Water for Elephants-- The Movie

As you all know I just finished reading the book Water for Elephants and I liked it good enough.  Well, this weekend I saw the movie - Water for Elephants.  I liked it good enough.  The book was better as most books are that are later made into movies.  Again the way the treat the animals is a little rough at times.  I have to admit it made me cry a little.  But, it was only because they were being mean to the animals and I was away from Charlie and it made me miss him.  I know, I know totally pathetic and I don't even care.  Good movie.  I would recommend seeing it.

Charlie's Easter

 

I didn't get anything for Charlie for Easter.  I'm sure he probably doesn't care because he is a dog.  I'm certain he didn't really know the day was any different, but I felt bad when I realized I didn't buy him and special doggie treats.  To compensate I let him have it out with the bunnies on my Happy Easter sign.  I didn't let him attack if for too long but he seemed to enjoy himself while it lasted.  I'll do better next year, Happy Easter Charlie!

Seth is biting Charlie!!

Everyone in my family gathered at my parents house this past weekend because Monica and Scott were visiting.  Little boy Seth loves little dog Charlie.  Charlie is great with kids and endures just about anything with the little ones.  Seth pulls his ears and plays with his tags.  They have great fun.

On Sunday we were all sitting around chatting having a good time and Alysha looked over and yelled,  Austin, "Seth is biting Charlie!"  Ha! I looked over and Seth had Charlie's leg grasped in both of his hands and was gnawing away.  It was so funny!  I laughed so hard!  Charlie just sat there like everything was normal.  Luckily Seth has no teeth because he is only 8 months old and Charlie doesn't have any teeth either because they were all extracted.  No that Charlie bit Seth in return.  We all found it hilarious and decided, they make quite the cute little pair!!

Auto Immune Disease

I found out today that Charlie has an auto immune disease.  His immune system started attacking his thyroid.  I took him to the vet last week because I noticed he started losing the hair on his hips. This is a sign of thyroid issues.  I didn't know that until we went to the vet last week.   I picked up medicine for him today. The best part is that they are chewable and not super expensive.  He has to go back to the vet in month to have another blood test to check his thyroid levels.  His dose right now is twice a day.  If his levels are up he will maybe be once a day.  The vet did say as he gets older it is likely the dose will increase.  The medicine isn't a cure, it is a supplement to help his low functioning thyroid work better.  He will have to take it the rest of is doggie days.  I hope this helps him start to feel better. I love him all the way!!!!!

IRISH for a DAY

I made Charlie wear a shamrock and took him to work with me for St. Patrick's day.   He's always such a good sport with me dragging him everywhere and dressing him up for everything.  Bless my children when I have them one day.. they don't stand a chance of not celebrating holidays!! Haha!

Potty Training??

I love this guy with all of my heart. One of the best decisions I ever made was to adopt Charlie. However, Charlie has developed a new bad habit....see below.



He has decided he loves to go through my bathroom garbage!!! But, the only time he does it is when I get up early to workout. He always wakes up with me. I feed him, let him out to take care of his business. I let him back in and go down stairs to get the workout done. When I come back upstairs, what do I find? The bathroom garbage everywhere and Charlie back asleep on his bed. Does anyone have any good ideas on how to keep Charlie out of the bathroom garbage???

HaPpY NeW YeAR!!

I feel like 2010 was a great year. So many good things happened. I adopted Charlie. I donated more time and money to volunteering. I finished a lot of remodeling on my house (yay). I spent time...Seattle, Baton Rouge, Mesquite, St. George, Capitol Reef, Denver, San Diego, Los Angeles, Irvine, Boston, New York and Austin. Some for work, some for play. I developed a love for reading, I became a better cook. I saved more money. I paid off debt. I became happier and more confident about my life. And I spent more time with friends and family.

Life just keeps getting better. I'm very excited for 2011. I have quite a list of goals and I am excited to see if I can get them all accomplished. In 2011 I want to..

Be a better Neighbor, participate in more church activities, speak Spanish fluently, take a cooking class, make a quilt, get scuba certified, ride my mountain bike to the top of elephant rock, run a half marathon (maybe a full marathon - i'm kind of scared), read 32 books (age I will turn in 2011 YIKES!), keep my blog updated, go camping, go on a trip out of the country, be more healthy, lose weight (always a goal..hehe!) Serve more and be more giving.

I can't wait... look back to my blog throughout the year to see how I'm doing. Good luck to everyone who sets resolutions and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!

Elephant Rock

Looking west to the Great Salt Lake


The Trail

A few weeks after I got Charlie, he and I hiked to Elephant Rock. It's a little hike here in Bountiful up the canyon to a rock that looks like an elephant (only a little bit like an elephant in my opinion). It is about 6 miles round trip. We started a little late so by the time we got to the top of the trail the sun was going done. I hadn't planned for the dark. So, Charlie and I started to run. We ran most of the way down but then it got to dark for me to see so we had to walk. I kept trying to use my phone as a flash light but it didn't work to well. We did however make it down safely and both had a great time. Charlie met several other dogs on the trail. He loved his life that day. It was good times. Next time I'll pack a flash light :)

Charlie....

I adopted a 3 year old boxer dog from the animal shelter a few months ago. His name is Charlie. He is the best dog ever!!! He was found on the side of the freeway by the highway patrol. The shelter staff was unable to tell how long he had been on his own. When he went for his neuter the vet found that he had low liver function which he said was probably from eating garbage. He had a cough when I first got him and was scared of nearly everything. But, he has adjusted well and now is my new best friend.



He loves to follow me around the house wherever I go. He fell asleep on the floor on this stack of dirty laundry. I like to think it's because it had my scent! Haa! When I come home from work and let him out of his kennel he wiggles his entire body and turns in circles. He paws at my feet until he feels he has had enough love. I've only heard him bark a handful of times. As of late it is when he thinks someone is coming into the house, like the guy who mows our lawn. He likes to protect his territory and I am happy he gets possessive.



Charlie has come to work with me a couple of times just because I don't like leaving him home alone day after day. Even while we are in the office he follows me everywhere. This is a picture of him climbing through my desk to keep himself entertained. He is the best!!