Celebrate Your Imperfections

I love this pillow Heather Hamilton from Dooce found on Etsy... It makes me think of Gus when he was a puppy, forced to wear one of these cones for weeks while recovering from his hip surgery. Poor puppy... In addition to this humiliation, there were several weeks where Gus had no pants, as the vets had to shave his entire midsection for the operation... how embarrassing!

Charly's never worn a cone, but he has his own imperfections, like the fact that he can't help but bark at little kids... bad dog. But we love them all the same, like we love our family, our friends, and ourselves, all of us with our own problems and bad habits. 

Let It Snow!

When you live in Minnesota, both you and your pets have to be prepared for the weather. Take today for instance... The temperature is 5 below, with strong winds making it feel like it's minus 25! Plus there are two inches of new snow on top of an ice sheet created by yesterday's mild temperatures turning frigid. I'm just glad we're in Germany for this storm, avoiding the arctic temperatures and brutal driving conditions. 

To make it through a Minnesota winter without freezing your tushie off or losing your mind, it's important to a.) take a short break from the tundra and head south for a couple of days, south as in Mexico, California, Forida, or Arizona.... and b.) have yourself a good warm winter coat, and I mean toasty warm. 

This goes for your dog as well... make sure your buddy is prepared for the winter weather with this very stylish and warm bomber jacket from Idawg clothing. This coat has a highly water-resistant exterior so it's great for the snowy weather and it has 3M Thinsulate water-resistant poly-filling for added warmth. Reflective piping along the stripes and shoulder seams ensure added visibility for your pup at night and the zipper front enclosure with fur guard creates a nice snug fit. Gus sure needs one of these today...

My Sleep Number

So we've only got about three weeks left of our three month adventure in Germany, and I've been thinking a lot about what I'll miss most when we're back home... 

I'll certainly miss not having to drive. We haven't been in a car since we left Minnesota and it is so nice to be able to get around without joining the masses on the road. We simply walk everywhere, or hop on the train. In four hours we can be in Paris. In three hours we can be in Brussels. In 6 hours we're in Berlin. It's great! 

And I've mentioned this before but the best part about this is that the dogs can hop on board too, as long as you pay the doggy fare. What a huge difference it would make in our lives if the buses and light rail in Minneapolis allowed Gus and Charly to ride. 

Todd Edelman at Green Idea Factory has been working on promoting "Dogs on Board" in the United States and Canada. Allowing dogs on buses and trains could reduce congestion on the road, save us money, and make riding public transportation a more convenient and viable option for those of us who own pets. There are plenty of ways to make sure buses and trains remain safe and comfortable means of transit. Surely if Europe can do it we can do it too...

I'll tell you what I won't miss though... my European bed. I just can't wait to get home and get into my Sleep Number Bed. Swear to god, it's the best bed I've ever slept on. Since we arrived here in Germany I've been having quite a bit of back pain, which I used to have but got rid of by buying a Sleep Number bed. And the money we spent on that bed was well worth it, because the acute pain I was having in my lower back immediately went away. Here we're sleeping on a regular old mattress, and the lower back pain has unfortunately returned. I can't wait to get home and get a good night's sleep again!

Speaking of Sleep Number, Select Comfort is coming out with a Sleep Number Pet Bed, so you and your buddy can both get your beauty sleep. The Sleep Number Pet Bed is adjustable for comfort and support, making it ideal for older dogs or dogs with arthritis or other health issues. It's also covered in a soft micro-suede waterproof outer layer which is super durable and easy to clean. Why not give your pet the same luxury and comfort you enjoy from your Sleep Number bed!

Oh Shoot!

Yesterday I spent an hour on Skype, talking to my mom, but mostly watching my dogs on the video camera. This was the first time since we left Minnesota that I've seen the dogs live, in action, in flesh and blood. 

It was pretty wonderful, watching them wrestle each other, bark out the window, and stare at the computer screen with bewilderment. I'm pretty sure Charly didn't understand a word I said, but Gus, he seemed to perk his ears and wonder for a brief minute where my voice was coming from. At least that's what I'd like to think. 

Talking with my mom I realized I have no idea where I left my keys for our Minneapolis home. I'm sure before leaving I put them somewhere and thought, there's no way I'll forget where these are. Has this happened to you? Now I have absolutely no clue where I left them. 

Doggie Key Chain from fitszu. I obviously need one of these.