Woofstocking with Gracie and All-Sato Rescue

This weekend, Gracie and I took a road trip to a nearby town for a celebration of all things dogs.

The Woofstock Dog Festival is a benefit for the Buddy Dog Humane Society and features pet-centric vendors, K-9 demos, food, music, raffles, and plenty of nose-to-butt-nose interaction for our four-legged friends. 

There was also a reunion area for families to gather with their pups and seek out siblings who were re-homed with other families. 

While we were at Woofstock, we had the opportunity to meet with Gracie's rescue organization, All-Sato Rescue. This is an organization that is dedicated to the rescuing and re-homing abandoned and otherwise homeless dogs in Puerto Rico. The word Sato is slang in Puerto Rico for mutt. In addition to their rescue work, they strive to address the root causes of overpopulation, neglect, and abuse through education and advocacy and through low-cost spaying and neutering clinics.

It was wonderful to meet and thank volunteers from the partner organizations of All-Sato Rescue. 

We even picked up some Sato tee-shirt swag while we were there.

And we sent messages of love and gratitude to the rescue heroes on the ground in Puerto Rico. 

As you can imagine, rescue efforts in Puerto Rico are challenging with the damage caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. According to the organization's web page: 

We finally heard from ASR President, Edilia Vazquez, that she and the many dogs and cats that she is caring for are all right. We are slowly hearing from the many other rescuers that work with us and so far, every one of them is safe as well. But, things on the ground are very bad. Most of the island is without power and communications. The infrastructure is badly damaged, the airport is closed, and there are so many trees down that getting anywhere is challenging. The weeks ahead are going to be very difficult and we are not sure when we will be able to resume normal operations. Many of you have very kindly asked what we need most. Much as we need basic supplies--dog food, kennels, medications--delivery is impossible. Gift cards to local chain stores, like PetSmart and Petco would be much appreciated, as would monetary donations to cover what will surely be extremely high vet bills as we attend to the many animals that were injured during this ordeal. Your outpouring of support has meant so much to us. We couldn't keep going without you--you are giving us the strength to continue.

Our family is so deeply grateful for Gracie and the rescue work that All-Sato Rescue continues to do in Puerto Rico. We are blessed to be able to donate to this selfless organization and the shelter where we adopted Gracie. 

If you are interested in helping All-Sato Rescue in their efforts to rescue and re-home dogs like Gracie, this link will help you do that. 

Or, if you are looking for other organizations for causes near and dear to you, there are many on the ground ready to help in all of the recently affected disaster areas of Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida, the Virgin Islands, and other places in the Caribbean. 

Woofstock'17 was a huge success. Gracie came home tired and happy. We both did, and for me, a heart a little fuller with love and gratitude for those who work to help those so vulnerable in our world. 

For the Pups: 5 Durable Toys for Heavy Chewer Dogs

From the time our Gracie girl was a puppy, we searched high and low for toys that she wouldn't destroy in minutes. 

The plastic rings were good, but she destroyed the fabric middle ring by pulling on the threads until she unraveled it entirely. 

We tried subscription services with a heavy chewer option like Bark Box and we tried Rescue Box, which, at the time, had no such designation. While the treats were fun, the toys just couldn't survive. Our chewer went to town, persevering to the point of total destruction and near consumption. We had to take every toy away. She tore the felt off tennis balls. Rope toys? Forget it; she frayed them all and pulled the threads out of the braids. 

She didn't play with the toy; she tried to eat it. 

It became clear why we couldn't have nice things. 

In the beginning, even the leash was a casualty to our Gracie's teeth.

There would be no sweet stuffies for our girl; hard rubber would become our dog's best friend. 

As you can imagine, we have tested and tried many toys for Gracie, but the ones that survived are what you'll find here in this guide. These are toys that you will find in our home and in our yard. They are toys that work for our family, and if you have a heavy chewer as well, they may be a good fit for you as well. 

KONG Jumbler Ball Toy: This is her favorite outside toy. It comes in different sizes, but we get Gracie the extra large variety. The handle on top makes it easy to throw, and once she learned how to grab it and carry it by its handle, it made fetch much more fun. Bonus: it floats.

Despite its unique look (my naughty friends giggle when they see it), KONG Safestix is another fun fetch toy. In addition to fetch and tug, she also will chew on it like a bone if she's tired of running for it. This is also a floater. 

The JW Crackle Dog Toy is fun because it makes noise. It's not a squeaker, but a crackler. It must have the same type of plastic that water bottles have because that's exactly what it sounds like when she crunches it between her teeth. Some soft toys have water bottles inside them that make the same crackling effect; she can't have those. This toy is Gracie proof. 

Kong Tug Toy: We discovered this toy at Gracie's BFF's home. She wasn't keen on sharing it with the other dog, but she's always eager to share a side with us. 

Finally...

Chew Toys: In terms of chew toys, Gracie also always has a few like this one. The other chew toys with plastic edges and edible centers don't work for us because she tries to consume them all entirely. We don't give her natural bones based on the recommendation of our vet. 

Gracie and her bff, Sasha

We all want what's best for our pups. As with people, our dogs have unique needs and personalities, and as we grow as a pack, we make decisions based on what we think is best for meeting those unique needs and personality quirks. 

Gracie might not have the cutest toys at the dog park, but she's a happy girl with a playful soul who adds a lot of love and joy to our little family pack. 

Do you have a heavy chewer? Any toys that you would recommend?

Vacation Prep: Packing for Pets

It's fly week for us, and as new pet parents, we are anxious about leaving our sweet Gracie for longer than a weekend. 

We know she will be in good hands. We are blessed with friends who have offered to take her for an extended playdate with their own pup, Sasha. 

Nonetheless, we are making a list of everything Gracie and her caregivers might need while we're away. 

Here's what we packed.

• Her crate and bed: Gracie still sleeps in her crate at night and will often spend time in it during the day, if she will be unsupervised. It's a matter of safety and comfort for our den-loving girl. 
• Chew toys
• Her heart worm and flea/tick monthly repellent
• Her long lead and leash
• Her favorite treats
• Her food and water bowl (and food)
• A copy of her vaccinations and vet information and her pet insurance information, in case of an emergency. 

We're going to miss our girl, but we both know that Gracie is going to have the time of her life. She has had a few play dates already and she and Sasha are now good friends. It puts our minds at ease. 

Pet parents, have we forgotten anything? 

Have fun, Gracie girl. 

Ahora 14: Back Again

Ahora is back from hiatus. I love seeing what others are up to every month and learning about what crosses their radar. Naturally, I thought it would be fun to do my own. 

Ahora, meaning Now in Spanish, is a monthly series that gives you the highlights of what's trending in my life each month. 

Reading...

Big Magic. I had the pleasure of seeing Liz Gilbert on her Big Magic book tour.

I listened to the Magic Lessons podcast over the summer, and although I've had the book on my nightstand for a while, I began listening to the audio book, read by Liz Gilbert, herself. It's a motivating read; a permission slip, if you will, for the innate desire we all have at some point, to be makers. "If you're alive," she says, "you're a creative person."

Watching...

It seems like everyone is watching Making a Murderer. I started it, but I never finished it. I'm not one for crime dramas. In fact, I haven't watched much of anything lately, with the exception of the debates and a back-to-back session of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.  

Eating...

Lately, I have been eating a lot of avocado toast. For me, it's a simple supper. It's perfect for when the Señor is eating sardines on salad...a simple supper for him. I smash half of an avocado on two slices of toasted Ezekiel sesame bread. I grind some pink Himalayan salt on top, and dinner is served, with or without a glass of red wine. 

Drinking...

With the warmer than seasonal temperatures we have had here in New England this winter, there have been plenty of reasons to justify my iced coffee; however, I have begun drinking more tea. When the weather is cold or raw, nothing is better than a hot cup of herbal tea when I get home from school. 

Doing...

Homework. I'm taking two more classes this semester: one on language acquisition and one on community service learning. 

Visiting...

Last year, I was thrilled to connect with a representative of Select Registry, a "portfolio of more than 300 quality assured bed and breakfasts, inns, and hotels throughout North America." As a result, I was selected, among other travel writers, to visit and review various properties in my area. What a treat! The first reviews are coming soon. 

Listening to...

Podcasts. I can't get enough. As I mentioned, I listened to all of Magic Lessons this summer. Some of my other favorites include The Simple Show, Happier with Gretchen Rubin, The Chalene Show, and An Uncluttered Life. 

Are you a podcast fan? What are your favorites?

Loving...

This girl. I found a puppy tooth on the floor last night; her adult teeth are coming in.  

And this guy...

And celebrating...

Happy birthday to my badass and now, cancer-free sister-friend. Take a good deep breath and blow out all of your candles. There are a lot of wishes come true coming your way. 

That's what's going on in my world these days. How about you? What is happening ahora in your world?


Linking up with Gretchen and Kristen today for What's New with You. Thanks, girls!

Weekending: Prepping for Christmas

While many of my teacher friends are off this week, I have three full days of school before we are set free for the holiday break. This doesn't leave time for much, but happily, we don't have much to do. 

We finally sent out our holiday cards. I missed every deadline offered by services like Snapfish, Mint, and Shutterfly, so I went to my local CVS, who had our cards ready in an hour. 

On Friday night, we went to see A Christmas Carol. 

This is one of my favorites, and this local production did not disappoint. The character of Jacob Marley was creepy, equipped with a harness that allowed him to fly around Scrooge.  We used Goldstar, again, for discount tickets and we had great orchestra seats. 

The rest of the weekend was pretty low key; I went shopping in the morning, and the Señor took care of car business, including routine service and putting on four new tires. 

Yesterday, Gracie had another day of training. This week, we're still practicing walking on a leash, and then we're adding sit and stay. 

She's still a love, but I will be glad when those baby teeth are gone. 

The weekend ended with at home pizza night and wine and another Patriots win, which means another free coffee for me today, thanks to Dunkin' Donuts. 

This week in school will entail this...wish us all luck. 

How was your weekend? If you work outside the home, when is your last day before the holiday?

Have a great week, friends!

Weekending: the end of the semester

Around here, it's a foggy, drizzly, unseasonably warm December Monday. With class all day on Saturday, it feels like the weekend just never arrived. The good news is, with the exception of one last paper and a discussion board post, my semester is over!

Gracie had a big weekend. She met her trainer on Sunday morning and we worked on leash training for issues related to jumping and puppy biting. We also worked on the heel command and the informal come command. She was a good student, and so were we. Later that afternoon, we went to our local Petco for a half hour of socialization at their puppy play group. She slept the rest of the afternoon; so much excitement must have been tiring. 

Gracie did get her own instagram feed. You can follow her adventures at instagram.com/gracieraerod or on her Facebook page at facebook.com/gracieraerod for curated content related to all-things pets. 

It was a fairly uneventful weekend, but the Señor and I managed to squeeze in a late afternoon coffee date. 

Sunday night was all about finishing up projects and watching the Patriots secure another win. 

It's a fairly quiet week ahead. I have training this week for our state mandated student testing, but then I have a mid-week girls' night out, Gracie's first vet well-check, and a date night with Señor to see a local production of A Christmas Carol. 

I hope all is well in your corner of the world. Have a great week, friends!

Weekending...Our First with Gracie

If you missed Friday's post, here's a recap. 

It's true. We adopted a puppy. Gracie Rae (homage to my Dad) was adopted on Thursday, December 3, 2015. They think she's about three months old, seemingly a lab-shepherd mix, and couldn't be cuter. 

Gracie was born in Puerto Rico and is part of the All Sato Rescue project. Sato is a Spanish slang term for mutt. This non-profit organization rescues and rehomes the sato dogs and pups. They have rescue partner shelters all over the United States. We were lucky to have one such shelter in a nearby town. 

The Señor and I had discussed having a dog for a long time. We both grew up with dogs and cats, but here, for one reason or another, we never had one of our own, until now. 

And she's wonderful company for us all, and especially my 83 year old mother-in-law, who lives with us and is home all day. When the Señor and I go away for a weekend, Gracie and my MIL have some one-on-one time, and when we travel to Spain, she will spend time with her dog-cousins. It takes a village, and ours is wonderful. 

Currently, we are in the midst of the house training and teething hell phase. We're reading up on the topic like it's our job. If you have any advice, please share in the comments. So far, we're taking her out as soon as she wakes up, after napping, after feeding, and after playing hard. She's doing what she needs to outside, but she's still having accidents inside. We're using a lot of Nature's Miracle, which works like a charm, by the way. 

We want her to go outside, which is why we haven't done puppy pads. 

She's only been with us since Thursday night and she's only 12 weeks old, and she's a rescue...who knows how she entered this world or how long she was with her mother. I told the Señor...she's like some of my students...it takes some of them more time, especially if they come in without a lot of background knowledge. She'll get there; however, I also appreciate best practices, so if you have any, please share. 

We have gotten her lots of toys for teething and she fetches like a pro. She loves to gnaw on me...no one else...just me. UGH! Any advice beyond distraction with a teething toy, a firm no and removing myself for a minute?

Luckily, we never had to worry about crate training. She voluntarily goes in to nap. We leave the door open all day and in she goes. She loves it; she feels safe. She sleeps all night and never whines. 

She has been to Petco for some socialization and a meeting with Santa, and she did great.  She waited patiently for her turn. 

And then, she had her chance to meet the man in red. 

She made it to the "nice" list. 

Everyone in the store, it seemed, came to meet Gracie, who charmed everyone with kisses and snuggles, and rolling onto her back to have her belly scratched. 

She even found a friend. 

But sadly for her, this one didn't return her sweet affections. 

She is a sweet girl. She is as loving as she is strong willed. Training a puppy is not for the faint of heart, but she is a lot of fun. 

I would like to say we had an exciting weekend jaunting here and there, but mostly, we stayed in and loved on our lovely new girl. 

How was your weekend? Please share any puppy parenting advice in the comments below. We'll take all the advice we can get. 

PS--Kudos to our nephew, whose team (and my high school alma mater) made it to the MIAA high school football state championship. The Señor, one of his brothers, and his other nephews went to cheer them on at Gillette Stadium, where our New England Patriots play. They fought like champions and took a heartbreaking loss with dignity. 

I stayed behind, took Gracie to Petco, and worked on my final assignments for the semester...only a few left. 

Meet Gracie

Adoption story coming Monday... 

Have a great weekend!