Denali's Birthday

That's right, when you are in love with your dog as much as I am, they get birthday parties. Last month marked my girl's 2nd birthday. And I held a party for her and her friends at work. My coworkers looked at me like I was a crazy, but succumbed to the fun in the end.

Denali recieved a special Birthday Girl crown that she wore proudly (and which I constructed out of felt)

And a dog-friendly cake.

She waited patiently...

before they dug in!

I got this recipe from my friend Emily and the dogs LOVED it. And bonus: nobody got the runs!

Peanut Butter Carrot Cake

Naturally sweet, colorful and flavorful, this cake is simple and easy to make. Great for Fall.

1 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup shredded carrots
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup honey
1 egg

Mix flour and baking soda. Add remaining ingredients. Pour into greased 8" round cake pan and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Let cool. Puree cottage cheese in blender for icing. Decorate with more peanut butter and carrots.

My boss even wrote a post about the party on his blog for work. It was a really fun day.

Before We Go...

Last month, Hubby and I went on a trek to the South. We had such a blast on our week-long trip, but I was so sad to leave my girl. The morning before we left, Hubby was going to drop her off at her good friend Murray's house to stay for the week. So I had to say goodbye before I left for work. And I totally cried because I had never been away from her so long. (I know she's just a dog, but she's MY dog!)

So, later that day Geoff sent me this:

And I totally cried again!

Don't worry, more on our trip coming soon.

Belated Halloween Post

I know its a wee bit late and this one is just a quickie, but I've had a lot of requests for pictures of the puppy during Halloween. She must have thought she looked cute because she tolerated that costume all day. Who said its over the top to sew your dog a costume for Halloween?

Perhaps the udders were a bit much?

It Has Been a Sad Week

Denali got bit at the park. Check out the flesh wound.

Took a chunk right out of her. She's going to have a scar. Possibly a little bald spot. 

Let me back up and give you the full story. Over the weekend, Hubby took her to the park and came home several hours later without her. Needless to say, I was alarmed. Was she lost? Did he forget her? Was she kidnapped by a motorcycle gang?  No. She was bitten by a grumpy dog with a ball and had to go to the vet.

He was calm. Broke it to me quickly which I appreciated. I then proceeded to melt into worry-tears. Was she scared!?! Was there a lot of blood? Did she ask for me? Just kidding. Sort of. I'm a natural born worrier who tends to ask ridiculous questions during times of crisis.

Anyway, she came home later with one of those clear plexi-glass cones on her head. She looked like a martini with a giant black dog on it. She was so sad... and humiliated. She just hung her head a moped into the house. Which made me cry again. So the cone was temporarily removed. But one good thing did come out of this cow-pie of a situation. She has become a bona fide snuggler. She wasn't a snuggler before. She was a wrestler and a nibbler but not a snuggler. But look at her now. She's a pro.

Meet Denali

Is she not the most precious thing you ever did see? Those big 'ol brown eyes. She's a handful though, maybe two, but she's an absolute kick. We love her terribly. Part black lab and part Great Dane. 9 months old, about 65lbs, and she eats 5 cups of food per day.

When when I told my father that we were adopting a Dane mix who would eat about 5 cups of food per day he said, "Hmmm.... better get a shovel."

Words of wisdom from a wise man.