puppy – Page 3 – You Bet Your Pierogi

Tag: puppy

07
Nov
2014

Spoil Meter! The extreme levels some people are taking dog ownership to

categories: Dog Mom

How did I become one of those people I used to roll my eyes at!? The ones who buy their dogs clothes, shoes, socks, ice cream… things for humans! (maybe its because I got a puppy and it’s pretty hard to resist when you go into a store and the dog section is out of control- yes getting Freddy has opened up a whole new world to me -dog world)

But just like with everything in this world, there are extremes, there are levels of insanity- okay that’s harsh! I mean there are levels/degrees of practicality vs obsession? Not sure if I am using the right words here – but I’m sure you get what I’m saying, but in case you have no idea what I’m talking about….

Let me present you with:

Exhibit A: dog houses, I mean mansions, no I’m talking palaces!

I mean the dogs seems to really enjoy this… not sure how that’s even possible.

I guess if you cant have kids and for some reason cant adopt? this is the alternative…yes? no?

Exhibit B: spa days,( wait- cucumbers on their eyes!?) What happened to simple belly rubs?
Exhibit C: walk in closets! This is more organized than my closet!

You be the judge tho…

If you can get your dog as trained as Martha so that they can dine with the elite- all the power to you!

Lesser degree of spoiled-ness:

Ok.. this is too adorable^^ and you know what it can make sense/be a very practical solution for a number of reasons: 1) cuteness factor of 100. 2) maybe the dog is older, has a broken leg, afraid of the snow… 3) the owners are older and can’t handle carrying a dog…This is organized and concealed and I get it! I like it!

Practical:

I mean, especially for Freddy and all his hair – It’s a pain to have to wipe his paws EVERY time he goes outside in the rain or soon to be snow. He runs around and gets everything wet and muddy in the house, so I’d rather just take off his shoes and not deal with it

For hiking and especially for puppies in the winter time with the ice-melter (salt) poured all over the city streets. It can burn their paws, so actually the Vet recommended getting some type of shoe for them to wear.

Adorable- I just cant! ^

Great alternative to having a bulky crate in the house- its concealed, its the dogs “den”, It’s not obnoxious. Loving these dog dens!

At the end of the day, whatever makes you and your pooch happy is ALL that matters. Let the haters hate. Enjoy your life however you want and don’t let anyone judge or tell you you cant live your life the way you want even if it involves building a mansion with a bone shaped Jacuzzi and a walk in closet for your dog? Hey, If that makes you light up every day- so be it!

Just DO remember the pups in shelters – be sure to spread the love to them!! here are some links to shelters and rescue leagues where you can donate – whether its your time, money, food, or some of those clothes! I’m sure it would all be appreciated. (They have a wish list on their site)

* *Great idea for all you out there getting married, or having a baby aka setting up a registry. ADD a section that people can donate to shelters on your behalf! (ask the shelter of choice to create a registry page for you) – you don’t really NEED those china plates- but one of these animals does need love.**

Have a Pawesome weekend! Go Patriots!

In my defense- those toys were given to Freddy as gifts. And his dad is a big football fan, sooooo that’s my level of extreme-like I said everyone has a level from -0 to +10 and hey! at least he doesn’t have a walk in closet!….. (yet)

On behalf of Freddy, the money spent for his puppy school goes directly to local shelters in Boston. I also have 2 dog walking apps (Walk for a Dog and Wooftrax), which donate money to the shelter of my choice for every walk we go on ( which of course is at least 2x daily) AND during the holidays, we will be donating some of Freddy’s favorite treats and some favorite toys to a few local shelters.

Please e-mail me for photo credits.

17
Oct
2014

Wedding outfit #6 + Fall Festival

categories: Dog Mom, Sincerely, Karina

As promised, my outfit to the wedding! (and my handsome guy)

The dress is by Gypsy 05 – sweater material, long sleeved, above the knee paired with dark nude closed toe pumps. It was perfect – I wasn’t cold or hot – I was just the right temp all night.

Gorgeous wedding and a gorgeous young couple at the Seaport in Boston 🙂 Love Love.

We used the Uber car service to pick us up and bring us back home after the wedding – so smart as it was open bar ALL night. We defiantly enjoyed ourselves.

On Sunday, Nico went to play Kickball and I took Freddy to brunch with my girlfriends.. He met little Bella – my friends rescue dog – so precious. She took some time to warm up to Freddy, but eventually came around. Freddy was so cute, slowly nudging a toy over to her so she would play with him.

We went to Newburyport for the annual Fall Festival. Ok, I know in some way, I “signed up for this”, (as my friends pointed out) but I’m sorry if I get a little annoyed that the majority of my time out, I need to stop and answer questions about Freddy: yes, hes a goldendoodle, his name is Freddy, he is a he, he is X weeks old.. he is a mini-size…. I mean, don’t I get to enjoy my day out too? I know I’m being selfish?- maybe little, but is it bad I just want to hand out biography cards to people so I can enjoy making memories with my friends?

I DID NOT sign up for that! .. I know I’ll warm up eventually and get used to it….right?

Well, now that I’m done with my little rant -(Sorry!) the time I got to enjoy the festival was great –warm bread bowls, fried chicken and ribbon fries, fried dough, candy apples, hot cider.. the works!!

I hope everyone got to enjoy some gorgeous fall activity out there! I can’t get enough 🙂 There is a Halloween Pumpkin Stroll this weekend! I hope we end up going

Xo,

KPM

23
Sep
2014

Last weekend of Summah

categories: Dog Mom, Travel

What a fun weekend- the last weekend of my favorite season- Summer! I completed the 50-mile (actually was 53.2 miles) Rodman bike race on Saturday thanks to Nico for motivating me along the ride! There was only so many PB &Jelly sandwiches, bananas and LaraBars I could eat – so I “bunked out” with 5 miles to go. A bike riders term I learned that meant basically Im about to pass out! Anyways, we crossed the Finish Line in pretty good time- amazing!

We sat with the Big Sister Team for the BBQ 🙂 and had a great time! Gorgeous day by the way- sunny, beginning of foliage, 70’s

Some of the Team! Overall, there was about 1200 participants for the Rodman Ride For Kids! Looking forward to 2015

On Sunday, I had to take Freddy to experience the beach before the Summer officially ended! It was Adorable. I went with my parents and brother – Poor Nico was locked away doing homework for his MBA. We missed him.

My dad thinks hes a photographer -God Bless him!- (Dad, we will take a photographer lesson together as soon as I get a nice camera – hint-hint)

But I’m so happy he captured these moments

image (4) — final look at the beach! so fun

image (11) — so excited! looking at the other dogs

19
Sep
2014

Pet Portal Tips: How to de-skunk your pup

categories: Dog Mom, grooming

Freddy is such a handful!! Week 1 was a BIG adjustment… Between coming home on my lunch break, setting up puppy pads around the house, hand feeding him so he eats his food (He’s getting better now ) The waking up at 11pm , 2 pm and 5Am for “shi-shi” (Polish for Potty) is quite alright with me – since I usually get up myself for the same reason.

Anywayssss, what topped off the week…

We went for a night walk after I came home from work, made dinner while trying to keep Fredster from humping my leg (sigh) and I was a bad, crazy mom. I thought I saw another dog digging near the trash cans left out by a neighbors house – you know, white bushy tail sticking out… you would think it was a dog too? right? just with no leash, hanging out alone? yaaaaaaaaa we got sprayed! cant say I have ever experienced this… but let me tell ya it was scary as fudge! I grabbed Freddy during the spray and got the “mist” of it on myself. My nostrils still are filled with the stench. I panicked, searched the house for tomato juice (none!) but after googling and getting advice from my friend – I loaded the bathtub with vinegar, dish liquid soap and water and in Freddy went. I scrubbed the poor little guy and then wrapped him in towels and took a million annoying photos of it. We called dad ( who was in his grad class) to get us puppy shampoo from CVS.

Poor Freddy had another bath-Oatmeal this time!- when Dad got home.

Tips to take away from this:

1) Just because you see a furry tail, does not mean it’s a potential animal friend!!

2) Vinegar and water is one of the best approaches to take when sprayed by a skunk. Hydrogen peroxide with baking soda, liquid soap and water is another great home remedy… tomatoe juice is not the best solution for some reason – doesn’t do the job (apparently)

3) The smell will get faint but will linger for 2-3 months whenever your pup gets wet.

Did I learn my lesson? You Bet your Pierogis I did!

19
Sep
2014

An exciting Labor Day Weekend

categories: Dog Mom, Travel

Last week was defiantly FALL-like. For god’s sake, I got myself pumpkin beer and pumpkin spice iced coffees!! Labor Day weekend was back to SUMMER weather – between the 90 degree sunny days, cruising with the windows down, thunderstorms @night and my fav: vanilla soft serve ice-cream cones 🙂 —- nothing pumpkin spice about it… a pretty perfect way to start bringing the summer months to an end. For many of you out there, this final weekend of summer vacation, is filled with family, friends, back-to-school shopping, booze, and way too much food. For me, (I had all the above) AND MORE! … I got a PUPPY… a 9 week old baby Golden doodle pile of fluff named Freddy …. My heart couldn’t be happier – a little blessing and a BIG responsibility…. I will have a PET category that I hope to open up to others for advice, questions, experiences- like some type of a pet owner portal, where we can share any fun pet products, activities, dog parks…. oh and I will defiantly be sharing the baked treats I make…b/c it just wouldn’t be normal if I didn’t bake him something………oh what I do for the boys in my life… right Nico? 😉 Xo, KPM

I don't want to sleep, even if its 3 AM! — I don’t want to sleep, even if its 3 AM!

P.S Follow Freddy on Instagram Freddy_doodle. He’ll be modeling soon, mark my words!

17
Sep
2014

YOLO & YOYO

categories: Sincerely, Karina

image (15) — My baby bear walking up the stairs on our walk!

You signed up for a 50-mile bike ride and you just got a new puppy – where you drive 30 mins on your 1 hour lunch break just to check on him-when you should be training for the race!!…. I’m talking about myself, of course!!

People ask me all the time….How do you find the time? You have so much going on…How (& why) are you involved in so many things? The answer to How is…. a mobile calender! Without my I-Phone calender and my pocket size planner… I’d be virtually screwed. The answer to Why is…. You Only Live Once and I want to make sure I do as many things as I physically,emotionally and mentally can in a day… Granted there are times, I want to do NOTHING but snuggle up on the couch with some mint tea (or a glass of white!) and a bowl of hot fudge coffee ice cream (with cream and nuts). However, I will get down on myself if I fall into a routine of doing nothing but going to work – doing the minimal amount then going home to eat something simple, wash up and go to bed….talk about BORE. I’m sorry if that is your life… but the good thing is: you can change that! You can get involved – whether it be joining a book club, going beyond your job description at work, taking a spin or yoga class, volunteering at a local soup kitchen ( highly recommended in the next few months with the cold weather), babysitting, puppy sitting, taking a cooking class, going for a run, taking a photography class.. LEARN!

So having a fulfilled life is possible and some people do not know what they are missing until they try something new and get involved! I encourage everyone to YOLO and YOYO (You’re Only Young Once). There are so many things to do in your 20’s, new things to do in your 30’s,40’s…even 80’s! Get out there! Enjoy all that is good in this world!

The good and bad of #YOLO – I only use it for the good benefits- you should too!

Back on track to what I was trying to talk about,(ADHD problems) I have been riding from work on my bike every day this week so far to “train” -more like cope- with riding the 50 miles this Saturday!! Got to keep telling myself its for a great cause and I can finish..eeek We’ll see!

xo,

KPM