FYI

My mom told me tonight "I don't know about that circle thing, you need to put something in it..."

Okay, for anyone thinking this exact same thought: I ALREADY KNOW...you try lugging around hundreds of pounds of weight in a two day period and see if your next immediate thought is "let me get that circle filled with stuff" or my thought "let me enjoy the fruits of my labor and figure out the rest later..."

So, give me some time and I will continue to decorate the circle. Oh and I didn't add in the HEAT and HUMIDITY...yeah, so try lugging around hundreds of pounds around in horrible weather conditions...

Circle: Done

THE CIRCLE-of-SOMETHING IS DONE!!! Yeah!!!

well, well, well...I woke up with the urge to get the cirlce finished. I know, I know...my blogs have nothing to do with Aussie or Dillon, but this is a great way to communicate with Matt also! So, the pups woke me up again, at the butt crack of dawn and I led them downstairs to the dungeon and locked them away for a bit longer. Later that morning I took the dreaded trip to the NEX and picked up 12 more stone borders and 8 more bags of rock...this time, there was a guy that helped me right away. He actually helped with my last three bags of rock yesterday...

I didn't want to bother Dennis, so I worked furiously to get the border stones (each must weigh nearly 20 pounds) into the backyard and then he came downstairs and helped with the bags of rock. Well, we put the stones and rock down and VOILA! we're done!!! I haven't decided what else to put in the area, but I really like the rock colors and it's a nice little area. Now that the hard work is done, it should be a fairly low maintenance area. The boys weren't interested in taking pictures either- it was really hot outside and I think they wanted to get inside!

The yard is looking good, if I say so myself! Dennis mowed the yard again, the grass has been growing faster than usual! The inside still looks like a tornado came through it...

The cutest brothers ever

Ahh, my boys are so cute. They are the best brothers ever. I love them so much and I know Master misses Aussie like crazy and can hardly wait to meet Dillon.

MamaMuffin doing hard labor for free???

MamaMuffin's blog-day!

The boys continue to be a handful these days...they love playing and I think Aussie is happy he has a brother. Sometimes he doesn't like to share, as shown below. He wouldn't share this bone marrow with Dillon and so Dillon was forced to chew on a stick! Well, half way true: Dillon had his own bone, but you know how it goes: what one has, one wants.


I think their favorite game is tug of war- they play it everyday, sometimes twice a day!
And then Dillon the other day lugged in from outside this hunk of wood...it's bigger than his head. After I took the photo, I threw it out to his disappointment.


I caught them doing something in the corner after a few mintues they saw me and pranced back inside...I think they were eating grass? They're funny- every now and then, they'll both go outside and investigate something or sniff around together- brotherly love...


Okay...remember that big circle...well today was a rough one. First of all, the last two days I was up and out of the house before 6am for my hour and a half drive to Richmond for school. Yesterday was the bad day- I was in school until 8pm and didn't get home until near 10pm...I am tired...but that empty hole/circle was bothering me. So I took a trip to the NEX and picked up some (12) border stones and 8 bags of rock...can you imagine the lifting that took place today? First all of that stuff on to my cart...then into the truck, then out of the truck, and then into the backyard...NOT FUN...no wonder people pay others to do this work. Well, then I put this black fabric that is supposed to suppress weeds...whatever, I don't know if I put it down correctly- and at this point I don't care. I spent about 20 minutes trying to level out the hole and decided that I don't care about how level it is anymore...and I started to lay it all down


I figured I didn't have enough of it all and I was right, I need 10 more borders and probably 6 more bags...another day of hard labor for the MamaMuffin. I bought a pot and some beautiful golden perrenials....but I'm not sure what else I'll add to this space.

Happy Birthday Master

Hi my love! The nuggets wish you a happy birthday...even though you're a day ahead and it's late here! The pups went nuts when I arrived home; left for Richmond this morning at 0545 and got home (late b/c of traffic due to road work) at 10:50pm...I felt so sorry for them. Puppy nugget did indeed get out of the gate, but thankfully, he didn't destroy anything- that I know of. I only did a partial check of the house, I'm too tired to really look at things- the furniture appears untouched. I forgot to put a box in front of the gate - Dillon can fit through a section of the gate...I don't think he was out for too long, there really wasn't any damage, or any poop or pee.

The nuggets didn't have a chance to get you a gift, but they tell me their unconditional loyalty and love is their gift to you??? I think it's a great gift. Dillon is getting bigger...I wish I would have measured him when I first adopted him a couple of weeks ago, but I know he's getting longer and leaner.

Okay, we love you and miss you so so very much and we'd like you to come home- NOW?!

Puppies love early mornings

ughhh...So, I haven't been waking up every 3 hours with Dillon...only twice a night and he goes to bed around 9:30pm everynight and so my morning aren't so tiring. SO tiring: yeah, well I thought it was bad when Aussie would wake up and stare at me at 6 in the morning, well this morning I had two dogs jumping on me at 5:30am. One of the many differences about being a doggy parent versus a "real" parent is I can lock my kids in the downstairs kitchen and let them rough house each other until I'm ready to get up. Oh and this morning they were behind the gate in the kitchen while I went back to sleep. I guess I rolled out of bed around 7:30am...fed the pups and was ready to check out a little JAG in the morning. Dillon plays really great by himself though, he may be more independent than Aussie as he grows older. I'm actually noticing subtle differences in personality. I didn't have Aussie until he was nearly 6 months and so I'm not actually sure how Matt was with him (I'm sure he was great). Dillon seems to know where he always leaves his toys or Mr. Pig! He plays by himself when he's not interested in playing with Aussie and he's much more vocal than Aussie. Dillon is still very young and I can't wait for him to get a little older and see how much more he can learn! It's exciting to see him understand my tone and commands. Like I've said before I think he's learning 40% of things from Aussie, but I'd the majority is coming from his smarty paws brain. Dillon is very much a puppy and loves nap and cuddle time, so I'm soaking all that up. He's not responding to my dominant postures- maybe too young- he thinks I'm playing, so even though I'm tough with him, sometimes it's not worth it! Have a great day!

Big brother scolds puppy nugget!

Tiss tiss tiss...Muffin Nugget and Dillon each had a toy this evening (Nugget had his green ball and Dillon had the red $11 toy). Aussie finished getting the hot dogs from his green ball and then he decided to take the red toy. Both of the dogs will take each others toys and chase each other, but tonight was different, Aussie took the red toy and when Dillon went to get it back, Aussie snapped at him. The snap was mighty fierce (I witnessed it) and whatever Aussie said or sounded in doggy-land, Dillon got the message loud and clear.

When I first started teaching Aussie I was dominate, I'd do things as a real alpha male would. I'd take his toys and snap at him if he came after them (now he either rolls over or gives manners as though he's literally asking for permission). Well, I'd snap at him and take him down when he'd get too close to MY toy and then when I decided to, I'd LET him have it. I'd also stare him down and give a low growl and make him go into a submissive position.

So guess what I saw...exactly that. Aussie gave Dillon a look whenever he'd get too close to the toy or as I said earlier- snapped at him. Aussie would only have to give Dillon "the look" and Dillon would run away or come hide behind me.

They still play very well together and Aussie continues to actually show some laid back qualities. Aussie never snaps at Dillon when he eats out of Aussie's bowl and they often share their toys. Aussie is showing some jealous tendencies...he just likes to come up and sit on me if Dillon happens to be cuddling with me. All in all, I'd say things are going great, it is very unique to watch all of this: the dominance games, the jealousy, the times of sharing...I love my boys.

Mr. Pig was assaulted/violated...

MamaMuffin blogging! Meet Mr. Pig...he's been injured and we believe Dillon to be involved in the incident. Aussie may have been an accomplice or a witness, he's not talking though.

Oh, I believe the puppy nugget has assaulted Mr. Pig. Aussie tried to assault Mr. Pig when he first met him and after Mr. Pig and I growled at Aussie, he learned how to live in peace with Mr. Pig. Let me explain Mr. Pig's existence in my life. I met Mr. Pig several years ago and ever since he's always been by my side, during my moves between duty stations, Mr. Pig travels in my luggage- never in the packout. He's a cool guy- well, as much as a stuffed pig can be. Anyway, the other night, Mr. Pig was on the ground and Dillon was looking suspicious. I have completely ruled out Aussie, he just doesn't bother Mr. Pig anymore. This morning I caught the puppy nugget with Mr. Pig!!! THE HORROR! All three of us were downstairs hanging out and puppy nugget snuck upstairs (undetected) and next thing I know, he's hopping downstairs dragging Mr. Pig with him...thankfully Mr. Pig and I were able to give a scolding to Dillon since we caught him in the act. Here's some pictures I took for evidence on the assault, we won't be pressing charges since Dillon is a minor, but he's on probabtion!

His smile has been disfigured and he has a cut in his mouth...thankfully - non-stuff-threatening.

Aussie and Dillon: Working together, digging!

UPDATED: MamaMuffin took us for a ride...on the dummy train...

UPDATED:

Choo choo! All aboard for a one way trip to dumbville. Oh, yeah, crazy MamaMuffin chose a nice hot and humid morning for some digging in the backyard. I think she's going to post pictures later. She was supposed to wait until next month, but I guess she got bored(??) and was outside earlier in the morning starting to dig. I guess Dillon and I did wake her up, so maybe we started the insanity. I didn't want to go outside, but my suck-up little brother nugget wanted to hang out with MamaMuffin, so of course, I had to stay outside too. It took her forever to dig up her circle. You'll have to wait for the photos...I don't think she intended on it being that large, but she was to stubborn to scale it back. It was horrible outside though, I guess when you're loco in the head, you dig larger-than-you-want circles while it's nearly 100% humidity and sweat is burning your eyes. WHATEVER! We all took a nap after MamaMuffin cleaned herself up: you know hanging outside in the heat can take alot out of a dog and we needed our rest too!

So this is the larger than life circle. MamaMuffin stuck a stake in the center of this, attached a string to it and made her circle. Thanks MamaMuffin...did you notice one of these pics is of me in a private moment? You know who I feel sorry for already...MamaMuffins real children...she made me pose in the middle of this circle- can anyone explain to me why? I obliged her request, but Dillon really needs to learn how to sit still so he can pose instead of me.

Puppy nugget and I investigated this circle for exactness...egh, pretty close for a dummy.

Puppy nugget loves to chew

MamaMuffin likes to call Dillon- puppy nugget, not too original, but it works. Puppy brother nugget loves to chew on everything (not Master's furniture though)! He recently chewed up MamaMuffin's red flipflops...she was LIVID and he's had a couple of accidents- right on the heels of MamaMuffin bragging about him. He is sleeping more into the night, so we only get up twice a night. Sometimes she wakes up puppy to take him wee wee, but I think she's going to stop doing that soon. I woke her up the other night (she praised me a lot for that) to go poop. I guess I never thought about it until she started getting up with puppy nugget. I'm getting used to having a brother and it seems as though MamaMuffin has a cuddle nugget again. Sometimes I just lay down and want to nap and Dillon still wants to play, but generally he'll then take a nap too. He is still sleeping in his crate and loving it, MamaMuffin still hasn't kicked me off the bed. I think she told Master she'll phase me off the bed closer to his return. We're going to sleep now, goodnight!

Dillon: Sitting on command!!!

Matt- front of the house!

Hey sweets, how are you...check out the new front bush area! I added the border and some brick rocks, oh and of course this nifty new address sign. The address sign is actually a magnetic board with peel-off numbers that I can change out for the different seasons. I love you and miss you sweetpea and so do the doggies!

Oh, I guess my brother is cute!

I love having a brother, it's a bit of an adjustment because I have to share MamaMuffin's love, but she still gives me my special time. Dillon loves to pull on my tail and other unmentionables and then I pull at his little stub tail. Sometimes I have to put him in place and I try to take things away from him, but that's what MamaMuffin and Master do...so I figure since I'm dominate to Dillon, I'm allowed to do those things. MamaMuffin agrees, I think, she always watches me when it happens and only a few times has come to little nugget's rescue. Anyway, MamaMuffin will take over from here:

Ugh, what a gloomy day! I actually should have taken the nuggets to Mt. Trashmore, but I wasn't sure if it was going to rain- the sky looked like it could open up any minute. It was a good day to be lazy considering the last few days have been "go here", "go there." I wasn't sure how could or would ever love another nugget, but Dillon has stolen my heart. At times I still like just me and Aussie time and I hold him and give him lotsa extra loving, but Dillon is in his cuddle and sleep next to me stage, which makes me melt. His face is filled with character and I love him just as much as my nugget muffin. I haven't really found a name for him, I thought Dill Pickle (because of Dillon), but he's not a "dill pickle"...hmm, I'm sure a name will come to me one day!

Look at this face, I'm so mad at myself for cutting of his ears, oh and look at that come hither stare

So proud and tall, my little Dillon, his face has so much character and can hardly wait to see him at a year.

Thank goodness Dillon loves all of Aussie's toys, he loves to entertain himself and then everynow and then, Aussie will come over to show it's his toy and he'll snatch it away. This leads to Dillon chasing after Aussie and yelping, it's actually great to hear the sound of two playing dogs.

Early mornings in the garden!

I am finished with the gardens- for now. Wow, what hard work, but it feels good to see the end result. I'm not finished; I think I'm going to expand the garden by the fence another foot and then I can put up the little white fence border. Oh- I forgot pictures of the front of the house...also a little spruced up! Anyway, the last few days have been great for gardening work, but this morning was humid. Here's some pictures and captions:

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The haze of humidity in the morning, but this is the "before" shot, kinda. It actually looked worse with the wood and weeds I just removed from there last week!

This is the rubbermaid container now holding the hideous wood that Matt cleared a few months ago...and then I put some pea gravel under this drainage area. This is the rock I'm going to place in some other areas also.

Okay, so in the early morning humidity, Aussie chose to only check up on me he never brought his entire body out! Dillon came out to sniff around and keep me company. So here is a shot of the finished garden (side of the house- shady area).

Here is another shot of the garden. It really makes this space feel warmer and not like a junk pile. The backyard's garden is along the fence line. Charlotte, my neighbor on the side of the garden, was my inspiration, she has a beautiful yard and a garden along the fence line. Her garden is a bit nicer, but I just started, so hopefully next spring it'll be much nicer. I planted some verbena's (yellow and purple), which are perennials and a deco mum in the corner. That plant is supposed to grow big! So it'll have it's own corner with lots of space. If I expand the garden, I'll probably bring the perennials forward and add some height behind them.

My deco mum, verbena, and another plant....this is my rescued duck Carol. She was in the wine shop I work at and they were going to put here away, but I decided she'd be a great addition to the garden.

A few photos with my boys, Aussis and Dillon, in the new garden!

Aussie and Dillon's "oasis", this is the corner that Aussie loved to sit in and so I decided to add some gravel (he liked the gravel in the front porch area). I also found this cute accessory "It's a dogs life"- to make sure any other pesky animal would know it's not for them to hang out in!

The boys lounging! They're so lovable...and Charlotte took this photo of me with the boys in their oasis. It's too small for me, but the perfect size for them!