Wildflowers!

I just drove by the parking lot where my sweet Pozy was born two years ago! Yes indeed — the Wildflowers are TWO! And you know what that means — BIRTHDAY UPDATES…

Kadi by Kim Perry

We will start with Kadi — Eden sends us this update…

Kadi is turning two. What happened to my puppy?  She still has her puppy moments but she is almost all grown up. 

Kim Perry Photo

My lines tend to be slow maturing so I don’t expect to see the final product until her next birthday.  She is a bright and enthusiastic worker.  Her heeling is beautiful to watch.  I would like to take some credit to stroke my trainer’s ego but the reality is that she is a natural.  I have never had a dog with some much drive to fetch a ball.  She did come with the “anti-water” gene so she is pretty prissy about getting her feet wet or getting a bath.

Kim Perry Photo

Kadi has been training in tracking, agility, and obedience.  We did Rally Novice for fun and because with remote titles it was easy to do.  Kadi’s training has taken a backseat to my bike training for an upcoming trip to Ireland but I expect to get back to training when we get home.  Kadi definitely is a dog that needs a job. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KADI — and thanks to Eden for everything.

It's My Birthday

My birthday breakfast…

Coffee and a bagel — the mug reminds me of my Arizona friends who will be here soon and the bagel — well, you know about that!

I walked dogs. I have been writing and writing.

I have been organizing my birthday stash on my birthday counter…

I will open it all tonight when I play Zoom cards with the family. Thank you to those who have remembered me on my birthday — I so appreciate it.

I want to highlight something in the photo above — something I did for myself in March. The day of my birth is a great day to share that I have legally returned to my birth name: Mary-Ann Elizabeth Sontag. The new email address is sontag.ma@gmail.com although the old one will, of course, work as well for some time.

The Birthday Cronuts arrived from New York — Suzanne, Jay, and Almighty Heidi enjoyed them with me.

I will soon have a private party with my Peloton and then the Zoom Card Party.

Oh — and I started a new blog today. I wanted to keep this one more focused on Life, with Dogs but there are things that I need to say. Just not here.

Today is an anniversary. A tough one. 2021 was my personal Book of Revelations. I am looking ahead to months of similar anniversaries — milestone days that will be heavy with trauma.

I know that many have been wondering, “what happened?!” and asking, “wtf is wrong with Mary-Ann?!” I suspect more incredulous questions will be forthcoming — the Book of Revelations is not yet fully authored.

Realizing that an elevator speech will never be sufficient — and because I am done with secrets — I am creating space for explanations and answers. Kindly, carefully, thoughtfully, respectfully, and most of all, truthfully. One milestone/event at a time. Starting today at msontag.com

Girls!

Margie Moonshadow is newly delivered of a KaiBob…

Her cousin, Bright Star Capella, has presented with a more prickly baby…

False pregnancies are normal in intact girl dogs, but the symptoms vary. Mothering is typical. Changes in appetite is also a common symptom. Margie Moonshadow is normally a voracious eater but has turned picky. Capella is currently on a hunger strike.

This is an auntie to Margie and Capella — Miss Maddie from our F Litter, now 13 years, 8 months, 2 weeks, and 5 days old.

Age should always be celebrated — in people and in dogs. It is a gift. Those lines on our faces? Like ribbons on the present, evidence that we have been given the gift of life and love on this day.

Tomorrow is my birthday. I plan to take stock and celebrate — and eat Cronuts. Capella will definitely not be requesting a sample, given her current state of indisposition.

Have a Happy Monday!