Guess who....

got a new camera for Christmas??!!  ME!!  And guess who gets to suffer through even more bully photos?!

YOU!!!

Look what it can do!  I can focus on something far away

It can catch tongue action shots!

It captures sweetnes!

I wish I could take credit for this photo, but Steve took it...I love it.

I love my new camera...hope I don't bore you all with more photos!!

Happy Holidays Everybully!

I hope you all have been enjoying our bully family & friends on the main page of our site.  Thought it would be fun to show some other bullies on the site celebrating the holidays!  Our holidays were a lot of fun & can't wait to start 2010!!  It's gonna be the year of the bully right?!  (Aren't they all?)

Howie, Doc & Vivi got Dog Snuggies from Grandma Judy.  They LOVE them!

White Christmas anyone?

Winter storm is here & the bullies went out to explore today!  It's still snowing & I think it's supposed to through Saturday, so I'm sure we'll have some more play time.  Thankfully it's not that cold out so we were able to spend a good 20 min running around.

Howie loved running through the snow!  He trucked through the snow like it was nothing!

Haha!  She even keeps her tongue out when hopping around like a bunny!

And Mr Cool himself, Doc, was just meandering like "yeah it's snow!  you don't have to get all excited about it.....unless.............

"you throw snow around & Howie & I try to catch it!"

A lot of the play time was Vivi following Howie & Howie following me!  Look out!  Here they come!

If it weren't for her "chocolate chip" nose, we'd lose her in the snow! She blends right in! hahaha

I just really liked how this photo turned out!

Hope all of you & yours had a very Merry Christmas!

Phew....cards are here!

This time they are mine!  Yay!!  Getting the rest out for tomorrow's mail!  I know you were all on pins & needles wondering!  LOL

Merry Christmas Eve!

Yay! Christmas cards have arrived!!!

I ordered cards last week from Zazzle & was sooo happy when I got home yesterday to find my two boxes had arrived a day early!!  Yay!!  I opened one box and was a little upset with how the cards were folded...a bit unaligned if you ask me...but fixable.  I decided to look in the other box to see how they looked & found this:

Pretty unique bulldog right?! 

At first I just saw the white edges & was like...OH NO THESE ARE WORSE...but then I realized that these weren't my photos...let alone my order...or my cards!!  OHMYGODTHESEAREN'TMYCARDS!!

Who's are they?  Still unknown, they signed their cards with only their first names.  But my card did include my website address (on the back, so it's not too tacky), so I'm hoping that if my cards were sent to these people...or anyone...maybe they'll find this & we can set up an exchange?  LOL

So if you happen to recognize this little girl, let me know...I have 50 of her Christmas cards at my house!

I do have to add that Zazzle has great customer service & once I sent them proof that these were not my cards (a photo via email), they said they would re-print my order & have it sent 1 day for free...it's all good though, I signed them "Happy Holidays" just in case they were going to be here later than Christmas anyway!  Good thinkin' huh?

A very creative weekend

Hi Everybully!  It's me!  Vivi!  I thought I'd help Momma out with the site & blog!  I hope I do a good job, this is pretty technical stuff afterall!

Ok, so this weekend, I decided to look at our Blue Line Bulldogs site & I must say, it was very fun to see so many photos of bullies!!  Momma really likes us doesn't she?  I decided to take a look around some more & give Momma my thoughts.  I'm very creative that way!

Also this weekend my Grampa Greg made my half-sister Bailey some steps for her bed!!  They turned out really nice & Bailey's momma Nancy really loved them!  He's pretty talented isn't he?!  He made them in less than a day!!  I must get my creativity talent from him!

He made us our steps for the couch too & we love them!  We know Bailey will love her steps too!

Any other bullies have a creative weekend?  I sure hope so!
Well thanks for letting me take over the blog today!
Love-
Vivi

Neat gift idea for kid dog owners!

If you're like me, before you got your dog you did your research.  Whether it was books like "Puppies for Dummies" (yep, I honestly own that book) or a generic one on the bulldog breed, I bought & read them.  Of course these books are written for adults as they, most likely (hopefully) will be the one ultimately responsible for the dog.  Makes sense.

But what about those kids that want to help out?  Are there any books out there written for them?  Answer: YES!!  I even know of one site that has a few different titles to choose from.  With subjects that range from how to train a dog to sit to how do dogs say "hello", it's a great way for your kids to not only learn about their new best friend, but also to help them get involved with the responsibility of dog ownership!

Here are just a few of my favorites.  Take a look!  They're very reasonably priced & I was told there is still time to order in time for Christmas if you order soon!

Dogs and Puppies, this book is basically a "how to" guide to dogs for kids ages 5 & older.  There is a lot of information in this book from grooming to training!  It also has photos & illustrations for visual learners!  It comes in both paperback ($5.99) & library editions ($13.99).

What's REALLY neat about many of these books on the site is that they are what's called an "internet linked" book.  I had no idea what this meant, but the site really does a good job of explaining all the different types of editions as well as what an IL (internet linked) book is.  An IL is basically an online resource in addition to the book!  So if your kids like to research even more or want to even take a quiz on what they read...they can!  Kinda neat huh?

Dogs, is another reference like book written for kids 6 & older.  It contains facts about dogs like why do some dogs bury their toys & even which dogs can't bark.  It comes in hardcover ($4.99) or library edition ($12.99).

Dogs Sticker Book, here is a really fun book that's a little more interactive than those listed above. This book has over 90 stickers that the kids use to match the correct description. It's a fun way to learn the different breeds! It's meant for kids 7 & older & is $8.99.

Ok I have to mention this book....it's just too cute not to!  It's called "Lucky, A Dog's Best Friend" & it's about Lucky who is in a shelter waiting for his forever home, but realizes that "home" is wherever you make it!  How sweet is that?  It's meant for a younger crowd (ages 3-5), but I can't imagine anyone older would not like it!  It's $7.95.

What happens in the basement, stays in the basement!

Howie & Doc have recently both decided they will come down in the basement with me when I do laundry.  They seem to keep themselves busy with a chair that was once Ollie's & a bone...not exactly sure how the bone got down in the basement, but it keeps them busy (aka out of the litterbox) so I'm ok with it.

Here's Doc in his favorite new spot in the basement!

Howie seems to be enjoying it just the same!

Vivi on the other hand...will NOT go down in the basement!  As a matter of fact, she refuses to go down many steps.  She has no problem with steps outside, but it seems any inside she hates...not sure why.  Does your bully do this?  Well at least I know she won't get into the litterbox!!

What a fun weekend!!

I took the day off on Friday because it was my birthday...age will not be disclosed...unless you think I'm 28, then yes!  You are correct!  I'm 28!!  Guessing anything over 30, please keep to yourself!  I don't want you to go over what I really am cuz then I'll be sad, I mean Steve called me a cougar all weekend, isn't that enough to be sad about?!...but sorry, I digress...back to the weekend report:

So I took my birthday (December 11th for those keeping track) off & Steve did too!  We went to see a movie, New Moon of the Twilight Series...I had already seen it, but wanted to see it again & I'm happy to report Steve is still "Team Edward"!  LOL!!  After the movie, we went out to dinner & then he had gotten me cake & had it decorated!  Check out the paw print!

One of my gifts that the bullies loved the most was flowers my parents sent!  Aren't they pretty?

But Vivi's favorite was the cake for sure!  Look at her eyes longing at the chocolately goodness!

The rest of the weekend continued the birthday bash (kidding) with more movies, dinners & even a breakfast!  But Sunday brought on the most fun for the bullies!!  It was Photo Shoot Sunday!!  Unfortunately, we didn't get to go see Santa at the Mall of America, but since Christmas cards will need to be sent out soon, I needed to get a photo done!

So I set up the "studio"...aka a background (usually a sheet, this time a festive plaid blanket) on the deck.  Since it was rather cold, I knew I was pushing it, but I did end up getting a few good shots to use.  I won't give away too much, but here's a little spoiler for you!

When I receive the cards, I'll be sure to scan it to show you all!  It's pretty funny if I do say so myself!!

Hope you all had a great weekend & a fantastic week!

Vote to help bulldog rescue!!

I received the following email from Rita Guthmiller, the coordinator of bulldog rescue here in Minnesota.  Please help Team Bulldog rescue win!  It's easy to vote, no registration necessary & help keep bulldog rescue in the running for $10,000!!  If you can forward this on to your friends, family, facebook pages, blogs, etc that would also be awesome!!

Asking for your help/support

Hello everyone,

As most of you know, we are currently in the top 5 to win much needed funds for bulldog rescue! We are struggling to keep our #3 position, and are asking for our fellow bulldog rescuers to support us. If you have a website, an e-mail list, or are able to cast a vote for us, we would greatly appreciate it! Also, if you have a Facebook page, or any kind of contacts that understand your love for the breed, please cross post!

We have been working so hard on recruiting voters, but the larger rescues have such a huge following, that it's hard to keep up!  Let's show them that we can 'bring on the bull!'
Thanks in advance for your support!

Karen, Skip and Kara

Link to vote: http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/73458

"I'm not happy momma!"

Yesterday I fought the winter elements & brought Vivian to the vet for her annual vaccines & check up. She, like my other bullies, doesn't mind going to the vet at all...probably because all the staff at Inver Grove Heights Animal Hospital is so nice and they ALL hand out treats like they're going out of style!

Good news Vivi is a very healthy bully! Bad news Vivi's lumps aren't hives...it's a staph infection! Poor thing! So they gave us antibiotics for THREE weeks!! That's how long she's has the lumps!! I feel bad that I didn't bring her in sooner.

Since we were there, I had them give Vivi her bordetella vaccine as it was due next month & having it done while we were aleady there will save us a trip! For those that don't know, bordetella is usually given nasally...Vivi was not pleased with this at all!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Love Bulldogs? How about Disney World? Got any iPhone fans out there?

Well if you're reading this blog, you probably can answer "yes" to at least 2 of these questions.  Well I'd like to share with you two blogs that I watch that I think you, as a Bully Beat reader, will enjoy! 

First, I found this bully blog just last week & I must say I'm a big fan of Sherbert!  No, not the dairy-free pastel colored frozen treat (that's sherbet--no it really is, go look), but this Sherbert is the Urban Bulldog  who is a beautiful bully out of Colorado whose momma started a blog to cronical her adventures in the best way...PHOTOS!!  As most of you could probably tell, I enjoy taking photos of my bullies, so finding another bully momma who does the same?!  LOVE IT!!  I highly recommend following it to all bully fans!  It's a very fun site that has great stories, fun photos & fantastic interaction with her readers!!  So check it out, I know you'll think it's adorabull!

I know I'm not the only Disney fan out there, so let me share a great new blog written by one of my Disney friends, Katie, that also LOVES Disney & her iPhone, Wilson.  So she writes about both Disney stuff AND iPhone apps!!  It's awesome!  It's fun because she tries out & reviews so many iPhone apps that I wouldn't have ever heard of otherwise!  It's also trouble...she talks about DVC (Disney Vacation Club) & I want IN!!  Ok, I know that's just a dream, but still...someday....ok, ok Steve I'm just dreaming!!  For anyone interested in following the goings on of all things Disney World, you know it can be very overwhelming to try to find it all in any given week.  Well at the DVC Life every Friday is recap day & she summarzies all the Disney news for the week!  It's magical (of course)!!

Another Vote for Vivi Request!

Wouldn't you want to buy a card w/this face on it??  Come on...I know you would!!

Voting goes through next Tuesday, December 15th, vote once a day by just clicking on "Vote for this Pooch", no registration necessary, so I'm sure there's a reason some of the not-so-cute dogs have 10s of thousands of votes....but I thought it was worth a try!

Thanks in advance & if your dog is entered, let me know & we can add his/her link on here too for people to vote!!

Vote for Vivi!!

Thank you!

Our weekend

I decided to show Vivi in St Cloud this weekend.  I have updated the show page with a recap & photos.  We had a lot of fun!  Vivi is such a pleasure to bring out.  Sure every once in awhile she will pull, but for the most part she's very laid back & just wants everyone to pet her or sniff her..she doesn't care...she loves all!

Our bully friend Fiona & her momma Kim had a GREAT weekend at the show!  Fiona got Best of Breed each day!!  Yay Fiona!  Fiona is a beautiful girl & she's sooooo funny!  She's even more laid back than Vivi at the shows!!

Here are the girls waiting ringside for their turns in the ring, aren't they cute?

Hope you all had a great weekend too!

Bully Life Lesson #10

Bully Life Lessons

~by bullies, for bullies~

by Howie

Life Lesson #10

Sometimes it's just not

about you...

or your comfort!

To Show or not to show...

That IS the question I've been facing all week. Vivi's lumps are still hanging around. They are better than they were, but the scabs are still there & that's what is making her "lumpy" still.

I continue to put vitamin E oil on them, but you can still see them. I did give her another oatmeal bath on Monday hoping it would work its miracle magic again, but it didn't. So now I have to decide if I should bathe her tonight like I normally would for a show or if that would cause even more irritation.

She doesn't look horrible, but she does still look lumpy. I just want her to look her best of course. Well I'll keep you posted! Wish us luck!!

Hmmm..You think the judge would mind if I kept her coat on her in the ring? She's certainly stylin' in this thing!!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Bully Life Lesson #9

Bully Life Lessons

~by bullies, for bullies~

by Ollie

Life Lesson #9

When you find your forever home,

say prayers that EVERY bully

will find theirs too!

Why no posts?

I know it's been more than a few days since my last post.  I was busy with a project at work that consisted of data entry for 20+ hours, so to be honest w/you, when I got home, the last thing I felt like doing was anything w/the computer.  So now the project is over (thank goodness), I've updated the Photo of the Day & now attempting a blog post.  Problem is...I don't know that I have much to blog about today...

Vivi's lumps have turned into small scabs which I hope continue to go away this week since we have another show this upcoming weekend!  (Yay!)  Oh & super fun fact about this show...we show LATE!!  I couldn't believe it!  Bulldogs usually ALWAYS show by 9am, but Saturday we're at 1PM and Sunday we're at 1045!!  Woo hoo!  I'm excited because I'm driving each day & now won't have to get up at 4am!!  Yipppee!!

Howie's ears seem to have taken a beating due to the colder weather.  Poor thing, I just cleaned them earlier this week & noticed today they needed to be done again.  He allowed me to put some medication in them today & will continue that for the next couple days hoping to nip any kind of infection in the bud.

Today was my day to sleep in (Thanks Steve!) & Doc got to climb into bed w/me for a few hours this morning!  He's such a cuddler on the couch, one would think he'd be the same in the bed...but he's not.  Instead he just wants to lay wherever he wants to lay & it's now HIS bed & bedding, not yours!  He's funny!

I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving & an awesome upcoming week!

Oatmeal baths=miracle worker!

Vivi's lumps got worse all day on Sunday.  Monday night we were hanging out on the couch & I saw that her back was BLEEDING!!  Not sure if it the lumps turned into scabs or if her skin was just so dry it started to crack & bleed?  It wasn't a lot of blood, but still...I felt just awful!  All this from a shampoo!!

I decided to give Vivi an oatmeal bath...one of those packets from Aveeno.  She must have known that the oatmeal bath was for her because she just sat next to the tub while it filled up & had no problem going in!  She just stood there while I poured the oatmeal bath water over her.  I made sure to pat her dry & then put some vitamin E oil on her skin...couldn't hurt, right?

When she woke up Tuesday morning the swelling of the lumps had already gone down!  Oatmeal bath=miracle!!  I even saw more difference when I returned home from work Tuesday night!  I'm going to hold off giving her any other baths this week, but will continue with the vitamin E oil in hopes that it keeps it from drying up again.

Bully Life Lesson #8

Bully Life Lessons

~by bullies, for bullies~

by Vivi

Life Lesson #8

When you find yourself in a tight

situation with no way out...smile!  It will make

you feel better!

Less Wiggly, More Lumpy

Good news is that our practicing paid off last night & Vivi wasn't nearly as wiggly in the ring today as yesterday!  Yay Vivi!  She took 2nd in her class & got to go in for Reserve (which her half-sister Bailey took)!  Vivi did really well today considering the judge had us go around a few times & was very hands on.  We have another show in a few weeks so I'll be sure to continue practicing with her & hope that she is not a wiggle worm both days!!

2nd place today!  Lumps & all!

Bad news is that the shampoo I used on her left her looking lumpy today.  Needless to say, I will NOT be using it again.  I've heard this could happen if it's not rinsed out enough, but we rinsed her really well.  OMG it's soooo bad!  I noticed some lumps last night & gave her some Benedryl.  This morning I had hoped it would have gone down, but instead it got worse!!  I almost didn't show her, but I'm glad I did.  Steve said she looks like a Gremlin who is about to explode into 100 other mini Gremlins...."Don't feed them after midnight! & Never, ever get them wet!"  (Anyone remember that?! haha)

So on top of her many other nicknames, my new one for her is Lumpy.  Poor honey.

Today I'm beat & took a 4 hour nap this afternoon!  Getting up at 430am should only be reserved for a plane ride...but apparently dog shows too in my world!  My wonderful sister-in-law & nephews stopped up to drop us off dinner that they made for us!  Tatertot hotdish & cookies!!  YUMMY!  It was their housewarming present to us...9 years in the making!  LOL  Thanks Dana, Cole & Al!  It was tasty!!