Now that they have this much nicer little home, I gave Noelle & Merry some toys to play with. I read that at this stage in their development, they need some toys to play tug with and toys to "kill" and toys to cuddle with. I got two of each so that they can take one of each with them when they reach the age to leave the nest and SOAR! As you can see, they are totally content in their new little home. I have papers outside the crate and a towel in the crate. Another thing I read was that they will soon begin to potty outside of where they sleep. I am hoping that this will work out and make it easier to clean up. So far there has been much more pottying on the paper. Yeah! The floor out here is tile which is much easier to clean than the brand new carpet in the guest room. Noelle fell asleep wrapped around her new little squirrel. It is a toy without any stuffing . . . but it does have squeakers in it (try to find dog toys nowadays that don't have squeakers). It will be interesting to be around when they discover the squeakers. I know that will drive my dogs nuts. I also gave them two hot pink bowls. One will be for water and one for food . . . and each can take one with her to her new home. I like this bowl design as it is difficult to tip the bowls over when they walk all over them. They are like little kids when I feed them . . . they get almost as much on them as in them.
With Charlotte's spa day just around the corner, I began to prepare. I will be giving her a bath the night before, so I wanted to get her some special oatmeal shampoo; I was drawn to this because it was a bit more natural. Oddly enough, it is "Isle of Dogs" shampoo with the silhouette of the United Kingdom as the logo. I say oddly enough because Jackie McGuinness of the UK donated money specifically for Charlotte's spa day. Thank you Jackie!
I was taking down Christmas things today . . . including these two lovely ornaments Andréa sent to me.
I remember thinking at the time I hung them up that there was no ornament for Merry. It didn't dawn on me until today (with a little reminder from Andréa) that "Merry" was the bag they arrived in! Here is what Andréa wrote about the slogan on the bag: "Do you know where the slogan on the bag comes from? 'Keep Calm and Carry On' was to be a WWII British slogan, if the Germans invaded Britain. You can read its history HERE. I thought of you and your 'first whelping' and thought it apropos, also." When I think about Merry's emerging personality, I think of anything but calm . . . but I sure needed the sentiments! The gifts will hold a special place in my heart . . . .

NEW-YEAR ADVENTURES HERE