Linus' New Brothers and Sisters

How could you not swoon over these sweet one-month old puppies? Miriam, the breeder in Oklahoma who sent me my baby, has two new litters by Annabelle (Linus' mommy) and Angel. I couldn't help but show off these recent photos of the pups- Linus' brothers and sisters. Do you see the resemblance?

Viewing these photos took me back to last August when Miriam placed Mr. Linus (then called "Taylor") in a red Barbie doll convertible and adorned him in a little Oklahoma Sooners jersey and sent me tons of precious photos of him. I immediately fell in love and to this day root for the Sooners, even though I am truly a devoted UK fan.

Three pups are still available (I am tempted but really must wait until my space can expand with my family). Miriam's Web site is www.smilingpuppies.net. And, yes, they really do smile.

Sweet Treats and Other Goodies at the Bluegrass Barkery

I've known about the Bluegrass Barkery, a bakery for dogs located in our hometown of Lexington, for quite a while now, but never had reason to visit without a dog. I thought entering the dog lover's little treasure would be like entering a salon without hair or hanging out at a repair shop without a car. I often drove by the barkery's signature sign, always releasing a pitiful sigh, kind of like the kid who wants to be on the cheerleading squad but can't afford the uniform.

Admittedly, I would have jumped at the opportunity to venture to the Barkery while renting someone else's dog. Or, I may have had no problem wandering in the quaint little house on Clay Avenue without a pup in tow, but that would have solidified my status as "Crazy Dog Lady Without a Dog." I would have felt a little like a phony, living vicariously through other dog owners (AND LOVED IT). But nobody wants to be that person. Fortunately, I am now just "Crazy Dog Lady," as I am more recently reminded countless times by my boyfriend. Baby, you WRITE A BLOG ABOUT YOUR DOG. Nuf said. Hence, we had our ticket to the barkery.

Before I continue, after having visited this delightful little piece of Heaven, I must tell you my preconceived notion that non-owners are not allowed in the barkery is bogus. Come one, come all, dog or no dog. One rule is posted at the door: CATS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.

I brushed Linus' coat and wiped off his face before we went -- we wanted to make our debut in high style. I also tied his UK bandanna around his neck as it was UK game day. Shawn rolled his eyes, pleading with me that Linus doesn't like wearing stuff. I beg to differ, but that's another blog for another day.

When we parked in front of the little house nestled in Chevy Chase, Linus' over-sized ears perked up. We set him down on the sidewalk and he darted to up the porch and to the door, aware that this was a momentous occasion. We walked into a foyer loaded with goodies, for mommy and pup, that were for only the pampered of pooches and their loving owners. Items varied from plush beds in cool prints that I would have gladly slept in if I were small enough to a smorgasbord or nutritious treats. We looked in the glass display, identical to what you would find in a human bakery, to see iced cookies and cake. The "baked" items were especially delightful to me as I am conscious of the health for both me and my dog and strive to shop locally and cook healthfully whenever possible. The store specializes in products that are all-natural, free of unhealthy preservatives and chemicals. Needless to say, I was in love.

Barkery employee Jodie was so generous to little Linus and adoringly followed him around the store as he investigated toys, treats and new friends, including a little girl wearing a purple cap. Jodie treated Linus to an extensive home-baked goods sampling, requesting him to sit for each treat but instead got an anxious Linus jig. The little bone-shaped biscuit flavors included Pumpkin Pie, Beef Stew and Hot Brown. While Linus was chowing down, I asked Jodie if she saw the French Bulldog compete in the Westminster.

"Yes," she said. "But I think yours is definitely cuter."

I'm liking Jodie and this barkery more and more every moment. But, unfortunately, Shawn told us it was time to wrap things up... game time! I bought Linus some natural wool toys, a cranberry and clove bone to freshen his breath and an assortment of the sampled treats. There are many more things I need to discover at the barkery, I feel like I haven't scratched the surface. Jodie, who owns two Basset Hounds (love 'em, we must meet) advised that we visit on Saturday morning around 11 a.m. We'll be there, and, of course, you'll hear about it!

Visit the Barkery Web site: www.bluegrassbarkery.com

Visit to Idlewood Dr.

One of Linus' favorite things to do is romp around with his cousins, Ellie, a red boxer, and Lucy, a black daschund. I say "cousins" but I guess techinically they are aunts, which would make may parent's dogs my sisters. That's kind of weird, maybe we should drop the whole real-life family references as they pertain to dogs. But these sort of references become oh-so endearing at moments when Linus bounds to the garage door to greet his "Uncle Noah." Or when we're visiting my friends they earn the label "Aunt Jessica" or "Uncle Patton." You get the idea...

All of us loaded up in Shawn's Corolla and went on a visit to my parent's house last night. Since Christmas, my mom's health hasn't been so great, so we've been taking on dinner for the family a couple times a month to help out. The bonus of our trip out is that Linus gets to play in a big, fenced yard and hang with the cousins, who usually end up chasing him around the living room and under the dining room table. In their game of "chase," Linus will often try to scamper under a dining room chair, consequently knocking it over with his huge knob of a head, not realizing he's grown so much he can't dash under them anymore. This usually leads to chair toppling over left and right, nearly crushing him. Thank goodness he's nimble.

Last night we made spring risotto with asparagus and shrimp, an excrutiatingly long process that has to be timed perfectly. It's a great recipe, though (http://www.thefreshmarket.com/recipes/recipes_details_review.aspx?RecipeID=279). Fortunately, my parents had time to spare and the Winter Olympics were on television, and since I don't own a television, I usually get hooked on anything on the screen. Shawn and I play a lot of scrabble. Don't judge.

Oh yes, and for those of you who might be interested in making fun of me some more, I also don't own a dishwasher, I don't text and I just got a microwave a couple months ago. I do own a coffee maker, courtesy of my recently wed sister.

Linus loves many people, all people actually as most Frenchies do, but he especially loves men (no, not that way!). And of the many men in his life, he gets very excited ab0ut my brother, Noah. "Uncle" Noah entered the house after spending time on campus, to which Linus dashed from his position in the living room to greet him with his wiggling, stooped to the ground body. He snorts and pouts and sniffs. When Noah picked up the little chunk, Linus gave him a quick and sloppy face bath. I must note, Linus is very hesitant to share kisses with anybody.

But he also gave out kisses to my mom last night, which was particularly special. Her eyes fluttered and she let his muzzle run along her cheeks. And she almost formed a smile. And it's those sort of moments when you know your dog is more than just a "dog."

Would love to rescue one of these babies one day when the time and dog is right. And cute logo! In the meantime, can always sponsor...
http://www.frenchbulldogrescue.org/

Bru at Westminster

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2010/02/westminster-kennel-club-dog-show-french-bulldog-bru-wins-nonsporting-group.html

Some info on our little hero at the Westminster.

The Start of a Dog Blog

To the left, Linus plays with cousins Ellie and Lucy and Papaw Mike (my dad).

Laying some ground rules for my blog:

First of all, I never think anyone should pin themselves down to blogging only about a particular part of their life. While I say this, I won't deny this is a "French BullBlog" and I would love to it to become a place for Frenchie lovers and dog owners to come for entertainment and resources. But I will endeavor to include several stories about daily life and interactions, which may include encounters with my bazaar but ever-enduring family, my even more insane second family (my boyfriend's family) and other notable aspects of my life I feel are worth expressing to my seemingly non-existent audience (therapy time... woo hoo!). If you're not reading, which obviously YOU ARE, it'll be like me talking to a wall or screaming in a pillow or something. But, fortunately, most of my interactions outside of work do indeed involve my dog.

I would also like to make this point: I have been a lifelong dog lover, but I AM a new dog owner. I don't have anything figured out about this process of becoming a doggy mommy. It's gone pretty smoothly in the past six months, but there have been gliches and problems, accidents and difficult times. But, I will say, I welcome advise from those who have been around the block (literally and figuratively) with their Frenchies, or any other puppy for that matter. Please, please, please write what you will. Criticism is welcome, but let's keep it classy.

Thanks for reading! Love, Me and My Muffin