Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Two Years and Going Strong!

June 1st marked the one-year anniversary of Milton the Goldendoodle's addition to our family.  Now today, July 30th, marks the two-year wedding anniversary of Jeff and me!

My favorite wedding photo

As much as I love Jeff, I am quite fond of saying that Milton is the best thing that ever happened to me.

Momma's love

Perhaps that is because Milton has made me love Jeff even more.  Hmm, I'll ponder that one for a bit.  Regardless, no matter the reasoning, I am quite the lucky girl today and everyday.


Monday, July 29, 2013

Dead Piggie

"Sometimes we hurt those we love the most."  This quote sprang to my mind when I saw what was left of Milton's best toy in the whole-wide world, or so I thought.

Snout-less

Why would Milton hurt Piggie like this?  It's unfathomable.  Of course he still has Squeaky Crocodile and Racoon, who, thankfully, just returned from Animal Hospital to ease the pain, but it's just not the same.  Well as parents, all we can tell Milton is to try and regain some semblance of normalcy -- Learn from your mistakes.  March onward and upward.  Always remember the good times.

RIP Piggie

As for us, Momma and Daddy Dog, I think we will miss the incessant <oinking> most of all.

Friday, July 26, 2013

Curious Goldendoodle

For Milton, our countless walks throughout the neighborhood are more like hunting exhibitions.  He delights in yapping at clusters of birds as they up and fly away.  Squirrels, also known as tree rats, are favorites to dash after in fast pursuit.  As one can imagine, I am always the bothersome tag-a-long who never moves quite quickly enough for Milt to seal the deal and grab his prey.  He probably thinks if I wasn't always holding him back, he would be fully able to feed our little family of three.  I happen to disagree, but then again I am the one who constantly gets my arm yanked out of socket as he lunges to consume.  Has the Milt Dog ever succeeded in luring, trapping, and catching a rodent?  Well, no, but recently he did "tree" something new while at the land with Pop.

Curious Doodle
Held captive
Puzzlement

This teeny tiny kitten, that most likely belongs to a neighbor, has been squatting on Pop's land.  Milt Dog was quite intrigued by the little girl despite holing her up under the truck fender.  I think the poor dear was just a little bit hungry as is evident by her crawling into the Milt's bowl.  Did our goldendoodle pounce and attack such an easy target?  No.  He is just a gentle giant at heart, and if you catch him at just the right moment, he is even capable of sharing too!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Momma and Daddy Dog Went to Thailand, and All I Got Was a... Hug Upon Return.

Jeff and I just returned from quite the adventure!  We tackled the continent of Asia.  Well, actually, we visited Thailand.  The funny part about our trip was quite frequently when I mentioned to someone that we were going there the immediate response was, "Why?"  My answer to that was, "Why not?"  Growing up, my dad instilled in me a great fondness for travel, and I am still quite enamored by it.  There is just nothing better than immersing yourself in a completely different culture to give you a greater perspective of the world and your place within it.  I already have big dreams to visit Russia next summer -- onward and upward!

Thailand was pretty amazing, although, I have to admit that during our first day there I did utter, "Ugh, I wish we went to Europe instead of Asia."  I quickly withdraw that statement later on, but at the onset my jet lag (sleep deprivation, nausea, irritability, etc.), due to the 12-hour time difference, was so terrible that Bangkok's chaos was just too much for me to handle.  Once I was a little better rested, I perked up, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself both in Bangkok and on the nearby island of Koh Samet.  During our travels, Jeff and I visited countless wats (temples),  rode in a tuk tuk and a long boat, ate lots and lots of pad Thai, and partook in an infamous Thai massage.  It was a wonderful vacation, and I am just a little sad to be back home again, well, except for one big bright joy in our lives -- the Milt Dog! 

For this trip, Milton was shipped down south to his grandparents' house.  Momeaux and Pop very graciously offered to watch Milton despite us already having a boarding reservation.  As usual,  our goldendoodle had a ball running around in the slough, clamoring for Momeaux's attention, playing countless games of fetch with Pop, and, most importantly, aggravating Uncle Dusty. 

Here are a few pictures of our vacation along with Milt's:


Strolling through one of the many Bangkok markets with my new purchase (Can you tell what it is?!) and a tasty coconut water straight from the nut itself.

Jeff (6'2") and I (5'9") folded up into a tuk tuk

Lucky Buddha Wat -- As we were informed, he is "Lucky for Love."

Skyline on our ascent to the Golden Mount

The Year of the Ox - 1985!  I was quite familiar with this symbol because I ate a lot of Chinese food growing up on The Year of the... placemats.

The Grand Palace -- everything reminded me of The King and I!

Giant Siamese figure

The palace, a sacred spot, mandated strict rules (no bare feet, legs!), which sent me into a tailspin because I hate wearing jeans in the heat, especially after consuming copious amounts of pad Thai that goes straight to my gut.

I'm convinced I look like Audrey Hepburn in this hat, but I just don't know if it's a My Fair Lady Audrey or more of a Breakfast at Tiffany's Audrey.  Jeff thinks neither.

Jeff orchestrated these two shots, with the Grand Palace in the background, but I just wish we were together in them!

Thai cultural show

Jeff atop an elephant - I don't think I have ever seen him more excited.

The eating began on the plane (China Air).
I ate pad Thai five times on our trip; I think I kind of missed out on the experimentation with new foods, but nothing beats a little or a lot of pad Thai.

This was Jeff's favorite meal, eaten in China Town, but it was a little too earthy for me...

 
All you can eat sushi buffet for only $11 (30 baht = 1 dollar, so we made out quite well!). 

Note the strict time enforcement.

Roasted chicken, papaya salad, and sticky rice on the beach, and the eating rolls on...

I did, however, manage to resist a Dairy Queen, and you know how much I love DQ.

En route to Koh Samet

Our hut

Jeff swinging beachside

Gorgeous overview shot, despite my greatly mismatched hiking outfit/beach coverup

$10 massages are simply the best!

Natural beauty

Milt might have been missing us while we were in Thailand, but I, honestly, do not think so.

Of course a little dirt was involved

Drying off on Momeaux's chair

Ready and waiting for play

Kicking back, just like at our house...

As my luggage tag says, "Travel the world.  Come home for love."  While in Thailand, I cannot tell you how many times Jeff and I remarked I wonder what the Milt is doing right now..., or better yet we just talked in our kooky Milton voice while mimicking his goofy mannerisms and people stared.  I have to admit, Thailand was spectacular, but it feels pretty darn spectacular being home with our boy again.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Milt's New Haunt

The Milt Dog and I are regulars at our local White Rock Lake Dog Park.  Even in this supreme heat, we like to stop by two -- three times per week to chase down balls both in and out of the water.  Recently though, a new dog park AND human park was built in Dallas -- Klyde Warren Park (http://www.klydewarrenpark.org/). While this park was being created, Jeff and I, along with friends, attended a comedy show, The Second City Does Dallas, and they performed a humorous skit of the park namesake, Klyde, obnoxiously screaming, "I'm nine-years-old, and my dad built me a park!  I have my own $*#park!  If I ever get old and destitute, I still have my own park to sleep in!"  We all found this to be quite funny as it is a true story of a billionaire father, Kelcey Warren, honoring his little boy.  Having a park to call your own, in lack of better words, is pretty darn cool.  I have to admit, I am a little jealous of Klyde.

This park was quite the feat for Dallas; if you have ever visited, you know that green space is a premium commodity around here, and this park is a welcome respite.  The trick of this particular park is it is a 5.2-acre elevated area built over an 8-lane freeway.  It is a pedestrian-friendly space that, I believe, catapults Dallas forward in its urban landscaping because hopefully it will lead to a much more welcoming downtown area that invites people in for dining, shopping, and sightseeing.  Currently downtown, like the rest of Dallas, is car-driven.  Is Klyde Warren comparable to Central Park?  Well, no, and I don't think it was ever intended to be, especially at this late stage of the city's development, but it is certainly a step in the right direction and a wonderful use of space!

Perfect name for a dog park!


The dog park - compact yet enjoyable


Getting ready for a toss
                                                                                                                  
In fast pursuit
Getting after it
Success!

Stolen!

The best part about this new dog park is the motion-activated fountains.  Refreshing streams of water pop out of the ground whenever your dog decides to traipse over them.  Human companions can get good and wet too! 

Water is more fun to catch than tennis balls!
                                 
Taking a swig and cleaning out the ears at the same time!

Shake dry

Milt is happiest with a ball in mouth, and we still have an awful lot of difficulty with that darn "release" command!








Besides the dog park, there are a wealth of other happenings at Klyde Warren.  There are food trucks galore parked daily, a giant kids' playground and fountains for tots, musical events at the bandstand, and a wide variety of sporting items to be checked out -- croquet equipment, ping pong paddles, and petanque balls (like bocce).  There is a lending library with books, newspapers, and boardgames.  Many free exercise classes are hosted here, as well, and I actually just read the description for one entitled Get Fit with Fido!  I am definitely going to be a patron of that one for the remainder of my summer vacation.  The class is offered early enough in the morning that I think both Milton and I can gain something from it; lately our morning walks have been quite lackluster due to the heat.

Partial view of  the Dallas skyline

Tasty treats -- ice cream, Asian cuisine, pizza, etc., etc., etc.        






Playground
Bandstand

My boys

Of course, I am still quite partial to White Rock Lake Dog Park because of, well, the lake aspect of it, but Klyde Warren Park is now another good option.  I think the park will be even better when it cools off around here.  If you live in Dallas, and have yet to check it out, I certainly recommend you make a day trip of it, preferably in the early morning or late evening.  You can walk there, if you live in the area, or the public trolley does stop just around the corner; there is a parking lot nearby for those driving as well.  If you have a dog, it is a definite must-visit this summer season!