Dog in a box?

Our friend Garth Riley is having a Dog in a Box Photo Contest so we decided we would give it a shot.  Hop on over to Garth's if you would like to participate.  Photos need to be in by January 31st.  Of course this stuff is never easy.  You first need to have full cooperation from all house hold puppies...

Ya want me to do WHAT?

...and then you have to find the right sized box...

I like dis box...

Seriously?

Maybe if you wear it on your head, Harlow?

...and then you need to get a few required blooper shots....

PBBBBTTTHHHTTTT!

...until you get your final shot!  Keep your fingers crossed!

Where is dis treat your keep promising me?

Wordless Wednesday - So bored...

The Princess visits her subjects...

Okay, well, we really went and joined AZGRC for this month's Yappy Hour at the Monastery.  ...but, if Harlow wants to believe her royal subjects gathered to greet her, well, okay...

Does dis crown make me too cute?

Harlow looks forward to any outing...

Turn right here, Momma.

Of course, any gathering of Golden's is a happy gathering...

Cuteness abounds at all AZGRC events!

We even had some black gold!

Catching up on gossip...

At first Harlow didn't want to get her paws dirty.

Hold me, Momma.

After a while she relaxed.

Dis dirt getting in spots dirt shouldn't go on de Harlow...

She even made a new friend!

Logan and Harlow make a cute couple, don't they?

Of course a rumor was spread that she might have been begging...

Dat looks good...

...but we all know that she was just making sure that slider wasn't a choking hazard.

Yeahhhh, Momma...  Dat's exactly what happening here....

She had a wonderful day - and was one tired pup by the end of it!

Shhhhnnnnnfffff....

Wordless Wednesday - I can haz curley fry?

When fruit gets personal...

As you all may remember, our Sam had quite the appreciation for fruits and vegetables.  Most of his training for agility earned him carrot slivers as a reward.  Nothing made our boy happier then a bit of lettuce or a slice of apple.

That isn't the case with Monty and Harlow.  Monty has gotten to the point he won't take anything from me without inspecting it first.  I slipped him some broccoli early on and he still hasn't forgotten...

Iz watching you, Momma.

Harlow, on the other paw, is still learning.  This morning I thought she might like to try a little banana.  She took it happily enough, but once she had it, she realized it wasn't the treat she thought it was.  She proceeded to hold it for about 15 minutes, looking the whole time like she may need to get sick...

I wish I had photos....

Eventually she spit it out and the gooey little blob landed on her front leg.

Which immediately freaked her out.

Still no photos, but I found a video that is very similar to her reaction:  (Not our pups at all - but this pup obviously has banana somewhere on his fuzzy being)

I finally had to tackle her to get her to hold still so I could get it off.

Harlow spent the rest of the day like this:

Years of therapy...

...and yes, I massaged her toes for her....

Wordless Wednesday - Harlow and Sam

4th Annual Pet Blogger Challenge...

...but our first year participating!  

Click here for PBC site!

 Let me see if I can do the questions justice...

1. How long have you been blogging? Please tell us why you started blogging, and, for anyone stopping by for the first time, give us a quick description of what your blog is about.

We have two starts for the blog.  It originally started July 2008 but we didn't quite have a handle on what we wanted the blog to be.  Our official start day is April 2009.  Our blog was devoted to our beloved Sam and his adventures.  It started as a bit of fun, but I'd say it has progressed well into a passion.  We have two wonderful rescued goldens - Monty and Harlow.  This past year we lost Sam, but are continuing the blog in his name.  After all, this blog wouldn't be possible if it hadn't been for "How Sam Sees It".

2. Name one thing about your blog, or one blogging goal that you accomplished during 2013, that made you most proud.

We had a couple of goals planned, but Sam's illness and passing changed a lot of that.  I've made those same resolutions this year and am making every effort to keep them.  Please see Question 12 for our 2014 goals.

3. When you look at the post you wrote for last year’s Pet Blogger Challenge, or just think back over the past year, what about blogging has changed the most for you?

I think we've stayed true to our original idea.  We wanted the blog to be lighthearted and fun.  We've helped our favorite rescue, AZGRC, with our blog too, something I'm extremely proud of.

4. What lessons have you learned this year – from other blogs, or through your own experience – that could help us all with our own sites?

The dog blogging community is wonderful.  Don't be afraid to ask for help - either with your blog or with a dog question.  We have all been there.

 

5. What have you found to be the best ways to bring more traffic to your blog, other than by writing great content?

Visiting other blogs and introducing yourself is a great way to bring in more readers.  Facebook has also helped the blog grow.  I've made business cards to hand out to potential readers.  I've found that some folks will laugh when you mention you have a dog blog, but a lot of folks will stop by.

 

6. How much time to do you spend publicizing your blog, and do you think you should spend more or less in the coming year?

I don't think I've ever thought about how I advertise the blog.  I share each post on Facebook, but currently I don't do anything else.  

 

7. How do you gauge whether or not what you’re writing is appealing to your audience?

I love to hear that reading a post made someone laugh.  Since that is the goal of the blog, I consider that 100% success!  :)  Here and there I'll talk to someone who remembers a particular post.  I love that our posts are memorable.  I also love when folks share on Facebook.

 

8. When you’re visiting other blogs, what inspires you to comment on a post rather than just reading and moving on? 

I can usually find something to comment on, although a few times I will admit I just didn't know what to say.  Sometimes posts will trigger memories - either helpful advice or a similar situation from my own pups.   I tend to write longer comments when that happens.

9. Do you do product reviews and/or giveaways?

       We had just started to do product reviews when Sam got ill.  It was too much for me to handle so I declined several offers.    Just recently we were contacted to do another review and I accepted.  I never wanted the blog to be commercial, so I will only accept reviews if I feel I can do a review with the same lightheartedness our blog is known for.

10. When writer’s block strikes and you’re feeling dog-tired, how do you recharge?

Spending time with the pups is very important for me.  I feel happiest and most content when I'm with them.

11. Have you ever taken a break from your blog? How did that go?

We've never taken a scheduled break, although there have been short periods of time where we had nothing to post.  Summers in Arizona are very hot and you can only do so many posts of the dogs lounging on the couch. 

 

12. What goals do you have for your blog in 2014?

I have several goals.  One is to guarantee 2 posts per week - a Wordless Wednesday and a weekend post of some kind.  I'd like to do a few more product reviews.   I've been toying with the idea of having a booth at this years Holiday Pet Festival - kind of a meet and greet for our princess.  I really want to work towards that. I also had a few ideas for some fun blog posts - I won't tell what they are but this is the year I want to put them together.  All I will say is that one of them is so epic it will actually have credits...  

Wordless Wednesday - It's better to not know...

The Golden Girls

We were pretty busy this weekend on the "farm".   I needed to get hay for my horses on Saturday and the neighbors and I had a Sunday ride planned. 

Harlow makes a fine truck dog and does not know how I manage to feed the horses without her help.  It only makes sense that she came along on Saturday.

I'll navigate to feed store, Momma.

I couldn't get any pictures of unloading the hay, but Harlow was a good girl and waited patiently while work was done.  She stays on a leash because the folks next door to where my horses are kept have a new pit bull that isn't friendly.  I don't want her to approach him - he is very agressive.  Harlow doesn't mind though - she is just happy that she gets to come with!

Keeping an eye on the horses...

She does get a chance to have fun.  I always stop by our friends house and she gets to play with her buddies Tori the Aussie and Cinch the McNabb.

I think she is teaching him how to use his cuteness to get more noms...

Of course, being a farm dog tires a girl out.  Harlow always catches a nap in the truck.

ZZZZZzzzzzz....

Sunday I took my other Golden Girl out, my little palomino mare, Maggie. 

I like my gold!

We covered quite a few miles and had a wonderful day!  For me, it is a wonderful way to end a weekend and start a new week. 

We hope you all have a wonderful week!  For our friends in the cold - stay safe and stay warm!