animals

I feel like I haven’t talked much about reading lately, so this post is going to change that!

I’ve been camped out in the book of James (in the Bible) for a while now, just rereading it over and over. Also loving Psalms and Proverbs. Soon, I’ll begin studying Jesus’ birth as the holiday season is approaching! I finished my Women of The Bible devotional and really enjoyed it.

I’ve read a few birth/midwifery/pregnancy-related books recently: Midwife: A Calling by Peggy Vincent, Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin, Midwife: A Journey by Peggy Vincent, and Baby Love by Rebecca Walker. Of those four, I most enjoyed the books by Peggy Vincent. I could read midwife memoirs all. day. long. 🙂

Fiction-wise, I read Dog Crazy by Meg Donohue and The Balance Project by Susie Orman Schnall, both of which were good reads. Non-fiction I’ve read lately includes, This is Where You Belong by Melody Warnick and Cherish by Gary Thomas. Both also wonderful reads.

I’m currently reading The Runaway Midwife by Patricia Harman, and it’s pretty good. I’m interested to see how it will end! Also reading The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren during my devotional and Bible time.

I think that’s everything in terms of books, so how about some cute dog pictures?! I have been taking Mavis pet sitting with me in an effort to socialize her more, and it’s so much fun.

She has now spent time with small dogs, big dogs, playful dogs, and calm dogs. She’s been in other people’s houses, in the car, and even had a “tea party” with the puppy above! And by tea party I mean they shared food, haha. Also, Lola continues to impress me with how patient she is with Mavis.

Mavis also spent an evening with her cousin, Indy (my sister’s puppy!), and had a blast. They get along really, really well. Hannah and I just love seeing them play together. I can’t imagine what it would be like to see our actual children play together. I think my heart would explode from happiness?!

In other news, Jimmy thinks I’m becoming a dog. So much so that when I took a nap after a full day of dog walking, he took this picture of me with a snapchat filter.

It’s okay, though, because I deserved it for creeping on him while vlogging. I just love hearing whatever random things he says when he walks in the door after work, so whenever I’m vlogging I try to catch him in the act. I creeped on him in the vlog below around the 7:40 mark.

Alright, this post is getting quite long and I need to get my day started!

Have you read any good books lately?

Mavis is now 10.5 weeks old! She turns 11 weeks on Friday, and we’ve now had her for almost three weeks. In some ways, it feels like she’s been a part of our family forever, and in other ways it feels like we’re still getting to know this little fluff ball.

She is wild and cuddly and happy and sassy. She brings so much laughter and life to our house, and also keeps us on our toes 24/7. She is quick to learn, and will do anything Lola is doing. Malcolm and her play until they drop and it’s hilarious to see them run through the house at full speed. She lets me hold her like a baby and sprawls out in the most adorable ways when she naps.

Likes

Playing with Lola and Malcolm
Snuggling with Lola
Drinking water and chewing on her water dish
Chewing on Lola’s collar, lips, and neck
Walking around the garden with me
Taking walks
Meeting new people
Chewing on my flip flops
Belly rubs
Squeaky toys, rubber bones, and any of Malcolm’s toys
Going underneath our neighbor’s fence to see her and get attention

Dislikes

Not being in the same room as me.
Being put in her crate when she’s not tired.
Being forced to go to the bathroom outside when she wants to play inside.
Being picked up when she doesn’t want to be picked up.

Firsts

She went to the vet and did great! She is healthy and up to date on shots.
She has had numerous baths and has done well thanks to lots of treats.
We took her to the pet store the first week we had her and she fell asleep in the middle of an aisle.
She went to her first puppy training class and rocked it.
She slept through the night for the first time around nine weeks, but sometimes wakes up once or twice a night.
Mavis visited Jimmy and my dad at their respective workplaces.
She’s had a few days with no accidents in the house!
She learned “sit” and we’re working on recall.
She has met all of Jimmy’s family.

Other thoughts and notes

We’re pretty sure she came home with fleas, so we are treating all the pets. Whew is flea medication expensive!
She does well in the car and likes to sit on my lap or just rest in the passenger seat.
I hate leaving her. I’m the one with separation anxiety, ha.
She is beginning to catch on to house training, and having potty bells on the door handle has helped a lot.
Her ears touch everything her nose touches since they’re so long.
Lola sometimes acts up (digs in the trash, eats cat litter, etc.) so I’m trying to give her extra attention.
Mavis walked on top of a sewer grate and her legs went through. She looked like a little hot dog and just got up and kept walking.
I love when her little nub of a tail wags. Sometimes it looks like a helicopter and I think she’s going to lift off the ground 😉
She isn’t afraid of much of anything. She’s very curious about the world around her.
Having three pets is hard work and crazy most of the time, but so much fun.

I think that’s everything! Sorry I’m the crazy dog lady who writes a post about her puppy like she’s a baby 🙂

Overall, Mavis has been so much fun and is adjusting well to our little zoo!

Living My Full Life

Recent Reads and All Sorts of Cuteness