the sheltiechick blog

December Playtime and December Naps

Christmas is over and the snow has all melted. I still have a few days of Christmas vacation left, so we enjoyed our time together while I developed a new addiction to Supernatural.


Kane found a nice stick, as usual.


And proceeded to run around with it as his prize.


Rizzo thought he might check out the dog walk and I quickly was like NOOOOOPE TOO LITTLE.


So he just ran around being cute instead.


Kaner being really fluffy and a little handsome.


Where did all this fluff suddenly come from?!


Cute Rizzo butt, checkin’ out the agility field.


Running!!


Also lots of running with Kaner.


CSN Chicago replayed the World Series game 7, which I definitely watched again feeling much less calm this time, and included some Rizzo-watching-Rizzo action.


There was also some quality napping going on.


Rizzo curls up so cute and tiny!


And Kane… well.

On to a new year.


Happy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2016

If it seems like time has just flown by since Rizzo joined the family, it’s because it has. Just one week later and it’s already Christmas!


Big P sits in front of the tree for annual Christmas photos first.


Also he wants a cookie so he tries offering a head-down, as usual.


KK next!


He does a down, not because he’s offering it, but because I asked and he said okay. That’s cool too.


Next, something with the baby. Who doesn’t really know sit or down yet and has no idea about stay. Can you tell? Oh well…


A family shot! Rizzo lay down so I cued the others to down as well. Only one of them did what I asked this time before the baby stood back up…


And we got something that appears like a family photo in front of the tree! Hey, I’ll take it. That’s my family, guys.


This time I got all three down, except now Payton is definitely trying to offer head-down again. Oh Payton!


And then it is Christmas morning, and while the breakfast casserole is in the oven, we open stockings.


Payton first – without the enthusiastic cramming his head into the stocking.


THERE IS A SHEEP. Also a bag of cookies (Zukes Christmas Trees!)


Posing with his new sheep toy.


Kane is next and he looks like he has no idea what he’s supposed to do with that stocking.


Trying to tempt him by revealing cookies… Not pictured is his FLATTIE REINDEER from the stocking (although it appears in the background of other photos later.) He immediately grabbed the toy and ran off playing with it. Okay then…


Rizzo goes next!


Cookies! Yay!


Also this snow monster guy.


Now it is time for PRESENTS.


These are Payton’s presents. A nice blue gator, a brand new holee roller after we finally tore the old one to pieces, and a couple bags of cookies.


Kaner next! (With his flattie reindeer in the background.)


Kaner presents! Treats, a brand new baby rhino with a bottle inside, and a Blackhawks-colored version of his beloved donut toy.


Rizzo also gets presents and he’s really excited about that.


Another snow monster!!


Also, a platypus with egg babies and some cookies as well.


This is my baby dog and these are his Christmas presents.

And then there was much romping with new toys and nobody played with their own toys because everybody else had one that was way better.

Happy Christmas!


Rizzo Road Trip

December 17th dawned with a thin sheet of ice covering everything outside and a winter storm warning for the next day or so.

Sounds like a perfect day for a road trip.


My car is in need of some work to make it long haul road trip ready, and I haven’t been able to find a suitable replacement to buy yet… but no worries! My sister has a lovely new hybrid, and road trips sound like fun!


Driving south, at first we were playing a game of spotting the cars in the ditch. But then it started to clear up a tiny bit after we got about an hour south.


It was about 70 degrees and quite lovely by the time we rolled out of Kentucky.


I think we’re supposed to #MadeInTN here.


We’ve retrieved our item! It’s now dark and we stopped to eat some dinner before turning around and driving back.
Once in Kentucky the rain returned, and as we came further north, the winter weather started to make a return. Thankfully, having been raised in Illinois, we both were comfortable and confident in slowing down just a bit and taking it easy and returned home safe.


With our brand new puppy, who has no idea what he thinks of this white stuff.

Rizzo was born in Florida and after I put out the feelers to try and find another dog to bring our household back to three, his breeder and I connected. Turns out she owns Kaner’s sister! The sheltie world is a small one.
This little guy is fun and rambunctious and was shaping up to be a great little sport dog, so after considering flights, we decided instead of meet halfway and make the exchange.

Once we got home, he was nice and cranky, and wanted nothing to do with his new brothers. I tucked him safely into his puppy crate and we all went to sleep for a good night’s rest.

Happily, the following morning he was much happier and excited to meet his new family.

Our first new family photo!


Also, he sleeps like a dream. I don’t remember what it’s like to have a puppy who willingly takes naps outside of his crate without having to be super tired first…


Bonus: he is super cute.


We explored the new cold white world a little bit.


I think he likes me.
I think I like him too.


Visit with Santa 2016

It’s Santa time!


Surprise – Kane is really good with Santa! He wasn’t exactly sure what to make of him, but he wasn’t really scared either.


You guys have been good? Then maybe, just maybe, you can have a baby brother for Christmas.


A little bit of winter fun…

Not much snow to speak of, but we still got outside and played a bit in it!


A little family photo – no longer counting in weeks of course, but here we are!


Kaner, showing off his 2o2o he likes to work on.


A little snow-dusted Payton…


and a teensy bit of dust on Kaner, too.

Maybe later this year we’ll get some real snow!


Christmas Professional Photos 2016

It’s time again! Our annual professional Christmas photos. As usual, there’s quite a few. And continuing our new tradition, I got props for mine.


Festive headbands?! I think so.


Kandy Kaner thinks this is GREAT.


Payton doesn’t want you to know he also thinks it is great.


Yes. One of my best ideas yet.


Okay okay, let’s get real now. Just some handsome boy dogs.


This is a Payton who is super handsome and super good. Even if he is drooling because he smells girls.


And Kane… well, Kane is Kane and he wants everybody to know that.


My boys!


Oh look at how cute this Kaner is in a photo with me. What a good boy!


And this may or may not be a good representation of my entire relationship with Payton.


(I still love him lots though.)


Payton refuses to look at the camera now. Fine. Jerk.


Georgie next!


Like the beautiful little pro she is.


And then we brought out Stormie and… well.


But hey, we managed a good one anyway!


And then we put the baby in the sleigh because why wouldn’t you?!


Because it’s ADORABLE right?


Okay, so maybe I believe she is a tiny bit trouble.


My mom didn’t want a photo of her with the girls so I took one with the tiny baby Stormie!


MY LIFE.


Just kidding just kidding. We can reign this in.


And one with me and G.


Love my little girly!

And that’s the team for this year… or at least… for right now.