just a dog.

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or "that's a lot of money for just a dog." 

They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog." 

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." 

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted. 

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. 

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." 

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. 

"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. 

Because of "just a dog", I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. 

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. 

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. 

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog", but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a man or woman." 

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog" just smile... because they "just don't understand." 

--- by Richard Biby 

{miss you sydney}

french decor.

Late last year we fell in love with and purchased two prints on Etsy (from different designers). They seemed perfect for our family. After a few months we finally found frames, got them matted and hung. 

The first is our little man and my handy hubby painting the house - husband in sneakers. So appropriate.

{French Bulldog Works, through Etsy}

If the beach cruiser bike was pink this would be spot-on me and our late little Sydney.

{Janet Hill Studio in Canada, through Etsy}

sweet lil look.

While reading in bed the other night, I turned to see Huntie giving me this sweet look. It startled me since it's the same look Sydney was giving me in one of our favorite photos of her (which is framed in our bedroom). Luckily, Huntie stayed still long enough for me to snap a quick photo. Everything about it - the look, the pillow on the left, the blankets on the right, the way their tags are hanging... kinda errie in a good way, huh?

french pajamas.

A while ago, a surprise package showed up on my doorstep and I just happened to be on the phone with the sender - Colby the BFF - when it arrived. She told me to open it, so I did. And the I squealed and did a little dance in my dining room. We were both cracking up and screeching... frenchie pajamas with a little boy in black and white and little blonde girl... and light pink saying "Puppy Love" - I mean, come on! They were made for me and I'm obsessed with them. They were the most perfect outfit for the lazy, rainy weekend we just had.

She sent them just because and I love her for it. How sweet and how ridiculously perfect? Love ya, Colbs.

miss you everyday, baby tank.

thinking of our little lady today.

Happy 4th Birthday Miss Sydney! We're all thinking about you today. In fact, Huntie has been playing lots with your yellow soccer ball this week and he's been sleeping in your old spot next in bed - right next to dad.

We can't tell you how much we miss your sassy ways around here. We've made good on our promise and talk about you every day which always makes us laugh... your complete lack of manners and how you'd "tank" over anyone and anything to get where you were going... the way you'd get all sassy and pillow fight on the bed... how you'd patiently wait for dad to finish his popsicle and then race over for the stick... your stink eye looks back at us from the end of the couch... and Christmas just wasn't the same without you attacking every roll of wrapping paper. You definitely added a lot of humor and drama in our lives and we sure do miss it!

In honor of your birthday, we'll go on an extra short walk tonight - we know those were your favorite.

Happy Birthday, Puss! 

{the pretty framed collage of you that grandma vicky made for mom, dad & huntie}

{our sick, skinny, only one ear up, 3lb baby girl on day one}

{it was love at first sight for all of us}

{best friends from day one}

{modeling grandma sandy's overalls}

{our silly little lady. one of dad's favorite photos}

{celebrating at dad's luau birthday pool party. you loved to socialize}

{posing for aunt jenny's photo shoot}

{i haaaatteee clothes. take it off. take it off.}

{sittin' pretty and sunning that tummy of yours. nice sports bra.}

{playing with her beloved yellow soccer ball on last year's birthday}

{her 3rd birthday photo. right after hunter popped her yellow ball - she's not happy}

{helping dad drive home from grandma & grandpa's in tucson}

{i love you brother}

merry christmas. love, the bocktings.

{our 2010 holiday card}

deck the halls.

Our perfect lil tree is trimmed. 

 It's funny how our tree and it's ornaments are kinda like us... a mix of old and new, a lil quirky and a lot sentimental, completely random yet coordinating, and it's inevitably a little bit different each year.

...we love...

Our round white lights (so much so I was tempted to leave her "natural" with just lights)

Hunter and Sydney's personalized ornaments from each of their first Christmas.

The most ridiculous, beaded, sequined, sparkly giant fish ornament from 

Lisa to commemorate the year Danny and I spent Christmas in Fiji and Australia.

Our tree skirt made with love by Meme that we received our first married Christmas.

Our new black and white Frenchie ornament from a girlfriend.

My collection of gifted Christmas flamingos.

The keepsake ornaments from Vicky for our first home... engagement... wedding year.

The leaf ornament's significance of us getting married under a giant tree.

It's official - ornaments with meaning are the best.  

How fun to think I'll be trimming trees for years to come with these same ornaments?!

{packages! packages! packages!}

{new this year... how fabulous is this frenchie? thanks, amy!}

{our lil girl's ornament is hung right up front}

{one of my few festive flamingos. love}

{the most fabulous fish ornament, love lisa steichen}

{the second the tree goes up, i must to have gifts under it}

{our leaf. we got married under a big old tree.} 

{our 2009 wedding cake keepsake ornament, love vicky}

{looking from the outside in}

{jason haunkwaundo - this one is for you. you're on the other end of that  phone call}

signs of sydney.

The past few days I've been thinking a lot about Sydney. My girlfriend Jenny put the biggest smile on my face when she told me that Miss Puss was a major topic of conversation with her and Carlye over a recent dinner. The same day I found one of her old toys tucked under couch. And all week I've seen random photos of Frenchies on blogs that aren't about dogs. She just seems to be very present.

I mentioned this to Danny last night, he looked at me and said me too. I told him that I had a mini cry at work and he said that he too welled up when a song came on and it triggered a thought about her. It's funny how the waves of emotion come at go without warning and that they come for us simultaneously. I'm not religious by any means, but consider myself to be very spiritual and I know in my heart this isn't a coincidental fluke. Is she reaching out? Letting us know she's here? Maybe. I hope so.

As much as it hurts, I'm glad for the waves of emotion. It's a strange sense of comfort for me. It's hard to explain but I'm sure anyone who's lost someone very dear to them can relate. It's only been two months but we've made good on our promise to her so far... we talk about her often, usually in "her voice" which makes us smile.

Just again this morning, I was browsing one of my favorite photography blogs, Feather Love Photography, and bumped into this photo. I mean, could she be any cuter? Looking back, I wish Huntie & Syd were at our wedding.

And yesterday, I was looking through another photographer's website Luna Photo and saw this photo from an engagement shoot. Of course the Frenchie who just happened to be walking by caught my eye.

Call it what you want. Maybe I'm just looking for signs but I'm choosing to believe it's bigger than that. 
And anyone who says, "it's just a dog" - just doesn't get it.

my morning sights.

Each morning I wake up to two cuddly, snoring men and I couldn't love it more. Yes, our dogs sleep with us. Before we got Hunter Danny proclaimed, "dogs will not sleep in the bed or be allowed on the couch" - oh how quickly that changed... now Hunter's usually the first in bed to claim a good spot. We love a good Frenchie cuddle.

I never know what morning position I'll find Hunter in but it's always guaranteed to be comical since he thinks he's a human and prefers to use a pillow and covers. I love it. It never gets old and I always sneak a camera phone photo.

{loooooves a morning stretch. mom! why are you waking me up?}

{our past sweet morning sights with miss sydney & hunter taking over the bed}

i'm a lucky girl.