tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9700998621645875302024-02-07T11:27:23.891-08:00Five Dog Farmpecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.comBlogger348125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-22561429478822111122013-06-21T08:05:00.001-07:002013-06-21T08:05:11.943-07:00Happy Summer!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Summer pups and people! We're celebrating the start of the season here at Pecan Pie Puppies with several new collars... make sure to <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/pecanpiepuppies?section_id=7019999">check them out</a>!pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-51875472093411611292013-06-04T07:08:00.003-07:002013-06-04T07:14:14.788-07:00Kong Stuffing Idea: Sushi Style<br />
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My newest idea for creative Kong stuffing came to me the other night as I was having sushi for dinner. It's one of my absolute favorite things, and so I thought that I would use a Philadelphia roll as my inspiration.<br />
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Here's what you'll need to become your pup's favorite sushi chef:<br />
<ul>
<li>A <a href="http://www.kongcompany.com/products/for-dogs/rubber-toys/classic-rubber-toys/classic/">Kong</a> in the size appropriate for your dog</li>
<li>Brown rice</li>
<li>Cream cheese</li>
<li>Canned salmon dog food (I used <a href="http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/product-details.aspx?pet=dog&pid=49">Wellness Salmon</a>)</li>
<li>Sliced cucumber</li>
</ul>
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I recommend starting with a bit of the cream cheese because it seals up the Kong and keeps the other goodies from finding their way out of the bottom hole, but once you do that, the method of stuffing madness is entirely up to you. My supervisor, Quincy, was a bit concerned over the inclusion of cucumber, but I assured him he'd love it.<br />
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Tip: If your dog is a Kong Master and has become very skilled at emptying the goodies at lightning speed, pop the Kong in the freezer after you stuff it. It will make it sooo much more challenging for little Fluffy or Fido. </div>
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As you can see from the pictures below, Quincy decided the cucumber was pretty tasty after all.<br />
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Find more of our creative Kong ideas right <a href="http://fivedogfarm.blogspot.com/search/label/Kong">here</a>.<br />
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pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-70746052970889562402013-05-23T11:09:00.004-07:002013-05-23T11:09:57.787-07:00Real Men Wear Purple<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We now offer <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/152012896/seersucker-bow-tie-dog-collar-your?ref=shop_home_active">purple seersucker in the Pecan Pie Puppies shop</a>! I asked Quincy to model the latest version of our seersucker bowtie in the new purple color. He was well compensated with liver treats.<br />
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<br />pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-73371890764211452072013-05-14T04:51:00.000-07:002013-05-14T04:51:17.309-07:00New chicks!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPWR1sj7YWYqg0Ilp5ZW0c6_zXy2omIdPkS1peHil7X3TuIt2GIFhjQjIqKzu3qq980BghL_pjzZkgqfogSSi37PwWzBKLIWzG4oYWjhnnhWkei7cDOyduIiSHbUTgdkoqWpvlJXEYQ/s1600/2013-05-12_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPWR1sj7YWYqg0Ilp5ZW0c6_zXy2omIdPkS1peHil7X3TuIt2GIFhjQjIqKzu3qq980BghL_pjzZkgqfogSSi37PwWzBKLIWzG4oYWjhnnhWkei7cDOyduIiSHbUTgdkoqWpvlJXEYQ/s640/2013-05-12_0003.jpg" width="636" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls the day they arrived at Five Dog Farm... Top left clockwise: Opal, Fern, Winnie and Clara</td></tr>
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I've had my hands full here at Five Dog Farm because four new babies arrived on April 24th. They received their names the first day they arrived and have been dubbed Opal, Clara, Winnie and Fern. Three of the four girls (and they're <i>supposed</i> to be girls) are bantams - a Mottled Cochin Bantam, a Mille Fleur D'uccle and an Easter Egger bantam. The fourth gal - Opal - is a standard White Cochin... and she'll be a very big, fluffy girl when she grows up.<br />
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They're now three weeks old and entering that awkward yet very adorable phase where they look like little, tiny T-rexes. They had their first trip outside this past weekend and enjoyed snacking on the clover. I'm a total spaz waiting for them to get bigger so that I can confirm their gender. I'm not allowed to have roosters so anyone that turns out to be a boy will have to find a new home (and that will make me sad).<br />
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<br />pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-27211819289788311622013-05-13T04:54:00.002-07:002013-06-04T07:10:43.054-07:00How to stuff a Kong... Elvis Presley style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We love our Kongs here at Five Dog Farm. The dogs love them because, well... what could be better than a bright red, bouncy toy filled to the brim with tasty food? And I love them because they will occupy my dogs for hours on end... keeping them quiet and occupied when I need them to be on their best behavior.<br />
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And since I also love to spoil my dogs rotten, I enjoy coming up with new combinations of tasty things to fill up their beloved Kongs. Around here, we call this particular combo the "Elvis Presley." I named it after the King of Rock n' Roll because I based it on his favorite and famous sandwich that combined peanut butter, bananas and bacon.<br />
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What you'll need:<br />
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<ul>
<li>A <a href="http://www.kongcompany.com/products/for-dogs/rubber-toys/classic-rubber-toys/classic/">Kong</a> in the size appropriate for your dog</li>
<li>Sliced banana(s)</li>
<li>Peanut butter</li>
<li>Bacon-flavored treats (I used the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Itty-Bitty-Buddy-Biscuits-Madness/dp/B000E1R4SQ">Itty Bitty Buddy Biscuits</a> in bacon)</li>
<li>Greek yogurt (good for a pup's tummy and cuts down on the amount of peanut butter you'll need to use making this a little better for the pup's waistline as well. Those sparkly jumpsuits aren't very forgiving...)</li>
</ul>
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I always recommend starting with a spoonful of peanut butter because it seals up the Kong and keeps the other goodies from finding their way out of the bottom hole, but once you do that, the method of stuffing madness is entirely up to you. But this particular combo turned out to be a big hit... as you can tell from the picture of Oliver below. </div>
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Tip #1: If your dog is a Kong Master and has become very skilled at emptying the goodies at lightning speed, pop the Kong in the freezer after you stuff it. It will make it sooo much more challenging for little Fluffy or Fido. </div>
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Tip #2: Listening to a little Hound Dog during this process will make it much more fun.<br />
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So that's it... go get stuffing! Ollie says "A little less conversation, a little more action please..."</div>
pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-14590712159550211992013-03-21T03:21:00.000-07:002013-03-21T03:21:14.113-07:00A Message to the Easter BunnyDear Easter Bunny, <br />
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Although I am too old to ask for jelly beans in my Easter basket, I believe <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/jewelry/necklaces/PRDOVR~01682/01682.jsp">this</a> would make a very nice substitute:<br />
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Thanks so much... <br />
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Oh - and P.S. - Scrap what I said about the jelly beans. I'll take some of <a href="http://www.candy.com/Jelly-Belly-Margarita-Beans-10LB-Case_p_4.html">these</a> as well. pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-8142356414201107462013-03-12T17:58:00.002-07:002013-03-12T18:09:02.565-07:00Instagrammin'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Did y'all miss us? Sorry for the prolonged absence but Five Dog Farm has been on the move! I've taken a new job, and along with that came a new location. So all of us - the dogs, the cat, the chickens (and the coop!) - have traveled back to my homeland of the South Carolina foothills. <br />
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But the next time you find yourself longing for a peek into the lives of my crazy crew, you can get your fix on a daily basis by following us <a href="http://instagram.com/pecanpiepuppies">right here on Instagram</a>. <br />
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pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-42747275836176677622013-02-14T08:32:00.000-08:002013-02-14T08:32:07.407-08:00Happy Valentine's Day<div style="text-align: center;">
The queen bee here at Five Dog Farm wishes you all a very Happy Valentine's Day!</div>
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<br />pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-35796412724782559812013-02-12T09:46:00.000-08:002013-02-12T09:46:02.196-08:00PPP Collegiate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here at Five Dog Farm we're excited to announce the opening of <a href="http://www.pppcollegiate.etsy.com/">Pecan Pie Puppies Collegiate</a>! It's a spin-off shop that will offer our collars in different team colors. Right now, we have Clemson University, the University of Alabama, Auburn University, the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, and the University of South Carolina available in the shop, but we'll be adding more options over the coming weeks.<br />
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So make sure to swing by and check them out. And if we don't offer your team yet, please let us know if you'd be interested in a collar featuring your school's colors. We're always happy to add it to the list!pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-78318123809385536842013-01-31T11:46:00.001-08:002013-01-31T11:51:38.788-08:002013 Summer Garden<div style="text-align: justify;">
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I absolutely love growing my own food. I personally have grown my own vegetables for three years now, but I grew up with grandparents that had a giant backyard garden where they harvested everything under the sun. My memories of my grandfather are inextricably linked with that garden. I can't think of him without thinking of his tomatoes, okra, corn and everything else. And my grandmother was always hard at working shelling beans, canning preserves and creating amazing Sunday dinners out of the food that came straight from their backyard. When I was young, I didn't realize how amazing and wonderful that was... but now, those same traditions make me happier than almost anything in the world. </div>
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And now, as hard as it is to believe, it's already time to start planning out my 2013 summer vegetable garden. I actually started some of my seeds yesterday, and it makes me so happy to see my seedstarter system sitting in my window in the kitchen. It's a nice little reminder that warmer weather will be here before we know it!</div>
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I had high hopes of expanding my garden so that I'd be able to plant more veggies this year, but because there's a possibility that I'll be moving in the next few months, I don't want to go through the trouble of building out a new raised bed. So everything that I grow will have to fit into my two existing 4x8 ft raised beds, and my herbs will have to be grown in large pots on the patio. </div>
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So just in case my experience (both successes and failures) can help a beginning gardener, here's how I roll... </div>
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This is my second year starting my own seeds, and the entire process is made <i>so </i>much easier because of my <a href="http://www.gardeners.com/APS-Starter-Kit/32-573,default,pd.html?start=1&cgid=SeedstartingKits_Cat">APS Starter Kit</a> that I purchased from Gardeners Supply Company. It self-waters, keeps everything nice and tidy, and comes with a removable plastic dome that traps heat to help encourage germination. You can buy the starters separately but the kit also includes handy wooden markers, water level indicators and a little jar of fertilizer. </div>
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I'm also really into the idea of growing heirloom varieties of all my vegetables. I consider it my little contribution toward making sure these older varieties stick around and aren't lost in favor of the crazy, genetically-engineered, mutant varieties you find in the supermarket these days. So all of my veggies are heirlooms, and while it does sometimes mean they're a bit more susceptible to disease and pests, I think it's worth the little bit of extra care they need. </div>
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I've always purchased my seeds from the <a href="http://www.seedsavers.org/onlinestore/">Seed Savers Exchange</a>, and they have a <i>huge</i> variety to choose from. At first, I got very overwhelmed, but as I've become more sure of my abilities and knowledge, I've learned how to choose varieties that will work well for me. But please keep in mind that everything I'm going to show you next is based on my climate here in South Carolina, so if you live in a hotter-than-heck, super steamy summer locale as well, then you're in luck!</div>
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I went with two varieties of bell peppers this year. I'm a total wuss when it comes to heat, so I'm not into the super spicy varieties, but if you are, there are <a href="http://www.seedsavers.org/onlinestore/pepper/">plenty of choices</a> out there. In my opinion, peppers are the prettiest vegetable. They come in so many shapes, sizes and colors... and last year I chose to grow red and yellow bell peppers. This year, however, I'm going with a Clemson theme, and I chose to start seeds for both <a href="http://www.seedsavers.org/onlinestore/pepper/Pepper-Orange-Bell.html">orange</a> and <a href="http://www.seedsavers.org/onlinestore/pepper/Pepper-Purple-Beauty.html">purple</a> peppers. I can't wait to create a fun dish for tailgating using these guys!</div>
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Eggplant... YUM. This is actually one vegetable that my grandfather didn't grow, but it's one of my favorites. Last year, I grew the <a href="http://www.seedsavers.org/onlinestore/eggplant/Eggplant-Rosa-Bianca.html">Rosa Bianca</a> (pictured above left) and the <a href="http://www.seedsavers.org/onlinestore/eggplant/Eggplant-Listada-de-Gandia-OG.html">Listada de Gandia</a> variety, but they turned out to be very similar. So this year, I'm planting the Rosa Bianca and trying a new variety - <a href="http://www.seedsavers.org/onlinestore/eggplant/Eggplant-Pingtung-Long-OG.html">Pingtung Long</a>. I cook eggplant every way under the sun... I grill it, I use it as a substitute for lasagna noodles, I saute it... delish.</div>
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This next veggie might be a foreign substance to those of you outside the South, but y'all... this stuff is so good. I only grow one variety of Okra - <a href="http://www.seedsavers.org/onlinestore/okra/Okra-Clemson-Spineless.html">Clemson Spineless</a>, and it's pretty much the only variety you find these days. It's an heirloom that has actually been developed to be hardier and disease-resistant, and it <i>loves</i> the heat. I only have space to grow a couple of plants, but I can't wait to have a larger garden so that I'll have okra, okra everywhere!</div>
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Before I began growing my own tomatoes, I wasn't particularly enamored. Those things you buy at the grocery store are seriously ho-hum compared to the heirlooms you can pick straight out of the garden. I've tried lots of different varieties the last few years, but this year, instead of trying new types again, I'm going with my three tried-and-true favorites. <a href="http://www.seedsavers.org/onlinestore/tomato_3/Tomato-Cherokee-Purple.html">Cherokee Purple</a> is one of the more common heirlooms but it's popular for good reason... beautiful color and delicious flavor. <a href="http://www.seedsavers.org/onlinestore/tomato_3/427-Tomato-Brandywine-SEEDS_2.html">Pink Brandywine</a> is another favorite. It's a beefsteak type tomato that is good for slicing and they get <i>huge. </i>And my third tomato for the year - my all-time favorite - is <a href="http://www.seedsavers.org/onlinestore/tomato_3/Tomato-Gold-Medal.html">Gold Medal</a>. This is the tomato that I will pick from the vine and go straight to the kitchen to slice and eat. </div>
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I also plan to grow basil, cilantro and dill in containers during the summer, but then my garden space is maxed out. There are so many other things I'd love to grow, but alas, I have no more room. But in the meantime, I will just daydream about having a giant garden with a greenhouse and lots of other fun things. I'm kind of obsessed with this layout provided by <a href="http://cappers.grit.com/garden/vegetables/spring-garden-plan-ze0z1210zsch.aspx">GRIT Magazine</a>: </div>
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It's a spring garden instead of summer, but you get the gist. A greenhouse, large garden, beehives, compost area <i>and </i>a chicken coop? Yes, please. GRIT also has a<a href="http://www.grit.com/garden-planner/food-garden-planner.aspx"> fantastic garden planner</a> that you can use to layout our garden plot before planting to make sure it will all work well together. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpMu5xlx-l2rcf3_cTM-dHnOERPGoAN3YO0tPs8FLXwTy5AFwvJ3DNDhTHxrnjjs19UksL5emV1t1od6yjEyxIviT8H8eocmhXiek74Q-VEvwXxSNIc9LGQfisMC3V5-RC611rXpP0g/s1600/raised+bed+corners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpMu5xlx-l2rcf3_cTM-dHnOERPGoAN3YO0tPs8FLXwTy5AFwvJ3DNDhTHxrnjjs19UksL5emV1t1od6yjEyxIviT8H8eocmhXiek74Q-VEvwXxSNIc9LGQfisMC3V5-RC611rXpP0g/s320/raised+bed+corners.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raised bed corners from Gardeners.com</td></tr>
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And then I have two other must-haves that I use when it's time to get my gardening on. </div>
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First, I'm pretty handy around the house but I'm no Bob Vila. So when it came time to build my raised beds, these <a href="http://www.gardeners.com/Raised-Bed-Corners/36-643VS,default,pd.html?start=1&cgid=RaisedBedCorners_Cat">pre-made corners</a> from <a href="http://www.gardeners.com/">Gardener's Supply Company</a> made everything <i>so </i>much easier. I simply just had Lowe's cut my wood to my requested measurements, and then slid the wood down into the corners, added the screws to hold everything in place, and voila! A perfectly square raised bed ready to go in no time at all. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizU8Uk8ey2yHmyqFbHwu11ePbwYdJZfLztfhB7gB_tWb898hcG8sHB1aED26C8JLF8jhAWD9hFrAtCA_T_y_p0WfXSn_jyy857BZYBRHrPtDT767gPYKXUrQ6hCHjoDesVs5kqi4NrYQ/s1600/Erth_Food_OrgCompost.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizU8Uk8ey2yHmyqFbHwu11ePbwYdJZfLztfhB7gB_tWb898hcG8sHB1aED26C8JLF8jhAWD9hFrAtCA_T_y_p0WfXSn_jyy857BZYBRHrPtDT767gPYKXUrQ6hCHjoDesVs5kqi4NrYQ/s200/Erth_Food_OrgCompost.gif" width="149" /></a></div>
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And the other thing that I can't live without is <a href="http://www.erthproducts.com/dnn/dnn/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx">ERTH Food compost fertilizer</a>. This stuff is amazing. I have a friend that refers to it as "Jesus dirt" because it works miracles. And you use it as a top-dressing mulch so in addition to fertilizing your plants, it also works to prevent evaporation. If you're in the Southeast, there is probably a local garden center that can deliver it in bulk and that makes it much more cost-effective. </div>
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So now I just sit back and wait for my little seeds to sprout and grow. </div>
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pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-51820459446853509202013-01-29T08:23:00.002-08:002013-01-29T08:26:44.231-08:00National Train Your Dog Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCng-t2p9mpzkIPH2rB5_pBP3wkrDa7V2ur4TTHbGJ6kL2sEbZRrJq64jLJtOrvv3dINQA-ApZIgykA3XgjcODQZCYY9UZhx2aILqi4MlMOFAwwxNz9sHr-gU0VnxfeCs0NgvXx6nlsg/s1600/train+month.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCng-t2p9mpzkIPH2rB5_pBP3wkrDa7V2ur4TTHbGJ6kL2sEbZRrJq64jLJtOrvv3dINQA-ApZIgykA3XgjcODQZCYY9UZhx2aILqi4MlMOFAwwxNz9sHr-gU0VnxfeCs0NgvXx6nlsg/s1600/train+month.png" /></a></div>
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So I'm a little late to the party on this. I mean... I'm not personally, but I'm a little tardy when it comes to telling you guys all about it. January is <a href="http://www.trainyourdogmonth.com/about/">National Train Your Dog Month</a> and is brought to you fine people by the <a href="http://apdt.com/">Association of Pet Dog Trainers</a>. </div>
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It's a fantastic program, and I'm a total slacker for not sharing this information earlier. I'm always in favor of encouraging folks to use positive methods to train their dog. And since I get to work with one of the best trainers out there - <a href="http://getpawsitiveresults.com/about/teoti-anderson/">Teoti Anderson</a> at <a href="http://getpawsitiveresults.com/">Pawsitive Results</a> - I can personally attest to the fact that training - <i>good training</i>- makes a world of difference in the lifelong relationship you build with your dog. </div>
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There is a wealth of fantastic information on the <a href="http://www.trainyourdogmonth.com/about/">National Train Your Dog Month</a> website, and I encourage everyone to check it out. And please also make sure to check out the <a href="http://apdt.com/education/webinars/free/default.aspx">FREE webinars</a> provided on the APDT site for non-trainers. They cover topics ranging from <a href="http://www.trainyourdogmonth.com/events/webinars/06/">housetraining</a> to <a href="http://www.trainyourdogmonth.com/events/webinars/09/">separation anxiety</a>, <a href="http://www.trainyourdogmonth.com/events/webinars/10/">polite walking on leash</a> to <a href="http://www.trainyourdogmonth.com/events/webinars/12/">dealing with crazy adolescent dogs</a> and much more. </div>
pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-22648223057355878262013-01-29T02:00:00.000-08:002013-01-29T02:00:13.183-08:00working girl<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisO0dlbZCy0cxCwsVjk5HE96sPtww6JoDXW03rhtXUe40eEuw6LwqKfNvmoXj9zXL5qu8uJLqrihIJmuU7HgNrmtK8rzmIbpRzaDoVn4sJKK82d8dv9D_FMBKTi4QuFGjQwufz8GZcA/s1600/IMG_3424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisO0dlbZCy0cxCwsVjk5HE96sPtww6JoDXW03rhtXUe40eEuw6LwqKfNvmoXj9zXL5qu8uJLqrihIJmuU7HgNrmtK8rzmIbpRzaDoVn4sJKK82d8dv9D_FMBKTi4QuFGjQwufz8GZcA/s640/IMG_3424.JPG" width="368" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clementine is finally earning her keep!</td></tr>
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All of my girls gave me their first eggs in early October with the exception of Miss Clementine, my Buff Brahma. In her defense, the larger breeds of chickens mature more slowly (she's a <i>big</i> girl), so I had expected her to be a "late bloomer." But as the weeks went by, I began to think she might be a "never bloomer." But <i>finally</i>, at 41 weeks of age, she gave me her first egg. As you can see below, it almost looks pink, and I'm hoping the speckles stick around as she begins to lay in earnest.<br />
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<br />pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-6427526327518657162013-01-28T13:50:00.001-08:002013-01-28T13:50:10.760-08:00new threadsSo I've gone a little <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/pecanpiepuppies?section_id=5709128">bowtie crazy</a> the last couple of weeks. All of these are new styles and are available for purchase in the <a href="http://www.pecanpiepuppies.etsy.com/">shop</a>. Apparently I have a subconscious desire to increase the number of dapper doggies in the world.<br />
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pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-58841561754984506882013-01-28T00:00:00.000-08:002013-01-28T00:00:11.326-08:00a love affair with a hoseFirst things first... if you're not into gardening or puttering around your yard, just go ahead and stop reading now. Because you're not going to understand why a sane human being would devote an entire blog post to a water hose.<br />
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But if, like me, you enjoy spending time in your yard, you plant things and grow things, and use a water hose on a regular basis, I'm about to rock your world.<br />
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Through the years, I have bought many a hose. Early on, before I knew any better, I'd buy the less expensive versions. But as surely as death and taxes come, so do the cracks and kinks in those cheap hoses. So I wised up and started buying the more expensive "Never Kink" hoses. And while they certainly last longer and kink less frequently, they also weigh <i>a ton, </i>and I would regularly decapitate my smaller plants and flowers as I tried to drag it around my yard (and they still kink from time to time).<br />
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So I was a jaded soul when I finally broke down and ordered a <a href="http://www.waterrightinc.com/collections/watering-accessories/products/slim-lightweight-garden-hose-50-ft">Water Right</a> hose last year... expecting it to fail me like so many others that had come before.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAm19OMP3T_bc43cORdqA8DfSMlDo3a2WZYDa6c0kuLKZ3zitNT-jJ1Jst8UREDeaECEwUODkXuwRTIiqYLLdD5ylad8TOlRlo6xxo7fITzrUMV0j25JXvA5tg_tCBWF5IkNrj8FFXQ/s1600/Water+Right+hose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAm19OMP3T_bc43cORdqA8DfSMlDo3a2WZYDa6c0kuLKZ3zitNT-jJ1Jst8UREDeaECEwUODkXuwRTIiqYLLdD5ylad8TOlRlo6xxo7fITzrUMV0j25JXvA5tg_tCBWF5IkNrj8FFXQ/s640/Water+Right+hose.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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But holy hoses... this thing is magic. It weighs like... nothing. Seriously. Three pounds for a 50 foot hose. And you can try and kink this sucker, and it just won't kink. And most important - it's pretty. It comes in the loveliest colors. Plus, if you're like me and absolutely loathe the sight of a garish hose strewn across your yard, you'll be happy to know that the olive version blends almost perfectly into it's surroundings.<br />
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I will never - not ever - buy another kind of hose again.<br />
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It's <a href="http://www.waterrightinc.com/collections/watering-accessories/products/slim-lightweight-garden-hose-50-ft">not inexpensive</a>, but if you water and take care of your yard on a regular basis, it is worth every penny. It comes in <a href="http://www.waterrightinc.com/collections/watering-accessories/products/slim-lightweight-garden-hose-50-ft">four different lengths and several different colors</a> so there's really an option for everyone. pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com0Columbia, SC, USA34.0007104 -81.03481440000001633.5796469 -81.68026140000002 34.421773900000005 -80.389367400000012tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-19315489158099727092013-01-25T12:21:00.000-08:002013-01-25T12:21:44.739-08:00brrrrr!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSH0f4aG1D7QPNYrdyAXL2sXgQf61gAgSYVhB_xsPAettnOVH6V5vkRvodRG2UHSsMTNgntaF-uKVfv6q8HYBQnrudws1rE2eNvGOR9o-DjuJ1HRaxcAZWr45Jgt3HZCxvBKt6AoulBQ/s1600/synchronized+munching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSH0f4aG1D7QPNYrdyAXL2sXgQf61gAgSYVhB_xsPAettnOVH6V5vkRvodRG2UHSsMTNgntaF-uKVfv6q8HYBQnrudws1rE2eNvGOR9o-DjuJ1HRaxcAZWr45Jgt3HZCxvBKt6AoulBQ/s640/synchronized+munching.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This Southern girl isn't build for cold weather, but my chickens seem to be doing just fine. Now, if you're reading this at a computer in Wisconsin, you're going to think I'm a big baby complaining about weather in the mid-30's. But please keep in mind that I come from a long line of Southerners, and it is my firm belief that through the generations, natural selection has been at work. As a result, I am now less adapted to cold weather. That sounded all science-y and reasonable, right?<br />
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This is my first winter with hens, and although it's been difficult (for me), I've intentionally kept myself from providing extra heat for the girls as the temperatures have dropped.<br />
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The truth is - and I know seasoned chicken keepers will agree - that chickens can survive just fine in the colder temperatures as long as they're protected from drafts and they have good ventilation. In fact, my girls are much happier on these chilly days than they are on our steamy, 100+ degree days we have here in South Carolina. But that doesn't stop this gal from having the urge to round them up and bring them in the house so they'll stay nice and toasty warm.<br />
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The dogs, on the other hand, want nothing to do with this freezing weather. Clearly they take after me.pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-45603784144279477142012-12-31T12:38:00.003-08:002012-12-31T12:38:50.876-08:00Ring in the New Year in style... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After the craziness of the Christmas season passed us by here at Five Dog Farm, I was actually able to take some time to design some new flower collars for 2013. They're available for purchase now in<a href="http://www.pecanpiepuppies.etsy.com/"> the shop</a>, and I'll be placing some brand new bowtie collars in the shop as well very soon.<br />
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And from the entire gang here at Five Dog Farm, we wish you all a very Happy New Year!<br />
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<br />pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-77641898813982781932012-11-20T12:48:00.000-08:002012-11-20T12:48:01.946-08:00Radio silenceWhere have I been? Hanging out with <i>this guy:</i><br />
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We're spending so much time together that I've started calling him Ken and telling folks he's my new boyfriend.<br />
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I'm so thankful for all my great customers that buy from my shop all year long... and so are my friends and family because they wouldn't get any Christmas gifts otherwise. But this time of year gets a little, shall we say... <i>insane... </i>because of the holiday orders that come rolling in. By the time I finish up the last holiday order every single year, Ken and I have a serious falling out and I tell him I never want to see him again.<br />
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So please pardon the sparse posting for the next couple of weeks while I crank out lots of festive holiday collars. I promise I'll be back at it regularly very soon!pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-48723111977102942942012-10-31T11:21:00.000-07:002012-10-31T11:21:39.311-07:00The Mealworm Hop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mabel gets her hop on... </div>
pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-2817545641579193142012-10-19T13:18:00.006-07:002012-10-19T13:18:55.987-07:002012 Holiday Collection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm happy to give my readers here the very first glimpse of this year's Holiday Collection. There are <i>lots</i> of flower options this year and three bowties for the handsome gentleman in your life.<br />
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I'm most excited about the two velvet collar options I have in the shop this year! <a href="http://www.pecanpiepuppies.etsy.com/">Pecan Pie Puppies</a> hasn't ever done velvet before so I spent a year testing out the durability of the velvet ribbon by using test doggies, and I was very pleased with the result. I <i>love</i> them so much... my gals Mona Mae and Penny Sue will be sporting these very soon.<br />
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You can find all the collars you see here plus several more in the shop or you can click <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/pecanpiepuppies?section_id=10554285">right here</a>!<br />
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<br />pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-66135315508763513052012-10-17T05:10:00.000-07:002012-10-17T05:10:52.190-07:00South Carolina State FairI have a confession to make. I've never been to the fair. It's just not really my cup of tea. I think I was born old, and I've never really been into the whole "stand in line for 30 minutes to enjoy a 60 second ride that makes me want to puke." And I'm no fan of crowds of people pushing and shoving either. So cut to the fact that I've gone 32 years of my life with no fair experience. But a friend of mine had encouraged me to at least go see the animals on display at this year's state fair, and so the two of us along with her little boy set out on my very first fair adventure at the <a href="http://scstatefair.org/">South Carolina State Fair</a>.<br />
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We went early in the day in order to avoid the crowds, and that turned out to be a genius move. The weather was beautiful, and I didn't get shoved even once. First, we visited these gals:<br />
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LOVE. Now I need a cow. And please do notice the orange and purple flags flying proudly in the bottom photo. Oh yes... those are Clemson cows. My alma mater has fantastic agriculture and animal science programs so it was fun to see our colors flying high.<br />
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We then wandered around a few more buildings to see the chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits and pigs.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Clockwise from top left: Pilgrim Geese, Buff Laced Crested Polish, a sleepy Pig, and a Jersey Wooly Rabbit</i></td></tr>
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And then we came upon this poor girl...<br />
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Keep in mind that we were visiting her a couple of days <i>after</i> her due date. Bless her heart... on display for the world to see... very preggers... and faced with the certainty that she would be giving birth to an audience. I felt so bad for her. </div>
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Once we finished up the animal viewing, we went over to check out the rose show. There were tons and tons of beautiful flowers, and we wandered about for quite a while. I love to garden, but I'm not patient enough to grow roses. I planted a rose last spring... a supposedly low-maintenance variety called <a href="http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/66702-product.html?utm_source=rkgkeywords&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=20120730&utm_term=#">Julia Child</a> (I swear that's the name... it's the reason I bought it because I <i>adore </i>her)... and I have battled the forces of nature conspiring against it ever since. So I was in awe of all the beautiful roses at the show: </div>
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So for my first fair experience, it went pretty well! I enjoyed spending time with people I love, I got to see lots of wonderful animals and livestock, and had my first taste of classic fair food! I'm a vegetarian, so I wasn't walking around with a giant turkey leg or anything. Nor did I partake of what they were touting as this year's newest food creation: the Elvis Presley Burger (apparently a burger with peanut butter and bananas... gross). But I did try fried Oreos for the first time, and although I was seriously skeptical at first, I quickly overcame my opposition because they were YUM. But don't worry... I drew the line at fried butter. </div>
<br />pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-64151083694179484102012-10-10T09:33:00.000-07:002012-10-10T09:33:45.071-07:00Dog Toy Round-UpWith five dogs in the house, we go through our fair share of toys. But through the years, I've fine-tuned the collection down to the best of the best. Of course, I always buy new things as they come on the market, and every so often, the pups are so impressed with a new toy that it gets added into the top tier.<br />
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So I thought I'd share the standouts from my crew's toy box. Please keep in mind that this list is not comprehensive, and of course, every dog's personal preferences should come into play. What makes my dogs happy might not make your dog happy, but I can highly recommend all of these based our OUR experience. Oh, and one other thing to note - you'll probably notice the marked absence of anything stuffed or fluffy on this list. I'm sure there are many great options out there that fall into that category (and please feel free to share them in the comments), but I have very little experience with them since anything soft and cuddly in my house meets a swift and violent end.<br />
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<a href="http://www.kongcompany.com/products/for-dogs/rubber-toys/interactive-rubber-toys/tug/">Kong Tug</a>: Not every dog likes to play tug, but my Pit Bull Quincy sure does! And after destroying eleventy-jillion other tug toys, I discovered Kong's version. It takes regular abuse from our tug sessions at least a couple times a week, and it has remained intact and useable for over a year now. I appreciate the rubber-coated handle, and Quincy appreciates well... all of it. There are important rules to follow if you play tug with your pooch, and I recommend <a href="http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/11_9/features/Fun-Games-To-Play-With-Your-Dog_16059-1.html">this article</a> from Whole Dog Journal if you want to find out what they are. </div>
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<a href="http://www.caninehardware.com/#/product/launchers">Chuck It</a>: I've owned a Chuck-It for years now, and it's a life-saver. Well... that's a little dramatic. Let's call it a "clean hands saver." My fetching dogs will slime up a ball in no time at all, and that makes for a less than pleasant play session on my end. With this toy, you never have to actually touch that foamy, goopy mess that was once a tennis ball. Chuck-It now comes in a <a href="http://www.caninehardware.com/#/product/launchers">compact size</a>, and in my opinion, it makes a good product even better. The shorter length still gives you plenty of distance on throws, but it actually fits in your bag when you head to the beach or park. </div>
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<a href="http://www.planetbluedog.com/collections/toys">Chase It!</a>: This toy is FUN. You know those cat toys that everyone has that basically is a long stick with a long string with feather or jangly thingamajig on the end? Well, they make them for dogs now and it's awesome. When I first bought it, I had no idea how each of my dogs would react to it. But <i>every single one of them </i>(and I have a relatively large sample size) loves it. My original one broke about a year after I purchased it, but luckily, they've since improved the toy to prevent the problems that caused the original issue. And my new version is still alive and kickin' after quite a bit of use. Oh, and bonus feature - the toy on the end is removeable and replaceable should the poor creature meet an untimely death. LOVE this toy!</div>
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<a href="http://www.nina-ottosson.com/Dog-2.php#Dog products">Nina Ottosson Puzzle Toys</a>: Pups don't just need physical exercise... they need a mental workout too. And these toys are perfect for that. She has several <a href="http://www.nina-ottosson.com/Dog-2.php#Dog products">different versions</a>, and while we haven't tried them all, the three different types I have at my house have been a big hit. Most of them require a dog to remove certain pieces or move different parts of the toy around in order to access a treat. But they all definitely require the dog to use their brain. They're not inexpensive, but I think they're worth it. And I have a feeling that if you give one a try, you'll want to continue adding to the collection. </div>
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<a href="http://www.kongcompany.com/products/for-dogs/wobbler/wobbler/wobbler/">Kong Wobbler</a>: This is my dog Oliver's toy of choice (although he's not the only one that likes it). Ollie usually isn't big on most toys, but when he sees this, he dances a jig on his tiny tippie-toes. It's basically a big giant version of the Kong that most folks are familiar with, but it has a weighted bottom so instead of falling over, it just rocks back and forth when a dog nudges it. Your pup will soon discover that if they nudge it hard enough, delicious treats fall out. I actually just use Ollie's regular kibble, and sometimes will even feed him his meal in this so he has to work for it. It keeps him occupied, and he loves it! It's also dishwasher safe in case you want to fill it with messier treats. </div>
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<a href="https://skyhoundz.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=01JD83030900">Hyperflite Jawz Frisbee</a>: All frisbees are not created equal, and the Jawz Frisbee proves my point. I originally read a review for it in the <a href="http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/">Whole Dog Journal</a> and decided to give it a try. You see... the regular frisbees you buy from Target are made for humans. They fly well because they're rigid plastic, but when your dog leaps up and bites down to grab it out of the air, they quickly puncture and become sharp objects of death that rip your dog's gums to shreds. But a lot of the frisbees made for dogs are floppy and soft, and while they don't harm your dog, they don't fly very well either. But the Jawz Frisbee is both safe for your dog <i>and </i>it flies like a dream. While you probably won't find it at your local pet store, it's worth paying for shipping to <a href="https://skyhoundz.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=01JD83030900">order it online</a>. I already have plans to order another so I have a spare. </div>
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<a href="http://www.kongcompany.com/products/for-dogs/rubber-toys/extreme-rubber-toys/extreme-flyer/">Kong Frisbee</a>: This was my go-to dog frisbee before finding the Jawz. While it falls into the "floppy" category, it's a little firmer than most others, and it flies pretty well. I still use it on occasion, and it's convenient because it does fold up so it fits in a small bag or pocket. It's also usually easy to find at your local pet store. </div>
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<a href="http://www.katiesbumpers.com/documents/kb_Sqwuggie.htm">Katie's Bumpers</a>: There's nothing super fancy about these bumpers, but I really like the size and shape. And they are very well-made. The two I purchased years ago still look as good as new. These are just a good, basic and high-quality retrieve toy that I very much recommend.<br />
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<a href="http://www.kongcompany.com/products/for-dogs/wubba/wubba/wet-wubba/">Kong Water Wubba</a>: This is another great water retrieval toy. It's not quite as indestructible as the ones from Katie's Bumpers, but my dogs really like the shape and style of the Water Wubba. And while I don't have any scientific evidence to back me up, I think my pups can see it in the water a little better than other water toys I've used.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXS9zQBgSygQ3IIW-EZjoFCyaEQ1Vd039iaxwuX7yWMeXYyyhxYzpFdvMuC-2p0_YkGLaaD-Wf44CVnkXNV_9s_mz6Hqx9xKEz27oVacrreAP4f-97l1QrbzcgHy1sSS4s3QhxEZy4g/s1600/Tried+and+True.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXS9zQBgSygQ3IIW-EZjoFCyaEQ1Vd039iaxwuX7yWMeXYyyhxYzpFdvMuC-2p0_YkGLaaD-Wf44CVnkXNV_9s_mz6Hqx9xKEz27oVacrreAP4f-97l1QrbzcgHy1sSS4s3QhxEZy4g/s640/Tried+and+True.png" width="532" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.kongcompany.com/products/for-dogs/rubber-toys/classic-rubber-toys/classic/">Original Kong</a>: It doesn't get any better than this people. This is my stand-by, go-to, never-had-a-dog-that-doesn't-dig-it toy. I have a friend that calls it a "puppy pacifier" and that's really what it is. I have five or six of these in my house, and I fill them up with all kinds of things. Sometimes I put their regular kibble in there and feed them their meal in it. Sometimes I stuff carrot chips or peanut butter in there. Most of my dogs have gotten really good at cleaning the Kong out in record time, so now I fill a few at a time with layers of greek yogurt, veggies, peanut butter, cheese, etc. and pop them in the freezer. And then I give them to my dogs frozen and it takes them LOTS longer to empty out the Kong. I did have to upgrade to the <a href="http://www.kongcompany.com/products/for-dogs/rubber-toys/extreme-rubber-toys/kong-extreme/">black Kong</a> for Quincy because he is able to destroy the red ones, so if you have a power chewer, I do recommend the black version instead.<br />
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<a href="http://www.petco.com/product/2566/Nylabone-Galileo-Bone.aspx">Galileo Bone</a>: This bone is for power chewers (and don't be fooled... tiny dogs can qualify as power chewers too). The Galileo bone is similar to Nylabones in that it's man-made, but it lasts SO much longer. There's no way I could give my Quincy a regular Nylabone because he'd destroy it in no time, but the Galileo bone lasts for months. Two words of warning on this one... 1) Once your dog chews it down small enough to fit in his or her mouth, that means it's small enough for them to swallow it whole so throw it out and get a new one (this holds true for any chew toy) and 2) Don't let your dog drop this on your foot or you will say a bad word... trust me.<br />
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<a href="http://www.bestbullysticks.com/home/bbs/smartlist_168/elk_antlers.html">Elk & Deer Antlers</a>: Love, love, love these and so do my dogs. They're all-natural, and no animals are harmed in order to harvest these because the elk or deer shed the antlers naturally. They don't splinter and crack the way bones do so that makes them a much safer choice for your dog (and rawhide is super dangerous people... Just Say No!). They also don't slime up your carpet they way bones sometimes can. And they last a really long time... even with my power chewers. They're still sort of hard to find in your neighborhood pet shop, but I highly recommend the ones from <a href="http://www.bestbullysticks.com/">Best Bully Sticks</a>. And make sure to sign up for their mailing list because they send out good coupons!pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-35597523258971002552012-10-08T06:25:00.000-07:002012-10-09T10:38:30.895-07:00Eggs!It was an egg-citing weekend around here (oh, yes I did go there... I love cheesy puns). I got my very first egg from Pearl, my Australorp, about a week and a half ago. They're lovely brown eggs, and even though I was so excited to get my first egg, I've been dying to see an egg from my Easter Egger Georgina. I've had high hopes that she'd bless me with some blue or green eggs.<br />
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Well, Mabel the Salmon Faverolles started a few days ago (pretty off-white/pinkish eggs BTW), but still nothing from Georgie.<br />
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So when I visited the coop on Saturday afternoon and found the prettiest sage green egg sitting there, I squealed. Yes, that's right... squealed. Like a five year old. And then proceeded to text a picture of it to everyone I know. I'm going to have a high energy bill this month because every time I open the fridge to grab something, I just stand there and stare at my pretty collection of eggs.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jnvHWvPiRLDVqw9C2FdkEHp-7eFikw8HiJl89FiuLjsqu6ymcKLxo8BOpHVwMPTXkdElJlr7lEBqRvln-msCnac7qhzAN4KIN4gD7WWq0sMDEMOotjdNoy6LCN3hFLr00H6AisSCzQ/s1600/eggs+trio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jnvHWvPiRLDVqw9C2FdkEHp-7eFikw8HiJl89FiuLjsqu6ymcKLxo8BOpHVwMPTXkdElJlr7lEBqRvln-msCnac7qhzAN4KIN4gD7WWq0sMDEMOotjdNoy6LCN3hFLr00H6AisSCzQ/s640/eggs+trio.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The girls' eggs, from L to R: Pearl, Mabel and Georgina</i></td></tr>
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But Pearl, not to be outdone, gave me a double-yolker later that day:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinitXXa0Jt1LO-yaAtUhys6DrVHofhQE3TFYrUM0Bi6572nuWoyIg4AqDGdxC7IaGAM_EZwynfO9-QLqV4W5obpMOT9QPhBrmj5F-0bW2aIl4tC3MGJ71hgAQHQEadG-krVR9ewft1bw/s1600/IMG_2945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinitXXa0Jt1LO-yaAtUhys6DrVHofhQE3TFYrUM0Bi6572nuWoyIg4AqDGdxC7IaGAM_EZwynfO9-QLqV4W5obpMOT9QPhBrmj5F-0bW2aIl4tC3MGJ71hgAQHQEadG-krVR9ewft1bw/s640/IMG_2945.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Both are Pearl's eggs... one from Friday and one from Saturday</i></td></tr>
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I feel like I should write my girls a thank you note! I do tell them thank you every time I collect their eggs... they deserve it. And somehow, amidst all the excitement of the weekend, I did manage to get my fall garden planted:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKTsBp6lT2GTfCOiVZaB0R1JhiZGfk47Mn-PXyVWMljxb2JLKNBdrTA_HEHrsattNKn8KuFGf0QUhPuejfaE71hSrvwL1PgK0EaFXvMmCXOxNxODXg0YW_sAr4QV2Ay-ZtEOUTFbFPA/s1600/IMG_2935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKTsBp6lT2GTfCOiVZaB0R1JhiZGfk47Mn-PXyVWMljxb2JLKNBdrTA_HEHrsattNKn8KuFGf0QUhPuejfaE71hSrvwL1PgK0EaFXvMmCXOxNxODXg0YW_sAr4QV2Ay-ZtEOUTFbFPA/s640/IMG_2935.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm keeping it small scale since this is my first attempt at a fall/winter garden so I only planted one bed. I've got four different veggies seeded in there so here's hoping I'll see some green popping up soon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmTEhhC5tRBB0HjlDcre61K9-_j7BSweRkmNjFCBFbuxvDdQPXYrdFq1FILczzEiaNO4Ofa7XnXehRLrO3UvPv1CfEvXCkkxjotXSDbFp0749a21_AF6yRsX0i7i3xbjKEoUvvA33hQ/s1600/IMG_2834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmTEhhC5tRBB0HjlDcre61K9-_j7BSweRkmNjFCBFbuxvDdQPXYrdFq1FILczzEiaNO4Ofa7XnXehRLrO3UvPv1CfEvXCkkxjotXSDbFp0749a21_AF6yRsX0i7i3xbjKEoUvvA33hQ/s640/IMG_2834.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And since the second bed was empty, I threw out a package of <a href="http://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/chickens/Chicken-Salad-Seed-Mix-p928.aspx">Chicken Salad Seed Mix</a> from <a href="http://www.mypetchicken.com/">My Pet Chicken</a> so the girls will have their own supply of green goodies as we head into Fall. </div>
pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-14766350993107580582012-10-05T07:47:00.000-07:002012-10-05T10:59:23.704-07:00Friday Morning Farming...Mornings are always a little hectic for me while I feed and care for five dogs, a cat, and six chickens. And run around and try to make myself presentable for work. And it doesn't help that I almost always oversleep. But I always try to take a few minutes to enjoy the morning and the animals as they start their day.<br />
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I've pulled out the tomato, eggplant, okra and bell peppers from summer and the raised beds are empty. Well, sort of. Right now, this is happening:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneXP5NR7fvxkb4S92yY4XM1D8cNJ1xGa2ApoXZoB7Ul3FJnglS6dJk9MYhaMpzmvjVA0XcC9DROETvMdXw4bHr1mLhkkxTUD_OhukQyltRFaTDN1ERpFe-hjH6qPhyphenhyphenfPpDyszLLqZ7Q/s1600/IMG_2836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="467" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneXP5NR7fvxkb4S92yY4XM1D8cNJ1xGa2ApoXZoB7Ul3FJnglS6dJk9MYhaMpzmvjVA0XcC9DROETvMdXw4bHr1mLhkkxTUD_OhukQyltRFaTDN1ERpFe-hjH6qPhyphenhyphenfPpDyszLLqZ7Q/s640/IMG_2836.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Apparently, I'm sprouting dogs. And yes, those <i>are</i> some pink plastic flamingos in the background because I'm cheeky like that.<br />
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I'm going to plant some cool weather crops this weekend, but I'm afraid I've waited a little too late. I've had a summer garden the last two years, but this will be my first attempt at a fall garden so there's definitely a learning curve. We'll see how it goes. But obviously I can't have spinach and lettuce sharing space with those two up there (or being munched on by the rabbits that wander by), so this will also be happening:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggftrs03PzMUDjUcPdrZsD7jLLo08AsLkRzVf6ZEavXbfiuAdCqRk_MAkWJLJBsCxan_SBEppOiRv8vGVtFQJanVxtltJlM8W_GAAeONjyF-WX4l3itomhTIyHJiSVDAMsbAYly21V5A/s1600/IMG_2839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggftrs03PzMUDjUcPdrZsD7jLLo08AsLkRzVf6ZEavXbfiuAdCqRk_MAkWJLJBsCxan_SBEppOiRv8vGVtFQJanVxtltJlM8W_GAAeONjyF-WX4l3itomhTIyHJiSVDAMsbAYly21V5A/s640/IMG_2839.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We've had some wonderful rain the past few days, but unfortunately, the Silkie girls don't fair so well when it's wet. See how tiny she is? This is Eloise, and she's full-grown. She may be small, but she has a BIG voice. And this is her rocker chick look from this morning:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJv-OGzfPj-XxGmW24XWcSvQC2qYkn4JpZEj_Bs_8QLvkzJWQbUt_ch0SJA2TGrrkI_HVT6c1w88BT-_Byn_4NiC__pY0_L4JNTpuk09ampspqUN41Yh9XkqWKX1lvLe29tl34g0n7Kg/s1600/IMG_2848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJv-OGzfPj-XxGmW24XWcSvQC2qYkn4JpZEj_Bs_8QLvkzJWQbUt_ch0SJA2TGrrkI_HVT6c1w88BT-_Byn_4NiC__pY0_L4JNTpuk09ampspqUN41Yh9XkqWKX1lvLe29tl34g0n7Kg/s640/IMG_2848.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Tallulah, my other Silkie was already in the nesting box when I opened the coop up for the girls at dawn. She left me an early morning gift. She lays very pretty, off-white but very pointy eggs. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvfbXM_wWM7vzq0G4jXpUIVuPCxB0sXxlawOfsx9RvXZ4vYH4ekuWRqR9vKa4dB_Srw02nHSMaYonfm7t0bI3HUvyPi1ikPbWgWaldhLMboQYNQRAlusqmpwgXwPYVYzW2GzjhXpgww/s1600/IMG_2846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvfbXM_wWM7vzq0G4jXpUIVuPCxB0sXxlawOfsx9RvXZ4vYH4ekuWRqR9vKa4dB_Srw02nHSMaYonfm7t0bI3HUvyPi1ikPbWgWaldhLMboQYNQRAlusqmpwgXwPYVYzW2GzjhXpgww/s640/IMG_2846.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And this guy helped supervise the collection process:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKfEYXw-Glyllndif6hY8Ph2ID6J2UwQR5e-bv8M1tpzhizq6gLs5ntnK3J7CRvpZwE2bK5AIunFk3A4SgkBz1tHmXjwk2f3zIFgaDhzrM1J723quDZru8o0RQvcGdi0anwsAaxLmhA/s1600/IMG_2844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKfEYXw-Glyllndif6hY8Ph2ID6J2UwQR5e-bv8M1tpzhizq6gLs5ntnK3J7CRvpZwE2bK5AIunFk3A4SgkBz1tHmXjwk2f3zIFgaDhzrM1J723quDZru8o0RQvcGdi0anwsAaxLmhA/s640/IMG_2844.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The weather is starting to get cool around these parts, and all the creatures in my household (including me) are very happy about that. So Happy Friday everyone... hope you all have a great weekend and Go Tigers!<br />
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<br />pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-55960174653657087642012-10-04T06:29:00.000-07:002012-10-04T07:51:34.522-07:00Crushing On... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.shovelsandrope.com/">Shovels & Rope</a>/<a href="http://www.toms.com/womens/wedges/chestnut-suede-women-s-desert-wedges">TOMS</a>/<a href="http://store.apolisglobal.com/luggage/garden-bag/#">Tote</a></div>
<br />pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970099862164587530.post-23361545793547170262012-10-01T09:08:00.002-07:002012-10-01T09:12:01.902-07:00A New BeginningI began my original blog - Pecan Pie Puppies - as an ode to all things dog. And that worked out well for quite a while since I have lots of dogs and had no shortage of material. But I had a great deal of other things on my mind that I wanted to share, and so the gang and I have moved here to Five Dog Farm permanently.<br />
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My hope is to share not only my dogs and our adventures, but also my new foray into chicken-keeping, my passion for gardening and homekeeping, and whatever else tickles my fancy.<br />
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For those of you that have followed us from Pecan Pie Puppies (I hope there are some of you out there), I promise there will be many new posts about all things dog (and all of our old posts have moved here as well). But you'll have to put up with a little chicken in between. I look forward to sharing my adventures and stories with y'all, and hopefully some of what I offer will be helpful in some way. So onward we go... you can learn more about all my furry and winged beasts by clicking on the tabs up top. Thanks for reading!<br />
<br />pecanpiepuppieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01501241679027246107noreply@blogger.com0