Puppy Love

Despite not having to set an alarm this morning, I was up bright and early as wet little noses and wiggling little tails decided to make themselves at home in my bed. Momma Pup isn't feeling well (she has Lyme Disease) and is having a tough time tending her babes, so inside they came. Somehow I got put in charge of keeping the puppies warm at eight a.m.

It's hard to complain though. I could've been in that 7:35 a.m. accounting class I was supposed to take, but no, instead I was snugglin' puppies.

They're only thirteen days old and spend most of their time sleeping, eating or cuddling. So Aiden, the puppies and I ate a big breakfast and settled in on the couch for a little play and a lot of puppy love.

It's so funny to watch Aiden with the puppies. This is Amy's third litter and Aiden is completely different with the pups. He's no longer the two year old grabbing their ears, pulling their tails and almost dropping them. Instead he snuggles them four at a time, scratches their bellies and gives them eskimo kisses. He's so grown up.

Nothing is cuter than a yawning puppy, really.

Even still, we can't help but laugh at their yawns and sneezes. And laugh even harder when they borrow in under our arms or accidently tickle our bellies as they scooch and slide, looking for somewhere warm.

And as another added bonus of our morning, Aiden got to play with my camera. After all, I needed a picture with the puppies too. Sometimes, I think he has a better eye than I do. He's been taking pictures since he was old enough to hold my iPhone and they always turn out impressive for the work of a three/four/five-year-old.

But like the puppies, we got tired of playing and pictures and settled for kicking up our feet, watching some TV and trying to ignore the puppy eyes (quite literally) from Momma who was begging for her pups back. (Who wouldn't want these cute little ones back?!)

But all good things must come to an end, and off to school we both went. It was my lucky day though, because Ry came to school with me - and... I even managed to get him behind the camera today!



We spent our time on campus filming ridiculous THON videos, taking captains pictures and showcasing the "wonderful" buildings on campus. But at least after all of our hard work we could enjoy some over-priced school coffee shop drinks, the company of Hana & Steph, and Isaac's (our favorite gluten-free stop) for lunch. I don't know what I'm going to do when he leaves again on Sunday... at least I still have the puppies.

If my heart was a house, you'd be home.

Sometimes the best part of vacation is coming home, especially to little brothers and newly born puppies or boyfriends and pajama days.

Or better yet, both.

My family loves pets. Animals of all sorts. We've had lizards, turtles, chickens, dogs, cats, mice, hamsters. Snuggly and fun; scaley and quiet. Inside and outside. We really don't descriminate. If you can give it an absurd name and take it for a walk (well, even if you can't), we're sure to love it. And love them, we do.

When I left for vacation, our dogs, both Blue Tick Hounds, Bobby Glenn and Amy Louise were expecting puppies once again. Just after the fireworks started for the start of a new year, the little ones were born - five of them, to be exact.

Yesterday, Aiden and I went to feed Momma Pup and snuggle the baby pups before Aiden had to go to school for the day. The five little warm bodies have yet to open their eyes to the warm colors of dead leaves and the winter sun around them. They whimper and cry for their Momma as she eats and we grab them out of their comfy den, one by one.

I mean, really, look at those legs.

As Aiden squeezes their little, chubby, milk-filled bellies, they stretch out their legs in an attempt to feel solid ground. Eventually Amy gets exhausted with their cries and carries the pups one by one back into their warm home. But until then, we squeeze and cuddle and laugh and take photos.

Not everyday is as glamorous and sweet though. Today was a day filled with earaches and sneezes; emptied tissue boxes and pajama pants; video games and D3: Mighty Ducks; a boyfriend's hugs and Vick's vapor rub. Today, was a sick day.

Most of the time, I take photos to capture a moment. To remember that place, that time, that look. To savor how cute Aiden looks, to remember a trip, a night with friends - but sometimes, I take photos to savor the feelings.

Sometimes the quality doesn't matter.. Sometimes, I don't care that I'm shooting without a flash and can't hold still. Sometimes I frankly don't care how the image looks in the end or that no matter how long I edit, it never comes out clear.

Today, was one of those times.

Because nothing takes away the winter-cold-blues like matching plain white t's and hours of movies. Maybe it was the Vick's or the Excedrin but I like to think that hours of cuddling and laughing fights away colds the best.


ps; I'd love to hear from you. Each day, over 30 of you stop by here and read whatever happens to be on my mind that day. While I like seeing your reactions, I'd love to hear your comments too. What do you like here? What can I do more of? What don't you like? If you blog too, I'd love to visit - leave a link.