fabulous and philanthropic

Okay, so yes... I know that these have been written about repeatedly (and extensively) on all my favorite design blogs the last few days. But I love them so much that I just can't help myself.

Found My Animal crafts these beautiful (yes, I said beautiful) leashes from hand-spliced rope made by professional New England rope-makers. And then they finish them off with solid brass marine grade cast Italian hardware.

And the best part straight from their web site: "25% of ALL our profits go directly to the Louis Animal Foundation, a unique non-profit group dedicated to spaying/neutering and providing homes for animals who have not yet 'found' their people."

So... a great, well-designed, unique dog product? Check. And they support rescue? Check. AND my dogs would look super stylish walking down the street? Double-check. I'm sold.

birthday week

It was "birthday central" in the Dawkins' household this past week. Oliver turned six years old on August 14th, Mona Mae had her fifth birthday on the 19th, and Quincy turned two years old on the 20th.

Obviously, since my dogs are rescues, all birthdays are approximate. Ollie's is probably the most accurate because he was about six months old when I found him as a stray. I simply backed up by six months from February 14th (he was the best Valentine's Day gift EVER), and ta-da... August 14th it is.

Mona was around one year old when I found her, and at the time, my Kate Spade planner included Coco Chanel's birthday in the list of major holidays. So that's how Mona Mae got her birthday... she shares her special day with Coco.

And Quincy... well, I just ran out of creativity. I picked him up from the shelter exactly one year ago on August 20th. So that's his birthday (he shares it with my brother). He was somewhere in the 9 month to one year range at that point. It's a strange feeling to know that a full year has passed since I took him in. It feels like it has gone by so quickly, yet it also feels like I've had him forever.

To all three of my August kids... I love you lots! I'm so grateful to have you in my life. It wouldn't be the same without you!

happy birthday baby brother

Jacob with his rescued Golden Retriever Bowman

(what can I say? We're a rescuing kind of family...)

I'd like to interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to say Happy Birthday to my baby brother! He's pretty much the coolest guy I know... way cooler than me :) and I love him to pieces. Oh, and he does this for a living:

Yeah, that doesn't help his cool factor at all does it? Jacob flies an F-18 Super Hornet (he's probably going to email me after this and tell me I didn't title that correctly) for the United States Navy.

He and his wife live in Virginia Beach where he's based, and I hate having them both so far away. So Happy Birthday J! I hope I get to see you soon!

darlings

These gals are two of my rescues now living in our nation's capitol. Tucker (on the left) is my Mona's baby girl, and Genevieve (on the right) is one of Penny's babies. Cuties...

happy friday

The beast and I would like to wish everyone a Happy Friday! I've got some crazy work shenanigans going on the next couple of weeks, so the posting might be a little light around these parts. But hang in there with me, and I promise I'll have some great stuff lined up soon.

In the meantime, to get your puppy fix, visit one of my favorites: the Brown Dog Boutique blog. Lots of fun things going on with them down in Georgia...

Until next time!

to the point

Hilarious shirts by Project 71. Wouldn't Bob Barker be proud?

In all seriousness, what a great and eye-catching way to get a really important message across to folks... My mother might die if she actually sees me wearing it, but I'm thinking I might just get one.

weekend shenanigans

My mom and dad were up in Virginia Beach visiting my brother and sister-in-law this weekend, and therefore I became a boarding house for some of their dogs (this is obviously in addition to the five already living at my house). Needless to say, it was quite crowded, but look at these two cuties that were my guests:

Opie, a funny lab/whippet mix, and Sophie, aka my Dad's "Angel", is a shepherd/husky mix

I also had a great nursing home visit on Saturday with this dollface:

And finally, I must confess that the highlight of my weekend was not dog-related. I went to see Julie & Julia with a friend, and it was FANTASTIC. I had been waiting on this movie forever... I L.O.V.E. Julia Child, and the movie did not disappoint. I think I'm gonna go see it again!

chiens des champs

You've probably seen those dog breed posters in your vet's office before. You know the one I mean? The kind that has the little bitty drawings of each breed all lined up on one big poster.

Well, check this one out... why is everything so much more chic in French? I'm thinking this would give a big blank wall in my house a certain "je ne sais quoi," don't you think?

You can buy it in two sizes at the French General Store. Choose from country dogs or city dogs, or if you can't decide, buy both!

happy birthday

My dad circa 1985 with my brother and me...

Just wanted to wish my dad a very Happy Birthday today! He's this big, grumbly guy with a heart of gold... and although he rolls his eyes and gives me a speech about taking on too much responsibility every time I bring another dog home, he continues to love and support me and all my crazy rescue shenanigans. And he loves all my pups too (most of the time)! And truth be told, he loves animals just as much as I do. He's always had a very special way with dogs... they seem to think he's the best thing since sliced bread.

Dad, just a few months ago, with my sweet boy Sullivan. Sully LOVED my dad...

What do they say about grandparents spoiling their grandkids? I've tried to teach Quincy that climbing people isn't appropriate behavior, but Dad just always encourages him anyway.

So to the best dad in the world - HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Oh, and by the way, my dad is a twin... so Happy Birthday to my Aunt Jane as well!

dog songs

Music written from a dog's point of view? At first I wasn't so sure, but turns out these songs are pretty catchy and kind of funny. Read more about Robbie Long and his music here, and check out the CD here. And you can listen to "What Kind of Dog Am I" right here via Best Friends web site.

omg

Just saw this via I Suwannee (which, by the way, you must go check out immediately if you haven't done so already... it will make your day).

As for what you're about to see below - no words necessary. Just watch.

cute new dog

So one of the upsides to becoming a year older is that people give you stuff. And my brother and sister-in-law came through in a big way this year with this little guy. I've named him Rufus, and he greets everyone who stops by the house. He's the best ever... he doesn't need to eat, he's perfectly quiet and doesn't make a mess. He just needs watering from time to time. The other dogs around here better step up their game or I'll just replace them with another Rufus...

If you'd like your own Rufus, you can find him plus lots of other breeds here.