Trick or Treat!

Happy Halloween! Love, Millie (Banjo was not interested in participating in this post, as his pumpkin costume proved to be just a little too embarrassing).


Trick or Treat! from Banjo and Millie on Vimeo.

The Wild Child Turns 21 (or, 3)

They grow up so fast. The little one is already 3 years old. It feels like this was just yesterday. (Can you believe that also means this blog will be turning 3 in the not too distant future? Hmm. Two of my babies growing up). To celebrate (on Memorial Day, no less!), the little princess got her very own party hat and a Three Dog Bakery pupcake that she devoured before setting her sights on Daddy's beer. Hey, she's old enough now, right?!

Happy Birthday my little Mildred!

Hold Me Closer, Tiny Dancer

You may remember how I taught the little one to dance. Who knew she would turn into the beautiful graceful ballerina she has become? (And yes, I pulled out the old sewing machine and made her a pink tutu for Halloween.)

Happy Halloween!

Love, my little Tiny Dancer.

A girl and her dog.

I don't think there's a better way in the world to spend Labor Day than sitting by the river on a beautiful late summer evening with my hubby and of course, Banjo and Millie. I think Millie agrees. Don't you?

My Furry Valentine

It's that time of year again! Time to tell your best friend how much you love them (as if you didn't already do that 50 times a day anyways...). And while you're at it, there might be a few Valentine's for you to enjoy too. Without further ado, here are Banjo and Millie's Valentine's Day 2012 Top Ten Picks!

(Wish Daisy)

(i lick you // Gypsy Tailor)

(Rhubarb Paper Company // Bubby and Bean)

(Hot Dogs Couture)

(Simply Silhouettes)

(Kattuna)

(Silly Buddy // Chloe's Collars)

(R.E. Stowe)

(Schmetz Petz)

(Tiny Confessions)

Thankful.

This Thanksgiving, we had the good fortune of the family coming to us this year! It was our first time hosting a holiday, so there was certainly a lot going on as we got ready for the family's arrival. Fourteen of us (nine of us, human) gathered round for our first feast in our home, and I think the dogs may have loved it even more than we did. Not only were they treated to some Thanksgiving turkey, of course, they also got to enjoy a nice walk by the river and tons of play time together. Banjo could really care less, but Millie really loved having her Mama Delaney and sister Penny visit. Even 15-year-old Great Uncle Spike made the trip, though most of the time he spent wandering the house in circles. And though the house was chaotic at times between the madness of dogs barking and a heap of dishes to prepare (and of course timed perfectly so they are all ready at the same time), it was truly such a wonderful holiday spent with (almost) all of the people I love so much. Here are just a few photos from our first Thanksgiving!

Spike taking a moment to pose with me for a Thanksgiving smile!

Millie with her stuffed turkey. Gobble gobble!

Banjo, Delaney, Penny, Millie, my Dad and I took a nice morning walk to the river.

Two tired pups after the walk, Penny rests on top of Delaney.

(Nearly) Wordless Wednesday: A Belated Happy 4th of July!

Ok, I know we're a couple of days late in wishing you all a Happy Fourth, but better late than never, right? Banjo and Millie wore red gingham bandannas that I made (and by made, I mean, I bought fabric and cut it into triangles) to show their patriotism. All in all, a highly eventful day, as you can see.

We know we're gorgeous.

This bandanna looks more like a tie...

Mmmm. Bandanna.

It's exhausting being this cute.

Pupcakes and Frosty Paws and Fetch, Oh My!

Pupcakes, Frosty Paws, steak, toys galore, siblings and endless fetch. Not bad for a first birthday! We had a fun-filled long weekend trip to North Carolina to visit Millie's brother and sister, Wally & Brie, and Millie's Aunt Kelley! The pups were treated to their first taste of steak (cooked to perfection just for them, of course), some special Pupcakes and S'mores from Three Dog Bakery, and all kinds of squeaky toys and balls from their favorite humans. It's the first time Millie got to see her siblings since Christmas, and it's always fun to watch the joyous reunion. There's no question these pups know they're family, even though they haven't seen each other in over half their lives. It was a great weekend with the Three Amigos, and we thank you all so much for your birthday wishes!

365 Days of Millie!

That's right folks. Today's is Millie's FIRST BIRTHDAY!

The day Millie came home with us!

It's hard for me to believe that she has been in my life for such a short amount of time, because the impact she has had on me is immeasurable. I can't believe that one year ago, such a huge part of my life just didn't even exist. A few years before Millie was born, I lost two of my girls in the same 8 month period, and was heartbroken to say the least. I thought there was no way I could share the bond I had with my Samantha and Kelso with a new little ball of fur. I thought I couldn't make room for another in my life because none could measure up.

But then Millie was born. And of course she didn't take the place of either of my girls, as they each have their own place in my heart, but Millie licked and wagged and snuggled her way right into my heart again. I have her to thank for so much, and to say I'm glad she was born is the understatement of the century.

To celebrate this special day, we are taking a long holiday weekend to visit her brother and sister, Wally and Brie, in North Carolina, so stay tuned for birthday bash photos to come! Until then, I leave you with two videos of baby Millie that I giggled over this morning as my husband and I reminisced over the past year with her.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MILLIE!

Watch out for the camera, Millie! from Banjo and Millie on Vimeo.

Sleeping Puppies from Banjo and Millie on Vimeo.

A Mother's Prayers...

For Mother's Day, I have a real treat for you all. I have written a guest post for RichmondPetLovers.com (that's not the treat, but by all means, hop on over to take a gander), so I have a guest blogger here for you all! Below is a story my Dad wrote about Millie's mother, Delaney. I hope you enjoy! Happy Mother's Day!

She is in tune to every signal. The slightest eye contact causes her tail to wiggle with harmonious, joyous approval in short, quick little strokes. Whenever you make eye contact you can almost hear a little "tinkle-tinkle-tinkle" sound. She had been a slender fast-moving little canine. But there she was at the end of her pregnancy, the steps she had effortlessly navigated two months earlier might as well have been the Berlin Wall, and she had resorted to using her tail to summon assistance--kind of like help I've fallen and I can't get up--rather than to telegraph the essential message of Pippa Passes.

Weeks earlier, ultrasound showed that she would give birth to five puppies and now the anticipation of the miracle of birth and motherhood quickened. Her shallow, labored breathing betrayed every mother's burden. A little brown and white female puppy came first. Before she could finish cleaning the new arrival, there was a second, a brown and white male, and then a third, a brown male. But this little brown male would not breathe. My wife held his tiny little form in her hand, placed her lips against his and breathed the breath of life. Then there was a fourth, a tiny little brown female runt. 20 minutes, 30 minutes, an hour and finally two hours passed and no fifth puppy. The new little mother strained and strained to no avail. So off we rushed at one o'clock in the morning to the veterinary emergency room, whelping box, newborns, and hard laboring new mother in tow.

The young female veterinarian placed the stethoscope next to the new mother's heart and then next to her belly. She did not need to speak, her countenance spoke for her. "I'm sorry, I do not hear the puppy's heartbeat. We need to induce harder contractions. Let me do a quick x-ray." She returned. "The puppy is upside down in the birth canal and likely has not survived. We will have to remove it somehow." A joyous moment had faded. My wife silently prayed for a miracle. She had already breathed the breath of life into one puppy. Why not expect another one? An air of confidence retuned to the room. The door opened and the once somber veterinarian joyously proclaimed: "We have a fifth puppy." The prayers of two mothers were answered; the circle was complete; Mildred Lazarus Runyon (a.k.a. "Millie") cam forth and an exhausted mother's tail wagged, exclaiming: "I just gave birth to five puppies and I will be able to bound up and down the stairs without dragging my belly! Life is good! By the way, does anybody here know a good babysitter?"

Easter is Going to the Dogs

One of my favorite things to do for holidays is to think about how I can further spoil Banjo and Millie. And it so happens that Easter is one of my absolute favorite holidays! As a kid, I had a very large gray lop-ear bunny named Honey Bunny (who was so aptly nicknamed "Money Bunny" once she broke her leg and my dad paid a pretty penny to have it pinned), and I still have a very strong affinity for bunnies.  So I love bunnies. And chocolate. And springtime. Thus Easter.

My sister, Honey Bunny and Me in 1989.

But I digress. Back to spoiling Banjo and Millie. No holiday is complete without giving them special holiday treats or toys, and of course making sure they are dressed appropriately. Here are a few great Easter finds for your pup! (Yes, I know it may be  little late for this Easter, since it's today and all, but there's always next year!)

I seriously think Millie could rock this little bunny outfit from Bird in a Nest on Etsy. Though there's only one thing that gets Banjo riled up, and that's bunnies! He sees one and his inner hound comes out. Might be dangerous for Millie if she is dressed like  bunny.

I'm not sure Millie would enjoy wearing this adorable spring dress from The Doggie Market as much as I would like to see her wear it! So springy and feminine!

I think perhaps this pretty floral collar from Bows for Bs is a better option for a pup who doesn't quite enjoy wearing clothes. And it's great all spring and summer long!

Banjo loves getting decked out in his finest. He would certainly feel snazzy in this great seersucker Spectator Jacket from Rover!

For a warmer day when a jacket is too much, a madras plaid necktie is always a great option to get dressed to the nines in the heat! I particularly love this one from Bull Fits.

Banjo is after me Lucky Charms!

Ok, really, Banjo is after anything that is edible, including Lucky Charms. And how handsome is the little man all dressed up for St. Patrick's Day?! 

Kiss me, I'm Irish!  XOXO, Banjo (and Millie!)

Happy Birthday Banjo!

Since Banjo came to us from the pound, we don't actually know how old he is, or when his real birthday is. So we chose March 7th (so he can celebrate with his Dad, who turned 30 today!) and we celebrate every year. In order to celebrate, Banjo got to try out the Original Birthday Pup Pie that I have blogged about in the past. I fell in love with the adorable packaging - which Banjo couldn't care any less about - and Banjo fell in love with the delicious Birthday Pup Pie! He went nuts over the yummy Oatmeal-Pumpkin-Peanutbutter-Cinnamon-flavored treat! Not a bad birthday treat for the world's best beagle! Happy Birthday little man!

In Honor of Presidents' Day

To celebrate Presidents' Day, Banjo & Millie thought it might be fun to spotlight none other than the First Dog himself, Bo Obama!

Bo was born on October 9, 2008 and was the topic of much discussion after President Obama’s election. What breed would become the face of the American Dog? There was much speculation and after 6 whole months, it was announced that the First Family would receive Bo, the Portuguese Water Dog, as a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy (who owned one of Bo’s litter mates). Several weeks before the announcement, there was special meeting to determine whether or not Bo clicked with the Obama’s (a meeting that came to be referred to by the staff as “The Meeting”). Of course, the rest is history, as Bo was the perfect fit, and was introduced to the world as Bo Obama, First Dog of the United States. When asked if Bo would be allowed inside the Oval Office, President Obama responded, “of course” and went on to quote President Harry Truman who famously said, “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.” (Wikipedia).

Other famous First Dogs include Scottish Terrier Barney (Bush, Jr.), Chocolate Lab Buddy (Clinton), English Springer Spaniel (Millie – yes Millie! – Bush, Sr.), and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Rex (Reagan).  

Happy Presidents' Day! Woof!

A Canine Valentine

Over the weekend, Millie made a Valentine for some of the special people in her life (Ok, maybe it was me who actually made it. But it was Millie's idea.) Here's what she gave to the people at Little Dog Services who take such great care of her week after week!

Last Minute Valentine's Gifts for Your Little Furry Love

If you're like me, perhaps you've procrastinated a little too long, and now here it is Valentine's Day, and you forgot to pick up that something special for the furry love of your life! Well, never fear, you still have time and options! Here are just a few easy pooch-pampering gift ideas that you can pull together quickly. Yes, even today at the last minute!

Cook a special Valentine's meal. For you AND the pup!
My parents gave me a great cookbook called The Dog Ate It: Cooking for Yourself and Your Four-Legged Friends that offers up some great recipes that are healthy for both you and your pooch. Here's a great one to try!

Turkey Meatballs over Pasta

Take me out to the dog park!
If it's not too cold where you are, then take a little extra special trip to the local dog park. Make sure you bring your dog's favorite toy (Millie likes her ball), and take plenty of time where it's just the two of you. Turn off the cell phone. Leave behind the distractions. Your pup deserves that quality one-on-one time with just you! That is, after all, the best gift you can give them!

Canine Masseuse for a Day
A tummy rub is always much appreciated. This Valentine's Day, give Fido a good, long belly rub and incorporate some of these calming canine massage techniques. After a long day at play, this is a great way to help them unwind, and it's allegedly supposed to be a very good bonding tool between man and canine.

Don't Forget the Pups on Valentine's Day

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, I realized I still don't have gifts for Banjo or Millie! And really, who is more deserving than my two little pups who always, without question, love me unconditionally? After just a quick little search, I found a gazillion perfect little gifts for my two special Valentines! Here are just a few super adorable gifts for your pampered pooch this Valentine’s Day!

How about a fun new collar? We adore these lovey-dovey festive collars!
(From top to bottom: Murphy & Gert, R.E. Stowe, and BeadzNBling)

I’m sure your pooch will want to look his or her best when you take them out for a nice long Valentine’s Day stroll. Make sure they feel fancy in these great fashions.

(From top to bottom: Beantown Handmade, Elsa and Em, Gypsy Tailor, Jessica Lynne Art) 

If your pup is anything like my Millie, then a fun new toy is the perfect Valentine's gift. Especially a fancy bottle of squeaky champagne! (From top to bottom: FetchDog, Pet Simple, Wags & Wiggles)

If your munchkin isn't quite as into squeaky toys and tennis balls as Millie, then there isn't a dog in the world who doesn't like to hear "Ri Ruff Rou" (sound it out) by getting tasty treats! (From top to bottom: Roll Over Red Rover, Muddy Puppys)