Reprieve

Oh for the love of Dog! It has been too long. I've missed Blogistan!

I am finally enjoying reprieve from work, although I don't even know if reprieve is the right word to use since I'm still working like nuts, but at least I'm not working early into the late nights AND weekends. Whew! We were involved in a HUGE trial for over a month, and by huge I mean not only in number of plaintiffs, but volume of work and paper mountains. I don't think I saw my sweet little family for more than a few waking hours per week. It has not been easy and it has made me stop and re-evaluate the direction of my career. Time with my family suffered, time for myself, and of course, time for Blogistan.

But, that's another post for another time. I don't want to think about work right now. I am simply going to revel in my little reprieve for right now, and maybe post some doggie pictures.
Ha ha. What else would you expect, right?

Laverne & Shirley have settled in to their new lives here with us, and it is as if they have always been family. The depth of whatever neglect and abuse these girls experienced, especially Shirley, is immeasurable and it has left its emotional and mental scars. But, they are slowly becoming more and more relaxed and not so jumpy around here.

Milo has become a new man with his new little sisters. They have set up their own little community, their own habits, and daily procedures. Whereas Milo used to sleep on Achilles in the old days, he is now the one who is slept on by Laverne & Shirley. I don't think he's really complaining about Laverne all up in face snoring away...what do you think?

Laverne says, "What? We're napping...please put the camera away Mama."

Sometimes she gets her lip stuck to her teeth, like Achilles used to.

Milo says, "Hee hee hee, Mama, look at my chubby widdle sister! Woof!" (Actually, she's not so chubby anymore...with a steady diet & exercise, she's lost over 6 pounds.)

Our family room/TV den is usually where we hang out, eat, and just be. After dinner, the Golden Brigade lines up for treats.

Shirley Bird and Lavernicus do not like it when I leave, and they'll sleep by the door waiting and waiting and waiting....little sweet angels.

If you've followed my blog, you already know that this used to be Achilles' favorite spot to sleep indoors, on the cool tile under the bar.

Over this past month and a half, the only bright spots have been when we've taken our doggies to dog beach. With my work schedule we haven't been able to take them every weekend, but when we were able to they had a BLAST running around and swimming, then we get home and they get a bathe, some breakfast, and then it's on like donkey kong because it's naptime! They just CRASH so hard and sleep for hours. Here are Milo and Lavernie in the back.

Shirley Birdie likes to sleep draped in sunshine as her fur dries.

It is magical to watch my babies at the beach. They *literally* freak out and run around to and fro with such abandon and joy that you can't help but just laugh and laugh. I love how much they love the beach.

Warm, sandy dog beach day. Shirley Bug and Fat-ty Love patiently waiting for their frozen bananas.

My sweet, sweet, gentle, soulful Milo Da Bear. Oh how I love him. After swimming around for a long while, he comes over and settles in with me on the warm sand.

He makes Asian Eyes.

We took my father with us to dog beach. He was blown away. Not only is Afghanistan a landlocked country, but he was thoroughly aghast that there was a beach JUST FOR DOGS. Ha!

Guess who???

My sopping wet baby golden girls. Happy 'cuz they got bananas!

I no longer have matching socks. Someone has been having her way with mama's socks. And Milo's favorite stuffed bear as well! Here's a hint, her name rhymes with "Girlie".

But then again, I've heard a rumor that another little golden girl likes to use her mama's socks as a pillow. Must be very, very comfortable, like a tempurpedic pillow ya know.

This picture just makes me howl with laughter. Just because. Laverne is just a character!

I've got to go catch up on your bloggie blogs my peeps. Please forgive my absence. I hope ya'll are doing well and are happy out there!