Makin' Bagels

It was a cold and blustery day in PA... a good day to be inside. My husband was out of town. It was a day off work for my dear daughter and me.   It was a perfect day to try our hand at... making bagels!

We LOVE Panera bagels, especially the Asiago ones and the cinnamon toast ones. But we don't live near a Panera. So unless we wanted to drive a distance (which we didn't), we would have to make our own.

We did a little research, read and compared recipes and finally decided on THIS ONE (Asiago) and THIS ONE (Cinnamon Crunch).

We convened at my house and got started:

Brody had his faced washed and was ready to get busy.

As usual, the cats were excited and involved...  #sarcasm

Double checking the recipes:

Beautiful new KitchenAid mixer did a wonderful job mixing up the dough.  

But nothing beats hand kneading!

Our dough raised beautifully!

Dough shaped into 13 rounds. Starting to look like bagels now!

Short break for a belly rub:

"Awww thanks Sissy! You know the BEST spots!"

Next the bagels got boiled for a few minutes...

Grating the cheese...

Ready for the oven now...

Sprinkled with the cheese and baking in the oven.

Smelled soooooo good!

TA DA! Beautiful finished Asiago bagels! #AsGoodAsPaneras #MaybeEvenBetter

Next up, the Cinnamon Crunch bagels. (We were pros by now!)

Then kitchen tidied up...

Two happy (and just-a-little-tired) bagel loving' girls:

We divided the bagels and darling daughter went home.

All told, about 4.5 hours, start to finish...

The cats were EXHAUSTED!

BRODY, ONE YEAR LATER (Or, Why It is Dangerous to Make Decisions When You are Depressed!)

If you read THIS POST or THIS ONE, then you know that an adorable Yorkie pup joined our family last year.

He was 3 pounds when we got him, and now he's full grown and tipping the scales at a whopping 6 pounds. And short of a human baby, never have so few pounds changed our lives!

A little pre-Brody background... we were happy CAT PEOPLE with two gorgeous Ragdoll cats. We could go away for the weekend (or a couple of weeks) and those independent, self-sufficient felines would be fine in the care of a friend or house-sitter.  ("Oh, hi. Were you gone?")

Now if you know me, you know that I am typically content and optimistic. I am not prone to depression.  For this I am extremely grateful. But I broke my foot last year (that sorry post is HERE) -- and during those 3 very long, very difficult months, life was very hard.  I got depressed.  I was hard-to-please, miserable and unhappy.

I decided I neeeeeeeeeded a puppy because a puppy would make me happy. A puppy would cuddle in my lap (those dang cats weren't being nearly solicitous enough!)   A puppy would give me sweet puppy-kisses. (Those dang cats weren't giving me nearly enough attention.)  A puppy would greet me at the door with a happy, wagging tail and joyfully come when I called him. (The dang cats NEVER wag their tails [LOL] and lord knows they NEVER come when they are called!)  I envisioned errands and enjoyable, leisurely walks with a devoted puppy by my side.  (Those dang cats hate leaving the house.)

In other words, in my uncharacteristically unhappy state of mind, I decided that a puppy would simply solve all my problems. Any attempts by my reasonable husband to tell me otherwise fell on my two deaf ears.  I was convinced that The Perfect Puppy would change my life, make me happy, heal my foot, end hunger, stop crime, cure AIDS, balance the federal budget, and bring world peace.

So I started looking for a puppy (HERE). I spent every spare minute in my favorite living room chair, bad foot elevated, Mac in my lap, obsessively researching puppies and breeders.  (I know you find that hard to believe, right?)  Well, I found him. And I wanted him. And at that point, neither hell nor high water could have stopped me. And as soon as I was able to put weight on my foot, I flew to Missouri to get him.

But this post is not really about Brody's story.  Or even Brody himself, for that matter.

No, this post is about MAKING DECISIONS WHEN YOU ARE DEPRESSED!  Because I am here to tell you that within DAYS of being able to walk again, the depression lifted.  It was rather amazing, actually.  I could literally feel the crushing weight slipping off my shoulders.  The last 3 months quickly began to feel like a COMA that I had now miraculously awakened from.

I had "known"at the time that I was depressed, of course, but it wasn't until I was looking back in hindsight that I realized HOW VERY depressed I had been.

So then what happened? Well, when I woke up out of my Depression Coma and looked around -- I HAD A DOG! Egads, how did THAT happen?! A DOG?! WHY do I have a dog?! I'm a cat person! I'm also a busy person! I don't have TIME for a dog! And I don't know a THING about dogs! What in the world am I going to do with a DOG???! OMG, WHAT WAS I THINKING?!

Which is the point of this post: I WASN'T THINKING.  At least not thinking "clearly".  And in my depression-fog I made a decision that now commits me to 15 years or so of 24/7 doggie-parenthood.

Thankfully my husband ADORES Brody, and actively shares in his care.  Thankfully Brody is small (in my compromised state of mind I could have gotten a Mastiff or a Newfoundland!) and is (as far as canines go) pretty easy to live with.

But the point is... I made a decision that I would probably have NEVER MADE had I not been depressed.  Which was kinda scary and very sobering.

So the moral of this story is that the experts knew what they are talking about when they tell you to never make an important decision when you are depressed or grieving or otherwise emotionally compromised.

This experience has been quite eye-opening for me.  And thankfully, all I ended up with was a dog.  I think about people who are depressed who walk out of their marriage, quit their jobs, gamble away their life savings, or any number of other equally horrifying scenarios.

Now please don't misunderstand: I love my little dog.  (In fact, he is curled up beside me on this chair where it all began, sleeping like an angel with his little head in my lap.)  I am thankful that he is healthy, good-natured and adorable. And he does love me. He is always so happy to see me, he gives me sweet puppy-kisses, he is a tail-wagger and cuddler of epic proportions.  In many ways now I can't imagine my life without him.

HOWEVER... all that being said, it has not been without a LOT of challenges and adjustments.   But that's another post for another time...

PART 2: GETTING READY FOR BRODY

If you read my last post, then you know that my husband and I recently chose a Yorkie pup to add to our family.  I hope our darling Raggies, Boo and Bentley, agree that it's a good idea, LOL!  I've tried to tell 'em, but those scalawags just don't seem to be listenin'... !

Boo

Bentley (aka "Squeak")

Two lazeeeee Raggies...

Funny story: My husband and I had been gone a few hours this morning and when we came home, both kitties were sitting side-by-side in the kitchen, looking very serious and expectant.  Husband says (in his best "kitty voice"): "So, is today the day, Mom? Huh? Huh? We hear ya' talkin'!"  I craaaaaaacked up!

So I'm pretty rusty in the Dog Care Dept.  We haven't had a dog in YEARS... not since Sasha, the German Shepherd/beagle mix rescue that grew up with our kids. I also had NOTHING for a new pup.  (What does a new pup need?!  Well... LOTS of stuff!  Food, treats, chewies, toys, a carrier, dishes, harness, leash, collar, tags, a puppy play pen... you get the idea!)

Here's SOME of the stuff I've gotten... still waiting on a few boxes yet from Amazon and PetSmart!

And they better come soon because he is coming home Tuesday!

"How is he getting home?" you ask. Well, I am flying to MO to get him, of course!  ;o)

YES, YES, I know he could have been shipped.  His breeder has done that before and she had every confidence that he'd be fine.  My daughter had every confidence that he'd be fine.  But let me tell you, if you are EVER thinking of having a pet shipped, DO NOT google, "pets flying in cargo." Even my husband said, "We can't let him fly alone in cargo!  He's so leeeetle!"

So I got busy and found a flight from PIT to MCI (Kansas City, MO) and back in one day that worked for his breeder and wasn't too terribly, dreadfully awful (I leave PIT at 7:25 am and return to same at 8:00 pm)! Keep your fingers, toes and eyes crossed for NO DELAYS or problems, though... I don't have a minute anywhere to spare!

So that's the story! Little Brody comes home on Tuesday, 8/13/13, hand-carried and riding in the airplane cabin with me.  I am soooo happy and excited.   Lots of pics will follow... I promise!  STAY TUNED!

*Only 3 MORE SLEEPS!!!*

PART ONE: FINDING BRODY

Brody

If you have been following this blog at all lately (or read THIS post) you know that I've had PUPPY FEVER for awhile now!

It didn't help matters when my dear daughter got her wonderful standard poodle puppy, Jack.  It just sent me into puppy fever overdrive!

Compounded by the dang fractured foot (see posts HERE and HERE), which meant a LOT of time feeling sorry for myself and sitting on my butt cruising the internet... where I discovered all sorts of neat things.  A forum for poodle lovers... a forum for Yorkie lovers... and oh, breeders, breeders everywhere.   Now if you read THIS POST awhile ago, you know that I'm not a total newbie to Breeder-World, although my past experiences have only been with cats.

Well, I learned right away, it's similar in the doggie world.  And frankly, again, it is shark-infested waters!  There are backyard breeders, puppy mills, and puppy brokers everywhere.  And believe me when I tell you that there are FAR MORE bad (or mediocre) breeders out there than excellent ones.   GOOD breeding is VERY hard work, with very little financial pay-off.  Sadly, most people are far more interested in making money at the animals' expense than working selflessly to BETTER their breed.  But don't get me started!

So... first I (finally!) chose my breed -- deciding on a Yorkie.  Like poodles, they don't shed and they don't (typically) have that doggie odor.  Also like poodles, you can "fussy-groom" them OR just keep them clipped short (which is what I plan to do.)  Yorkies simply don't need the "space" that standard poodles need; and their size makes them easier to take places and travel with.  Plus they simply *can't* counter-surf, LOL!  Yorkies are smart, sassy, sweet, loving little dogs who don't seem to know they are small!

Next I narrowed down my search to several breeders who met my exceedingly high expectations and standards.  Most excellent breeders have waiting lists, so it's not uncommon to have to wait for one of their pups.  But I got lucky when Deb Sillers of Amazing Yorkies (in Fairfax, MO) had just what I was looking for *when* I was looking.  (My criteria: a healthy, well-bred, well socialized pup, no preference of gender, not a "teeny-tiny", affectionate, confident, laid back; not nervous or high-strung.)  Deb said that she had a pup that met all my criteria (in fact, she was saving him for the show ring)... but she must have liked me (LOL!) because she offered him to me.  I was ECSTATIC!

Deb has been amazing -- so friendly, helpful and knowledgable.  It has been a pleasure to get to know her.  We have been in touch OFTEN (I hope I haven't been a PEST... gulp!)  She has sent me photos, a video, frequent reports and updates.  No question went unanswered.

My husband and I have named him Brody and he is almost 5 months old.  Deb has had him vet-checked, neutered, micro-chipped, and all vaccinations.   He's ready for us, and we are ready for him; he comes home on Tuesday!   *Happy dance!*    STAY TUNED FOR PART 2!!!

Brody 

PUPPY FEVER!

I've got puppy fever!  If you read THIS POST you know that I recently became Grandma to Jack, an ADORABLE red standard poodle puppy. OH!  He is just the BEST. PUPPY. EVER!

JACK, 3.5 months old

And I have been *thinking* about adding a dog to our family for awhile now.  (Me and dear husband, and the two pampered Raggies.)   But so many choices, and so many CHANGES... dogs are not as EASY as cats!!!

Dogs NEED things that cats just sneer at, LOL!  Dogs need POTTY TRAINED!  They need crates and fences and daily walks and river runs and licenses and other foreign stuff!  They get into the garbage, counter surf, chew shoes, bark at noises, drool (sometimes), need bathed and groomed and checked for ticks!

I'm not sure I'm really READY for a pup!  Maybe I should wait... THINK ABOUT IT some more... you know, be sensible and logical and practical and rational... YES, that's just what I'll do.

But IF I was ready... (JUST SAYIN'... !)

I'd want a brown standard poodle pup...

OR... a Yorkie!  I've never had one but I have been enchanted with them for years! This is my friend's adorable Yorkie, Chewy:

Talk about *the long and the short* of it... could two breeds BE more different?!!

SOMEONE... help me!



Images credits: Top photo, Bottom Photo

GRAND-PUPPEH! (Or, Introducing Jack!)

I am so excited!  We have a new addition to our family and his name is Jack.  Jack is a 9 week old red standard poodle puppy and he is 100% adorable!  ♥  Belonging to my daughter and her husband, that makes Jack my grand puppy.  (Sigh. All my grand babies have four legs and fur... none of the human variety... yet.)

My daughter and her husband have 2 kitties, Buster and Remy. Buster is a big tiger boy, almost 20 pounds.  He acts all tough and MACHO MANLY but he's just a soft and sweet momma's boy at heart.

Remy is smaller, and such a character.  She talks more than most people.  She's always meowing about something.  She is very friendly and loving (with a feisty streak)!

My son has a cat, Loco, who has been his trusty and loyal companion for years.  And you guys know I've got my two wonderful and handsome Ragdoll cats, Boo and Bentley  We are definitely a family of cat lovers, pure and simple.

"So how did you come to have a puppy then?" you ask. Well, the simple answer is that Kendra had been thinking for awhile about adding a dog to her family... we met a puppy and fell in love -- and the rest is, as they say, history!

Kendra and Jack

The story:  My husband and I were visiting my sister recently in Arizona (a great vacation - but that's another post for another time!) and met her friend LeeAnna Springer of Springer Clan Standard Poodles.

Springer Clan Puppies

LeeAnna breeds standard poodles, and I was very impressed with both her practices and her dogs.  I came home excitedly telling my daughter about the visit.  Well, didn't Kendra get to see for herself, up close and personal, when LeeAnna flew to the east coast shortly afterwards to pick up a puppy (Charlee) that she was buying to eventually add to her own breeding program.  We got to spend some time with LeeAnna and that delightful puppy.   Hmmm... the message was coming through loud and clear: these dogs are simply wonderful!

Springer Clan Charlee (Jack's sister!)

So my daughter realized that she had found her breed.  LeeAnna didn't have any puppies available, but Kendra contacted Charlee's breeder (Seminole Standard Poodles), and there was one pup from the litter still available, a little red boy.   Bonus time: this breeder was within driving distance to us -- SCORE!   Long story short, we picked up little Jack in West Virginia on Friday.  He is just as sweet, mellow, laid back and adorable as his sister Charlee.  Everyone who meets him falls instantly in love.  He is just irresistible!

Jack and his daddy

So if you are new to standard poodles, like we were, here are some fun facts:

• Standard poodles are a medium-to-large sized dog.
• Full grown males typically weigh 45 - 70 pounds; females usually a little smaller.  Height 15" (or more) at shoulders.
• The coat is either curly or corded; they come in all solid colors including black, blue, silver, gray, cream, aprocot, red (like Jack and Charlee), white, brown, or cafe-au-lait.  
• They are a long-lived breed, with a typical life expectancy of 12-15 years (or more).
• They usually love the water.  The name poodle comes from the German word, "pudel" which means to splash in water.  
• Poodles shed little to no hair and are good for allergy sufferers.  They do not have that typical "doggie odor." 
• The standard poodle is proud, graceful, noble, good-natured, enjoyable and cheerful.  
• Some of the poodle's talents include: retrieving, agility, watchdog, competitive obedience, and performing tricks. 
• They are loving and highly intelligent, considered to be one of the most trainable breeds.
• Generally easy to please, comical, friendly toward strangers, and excellent with children; good with other animals.  

From:  DogBreeds.com;  Standard Poodle Facts;  Dogster.com 



Kendra doesn't especially love the fancy, pom-pom, froo-frooey show-style poodle clip that most of us think of when we hear the word "poodle" (and honestly, neither do I!)  

She plans to keep Jack groomed in a sporting clip or puppy clip style.  Look HERE for details.  Squeee -- TEDDY BEAR!!!

Last picture of Jack... for now!!

Sleeping PUPPEH!!!   Is there anything cuter?!  ♥