Technology - A Brave New Project

Technology has never been my friend. I love electronic gadgets and can become mesmerized by snappy and cute online animation. I have the gadgets, but I can never figure out the technology well enough to do my own fun stuff - until today!

I joined Dogs With Blogs (DWB) - a super nice online community of "Blogging Dogs". This year they did a card swap and I am I have to say I was totally wowed by all the cute photos and variation of photos integrated together for truly unique and funny cards. I was definitely embarrassed by lack of tech skills. There is this one DWB dog, Pappy and his human, who do marvelous animations - so when they created an angel that we could print I thought certainly maybe this was something I might try.

I was already printing out Dory's party hats for her birthday (we are throwing a "party" next Sunday) and since Chris and Dory were stone cold sacked out - I decided to finally try the photo paint shop thingy. I have to say - at first I was just making an electronic mess - but in the end I think I did alright.


I cut and pasted the wings from one image to the other and tried my best to make everything mesh. I'm not exactly a pro, but I came out with two images I was happy with and was able to print out on card stock to make two tiny memorial angels for my tree.

I was so happy I made one of each for my tree and one each for my Mom's tree. It's hard when a pet dies and having lost two in the family this year was just awful. Some people don't like the memorials and reminders, but I like the thought that I am honoring a memory and working through the ache by being creative.

Goodness knows I had a billion things I could have been doing, but it was nice trying something new with the computer and my camera. I ended up with something that is meaningful to me and now I can hardly wait until next year's card swap - I hope to hone my computer skills and really wow them next Christmas!!

Lucy Young 1991-2006

My mom just called to let us know that our beloved Golden Retriever, Braevue's Loose Pocket Change, Lucy to the family, has passed away.
Lucy came to us as a gift from a dear family friend. This is a photo I found from her first Christmas with us in 1991. As a kid growing up in a "Labs only" family it was my dream to "have a jeep and raise a golden", needless to say I was fortunate enough to have Lucy paw her way into my life and our family. She was a gift to me, but really mom and I shared her right from the start.
When Lucy was a baby and I was finishing college she lived on the farm with mom. After college she came to live with me and we were joined by Emily Jean a year or so afterwards.
When I decided to move to the Boston area Lucy was simply too old and set in her ways to brave the big city. Lucy stayed with mom and her two Labs Zachary and Mollie and Emily followed me to Boston and graduate school.
This past October 17th Lucy celebrated her 15th birthday. Everyone knew she was really coming to the end, but no one wanted to admit it. I was glad to have Thanksgiving with her and I'm glad that Dory got to meet our grand old lady dog.

2006 has been a hard year, I had major surgery to replace my knee, Emily died all too soon after developing heart disease and now Lucy is gone. I could dwell on the pain and loss but I know it is important to look forward to all that the future holds. Dory is part of our family, my knee is on the mend and this Christmas I will be with those I love. The difficulties we have faced this year make all the joys just a little bit sweeter.

So please, take the time this holiday season to snuggle with your pet, call a friend who lives far away and take time to make a donation or volunteer for a good cause. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "It is not length of life, but depth of life."

Oh Tannenbaum!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us.
They're green when summer days are bright:
They're green when winter snow is white.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
You give us so much pleasure!
How oft at Christmas tide the sight,
O green fir tree, gives us delight!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
You give us so much pleasure!
Our tree from the side...

Our tree from the front...

Our Dory and her first New England Christmas.

Our tree was held hostage...

Hello. Dory here today! Mom is at work and since Dad is home with the "sniffles" he offered to help me with our blog today. This past weekend was lots of fun!

Dad had to work on Saturday so Mom had to brave the COLD and go rescue the pretty tree we picked out last month at the farm. Apparently it was kidnapped and held hostage - it was all tied up when Mom saved it from the farmer. I had to stay home :( - Mom said she couldn't fit both the tree and me in the Jeep!

Once Mom brought the tree in the house I gave it a good sniff to make sure it was the right tree - you know those farmers can be very wiley. (Oh and check out my pretty lobster collar - it new and my very favorite!)

Yep, it is our tree, the tree got it's feet cut off, but Mom said that it was just fine and she was going to give it a new "stand" - what ever that means.

Mom is not only smart, she is very clever. She made out tree all straight and tall again. Mom said we were going to put the lights and garland on so when Dad got home we could all decorate it together.

Mom cut just one string and our tree popped open all furry and free, kinda like me :)!

THIS IS A DORY APPROVED DOUGLAS FIR CHRISTMAS TREE!

As you can see Mom and Dad were too busy decorating, singing and smooching to take action photos of us hanging all the ornaments - but that's okay because my tree is all decorated and pretty now.

I love lounging under the tree waiting for SANTA - Mom said I have to wait a few more weeks, but at least I have a fun place to hang out while I wait.

I do have one confession, Dad said he would break it to Mom when she got home - I ate two ornaments. They were made of cinnamon and apple sauce and kid safe glue. Mom thought they were tail proof and they were, unfortunately they weren't teeth and tummy proof. Alas, they smelled better than they actually tasted and I promised never to taste things on the tree ever again - cross my heart!

MANY, MANY THANKS!!!!!!!

Dory and I would like to thank everyone so much for your lovely cards and well wishes this holiday season.

Since we are having "comment posting" issues we have had a hard time thanking everyone in person on their blog. But please know that we have been visiting all your blogs and enjoy reading each of them.

We are sending the warmest thank yous to Comet, Lacey & BLU, Charlie & Opy, Buster, Bogart, Chelsea, Lillie, Angel & Daisie, Holly & the Furry Five, Boomer. Annabelle & Snickers, Cubby & Dakota, Butchy, Snickers & their humans, Freda, Salchicha & Lilly, Isabella, Joey & Tanner, Simon, Scarlett & Shelly, Copper & Hershey, Tin Tin, Simba, Ollie & Mackie, Murphey, and Shannon, Princess & Katie.

Dory and Chris have had only one question since all the cards came in, when can they get a fox terrier of their own!!! Apparently your cards have had a big impression on them both!!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL HAPPY BLOGGING!!!