We Went on Vacay... & Forgot to Bring a Present for the Dog. #baddogparents

Yes. We're terrible. We went away to visit friends and family recently... and we didn't bring anything home for Rita.

As if it wasn't bad enough that we came home smelling like CATS...

Our friends' gorgeous cat Ollie

A Pup & A Plant, Part Deux

Last month I posted about how I exercise my brain while Rita and I are out on our walks with my Instagram "A Pup and A Plant Series." On our walks, I try to remember plant names, then I take a photo of Rita next to the plant, and then attempt a little word-play for the caption.

I originally thought I could keep this going for maybe a week to 10 days, but I've managed to think up quite a few of them, so figured I'd share another batch here.

An African iris & an American princess. #sospoiled

Don't Forget: "Remember Me Thursday" Is Coming Soon!

It's almost time again for Remember Me Thursday, taking place this year on September 28. Mark your calendars!

My new Remember Me Thursday T-shirt

Remember Me Thursday® is a global awareness campaign whereby individuals and pet adoption organizations worldwide will become an "integrated voice for orphan pets to live in forever homes, not die waiting for them."

Rita and Her BFF and a Classic Work of American Art

Rita has a buddy that we try to meet up with once a week for play/a walk. She's a boxer named Dakota.

Doggie Inspiration For My New Novel

As I mentioned recently, I'm finishing up a new novel and getting ready to put it out in the world. (Eeek) It's a fairy tale (sort of a fractured fairy tale - remember those?), and there are a lot of dogs (since a doggy-supply boutique and a rescue group figure prominently in the story), but the main character's dog is a Cardigan corgi, that looks a lot like my nephew, Reggie.

Exercise For My Brain While We Exercise On Our Walks

I've been doing this thing over on Instagram. If we're connected there, you will possibly have already seen it. I call it "A Pup and A Plant Series." On our walks, I try to remember plant names, then I take a photo of Rita next to the plant, and try to do a little word-play caption.

I've done quite a few, so here are a chunk of them.

Rita and red roses.

Our Dog Is So Nutty: The Lemon Candy Caper

Rita, as I've mentioned before, is very picky. She's not much of a beggar because of it. Even things that normal dogs love (peanut butter, yogurt, etc.) don't get her excited. And there are some things she flat-out hates, like anything citrusy.

So one day when she took an interest in these sour lemon hard candies on our coffee table, I was curious as to why. These were definitely a novelty (I'd never bought them before) and she's usually interested in new things so I thought maybe she was just checking them out and making sure they weren't up to no good.

All threats must pass inspection.

Painting Pup Portraits in Acrylics

This past week my sis invited me to her house for a painting day. It was my first time painting pup portraits with acrylics, and it was a lot of fun.

Before we starting painting though, I had to get some kisses from my sister's adorable pup Stella.

She wasn't totally thrilled with being a model for my photography, but she looks so darn cute on this turquoise chair... I couldn't resist snapping some pics of her! (Because: turquoise. And what's better than dogs + turquoise!?)

When You Ask the Universe For Something, Be Specific

A couple of years ago, I saw a turquoise gnome in someone's front yard. I know you're not supposed to covet your neighbor's goods... but, damn, I coveted that gnome in my heart...

Mainly because I'm obsessed with the color turquoise, as this photo demonstrates...

A New Adventure in Old Town

The hubs and I are members with the Temecula Olive Oil Company (their oils are fantastic!), so once per quarter I get an email that our oils are available. Rita always comes along with me to pick them up at Old Town - a historic State Park, here in San Diego, considered to be "the birthplace of California."

We've been many times, and we always take a nice walk before stopping in at TOOC, which is dog-friendly so Rita always comes along in and gets a treat.

Well, this time when we were walking around waiting for TOOC to open, I noticed a shaded grassy area and, since it was a hot day, we headed over.

The first thing I noticed were the beautiful jacaranda trees. (So pretty! But so messy!)