Otis for the holidays

As with teachers, parents and coaches, I feel it is not appropriate for me to say that I have a "favorite" dog in my pack. To be honest, I love each and every one of my dogs. They all have their own special traits and quirks that make me love them for different reasons. Now, with that being said, Otis has a very special place in my heart. He is an English Bulldog/German Shepard mix (or "Ger-Bull") He is an 80lb, blocky headed chunk of drool and love. I have been lucky enough to watch Otis while his family is out of town, or even if they are in town, but have company and take me up on the offer to have Otis out of the house and not drooling in their guests lap at the dinner table....

Otis and I have become quite attached - he never leaves my side! He follows me at the park, he walks me to the door when I drop him off at home, he follows me around my house to bed, to the couch, anywhere.....

I have recently declared Otis my Holiday dog. I have been lucky enough to have Otis stay with me every holiday for the past six months. We went camping on Whidbey Island for 4th of July, he helped me Trick-or-Treat on Halloween, picked up the leftovers on Thanksgiving, celebrated my birthday with me, and most recently, shared Christmas day with my family and I.

As we were having a little family picture taken on the couch, complete with Bailey and Bambi, Otis felt he should be included as well. As Michael was snapping the picture, Otis just leapt up on the couch and got in on the action! More the merrier, right?! I love that dog :)

Bam and Fletcher: Midget Wrestling

Bam and Fletcher and in love again. They were in love at first sight, then Fletcher seemed to decide that he was too good for Bam - like she was the kid in elementary school spilling food on herself and he was way too cool in middle school being a punk and causing trouble with his backpack on. Now they're in highschool and madly in love. Fletch is a chubby chaser. Luckily for both of them, not only did they get to spend a weekend away at Whidbey last weekend, Fletcher is back at our house for the week. This is how they spend majority of their time, if they are not cuddled on the couch:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVHuIlCa0Yk]

Bailey turns 6!!!

Six years ago today, I was in between classes at UofW, walking through red square when my dad called to tell me that my puppy had been born. I knew I wanted a small, blocky head, female yellow lab in the same lineage as our family labs. Two weeks after the litter was born, I went and met my little girl for the first time. My life has been changed ever since.

Bailey came home with me at six weeks old, into a house we rented in Greenlake with my roommate. She's been with me through college, houses with roommates and parties, a 500sq ft condo, and now a cute little house on Queen Anne with a backyard and a little sister to play with. We've been through a lot and she's been with me every step of the way.

The happiest times I've had in the past years have been on 3 hour adventures through Discovery Park, road trips to Bells Beach on Whidbey Island,  setting out from my house on a "quick walk" and returning hours later as we explore our city, really, just anywhere that we can walk and play and I get to see her smiling face.

It hasn't been all perfect - she was a lab puppy at one point, after all.... Some of her highlights were eating my underwear and pooping it out at Greenlake while my mom and her friend were walking her, eating a Costco box of Q-Tips and pooping them out over the next 3 weeks, she's caused many friends and family members to vow to never ride in a car with her again, she once cost me a roommate after eating her expensive Italian shoes.... Nothing out of the ordinary ;)

When I got Bailey, I was sick of the immature college frat boys and quasi-relationships, I wanted to be independent and not be attached to anyone. Well, little did I know that this little puppy I brought home was going to ruin that plan. I have never ever been more attached to anything in my life. Every time I look at her, to this day, I get that "awww" feeling inside. I still think her sleeping is the cutest thing. I am still proud when she outruns all the other dogs at the park. I still brag about the fact that she can find a tennis ball anywhere - go ahead, try to trick her!  I still excuse her inability to drop the ball when she is obsessively chomping at it. I still am amazed that she knows to come right to me if a tear ever drops from my face.

I love this dog so much, I have done what many people would think is pretty crazy.... After years of studying and doing well in school, a few more years at trying to adapt to and succeed in the corporate world, all the while trying to "build my resume" so that I may impress someone, I decided to give it all up and go a completely different direction. One day, on a long walk with Bailey, I asked myself "what really makes me happy", and the answer was right in front of me, wagging her tail as we walked down the street.... I know it's not always realistic to love your job and do what makes you happy, but if it meant giving Bailey the best life possible, I figured it was worth the chance.

It's been the best six years of my life, and can't wait for many more!

I heart puppy kisses

I don't think there is anything in life that makes me happier than a puppy. Ask my friends- I've threatened to go look at puppy litters as a Sunday activity. I love their wiggles, their kisses, and yes, even their breath. With this being said, ballwalkpark is thrilled to welcome Bonita, the 9wk old Golden Retriever puppy to the crew. She came home to her family last Friday and couldn't be doing better. An energetic, curious, adorable and sweet bundle of puppy love!

I'm so excited to watch her grow into a gangly awkward adolescent ;) Hey, it happens to everyone sooner or later, right?!

Pooches smile for the camera!

Today I was smiling because it was a beautiful day and I brought my new camera to the park for my afternoon trip. This camera is amazing - I smile every time I take a picture and each time I look at them after! Hopefully you will too! Check them out at my album on facebook! Here's a sneak peak: 

All sorts of balls

To little mr Fletcher bigger definitely is better. He moved on from his typical tennis ball to the largest ball in the park! He could barely fit his paws around it- much less his mouth!!!

Today was bailey's lucky day- some generous park patron donated a whole box of tennis balls. There were tennis balls everywhere you looked- the dogs were running and the chuck-it was chucking! This caused somewhat of a predicament for Miss Bailey.... She can only fit two balls (maybe 3 on a good day) in her mouth at once but she just wasn't able to pass up all the spare tennis balls!