Black Pearls

Presley

Domininque

Henry

As you all know, I have become quite the volunteer lately with Desert Labrador Retriever Rescue. I just truely love helping these precious labs and I am meeting some wonderful people who all have just as much love for dogs as I do! ( I am not the only "crazy dog lady" in this bunch!)

I love all labs and grew up with a black lab and a chocolate lab, Mac and Molly. My sister and parents both have a yellow lab, Lille and Casey and now I of course have Jesse who is a black lab. I think they are all great and whatever color, they are great dogs. However, my heart really goes out to the black labs. I have over the years heard that black dogs are harder to adopt but I have lately become more aware that it is true and that there is actually a name for this.....Black Dog Syndrome! They call the black dogs, black pearls and rescuers are really trying to get the word out that black labs and other black dogs are great dogs!!

Black dogs are at shelters longer and are euthanized more than any other color at shelters and they are often times passed over for lighter color dogs. You can read more about this at http://www.blackpearldogs.com/.

DLRR rescues a number of black labs from the shelters and I am thrilled each time I see one get adopted. My new favorite that I would take in a heartbeat if I didn't have three dogs of my own is Henry. He is a beauty and a real sweetheart!

Any of you in the hunt for a dog.....open your eyes and your heart to those black beauties!!

Wedding Weekend & Mexico Memories

Thursday I was Mexico bound for my friend Julie's wedding! I was honored to be asked to be one of her bridesmaids and have been looking forward to this trip for a long time. Julie and I played golf together at Mizzou and she has been once of my closest friends since.
The wedding was on Friday, January 14th in Cancun, Mexico. We stayed at the beautiful Secrets Capri Resort. From the moment I got there, I felt relaxed and like I was in paradise. It was so nice to be away with no cell phone,computer, facebook or anything!
Thursday by the time I got there was basically just dinner and hanging out. Friday we started with yoga on the beach. Chris has an uncle that travels teaching yoga so Julie arranged for him to do yoga on the beach for anyone interested. I loved it! We then had a nice breakfast and showered and headed to the spa for hair and makeup. After we were finished we put our dresses on and met Julie in her room to help her get dressed. She looked beautiful and was so calm and just happy! The wedding was on the beach and the weather that day was perfect! Honestly the best day of weather we had the entire trip. After the wedding and pictures on the beach there was a cocktail party before we moved over to the reception. The reception was fun with lots of dancing and drinking. :)
Saturday we spent all day at the pool. Unfortunately it was sunny for a few hours and then clouds moved in. Still felt nice to just be out there but I didn't come home as tan as I had hoped! Unfortunately Sunday after breakfast and packing and a little hanging out , I had to head to the airport! The trip seemed to come and go so fast but it was great and I am so glad I could be there for Julie and Chris's special day!! I wish Mr. and Mrs. Hartmann all the best as they begin their life together! Love you both!

Ocean and Beach View
The bride and her bridesmaids after a day at the spa for hair and makeup...now time to go get the dresses on!

Pre Wedding pictures of the bride on her room patio, she looked beautiful!

We all couldn't resist getting a picture of Julie with the old man in his speedo in the background (or "weenie wrapper" as I learned some call them)

Myself and two of the bridesmaids, Gina and Shannon.

Gina, Kelly (sister of the bride), Julie, Shannon (made of honor) and I

Gina, Shannon and I at the cocktail party on the beach just after the wedding, before the reception.

Julie and Chris cutting the cake

Julie and I taking a break from dancing

"Dog On" Good Weekend

This weekend was a busy weekend filled with dogs! Saturday Bogey had a bath and went to visit a new Hospice patient we have been assigned to. Bogey had not been on a therapy visit since April so I was a little nervous at how he would do but he did great. The patient liked Bogey and said she would love for us to visit again.
Sunday Jesse and Ripken both had baths and Jesse went on a therapy visit to Ryan House. She loves going there and visiting with the children. This time the mom was there as well so she got to visit with Jesse as well. I always love it when we get to meet family members. Whether we are at the retirement home or Ryan House, it is nice for family members to see Jesse and know that we are coming to visit their family member.
After Jesse and I were finished at Ryan House, I met my mom at Animal Rescue Center and we walked the Desert Labrador Retriever Rescue labs that are staying there. Right now there are 5 there, Ashlee, Dominique, Pluto, Hector and Presley. My mom and I take them and do about a 30-45 minute walk with each of them. Since there are 5 of them, we did our "route" 3 times. They all got a good walk and were worn out when we were done. So were my mom and I. We both laughed saying we were exhausted. Not only good excercise for the dogs, but good excercise for us! Makes me feel good that they can get out of their kennels and enjoy the outdoors a little. My small way of helping since I can't adopt them all! Certainly wish I could......

Ashlee is available for adoption or foster

Dominque is also up for adoption or foster

Insight.com Bowl

Tuesday the 28th my Missouri Tigers were in town to play in the insight.com bowl. They played against University of Iowa. I was so excited to be able to watch my team play in my own back yard. I went to the game with Jennifer who I work with and we had a great time. We grabbed a bite to eat and a few beers before the game and then went to the stadium. We had great seats, 2nd row up from the field. Only one negative..... WE WERE ON THE IOWA SIDE!! I was surrounded by Iowa fans!! Oh well, It just made me cheer louder. I was proud to sport the Tiger foam head the entire game too! (My friends and family think I have officially lost it! ) It looked like we would pull off a win until late in the game we threw an interception....we lost by 3 points. I think I might be growing up because no tears for me!!

So fun to be there and cheer for my team and show my Tiger Spirit!! I love MIZZOU!!!

Getting Ready for the Game!!

Jennifer and I at the game!

Go Tigers!

Touchdown Tigers!

Little Christmas Eve

In Norway they celebrate "Little Christmas Eve" which is the 23rd and so tradition has it that we go to dinner on the 23rd. Since I can remember every 23rd we go to Vincent's on Camelback. As always it was a nice dinner with my parents at one of our favorite places. We were feeling ready for Christmas and in the holiday spirit.