I have a new wellness commando

I have been so completely busy for the last several days that not only have I not had time to write on any of my blogs, but I've not even had time to relax. Apparently Kirby put the word out that an intervention was needed. Reinforcements were called in.

This afternoon my husband and I were so tired that we fell asleep on the couch. Unfortunately, he had to get up and go to work...leaving me behind in a vulnerable heap. I kept going through all my mental lists of things I have to do and was quickly feeling overwhelmed.

Commander Kirby immediately began strategic maneuvers. She got into position on the couch next to me. At her current size, that basically means that she took up our entire full size couch and still had to put her head in my lap. Her big, floppy, warm head. It was tranquilizing. And then...reinforcements arrived. Corporal Caesar the cat appeared. He enjoys sleeping in the little man fort he's created for himself in my closet, so when he pokes his handsome orange head out I pay attention. He wasted no time jumping onto the couch and then climbing up onto my chest. He weighs 17 pounds. No way was I getting up with Caesar parked on my chest. Kirby let out a long, peaceful sigh as if to say "Mission Accomplished."

When I woke up an hour later, I was covered in orange cat fur and there was still a giant dog head in my lap. But I felt better...refreshed, even. And I usually hate naps. But Miss Kirby knew better than me today and I can't help but be grateful to my new "wellness commando" and her furry co-conspirator. There seems to be no limit to what this girl can do.

Watercolor Kirby

As I mentioned in my euphoria this morning, my cousin Nancy Colby is a brilliant watercolor artist. Every time I see one of her paintings, I am in awe at how she can take a blank canvas and turn it into...beauty!

Over the years, she has immortalized Kirby's "brother", Caesar the cat...Kirby's belligerent "sister", Sarah the cat...and our beloved kitty, Squeak, who went off to Rainbow Bridge long before she could ever meet the famous Kirby. Rest assured, however...Squeak would not have liked our big hairy drool factory very much.

Not only is Nancy incredibly gifted, she also works as a volunteer with a local animal rescue group near her home in Florida. Animal rescue is something that's very near and dear to many of us. Fur persons can't do much to stick up for themselves when they're being abused or neglected...and anyone who does something to help them is a-okay in my book. Kirby and the kitties would agree.

Nancy does work for EARS. You can visit their site here: www.ears4life.com

I'll show you some of the incredible work she's done on Kirby's "brother and sisters" if you indulge me for a few minutes.

First was Caesar. We call him the Crabby Tabby. He's quite the boy. Handsome, manly, but with pink cuddly toes and a super sweet disposition ONLY for his momma. One day I caught Caesar sleeping in his window seat in our apartment in Orange County, California:



And here is Caesar checking out the painted version, which Nancy gave us as a wedding gift:





There is a charity art auction coming up and she has painted Kirby for it. Kirby's painting will be judged in a competition first...and then the auction will begin. I can't wait to hear about the reaction it gets.

Nancy's husband, Bob, is quite a sweet man and he has a very creative side as well. Nancy lets Bob name all of her paintings when they're done. I am about to present to you the painting entitled "Someone day dinner?"

Here is the picture of Kirby that I feature in a previous blog:



And this, ladies and gentleman, is "Someone say Dinner?" by Nancy Colby:



There just aren't words for how proud I am to have an artist for a cousin. She's fan-freak'in-tastic! I can't wait to get a print of this.

In the meantime, if you'd like to see more of Nancy's amazing work please visit her website here: Watercolors by Colby

You can also make a donation to EARS by clicking HERE  

Kirby doesn't have her own charitable site yet...but if she keeps averaging 55 pounds of food every 3 weeks, we may have to. :-) I'm just joking!!!! I'm not gonna be ask'in anybody for money. We can take care of our big eater just fine. LOL

I can't wait to hear what y'all think of this painting, so make sure you leave a comment!

Also, I have placed a "Cats by Colby" button in the sidebar on the right. It will remain there permanently. If you ever want to immortalize one of your pets, I highly recommend that you contact Nancy. Her prices are quite affordable and her quality of work is...well, you've seen for yourself. It's amazing!!!

Nancy, I thank you...and Miss Kirby thanks you.

Kirby has been immortalized!

My cousin is an artistic genius, that's all I have to say. WOW!

As family goes, I am lucky enough to be related to a great many talented people...and my cousin Nancy is no exception.

I am on my way to work this morning, so I can not pause to do this topic the justice it deserves - but I will tonight. Let me just say that my cousin Nancy is a brilliantly talented watercolor artist in Florida. Before her, I had no idea that watercolor paintings could be so vibrant and beautiful. For me, watercolor was always synonymous with pastel and washed out. That is SO not true.

Anyway, before I put my car in drive and head out to work for the day, I will tell y'all this: Nancy has just finished a painting of Kirby...and it is AWESOME.

I can't wait to show it to y'all tonight. Kirby will be so proud. :-)

Saints make GREAT lap dogs!

Kevin and I had a great day at home together yesterday. We took Kirby to the dog park, we went to Home Depot and got a ton of plants for the yard, we spent time out in the sun together...planting and weeding.

When we came in for the day, we had a very needy St. Bernard who was not at all happy that we went outside without her. Kevin thought it would be okay to turn Kirby into a lap dog...but it backfired on him. :-)

As you watch this video, pay special attention to the segment at the end. Turn your speakers up, listen carefully..right after I tell Kirby to "say Hi" near the end of the video. You will hear a very non-dainty burp...and it didn't come from Kevin.

He and I were both cracking up. LOL