Apologies!

Don't fret! Luna and I are alive! I know I've been really bad lately with posting our adventures and fun things. And I'm not going to use the excuse "I've been busy" because it is literally the most pathetic and lazy excuse known to man kind. So instead, I'm going to say that it's been a weird couple of weeks. Overwhelming, you could say. So again, I apologize for falling off the face of the earth!

To catch you up to speed on the last couple weeks that I've basically taken a hiatus. 

Luna and I have adventured around a couple new places that we don't normally go, or haven't been at all! I've been taking her to the dog park that Drew likes to take her to. And there, she found her new BFF. A 4 month old Siberian Husky named Obi. Such a playful couple. And Luna was very good about being submissive and playing on the ground with the much smaller Husky. I'm quite a proud mama.

We also have checked out 2 completely new places (new to us), around the Bay! The first place was in Niles, CA. A little lake area that you can "hike" around and bring your dog to the dog swim area. (I say "hike" because it was more of a paved walk... not really a hike if it's paved if you ask me). She had a lovely time, and the water seemed a lot cleaner and not as stagnet as Borris Lake in Pleasanton that we usually go to. The only downside to this experience was that Luna lost her decoy toy (it had a hole in it and she didn't grab it fast enough and it sunk. Oh well).

The second brand new place Luna and I visited was a dog park in Danville, called Hap Magee Ranch Park. Let me tell you, it was a fabulous park. It had a huge grass area that was open and not gated (so you had to keep dogs on leash there). Also had a playground and picnic benches for kids and BBQ's. And it even had a sand volleyball court! Plus the dog corrals (1 for little dogs, and another for big dogs). 

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The big dog park area was very nice. Grassy, had a lot of shade, and nice benches to sit at. The only thing I didn't necessarily enjoy was the dog owners. Not that I had a particularly BAD experience with one, but they were all kind of... how do I put it... let's just say they weren't as friendly as the owners I've met in Pleasanton and Livermore dog parks. They just seemed to not really talk to new comers, not very outgoing. Not that I am going there to be social, but it's nice when some one greets you and asks what type of dog you have and how old she is. You know, just common dog park etiquette. Well apparently, Danville dog parks you just keep to yourself. 

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Not to mention almost every dog there was a purebred, bred to perfection dog. Seriously though, there were 2 purebred Ridgebacks, still "intact" as the owner pointed out, at least 3 standard poodles there, 3 other Australian Shepherds, an Irish Setter, a Newfoundland, a Great Pyrenees, a Bull Terrier (who was a little shit), and some other dogs. There were a lot of dogs there, which was a good experience for Luna, but almost every single one was a purebred. I don't have anything against purebred dogs. I love dogs all the same. But it definitely seemed like the owners were very proud of their purebred perfect dogs that they shopped around for and paid an arm and a leg for. And if you don't know already, I'm more of an advocate of adopting dogs, not shopping for them. But to each their own, at least these dogs have good homes.

These last couple weeks, I have been volunteering a lot with my local animal shelter. It's really a great experience. It's very laid back and you can decide when you want to volunteer and for how long, which is nice to have a flexible schedule. But really, it makes me feel so happy when I am there with the other dogs that need homes. I wish I could do it more often, and save all the dogs in the world, but really, what crazy dog lady doesn't? So I do my part and try to get dogs to find their forever homes. It's definitely a bittersweet moment when you go into the shelter the next week and one of the dogs that you got attached to is gone because they finally got adopted. You're happy they found a home, but you miss their cute little face.

On Labor Day weekend, Drew and I officially were dog parents for a year! That's right, Luna has officially survived a full year in the care of two crazy people. It was a nice little moment, remembering back to when we first took her home and the first weekend being parents. It was definitely exhausting! Making sure Luna was fitting in well in her new home, and trying to figure out how to communicate with her and read her expressions and vibes. To think that a year ago, my little baby was hiccuping herself to sleep, and struggling to jump up on the couch, and fitting in my arms (barely) when I had to carry her up the stairs because she hadn't quite figured them out. So many memories just in this past year, I know I will have so many more to come. As my mom likes to point out that it was a very very expensive year for us because of Luna, I would never change it for the world. I love my little Luna-Bear. 

Our first family portrait :)

Anyways, sorry again for failing at posting our life lately. It's been overwhelming, but we are still alive and happy! Thank you so much to all of our supporters and readers out there (even if it's just 2 of you). Have a splendid day!

-Luna & Britt

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Weekend Adventure: #DogMomFail

This weekend I was a horrible dog mom and decided to do things that did not involve Luna at all (you know, took some ME time--such a rare thing!). I may have had a fun filled weekend, but Luna did a lot of sleeping in her crate (though I did have people check up on her while I was away).

Fortunately on Saturday, I was able to get her out of the house and bring her to a "new" dog park. It's definitely far from new, it's not even new for Luna! Just new for me. We went to Drew's favorite dog park in Livermore, called Vista Meadows. 

According to the name, you would think there is a love view of lush green meadows. Except, this is California, and we are in a drought, so the only view you have is dead and yellow. (Hey! We are the "Golden State" after all!)

Drew really likes this dog park because it really tires Luna out very fast. Vista Meadows is on the side of the hill, so inside the dog park there is an incline where the dogs have to run up and down the hill if they are playing fetch or chasing after dogs or whatever else they do at dog parks. 

It's a pretty good set up, they also have benches, trees (great shade for hot days), and water. You would think the last one would be an obvious at a dog park, but you'd be surprised at how many dog parks I've been to that don't have water for dogs. They expect you to bring your own water! Crazy. But Vista Meadows has that under control. They are even good about having a small dog and big dog water bowl. Well, the small dog "bowl" is more of a crater in the cement block under the water spicket, but it works.

It's funny, I have never really realized the necessity of having a small dog bowl. Since Luna was never considered a small dog, I never understood what the issue was and why people brought their own water bowls to dog parks. I just always thought "Oh, they are those people, that are specific on what their dog drinks out of." Some people are genuinely like that, but I came to realize most people who bring their dog water bowls from home to dog parks is a different issue all together! I didn't understand this issue until I brought Moxie (Luna's cousin who is a Maltese) to the dog park with us. 

The water bowls that the dog parks supply are usually buckets. Buckets that are taller than every small dog out there. These poor dogs can't even reach the water bowl. When I brought Moxie with us to the dog park, I realized this was an issue when she started panting. I brought her over to the water (thinking she just didn't know where the water was located), that's when I laughed. The poor girl was shorter than the bucket and couldn't even reach. How the hell am I going to solve this problem? I pick her up and dangle her over the water bucket, which doesn't go well. She is confused why I'm holding her over this large body of water. So what did I do? I became that girl, and made a basin with my hands and had Mox drink out of it. To other people I probably looked like some crazy dog lady, I might as well have just put the water in my mouth and fed her water like a mother bird to her babies. But hey, Moxie got to quench her thirst, and that's what matters right?

So that was my weekend with Luna. Pretty much a failure as a dog mother #DogMomFail.
I ditched her, and the one time I did actually take her out the grass was all dead. AND I forgot to bring a ball, but don't fret, another dog and his owner showed up and Luna snatched his ball. She is such a ball thief, and a tease. We gave that ball back and headed home, she was pooped.

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American Weekend

This 3 day weekend was action packed and huge for Luna!

1. OFF LEASH!

Friday, Drew and I experimented with off-leash potties with Luna. Last time we did this it turned into us chasing after her for an hour, the whole time I was having a heart attack. The Husky in Luna makes her BOLT, and the Lab in her makes her have ADD which makes it hard to get her to "come" when she sees a squirrel. But we have been working on it...slowly. So we decided to take a "leap of faith" and we took off her leash, grabbed a couple motivational treats and opened the door (dun, dun, DUNNNNN)! 

At first she was a little hyper to be off leash but stayed within 15 feet of us and just ran circles and peed. Then we told her to "come" and she did (so we gave her a treat), then told her to "go home" and straight up the stairs she went! SUCCESS!!! Happy parents for sure.

This is a video of Luna when told to "Go Home" after doing her business. (She gets ahead of me but looks back a couple times to see if I'm following).

2. Playing with 5lb Teddy

We went over to Drew's parents' house for Independence Day and Luna got to play with Teddy. I swear, every time we go over there, Luna and Teddy get better and better about playing together. The two got a little crazy when Moxie came around (3 dogs at G-ma and G-pas house can get exciting at first), but then settled down. They went outside and played with bubbles. Teddy was all about them and definitely won first place at popping the most bubbles. Then after a long play day the 3 were exhausted, and fell asleep. 

3. FIREWORKS!

This was the first time Luna would be experiencing fireworks with us. We didn't know how she'd react but seeing that the garbage truck that sounds like a plane crashing into our apartment never phases her, we weren't too worried. And when we walked to Downtown Livermore where they were setting off the fireworks, Luna was intrigued by the lights in the sky. She was staring at them just like she stares at flies, questioning how they got there and how in the world is she gonna get them! All in all a very successful, non-freak-out experience, which is a HUGE relief.

4. OFF LEASH X2!

Saturday, I took Luna to Lake Borris (the off-leash dog lake/trail area in Livermore, behind Shadow Cliffs). It is by far my favorite place to bring her. She can swim, play with other dogs, and get in a nice little tiny hike at the same time. This place is COMPLETELY off leash, and quite frankly it's the best place to train your dog off leash. There's no place the dog can really go and get into any real danger (far from busy streets, and it's basically all in a large ditch). Luna is a HUGE fan of water, I mean she tries to swim in the fountains Downtown, and I don't stop her. 

I decided that this time at Lake Borris, I would try to see how she does off leash on the walk over to the beach (well more like on leash, and I just drop it on the ground and let it drag behind her). I kept treats in hand and when she would get too far I would tell her to come back, and if she listened she was rewarded. She was amazing! I told her to "stay" when I wanted her walking right next to me (which was whenever I saw a dog coming towards us). Then I would have her sit, when the dog and its owner were about 10-15 feet away, and when they passed we would keep walking. 

I'm telling you, it must be a maturity thing, that once your dog hits 1, they listen better and do what you say (for the most part). I don't think that a week ago she would have been able to do this! It's crazy!

So we get to the beach part of the lake and she's playing and swimming and having a great time. Then this 5 month old Black Lab comes around and starts playing with Luna. This was the first time this dog has gone swimming, and the best way to teach your dog something is to have another dog train it! DO NOT EVER THROW YOUR DOG INTO A POOL TO TRY TO HAVE THEM SWIM!!!! EVERRRR!!! (It's like throwing a kid who doesn't know how to swim in the pool, and then they are traumatized for the rest of their life and will refuse to go in the water.) 

When it's time to go (when mom is tired and hot and sunburnt), I decided to put her on the leash again but drop it on the ground for a little. Then a couple minutes later I thought I would try and do NO LEASH AT ALL! And usually (like I said before) she will BOLT like there's no tomorrow. This time? That was not the case. She acted the same as when the leash was on the ground! She was a little more testing her limits but it was okay, she would turn around and walk by my side when I told her to. 

I was such a proud Mama. When we were almost to our car I put her leash back on and a dog who had just arrived was pulling his (or her) owner like you see in those movies. That Lab was easily 90lbs. Big boy (or girl). Then he (or she) just starts barking and barking and BARKING! Meanwhile, I just tell Luna, sit and stay, and she's quiet, just watching this chocolate Lab go berserk. And the owner and family say "Wow! How old is your dog?" And I tell them she's one. And they are shocked since their dog is 5 and "not as well trained." (Clearly a socialization issue). Sorry, was that bitchy? 

Not going to lie, Drew and I have done a great job training Luna on how we want her to act. Of course she isn't perfect and she still makes mistakes, but she's a dog. I'm not a military sergeant training soldiers, I am just a crazy dog lady training her crazy dog. 

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Luna's Birthday PAW-ty

Emphasis on the "PAW." Yes, now I am that lady who throws birthday parties for her pets. I tried to keep it "low-key" so I didn't seem that crazy, but let's be honest, I'm still crazy. But, if you compare a birthday party for a dog, and a birthday party for a 1 year old, at least my dog will have fun and sort of remember it. Even though I wasn't expecting anyone to show up who said they were going to, there was actually a big turn out! There were 9 dogs who ended up coming! (There were a couple of random people who showed up who weren't invited to the party, but it's a public park and I honestly didn't mind—The more the merrier!)

Luna's PAW-ty was at Robertson Dog Park, in Livermore. I bought some cheap dog toys (rope toys and tennis balls) from the Dollar Tree, and a kiddie pool from Target to keep the dogs entertained. I also ended up making goodie bags, which consisted of the Homemade Peanut Butter Oatmeal dog treats with the recipe. 

There were SO many different personalities at Luna's PAW-ty (it's just so fun to say PAW-ty). There's Luna, who would get so excited when another dog would come, so, like a good hostess, she would go greet them. She also WOULD NOT slow down the entire 3 hours that we were there. No resting or laying down once! She was having way too much fun. 

Then you had Casey's dogs, Stella and Toby. Stella is a full blown mutt, and Toby is a 14-year-old Shih Tzu. Stella was in charge of making sure all the dogs were getting along. When someone was playing too rough she would bark, as if saying "Nope, that's not okay, someone is going to get hurt." Eventually, Stella would try to get in on the fun and play wrestle too, but she just ended up being the awkward third wheel. Toby, was the dog who did his own thing and didn't care about anything going on around him. He just smelled the fence line and peed on some patches of grass. At one time he ended up on the other side of the dog park (he must've gotten under the poorly made fence), and he was just chillin' and doing his thing over there. So stealth, Toby.

Allie, the standard poodle, with her dog owner Amanda, was the next to arrive. Allie was such a diva. She did not want to play with any other dog, because she's a model now. She was just at a fundraising event and she was asked to model off the new poodle clip. So when Allie and Amanda came, Allie stuck by mom the entire time, or tried to jump up on the table to be above all the other dogs (dominance thing for sure). But in the end she seemed to do just fine and have a good time soaking up some sun.

Shree brought her dog Lilah, who is a rescue but she thinks she has Boxer, Greyhound, and some other breeds in her. Lilah is a very energetic dog, and VERY fast. She was the only other one besides luna that I saw play in the pool. She is a barker, and since she's a larger dog, it tends to scare people. Shree had to put Lilah on a leash a couple times to calm her down. And when it was time to go, Lilah whined and whined, not ready to leave.

Drew's family showed up with Teddy, the Pomeranian puppy. It was their first time at the dog park and with all these dogs and their various personalities, they held him the entire time. At one point, they took him over to the other side of the dog park to have him run around without any dogs in the way. Luna and Lilah watched Teddy from the other side of the fence and would run back and forth trying to chase him.

Hannah brought her two dogs: Bell and Louie. Bell is an older Golden Retriever, and Louie is a Ridgeback mix (a HUGE dog). Becca came with to help Hannah with Bell and to hang out. Bell did her own thing, but was still very playful and very happy. Louie played a lot with Luna, who was probably half his size. That boy was a tank! I would not feel scared walking at night if I had Louie with me. But he is such a friendly guy. 

Ziggy, the Beagle mix came with Mackensie, and she was super interested in Teddy. She was trying to play with Teddy the entire time, even though he was in someone's arms. Once Ziggy realized the tiny Pomeranian wasn't getting down to play with her, she became interested in playing with the other dogs. Ziggy and Mackensie left a little early, but still got ample amount of play time in.

Brian was the last to arrive (yep, just called you out!) with his Golden Retriever, Fez.  Fez was probably tired from the 2 hour drive over and wasn't really in the playing mood. He just sat next to Brian most of the time, and occasionally played fetch. He did however like to get real close to people and sit on their feet and lean against them, getting his fur ALL over them.

Then there was Shreya. She is dog lover, but she doesn't have a dog, so she came to get her puppy fix. Shreya ended up being the photographer and got a ton of photos (basically all of the photos in this post are from her). Thanks Shreya!

And for those of you who think it's absolutely absurd that I have thrown a birthday paw-ty for my dog, you are probably right. It is a little overboard, I'll admit, but at least I'm not a crazy cat lady ;)

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My Birthday Weekend

This last weekend was my birthday weekend—woohoo— and my mom came from Southern California to visit me. This was the first time my mom had met Luna, and I was a little worried how Luna was going to first react to her grandma (usually Luna likes to bark at anyone she doesn't know who enters our apartment—a good guard dog if you ask me). My mom arrives and knocks on our door, Luna starts barking like crazy. I shush her, and let my mom in (which is when Luna usually gets even more crazy), but instead Luna shuts up and just starts smelling her, similar to how she greets Drew and I when we get home. Very peculiar, but I assume that somehow Luna knew who she was, either by smell or some kind of dog telepathy. Luna falls in love with my mom (and I'm pretty sure vice versa, even though my mom kept calling her a "he"). 

On Friday, Drew, Mom and I brought Luna to the Dog Lake (Lake Borris), where she swam for days. Luna will jump in any body of water that she possibly can, so a huge lake full of ducks is easily her favorite past time. Unfortunately, in this California drought, the lake water was SO low that we didn't stay too long, which worked out well because we had a BBQ to go to at Drew's family's house for my birthday. When we got to his parents' house Luna got to play with Teddy (Drew's parents' 4lb Teddy Bear Pomeranian). Luna is 15 times the size of Teddy, so we tend to get a little nervous when the two play. Let's just say that when they met for the first time we were scared Luna would think Teddy was her squeaky squirrel toy. But now they play great together, and by "play together" I mean "tease each other."

When we got home Friday night Luna passed out; she was overly exhausted from swimming at the lake and playing with Teddy. The next day, Luna was still tired from the day before so Mom and I decided to go shopping. 

Sunday Mom, Luna and I walked to the dog park (Robertson Park, my favorite one in Livermore). Luna played with a McNab Border Collie mix that was super fast and playful. The two would tackle each other and "play bite" which freaked my mom out. She isn't a huge dog person and so she doesn't really know how they play and what is considered play and what is considered fighting. I totally understand this, I too get a little nervous especially when the owner isn't nearby and I can't ask them if their dog likes to play rough or not. The McNab mix seemed to have been enjoying himself, so I let it be, while Mom is OOOO-AHHH-EEEEK-ing next to me freaking out that Luna is going to Mike Tyson the other dog's ear. 

Overall, a successful time, so we left and lazed around at home the rest of the day, while Luna cuddled with Mom, and then Drew when he came home from work. I had a great weekend with my mom, and was so happy that she was able to come visit. It was the greatest birthday present of all.

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