Frankie's new home.

Hello….sorry I've been silent all weekend. I do have a lot to share with you. First off to explain the title. We have decided to find Frankie a new home. Please don’t be upset with me. This was a VERY hard decision for me and one that I had to make. I felt that we did not have enough to give to Frankie with training him and doing what Frankie needs and I was feeling that Jackjack, Abigail and I were suffering because of it as well as Frankie. There are many things that contributed to this and I just feel I don't want to share them all on here. If you want, please feel free to ask me.

I never felt I was a person to let a dog go that came into my house but I have realized that I am the one in charge of all the training and dog walking and that I just can’t give enough to three dogs especially one that needs a lot from someone right now. He is a great dog and I love him to death…but I just feel it was best if I found him a new home. This decision was made between Thursday and Friday.

The good thing was that we had already been asked for Frankie by several people…so I thought about who I could see him with and I called my knitting friend and asked if she would seriously consider adopting Frankie. She spoke to her Mr. Man and asked if I would bring him over to meet their dog Arwyn, a black lab mix.

So, Friday I took him over and hung out for over an hour and watched Frankie play and play with Arwyn and also watched him learn how to use their doggie door. When I left they said that they would keep him over night and see how it goes and let me know what they decide. I left and I told her he will whine for me but if you distract him he will be ok.

She called me Saturday morning with good news. She said that he did whine but every time he did Arwyn ran over and started playing with him and kept him occupied. She said that sleepy time was interesting because Arwyn really wasn’t sure about sharing the bed with another dog but in the end they all slept in the bed and it went well. She walked the two of them that morning and was able to easily walk them. So, she said that they had decided to keep him and went out and bought him a new crate, doggie bed, and more toys.

She also brought him and Arwyn with them on Saturday to our WWKIP day event and they both did great. Here is a picture of the Fiber Fanatics group setting up our event with Frankie and Arwyn to help us. Frankie's new mommy did all the decorations. She's very crafty!

It was sad not having him at home because he will always have my heart and be a part of my pack but I think it’s best for him to live with them. The good thing is that I will get to see him when I want and I’ll get updates about him all the time. I think he will be happy with them and I think my marriage will be better off with just the two dogs.

I know that not everyone will understand this decision as I know that I’ve not always understood when others decided this but I have to admit that it was the right choice. He’s going to be loved and taken good care of. My friend is a dog person and I know that she will give him everything he needs.

Well...I hope you understand but feel free to tell me what you feel. I've come to grips with this and I'm doing ok. I feel I was a great foster mom for him but he needed to be where he is now.

Thank you for reading this.

Natalie.

PS..I have tons more pictures of the WWKIP day to share but will post them later today or tomorrow.

Dogs on Thursday....more videos!

Ok...since I posted bad lighting video yesterday...I figured I'd take some better ones last night and I got some of Jackjack being Jackjack. :)

Abby and Frankie playing....a little too rough but I let them be for now.

And they continued....

What Jackjack does while they play.

And how cute is he?

Hope you enjoyed all the video. They are so cute and funny! When the playing gets out of hand I try to step in but mostly I let it be until it does.

Happy DOT and don't forget to go check out the article that Nichole posted. It's very informative!!

I'm still trying to get back up! Frankie is better!

Ok...so yes you can blame the twilight series for my lack of posts. :) At least this time....I started the first book last monday and I am already reading the last book Breaking Dawn and really I think it's my favorite. A lot of people bashed it but I loved it!! I thought the twists were great and am loving reading them again!

Ok..enough about Edward and Bella! Back to knitting and dogs. We will first do dogs. :) OK...here's my DOT post a day early.

I thought I'd share video of Frankie and Abigail playing. He is back to his normal crazy self. He is also back to sitting for me. With the bandages on, he wouldn't sit not matter what I did. Now he's sitting along with the rest of them. He is a good boy!

Also I'm sorry about the bad video lighting. It was an impromptu video taping. I'll work on getting better video of them playing it's hilarious!! Especially when Jackjack gets involved. :) He was too busy sleeping to play at this point.

after the water break...they started back up! :)

Ok.....knitting. I have been knitting a bit during training calls at work and some over the weekend but honestly all I've done is read! :) hehehe I'm almost done with my dad's vest and I'm TERRIFIED of running out of yarn. I hope I don't but if I do I guess I'll have to do another knitpicks order. ugh... :) hehehe I'll be knitting at knit night tonight so hopefully I'll get some progress done.

Here is the vest prior to the frogging it went through.
I forgot I had these pictures to share with you but here is post frogging yarn. That is a lot of knitting that got ripped back but it's for my dad so it's got to be as close to perfect as possible. The reason it was frogged is because I was knitting a size too small. I'm already back to where I was and more so I'm good. I can't wait to finish but again...fear the running out of yarn!
The yarn was washed before I started re-knitting. I'm not a fan of knitting with kinky yarn. heheh

Spinning...I've been spinning even though I'm not knitting. I spun at my guild's meet up this weekend. We had 20 people there and 5 new members joined! It was AWESOME! I also found a place to stay for SAFF in North Carolina in October so I have officially decided to go to the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair! YEAH!! I'm so excited. I've already started working on getting a meet n greet set up and also get goodie bags! FUN!! As soon as I iron out the details I'll let you all know if you are going where to meet me! :) Not that I'm a celebrity or anything but I would love to meet my listeners or readers!
I also took a break from reading on Monday and spun. :) I'm working on the blue superwash merino batt. It is spinning up SOOO nicely! I love batts now!!

I also cleaned another pound and a half of the fleece! It's coming along nicely and I can't wait to card more and figure out what I'd like to spin up! I'm thinking a shawl. First though I am going to play with dying it!Ok...well..hope everyone is doing well! Miss you all and sorry about being such a bad blogger and blog reader lately. I'll work on it. I should have a podcast up by Saturday or Sunday! So keep your ear out for that!

Happy Spinning, Knitting, and DOGGIES!! :)

My birthday weekend....well...Frankie.

So...my birthday weekend started out great. Saturday, I went to brunch with some friends, my nieces and my sisters. It was great and then that afternoon, Kenny and I decided to take the pups to the park to go for a walk. We piled them into the back of my Xterra like we usually do. We cracked the windows just enough for Jackjack to get his head out and went on our way. Half way there, Frankie some how stepped on the window control, rolled down the window and jumped out of the moving car! It was INSANE! I can't tell you the details because they are still fuzzy but we stopped, he came to me and I grabbed him and realized he was bleeding from all four paws. To make a long story short, we rushed him to the ER vet and they bandaged him up. He has to have all four paws bandaged. He doesn't have any broken bones and thank God he's alive! The experience was one of those lessons you never want to learn this way.
He also has to wear these plastic IV bags when he goes out if it's wet because if the bandages get wet we have to take him in to get them replaced right away. He's not a fan of these.
I have learned that I MUST have the child locks on and that Frankie must be restrained and watched at all times in the car. I still can't believe it happened and even though it was an accident, it's hard not to blame myself for not being more vigilant. He's healing slowly and we have to have his bandages changed every 2 days for a while. They said the back ones will take longer to heal becuase they are worse than the front. He's in good spirits even though he's become a bit of a whiner because he is not a fan of the e-collar.
Thank you for all of the kind words and prayers. It's been a crazy and emotional weekend. I promise to keep you posted on how he is doing.

Well...I have more fibery and doggie pictures to share with you but I wanted to get this post up before it's been to long. I'm off to watch the Office and My Boys with my hubby and cuddle with the pups...oh by the way which I found out that I'm allergic to dogs today! HAHAHA It's funny because I am fine around my dogs and most dogs and that nothing will change other than I'll be adding dog to my allergy shots! Crazy though! Me allergic to dogs. :) hehehe

Ok...off to watch tv, knit and get some sleep. Tomorrow is my first day back to work after 5 days off...going to be a rough one!

Dogs on Thursday!

Ok...so I know you're wondering...the official decision is that Frankie is now a part of the Barknknit pack! He's fitting in well. We are starting to crate him because he's been marking the house and so we need to get back to serious potty training. He was doing great that first week but I think he's coming into his own. The 30 days are not up but we have decided that it's been 2 weeks and if the owner has not appeared by now that we are keeping him. He's getting neutered tomorrow and he's officially a pack member. We've started teaching him to sit and teaching him his name. Special K is doing great helping with this. We've also realized that Frankie is not a runner and he can hang out and train off a leash in our front yard.

Jackjack and him have bonded as well. They are too cute together. Jackjack is not affectionate with him but lets Frankie get pretty close and also doesn't mind being licked by him. :) Here is proof. They are just too cute!

Frankie also has figured out that the most comfortable spot in the house is by someone. Here he is bonding with Sharimom while she was here. :) I love this picture with the 3 of them on the couch. And sunday night, we had our friends Phil and Catie over for leftovers and they brought their dog Ginger, who like Abby and Frankie LOVES to play. Jackjack saught refuge with Sharimom and Kenny on the loveseat. He's kind of hard to see because he's so dark but there he is. :)
And since well...this is a knitting blog too. Here is the picture I promised of Sharimom in her monkey socks! They fit PERFECTLY!! I like knitting for her so she should probably expect more knitted items. :) And Sharimom if there is something you would like..just let me know!
Ok..well...I hope you liked the triple posting! Have a great day and don't forget to check out the DOT post this week!

SK's birthday party!

Ok...we are going to triple post today! :) This last week was Special K's birthday weekend. He turned the big 25 on Friday and I threw him a birthday party. His mom also flew in Friday to spend the weekend with us! It was great having her here! I miss her already! So...this weekend was jam packed full of activity...that's why we are triple posting!!

First off was Friday, the birthday party! We had family and Kenny's friends over for pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, and the fixins. Some brought Special K gifts even though he said he didn't' want any but I think he liked all the ones he got!

Special K with his mom Sharimom

Special K and me...

Even though we are Cubs fans, my brother-in-law works for the Rays so SK got a Rays shirt. We root for them when they aren't playing the Cubbies.
Special K getting a golf ball retriever from his buddy Jason. Phil and Catie are in the back.

Special K getting a new fishing pole from his dad and step-mom.

SK saying thank you.

Abby making sure that people were paying attention to her.

My family sitting around chatting away.

Frankie enjoying the attention as well. :) I love this picture of him! That's Catie holding him.

And just so I don't get any comments that Jackjack was neglected. Here he is getting attention as well. :)

The party was fun and it was the first time having my whole family over for dinner. The dogs behaved themselves other than Jackjack wanting to steal napkins, Abby wanting to eat food out of the garbage, and Frankie trying to grab someone's plate. But all those are to be expected and people were watching them.

Kong time. :) Loads of videos!

On my way home yesterday, I stopped to get some more of my favorite dog shampoo which is Tropiclean Papaya! I love how the smell stays for a while and it smells so good! It also makes them really soft. So, while I was there picking up dog shampoo I saw that they had medium dog kongs for only $6.49! It's nice that all the small dog stuff is so much cheaper! I got the Kong because I haven't been giving my big dogs them because it would be unfair and he would try to get theirs. :)

I got the Medium Puppy Kong and it came with a treat so after I let them out to potty, I gave them each their kong because I wanted to see how it would go.

Here's Frankie figuring it out.

and more of him. He's so excited!! And Jackjack finished his too fast and came to see what I was doing. :)

Here's Abby with her Kong. Like the beach towel to help with the water dripping from their mouths as they walk away from the water bowl. :)

And since Jackjack was done and walking around aimlessly searching to steal someone else's Kong. We did some quick training. :) He's so cute!!!

Well, I hoped you liked this post full of videos! I figured I'd leave you with something fun before I disappear for the weekend. I will try to take lots of pictures and hopefully get a podcast and more blogpost up. I was super moody last night and decided it was not a good idea to record a podcast while wanting to cry or scream. It's that time of month and I needed to relax. :)

Today is better and it's Special K's birthday! He turns all of 25 years old. :) His mom flies in at 2:30 today and I'm super excited! We'll pick up an ice cream cake on the way home!

Happy Day! Happy Day!!

DOT, WIP, and more.

Because I love my MIL and really don't want to be ruffed up when she gets here tomorrow. Here is a blog post! I'm very sorry for neglecting my blog. I've been busy at work, knitting a ton, cleaning house, cleaning dogs, and my back has been hurting. My back is finally feeling better and since I've been on the phone all day at work and needed a break...figured I'd post. Also, I have some great pictures! :)

First off...since Frankie has figured out which is the best chair in the house...Jackjack had decided that he would try it out too. As you can see, he agrees and I have officially lost my brown chair that I found at a rummage sale at my church. :) It's ok though...they will get out if I ask nicely.
Also...the two boy pups in my house have started bonding. The first sign was this....

When Frankie first came home, Jackjack would not get in the bed if Frankie was up there. This caused issues since Jackjack LOVES the bed! Well...I think he realized that Frankie isn't going any where and that he would have to get used to it. The next thing I do not have pictures or video YET! When I went home early on Tuesday because of my back, I pretty much laid on the couch with the feet up. Jackjack was on the loveseat and Frankie jumped up there and started licking Jack's face and ears. Jackjack has NEVER let any other dog do this. He usually gets up and walks away or moves away. I have now seen this happen multiple times and ever time I'm shocked! I think it's so cute!!

Abby and Frankie are different. They play contstantly...it's quite ridiculous. If they aren't playing they are sleeping. :) They play outside inside and in any room of the house. They have even tried playing on the bed while I was in it. That did not go over well. :) Frankie is not scared of Abby and even when Abby plays a bit to rough and I have to say something...he goes right back for more. :) This has given poor Jackjack a break and now he can choose when to play instead of being constantly harrassed by Abby. It's kind of ironic because now Abby has a doggie like herself to harrass her. :)

Ok...well....I've been knitting. I completed the socks for the MIL who threatened to ruff me up if I didn't post. :) And she will get them tomorrow when she gets here...as long as I don't get ruffed up. :) I'll take pictures of her in them to share on the blog.

I've also cast on for something for my dad. Since he reads my blog, all he gets to know is that for his birthday he is getting something knit from me. :)

I'm pretty sure he can't tell what it is from that picture! It's coming along nicely and faster than I had anticipated. And yes, I know if he does research he can easily find out what I'm knitting him! :)

I've also started knitting fingerless gloves out of my handspun for my co-workers. Two of the girls at work have birthday's in May along with me so I'm making them fingerless gloves for our freezing work place. :) This is the ones for MK out of the hanspun yarn that I dyed with the Love on it. Here's link to the post I shared pictures of the fiber.
Well...again I'm sorry for the neglect! I promise to get better at posting. I really need to fix my camera so I can get soem better pictures on here. Tomorrow is Special K's 25th birthday and we are having a party at our house and his mom is flying in for the weekend! We are going to have a blast!! We are also going to a REO Speedwagon/Night Ranger concert Saturday night!! His mom coming was supposed to be a surprise but Firefox and gmail messed that up...it's ok because he's had a rough week and has had something awesome to look forward to!!

Hope everyone is having a great DOT and don't forget to go over and check out our contest winners! Also have a good weeekend and I promise to try to post. I'm hoping to get a podcast out tonight because I have a great interview and other fun stuff to talk about!!

Happy Knitting, Spinning, and Dog loving!

Our stray "Frankie"

Well...I guess I should tell my blog readers what's going on. :) I talked about this on yesterday's podcast episode so if you want to hear more details check www.barknknitpodcast.blogspot.com. ;)
So, Friday my sister found three stray dogs hanging out under her truck when they got home from the beach. I called her to check in on my way home and when she told me this I headed over there. We decided to call animal control but there was this one that was just too cute and I couldn't let them take him. I talked to the animal control guy and he said I could keep him and they could take his information and if someone calls about him they will give them my number. After 30 days if the owner does not claim him than we can keep him. Well...to make a long story as short as possible. Kenny was not too happy I brought him home but we are keeping him until monday and then are going to decide whether we want to find him a home or keep him. He's very friendly and seems to be getting along well with our dogs. He is potty trained and only had accidents when I first brought him home.

He's not neutered which I thought would be a big issue with Jackjack but it hasn't been. He seems about 5-6 months old or older. He's 15 lbs and has bassett legs. I have not completely fallen in love but it's hard not to. I want Kenny to make the decision to keep him or not so for now I have to be able to let him go.
Other than that, my weekend has been cleaning the house and dogs, spinning, and knitting. I've gotten a lot done and it feels great. Well, I'm going to get ready for church and I'll keep you all posted on what we decide. :)

Happy Easter Weekend.