I miss summer..

This marks week three of school.  You'd think we would be still settling in, but so far I have had 2 exams and 2 assignments with the stress of a lab to be evaluated on coming up.

I miss Ben and Becca, and the Holler.. and just having time to cuddle my dogs...

The easy things..  I'd like to have time to work out more, and sleep more..  and train my dogs more..

I want more of this...

Ella's Lead Review

I forgot I had one of these... Look it's a blog!

So my favourite collar maker is Ella's Lead. They make fantastic leather collars. They make other fun things like rope and leather leashes, but the collars are to die for. I have four. My guys have two they wear everyday though I would love to order more. It was more than I'd ever spent on a collar, but it is more than worth it. They have broken in well, and look lovely.

We actually got to meet the faces behind Ella's Lead this summer on our American road trip.


This is Luke. Sadly he lacks opposable thumbs , but he tries to help the business all he can. Here he is telling me I can stay forever.


This is the other half of the partnership, this is the elusive Ophelia! Dainty and a little shy, but a wonderful girl. She would prefer you love on her rather than make collars.



While on vacation Smudge had this fabulous collar made. After a long hard day of blogging our trip, here he is sleeping in it. It's a custom design, but they can do anything :)


How sparkly and pretty it is! It's 1.5" tapered to 1" although my kids are American cockers, they have a lot of neck and these look really elegant.

They've worn well while swimming all summer, they just need a little conditioning from time to time, and this black latigo is super thick and rich.



But, that's not all the swag we took home. Smudge is sadly so happy he is a little oblivious.. Ella's Lead also makes embroidered things!


He hasn't really worn it yet, but it is also fantastic... Still not done though ;) Cider has a similar collar to Smudge's.


I have to admit I bought this for Smudge... but he looks so great in the red and black that Cider is wearing the congac.


Poor Kat who crossed the bridge this summer also got herself Ella's Lead bling while we visited. It's a little different than the cocker kids collars. It really suited her.


A cute matching set even over the mundane like dinner time..


We get endless comments at trials, and everyone wants to not only look, but touch their collars. I can see how one could have a collar addiction honestly. I have plans already or future collars. I think Cider needs a military collar. Both need embroidered collars that say 'honorary JRT' to go to all the JRT events we attend. I could see a McStolly in Cider's future. Wild and crazy a little like she is. Smude tried on a wonderful white leather collar of Luke's that was way too big, but looked amazing, as did a baby blue vegan collar. That's right. If you do not like leather there are options these days that look just as elegant. I wasn't sold on the vegan, but getting to touch it in person- I'd totally get one too. Sadly there is only so much collar budget while in school :(



Try not to pair too many together though. Not everything works well paired together no matter what Dekka claims.


I think that's more than enough pics for today. I'll post some of the trip pics later. We got some really nice ones. If you are looking for a collar for your furkids, or a present for a pet lover check out the bling at Ella's Lead. They are really easy to design with.

Cocker Ribbons..

Cider got her first championship title as well as her rally team title. Smudge got his first advanced Q. Due to such a good showing from the dogs.. we decided on cheeseburgers for all as a treat.

*sigh* Work Party

Friday was the last day of our ski season. I've been feeling pretty anti ski since I didn't pass my level 2 ski instructor. I had a fun week of march break supervising.. but I didn't ski once during it. Since I've really had enough.. I'm just not feeling like going tonight to see these people. I have to present the award to assistant of the year though. So I have to go.

Feels like it's taking a chunk out of my day.. like I can't do anything else because I have to go to work for 6:30.

Smudge is better. He is a member of the pancake club now. His scrotum reminds me of the dehydrated apple people I made back in like grade 1 or 2. He's all shrively and odd looking. I bathed him yesterday even though they said to wait 14 days and it had only been 10. I really couldn't wait any longer. He smelled pretty awful.

Oh the woe

So Smudge came down with an infection. He may have been able to lick his scrotum but not the incision. It was swollen, gross, red and crusty.. Poor boy was so upset and in so much pain.. I had to take the day off work so I could get him into the vet first thing yesterday morning.

After an antibiotic shot and 2 antibiotic pills he seems perkier and more like himself. The painkillers probably aren't hurting the situation either ;)

I need to take a pic of the uber geekness with the new cone with the 'extender' I added of cardboard to make SURE he can not reach. He was so enthused by it that he woke me up at 3am to cuddle and shove my head in his cone contraption so we could sleep sharing being cone heads.

Hello..

I never thought I'd blog. Ever.. But it would be nice to put the trials and tribulations of my life somewhere. :)

The current trial is watching my poor Smudge heal from his neuter. He's pretty sad looking in his pink cone.

I'm packing to go away for the weekend. He looks doubly sad. Usually the dogs go with me everywhere. I think he knows he's not going this time. He keeps sitting at the front door in front of my pile of stuff to go. It's pretty sad.