"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring - it was peace." - Milan Kundera (b. 1929) Czech author
Bunk the Pug!!!! He'll be sporting a darling Day Dog Designs collar in no time at all, and they have lots of great rocking options for him. Now onto the birthday business. Today is Bob's 6th birthday
we celebrated on Sunday and had a lovely time. We started the day with a nice walk, there were plenty of signs of spring in the local park. Baseball games:
Green grass to roll in:
And newly budding trees..
After a particularly long and cold winter we were all so happy to see these signs of Spring, I think it was Bob's best birthday gift. When we got home we brought out the presents.
Bob got a toy birthday cake, he got one years ago for his first birthday and it was one of his favorites:
I thought Don't Panic would be appropriate since I like Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, it's British (like Bob), and he tends to be a bit of a nervous dog so its good advice for him to follow. It's going to look so cute with his Day Dog Designs collar when it comes. Of course Bob's favorite part of the day was his cake
we will be sharing the recipe tomorrow. We are so happy to have had Bob in our life for the last 6 years and we are so grateful to his breeder Mary Jo for bring him to us all those years ago.
On April 15 Bob will be 6 years old. A big and important birthday, after all Winnie the Pooh author A.A. Milne used it as the title of a book:
and a charming poem:
Now We Are Six - A.A. Milne
When I was one I had just begun
When I was two I was nearly new
When I was three I was hardly me
When I was four I was not much more
When I was five I was just alive
But now I am six, I'm as clever as clever;
So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever.
I personally can not quite believe Bob is 6, it seems just yesterday that he was the cutest little Bulldog baby:
Now of course he is all grown up
and ready to be showered with presents and adoration at this years party. One of Bob's gifts is going to be a new collar from Day Dog Designs. We love these pretty and affordable collars and leashes. They are made out of beautiful European ribbons that the shop owner Terri has spent a lot of time carefully selecting. The ribbons are unique and beautiful and of excellent quality. Terri is a Cavalier owner and donates to Lucky Star Cavalier rescue. As the owner of four male dogs (and one female) I also really appreciate that Terri has great options for boys and girls, so many shops seem to cater primarily to the ladies. Furthermore, if size is a concern then don't worry. The collar's range from very small to XXL for big necked guys like Bob.
Bob's birthday collar will be the fifth Day Dog Designs collar I've purchased, there are so many cute designs that they are addictive! The collars are comfortable and hardy, all of ours are in great shape even with dogs wear them nearly 24/7. Ping has a charming Vienna inspired collar in black and white:
Last year Bob got one with a Viking pattern (went great with his dragon tag)
Just a few weeks ago Tubby got a Knights and Dragons print collar for his 12th birthday (here is a bit of an extreme close up of the collar in his puggie neck ruff).
However, my all time favorite Day Dog Designs purchase was the Outer Space collar and Leash I got Norbert for his 10th birthday
a perfect match for his Star Trek inspired ID tag from Fetching Pet Tags
So you can see we have some beautiful collars from Day Dog Designs and the great news is now you can enter below to win your very own collar. Since they have so many beautiful options you are sure to find something that matches you and your pup's interests and their personality. Just complete the Rafflecopter entry below and you have a chance to win. We will announce the lucky winner on April 15, Bob's 6th birthday.
As you probably know I'm British, and my mom has instilled a lot of national pride in me. Lately she and dad have been watching the old TV series Jeeves and Wooster.
Its helping to improve my understanding of British aristocracy, British style humor and the music is not at all bad if you like 1920s songs. This song is our house favorite
In fact the line "only one for me" is on mom and dad's wedding rings. Anyway in one memorable episode Pearls Mean Tears Jeeves and Bertie go to the sea side.
I'm not sure exactly where they are but it could be Cornwall.
Isn't it lovely? Wish I could go there and explore.
In addition to the lovely beaches Cornwall is also famous for one particular food, Cornish Pasties. Tasty little meat pies. You can make them at home and imagine you are walking on the beach!
Whisk together the flour and salt. Rub in the butter and shortening until the mixture resembles bread crumbs. Put a hole in the center of the bowl and add the ice water and stir until the dough completely comes together. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Filling
1 tablespoon olive oil 2 medium onions, peeled and diced 2 small carrots, peeled and finely diced 2 lbs ground lamb 3 medium potatoes, peeled and finely chopped 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1/2 tsp English mustard powder 1 egg mixed with 1 tbsp water, for the egg wash.
Saute the the onion in the oil over medium heat until softened. Add the lamb and brown 15 minutes. Mix in the herbes de Provence , 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce and 1/2 tsp English mustard powder. Reduce the heat to low and cook for hour hour. Add the carrots and cook 10 minutes.
While the meat is cooking prepare the potatoes by cooking them in boiling salter water until tender.
Preheat the oven to 350.
When the meat is done stir in the potatoes and season with salt and pepper.
Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut out circular rounds of about 6 inches. Put a heaping spoon of filling on one half of each round and fold over the side and crimp shut to make the pasty. Cut an opening for steam to escape, you can make plain lines or do initials like mom did. Place the pasties on a parchment lined sheet pan and brush with the egg wash. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes until golden brown.
Bob's 5th birthday is on Sunday, April 15 and I can't believe my baby is 5 years old. I remember bringing him home from the breeders house in PA we brought him to a rest stop for a potty break and a passer by commented on what a cute puppy he was and wished us luck with him. We sure have been lucky with our Bob. Here are some of my favorite pictures of him over the years. Don't forget to enter Bob's birthday give away here.
