.the modern animal.

with a couple of my good friends each getting themselves an adorable new family member, an english bulldog & a bluetick coonhound, i just can't seem to get all things furry out of my mind. so here's a little fun [and so awesomely modern!] for the 4 legged family members in our lives.
[miss you bella, every single day - xo]

1] canvas pet tote || 2] collapsable pet dish || 3] dog toy brick || 4] cat and dog sofa || 5] cat scratcher console || 6] cat litter box || 7] back to cool paperclip chew || 8] dog house set || 9] pyramid cat bed

.Adoption.

This made me cry and long to adopt.

Oh, how I miss my girl.

.my girl, a letter to you.

My Bella,

Yesterday I lost my best buddy. You. 

As I sit here this morning and cry, I keep thinking that you are going to pop your sweet little red head around the corner to give me some love. You really hated to see me cry. I keep thinking you are going to push your cold, wet nose into my hand for a head rub and a snuggle. You really loved mornings, it was when you were most cuddly. And we cuddled so many mornings. My sweet red haired ginger and I.

Well, it's morning. And you're not here....

You and I really were two peas in a pod. I think I spent the most time with you out of anyone. Taking walks, sharing food -  you really loved to eat my meal most, cuddling on our bed, watching chick-flicks when your poppa had to work late at night, allowing me to play photographer with you, listening to me vent when I was upset {I think people thought I was crazy talking to a dog, but I really think you 'got it'}, and of course your favorite - playing catch - actually, you liked your dad best for that one {which secretly made me so happy. You and he playing together. It was precious}. You really just knew how to hang out with me and I don't think I ever realized just how much your presence meant to me till now. 

I honestly don't think I've cried so much in my entire life. I haven't really felt loss before with the exception of my grandfathers, but I was still so young then, and this just feels different. You were my girl. My baby. We were together almost 24/7. My heart was not prepared for this. I feel empty, hollow, and raw. I miss you.

I do however, know that we made the right decision. You were in pain and suffering, and I just couldn't put you through that. I know you were holding on for our sakes, and that wasn't fair to make you feel like you needed to be the strong one. But that was what you always were, the strong one. The one that made our little family so much better than it was before. So much stronger. So much more love.

Bella, you will forever be in our hearts. I will never stop missing my sweet ginger pup. It will be in quiet moments, like when I am sitting on the couch that I will remember you looking up at me from the floor with your sweet chocolate eyes after you have rested your head on my leg, or when 4 pm comes around and it was your favorite - feeding time! Or when your dad and I argue over something silly, I will remember how just the presence of you would calm us down. And when those glorious mornings arrive and you just want some real love cuddles. I will always remember those moments. 

You, my bella girl, will always be a part of my sunny mornings. And I love you for that.

Be safe my girl. I love you.

xoMomma.

My Beautiful Girl.

Getting some love from your Poppa. xo

...and some love from momma.

Bella. xo. My sweet ginger girl.

.Doggie Walks.

Just out for a walk in the woods with my baby bella. It was a bit chilly so I piled on the layers {four to be exact} and off we went.

With camera in hand.

SHOP: Jacket: Anthropologie {gifted from my momma}, Shoes: Zara 2010 {similar here}, Scarf: Joe Fresh {similar here},  Bracelet: Stella & Dot.

*ps. did I mention that this super wicked, old man, oversized coat is on sale! yep, you should all check it out......It's makes you feel granny-ish. But also super cool.

Just me and my Bella. xo.

.Homemade Dog treats.

So it's my girl, Bella's, Birthday today, and since I'm such a bad mommy for leaving to Montreal on her Birthday, I decided to bake her some homemade dog treats to take with her to the Farm (my sister, and father are dog-sitting while we're gone. P.S. THANK YOU Wonderful Family of mine!)

So here are the recipes incase you have been a bad mommy and need to suck up a little to your canine friend. Or just cause.

She really, really, really liked them both, but LOVED the Apple cinnamon ones above.
Recipes found at bullwrinkle.com
Apple Cinnamon Drops
1 large apple

1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup of water

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 

1 cup oatmeal

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1/8 cup whole wheat flour

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 ° F (180 ° C).
Core, slice and mince the apple (use a food processor if you have one). In a large bowl, combine the minced apple bits, honey, water, cinnamon, and oatmeal. Gradually blend in the wheat flour, adding enough to form a stiff dough.
In a small bowl, add 1/8 cup wheat flour. Spoon the dough by rounded teaspoon onto ungreased baking sheets (you can also lightly grease), spacing about 2 inches (5cm) apart. Using the bottom of a glass dipped in the wheat flour (to prevent sticking), flatten each spoonful of dough into a circle. Adjust the size of the drops based on how big a treat you like to feed your dog.
Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and flip each cookie to brown evenly on both sides. Reduce oven temperature to 325 ° F (180 °C). Return to oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes. Let cool overnight.
Makes about 3 dozen crunchy cookies, depending on how big you make them.

Veggie Bones
3 cups minced parsley
1/4 cup carrots, chopped very fine
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella or parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 3/4 cups whole wheat flour

2 tablespoons bran
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 to 1 cup of water
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees, rack on middle level. Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
Stir together parsley, carrots, cheese, and oil. combine all the dry ingredients and add to veggies. Gradually add 1/2 cup of water, mixing well. Make a moist but not wet dough. If needed, add a little more water. Knead for one minute.
roll dough out to 1/2 inch thickness. Using cookie cutter or a glass, cut out the shapes and transfer them to the baking sheet. Gather the scraps and reroll and cut.
Bake for 20-30 minutes until biscuits have browned and hardened slightly. (They will harden more as they cool.) Speed cooling by placing them on wire racks. Store in airtight tin.

Looks so yummy hey!?! I almost want to eat them! Also notice my shapes? There's hearts, dog bones, and Christmas Trees! The heart and bone I had to shape by hand, as the only cookie cutter I could find was could only find was the Christmas Tree!!

I think she enjoyed them!

Happy Birthday Beautiful Bella. 

Mommy and Daddy Love you. xx

.diary of bella: My Birthday.

"Hi Everyone!

It's just me, Miss Bella here. And it's my birthday! I'm nine (which is like 63 in your human years), and these birthdays seem to keep getting harder and hard. I should mention that it's also Cinco de Mayo, but I don't live in Mexico, so I'm just excited about it being my birthday. And that means that I'm getting spoiled rotten!

Mom and Dad left me though. Isn't that sad. On my Birthday!?! How rude, however, I'm staying at Auntie Kelsey's and Grandpa Wayne's out on the farm so secretly I'm not that sad that they left me for a week. See, I LOVE the farm. It's so much fun, it's like having a birthday party all week long! I get to scare Auntie's kitties and eat horse poop all day, and mommy can't even yell at me!
It's going to be so much fun!!

Also, because mommy was feeling sad about leaving me (especially on my birthday, which I am going to milk for so long) she did leave me a present before she left. Some new toys, and some homemade doggie treats! So cool! This is the first time she's baked for me (or specifically for me because I usually sneak her food anyways) and it was sooo yummy! I'm going to tell her to post the recipes on here so that all my fellow dog friends can have their mommy's cook them treats too! I'm nice like that.

Well, I'm off to frolic with the horses, and get as smelly as I can because, well, it's my birthday! 
Love, Bella. xx

.diary of bella: The Snow.

Hiya Everyone,

It's me, Miss Bella here. And I just wanted to get something off my chest: I LOVE THE SNOW.  

Even if it is still here and the middle of April.

Sorry, it's true. I am definitely not hating any bit of the fluffy stuff that is still occupying my mom and dad's backyard. I mean, it's supposed to be all sunny with birds chirping (although I do like that too. Those sweet little birds don't know what's coming to them.... I like to scare them with my bark, hehe, it's so fun) but with the snow still here, I still get to roll around, find hidden balls like buried treasure, mush my face into the white fluffy abyss, and walk in areas mommy usually doesn't let me go because she can't see what I'm stepping on. It's Great!

I love the snow. I wish it would stay, and I wish mommy would stop shovelling it. That's all.

Now watch me roll.....

I live a Good Life.

.diary of bella: The Introduction.

"Hello Everyone!

It's me, the Wonder Dog of the Treb household. My name is Bella, and I am single, female, and a Beautiful ginger-haired Golden Retriever (not to be touched by Mr. Firth! Mom made me add that part. Guess he really likes Ginger's).

I like long walks with mommy and daddy, swimming in the lake (my absolute favorite), and chasing after Dunlop's (that's a tennis ball in case you where wondering).

I also really like to chew my little stuffed animals, especially my hamster or green elephant from my Auntie Kelsey. I think they are supposed to be for a small puppy because they are so tiny, but they fit in my mouth perfectly. I even chewed off Mr. Elephant's ear. See. I like her. I also like my Auntie Kelsey. She spoils me.

My best friend lives next door, and she's named Luna. She's has black hair and is so pretty. We love to play wrestle, and sometimes she steals my toys. But sometimes I pee in her backyard (that's when I'm bad). I love Luna.

I love to take long naps, and snuggle with mommy, especially in the mornings or when Daddy is working nights. Then I get to sleep on her bed all night. And she sneaks me food sometimes.
My Daddy is the best at throwing my balls and playing fetch. He doesn't give me food though. I wish he would.

My favorite time is meal time. I just love to eat, and eat, and eat. I also love cucumbers, and peanut butter. I hate olives (I tried one after it fell on the floor and yucky!). I also love nap time.
Mommy kisses me a lot. And daddy sneaks in kisses when he thinks mommy isn't looking. I think she knows though.

Sometimes, we get to go to Grandpa Wayne's farm. It's sooo much fun, but then I smell after. Mommy hates that. I used to be scared of grandpa's horses, but I'm getting braver and go a little closer. At least to give them a little sniff. I don't think they like me.

Well, I'm off to see what everyone else is doing, and give those puppy dog eyes to mommy because she's about to have dinner. It usually works ;)


Love, Bella."