We're mooooving!

I love this blog.

But I am so incredibly lazy when it comes to keeping it up that it's actually kind of pathetic.

It's not that I dont have ideas or pictures - it's that I haven't the time nor patience to turn them into something brilliant and entertaining.

So...........solution?

I just "discovered" tumblr.

And yes...I know, Brett, that you have been yelling at my for months or years now that I needed to. I am finally listening. Because it allows random posts and general laziness. So.....done.

SO.

You can continue to stalk the adventures of Tessie & I there!

http://tessums226.tumblr.com/

I am not shutting the blog down because who knows, I will probably come back to this.

But in the spirit of laziness/trying new things/claiming to be a social media "expert"....let's make the switch.

Lazy Summer

Wow, we have been lazy this summer.


We have been so busy that we are too exhausted to blog...or even chew a bully stick!

But hopefully I can get things rolling again. Stay tuned!

Tessie vs the Squirrel

Shiba Inu Puppy Cam

Have you seen this??

http://www.ustream.tv/sfshiba

If not, you really need to get on that.

"Bad to the Bone"

On Sunday, Tessie & I took a field trip to visit her Uncle David's shop! Not only have we not seen his new car, but we haven't seen the place since it was first purchased. It's a little fuller than it used to be.


Tessie stayed close on the heels of her tour guide!

And what a wonderful tour guide he was! He even took us upstairs where the building is still in it's....original...condition.

(The floor boards are warped from the roof leaking for so long)

It was a little different than our regular Sunday walk but she seemed to be a fan :)

The Hunt is On!

Wicked busy weekend! It was Tessie's birthday, her grandma's birthday, a friend's going away party, easter, and a trip to Uncle David's shop!

Some of my favorite - and most topical pictures - are from yesterday. Tessie had her first easter egg hunt!



My hiding places for the eggs weren't too shabby :)


And, of course, we filled them with cheese instead of chocolate


Tessie was a fan.

om nom nom

(David pretended to throw her egg and she was frantically searching for it)

The Three Stages of a Tessie Attack

::insert Jaws music::

Love for the Fam

As mentioned multiple times, Tessie was the queen of nervousness when first adopted. She nipped, she shook, she hid, and was borderline agressive. How things have changed. Here are some adorable shots from an afternoon at my aunt & uncle's a few weeks ago - and the oodles of love she has for her family!

(she looks like a seal!)

(grandma had jellybeans)

Marathon Monday

It's Marathon Monday! The magical day in Boston where we are burst at the seams with tourists, and everyone who works in the city gets the day off.....except me. I'm at work. But - considering I live in RI right now, it's not so bad. It gives me an excuse to get into the city and be part of the excitement, whereas if I was home in Cranston I would have dedicated the day to blueberry muffins and Netflix. So somehow this works.

This year I'm more excited than the marathon than usual because I'm actually a runner now! (gasp!) I am not a 26.2 mile runner, but I did participate in yesterday's BAA 5k!


Yay me! And finished in only 31:51, which is only 2 seconds later than my best time (31:49 for you non-math people) and - considering it was uphill far more than I am used to - isn't too shabby :)

And what did Tessie do while I was doing this, you ask?

Nada.

She stayed home with Grandma (and Grampa Tom) while I was in the city for the weekend. But don't feel too bad for her. When I got home I made sure she got a piece of the glory:


We're planning to do a doggy 5k this summer, even if we have to walk it. Afterall, she's my original running buddy!

Shameless Facebook Plug

Speaking of Northpaws, become a fan of this fantastic veterinary center by clicking HERE

If you look around their website, you just may see some familiar puppy faces :) Tessie and Shiloh were actually both featured on the homepage a few months back as part of their "Meet Some of Our Patients" photo album


If you already are a fan, and your pet pal currently visits the doctors there, your pet too can be part of their album! Just send their picture to hr@northpaws.com.

Tessie is the Royal Rooters rally cry

Baseball season has begun!

And it.....is....ugly.

Tessie even changed into her rally collar last night.


It's time.

Tessie is the Royal Rooters rally cry
Tessie is the tune they always sung
Tessie echoed April through October nights
After serenading Stahl, Dinneen and Young
Tessie is a maiden with a sparkling eye
Tessie is a maiden with a love
She doesn't know the meaning of her sight
She's got a comment full of love

And sometimes when the game is on the line
Tessie always carried them away
Up the road from "Third Base" to Huntington
The boys will always sing and sway

Two! Three! Four!

Tessie, "Nuf Ced" McGreevey shouted
We're not here to mess around
Boston, you know we love you madly
Hear the crowd roar to your sound
Don't blame us if we ever doubt you
You know we couldn't live without you
Tessie, you are the only only only

The Rooters showed up at the grounds one day
They found their seats had all been sold
McGreevey led the charge into the park
Stormed the gates and put the game on hold
The Rooters gave the other team a dreadful fright
Boston's tenth man could not be wrong
Up from "Third Base" to Huntington
They'd sing another victory song

Two! Three! Four!

Tessie, "Nuf Ced" McGreevey shouted
We're not here to mess around
Boston, you know we love you madly
Hear the crowd roar to your sound
Don't blame us if we ever doubt you
You know we couldn't live without you
Tessie, you are the only only only


The Rooters gave the other team a dreadful fright
Boston's tenth man could not be wrong
Up from "Third Base" to Huntington
They'd sing another victory song

Two! Three! Four!

Tessie, "Nuf Ced" McGreevey shouted
We're not here to mess around
Boston, you know we love you madly
Hear the crowd roar to your sound
Don't blame us if we ever doubt you
You know we couldn't live without you
Tessie, you are the only only only
Don't blame us if we ever doubt you
You know we couldn't live without you
Boston, you are the only only only
Don't blame us if we ever doubt you
You know we couldn't live without you
Red Sox, you are the only only only

Tessie's Trip to the Vet

Dun dun dun!!!


Like almost any puppy, Tessie is not a fan of the vet. (The above is a picture of her in the waiting room.)

No one likes the doctor. But, as far as vets go, Tessie has a pretty good one.

When first adopted, I took Tessie to Norwood Animal Hospital. Worst idea ever. Find my review of them on yelp HERE (posted under Sara K). Or, just read this:

7/23/2009
The nurses were very nice but the doctor was a disappointment.

I adopted my dog from a rescue about a month ago and this was her first vet trip. When she growled and tried to nip the doctor upon his first approach, he acted as if he had never seen a dog act that way and flat out said "We don't deal with that" before giving me tranq pills and making me reschedule.

The people at PetSmart can handle my dog fabulously, so how can a certified, experienced vet act like this over a rescue dog who was clearly scared? It is hard for me to believe this was the first time he has seen this.

He said we need to see a behaviorist, which she may, but he did not ask me for her history or any details about the dog. She is by nature a nervous dog, but the nipping was out of character for her. He completely lacked in compassion when talking to me, and made me feel like there was something out of the ordinary wrong with her. He said "I know she has had a hard life but..." But?? She's a puppy who we have reason to believe was abused and/or abandoned. We are in training classes and working hard towards a more secure life for her, which I do not expect to happen overnight.

Apparently this clinic does not treat anything less than a perfect dog. His lack of interest and compassion have sealed the deal for me. I will not be going back.

Sadly, you can see by clicking the link I wasn't the only one with such a negative experience. I don't know how they stay in business. The doctor told me we needed a behavioralist who, conveniently, works with him! And was going to cost me OBSCENE amounts of money. I literally ran to PetSmart to see Tessie's trainer, Colleen, almost in tears. Luckily she was there to tell me what a crackpot and an asshole that doctor was. Tessie was/is a great dog. Of course she was nervous at first!

And needless to say, I never went back.

Shiloh was just getting over pancreatitis and, per recommendation of my mom's boss, was going to NorthPaws. The doctors there saved her life. Even though I was living in Boston, I was happy to drive Tessie to Smithfield, RI for her first appointment.

The doctors there are WONDERFUL. Tessie was little more than a wet noodle on her first visit since I had given her the tranquilizer the Norwood doctor gave me, expecting to have the same problem. But we wouldn't have needed it. The NorthPaws doctors are so gentle, so kind, so knowledgeable about how to handle animals - Tessie loved them. (Back in those days, loved = didn't try to bite)

As you can tell, we've been going there ever since. And we have never had a problem. Ever.

Of course, that doesn't mean she likes it there, per say. But again, who does??

For those of you who don't know, NorthPaws is a wonderful veterinary office in Smithfield run by Dr. Mark Paradise. Dr. Paradise is the one who helped little Shiloh last month. He is above and beyond one of the kindest doctors I have ever met. His passion for animals is evident in his treatment of them. After Shiloh passed, I swear he had tears in his eyes. Which is incredible. I don't see him often, but can only say kind things about him.

Anyways, NorthPaws is going through some construction as they expand. Oh, also - this isn't your typical, sterile doctors office. It's in an old house, complete with fireplaces in the waiting/examination rooms, charming decor, and a wonderful homey feeling.


Charming as it is, it's great that they are expanding.




Anyways, back to our visit on Saturday.

It was pretty busy there, so we were waiting a little longer than usual with a few other dogs. Tessie was of course shaking like a leaf, and therefore on her best behavior. She only left my lap when the receptionist offered her treats. Typical.


Once in the examination room, Tessie continued to be a model patient


See? So good!

The room we were in used to be huge but has been cut in half by the expansion. This is a picture of the size now:


See the fireplace in the corner? It's cut in half by the new wall now, but the charm is still there!

On Shiloh's second-to-last visit, we were in this room. We didn't know if it would be her last because this was at the time we were still figuring out what to do. Therefore the whole family was in attendance at the appointment. We had me, my brother, my mom, the doctor and the nurse in this one tiny room. With Shiloh, who was of course trying to escape/get to the dog on the other side of that door. Looking back, it was actually quite comical.

Anyways, Tessie wasted no time exploring


The visit was quick, and while I'm still waiting to hear the results from her tests, she was given a clean bill of health!

The doctor said she looks great with the exception of her bald chest (something she has had since I first adopted her - it's either allergies or just her) and a broken tooth. The broken tooth I'm freaking out about a little bit but he assured me that it's pretty normal (especially since she has a bit of an underbite) and there's nothing I can do but keep an eye on it. But, of course, I'm still freaking a little.

Most adorable part of the day? When Tessie gave blood for her blood test! I know, it should't be adorable, but look at the cute little bandage on her back leg!


I'm sorry, but I think it's adorable!

Needless to say, after all that excitement, I had a pooped puppy on the way home

New Yorkers we actually LIKE

This weekend, Tessie & co had visitors! My lifelong best friend (and creator of the "dignified puppy" comment) Shannon and her boyfriend Corey!

Shannon is Tessie's official godmother, as she was kind enough to be my third of three references for the adoption rep/Tessie's foster mom. She was also among the first to meet the newly-adopted puppy. This weekend we actually laughed recounting their first meeting, which was also Tessie's first time in the city!

I remember we walked out of the Boston Common Garage to meet Shannon. It's important to note here that Tess went through a nipping stage, where she attempted to nip everyone new she met who approached her (except me of course - one of the few benefits of being a mom). She had it rough early in life, and at that time, I could only hope if we showered her in enough love, and provided enough structure in her little life, that she would pull through and be a socially adjusted dog.

So, when she first met Shannon, I remember saying "Just ignore her" or something like that. "She'll approach you when she's ready."

I'm pretty sure it took the better part of our walk up and down Comm Ave before the two officially met. Tessie was curious and aware of Shannon - and her extremely calming energy - but she wanted nothing to do with new people in those days. Shannon even tried giving her treats and Tessie wanted no part of it.

What. A. Difference.


Actually, that is hardly the part that surprises me. Tessie has known, accepted, and loved her godmother for a while now. They haven't seen each other since before Shannon moved to New York, but Tessie has a good memory for these things.

Corey, however, was another story.

Not only was it Tessie's first time meeting him, but she usually doesn't take to guys nearly as well as girls. Especially ones with glasses. Especially ones with hats.


Apparently she made an exception for Corey.

She loved him the moment he stepped foot in the house! We weren't standing in the kitchen talking for more than a minute when she put her paws up on him, her clear signal of love and acceptance.


She even sat near him that night when chewing her bully stick - something she doesn't even do consistently with me!

Needless to say, it was a fabulous beyond fabulous weekend for all involved!