Letters from Clarence

Hello from camp!!! 

My name is Clarence and my PAWrents have sent me to Camp Always Amelia to 'tune up' some of my behavior- I don't know what that means because I'm obviously PAWfect

My PAWrents asked Amelia to trim my beard and my face, nails, and a hygiene trim. I feel even fancier in my fluff now 

We go for many long walks

And I get a lot of "good boys" for looking at Amelia and walking on her right side (just like my dad likes it).

Sitting with distractions has been really hard, but the treats and good boys have been worth it

I have made new friends too!

The grumpy looking older one is my absolute favorite because he doesn't mind when I get too excited. He told me "I've seen it all pup" and just keeps on his way. He must be the wisest of all the doodles. I want to learn everything he knows.

There are many rules here, but also a lot a lot of snuggles

Especially from the little girl who always says "Clarence you are so fluffy and cute!" and she smells like the best snacks. 

I am learning not to jump on people. It is REALLY hard. I really really love people. But Amelia said I am doing a good job trying. She makes me sit before people come over to pet me

I am also working on "drop" and "leave it". I am not allowed to take toys as my own, or pick up sticks or pinecones and try to eat them on our walks. 

Camp is a lot of work, but I am having a really good time! I love writing home each night and sending my PAWrents all my tail wags! And then I sleep and sleep and sleep until morning. Then we start our day together again. I can't wait to count how many "good boy Clarence" I get tomorrow!

Thanks for sending me to camp!

I will write more soon

Love,

Clarence

The Joys of Toy Rotations

The best thing about having a big tall basket of dog toys is the gradual cave in of toys that get stuck in the bottom abyss of the hamper. Why is this great you ask? It could sound problematic... But in fact it results in the greatest day of the week- Toy Rotation Day!

No matter how well loved, tattered, and chewed... Those bottom basket toys are BRAND NEW (and yes I can tell you this life hack also works on toddlers and babies with their own toy boxes, AND also toddlers with playing with the dogs with their 'new' toys.) 

Mommy!!! Look at this big purple squeaky dog!

*Gasps* WOW what a big dog toy! Where did that come from!?! ;)

Let's see if the doggies like their new toy

*Toddler toss*

PAWfect amount of room for two

Let's go doggies! 

Follow me!

I will follow you anywhere Hazel, even up in the air!

(My favorite photo of all time and definitely needs framed)

Happy dogs are

Tired dogs

Best

Day

Ever

Hooray for Toy Rotation Day!

Fetch Doggies!

Always,

Amelia

Always a Puppy at Heart

I am LOVING the PUPdates we have been getting from our older 'puppies'. Reading all these wonderful messages of years of Tail Wagging Devotion, love, and companionship ignites and keeps the passion for what we do burning in my soul. With my own Maverick doodle turning 12 this year, I can't help but reflect on all the things we have been through together. From finding each other to moving 3 times, relationships, breakups, traveling and going on adventures together, health changes and diagnoses, to treatment plans and IVF, life, loss, the birth of Hazel, more treatments, the birth of Thatcher, new furry friends and old furry friends. Maverick IS my story and I am his. I am grateful for our years together and I hope for as many more as we can get (come on foreverrrrr)!! I love love love the PUPdates of our Yesteryear Acres doggies living their lives to their fullest with their furever families!!! Thank you for continually sharing with us glimpses of your FURever stories, they truly mean the world to us. 

May your doggie always stay a puppy at heart <3

Always,

Amelia

Clarence Comes to Camp

 Hazel woke up this morning and I heard first thing on the baby monitor- " Little Stomps! IT'S CLARENCE DAY!!" (Little Stomps is her birthday Dinosaur from Auntie Abigail). Today is indeed the day that this cutie patootie comes to Camp Always Amelia for training and boarding. 

It's Clarence!!! 

Clarence is a double doodle from Ruby Lou's past Christmas litter and we cannot wait to give him a great big hug!!! Hazel has been counting down the days and today is finally THE DAY. 

Stay tuned for PUPdates from Camp Always Amelia <3

Welcome Clarence! We've been waiting for you!

Always,

Amelia

Oh Doggies!!!

You may (or may not) have noticed that my Sourdough Sunday blogs made a sharp nose dive off the weekly writing topics. Have no fear! My starter is alive and very much thriving! The humans in my household had a most unfortunate week of the tummy troubles a few weeks ago and our 'last meal' just so happened to be homemade sourdough roll sandwiches. And well, to be quite frank, I am working my tolerance back up to being around any kind of bread again (I have been emotionally changed forever. If either of my kids so much gags in my general direction ever again... *shudders*). SO what is a baking girl to do??? Make LOTS and LOTS of dog treats!!! Oh doggiesssss!! They have been my most faithful dog treat recipe taste testers and have very much loved the power shift in our sourdough baking narrative. 

Our doggies' current favorite treat combination is...

Sourdough Peanut Butter Doggie Dinner Rolls!

"Mama smells like lunchtime!" (See we are getting closer to bread already!)

We made big sizes for the big doggies

And little ones for our smaller furry friends

Oh doggies!!!! Your treats are ready!!

Happy Sourdough Sunday from some VERY happy puppy dog tummies!

Always,

Amelia

Just Like Mama

It is another PURRfect Caturday here at Yesteryear Acres and our little Devon Rex kittens are getting ridiculously cuter by the second! Anya's kittens are doing wonderfully and want to grow up to be just like their Mama. 

Anya says, "Watch me and you will have a MEOWY good life indeed!"

From head scratches

"OHH that does feel nice"

To PURRfect picture poses

"I can see myself and I look ADORABLE"

To playful paws

"I can almost get it... If I just reaaaaach"

Our kittens know that Mama knows best!

"I am going to grow up big and strong and brave!"

"We are going to be curious and kind!"

Just like

Mama <3 

Ohhh how we adore Anya and her kittens!

Happy Caturday from our little 'Mini Me-s'!

Always,

Amelia

Fri-Yay Picnic

The other day was the most blissfully perfect spring day, and knowing we had infinite rain in our future, I was determined to make the most of the glorious weather. Which led to an impromptu picnic! 

Without a picnic table to hold us all (yet!) I wheeled Thatcher's high chair outside and hauled Hazel's little desk right along with it. And proceeded to set up the messiest lunch ever. Because why not when you're outside?!

On the menu: Rice Krispie cereal with chopped strawberries and an open glass of milk for Hazel

And the biggest bowl of yogurt ever made for a baby ever for Thatcher - with smaller chopped strawberries and mozzarella cheese on the side.

The best part for everyone, the mess was outside AND there was enough room for all the doggies to hover the high chair at once

Because if there is ONE thing I have learned after two kids...

Yogurt and everything will land on the floors, the walls, we have even managed the upper cabinets and ceiling in our galley style kitchen. 

Avoiding the splash zone

Splash zone creator

With our faithful cleanup crew at the ready

Being showered in food is some creatures love language

And after the signing of "all done"

The real work has just begun!

What a wonderful day for a picnic, don't you think?

Why yes little Kipper! Let's do it again soon! 

Happy Fri-Yay!

Always,

Amelia