Friday, February 26, 2010

Good god...what died in there?!

Question of the day....how can something so sweet & innocent looking...
have such HORRIFIC breath?!  Ugg...it's sooo bad.  It always has been.  When we were at the vet for her annual appointment in December, I even asked about it.  Vet said she didn't have any infections or anything in her mouth that would cause such a stench, but....ewww....it stinks.

She did offer one option of why.  Anyone want to guess?  Here's a clue...it's weirdly long & she uses it to kiss you...from across the room, as well as grabbing paper.  That's right...
Yep!  That's right!  Her tongue.  She said that if she has it out when she sleeps & it gets dry, it can cause bad breath.  I mean, I guess it makes sense...but lordy.  It's soooo bad.

So I'm coming to each & every one of you for help...give me your best bad breath advice!  I've tried brushing teeth & that's not working.  Steve & I joke that she has "cats".  Meaning, you sleep with your mouth open & a cat comes & poops in your mouth when you're sleeping...see, you'd have HORRIFIC breath right?  So next time you encounter someone w/bad breath...I bet you think..."dang they have cats!"  hahaha

Anyway, please leave a comment below on your tips or tricks for curing bad breath!  I'd really appreciate it!
Oh gosh...we'd ALL appreciate it!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Wow! The power of a bully blog!

So a couple weeks ago I posted about my niece Destin & her quest to end Type I diabetes.  I thought, well it can't hurt to post something about the upcoming walk for Juvenile Diabetes & her pledge link.  I figured maybe someone would read it, little did I think anyone would actually donate. 

So to each & every one of you who took the time to read the post & especially those who donated to Destin's JDRF walk....THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH!  She has officially made her goal!  I can't thank you enough for doing that!  It's with your help  research can be done to hopefully one day make Destin no longer dependent on insulin.

Destin's walk is this coming Saturday at the Mall of America.  It's always a huge turnout with many families wearing "team" shirts, walking with big groups...it's very impressive to see loads of people there to support the cause...and more than likely...at least one family member.

Who would have thunk it...a bully blog can be powerful against diabetes!!  So thank you friends, even though we may have never met in person, I love that you helped this cause...in essence my niece!

Love you all & thanks again!
Jen

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Oh I'm happy!!

Doc & Howie had a vet appointment on Saturday.  It was Howie's annual exam & Doc just needed a bordetella shot.  With every appointment, we have to weigh our dogs & give the vet tech the amount.  Well I'm so very happy to report Doc has lost another 3 lbs!!  Woo hoo!!

That means he has lost all the weight he gained since we got him.  Actually, he now weighs less than he did when we first got him by almost a pound...ok, not quite a full pound, but it's still less!  Doc's diet tips...green beans & a lot of sleep.  Seems like it's working for him!

Howie had a great vet appointment as well.  This was his first annual exam since his ACL repair surgery in June 2009.  Other than his hair still not completely in yet, everything looks great!  Yay!
Since the boys went to the vet, that meant Vivi was home all alone!!  I don't think that's ever happened before!  I think she had a party while we were gone!  Enjoying the house & all the rooms by herself...What do you think?
I finally had time...or said another way...I finally sat down & made some pretty panties for Vivi next time she goes into heat.  They turned out pretty well, my model (Vivi) refused to try them on for a photo though..what a diva!
We hope you had a great weekend like we did!

Friday, February 19, 2010

Good News & Bad News

Good news is that Turbo, that sweet baby, has a new home!  Yay!  He's been quite popular here, melting a lot of hearts!  I'm so glad Turbo is going to a good home & will make his new family smile every single day!  Here is one last photo to smile over...here are the 3 bully boys!  From right to left: big bully boy, bigger bully boy, biggest bully boy!
Bad news is that Lola, the stolen bulldog from Arizona, is still missing!! 

Please pass this information on & hopefully Lola can be brought home to her family safely!  Any info please contact Kim at 602-319-4377.

Also, there was another bully stolen in the West Phoenix, AZ area!  This one was stolen when someone broke into the bully's home!! 

Here is Spike.  His is a 5-year-old neutered male with breathing problems!  He needs to get back to his loving home right away!

Please contact Jennifer at 623-451-8493 if you know anything about Spike!

Some people have very sick, demented & mean minds.  They steal dogs for many different reasons.  I saw one of those reasons this week on a bulldog forum I visit.  The bully was found in a pool of its own blood after being used as a bait dog for fighting!  It broke my heart to see what had been done to this bully & left to die a slow painful death.  This was not done in AZ, where both of the above bullies are from, but it doesn't matter still makes me mad!

Sorry to be such a downer after such happy news of Turbo!  Hug your bullies extra tight today for all those that are stolen or missing!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Prayers Please...

Please send prayers & good thoughts for my daddy Steve today...specifically at 2:30pm!
Thanks
Love
Ollie

Monday, February 15, 2010

Sweet baby boy....

Oh my, oh my, oh my....this weekend we had the absolute pleasure of having a sleep over guest!  His name is Turbo & the was the absolutely the sweetest thing!

Turbo was a very nice bullyguest.  He is only 16 weeks old & had very, very nice bullymanners!  He seemed to love Howie the most & would follow him when they went outside.  It was so cute!  Howie even shared his toys with Turbo....with proper (aka close) supervision of course!
Even Vivian surprised me at her "mothering" ways with him.  When Turbo would follow Howie around the yard & in the off chance Howie got away from Turbo, it seemed like Vivi scanned the yard for the other white bully & if he was alone.....she was immediately right by his side.

Turbo really liked Vivi at times...we can just chalk it up to puppy wannabe dominance...but let's just say he could have been nicknamed Humpy Humperton.  These bullies have no shame...below you'll see the butt sniffing train....hahaha!
Turbo liked Doc...but Doc, well, was Doc...and didn't really think much of another bully in the house.  Until it was sleepy time...then Doc had a new cuddle buddy & let Turbo snuggle in however he wanted.
Oooh Turbo!  You are gonna make some lucky person, family, couple very, very, very lucky!  Turbo is 16 weeks old & still needs to find his forever home!  Turbo taught us a lot this weekend.  He is deaf & neither of us had ever been around a deaf dog before.  You don't realize how much you verbally train a puppy...who loves cat food!  It's just your natural instinct to say, "Turbo!  No!"...but it is really for your own sake as it will mean nothing to Turbo.  There were many times I would catch myself saying, "Turbo come here...oh but you can't hear me anyway...so that means nothing to you...so now I'm just talking to myself...."

Don't think for a second Turbo doesn't understand commands though!  He's been going to obedience classes since he was around 10 weeks old.  He knows sit, stay, high 5, around, car--as in you want to go in...not that he can do a car trick, outside, yay--good boy & no.  The hardest thing to do, was to teach US to train differently...ok we didn't train him per se as he was only at our house for about 24 hours, but when you have a puppy in the house, every minute is a training session!

He is honestly, the sweetest thing & so very smart.  He was very intrigued with our two cats, but our cats have been around 3 bullies so while I don't think he would have hurt them, they're pretty used to a very large paw coming at them to say "hi!"  He didn't have any potty training issues at our house either and night-night time meant he needed a night light!  Think about it...he doesn't have his hearing sense, so you shut off the lights & he wakes up in the middle of the night for some reason & now he can't hear OR see?  He had no problems during the night, woke me up at 630am, which I was warned about--it's his normal wake up time--just not mine!

We loved having Turbo at our house & we were happy to have him as our guest!  

To see more photos of Turbo as well as some awesome videos of this smart boy, visit Bodanna Bulldogs!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

If you think a bully is determined...you've never met Destin!!

Today's post is not about my bulldogs, my love for Disney, or even my beloved Betty (iPhone).  No, today's post will be a little more personal & a completely shameless plug for pledges!  That's right, I'm asking for money...it's not for me, it's not even for a bulldog, but instead it's for the fight against Type I Diabetes.

Type I, or Juvenile Diabetes, is when your body stops producing the appropriate amounts of insulin for your body to absorb carbohydrates (sugars) once consumed. Type 1 diabetes is not linked to obesity or diet control.  Therefore,  Type 1 diabetics are insulin dependent.  This requires checking yourself multiple times a day and receiving insulin anytime food is consumed either via injections or a pump.

Yeah, ok, my knees just totally hurt typing that...see, I'm medically-challenged.  I hate all things medical related...like hearing about broken bones, needles, blood pressure being taken...they make my knees hurt.  I don't know why, but they do.  My family knows this about me & will preface any conversation with "oh Jen, this will probably hurt your knees."  This all being said, I can't imagine what it would be like to have Type I diabetes, having to give yourself insulin shots throughout the day...I couldn't do it...but my niece, Destin has no choice.

Destin who is almost 8 1/2 years old, was diagnosed with Type I diabetes shortly after she turned 5 years old.  FIVE!!  FIVE!!  I mean, a five-year-old may have just learned to tie their shoes, right?  Maybe knows their ABCs or in Destin's case, the square root of Pi (she's BEYOND smart--I think she reconfigured my brother's PC when she was about 18 months old--oops).  But to have to learn all about insulin, sugars, carbs, needles, finger pricks, "honeymoon stages", fingers pointing at her food on the plate figuring out how many carbs are in it....at FIVE!!  WOW!

Sounds pretty awful to an aunt who can't even tolerate looking at her omnipod insulin dispenser without thinking, "omg I hope that thing doesn't rip out!"  But for Destin, my brother & my sister-in-law, there is no choice here!!  Destin has this condition & they'll do whatever they can to have her live a "normal" life!

While my parents have admitted that they've mistakenly called Destin "Jenny" numerous times over the years since she reminds them of me..."Jenny Jr"....to which I say, "you say it like it's a bad thing!?", I know Destin is about a BIZZILON times stronger than I am!  She loves school...in particular math!  She's got talent that you wouldn't believe when it comes to dancing!  She's a dancing machine & at the age of 6 was already dancing in Competition (psst-this is not a Jenny trait by any stretch of the imagination)!  She loves to perform & really excels at it...all the while wearing her insulin pump!  Amazing!!

NOTHING is going to stop this little powerhouse!  Not even Type I diabetes!

On February 27th,  one of the nation’s largest JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) walks will be taking place at the Mall of America. This is an annual walk to raise money to help find a cure for diabetes.  Researchers have been able to successfully make rat’s insulin free and human studies and tests are ongoing as well. There are many new discoveries happening each and every year and someday soon, there will be a cure.


This will be the 4th time walking as Destin’s Dream Team and so far we have a team of almost 25 walkers signed up as a part of “Destin’s Dream Team”. Destin’s dream is to be Insulin free.

Below is an email from my brother, Destin's proud dad.  If you can, please give whatever you can to help reach Destin's dream of being insulin free!
Thanks!

As all of you parents know, you’ll do anything for your kids. As Destin’s dad, I want to make her  dream come true.  I have long lived by the saying, “You can never have a dream come true, if you’ve never had a dream at all.”  I’m personally reaching out to you, to ask if you wish to donate, please see the link below to help Destin’s dream come true.

The more donations we get, the closer we will get to fulfilling Destin’s dream. Many corporate sponsors will be providing matching donations for the walk as well, so every dollar counts. If we surpass our goal, even better!

We know that this past year has been extremely tough for many of us, but know that every dollar will help bring a cure closer to reality. Even $5 brings us closer.

If you are local to MN, we’d love to have you join us for the walk. You can register to walk at the link below. The bigger the group of walkers the better! We’re hoping for a group of over 50 people this year!

Thanks in advance everyone for the time and consideration.

Donation Link

On behalf of Destin and the millions of other people suffering from Type 1 diabetes, Thank You.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Love Bugs!

The bullies' favorite holiday must be Valentines' Day!  I mean, they always want to be around me.  They always want to snuggle me.  Everyday they try to shower me with kisses & they love me giving them hugs!  Isn't that the whole idea of Valentines' Day?  To show the one you love, that you, well, love them?...Oh & to get them gifts of red, pink & white!
 
"I dunno Howie...do you think Momma will like these Valentines?"

"Oh yeah Doc!  I mean look at ALL this stuff we got her!"

"Guys!  I agree!  She'll love it all!  We loves her so much!"

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Monday already? REALLY??

Wow...this weekend flew by & while I know I didn't just sit around & do nothing, I certainly feel like I did NOT get a lot accomplished!  So much on my list of things to get done...and not one crossed off...I hate that.  Oh well, what can you do?  I was lucky enough to spend the entire weekend with Steve, some friends & of course my bullies!!  Not a bad weekend in the least!!

Howie was certainly happy to have me home this weekend!  So happy he laughed & laughed & laughed!!
Hope you all had a great weekend & here's to a more productive week...gotta get at least ONE thing off that list!

Friday, February 5, 2010

STOLEN BULLDOG!!

A Bully Friend received an email about a bulldog that was stolen out of own backyard in Payson, AZ.  I know I'm as far from AZ as can be, but I'm hoping w/the technology of the internet, somehow  Lola can get home to her owners soon! 

Let's get the word out!

Bring Lola home!  Her family is devastated!  Lola is a 1.5 years old red & white bulldog.  She IS microchipped! 

Thursday, February 4, 2010

So.....what do you think????

As you may have seen the last couple days I've been changing the look of the blog & site. I had the Blue Line Art Department (Thanks Keith!!) hard at work & I'm THRILLED with the amazing new logo for both the blog & the site!! I went with a gray background on the site rather than the tan & blue I had because the blues clashed a bit...so fun to change things up...especially when they work out!!

Does anyone remember this photo I used to have as the "logo" on the site originally?
Baby Howie's feet...this photo was used the front of his birth announcement!  Yep, that's how much of a dork I am...he & Ollie both got birth announcements!  Poor Vivi didn't, she just got stuck on the Christmas card a week after we got her (oh the things I could have done w/having a GIRL bully announcement)...and Doc...well, he was almost 2 when we got him, so the thought of a birth announcement didn't really cross my mind.

Well anyway, I know not everyone's taste is the same as mine, but I hope you all like it as much as me!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Just like a frog...a bullfrog that is!

Picture this, I'm on the couch in my normal spot working on the laptop in front of me.  Howie is cuddled to my left & Vivi is cuddled on TOP of Howie, also to my left but more elevated, Doc is cuddled in on my right...I'm a bully sandwich!!  Very much a mirror image of this (& Doc was there I promise):

Ok, so I'm working on a client's reservation & on hold with Disney so I have their paperwork in front of me on my lap.  Vivi decides it's time to take her hourly mid-nap wake up/yawn.  So she yawns (did you just now reading this?  I did...) & you've all seen her tongue right?  It's LONG!  Like oddly long!  So she yawns & stretches out her tongue like dogs do:
Just then, her oddly long, wet tongue catches the paperwork that I have on my lap!  And it sticks there, to the underneath part of her tongue...so as she's pulling her tongue back into her mouth at the end of her yawn, the piece of paper is following her tongue back toward her mouth & she either doesn't care (she probably thought..."oooh it's white!  I'll eat it!") or doesn't notice!  All I kept thinking was "she's like a frog..haha a bullfrog!"  (Sometimes I really crack myself up!)

I was trying hard not to laugh, beacause I was on the phone, but I did let a chuckle or two out...I mean, how could I not?!  When I finally stopped silent giggling, I went to take the piece of paper off her tongue & it was really stuck there...like w/drool glue or something!  I didn't want to give her a papercut, so I carefully pried it off...and she just sat there like, "are you done now, I must go back to my nap." 

Gee sorry Miss Frogger...err I mean Viv!