{ Meggie at 9 Mos. }

Greetings from Meggie! I haven't blogged since I was 7 weeks old. I should give you an update!

I'm snuggly, sweet, mighty strong and did I mention I have lots of energy? I know the words 'Treat' and 'Walk' exceptionally well. I love going on long walks and I can play fetch for hours. I am still in the process of training; although, boy, I sure can point! At times, well, I guess all the time, I'm pretty naughty. But, that's what us pups do, am I right? According to my Grandpa, there's a Marley in me everyday!

I’m an awfully picky eater, surprisingly enough for a puppy of my breed. I’ve been on four different brands of puppy chow. The only brand of food I can justify to eat is Nutro Natural Choice; I gorge {whole} every single morsel! About a month ago, I was switched to big girl food, Nutro Natural Choice, Lamb & Rice. It is very yummy and it helps me stay healthy.

That's all I have for now!

With Love,

Your Future Huntress Extraordinaire


 

I'm a winker, too!

{ Meg in the Doghouse. }

Or, I guess you could say, Meg in the jailhouse. I believe that is appropriate enough.

Last night {at work} my BlackBerry was ringing off the hook. After a couple of times of snubbing my husband's phone calls, I finally answered, "Yes Dear?" Right when I answered I knew something was wrong. You see my husband is a very happy-go-lucky type of guy on the phone. When I answered, Cal was quiet {again, not like him} and the resonance in his voice was nervous. In a calm manner he proceeded to tell me what had happened to Meggie. Cal had every reason to be nervous because I can be such a spazz.

What our fearless pup-child did was running around like a wild-carefree animal, trying to antagonize her over 100lb.uncle {Cal's parents' lab}. While basically acting like an ravaging animal, she ran under Cal's parents' deck, where there happens to be a sailboat lying on its side. Meg ran right along the sailboat and snagged herself on a hook. Cal and my father-in-law heard her yelp and rushed down from the deck to check on her. When they got to her they noticed she was missing a chuck of skin on her left side. The bleeding would not stop and Cal took her to our closet Banfield pet hospital.

After 2 1/2 hours and over $400 dollars later, the Vet stitched up our crazy-little girl.

Let me remind you not too along go, Meg was bit by a non-socialized lab in the neighborhood. It was 7 at night and the only Banfield that was open was the one St. Paul. Keep in mind, this is close to an hour away from us. Again, another 2 hours and over $200 later, our puppy's hole in her cheek was all patched up.

So, in a month and a half our vet bills have totaled over $600. Luckily we have the pet wellness plan {basically, pet insurance} through Banfield.

For the time being this wild child will be in the doghouse for a while, well at least until she heals.

Meg in jail.

Fortunately, she's OK to go to her obedience class tonight! Meggie is in her 2nd week of training and it's goin' great!

{ With Love, Meggie Mayhem. }

So, this past month has been pretty crazy for us Smiths. LITERALLY! Cal was promoted, his highest position thus far. I am so proud of him and so incredibly grateful for the things he does to support our family. Myself, after two long years trying to make headway into a desired career path with a certain company, finally, I was able to interview and was offered THE JOB! That's right, makin' big girl money now! It applies to the degree I'll be graduating with and learning those crucial - new skill sets before completing college. A few months before 2009 was towards its end, I prayed to God everyday to help follow the right path and find the job that I have always wanted. I cherish how fortunate I am and will not take anything for granted.

Lastly but not least, Meggie Mae. Yes, Meggie has progressed into a fine healthy young dog. However, we believe her behavior has gotten the worst of her. My Mom calls it "She's in her terrible twos!" Yeah -- terrible twos my ass. It's like this oh-so sweet puppy has the devil in her. Meggie right now is 8 months and I cannot wait for this devilish chewing, biting, jumping and acting obnoxious stage ends in a few months. Unfortunately, that's me dreaming. Yes, of course it's nice she's not pissing and pooping all over the place but c'mon {!!!} the poor manners has gots to go. We still do the daily trainings and dominance trainings with her. Nevertheless, I think we need some help. After Meggie's embarrassing behavior at her photo shoot, which I won't get into details because that's a page or two long just to explain; I've been pricing out dog trainers for private lessons and boarding schools. And, I hope whomever we pick will indeed help us with Meggie's challenging behavior.

For some of my previous posts explaining Meggie being out of her crate alone for a few hours is out of the question now. This past month her 'Terrible Twos' avenged out on us, she's an 8 month old puppy who gets bored very easily.

This is what happens to naive and not so smart pup-parents:

 

This is our foyer. 

I don't know how she managed to do it but I'm sure after hearing me say a million times that I hate these ugly floors, she probably thought she was doing me a huge favor. 

Be careful what you wish for.

She also chewed up our foyer rug.
I was too embarrassed to take a photo of it, although here's the new one. 

Do you like?

 

  

My jewelry armoire. 

She did this while we were sleeping. 

Luckily, it was practically free -- I won it at work. 

Yet, still not good.

Here's the recent photo of this now kenneled at-all-times princess:

  

Good thing she's cute and nothing she destroyed was from Pottery Barn. 

Goodnight. 

 

{ MegPie. }

My second love in my life.
Miss Meggie Mae Smith.

Aka: Miss Piggy, Droopy Eyes and MegPie.

 

  

 

 

She's a lot like Marley in Marley & Me, but we love her oodles!

{ Mornings with Droopy Eyes. }

Lately, my chilly - winter mornings are consisting of my (our) bed, glasses at the tip of my pale-freckled nose, hot mug of Teavana tea, Blackberry --reading updated blogaged and almost 6-month-old Amarillo friend, Droopy Eyes. Miss Droopy Eyes, aka, Meggie Mae, has progressed into a fine little lady. She no longer grunts like a little piggy, minimum accidents, and no longer sleeps in the bath tub anymore. However, she still tries to climb into the shower while it's in use. Not as obnoxious as before, but her progression is becoming much better. As of recently, Cal and I have been stepping out of our comfort zone and letting our furry little girl roam as she pleases while 'Mom and Dad' are away. It's only an hour or two, ('Mom and Dad' grocery shopping and what not) so far, Meggie has had no accidents and 'Mom's' glorified Christmas tree was still STANDING! Quite impressive for a little lab pup. It will probably be a whole another year until we will completely trust her out of her kennel alone. Nevertheless, progress is progress, right?

In the last month or so, Meggie has developed a new, but strange obsession of crawling and sleeping underneath beds. Maybe some of you might not think its weird, however, Cal and I have never known a dog quite like that. It's very weird; for one, Meggie is not a tiny puppy and two, she can't even crawl out afterward! Luckily for Meggie, her 'Daddy' loves her to pieces. A few days after this obsession turned into a daily habit, Cal went out to good 'ol Tar-Zhay and purchased bed risers. Awe! Just for his little girl. His facetious reason was so Meggie would be more comfortable. (At least now I know when we start having kids, Cal will be very adjusting to our kid's needs/wants.) Even though, I feel like an Olympian when I practically hurdle into our freakishly tall bed; peacefully, I will know our little girl is at least breathing and snoozing away.

Pictures before the bed risers:

Why hello, pretty lady!

Suck it in Meg.

Tuckered out.

{ Long overdue family photos. }

 

Grandma Naomi got to seek in too.

 

 

Photo Credit: G Smith Images

{ The Smith's Eco X-Mas Letter. }

From our house to yours...

Happy Holidays!

Photo Credit: G Smith Images

Dear beloved family & friends,

We've had a happy, busy year here in the Smith household!

In the mist of Calvin's new career path at AT&T Mobility, Amanda finishing up a semester at NHCC and not to mention hectic wedding planning, Cal and Amanda decide in the new year of 2009 to search for their very first home! Luck struck them in February, as the engaged couple found a cute four bedroom - two bath, split level home in a comfortable west-metro Minnesota suburb. 

June rolled in quickly, where on Friday, June 12th, 2009, Calvin Gregory Smith and Amanda Lauren Bennett exchanged their intimate vows in front of their close family and friends. No day has ever been so beautiful and will remain forever cherished.

Now, you would think after buying a home and elegant nuptials, that these Newlyweds would be spent? Think again! On August 30th, 2009, Mr. and Mrs. Smith adopted a six week old, purebred yellow-Labrador named Meggie Mae. They couldn't be any more pleased! Miss Meggie Mae at five months has progressed into a fine little lady!

We hope this season brings you Cherished Traditions, Hot Cocoa, Joy, Laughter, Love, and Peace as well as new Tiding Beginnings!

Merry Merry Christmas!

Calvin, Amanda and Meggie Smith 

{ Lighting jack-o'-lanterns. }

Happy Halloween!

Our little witch!

The King, little witch and glamorous witch.

With Mom and Dad.

We hope you all had a spooky Halloween!

{ My peaceful day. }

On Monday, Meggie experienced her first snowfall. At first she was a little apprehensive and then, [SNAP!] she dove right into the white powder. I have never seen a dog experience a new season. My family's dogs were never as intrigued into snow quite like Meggie. For some of you who don't know Meggie let me enlighten you:
Meggie is not a ordinary dog who just eats, poops and sleeps. She is extremely fascinated with water and may I mention bath tubs. Yes, I said it, bath tubs. Every morning she tries to hurdle over our cheap fiberglass tub while you take your shower. Cal and I who have had grown up with dogs have never experienced this until now. At first it was cute but now we have to have one of us watch her or lock her up in her crate when it's shower time. Meggie also requires a tub for her little cat naps. The tub is usually required when Mom is cleaning or she is exhausted from attacking our Dyson.

Meggie at 8 weeks trying to get in.

Guess who broke our Dyson?!

For those who didn't believe: here's the proof!

In the future I'll do little posts about Meggie's personality. I assure you I have oodles of stories to tell.

Meggie's first glimpse of snow:

 

My favorite photo that I took on our walk that day. It make makes me at peace.

'Hi, Mom!'

{ Meggie Mae. }

I am a purebred yellow Labrador! In fact, I have a hunting background in my blood!

I was born on July 13, 2009 and forever home on August 30, 2009. I love my new home, especially my new Mom and Dad!

My new Dad is a hunter and he is going to teach me how to hunt! I am already practicing...well, I'm a little too young but I love fetching for my bumper! Hopefully in a year or so, I'll be ready for my first hunt with my Dad and Grandpa Greg!



I love sleeping--cat naps in my new crate, water (can't get enough it!), Mr. Pig (my beloved stuffed animal), grunting (sometimes my parents call me Miss Piggy), throwing and chasing toys for myself, being a socialite, my goosed-down red blankie, playing and learning things from Grandpa David and Dad and snuggling with Mom!

My kibble of choice is Nutro's Natural Choice, Large Breed Puppy: Controlled Growth Formula. Large and giant breeds are prone to rapid growth, which could lead to hip and joint problems. This food provides a unique blend of key nutrients needed to help maintain healthy, balanced growth from weaning to maturity.

I may get into a lot of trouble but you cannot deny how CUTE I am!