Happy Birthday, Lucy!!

“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. 

To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden,

where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” 

― Milan Kundera

Our Lucy girl is a whole year old. 

We celebrated with Logan and Janelle at one of Lucy's favorite places, The Dairy Godmother. 

She enjoyed every lick of her peanut butter puppy pop. 

Poor girl is still growing out her hair from her recent shave, 

but she was a hit with her party hat. 

Those first few puppy months weren't easy...but I can't imagine our family without her now.

She is such a good little companion and constantly has us laughing and smiling.

We are pretty convinced she's the best dog around.

Happy Birthday, Moose. 

sick moose.

“Peter did not feel very brave; 

indeed, he felt he was going to be sick.

But that made no difference to what he had to do.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia

 

As if we didn't feel bad enough about leaving Moose behind this past weekend...

she was returned to us not as her normal, happy Moose self.

We cant get her to eat and she has even refused treats(!)

She does nothing but lay around looking sad and pitiful.

It seems she caught something from one of the other dogs at her "positive playcare" kennel...lame.

Its a "cageless" kennel, which sounds really great...

but apparently it has just as many germs as a grimy daycare.

Lucy Long Legs and Irene's Impending Speed

"Staunch and faithful lovers that they are,
they give back a hundred fold every sign of love 

that one ever gives them."

— Edith Wharton

Lucy long legs here has been a dream as of late.
Now that she is getting out of those early puppy stages (which are hard, I tell you)...

I simply cannot get enough of her. She is such a good dog! 

She has the best personality [yes, I know she is a dog], but second to Mr. D

she makes me laugh more than any other breathing thing.

And while she has been a bit of a four-legged money pit, 

I can't imagine our family without her now.

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This weekend will surely be an interesting one. 

We are heading a little to the west of Hurricane Irene's path 

where its a tropical storm zone and electricity will be backed by generator.

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone up and down 

the East Coast this weekend!

riding with the wind

"Butterflies and zebras
And moonbeams and fairy tales
That's all she ever thinks about
Riding with the wind."
— Jimi Hendrix

 The temperature was perfect outside last night. 

Mr. D had stayed up working until four AM that morning 

which meant that I, too had been up until four. So, we were feeling a little

worse for wear - but it was just too beautiful outside to let it go to waste.

So, we all three piled in to the Audrey and drove to have dinner outside.

There is something about feeling the wind against your face -

all of your stress and worries seem to fly right on by

filling your lungs with a rush of fresh air. 

I've often wondered why dogs like it so much...

but I am beginning to think they have been on to something all along.

Happy weekend!

May you feel the wind on your face...

Sweet Charlie in the same car in 2006.

Lucy reminds me so much of him.

if Lucy girl could have her way...

"Stay is a charming word in a friend's vocabulary."
— Louisa May Alcott

 That nose. 

Those eyes.

If Lucy girl could have her way, 

Mr. D and I would both stay with her twenty-four seven.

And honestly, I would have it that way too...

I sure do love my little family.

This morning, she put her [huge] paw on my foot while I brushed my teeth

and carried her ball around while I got ready...

dropping it at my feet every time I stopped for more than a second...

begging me to stay and play.

Needless to say, we are all three glad that its almost the weekend. 

Happy Thursday! 

home and happier still.

"Ah! There is nothing like staying at home, for real comfort." 

— Jane Austen

This weekend was full of highs and a few adventurous plummets

resulting in my working from home today - which I must tell you,

 I love despite the not-so-lovely reason for it.

After an emergency run to the vet  on Saturday 

(in which Mr. D was still in his swim trunks and I was in... well...less than that) 

we went to a beautiful wedding in Potomac, Maryland

(this time in regular dry clothes, although just barely at that)

I STILL can hardly walk from all the dancing.

It was one of the most fun weddings I have ever been to - 

mainly because of who I was with. 

We ended our weekend last night over a home cooked meal with our "extended family"

and I just keep waking up every day feeling happier than the last - 

even when our days are full of vet bills and long commutes,

there is no one I would rather go through it all with.

Hope you had a good weekend! 

Lucy girl goes ot the vet.

"Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. 

We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. 

They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made. "
— Roger Caras

 Having a dog is not easy. In fact, 

I have thought many times over the course of Lucy girls three months with us 

that I simply cannot do it.

There was not a single day that went by while I was growing up that we didnt have at least one dog...

most of the time we had two. 

So, a home is not a home to me without a tiny heart beat following me about.

But having a puppy and a full time job is enough to make a person feel astronomically defeated. 

 And I am ashamed to admit that at one particularly low moment - 

[when husband was working really late every night]

that I sat crying defeated on the couch staring at the ball of fur and energy scampering about

and I am reluctant to admit that I sat there with tear stained cheeks googling rescues

because I just didnt feel like we were capable of providing 

sweet girl with the time and attention she needed. Lame.

Thankfully, Mr. D saved the day and made me feel a little less crazy.

We made it through that first month, 

and now the house feels so empty without her there.

And I don't know what we would do without her because she is part of our family now.

---------------

The third member of our family is at the vet getting spayed...

so, if you get a chance today...send good thoughts Lucy girls way!

photographs by Amber of Live It Out Photography

Lucy Girl Goes to the Country.

"After years of having a dog, you know him. 

You know the meaning of his snuffs and grunts and barks. 

Every twitch of the ears is a question or statement, 

every wag of the tail is an exclamation."
— Robert R. McCammon

 

Lucy is headed out to my parents house today. Wish we could take her on the plane with us...

but she will be staying in a doggy dream land 

with fields to run, a pool to swim in and friends to play with. 

We are sure gonna miss our Lucy Girl, though.

the Davis family new addition; or little Luz

"Happiness is a warm puppy."
— Charles M. Schulz

"I'm an introvert...I love being by myself, love being outdoors, love taking a long walk with my dogs and looking at the trees,flowers,the sky."
— Audrey Hepburn

Meet Santa Maria de la Luz. Just Luz (pronounced "loos") or Lucy for short. 

She is a 9 week old Goldendoodle. 

We picked her up on Saturday and I have been slightly exhausted ever since, 

but we love our new "little" addition. 

She already weighs 17 pounds and her paws are the size of a bear's paws.

Looking forward to this spring and summer in the district with our family of three more than ever before!

rainy sundays and grilled cheese sandwiches

"A painter should begin every canvas with a wash of black, 

because all things in nature are dark except where exposed by the light."
— Leonardo da Vinci

 Bright sunshine after a full gray day of continuous rain

illuminates everything fresh, crisp and clean.

Yesterday was perfect, as far as days go,

minus a headache that just wouldn't go away - I would not have changed a thing:

Husband and I joined a gym...a fact which we immediately balanced out 

with grilled cheese and fries at Bob & Edith's Diner.  

We left the windows open in our tree house all day Saturday, 

and I believe I actually heard hundreds of birds officially welcome Spring.

It perpetually rained all day Sunday -
a Spring rain that filled our lungs with pure moist air and provided an idyllic day at home.
AND we spring-cleaned our house - mopped floors and all.

Speaking of our tree house, I could not be more happy or thankful for it.

I love our little home and neighborhood in Arlington....

now all we need is a dog! We are leaning toward a bulldog still...

but I am still constantly researching breeds and need to take a trip to the animal shelter.

As much as we loved last weekend in Mexico, 

it felt really good to just be home in the District with Mr. D. 

very much alive.

"May you live every day of your life."
— Jonathan Swift

 I spent all weekend out in the country with the flu

and Mr. D has been out of commission, too.

So it was nice that we were home with my parents who took care of us, 

but now we are back to city life.

It was so beautiful here in the District on Friday, 

and Mr.D sent me the best email explaining how good he felt

about living where we live.

Who knows what the future might hold, but for now...

there is no where I would rather be than exploring the Nation's Capital with husband

(and maybe with our dog, too?!)

Photograph by Carin Davis

mountains capped with snow.

"I had rather be shut up in a very modest cottage, 

with my books, my family, and a few old friends, 

dining on simple bacon, 

and letting the world roll on as it liked, 

than to occupy the most splendid post 

which any human power can give."
— Thomas Jefferson

 Spontaneous dance parties - after the reception and early the next morning in Sophie's bedroom -

and a late night conversation with two of my new sisters.

I wouldn't trade any of it for anything.

I am so thankful for every single person we saw this past weekend

and especially for those who are now officially family. 

-----------------------

 

Somehow today I am both grateful and mournful 

for the loss of something I never actually had. 

Its a strange place to be.

So, while I go about my routine day,

my mind is stayed on Mr.D.

------------------------

I can't wait to go home and hang out with husband

and daydream names for our new four-legged family member.

mans best friend

"Do you know why the nose of the bull dog is sloped backwards? 

So it can keep on breathing without ever letting go." 

— Winston S. Churchill

Growing up, we always had at least one dog - most times two -

and I have now been dog-less for over two years. I have been wanting one so badly for awhile now

and it was a qualification when we were looking for a place to live that dogs would be allowed.

When we got married, Mr. D agreed that we could get a dog in March...

so I have been avidly researching and looking into different breeds. 

Can't decide:

English Bulldog

French Bulldog

a doodle of sorts (we had a labradoodle that died two years ago)

We are going to look at the pound, too!

Here is the list of America's 10 Top Breeds. hm.

photo from flickr