Are you melting yet?

Georgie and Bailey! I do not think more words are needed.

The Twins again!

What's not to love about these two chillin' together on the sofa?
The twins, Bubba and Jethro, seem to get along quite well.
Carol sent this picture this afternoon and it made me smile big.
Even chuckle.
This has been a wonderful week with all kinds of great photo updates coming from all the kids.
We love to see how they are all growing up and settling in.

Georgie (in Roseville) and his new sister!!!!

Today we received a really sweet email from the Jacobson family in Roseville. They sent us this wonderful new photo of an almost 5 month old Georgie. What a gorgeous coat; he looks absolutely amazing. Not to mention very comfortable in his cute little bed.
And then the most unexpected photo:

Georgie got a little sister! The Jacobsons just lost their old dog Copper and added this cute little black and tan Dachsie to their household. That will be so wonderful for Georgie, who already looks really interested in his new playpal.
How adorable are they??? I wonder what her name is...

Update: Her name is Princess Bailey!!

LEO!!!

We just received these wonderful photos from Leo's new mom Patricia. She writes that Leo is a "spoiled brat." Hmmm. I can't see that at all. What I do see is that he is half Bella and half Bacio. He has his mama's nose and his dad's facial expression. He also has Bacio's fur on his ears. I have to admit it is absolutely wonderful to hear how the "kids" are doing and to see how they look as they get older.
Leo sure looks like a sweetie and I am thrilled he went to a nice home!

Lainie Bug & Georgie Boy

We just received this wonderful photo from Laurie and Greg of Georgie and Lainie showing off their new sweat shirts.
I cannot believe how much Lainie has grown and how much she and Georgie look alike. It is easy to see who their parents are!
Word came from Antioch that Leo is doing well and has grown a lot. Patricia promised us some photos so we will try and be patient.
All is well with Bella and Bacio - they are back to their usual antics.

Lauren is 23 today!

Thought it would be appropriate to mention that today Lauren turns 23. What this also means is that exactly 23 years (and 20 minutes) ago, I became a Mom! It was an amazing moment, as is looking at who Lauren is today. Some of what happened in between was great and some not so easy, but the sum of it all is that I have an awesome 23-year old daughter whom I would not want to miss for the world!


To celebrate her birthday, Lauren went to Disneyland with her friend, Jonelle. It is a free ride (excuse the pun) on your birthday. Not too shabby, considering they now charge $72 admission per person!

Here is Lauren, hamming it up by the big L.

Sweater for Harper Grace

I finished the little sweater I was making to match Harper's little booties. I am pretty happy with the outcome, I just wish I had better photos. After a Micheals run this morning, I put the finishing touches on while already at the office: a little orange flower patch and some beads (which you cannot see on this photo as I had to rely on my iPhone for picture taking. )
These will have to do for now.

Updates!

On Sunday, Tom and Carol brought Jethro over for a visit. He remembered us, his old home, and Bella and Bacio too, of course. He even checked out Bella to see if he could still nurse! That was pretty funny.

Even though he was curious to explore his old surroundings, he never strayed too far from Tom and Carol - it is very obvious he has bonded well with his new Mom and Dad who are absolutely nuts about him.

Jethro is still small, but his personality certainly isn't. I guess living with Bubba (the English Bull dog pup) forces him to stand up for himself. Based on the stories we heard, that does not seem to be a problem. Apparently he likes to taunt and excite Bubba and then runs and hides under the coffee table. That is a safe place because Bubba, ... well, let's just say he does not fit underneath. And little Jethro has that figured out, of course!

He is almost off all his meds and is healing up well. It is just unbelievable what that little guy has been through, and yet he seems so unaffected by it all. Sweet little guy!
----------------------------------------------------------------
We also heard from Steve and Elaine, who gave a wonderful home to Newman, who is now called Buddy. This is what he looked like when they first took him home.

They tell us he is a sweet and exceptional pup who has brightened their lives.
Well, to be honest: that made my day. The reason we decided to let Bella and Bacio have puppies was to share their amazingness with others.

Another well-loved pup! (whose nose has grown too!!)

No more babies for Bella!

Yesterday Bella had surgery. Let's just say the procedure she had prevents her from ever having puppies again. It was the wise and responsible thing to do for Bella's health and well-being. It is also sad in a way because we know we will never have any more of Bella's amazing puppies. She was the very best Mama and we loved raising the 3 litters of puppies along with her.

Bella spent the night at the vet clinic and was allowed to come home today. While she was gone Bacio and Puppy paced the house and the yard looking for her. They were both visibly out of their element. Who knew?
Bella is doing well overall but is admittedly a little upset and mopey. She is just not too thrilled with the Big White Funnel on her head. Can you blame her, really? I had to hand-feed her because when she attempts to eat or drink, the cone is in the way. I wonder how she will sleep tonight.
Thanks Bella - we love you and are always grateful for Rafa, Johnny Mac, Blake, Kimmie, Venus and Lindsay, for John, Paul, George and Ringo, and for Newman, George, Jerry, Kramer, Leo and Elaine!

A nice response from Laurie and Greg: We want to thank Bella for our little man and our Diva girl. Both such beautiful little babies! Have you heard on Jethro I hope? George and Lainie are so cute together ...they are inseparable! For such a little peanut she is such a little firecracker!They are both so beautiful inside and out!

Lainie and George

Time for an update on one of the kids. Lainie was the first pup to leave the nest. She was the tiniest of all but Miss Personality Plus. She has been living with Georgie at Greg and Laurie's house since August 8th, going on 2 months now. She's been on trips with the RV, got a new coat and has everyone wrapped around her finger, eh... I mean, paw.
Especially Georgie.

I wonder how her 5 brothers are doing. Jethro, you ok, little buddy?

Harper's first booties

Went to the hospital today
to see Harper and give her her first booties.
She is a precious little baby girl.

I NEED PINK YARN NOW!

Very exciting news!!! My friend Emily just had her second baby a couple hours ago and it is a girl!!! Teddy has a little sister named HARPER GRACE and everybody is doing well.

Everyone but me: it is impossible for me to stay in my chair at the office. I want to drive to the knit shop and pick out a yummy girlish yarn to at least make some bootees or something.

Aaghh! This is torture.

Also, I would not mind seeing a photo of that little girl!

Just keep knitting!

Oh how I am loving this weekend with hours and hours of guiltless knitting pleasure. Yesterday I started knitting a circle jacket out of Noro (from my recently aquired stash during the sale). It was s total impulse how I came upon this pattern, but a day later I am so far into this and fully committed, unlike the sweater I started last weekend that I am ready to frog. But that is a whole other story. All I can say about that is that I am glad I made a counting error, as it is a perfect excuse to not knit the Norah Gaughan Anhinga out of the King George yarn: it is not a good marriage of pattern and yarn.
But back to what I was saying:

I am happily knitting away on my SUNRISE CIRCLE Jacket - this is the first part that is already pinned to the blocking board while I am knitting the back.
Nothing else matters. Just keep knitting. Just keep knitting.

I am smiling!!

HAPPY HAPPY DAY!!! We received a wonderful email from the Jacobson's, the family where Georgie went to live. They wrote to tell us that Georgie is doing great, is healthy and growing like weed. They were so kind to send some gorgeous photos. I cannot believe what a beautiful dog our Georgie is becoming - I am just in awe.
And look at that little Hannah holding him: is that not an image of pure bliss and joy? They will be best buds for many years to come! This is the reason we have these puppies...
This really made my day!
Thanks guys!

All gone...

NO

MORE

PUPPIES

I came home to a Gus-less home tonight.

Oh my Gus!

It is Wednesday evening and I am only too aware that this is the next to last evening that Gus will be with us. We have known for a really long time that he would be leaving us on September 18th, but that always seemed so far in the future, that I never really worried about it. Until now.
This week, as every day passed, I realized that our time with Gus would soon come to an abrupt end when Hanna comes and dognaps him on Friday to take him home to San Diego.
He is such an amazing little guy. With his sister and brothers all out of the house, we have really had a chance to get to know him. BIG SWEETHEART! He is mellow, loving, cuddly and loves to give kisses. He likes to snuggle up or lie all stretched out on the sofa in the crack between two pillows. Prefferably on his back, with his legs in the air! Gus knows how to get comfortable. "What a good little boy you are", I tell him all the time.
Gus is the first puppy we have ever had who learned to use the doggie door. He can easily get in and out as he follows his dad around the house and the yard. Gus and Bacio spend a lot of time together and are best buds. They play together with toys and run around all over the place. They also like to chew on the same toy simultaneoulsy.
Bella spends time with Gus in a totally different way, usually wrestling, with each of them trying to get the other's ears in their mouths.
We have been calling Gus by his name even since we found out that is the name Hanna picked for him and by now he really does recognize his name. He prefers to go potty on the pads and hates the wet grass in the morning and evening now that it is getting cooler at night. I totally get that, as his belly just hits the tips of the grass. Those cute floppy little legs of his are just too sweet! He will be a good size boy judging by the size of those paws.
I have nothing but nice things to say about this puppy. He is perfect. I will miss him like crazy. He will live close to my daughter Emlyn and Ari, Gus' older brother. Maybe someday they can meet for a play date!
Taking photos of 3-month old dachshunds can be a challenge. They do not stay in one place for too long, except when they sleep.
Below is a slide show with some Gus shots taken over the past week.

Belgium's own: KIM CLIJSTERS wins US OPEN!

This is a really big deal! Our Kim, from our little country of Belgium, out of the sport for 2 1/2 years, during which time she gets married, has a baby, and loses her dad to lung cancer.
Here she is, only back on the tennis circuit for a few weeks, beats all kinds of top-rated players, inlcuding both Williams sisters, and WINS THE 2009 US OPEN!!!!!
Congrats to you, Kim! You are amazing!

P-UPDATES

When I just saw the date of my last blog, I realize I have been absent much longer than I thought. For those of you who have been waiting for new photos, please accept my apologies. I was in Southern California spending some time with my girls: Lauren in LA and Emlyn in San Diego. They were out of the country all summer and I had really missed them.
Also, as the puppies started to move out one by one I was getting a little sad. It is always difficult letting them go. This time there were six, and more adorable than ever, so that made it all that much harder. Even though they all went to great new homes.... and I am thankful for that. Poor Bacio went crazy each time new folks came to the house because he figured out each time one of his children went missing. He was NOT happy...

While I was in Socal, Georgie moved out to join a family in Roseville.
I am told he his doing great.
Next it was time to let Jethro go home to his Twin Buba and his sister Izzie. I did not come back from my trip until he was gone, because seeing him leave would have been too tough. His life is really rough at the Posey's, as is obvious from the photo below.

He is healing up well and apparently he has brought out some new qualities in Izzie as she has been "mothering" him. Bubba is happy to be with his twin!

So the only pup still left here with his Mama Bella and Papa Bacio is Gus! Gus is a sweetie pie and is growing like weed. He even uses the doggie door! Impressive!

Lainie got a new coat and is ready to go on a two week trip to Oregon.

While in San Diego I spent a lot of time with Ari, a pup from Bella's first litter. Please excuse his facial expression. It was super hot in San Diego and he is not used to it. The beach dog that he is!

He is absolutely perfect: sweet, smart, does not beg for food and never barks. His Mama Emlyn has done a great job with him. I take that to mean that some day I will have some well-behaved grandchildren. :) The non-furry kind, that is.

More about Gus in my next blog - I took photos of him, but he did not sit still very much....

Tail tales

This weekend, our pups turned 10 weeks young. Their personalities are now very discernible, their activities very purposeful. They know all the routines Tom and I have. Each morning when we come downstairs, they greet us as if they have not seen us for a week! They run to their food bowl as if they have not eaten for a month. They play with toys like kids too, fighting over the one they all want, and running off to a little corner to have it all to themselves. Best of all is that they have been using the "pee pads" with a 90% accuracy, if you know what I mean. But how great is it, that these little guys will actually get up and walk outside or over to the paper to do their business. Eureka!
On Saturday, a very nice couple from Folsom, Elaine and Steve, came over to look at the puppies. I was under the impression they were really interested in Georgie, so while doing all my other chores, I made sure to give him his weekly bath first, in case they took him home that day. Not a minute after I was done trimming his nails, the doorbell rang. There they were!
And it was not Georgie they were here for, but Newman! It was instant love. And he had not even had his bath yet. He just charmed them laying outside on his back in the grass, ready for his afternoon nap. Bacio was the entertaining one; running back and forth to catch his squeaky ball.
Less than a hour later, Steven and Elaine left with Newman, his paperwork and his puppy pack. Bacio, who had been so excited playing fetch, was none too pleased when he saw another one of his sons being taken away. He was jumping and barking and crying. So sad to see another of the kids go, but we know Newman is in a great home. Steve had a Dachshund growing up, so he already knows all the joys associated with having one of these guys in your life.

Report from Danville came in that Lainie joined George and the gang on her first RV trip. The story goes she really enjoyed it and that she thought she was one of the big dogs.

Supposedly, Georgie is absolutely smitten with Lainie.
Also on Saturday, Tom and Carol exercised their parental visitation rights and came over to see Jethro. Carol brought her brand new video camera to take videos of all the puppies playing. But she was out of luck: nap time was starting and there was little to no activity.
After all the visitors were gone, Bacio stayed very close to the boys and joined them in their bed.

My friend Emily gave me a really cute and fun Dachshund pillow, that has now taken up residence on top of the sofa where you can usually find Bacio. Last night, not just Baci was up there next to the pillow, but also Bella. I took this photo:

Who are we if we are so serious that we can't be silly anymore?

Saying hello!

Hello! I am Newman. I am the first-born of six adorable puppies. Strong, wise and kind, that is what I am. Know anybody looking for a great puppy?


Hey! I am Georgie! I am super cute.
Who would not want me? Seriously!


Hey Bubba! You better watch out, you better not shout!
Soon little Jethro is coming to town!


Hi Hanna! It's me, Gus. Aren't I adorable????? (I know, Tom and Marleen need to water the plants. But they have been busy taking care of me and my brothers...)


And I am Lainie. I am a little Diva. The only girl in my family.
I moved out. Too many boys.

And then there were...

Where do I start? I intended to write about this and that and the other, but I have to write about Leo. Sweet little Leo. He just left us to go to his new home. And I am a little sad.
The Olvera family from Antioch drove all they way up here and were ready to take him home. Lots of smiles and excitement on their part.


Bacio barked the entire time they were here. It is as if he knew another one of his boys was about to leave. It was deafening.
Everything is calm now, thank goodness.
Below is the last photo I took of Leo, this morning as he was taking a nap right next to me as I was knitting.
Bye bye little buddy! You will be loved a lot, I don't doubt that!

Bacio and Bella have been excellent parents. I have photos to prove it.
For example, I found Georgie all snuggled up next to his daddy and took this photo:

Isn't that sweet?
I also find Bacio often near Jethro, keeping him company or just checking on him. Below they were asleep but woke up when I got out the camera.
Jehro says: Dad, put your head back down next to mine!

Bella too has been very attentive of her little boy Jethro, licking his little ouchies and kissing him a lot. He really likes that.

Here are a couple shots of Papa Bacio with Gus and Newman. They are so adorable, playing with dad, who loves every minute of it.


This weekend I took it easy and knitted as much as possible. Making a sweater for Emlyn that is knitted all in one piece. A felted bag with a cabled border and a leather handle, etc...
And now I am a little less sad after my neighbors Brad and Elaine just dropped off some amazing homemade chocolate chip cookies. Perfect way to mend my heart...