Dear Abby - Pet Meet and Greet: Neo, Rusty, Skye, Remy and Sonny

Dear Friends,

Welcome from the very chilly south!  It is feeling very wintry here, and putting me in a holiday mood.

This week we have a wonderful family who stopped by the blog to visit.  Our Doxieposse friend, De, brought her dogs Neo, Rusty, Skye, Remy and Sonny.  They are beautiful dogs and have wonderful stories!

Abby:  I'm so glad you all stopped by.  I know my readers would love to hear about your pets.

De:  First, thanks so very much for wanting to include my crew. We all appreciate the invite. The crew consists of 4 Dachshunds and a Golden. Skye, a long hair wild boar, is the oldest, she will be 16 in January of 2017. Rusty is 14 and a chocolate dapple. Neo is 12 and a double dapple, and the puppy is Remy. He's a soft wire and will be 1 year old in February 2017. And last but not least Sonny will be 3 in February 2017. 

Abby:  Is there a story behind any of your pets' names?

Sonny

De:  There's not really any stories about the crews' names except for Sonny. My first golden was named Sunny. He was a stray that was found & we got him from an ad on a grocery store wall . He lived 16 1/2 years , passing in 2000.  He was a very special pup. I knew that I wanted another golden but was a bit hesitant with the doxies. Once I found him I knew that I would end up calling him Sunny because that's what the old brain would do. So to avoid confusion, (his & mine) we named him Sonny. 

Abby: You have a wonderful family of pups!  I would love to hear more about them.

Skye

De:  Skye & Sonny are registered therapy dogs. Skye has been since she was 4 years old & Sonny just finished his first year. And can he work a room! Skye is also a certified Crisis Response Dog. She has responded to several disaster sites. But at 16 years of age I don't ask that much of her now. It's Sonny's turn to pay it forward.

Neo

Rusty

Rusty and Neo are rescues. Rusty is happiest walking his yard to keep the elephants away. And I must say he's been very successful. Not one elephant sighting in his 12-year watch. Neo is deaf. He was going to be put to sleep because the breeders couldn't " use" him anymore. He is the happiest little guy around. Just throw his ball and give him a lap and he's golden!

Remy

Remy is the puppy. And what a hoot! He's a bundle of happiness. He also thinks Sonny is his personal play toy. Remy will run from one end of the house & jump on Sonny at full speed. They run & play and wear each other out. Which is extremely funny to watch as Remy weighs about 17 pounds & Sonny tips the scales at 90 lbs. But Sonny was brought up to respect the little ones, and he thinks he's a dachshund anyway.

Abby:  Thank you so much for visiting!  I really enjoyed learning more about your wonderful fur-kids.  I can just picture Rusty on elephant watch, and Remy and Sonny happily playing!  Readers, you can leave comments or questions for De or her pups in the comments section, below.

Thank you all so much for stopping by!  I hope you have a great weekend, and stay warm!

Love,

Abby xoxoxo

Dear Abby: Pet Meet and Greet - Rex

Dear Friends,

I have special visitors at the blog from Australia to introduce you to today.  Vania has stopped by with her handsome dog Rex.  I know you will enjoy meeting them here!

Abby:  Who is your pet?

 

Vania:  My dog is a labrador/golden retriever cross called Rex.

Abby:  Is there a story behind your pet's name?

 

Vania:  Yes. My late Mom named him. She loved a tv program called Inspector Rex which featured a police officer with his German Shepherd police dog. It was her favourite show, so when we got the little pup she named him after her favourite tv dog.

 

Abby:  What is the funniest thing your pet has done?

 

Vania:  Rex loves water and mud patches so I have to make sure to keep him away from them. The other day he was running and playing in the park and I didn’t see a little mud patch and in a flash his was in there, rolling around and having a great time. His golden coat was all black and muddy.

 

Abby:  Has your pet had any adventures?

Vania:  Rex loves adventures. He loves riding with me at the back of the car. He’s a celebrity down at the drive-through McDonald's. When I drive in all the staff come to the window to greet him and take pictures. Together we’ve discovered many parklands that we didn’t know existed, he loves exploring and loves water.

Abby:  What do you and your pet do for fun?

 

Vania:  We go for walks and runs in the park and play tug of war.  Oh and did I mention food, he loves to eat and loves bananas and mangoes. He also loves to play with his doggie friends in the park.

 

Abby:  Does your pet have any favorite, special toys?

 

Vania:  He loves his soccer ball and his rope tug toy. He did have a squeaky duck that we called “Mr Quacker” but poor Mr Quacker had his head bitten off.

 

Abby:  What are some special things your pet can do?

 

Vania: Did I mention eating?  As soon as I mention a walk or a ride , he is running around in circles and goes and grabs his leash.

 

Abby:  What are your pet's most lovable qualities?

 

Vania:  Rex is a very social boy and loves to play with every dog. He is a gentle giant and plays with kids. He is also a Mommy’s boy and he sleeps on my bed. In winter he loves to be covered in a nice warm blanket. 

 

Vania, thank you so much for visiting my blog!  I loved learning more about Rex.  He is such a sweet boy!  It is wonderful that he is so good with children.  It sounds like he also loves his trips to the park!   Friends, if you have questions or comments for Vania, you can leave them in the comments below.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!  It is beautiful here after one very stormy day this past week.

Love,

Abby xoxoxo

Dear Abby - Pet Meet and Greet: Charlie and Baxter

Dear Friends,

I hope you are having a good week!  We FINALLY are getting cooler weather here.  It is starting to really feel like Fall.

Today I would love to introduce you to Charlie and Baxter, two handsome Bichon Frise dogs.  Their mother, Lindsay, was kind enough to stop by the blog for an interview.  Lindsay blogs at The Flynnigans, and you'll find more Charlie and Baxter there.

Abby: Who are your pets (names, breeds, ages)?

Lindsay: Charlie 9, Baxter 8. Both Bichon Frise. Both share the same mother and father, they are just a litter apart.

Abby: Is there a story behind any of your pets' names?

Lindsay: Charles Xavier Flynn - Charles after my late grandfather, Xavier after Professor X in X-Men and Flynn is our last name.

Baxter Burgundy Flynn - Baxter because my husband wanted to name him Buster and I refused because I didn't think Buster suited the name being white little fluffy dog, so in the end, Baxter it was. :) His middle name was inspired by Ron Burgundy in the Anchorman movie.

Abby: What is the funniest thing your pets have done?

Lindsay: I can't say that one time in particular stands out in my mind, but the boys are constantly doing funny things and making my husband and I both smile and laugh.

Abby: Have your pets had any adventures?

Lindsay: The boys have never been on a plane but they do enjoy getting down and dirty camping with us usually once a year.

Abby: What do you and your pets do for fun?

Lindsay: We have play dates with friends or at my mom's house (she has three bichons). They love being doted on and loving on Mommy and Daddy. They love snoozing and Charlie loves watching tv.

Abby: Do your pets have any favorite, special toys?

Lindsay: Charlie isn't particular with his toys. He has a basket of toys, some he played with back when he was a puppy that he still gravitates to.

Baxter is pretty indifferent as well. He will play fetch with you whereas Charlie will typically look at the object thrown, then back at you as if to say, "what?". Lol

I would say, though, of all the toys and money we've spent over the years, nothing compares to their love of our freshly worn socks all balled up. That is heaven to them. Lol

Abby: What are some special things your pets can do?

Lindsay: We've always taken pride in teaching them both to sit, down, shake a paw (both sides), high five and twirl like a circus animal all roughly by the age of 4 months, the twirling trick taking longer than the others.

Another thing we are proud of is Charlie's modeling career when he was 6 months to two years old. We had so much fun taking him to photo shoots and auditions but it was hard work, and had we wanted him to get into it more, we would've had to hire a handler, and at that point you have to question whether you want your dog as a family pet or you want them to be a working dog, both different from the other. It's just a whole different lifestyle when you have working pets that are constantly working, going to auditions. It was exhausting but a lot fun nonetheless.

Baxter also had his hand at modeling last year; he won the month of September 2016 for a local dog calendar contest. :)

Abby: What are your pets' most lovable qualities?

Lindsay: Charlie is dubbed the social butterfly of the two boys, he loves all kinds. Baxter is the more reserved boy until he gets to know you and then once he does, he's Mr. Softie. They are both such funny, sweet, smart and loving little gentlemen. :)

Thank you, Lindsay, Charlie, and Baxter, for stopping by today!  I loved hearing about the boys' modeling career and the fun they have.  I love their full names too!   Readers, you can leave comments and questions for Lindsay in the comments, below.

If you have pets who would enjoy being spotlighted here, please let me know!  Be sure to leave your email in the comments if you want to do a spotlight.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Love,

Abby xoxoxo

Dear Abby - Pet Meet and Greet Spotlight: Hansel, Gretel, and Rosalie

Dear Friends,

I am happy to introduce you to three of my dachshund friends.  They are Hansel, Gretel, and Rosalie, and they live with their mother Sheila.  Sheila is another Doxieposse friend, and she is a great dachshund person.  I love the beautiful photos she has shared, and the stories about her sweet doxies.  I think you will, too!

Abby:  Who are your pets (names, breeds, ages)? 

Sheila:  Hansel & Gretel, Miniature Dachshunds, 14yrs old

Rosalie Lillian, English Cream Longhair Dachshund, 6yrs old

Sheila adds more background for Hansel and Gretel:  "They are a bonded brother and sister who were the only survivors of their litter and weighed ½ pound each at birth. They have had a multitude of health problems. I had a vet once tell me they should have been put down as puppies but I said no. I took them from what I considered a bad home breeder."

Abby: Is there a story behind any of your pets' names?

Sheila:  Hansel & Gretel were named by a co-worker who was from Germany and suggested it because of the German breed.

Rosalie Lillian got her name from the Twilight character Rosalie Lillian Hale who was described in the books as a beautiful blonde.

Abby: What is the funniest thing your pets have done?

Sheila: Gretel is very mischievous and an instigator.  She once climbed a baby gate, shredded everything she could get into, then climbed back over the gate to make it look like someone had broken in, made the mess then left.  That day I had not put away the paper products after grocery shopping so she had a good time.  She’s chewed the bottom fabric on her love seat, she will pull over trash cans, nose around in any bag on the floor, etc.  That is why they are crated when I’m not home. 

Hansel hates riding in the car so bad he once got stuck behind a toilet trying to hide.  I also found him inside an old dog bed once. He somehow managed to get in the part that was full of stuffing and made a huge mess in the process.

Abby: Have your pets had any adventures? 

Sheila: Not sure unless you consider the time they tried to chase the rabbit when I let her loose and bedlam ensued or the time they tried to help me catch the parakeet that got loose in my apartment or the time I caught them with their paws in the guinea pig cages rocking them back and forth or the time I lost my mind thinking I could handle taking 6 dogs outside on leashes at once while dog sitting.

Abby: What do you and your pets do for fun?

Sheila: They love riding in the car (once you get Hansel in the car). Gretel even learned how to put her paws on the automatic window button so the window would roll down.   They also loved going to visit their Nana all I had to do was say the word Nana and they run to the door and start barking to leave. 

Abby: Do your pets have any favorite, special toys?

Sheila: Rosalie has a thing for socks to the point she tries to get the ones I’m putting on to wear with shoes.  

Hansel & Gretel have a favorite blanket and will pout when it’s time to be washed. They also love soft squeaky toys of any kind.

Abby: What are some special things your pets can do?

I can put food on the floor and say "Leave It" and they won’t touch it. This is a command we still utilize from our obedience days.

Hansel has always put his nose on my ankle when he needs to go outside.

Gretel has an overbite (her bottom jaw didn’t grow correctly) and this made her able to whistle.  

Rosalie will hold my hand with her paws or if I’m sitting she’ll climb up, wrap her paws around my neck for a hug.

Abby: What are your pets' most lovable qualities?

Sheila:  Without a doubt the unconditional love I receive every day.

Aww - that is a wonderful quality!  What wonderful stories about these beautiful doxies!  Sheila, thank you so much for visiting today.   Friends, you can leave questions or comments for Sheila in the comments section below.

I only have one more Pet Meet and Greet on my upcoming calendar, and would LOVE to include your pets.  If you are interested, please just leave your email in the comments.  Thanks!

Wishing you a great weekend!   Thanks for stopping by.

Love,

Abby xoxoxo

Dear Abby - Pet Meet and Greet - Gizmo and Family

Hi Friends!

 

I hope you are having a good week.  Today our good friend Angela and her sweet fur family (including my great buddy Gizmo!) have stopped by the blog to visit.  Angela runs the Doxieposse page on Facebook - fun pictures and stories there.  I know you will enjoy meeting Gizmo and his family!

Gizmo

Abby:  Who are your pets?

Angela:  My pets' names are Gizmo (doxie mix, 10 years) - Sarge (weimaraner, almost 6) - Twinkles (lab mix, age unknown, maybe close to 10) - Miss P (cat, 5) - Murray (cat, 5) - Gimli (cat, 2) - Blue (bearded dragon, 2 months).

Sarge

Sarge

Abby:  Is there a story behind any of your pets' names?

Angela:  Gizmo was named before he was born. He had an older brother that was named LB. When LB would get scared or upset, he would shake and hide like the gremlin, Gizmo. We always joked that he should have been named Gizmo. When LB was stolen while on vacation with my brother, we were heartbroken. Gizmo was born a few weeks later; he looked just like LB and we named him Gizmo. 

Twinkles

 

Abby:  What is the funniest thing your pets have done?

Angela:  Gizmo has had many misadventures and makes me laugh every day. One that sticks out was the time I had a scorpion problem in my room. I set out sticky traps all over the room. Gizmo came up to me with one stuck to his butt. After laughing for a while, I pulled it off and a brown patch of fur came off with it. He looked so embarrassed. 

Miss P

Murray

 

Abby:  Have your pets had any adventures?

Angela:  Gizmo's name on twitter is "GizmoAdventures." He has always been my little adventurer. When we would go on walks, he would go through a fence and walk along side me through the woods. He didn't like staying on the path. I would always say "there's Gizmo on one of his adventures." He has also traveled to the beach and the lake. He loves going places and seeing new sights and sniffing new smells.

Blue

Abby:  What do you and your pets do for fun?

Angela:  The dogs love to walk. WALK is their favorite word. They don't really like it for the exercise, they like the walks because it means they get to leave the yard, they get to explore new areas and chase bunnies and other vermin. The cats mostly lay around the house observing things. Gimli, he loves to be outside. He will chase birds, mice and frogs. He also likes to hang with the dogs. I call him my "puppy."

Gimli, Gizmo

Gimli, Gizmo, Miss P

Gimli, Gizmo

Gimli

Abby:  Do your pets have any favorite, special toys?

Angela:  Most the furbabies don't really bother with toys. Gizmo, on the other hand, loves his toys. Every time I come in the house, he grabs a new toy for me to throw for him. He may be the oldest, but he still has the spirit of a pup. Right now, his favorite toy is a blue jay that his auntie Barbara sent him for his birthday. As a Texas Rangers fan, I don't approve...but he loves it.

Gizmo, Miss P

 

Abby:  What are some special things your pets can do?

Angela:  I wouldn't really call it special, but it's special to me; they all do zoomies. I love watching them get excited and run in circles really fast. It always makes my heart smile. Through the years, I noticed many of my pets did the same thing, so I enjoy watching them do it and I also enjoy the happy memories it brings to mind.

Sarge, Gizmo

Sarge, Gizmo

Abby:  What are your pets' most lovable qualities?

Angela:  They are all so sweet, well, all but Murray. She belonged to my brother and he left her at my house on Christmas. She can be loving, but not as inviting as the others. But Sarge always Velcros himself to me. This is a weimaraner thing, so I read. Twinkles loves to give kisses and shake hands. Gizmo just looks at you with his big brown puppy eyes and you melt. He did it this morning. I had to stop what I was doing and give him hugs and kisses. He also likes to cuddle. Gimli is a big cuddle bug. He will actually crawl in your lap and lay like a baby and he purrs all the time. Miss P, she loves to lay near anyone (not on them) and lick your hands and also give love bites. 

Gizmo, Twinkles, Sarge

What great stories and pictures!  Thank you, Angela.   I love hearing about dogs and kitties living together in a family;  there are always fun stories.  I have to add that I also love zoomies!  I do them when I have company.  Readers, you can leave comments for Angela and her furkids in the comment section below.

 

If you would like to spotlight your pets in an upcoming Pet Meet and Greet, please leave your email in the comments.

 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

 

Love,

 

Abby xoxoxo