Mavis

All Sorts of Exciting Things

Hey hey! I have all sorts of excitement to share today. Some things big, some small. All blessings!

First of all, my dad was ordained as an elder in our church on Sunday. Serving as an elder isn’t an easy job, but I know he’s going to do great. I really look up to my dad for so many reasons, but most of all for his faith in God. It amazes me that he he runs two successful businesses, studies God’s Word each day, serves in our church, and still takes time to do things like read and comment on my blog. He’s an awesome guy and I feel very blessed to call him my dad.

Another big exciting thing: my cousin is now a police officer! He graduated from the police academy in Upstate New York on Saturday and my parents, bother, and sister-in-law made a quick trip to see him.

Police academy graduation

Okay, let’s talk about the weather. Last week in Pittsburgh, it was cold. We often woke up to temperatures in the negatives and high temperatures were in the teens and twenties if it was a “warm” day. Yesterday, it was in the 30s and snowy and I was so happy! After the bitter cold of last week, 30 degrees has never felt so balmy! How’s the weather where you are?

Moving on to pet sitting, I finally created a business name and website! For years, I was just Allie Zottola… the pet sitting girl that people knew and would recommend. Now, I am the owner and operator of Muddy Paws Pet Sitting and I couldn’t be more excited! I didn’t think I’d ever have enough regular clients to warrant my own business, but God has been very good to me. Maybe I’ll talk about this more in another post?!

Girl walking cocker spaniel puppy

Speaking of businesses, my sister opened an Etsy shop! As if she wasn’t busy enough with nursing school and the million other things she does. I don’t know how she does it all. She’s currently selling hand lettered canvases. Go Hannie!

Other exciting things:

  • Jimmy and I should be getting a SunBasket (meal kit) delivery today! Can’t wait to try it out.
  • Our basement now has “smart” light switches. Jimmy wired recessed lighting into our basement and added some high-tech light switches that we can control from our phones. I just need to figure out how to do that 😉
  • Jimmy has his second violin lesson tonight. I don’t think I mentioned it, but I gave him a violin + lessons for Christmas. So far, it has been introductory stuff, but he’s excited to start playing!
  • Our little therapy dog in training has been to the Dollar Tree (twice!), TJ Maxx, and the bank and did great interacting with people!
  • I just got a new dog and cat cookbook in the mail yesterday and I can’t wait to start reading it. Does that make me a total dork?

Dinner Pawsible pet cookbook

Okay, I think that’s all the excitement I have to share! Well, one last thing, but it’s a question. My cousin’s daughter is turning one soon and I’m not sure what to get her for her birthday. Any suggestions?

What exciting things have been happening in your life lately?

Mavis at Seven Months

Mavis hits the seven month mark on January 12th!

Cocker spaniel puppy therapy dog in training

In some ways, she has become easier to care for over time (yay for house training and sleeping through the night!) and in other ways, she has become more challenging (the puppy “teenage” phase is no joke!).

New Things

  • As of December 25th, she weighs 21 pounds. Adult male cockers typically weigh 30 pounds. She is a big girl!
  • She has really gotten the hang of playing fetch and enjoys it. Her favorite ball is the hol-ee roller.
  • She is quite the velcro puppy. She doesn’t just like to be with me 24/7, she wants to be physically touching me. I love it 🙂
  • We received her AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy medal and certificate in the mail! We are now working towards the Canine Good Citizen title and then hopefully therapy work!
  • She is currently in Adult Level 1 classes and doing great!
  • She loves food. She can be in an absolute dead sleep and if I drop a scrap of food on the floor, she’s there. It’s crazy!

Mavis is like “Mom, stop. You’re embarrassing me.”

Other Stuff

  • I realized recently that I spend a lot of time with her. We work together (dog walking!), I train her, take her places, and hang out around the house together. She’s currently laying on my feet as I type this!
  • We are really working hard towards her therapy dog certification, but if it doesn’t happen, I’d love to get into agility with her. I think she would really enjoy that.
  • She hasn’t gone into heat yet, but I’m sure she will soon.
  • I filmed a vlog recently and did a little update on Mavis, in case anyone wants to see her in action 🙂
  • Her paws aren’t very callused yet, so they get cold quickly in the snow and ice. I need to get some salve or snow boots for her and Lola.
  • If she’s not snuggled up to me, she’s snuggled up to Lola. She loves her big sister!
  • Her nickname is May May. I’m pretty sure I call her May May or just May more than I call her Mavis.

Black lab mix and cocker spaniel puppy with bandanas

That’s everything I can think of for Mavis’ seven month update! She’s a fluffy ball of sass, happiness, and fun ❤