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Posts Tagged ‘dogs’

Pets on My Travels

Posted by: Darlene on: November 28, 2022

In: animals | Dot | Family | Travel
90 Comments

As much as I love to travel and visit my family and friends, I always miss my two doggies Dot and Lia. Fortunately, there are pets at many of the places I visit. Here are a few pictures of the pets I spent time with while in Canada in September.

Brandy, a Golden Labrador/Rhodesian Ridgeback mix. A real sweetheart.

Brandy in her yard playing ball.

Come on, throw the ball.

Grandpuppy Petite on Mudge Island

Grandkitty, Bimbay on Mudge Island

Lexi, the oldest of my Granddaughter’s pets, enjoying a sunny day.

Mandy the Newfoundland dog. A big cuddly teddy bear.

Mandy, the guard dog.

Roni, another of my granddaughter’s pets. Those eyes!

Me and my buddy Roni

And there are many cats as well. This is Earl Grey. The coolest cat ever and I love his name.

We can’t forget the goats. Did I mention my granddaughter loves animals? I didn’t get pictures of all of them either.

Beelzebub, my grandson’s newly acquired pet who seems very happy with his new home.

Lola, my son’s family pug. Another cutie.

Willow, an Australian Shepherd. A special dog for a special girl in Vancouver.

Well, not really a pet, but my great granddaughter’s badger Halloween costume.

How about an awesome cake that looks like a pet?

So you can see I had many pets to keep me company until I came home to these two.

Tags: Canada trip, cats, dogs, Dot, family, goats, Lia, pets

Good News and Dogs

Posted by: Darlene on: June 6, 2022

In: animals | Dot | friends
106 Comments

This could easily be our house.

One of my blogging buddies, John Howell, posts good news on Fridays, which always makes my day. We are bombarded with so much bad news and negativity, that good news is so welcome. Here is a good news story about dogs he recently posted https://johnwhowell.com/2022/05/27/friday-johnku-aka-tgif-fri-yay-good-news-16/

John has two adorable dogs himself, Lucy and Twiggy, who write their own post every week. Check out John’s blog to read more about them. He is also the author of some very good books.

Speaking of good news, I want to share an incredible story posted in one of our local papers here in Spain. It is a story about Zeppelin, (Zep) a dog who showed up at a local animal rescue shelter. He was a friendly dog, well behaved and popular with the volunteers. The shelter was eagerly looking for him to be adopted. Two months later, a woman and her family came in looking to adopt a dog.

A burglar had broken into their home two months earlier and had stolen everything. Even the dog was gone. They assumed the burglar had killed him. They had had a very bad year and were obviously depressed. All their things had been stolen, their dog was dead and their father had passed away a year earlier. After two months they decided to adopt another dog to help ease the pain. When they went to the local animal shelter, who did they see but Zeppelin. They all shouted, “That’s our dog!” There was Zep, alive and well and happy to see them.

It was reported that there weren’t enough tissues that day at the shelter!

Doesn`t that just make your heart melt?

As many of you know, we have two rescue dogs. We adopted Dot six years ago and added Lia to our family a little over a year ago. We love them to bits and there is never a dull moment with them. Here are a few pictures of them.

You may think all they do is sleep, but it is the only time I can get a good picture!

OK, I got one when they were not sleeping.

They enjoy going to the beach and playing on the rocks

Sharing treats with their doggie friends

Dot on her third birthday. She was happier when she got to eat the cupcake.

Waiting for dad to take them for a car ride

A good friend painted this for me. I love it!

They spend a lot of time barking at nothing.

Do you have any good news or dog stories to share?

Tags: Dog cartoons, dog stories, dogs, dogs on the beach, good news, John Howell, rescue dogs

A Christmas Letter from Dot and Lia

Posted by: Darlene on: December 21, 2021

In: animals | Christmas | Dot
60 Comments

Hi everyone. Dot here. This is my sixth Christmas in my forever home and I’m looking forward to it. At least Mom hasn’t tried to put those silly reindeer antlers on me again. Mom decorated the tree and put up stockings for me and the little terror, I mean Lia. I’m trying hard to be good so that Santa brings me something nice. I hope he remembers I don’t like squeaky toys. I like bones to chew but sometimes Lia takes them away from me. (Even though she has one of her own) That’s crazy little sisters for you.

Dad put sparkly lights outside. We like Dad. He takes us along for coffee and if it’s cold we wear our coats.

This is Lia. I’ve never written a Christmas letter before. They tell me to be good because if I am, some guy named Santa will come and bring presents. I don’t know anything about this Christmas they keep talking about. Dad brought a tree into the house and Mom hung shiny things on it. I didn’t think trees belonged in a house, but this one doesn’t smell like the trees in the forest. I like living in a house. It’s cosy and warm and there are three blankets on the bed for me to cuddle up in. I guess one is supposed to be for Dot. The bowl is full of yummy food and I get to run on the beach with Dot. I’ve made other friends too when we go for walks. I used to bark at them until I realized they weren’t going to hurt me even if they are much bigger than me. I hope there will be treats for Christmas, whatever that is. Dad gives all of us treats if we are good. Maybe he is like this Santa Claus they keep talking about. I’m trying very hard to be good. Honest.

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and hope you get many treats and lots of cuddles!

Here is something from all of us. Well, Lia wouldn’t sit still long enough to be in the video.
https://www.jibjab.com/view/make/feliz_navidad/478d81d8-b35e-4789-b9ca-1714d6aed07e

Love, Dot and Lia

Tags: Christmas, Christmas letter, dogs, Dot, Lia

The Love of Pets

Posted by: Darlene on: October 16, 2021

In: animals | Dot | Family | Travel
98 Comments

I missed my two fur babies while I was away, but they were safe at home with hubby. Fortunately, everywhere I went, pets were available to cuddle, play with and walk. My granddaughter has a menagerie of animals at her place. Here’s a few pictures of the pets I spent time with.

Lexi and Roni at my granddaughters place

Timothy, an elegant old man helping out in the office

She even has goats to play with.

Goat love. Granddaughter with her goats.

I got to walk my friend’s granddogs too.

But I was very happy to come home to my two girls.

Dot and Lia waiting for Mom to come home

Tags: Alberta visit, cats, dogs, Dot, Family visit, goats, Lia, pets

An Addition to the Family

Posted by: Darlene on: February 8, 2021

In: animals | Dot | Family
90 Comments

Although some of you already know about this, I´m so excited to share this news. After some consideration, we adopted another dog, a little sister for Dot! Her name is Lia, she is three years old and a bodeguero, the same breed as our Dot. She is a bundle of energy and a real sweetheart. Dot is starting to get used to having her around. Like all new parents, we have taken tons of pictures.

Lia has her own bed but insists on sleeping in Dot´s

Waiting for Dad to take them to the beach

Having fun at the beach.

You can be sure there will be more pictures!

Tags: dogs, dogs on the beach, Dot the dog, family, fur babies, Lia, pets, the beach

Ani’s Advent 2020! Dot (and Darlene Foster) on The Year of the Pandemic

Posted by: Darlene on: December 4, 2020

In: animals | Christmas | guest posts | Writing
25 Comments

Dot is a guest on Ani’s blog today where she talks about the pandemic from a dogs point of view. Enjoy.

The Small Dog

Dear Santa,

I have my friend from Spain over today. We haven’t actually met, but then, she lives a long way away and although the two-legses usually get to gallivant all over the place, they don’t seem to like it if we wander off on our own…

But, this year, even the two-legses have been kept on a short leash, so we’ve had them at home a lot more, which is good for us, even if they’ve not been too happy about it.

They do seem to be getting a bit peaky though. I’m sure mine is starting with kennel cough from not getting out enough. And she is definitely in need of more exercise… I think maybe we should all just ask you for an end to all this staying at home malarkey…

Mind you, I have to wonder about you, Santa. You get out and about plenty… a…

View original post 1,263 more words

Tags: 2020, Ani's Advent Calendar, Christmas, dogs, Dot, Dot the dog, guest dog, pandemic, Sue Vincent

Dot Turns Five!

Posted by: Darlene on: November 9, 2020

In: animals | Dot | Spain
94 Comments

Hi Readers! Dot here. I just turned five years old. I had a little party and got two of my favourite bones and a cup cake. I´m one lucky dog.

I have a good life here on the Costa Blanca of Spain since mom and dad adopted me. I thought I would share some of my favourite things with you, because mom said I could.

I love the beach and playing with my friends at the beach

I love going to the park and chasing squirrels

Sometimes I make friends at the park. I love my warm jackets for cool winter days too.

I really love playing with my best friend Patch. I´m so happy I´m smiling.

I love ice cream and wait in line patiently when the ice cream lady comes every Monday. She told us last week it would be her last visit until March. I don´t know if I can wait that long!

I love the children who come to visit and play with me.

My chair is a good place to watch for Dad to come home. You can see why I´m called Dot.

Sometimes I sneak into mom and dad´s bed and have a really good sleep.

It´s Remembrance Day on Wednesday and I hope everyone remembers those who gave their lives so we can all have a good life.

Thanks for reading about me and my good life.

Dot the Dog

Tags: beach, Birthday, dogs, Dot, park, pets, Remembrance Day, Spain

Dot’s Post on Fur Kid Friday

Posted by: Darlene on: November 3, 2019

In: Dot | guest posts
51 Comments

While I was away in Canada, Dot was a busy dog. She was a guest on Victoria Ziglar’s blog where she was interviewed by Lilie the Westie. I think she did a great job and I’m so proud of her. Here is the post, check it out and leave Dot a comment.

Friday, October 18, 2019

Friends Of #FurkidFriday: Dot

Hi everyone. This is Lilie the Westie.

I’ve got another friend for you to meet today. Her name is Dot. So, let’s meet her, shall we?

Hi Dot. Nice name… Short and simple. So, Dot, how did you get your name?

My name is Dot because I have a large dot on my back. I was called Dottie when mom and dad adopted me, but mom didn’t like it so she shortened it to Dot.

That makes sense. What species and breed are you?

I am a Bodeguero, a Spanish breed. I’m part Jack Russell and part Fox Terrier. We were bred initially to keep the vermin out of the bodegas (wine cellars). Now we just chase cats.

You sound like an interesting dog. Mummy says she bets you’re adorable. So, can you please describe your appearance. I know you also sent a photo – which I’ll share in a moment – but please describe yourself too, for the benefit of those who can’t see the photo, like my Mummy.

I’m adorable, at least that’s what mom says. I have short white hair, with a few black dots. My face is white, black and brown, my eyes are chocolate brown and I have brown velvety floppy ears. I have long legs and have the shape of a whippet but not quite as skinny. I can run very fast and jump over walls and fences like a gazelle.

Enjoy the rest of Dot’s interview here:

https://ziglernews.blogspot.com/2019/10/friends-of-furkidfriday-dot.html

I’m so happy to be back home with this clever little dog.

Tags: dogs, Dot, FurkidFriday, guest dog, guest post, Lilie the Westie, Victoria Ziglar

World Book Day and A Birthday!

Posted by: Darlene on: March 17, 2019

In: Books | Events | special occassions
68 Comments

World Book Day was March 7th this year which also happens to be my birthday. When I was asked to visit an International School close to my home in Spain on March 7th, I was delighted. There is nothing I would rather do on my birthday than spend it with Grade 4, 5 and 6 students talking about my books and writing in general.

To celebrate World Book Day the students created book spines of favourite books to display on a wall. I was pleased to see Amanda in Spain amongst titles by Roald Dahl, J K Rowling and other great authors.

I spent the entire school day presenting to three grades of about forty students each. The children were very attentive, enjoyed the PowerPoint presentation, listening to the readings and eagerly joined in the brainstorming activity. I always love the Q and A session because you never know what you will get. Every group is different. One young person asked me “How long does it take to perfect a story?” Wow! Usually, they ask how long it takes to write a book but don’t even think about perfecting it. That prompted a discussion on revision. Another clever student asked me if I knew more about my main character than was in the book. From kids aged 10 to 12, these were astute questions.

Because they knew it was my birthday, I was given a lovely gift of chocolates and hand-made cards. I felt very special.

My birthday cake was made and decorated by Cakes ‘n’ Bakes, the local Coffee Shop I held a book signing at last year. Isn’t it just perfect!!

Since I was busy on my birthday, we decided to have an open house party on Sunday, March 10th, a sunny afternoon. About twenty friends, family and neighbours dropped by. Everyone had a great time and I was so happy to be surrounded by people I love.

Nice to see family

and writer friends

“It wouldn’t be a party without you” party plates

Some of the cake is gone but we are still having fun.

I was delighted with all the beautiful flowers I was gifted. You can never have too many flowers.

So now I am another year older and look forward to the coming year! Life is good when you have friends, flowers, chocolate, sunshine and a dog!

Dot had a good time too, but was exhausted after the party.

Tags: Amanda Travels, Birthday, birthday cake, Cakes 'n' Bakes, dogs, Dot, friends and family, school visit, World Book Day

Ani’s Advent Calendar 2018! Letters, Darlene Foster and Dot

Posted by: Darlene on: December 9, 2018

In: Christmas | Dot | guest posts
35 Comments

Dot is featured on Ani’s Advent Calendar today. Read her letter and leave a comment. I will be away until the New Year but will check in from time to time. Dot, Paul and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

Dot last year. Not happy as a reindeer.

Sue Vincent's Daily Echo

We haven’t had any Christmas cards yet. We don’t get many except the ones we get by email, The two-legs says there used to be loads of them when the boys were at home, and she’d have to make a special trip to recycle most of them afterwards.

She says that the email ones are probably better for the forests, but she sighs anyway. It isn’t easy giving up the things you enjoy, even when you know it is for the best. But she loves trees better than cards and they last longer. Except when she keeps them for years and years…

And she does keep some of them. Every year, when she gets the trimmings out for the tree, she takes them out of the box and I watch her. Sometimes she smiles, sometimes there is a stray tear, but she always goes all soft.

She likes letters. Not…

View original post 1,252 more words

Tags: Ani's Advent Calendar, Christmas, dogs, Dot, Sue Vincent

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