Versatile Blogger Award!

Well Luna isn’t the only one who gets awards around here (though in many ways this would be impossible without her) Donna over at Donnaandthedogs has awarded this blog the Versatile Blogger Award!

Thank you SO much Donna it is an honor.  If you have not checked out DonnaAndTheDogs you totally should!  Donna has a knack for writing, and boy does she have a lot to write about. She has a house full of dogs (A GSD, Vizsla, and Lab to be specific)  she has rescued who each have their own special needs.  Lately she has been put through quite the health and behavioral ringer with her pack, and I give her major Kudos for all her and her husband go through for these dogs.  I don’t think I could handle the situations you have been in lately, especially with as much grace and patience as you all have.  Thank you for sharing what you go through with all of us dog lovers, I know I have learned a lot.   So if you are looking for another blog to add to your list, go check out Donna’s blog, even if it is simply because she has a lab and Vizsla! Sometimes we even luck out and get pictures!

The rules for the Versatile Blogger Award are as follows:
1. Thank the award giver and link back in your post. (See above)
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass this award along to as many as 15 blogs you enjoy reading and let them know about the award!

Okay 7 things about myself, this shouldn’t be too hard right? I will most likely include Luna in quite a bit of it as well since it is a blog about her and I afterall.

1. Where to begin, maybe the beginning of it all. I spent months researching dog breeds when I felt the call to get my very own personal dog.  If you know me you know I have always been interested in learning about dog breeds, it’s kinda my thing (among others) and sometimes I get lucky enough to be asked to share my knowledge on the subject. I first saw a vizsla on a hunting show, doing what it loved… but then got a glimpse of their sweet side after when they gave more info about the breed and it just stuck in my mind.  After making my Pro/Con list I noted that the Vizsla fit into many of my requirements in a dog… then when I found a very reputable breeder only 10 minutes away I took it as a sign. So we jumped into the interview process. I really did not think I was even a candidate for getting one of these puppies, but then it turned out that I was high on the list of prospects.

Can you imagine how sad I would be if I hadn’t been able to bring this puppy home??

2.  Though she has a cute face, Luna lives up to all they say about first-born and then some. Yep, she is the first of all of Maddy’s (her mama) puppies, little miss pink collar.  The first couple years were not all roses, whoever coined the phrase that Vizslas are not a dog they are a lifestyle, hit the nail on the head.   Thankfully her arrival home was right after I got home from a 2 week trip to Africa, and fell between jobs.  So our first couple weeks were wonderful, it had it’s ups and downs but there was plenty of time for adventures.  We went hiking several times a week and had lots of trips to see the then-boyfriend and lots of love from family… basically we lived the life back then. A new puppy, new toys, no job, a boyfriend… what more could you want. (okay, I admit it… I often wish I could go back to that, who wouldn’t?)

She learned early on that posing for the camera/treats would be a big part of her life.

3.   Speaking of treats and things Luna eats.  Some of you may know this already, but I assume most don’t, I do not eat meat… of any kind.  I have nothing against those that do, I actually married a big meat-eater who also hunts.  I have actually always loved anatomy and behavior so I am also probably one of the few non-meat eaters who will also happily gut/clean an animal if I know how, and am happy to learn how if not.  So outside of not actually consuming the meat I clean and cook, my dogs and my husbands lucked out. One day I will have enough forethought to set up a camera to record my facial expressions as I clean a chukar.

Those gray birds are Chukars

4.  Though you see many pictures of Luna on here, my passion for photography started before her. It began with ancient point and shoots, then began to include a film SLR followed by several DSLRs you have heard mentioned  A big part of  the artist in me probably had something to do with picking a Vizsla, and it was by the grace of God that I got such a beautiful regal looking one to boot (though that is not a hard description to find in the Vizsla breed, and I am probably totally biased).  My dad likes to call her an “Anna” Dog.  You can think of your own meanings for that, but she is totally my type physically, though I did not let that rule my decision for the breed it was just a bonus.

5.  It took me nearly 4 years to figure this out, but Luna and I are a lot a like.  Independent, stubborn, outdoor lovers, observers, and thinkers to name a few.   You know how they say people become like their pets, well it’s kinda like that only we just had similar personalities from the start.  I think this is part of the reason she has been a challenge for me (the first couple years she nearly had me in tears pretty often, as she just took so much work I often wondered if I had gotten the wrong dog).  I know I know we should not humanize our dogs, and in my eyes she is still totally a canine but I can’t help but put thoughts to her looks sometimes. She is so expressive and really seems to put a lot of thinking behind her actions.   I may get pictures of her looking all pretty and curious but it is truly hard to catch the subtle looks she gives all the time. Usually she goes to her default “I am SO not impressed” look when I try and get a photo of them.  I just realized this tonight but this is one of the things I love the most about her (the breed), and honestly unless you could guarantee my next breed of dog would still do these things I don’t know if I could chance another breed.  I always say that if a dog could act human-like a Vizsla is that dog, and I have been around a lot of dogs. This both is endearing but also is one of the biggest challenges in the breed, and yet is probably a big reason for people getting a second one.

6. Okay another thing about me… okay here is a random one, I come from a family of 10 kids. Yep 10, 7 boys and 3 girls. I fall at number 7 down the line.  I have 5 older brothers, an older sister, a younger sister, and 2 younger brothers.  Needless to say our house was always pretty busy and interesting… especially since both of our parents are artists of some sort and thus most of the kids are pretty darn different in personality.  This has nothing to do with Luna, outside of the fact that she loves all of them.  Oh and Luna was the first dog to ever live inside, now don’t jump on my parents old fashioned ways, our family dogs lived quite the life in the country and were more than happy to be outside. And though my parents are not dog people, they love Luna.  Mom gets so tickled when Luna decides to hop on the couch and lay next to her.

 7. I feel like this one should be the best but honestly it has been hard to think of things that you all might find interesting about me. Maybe I should have you ask the questions? That’s usually what I do. Okay another random fact I love to go fishing.  Back when Luna was young I actually would take her down the river with me, and I would wade out and fish in the middle while she swam next to me.  Occasionally she would chase a stick or leaf in the water, she even went under one time after a leaf.  The current caught her as she turned to reach backward and she got taken under and rolled, scared the crap out of me but I just reached under and pulled her back up. Then I sent her out to take a break.  She also loved when I caught a fish, she would go off after it when I let it go.  A half hour of swimming for a puppy (with breaks of course) meant a nice relaxed puppy the rest of the day. As I said, I really miss those days.

I wish I had photos of that, but this will have to do.  I don’t have many photos of her and I as a whole, one day I will hire some to take some.

Now to share this award with some others. Here are some of my favorites, some have nothing to do with dogs and touch on some of my other loves like photography, family, baking, sewing. I’m weird I know.

Love & A Six-foot Leash:  If you love dogs, writing, photography, fostering, or pitbulls this blog is a must read.  This is a blog that centers around foster work done by a couple and their dog Chick (and now their newest pup  Dude!).  I can’t say enough good things about this blog, and honestly it is difficult to really sum it up in words. That may sound silly, but there is so much to love about this blog it is hard to sum it up.  The work Aleksandra and her husband does, with a breed that get such a bad rap, is beyond commendable.  You really just need to go check this wonderfully written blog out for yourself.

Rescued Insanity:  Kristine probably is getting sick of these awards but I have to share her blog with you.  She is another wonderful blogger with a knack for writing about her life with her crazy (so she says) dog Shiva.  Kristine has a wonderful way with words, and often has me laughing out loud with her stories about her dog Shiva.  She also writes with an honesty that is hard to find anymore in the dog world.  She is not afraid to admit that having a dog can be very difficult at times, but then also is not afraid to admit how wonderful it can be.

RedBirdDog:  I have to of course share a Vizsla blog with you, and this one has been a favorite for a long time. The blog is loaded with great photos of Vizslas enjoying life, whether on a run or in the bird field. They are full of great information about the breed too, and I love how they try and keep people honest about the breed, the good and the not so good. If you are a red dog lover check them out.

Here are a couple other Vizsla blogs I watch: LivingthelifeofRiley ,  Belatarr , ATailOfTwoVizslas

2 Brown Dawgs: Alright so this blog gets a lot of awards, but it should. Again another dog blog, but this one is about a breed you don’t hear much about. Chesapeak Bay Retrievers.  And they do things with this breed that is not done often enough with hunting dogs.  They hunt/trial and show AND they are their family. See it is possible.  Take a look if you want to learn more about a wonderful strong breed of retriever.  Great photos too, plus they just got a new puppy!

VisualState: If you love the outdoors and photography you will love Andrew’s blog.  Beautiful photos of parks, street, and still life.  I know to some that may sound boring, but I constantly am amazed at this artist’s shots.  I don’t even mind that looking at his photos sometimes makes me feel totally inadequate as a photographer, I am a big enough to recognize talent when I see it.

Bang:  Another photography blog that often makes my jaw drop.  Want to see an artist that shoots from the heart? Check out this blog, they have the photos to back up their fancy (and sometimes not) equipment. Amazing work, great technique, and a great eye! I can’t ask for any more from an artist.

The Modern Quilt Guild:  I just found this quilting/sewing blog but I fell in love. Wonderful work, great photos and ideas.  I have a dream to finish a quilt, so far I am maybe a quarter of the way there.

The Anderson Crew:  I LOVE this blog. Wonderfully written stories, photos, and moments shared about a family of 8.  I wish she had time to post more often, but I am surprised at how often she is able to post to begin with having that many kids. Major Kudos!

Alright, I have spent far too much time on this blog post so I will stop there. Thank you again for the award Donna.  And to the others that have passed awards on to me in the past I apologize for not acknowledging them with a post.  I hope to change that from here on out, and I would try and catch up with the past awards given if I had not lost the sticky that had all the names/awards on it (downside of cleaning up this messy joint). I hope  everyone has a great weekend.