Just So You Know....

We still love these guys.  And I'm pretty sure they still love us too.

"Want a Treat?"

This is what Sophia asks Greta and Bella before she hands them a doggie treat. She loves to give them treats but tortures them with how long she takes, parading around the house with the treats in her hands, soaking up all this new attention from the dogs who normally run away when she starts moving in their direction. So, when Mama Jean was headed back to Texas for a few weeks when Vincent was 5 weeks old I was faced with full days of 2 kiddos under 2, I decided to dig out the homemade dog biscuit kit that I received as a gift and use this as a morning activity for Sophia and I. Fortunately, Vincent agreed and took a nap while Sophia and I played. Prior to my mom's trip to Texas she was taking Sophia in the mornings for a "mother's day out" of sorts. It was good for Sophia because she is so used to being on the go and not stuck in the house and it was good for Vincent and I - catching up on sleep, nursing, etc. For me, one of the biggest challenges of having 2 kids under 2 is coming up with enough activities for the oldest while still considering the needs of the younger for nutrition and sleep. Making dog treats was a huge success! Sugar cookies are next. And when we make those I won't cringe when Sophia decides to take a little taste of the batter.

Sophia loves to feed Grits Grets and Bella their homemade dog bones. As for me, homemade dog biscuits seem like a lot of trouble for 2 canines but they deserve it. They have adjusted well to becoming 2nd rate citizens of the Morlandt household.

New Years Resolution #1

Brush and bathe Greta more frequently so she never looks like this again:

No this is not a shaved rat or cat. This is Greta. Although, she looks just as bad. The groomer tried to prepare me over the phone but the shock when they brought her out from the back! I mean, did they really have to shave the eyebrows too? I think the groomer was trying to make a point - brush your dog or this will happen! And in our defense we are not that great about brushing her because she is not that great at handling the brush. Turning around trying to bite, attacking the brush, it's ridiculous. But alas, I've learned my lesson.

Fortunately Bella fared far better:

Fabulous Friday

Yesterday during Sophia's naptime, I did a not so fabulous task - giving Greta (affectionately called Grits Grets) and Bella (affectionately called Bell Mae) a bath; followed by cleaning out their crates and washing their linens. This is a task that Tony graciously took over after Sophia was born but since he's now on a rotation that requires him to be there at 3:30 in the morning, I decided to give him a little break. So there I was washing two very dirty dogs feeling guilt with how their lives have changed so much in the last nine months. Here's a pictorial representation of that change:

Greta Then:

(Yes that is our bed.)

Greta Now:

And poor Belle, we found her at the Humane Society right before I found out I was pregnant so she never really did lead the spoiled life. Overall both dogs have adjusted well to Sophia and Sophia to them. Belle is very loving and affectionate and Greta enjoys watching her from a safe distance. Actually they are both a little scared of her right now since she's in the slap everything really hard stage. We are trying to teach Sophia "pet the doggy," and she is making good progress.

Now for a little digression on animals in general, starting with dogs specifically. I think it is one of our greatest God-given privileges to tame and live with animals (Genesis 1:26). They are loyal, fun, and let's be honest, really cute. And if you have cats, they are just plain fascinating. Ever watch one during a hunt? With just a small bit of imagination you will see a tiger on the prowl not a domestic cat. The way they crouch down before they pounce on their prey? Straight out of National Geographic except it's with a small bird and it's in your backyard. It's all rather disturbing. Ever watch the National Geographic specials on predators like lions and sharks? Does your heart not break, when the poor innocent seal is killed? Or when the graceful antelope is captured? And the worst, when the little baby creatures are captured. I just don't think it was all a part of God's original plan. You certainly didn't find it in The Garden of Eden. There was no bloodshed until sin entered the world, at which point the first animal was slain for it's hide to cover Adam and Eve's nakedness (Genesis 3:21). From the beginning blood was the price for sin. And ever since then the animal kingdom is a predator/prey world. But as I learned in my study of Romans in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) all creation is looking forward to the day when they will no longer be "subjected to frustration (Romans 8:20)." Won't that be a fine day when "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11)." Finally peace on Earth. I like to imagine all the magnificent creatures out there, like the lions and bears lying down at peace with the rest of God's creation. Kind-of like this painting called The Peaceable Kingdom by Edward Hicks:

Once again, nice digression. Back to the original discussion, Greta and Bella. Still a part of the family. Still loved. But now they have a new master, sweet Sophia. I hope she will always be gentle with them. Remembering that they are God's creatures and we are to be good, kind stewards of what He has given us. I must remember this too and give them baths more often!