Hssss

Last weekend's lesson? Shame-Game Revenge sucks. After my brag blog about finding the dog show for us to attend, Will's ego took over. Last Sunday he announced we were going to a new zoo. In Ann Arbor. On Jackson Road. All indoors. Of course, I rolled my eyes but played happy mama and helped pack up the munchkin.

On the way there I queried, "So, what is this zoo all about?"

Will's response: "It's mostly reptiles and amphibians."

Immediate. Freak. Out. Amphibians, I'm fine with - remember the peace-frog Prizzie? Reptiles, not so much.

Will follow-up: "It's mostly rescue animals."

Sigh of relief.

Rescue animals wouldn't include a giant pet anaconda, right?

WRONG.

But, I'll go back to the beginning...

Located in a one-story pre-fab sort of building on an industrial-park stretch of Jackson Road, the Great Lake Zoological Society is pretty unassuming.

As were the sweet couple that greeted us.

 Though the lady bird did have some skin issues going on...

Apparently, they just warm you up for the amphibian/reptile portion of the place... 

 Which M loved.

Come to find out, 

Maizey is a museum-exhibit-description-reader, must like her namesake, Great Grandma Mary.

For once, I was happy to be the photographer.

And Maizey spent most of her time loving it.

 Especially these two grand fellows...

 Both a spry 20 years old.

On our way out we were invited into a "meet the animals" presentation. 

Which was honestly, really neat.

For Maizey,

NOT Mom.

 Will was a good great sport though. He shares my serpent phobia but is committed to not passing it on to our daughter. So, in he dove.

Brave man.

 My contribution?

 Not passing out or throwing up.

Smiles from Miss Maizey.

But really, it was a great adventure and probably topped the dog show. Less overwhelming, less expensive and more exotic. Dad better watch out - he's on deck for the upcoming weekends. Not sure how he'll top this!

As an aside, I would highly recommend the "zoo" to area families. Check it out... 

Message Monday

Today I took time to savor the small things and shed a few tears after watching this video, shared by pal Maria, whose friend Jill is the subject of the story.

'The Light That Shines' a story for all from InBedWithSue.com on Vimeo.

It's definitely worth a watch - enjoy...

Pete!

 

We love you!

xoxo

M.M.W.K.

Puppies!!!!!!

Keeping with the dog theme, here are some shots taken during last weekend's excursion to the Winter Classic dog show in Novi. We I often scour blogs, email blasts and newspapers to come up with a family-friendly weekend activity. Given Maizey's obsession with all things canine, I added the WC to my calendar and Saturday morning, off we went. (There were no elephant, horsie, train, cheese or Papa related activities elsewhere.) And man, there were dogs. Thousands of them.

I figured it was good exposure if M decides to join me in the business - she needs to see that many of her dog-owning customers are cuckoo unique.

Like this well-dressed lass (and her rapt audience)...

in charge of the duck herding demonstration.

Luckily I was on hand when the well-dressed lass pontificated a titch too long on the wonders of border collies...

GRAHAM!

to the rescue.

When asked what this guy was Maizey responded, 

 "Horsie."

I didn't even know it, but two birds with one stone.

She loved it.

 As did Will.

No really.

 He did.

I didn't have the heart to tell her that the dogs in her life would most likely look like this,

and not this.

But, no matter. She'll always have a dog.

Poor pit

Poor Kip. The guy just gets a bad shake. And he's a great shaker! We fostered him because he was living in a kennel, so distressed he was chewing his feet into bloody stumps. He came into our home and then the poor lad discovered he was living with not one, but two psycho blondes (me and Owen). A year later, he's tortured by my attempts at love (but endures like a champ). Then, Maizey comes along and the walks stop - meaning a more tortuous Owen. But, eventually Owen goes to live with a kid-free family and life is looking up for Kippers. And then, Maizey starts walking. And talking. And abusing.

Lately, it's been rough going for the toughest looking, biggest sissy on the block. First, an abscessed toenail. Swiftly followed by an infected eye and oozing hot spot on his cheek and pronounced non-toenail-induced limping. The vet put him to sleep, shaved his face, cleaned his teeth, put stuff in his eye and x-rayed his front legs. Now? Face and eye are doing a-ok, but the x-rays indicated poly arthritis, similar to rheumatoid arthritis - a condition diagnosed via crazy painful joint taps. Enter these photos...

On Tuesday he was again anesthetized and this time underwent joint taps. You know, this big, scary, 93 lb. "pit bull" hasn't made a peep (save for a few whines). Yes, he is costing us a lot of money. But really, if we can get him back feeling like a champ, it's worth it. He's shocked us with his gentle manner and tolerance toward Crazy Miss Maizey. And he has never asked for a thing but food and an occasional chin scratch. The unconditional love of a dog...

Pretty impressive considering this is who he deals with on a daily basis...

Let it snow...

As today's temp hit a high of 52 degrees, I thought it would be nice to reflect on snowier, cleaner, happier, seasonably-appropriate (albeit colder) times. 

Smiles.

Snow angels.

Snow pile sledding.

Airplane observations.

Laughter.

And an errant snow ball toss - ala Maggie. (Oops.)

And more smiles.

You can take me out of the U.P. but you can't take away my Betty-instilled love of a fluffy white yard, pink cheeks and mmmm-mmm ... that fresh, crisp, cold smell... So, please, LET IT SNOW! (again)