Who's your daddy?

My curiosity got the better of me.  With Shiloh, I could pretty much tell what she was 'made of' even though I'm sure there were many others involved.  With Roxi..I just couldn't put my finger on it.  The scientist in me had to know.  I used one of the standard DNA testing kits that I know are only so reliable but it would be fun.
I got her results back!
One parent was a Brittany Spaniel/Old English Sheepdog cross.  This parent seems pretty clear cut..grand and great grand parents are either Brittany or OES.  Now I see the Brittany now that it has been brought up.
I've always wondered..what gave her that bay.  She has the weirdest and highest pitched 'roo' and I couldn't find a video from a hound dog that was that high.
Until I search Brittany spaniels. 
One day I will get a video of Roxi doing this...I don't know why I haven't yet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCQIJbc0gNk

There is some resemblance.  I don't see the OES..but when they are shaved they look like a 'standard' dog so it could be there.
The other side of her genetic make up was a "highly mixed dog" which extended back through her grandparents. But this dog was made up of Harrier Hound, a few different types of shepherds and a small corgi like breed.  
so the moral of this story...if it looks like  a mutt and sounds like a mutt...it likely is a mutt.  But we love our Brittany/OES/Hound/Shepherd mutt. 
Happy New Year!!!!

Holiday travels 2014

 As usual, we packed up everyone and headed out for the holiday.  We started in Charlotte, North Carolina with Jason's family.  Alexzander. Jason's sister's first child, was born a week earlier and seemed to enjoy his first Christmas.

 We then drove to Roanoke, Virginia to spend a few days with my family.  After a few days of subdivision leash walking, the dogs were happy to have a bit of off leash time in the paddock.

 I don't think the miniature horses appreciated as Roxi continuously barked at them. But it rained..a lot. so we spent most days inside by the Christmas tree.  Roxi was not thrilled about this.

 

 but she caught up on some sleep.

 Truflz is becoming an old man.  he is still funny looking.

 This was Cody's first Christmas with us as well but he wasn't terribly thrilled with the costumes. But I think it makes him look quite handsome.

Cali wondered why I was crawling around on the floor so much..

 But finally let me take the photos I wanted.

 I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! We are happy to be home with a fenced in yard and king size bed.  But it was great seeing everyone and spending time with family.

Time to be thankful

Cali started not eating well over the last few weeks.  It had us concerned so, after consulting with her oncologist, we bumped up her 1 year check up a few weeks.  We took her in this week for a full work up; X-rays and bloodwork.
To our extreme relief, her X-rays were completely clear and her bloodwork is normal.  She is just getting picky in her old age. 
So we are going to celebrate a lot this holiday season.  She is officially one year post-amputation on January 7th.  But we are going to have a big party for  her on December 31st (just for her...sure it is!). 
She seems to be taking this news well.

 We are starting her on 'metronomic Chemotherapy' which is basically a REALLY low dose chemotherapy given orally every day to 'tick' at the cancer that may exist.  Our next goal..her birthday March 17th when she will be 12.

 We leave for our annual whirl wind holiday family visiting next weekend. It will be Cody's first time meeting the mini horses.  Should be entertaining.

Fall Days

Roxi has come a long way in the 6 months we've had her.  Her coat is shiny, her eyes are bright and she is just a happy girl.  It is fun to watch her bounce around.

 

 Cali is also doing really well.  Tomorrow is her 11 month ampuversayr and she is still loves to play. 

 This photo cracks me up (and I promise we've never had a scratch from this play..and i'm RIGHT there the whole time. )

 She seems to do a fine job of injuring herself and doesn't need help from other dogs.  She whacked her knee jumping on our bed one morning and gashed it pretty good.  But it didn't stop her from running and playing

 I wish I'd caught this from the other side!

 Cali takes a break and Cody is on 'chase Roxi' duty.

 Oops...the Paparazzi has been busted.

All about Dana

Dana gets a bum rap most blog days.  She is our first greyhound and a very old lady. But she has always been a wallflower.  She will be 14 in January and deserves some press time.  She has always slept on her nose.  To the point she will pant in her sleep due to lack of oxygen. 

 She has gotten so gray and she still has that worried look on her face.

 We finally got the paintings of Cody and Roxi completed so our wall has a new look.  The paintings now move to the stairwell in memory.

Giant among us

This weekend we watched our friend's greyhound, Boomer, and Great Dane, Maverick.  Having a Great Dane in the house is definitely different.  He is sweet and laid back but lacks the finesse and lightfootedness of a greyhound. 

 And did I mention he's huge? (Yes, when it's chilly outside Cody gets to play in his PJs.  I was never allowed to do this but I figure it is OK for him to do)

He towers over Roxi and outweighs her by easily 5X..but they insisted on trying to play indoors.  Not a good idea

It was funny to watch them all play.  Maverick would also be going the wrong direction and in the wrong part of the yard from the 'action'.

 And it definitely sounded like a  herd of horses when he came through.

 But he was very good and very sweet.  He can't help he is a horse.  Boomer didn't know what to think of the playing so he stayed on the sidelines and watched.  But he did enjoy the post game cookie time

 For those in the US, Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Hoarder

She did not get this from me
 

Playtime

Cali celebrated her 10 month ampuversary on Friday!
She and Roxi still play so much, which is awesome to see.
These photos aren't the best..daylight savings time plays havoc on my afternoon photo ops..but oh well. You get the idea.
 Roxi loves her toys

 There is usually a stalemate at the end with Roxi wanting to continue to play and Cali being done.

 And without fail, Roxi always ends up looking like this. She flings herself to the ground a lot and rolls around.  I am usually just happy it is just grass clippings...

Ladies hit NYC

While we were hanging in the pool earlier this summer, my Mom asked Kristen and I if we'd go to NYC with her. She'd never been, it isn't a place my Dad would ever go and she knows we need little reason to go eat and drink!!
So we planned it. 
Upon arrival, we walked to Central park and hired a pedi-cab driver to show us the entire  park.  It was neat to have someone to take photos of us!!

 The Bow Bridge (and thanks to the wonders of photo processing it looks like we were alone on the bridge. ;-))

 Then we headed to Rockefeller center and went to the "Top of the Rock"
It was a neat vantage point for Central Park (and highly recommend this view over the Empire State Building)

 That night we went to Becco which was amazing.  Highly recommend!!!
On Monday, we went to the Battery Park to view the Statue of Liberty from afar (she's there..in the middle)

Then we walked over to the new 911 Memorial Museum which was pretty awesome.  Outside there are two MASSIVE memorial fountains that were quite amazing.  It is hard to get a size comparison..but it's massive. 

 And the names of the victims are around each one.

 I only took a few photos inside..but I'm only going to post this one.  It wouldn't do the rest justice.  There are artifacts from the buildings as well as original structures (in original locations as this was on the footprint).  it was somber and something everyone should see. 

 So to brighten up the day we hit Chinatown for some amazing soup dumplings and then went to 5th Avenue for some retail therapy.  My mom loves her purses. So we managed to 'talk her in to' 'buying a Gucci purse.

 That night we went to dinner at Le Bernerdin which is honestly a "foodie mecca" and was a big deal!  We really enjoyed it.

 And since it was a short walk away, we walked to Time Square at night.  Mom was pretty floored.

 And we went to a well known bar that faces Times Square for a nightcap. 

 The final day, we started with the Today Show for our 15 seconds of fame.  We managed ot get there at the right time and get close for the 8:30AM outdoor segment and we were on TV.
Mom got to shake Al Roker's hand

 It was neat to be 'behind' the camera and watch the action while the anchors did their piece.

 And "Here's what's happening in your neck of the woods"

 We then headed downtown to see Wall Street, Brooklyn Bridge and NYSE.  We ended up at Washington Park for some quality people watching.

We ended our trip with a wonderful Broadway production of Cinderella.  It was a great show!

 Overall, we had a great trip! We walked a lot and ate even more.  I think I've finally recovered!!!  Back to normal dog blogging soon. ;-)