Greetings.
I am excited to share our business blog Seachild Arts Journal that will be updated regularly about all our ( Daiv and I, as Seachild Arts Collaborative ) creative endeavors.
I hope you will enjoy and continue to check in here as well, talking about love, life and the pursuit of all things chocolate
SMALL TOWN GIRL-BIG WORLD HEART
Monday, February 27
Thursday, January 26
Monday, January 16
art for heart- a fundraiser for Mosaic Rescue
‘Art for Heart’ offers families a chance to forever capture the spirit of their pooches and aid animals in need.
Click on link for examples of Kim’s animal photography http://www.flickr.com/photos/
contact Janet Land at Mosaic Rescue to set up your pooch’s portrait session - info@mosaicrescue.ca
Click on link for examples of Kim’s animal photography http://www.flickr.com/photos/
contact Janet Land at Mosaic Rescue to set up your pooch’s portrait session - info@mosaicrescue.ca
Friday, January 6
pet photography
It begins.....you all knew it would happen, and you were right.
I will be creating pet photography art, for a fundraiser for Mosaic Dog rescue "Art for Heart".
more info to come, stay tuned.
meanwhile, an example of my animal photography.
http://www.flickr.com//photos/sweetgrassimages/show/
I will be creating pet photography art, for a fundraiser for Mosaic Dog rescue "Art for Heart".
more info to come, stay tuned.
meanwhile, an example of my animal photography.
http://www.flickr.com//photos/sweetgrassimages/show/
Wednesday, January 4
normal?
And poof, just like that it is over. The holiday season, the reno's the drinking and festivities.....back to life, or something close to resembling it.
It was fast and furious, but in the end, regardless of the insane schedule we kept to get the downstairs reno done, we did indeed enjoy the holidays, our family, friends and time close to home with the furries.
Now the schedule picks up a new pace leading quickly into show season, and not having had the chance to catch much of a breath, this seems daunting today, but soon, this will all be 2012's normal.
What is normal anyway?
Normal is whatever it means to you in your life.
In our world, it means fur is a condiment, pawprints on the hardwood, scripts spewing out of printer, cats meowing their disapproval at their empty food bowls, dogs trying to figure out how to tell us they need to go out, friends in costumes and fancy bevvies, cars that mostly work, the security of family and friends in a crisis and the sense of humour to deal with it all as it comes.
2012, a new year, a new season and more of what is normal around here.
It was fast and furious, but in the end, regardless of the insane schedule we kept to get the downstairs reno done, we did indeed enjoy the holidays, our family, friends and time close to home with the furries.
Now the schedule picks up a new pace leading quickly into show season, and not having had the chance to catch much of a breath, this seems daunting today, but soon, this will all be 2012's normal.
What is normal anyway?
Normal is whatever it means to you in your life.
In our world, it means fur is a condiment, pawprints on the hardwood, scripts spewing out of printer, cats meowing their disapproval at their empty food bowls, dogs trying to figure out how to tell us they need to go out, friends in costumes and fancy bevvies, cars that mostly work, the security of family and friends in a crisis and the sense of humour to deal with it all as it comes.
Wednesday, December 14
reno's OMG what were we thinking
Yes it is the holiday season, but we have hardly noticed. We are up to our elbows in paint, and drywall dust and lighting fixtures....and....and..... ack, it is exhausting.
We are only doing a facelift, how do peeps live with this for months on end?
I will be glad to get my house and life back when the last paint brush is washed.
meantime there is a bath with my name on it.
We are only doing a facelift, how do peeps live with this for months on end?
I will be glad to get my house and life back when the last paint brush is washed.
meantime there is a bath with my name on it.
Thursday, December 8
Flame
We have had Flame, our Tortie with tude feline for almost 19 years. She is Abby's kitten and we have known her since she was born in our home.
She is feisty and hissy, loves dogs, hates cats, hates anyone but us, but is really very loving in her own way.
I am writing about her as I realize she does not get mentioned enough in my posts or pics.
Today is the story of Flame and the Banana Cream Pie.
We were having a BBQ.
Invited many friends, potluck style to our home and were enjoying a hot sunny Victoria summer day back in the mid 1990's
One of our guests had brought a huge, I'm talking 4 inch high, home made banana cream pie and had placed it on our kitchen table, waiting to be served.
I was organizing things with Daiv, in and out of the kitchen, but , I had not seen a pair of flame coloured eyes, gazing longingly at this pie.
I had not seen 4 white socked paws, resting on the chair directly under said pie poised to pounce.
I had not seen the craze this pie had induced in our Flame...
I had not seen, until I walked into the kitchen and spied Flame, knee deep with all four paws IN the pie, face planted in the cream up to the tender furries in her ear.
I had not seen her passion for pie until it was too late.
I remember yelling "FLAAAAAAAAAAAAME NO" only to be met with a steely gaze, whipped cream globs dripping from her whiskers back onto the destroyed pie, looking at me as if to say -
"what, what are you looking at, nothing to see here" - as she gingerly stepped out of the pie, the way a cat walks in snow...step, flick, step flick, throwing dirty looks at me over her shoulder as she flicked pie and cream from one end of the kitchen to the other.
I have many more stories like this to share, stay tuned.
Flame is in all ways a really cat, who thinks she is a dog.
She is feisty and hissy, loves dogs, hates cats, hates anyone but us, but is really very loving in her own way.
Today is the story of Flame and the Banana Cream Pie.
We were having a BBQ.
Invited many friends, potluck style to our home and were enjoying a hot sunny Victoria summer day back in the mid 1990's
One of our guests had brought a huge, I'm talking 4 inch high, home made banana cream pie and had placed it on our kitchen table, waiting to be served.
I was organizing things with Daiv, in and out of the kitchen, but , I had not seen a pair of flame coloured eyes, gazing longingly at this pie.
I had not seen 4 white socked paws, resting on the chair directly under said pie poised to pounce.
I had not seen the craze this pie had induced in our Flame...
I had not seen, until I walked into the kitchen and spied Flame, knee deep with all four paws IN the pie, face planted in the cream up to the tender furries in her ear.
I had not seen her passion for pie until it was too late.
I remember yelling "FLAAAAAAAAAAAAME NO" only to be met with a steely gaze, whipped cream globs dripping from her whiskers back onto the destroyed pie, looking at me as if to say -
"what, what are you looking at, nothing to see here" - as she gingerly stepped out of the pie, the way a cat walks in snow...step, flick, step flick, throwing dirty looks at me over her shoulder as she flicked pie and cream from one end of the kitchen to the other.
Flame is in all ways a really cat, who thinks she is a dog.
Tuesday, December 6
A David Giblin original watercolour for sale
I told you to watch this space and tada...
Here is the first offering of David Giblin's latest work.
Framed and matted watercolour on Arches Art Paper- "White Lillies"
18 X 24 inches
$375.00
Just in time for the holidays
to view it for consideration: email seachild@shaw.ca
Here is the first offering of David Giblin's latest work.
Framed and matted watercolour on Arches Art Paper- "White Lillies"
18 X 24 inches
$375.00
Just in time for the holidays
to view it for consideration: email seachild@shaw.ca
Monday, December 5
My talented hubby artist
Many of you know I have a tremendously talented partner.
You may not know he has taken time away from his painting in order to teach art to youth on the Autism Spectrum for a few years. He is back at it however, brush in hand, serious focus in his eyes....staring that thoughtful gaze out into the world of light once more.
Some of his work is currently hanging in the homes of Julie Andrews ( yes I really do mean 'Mary Poppins' ), in the private collection of the Aanenson Family - owners of Old Dutch Potato Chips, in the private collection of Mark Jones Senior of Denver Colorado, in the private collection of Tom Curry amongst many others.
He has picked up the paint brush once more and is offering some of his recent pieces to the world.
I do like to toot a loud horn here as I think his work is exquisite and when you see the depth of colour /texture and atmosphere he achieves whilst using watercolour, I think you will agree.
here is a website showcasing some of his portraits ( including me, yup, "The Russian")
http://www.paintingsilove.com/artist/davidgiblin
If you are interested in commissioning a portrait, seeing more of his work or simply telling him how fabulous he is , you can reach him through seachild@shaw.ca
You may not know he has taken time away from his painting in order to teach art to youth on the Autism Spectrum for a few years. He is back at it however, brush in hand, serious focus in his eyes....staring that thoughtful gaze out into the world of light once more.
Some of his work is currently hanging in the homes of Julie Andrews ( yes I really do mean 'Mary Poppins' ), in the private collection of the Aanenson Family - owners of Old Dutch Potato Chips, in the private collection of Mark Jones Senior of Denver Colorado, in the private collection of Tom Curry amongst many others.
He has picked up the paint brush once more and is offering some of his recent pieces to the world.
I do like to toot a loud horn here as I think his work is exquisite and when you see the depth of colour /texture and atmosphere he achieves whilst using watercolour, I think you will agree.
http://www.paintingsilove.com/artist/davidgiblin
If you are interested in commissioning a portrait, seeing more of his work or simply telling him how fabulous he is , you can reach him through seachild@shaw.ca
Sunday, November 27
Potato Chip Sammich
Okay I realize this harkens back to a childhood filled with food that could be reheated, popped from a can or toasted and truly does not offer anything nutritionally....but...sometimes a good old fashioned potato chip 'sammich' is the perfect food.
How do you make one you ask?
Well let me tell you, there is a right way and wrong way. The wrong way involves harder bread, margarine and flavoured chips. * shudders* just wrong on every level.
Here is the correct way.
1st -start with the freshest, squishiest, softest bread you can get. Nothing too crusty like a baguette. It should be at room temperature
(As I rarely eat bread I go for the Sesame White spongey bread and totally indulge.)
2nd -take out 2 pieces of said spongey bread and lay them down on a clean counter and butter them right to the edges
*real butter is necessary, chilled but not hard, don't skimp, this is the 'glue'
3rd -start the laying of the chips. :)
(I recommend Lays Classic Potato Chips, no trans-fats, no sulfites and nice and salty. )
overlap the flattest and biggest chips you can find, like laying tile on a roof, on one piece of bread only.
Lay chips right to the edge of the bread until you have about an inch of chips stacked
You don't want to rush this step, the integrity of the sammich depends on it
4th, and this is tricky!
- take other piece of bread and cover the chips gently creating a sammich.
Once in place with all corners lined up, SQUISH, without wiggling, with the palm of your hand, then SQUISH again.
This is where that soft bread and butter become glue and hold those slippery chips in place. Your sammich will have decreased in height by about 2/3 of an inch.
5th- carefully lift without tilting onto your plate and using a serrated knife, gently cut sammich in half.
( Do not cut before placing on plate..trust me, you will be sorry, especialy if those were the last chips in the bag.)
6th-Lift 1/2 sammich to your mouth, don't worry, some chips will fall it takes practice...... and take a big bite.....Noms!
Enjoy.
How do you make one you ask?
Well let me tell you, there is a right way and wrong way. The wrong way involves harder bread, margarine and flavoured chips. * shudders* just wrong on every level.
Here is the correct way.
1st -start with the freshest, squishiest, softest bread you can get. Nothing too crusty like a baguette. It should be at room temperature
(As I rarely eat bread I go for the Sesame White spongey bread and totally indulge.)
2nd -take out 2 pieces of said spongey bread and lay them down on a clean counter and butter them right to the edges
*real butter is necessary, chilled but not hard, don't skimp, this is the 'glue'
3rd -start the laying of the chips. :)
(I recommend Lays Classic Potato Chips, no trans-fats, no sulfites and nice and salty. )
overlap the flattest and biggest chips you can find, like laying tile on a roof, on one piece of bread only.
Lay chips right to the edge of the bread until you have about an inch of chips stacked
You don't want to rush this step, the integrity of the sammich depends on it
4th, and this is tricky!
- take other piece of bread and cover the chips gently creating a sammich.
Once in place with all corners lined up, SQUISH, without wiggling, with the palm of your hand, then SQUISH again.
This is where that soft bread and butter become glue and hold those slippery chips in place. Your sammich will have decreased in height by about 2/3 of an inch.
5th- carefully lift without tilting onto your plate and using a serrated knife, gently cut sammich in half.
( Do not cut before placing on plate..trust me, you will be sorry, especialy if those were the last chips in the bag.)
6th-Lift 1/2 sammich to your mouth, don't worry, some chips will fall it takes practice...... and take a big bite.....Noms!
Tuesday, November 22
Dear world, we need your help with votes
I am lucky enough to work with some amazing youth. Currently one of these groups http://www.mosaiclearning.org/ is in the running for some huge funding. But, it is based on using social media to drum up support and votes.
We are in the final 8 days to vote and you can vote everyday. No need for a big sign up, just an email addy and your vote can help these youth who are also Autism Spectrum, continue to express themselves artistically, for arts sake.
Come see them in A Midsummer Night's Dream this June.
Vote through the AvivaCommuntyFund.org for the Calling All Characters theatre program.
You can vote from anywhere in the world, so please help spread the word.
Thank you.
We are in the final 8 days to vote and you can vote everyday. No need for a big sign up, just an email addy and your vote can help these youth who are also Autism Spectrum, continue to express themselves artistically, for arts sake.
Come see them in A Midsummer Night's Dream this June.
Vote through the AvivaCommuntyFund.org for the Calling All Characters theatre program.
You can vote from anywhere in the world, so please help spread the word.
Thank you.
Monday, November 21
It is time
I will be setting up mini sessions for families, pets and individual portraits.
I can go to you in your home environment or have you come to my studio set up.
Please email me for more details: seachild@shaw.ca
Mini session includes an 8X10 and 5X7 print plus a cd of 10 images. All for under $75.00.
Book before Dec 5th and have prints in time for gift giving
email: seachild@shaw.ca
examples of my style in this Facebbok public album, ofcourse I can customize anyway you like..
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150471356455664.413825.671140663&type=3
Tuesday, November 8
a new chapeaux
I don't remember a time when hats were not a part of my life.
Big ones ( and my goodness there really were some ginormously brimmed hats ) leather ones, straw, felt, cloched, new, vintage, you name it. I have an extensive hat and hat box collection and I am very proud of it.
When I try on hats, I am always transported to images of women in days of yore, hands flitting to adjust their chapeau, adornments of ribbon, birds, feathers, hat stand brimming with possibilities.
Leaving the store with hat box in tow, how can one not adjust their gait,stand a little taller and walk in the footsteps of so many who have shared this tradition. Roberta's Hats is my Milliner of choice in town.
I love hats for all these reasons and because they keep my glasses from getting rain drops on them :)
A new hat..... an old custom.......timeless.
* hat stand art pic seen here by artist
Monday, November 7
It's the little things..
It started innocently enough. A little powder to even out my skin, a light translucent powder that matches my skin tone..that is all I really wear daily, that and lipgloss.
I find a product I love. Stila Illuminating Powder. Seriously, I have weird coloured skin it seems because matching my tones without looking green, orange or yellow seems near impossible. I am sure I should have stock in cosmetic companies.
So I buy the powder from a little store on Johnson st.
I go back for more as it is the only place in town that sells.....really...THE ONLY PLACE.
I use it for a year or so and go back for a replacement but.........
The store is no more!!!!!!!!
I try so many powders and potions, counter ladies all over Victoria have my picture on their boards saying 'watch out...she is difficult' I have tried on so many. I settle on one.
I look sickly however in daylight, a yellow cast to my skin, people ask if I am feeling alright. I tell them it is just my make up.
I breakdown and find Stila online, but shipping is as much as it costs and it takes 5 weeks to get here ...sigh! I order it.
A couple of years pass...I hear that Sephora, who do indeed carry Stila, is opening in town..... I wait.
I get excited...
it opens....after a year of waiting.
I am there day 2...
Stila????
Hello......Stila????
" Oh I am sorry, we are not carrying Stila at this location"
WHAT???????????
I try not to breakdown....it is only powder right?
I try their offerings for a replacement..
I get asked if I am feeling alright that evening........sigh!
I order online....AGAIN......
A year passes again...
Sephora whispers they may be bringing Stila this fall.
I try not to get excited.
I wait, let them get all their fall/winter stock...and then today.... I call.
I ask THE question " Do you carry Stila illuminating powder?"
I wait while they look......
YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!
I am so excited.
I know it may seem ridiculous to some and vain to others, and in the grand scheme of things it will not change the world, but I am sooooo excited and heading to the mall to pick up my makeup.
Stila......... Sephora......yay!
I find a product I love. Stila Illuminating Powder. Seriously, I have weird coloured skin it seems because matching my tones without looking green, orange or yellow seems near impossible. I am sure I should have stock in cosmetic companies.
So I buy the powder from a little store on Johnson st.
I go back for more as it is the only place in town that sells.....really...THE ONLY PLACE.
I use it for a year or so and go back for a replacement but.........
The store is no more!!!!!!!!
I try so many powders and potions, counter ladies all over Victoria have my picture on their boards saying 'watch out...she is difficult' I have tried on so many. I settle on one.
I look sickly however in daylight, a yellow cast to my skin, people ask if I am feeling alright. I tell them it is just my make up.
I breakdown and find Stila online, but shipping is as much as it costs and it takes 5 weeks to get here ...sigh! I order it.
A couple of years pass...I hear that Sephora, who do indeed carry Stila, is opening in town..... I wait.
I get excited...
it opens....after a year of waiting.
I am there day 2...
Stila????
Hello......Stila????
" Oh I am sorry, we are not carrying Stila at this location"
WHAT???????????
I try not to breakdown....it is only powder right?
I try their offerings for a replacement..
I get asked if I am feeling alright that evening........sigh!
I order online....AGAIN......
A year passes again...
Sephora whispers they may be bringing Stila this fall.
I try not to get excited.
I wait, let them get all their fall/winter stock...and then today.... I call.
I ask THE question " Do you carry Stila illuminating powder?"
I wait while they look......
YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!
I am so excited.
I know it may seem ridiculous to some and vain to others, and in the grand scheme of things it will not change the world, but I am sooooo excited and heading to the mall to pick up my makeup.
Stila......... Sephora......yay!
Friday, November 4
Saffron Monsoon speaks out for beagles everywhere
Did you know that beagles are the most popular dog to use in labs and experiment on?
Did you know that some are bred solely for this purpose, in captivity and never see a garden, or even a human who is not wearing a mask?
There are organizations that are now working with these labs to try and rescue dogs who have been retired from testing and need homes, instead of euthenasia.
Working tirelessly, one step at a time until no dogs are being tested on.
The Beagle Freedom Project is one I support.
This video is beautiful, 2 dogs fresh out of their crate, their jail for the past years of their lives, taste freedom and grass for the first time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXcL_gt7L-A
let's work to end lab animal testing, beagles in particular from ever living in a crate for human experimentation again. It is a shameful, disgusting practice and is not necessary.
Thursday, October 13
Sleep
Sleep curls her fingers across my lashes
Teases and then is gone.
I watch late night tv instead.
Teases and then is gone.
I watch late night tv instead.
Sunday, October 2
Beagle Talk
Okay, I might as well just acknowledge that all my posts are going to have something about the furries in them. I can't help it...they are our family, so I am fessing up and simply stating it so you all know what to expect.
That said...Saffi and Niko have been training together so we may safely let Saffi off her leash to run.
Today we went to our big park and let her go. It is so nerve wracking.....but she was amazing. I called " STOP"at one point as she was heading away fast, and she stopped immediately and sat down......from a distance , waited, I called to come, and she raced to me and sat down at my feet :).
I absolutely credit Connective training and what we are learning.
What a gift to see one flying beagle, ears straight out like rings, running circles around one big goofy sled dog, working to keep up.
Now we are home, they sit at the (now permanent ) beagle gates ( some of you refer to these as baby gates lol ) awaiting their dinners.
Saffi doing the Snoopy Dance'
That said...Saffi and Niko have been training together so we may safely let Saffi off her leash to run.
Today we went to our big park and let her go. It is so nerve wracking.....but she was amazing. I called " STOP"at one point as she was heading away fast, and she stopped immediately and sat down......from a distance , waited, I called to come, and she raced to me and sat down at my feet :).
I absolutely credit Connective training and what we are learning.
What a gift to see one flying beagle, ears straight out like rings, running circles around one big goofy sled dog, working to keep up.
Now we are home, they sit at the (now permanent ) beagle gates ( some of you refer to these as baby gates lol ) awaiting their dinners.
Saffi doing the Snoopy Dance'
Friday, September 30
stretch
I stretch and yawn and find a sunbeam to warm my toes.
Furries piled in a heap close by.
Ah Friday!
Sunday, September 25
mirror, mirror
I am back and it is fall already...wow.
The summer was full of beach walks, shows, music, friends, and lots of lots time for beagle training and treats. This is one very food motivated puppy...lol
Saffi has been part of our family for 3 months now and we have done much learning together.
Saffron is a blossoming flower that reveals more of herself everyday and under the guidance of Michele Jarvis-Wonnacott at Connective Training, we are learning new ways to communicate with the furries we live with.
Saffi is working very hard on recall training and I am happy to report we had our first off leash at the beach day this past week.
Two dogs, running along the shore, ears up, tails in the air together. Joy is the only word that describes their state of being. How can one not feel joyful in response to that.
The idea that animals come into our lives for a reason is never more present than in our Saffron. I am seeing what a difference it makes in all our lives if I take 2 minutes to shake off the crazy energy I sometimes come home with before I walk in the door, breathe, and simply allow calm to take over.
The summer was full of beach walks, shows, music, friends, and lots of lots time for beagle training and treats. This is one very food motivated puppy...lol
Saffi has been part of our family for 3 months now and we have done much learning together.
Saffron is a blossoming flower that reveals more of herself everyday and under the guidance of Michele Jarvis-Wonnacott at Connective Training, we are learning new ways to communicate with the furries we live with.
Saffi is working very hard on recall training and I am happy to report we had our first off leash at the beach day this past week.
Two dogs, running along the shore, ears up, tails in the air together. Joy is the only word that describes their state of being. How can one not feel joyful in response to that.
She is the mirror that reminds me daily to choose joy each and everyday.
Such a beautiful sensitive soul.
We all should have such a responsive mirror to help us see ourselves more clearly.
Monday, June 27
A new Addition
For the past 6 years we have had 2 dogs in our home.
Sage our wise old girl, husky/chow cross was an only dog until one day I met Niko at the SPCA and knew he was meant to be part of our family.
He and Sage truly loved each other and he looked to her for all guidance.
When she passed away at 17 yrs old, last October, Niko became lost and more and more depressed.
It was heart breaking to watch.
We had not considered a second dog, we were going to have a smaller furry family.....but.......
he just looked so sad unless he had company or a dog play date.
Therefore we started looking at rescues and getting used to the idea of another dog in our hearts and home.
It took a while to decide what type of dog this time. Two northern dogs in our house is A LOT of dog, and the poor cats and..and.....and.... so we considered a medium size breed. But which one?
We looked at rescues for a long time until one day we saw a little face looking at us from http://www.mosaicrescue.ca/index.htm.
A beagle- a bit of a hero- and she spoke to us. ( look at 'Whitney' in happy endings, that's our girl )
We began the process by sending in an application and arranging a home visit with the rescue.
I researched all aspects of the breed and the biggest thing I kept hearing- barking/howling and never let them off a leash.
That was a big deal for us, never?
The dream of watching two dogs flying down the beach together faded as we looked at other dog possibilities, but it always came back to this beagle who had our hearts.
We realized that running beach idea was possible..... a long leash it would be.
Whitney came for a meeting on Thursday, and it was love.
Friday she came to stay forever. Within an hour of being here she crashed on the couch and woke up, knowing she was home.
Daiv got the name game for her......and before we knew it Miss Saffron Monsoon aka 'Saffi' had wriggled her way into our hearts, onto Niko's paws, in his and our beds and we have not looked back. Almost immediately Niko's ears went back up from the depressed state they had been in and now he is trying to figure out how to be a big brother and give her guidance. A role he is not accustomed to but one he is learning.
Saffi is an absolute delight. She has an old wise face that breaks into youthful goofiness when she and Niko are playing and is the easiest dog to bring into our home I could have imagined.
Even the cats are chill with her and were from day one as evidenced by the first night on our bed with Saffi, Niko and Nessa the cat, curled up watching tv with us
Did you know that beagles are THE MOST EXPERIMENTED ON DOG IN LABS and even in vet schools for study?
Saving a beagle is a really important thing to do in our society these days.
Please read more about the use of beagles in labs here http://www.beaglefreedomproject.org/
There are some amazing people working to change this and Saffi will be a spokesperson for all beagles, blowing the whistle on this horrific practice and shining a light in dark places for animals.
There will be future Saffi and the furries, updates, but for now I will simply end this by saying we can't believe it has only been a week. it feels like she has always been home with us.
And the barking we were mildly concerned with? Nothing....barely a woof, and she stops when you simply say ' hush" She is an awesome dog and she and Niko are becoming fast friends.
Sage our wise old girl, husky/chow cross was an only dog until one day I met Niko at the SPCA and knew he was meant to be part of our family.
He and Sage truly loved each other and he looked to her for all guidance.
When she passed away at 17 yrs old, last October, Niko became lost and more and more depressed.
It was heart breaking to watch.
We had not considered a second dog, we were going to have a smaller furry family.....but.......
he just looked so sad unless he had company or a dog play date.
Therefore we started looking at rescues and getting used to the idea of another dog in our hearts and home.
It took a while to decide what type of dog this time. Two northern dogs in our house is A LOT of dog, and the poor cats and..and.....and.... so we considered a medium size breed. But which one?
We looked at rescues for a long time until one day we saw a little face looking at us from http://www.mosaicrescue.ca/index.htm.
A beagle- a bit of a hero- and she spoke to us. ( look at 'Whitney' in happy endings, that's our girl )
We began the process by sending in an application and arranging a home visit with the rescue.
I researched all aspects of the breed and the biggest thing I kept hearing- barking/howling and never let them off a leash.
That was a big deal for us, never?
The dream of watching two dogs flying down the beach together faded as we looked at other dog possibilities, but it always came back to this beagle who had our hearts.
We realized that running beach idea was possible..... a long leash it would be.
Whitney came for a meeting on Thursday, and it was love.
Friday she came to stay forever. Within an hour of being here she crashed on the couch and woke up, knowing she was home.
Daiv got the name game for her......and before we knew it Miss Saffron Monsoon aka 'Saffi' had wriggled her way into our hearts, onto Niko's paws, in his and our beds and we have not looked back. Almost immediately Niko's ears went back up from the depressed state they had been in and now he is trying to figure out how to be a big brother and give her guidance. A role he is not accustomed to but one he is learning.
Saffi is an absolute delight. She has an old wise face that breaks into youthful goofiness when she and Niko are playing and is the easiest dog to bring into our home I could have imagined.
Even the cats are chill with her and were from day one as evidenced by the first night on our bed with Saffi, Niko and Nessa the cat, curled up watching tv with us
Did you know that beagles are THE MOST EXPERIMENTED ON DOG IN LABS and even in vet schools for study?
Saving a beagle is a really important thing to do in our society these days.
Please read more about the use of beagles in labs here http://www.beaglefreedomproject.org/
There are some amazing people working to change this and Saffi will be a spokesperson for all beagles, blowing the whistle on this horrific practice and shining a light in dark places for animals.
There will be future Saffi and the furries, updates, but for now I will simply end this by saying we can't believe it has only been a week. it feels like she has always been home with us.
And the barking we were mildly concerned with? Nothing....barely a woof, and she stops when you simply say ' hush" She is an awesome dog and she and Niko are becoming fast friends.
Monday, June 20
RIP baby bunnies
My apologies for not updating this sooner. Things got crazy busy with show season all of a sudden.
As we last checked in, the bunnies had a 10% chance of survival and we were hopeful but trying to be realistic.
In the end, 2 weeks of living life to the fullest, with love and full bellies saw our bunnies leave us quickly. Playing , hopping and happy one hour..and the next...gone :(
The best chance of survival includes at least 5 days of mom's milk and as we can not get close to replicating all the good things in it....we knew chances were small and tried to look at it as bunny hospice. Our bunnies were only two days old when Niko found them.
We really appreciate all the support we had with them. Thye brought a lot of joy while they were with us.
They are now bunny faeries in our garden.
In their honor, we bought a series of dragonfly garden lights to twinkle at dusk in the garden.
As we last checked in, the bunnies had a 10% chance of survival and we were hopeful but trying to be realistic.
In the end, 2 weeks of living life to the fullest, with love and full bellies saw our bunnies leave us quickly. Playing , hopping and happy one hour..and the next...gone :(
The best chance of survival includes at least 5 days of mom's milk and as we can not get close to replicating all the good things in it....we knew chances were small and tried to look at it as bunny hospice. Our bunnies were only two days old when Niko found them.
We really appreciate all the support we had with them. Thye brought a lot of joy while they were with us.
They are now bunny faeries in our garden.
In their honor, we bought a series of dragonfly garden lights to twinkle at dusk in the garden.
Thursday, May 19
Hippity Hoppity- day 5 update
Here we are, battling the odds of a survival rate of 10% for orphaned baby bunnies and so far ( touch wood) all 7 bunnies seem to be growing, thriving and learning to hop. ( anti jinx )
They are eating almost 3mls of their formula now at each feeding.
Daiv and I have developed some skills as well and we have got the feeding down from 90 minutes for seven bunnies to about 20 minutes. Adding a second syringe so we could each feed a bunny at the same time, made a lot of sense...too bad it took 4 days to think of it...lolololololool.
We have given them identifying names,( Smoke for the grey one, cow for the one that looks like a dairy cow etc.) but nothing permanent as every morning we make up trepidously, wondering how they fared and hoping all are okay.
Many sources of support for us, and now we are about to move them to a dog crate so they can jump about as they need safely.
A few pics for you to enjoy. Seriously, how could anyone have a bad day EVER, with baby bnnies to care for?
They are eating almost 3mls of their formula now at each feeding.
Daiv and I have developed some skills as well and we have got the feeding down from 90 minutes for seven bunnies to about 20 minutes. Adding a second syringe so we could each feed a bunny at the same time, made a lot of sense...too bad it took 4 days to think of it...lolololololool.
We have given them identifying names,( Smoke for the grey one, cow for the one that looks like a dairy cow etc.) but nothing permanent as every morning we make up trepidously, wondering how they fared and hoping all are okay.
Many sources of support for us, and now we are about to move them to a dog crate so they can jump about as they need safely.
Tuesday, May 17
Baby Bunnies- Day 2
We have made it through 2 days together and still have all 7 babies. Have I mentioned they are really really cute yet?
They seem to be about 6 or 7 days old. We are glad cause did you know baby bunnies need colostrum from their mama bunnies to survive? If they don't get that in the first days, their chances go way down.
( and the odds are not great to begin with )
What and how are we feeding you ask?
Well as the bunnies' mama has such rick milk, it is impossible to completely replace and why bunnies are so hard to bottle feed and have them survive.
We are feeding 1/2 goats milk, 1/2 KMR, then heat to body temp.
Add a little heavy cream, a dash of acidophilus and a little bit of colostrum.
Then we work from a teeny dropper syringe without the needle, and one bunny at a time, work the syringe into the side of cheek with bunny pointing down so it will not aspirate, and start plunging gently. Most by now have started suckling the end and this goes faster than it did yesterday when we were feeding a drop at a time.
They get fed 2 times a day, and the smaller ones that look like they need a little extra get a snack. Each feed is about 2.5 mls of formula, the snacks less.
Did I mention that bunnies 'pop' yet? They do.....hahahahhahahahahahhahaahah and it is freakin' adorable.
I think they must be working up to a hop one day, but right now, they sort of pop, and they can pop straight up in the air. We are feeding them low to the ground..lolol
They pop, have jiffle-bums, go cracker bunny, and I love when they shake their heads and sort of fall over..lol.
They are getting stronger, and are trying to climb out of their basket, but are in a BIG and deep tub inside a basket, so all is good for the moment. A few are just starting to show an opening in the corner of their eyes.
What on earth do we do when they start hopping.....yeesh!
More to come....
They seem to be about 6 or 7 days old. We are glad cause did you know baby bunnies need colostrum from their mama bunnies to survive? If they don't get that in the first days, their chances go way down.
( and the odds are not great to begin with )
What and how are we feeding you ask?
Well as the bunnies' mama has such rick milk, it is impossible to completely replace and why bunnies are so hard to bottle feed and have them survive.
We are feeding 1/2 goats milk, 1/2 KMR, then heat to body temp.
Add a little heavy cream, a dash of acidophilus and a little bit of colostrum.
Then we work from a teeny dropper syringe without the needle, and one bunny at a time, work the syringe into the side of cheek with bunny pointing down so it will not aspirate, and start plunging gently. Most by now have started suckling the end and this goes faster than it did yesterday when we were feeding a drop at a time.
They get fed 2 times a day, and the smaller ones that look like they need a little extra get a snack. Each feed is about 2.5 mls of formula, the snacks less.
Did I mention that bunnies 'pop' yet? They do.....hahahahhahahahahahhahaahah and it is freakin' adorable.
I think they must be working up to a hop one day, but right now, they sort of pop, and they can pop straight up in the air. We are feeding them low to the ground..lolol
They pop, have jiffle-bums, go cracker bunny, and I love when they shake their heads and sort of fall over..lol.
They are getting stronger, and are trying to climb out of their basket, but are in a BIG and deep tub inside a basket, so all is good for the moment. A few are just starting to show an opening in the corner of their eyes.
What on earth do we do when they start hopping.....yeesh!
More to come....
Sunday, May 15
The Baby Bunnies Cometh
Day 1-
Daiv and our 100 pound Alaskan Sled Dog, go to their regular jaunt, a big open field, for a run.
Niko then brings a teeny baby bunny to daiv, unharmed in a very gentle mouth ( he easily could have killed these bunnies and eaten them they are so tiny ) but instead, he takes Daiv to a nest of baby bunnies, alone and cold, above the ground, and makes sure Daiv knows they are there.
Daiv tells me about this when he gets home, worried about them but decides to take a wait and see approach.
Today he goes back as it is cold and raining and discovers several passed in the night ( fly free little ones ) and the remaining ones are freezing and looking distressed.
He brings them all home.......
We are now the foster parents for 7 baby bunnies, who are warmer after laying on rice socks, heated, and being wrapped in towels.
They have been fed KMR kitten formula from a dropper and are much happier than when they first arrived.
I will update their adventures here on this blog for you.
The cuteness is unbearable.
Daiv and our 100 pound Alaskan Sled Dog, go to their regular jaunt, a big open field, for a run.
Niko then brings a teeny baby bunny to daiv, unharmed in a very gentle mouth ( he easily could have killed these bunnies and eaten them they are so tiny ) but instead, he takes Daiv to a nest of baby bunnies, alone and cold, above the ground, and makes sure Daiv knows they are there.
Daiv tells me about this when he gets home, worried about them but decides to take a wait and see approach.
Today he goes back as it is cold and raining and discovers several passed in the night ( fly free little ones ) and the remaining ones are freezing and looking distressed.
He brings them all home.......
We are now the foster parents for 7 baby bunnies, who are warmer after laying on rice socks, heated, and being wrapped in towels.
They have been fed KMR kitten formula from a dropper and are much happier than when they first arrived.
The cuteness is unbearable.
Tuesday, April 26
Musings on images
Some of my favourite captures...posting here for your perusal as I wittle down to my top 5....hmmmmm.
comments/critique very welcome.
Please click on thumbnails for larger image...
comments/critique very welcome.
Please click on thumbnails for larger image...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)