Meet our second addition - Nugget the mini aussie!

I figured with all of the craziness surrounding election day tomorrow, I'd post some lighter stuff. Last year we added a sweet puppy to our family, Citra. Over the summer we decided she needed a sister, so in September we added "Nugget" to our family. Nugget is also named for a variety of hops used in beer brewing, just like Citra.

They are about as sweet as can be together...but don't let those angelic faces fool you. It's been a nonstop dog party at our house for the last 6 weeks! In fact it was very difficult to get them both to sit still for this photo! And they have both stolen my heart. Citra is 13 months old, and Nugget is 17 weeks old. Looking forward to double the sweet companionship.

Meet Our Newest Addition, Citra the Mini Aussie...

For people who have followed my blog for a LONG time, you may already know that several years ago, I had a really sweet bloodhound named Harold. I was devastated when he had health issues and had to be put down. I have not had a dog since...until now.

Meet "Citra" who has been named for a variety of hops used in beer-making. She is a mini-Australian Shepherd puppy. She is 7 pounds now, and should grow to be about 25-30 pounds. On top of being extremely adorable, she is also extremely sweet and very smart. House-breaking a puppy isn't exactly the easiest thing to do, and she's rolling with it pretty well.

It's so nice to have a sweet dog again, and I look forward to many years of her companionship.

19th Annual Sacramento SPCA "Doggy Dash" & "Bark at the Park Festival" -- June 9, 2012

The 19th Annual Sacramento SPCA "Doggy Dash" and "Bark at the Park Festival" is happening this Saturday, June 9th, 2011 in William Land Park. About 5,000 pet-lovers will gather with (and without) their favorite doggy friends to raise money that benefits the Sacramento SPCA. This is so much fun! I was lucky enough to attend for the first time two years ago, and the event is so much fun! I "borrowed" one of my good friend's dogs since I lost my sweet boy Harold in 2010...The walk is a blast, and I also really enjoyed seeing all of the other dogs (including a Great Dane club with about 50 gorgeous Great Danes)! You can choose to participate in a 2k or 5k walk with your pooch. Registration opens at 7:30am and the walks begin at 9am.

The "Bark at the Park Festival" takes place in the park after the "Doggy Dash." Register your hound to compete in the Pup Show, high-flying Disc Contest, or the Pug Races (and if you have never witnessed the Pug Races, that alone is a MUST SEE!)!! Then be sure to visit the participating sponsors and exhibitors with pet-friendly businesses, see a Sacramento PD K-9 Unit demonstration, learn about Sacramento-area animal rescue organizations, or just enjoy some food while taking it all in.

Register here! Whether you choose to bring a 4-legged friend, or invite a two-legged friend along, mark your calendar for the "Doggy Dash" and "Bark at the Park Festival" and help make a difference in the lives of homeless animals sheltered at the Sacramento SPCA. Register as a solo participant, start a team or join an existing team.

18th Annual Sacramento SPCA "Doggy Dash" & "Bark at the Park Festival" -- June 4, 2011

The 18th Annual Sacramento SPCA "Doggy Dash" and "Bark at the Park Festival" is coming up on Saturday, June 4th, 2011 in William Land Park. About 5,000 pet-lovers will gather with (and without) their doggy partners to raise money to benefit the Sacramento SPCA. This is so much fun! I was lucky enough to attend for the first time last year, and it is so much fun! You can choose to participate in a 5k or 2k walk with your pooch. Registration opens at 7:30am and the walks begin at 9am.

The "Bark at the Park Festival" takes place in the park after the "Doggy Dash." Register your hound to compete in the Pup Show, high-flying Disc Contest, or the Pug Races! Visit with pet-friendly businesses, see a Sacramento PD K-9 Unit demonstration, learn about Sacramento-area animal rescue organizations, or just have lunch while watching all the action.

Register here! Whether you choose to bring a canine companion or invite a two-legged friend, mark your calendar and join us for the "Doggy Dash" and "Bark at the Park Festival" and help make a difference in the lives of homeless animals sheltered at the Sacramento SPCA. Register as a solo participant, start a team or join an existing team.

RIP Harold - my beloved hound doggie...

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you will know that this week has been an emotional one for me. On Wednesday, my sweet 8-year old bloodhound Harold, began showing signs he was suffering from some sort of ailment. Harold is a big boy of about 140 pounds, and was pretty much immobile due to his ailment...I could not get him to his veterinarian's office, and over a couple hours Wednesday afternoon, it became clear that his condition was not one that was going to improve. I desperately tried to find a mobile vet that could come out immediately and examine Harold to no avail. I finally found one that could come out on Friday, and unfortunately by the time he was able to be examined his condition was imminently dire. The only option was to put Harold down.

If you have ever had to euthanize a pet, you will know just how heart-wrenching it is. Thankfully, the mobile vet was able to give Harold a sedative first that made him basically fall asleep, and I do not think he aware of what was happening. He died in my arms. Let's just say I cried pretty much all of Friday, and had a few teary episodes this weekend. I know it was the only humane decision, and a part of responsible pet ownership.

I got Harold when he was 7 weeks old from a breeder in Southern California. He weighed 20 pounds at that age, and we all knew he would be a big one, eventually growing to 140 pounds. He was such a character and definitely ruled the household.

Some of my favorite memories include taking him camping - a couple years ago I rented a tent trailer, and Harold pertty much claimed an entire side for himself! He also used to love to go for rides in the back of the truck or for walks, and just saying "Do you want to go bye-bye?" would make him so excited he would totally prance around! Also, he frequently would sneak on to the couch and fall asleep when I was not looking, including once on the top of a pile of my freshly washed laundry. I loved giving him a bath so he could snuggle with me, sometimes on the bed if he was really good - which was pretty much always. He brought me so much joy over the last 8 years, and he will always have a special place in my heart. I know he will be missed by my other babies too - Hubert and Howard. RIP my sweet boy.

Life's simple pleasures...playing Frisbee with Hubert...

It has been a while since I posted a photo of one of my beloved bloodhounds...I took the day off today, and enjoyed a nice relaxing Sunday. Part of my day included bathing three dogs...which is quite a task, considering that two of my three dogs outweigh me. Anyway, after bathing the dogs, I played frisbee in the backyard with one of them. Hubert LOVES to play fetch!!

What awaited me when I came downstairs this morning...

I can hardly wait to re-wash all of that laundry I did yesterday!

Off-Leash Dog Parks in the Greater Sacramento Area

I am definitely an animal lover...I have three huge dogs at home. Two bloodhounds, Harold (pictured here) and Hubert, and a black lab mix named Howard. My husband and I love taking our dogs to the Off-Leash Dog Area at Carmichael Park. Of course with three 100lb+ dogs, this sort of outing is a huge undertaking! Here is a list of dog parks in the greater Sacramento area:

- The Canine Corral Dog Park - Carmichael Park at Fair Oaks Blvd and Grant Avenue in Carmichael

-Pooch Dog Park - C Bar C Park at Oak Avenue and Melva Street in Citrus Heights

-Fair Oaks Dog Park - Phoenix Park at Sunset Avenue and Runway Drive in Fair Oaks

- Bannon Creek Dog Park - Bannon Creek Park at Bannon Creek Drive off of Azevedo Drive in Sacramento

-Granite Dog Park - Granite Regional Park at Cucamonga off of Power Inn Road in Sacramento

-Partner Dog Park - Belle Cooledge Community Center at South Land Park Drive and Fruitridge / Seamus in Sacramento

-Tanzanite Dog Park - Tanzanite Community Park at Bilsted Way at Tanzanite Way in Sacramento

-Regency Dog Park - Regency Community Park at Honor Parkway and Bill Bean Circle in Sacramento

-Elk Grove Dog Park - Elk Grove Community Park at Elk Grove-Florin Road and East Stockton Blvd in Elk Grove

-Laguna Community Dog Park - Laguna Community Park at Bruceville Road and Big Horn Blvd in Elk Grove

Home from Vacation!

I returned late this afternoon from a brief (and well deserved) 4-day camping trip. We wanted to do our camping before the July 4th rush, and our strategy paid off. My husband and I (and one of our dogs) went to the Silver Fork of the American River. If ya'll do not know where Silver Fork is, you basically drive East on Hwy 50 to Kyburz and make a right. Silver Fork is home to several camp sites, fishing, atv trails, hiking, swimming, etc. We played many rounds of Domino's, swam (in cold run-off water), and caught so many fish while we were there that I lost count after about 20! Cellular service was several miles from the China Flat campground...the photo here is of Harold, our 6-year old Bloodhound, on "his side" of our pop-up tent trailer. He is spoiled rotten!

I had an escrow close, and two offers accepted while I was gone! I should camp more often! Back to reality tomorrow!

Holiday Photo

How nerdy are we? This is going out on our Christmas cards. I am sure Hubert and Harold (our dogs) totally hate us...

Not just another pretty face!

For those of you who have not had the chance to view my main real estate website, you have not had the distinct pleasure of laying eyes on Harold. Harold is my 4.5-year old Bloodhound, and quite possibly the most handsome, sweet dog I have ever had. Harold's mug graces the homepage of my website...

Harold compensates for being so handsome by also being incredibly smelly...which leads me to my topic of the day - pet odor in homes. If you are planning to list your home for sale, and you love your pet as much as I do - PLEASE take the time to de-odorize your house. Whether you are aware of it or not, you have become accustomed that doggy smell (or kitty, guinea pig, ferrett, etc.) in your home, and the odor does not bother you. I guarantee your guests smell this odor, and potential buyers of your home will smell this too. Not only could this issue lead to extra time on the market, but possibly a price reduction later. Why lower your price $10k when you can spend relatively little in most cases getting rid the the smell? Here are a few tips for replacing "That old, wet dog smell" with "That new house smell."

- Scoop the litter box...and take out the trash! This goes for the backyard too if you have dogs...scoop that poop!...or clean that cage!

- Use scented sprays - like Febreeze or Ozium...light scented candles.

- Use the plug-in oil burning thingy.

- Clean with disinfectants that use enzymes to "eat away" odors from hard surfaces like concrete floors and the insides of garbage containers.

- Sprinkle carpet freshener on your carpet to absorb odors and then vacuum.

- Bathe your pets. Duh!

- If the smell is just too strong, have carpets and/or upholstry professionally cleaned...or if your budget permits, replace your carpet and clear the furniture out of the house.