XL as life!

5 things making me happy…

April 5, 2013 by Natalie · 9 Comments

My furr family – The addition of Aussie has made such a difference to the house. It’s amazing what joy a puppy can bring. Frodo plays with him in ways I’ve never seen him play, even with Ginny. I can’t explain how much that makes my heart swell, seeing him so happy. Betsy is growing and showing more personality, seeing her do things that she wouldn’t have the courage to do even 6 months ago, it’s just wonderful. Oh, and just watching Tonka and Aussie play is so silly!

Our back yard – I love our back yard, so does Tonka. It’s just such a peaceful place to sit outside and take some ‘time out’. Fresh air, greenery. I love nature & we get such a beautiful arrange of wildlife here, like the rainbow lorikeets (below).

Emails – Getting exciting emails full of opportunity! Not to mention from people you care about. For someone who finds it hard to talk on a phone, i’m so thankful for emails! Oh, and mail! I think getting post may be one of lifes biggest simple pleasures, well, you know, as long as it’s not a bill!

TV Shows – First up, the announcement that Billie Piper & David Tennant will be in the 50th anniversary Doctor Who episode. OH MY GOD! I am so excited, yet kind of scared, about it. But mostly excited!

The Walking Dead season finale and the start of the new season of Game of Thrones!

As i’ve been sick I’ve been catching up on TV shows. I don’t claim to have great taste, in fact, the past few seasons my favourite shows have been cancelled. I’m currently loving The Carrie Diaries, Arrow, Nashville, Beauty and the Beast, The New Girl, Smash & The New Normal. Just to name a few

YOU! - I know it may sound like i’m ‘sucking up’, but really, I adore getting comments, emails, tweets, any interaction with people who read my blog. It’s nice to know people are reading and enjoying. THANK YOU!

What’s currently making you happy?

Filed Under: Everyday · Tagged With: Aussie, Betsy, Frodo, Tonka

A new puppy!

March 18, 2013 by Natalie · 24 Comments

On Saturday we welcomed a new member into the family! A little boy, yet to have a final name confirmation. It was Jimmy, but due to a few circumstances, Mum’s decided to change it. She just hasn’t found the right one yet. Yep, it’s another Cavi! Mum does seem to love the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels!

I was really surprised when Mum mentioned she was thinking of getting a puppy. After Emily passed away, I didn’t really think Mum would get another dog, let alone a puppy. This little dude, yep, a male, is about 4 months old, so not a young puppy, but oh how I had forgotten how joyous a puppy can be!

Both Emily & Betsy were through rescue and had lived very hard lives. Emily opened up slowly, but was always a very shy, timid and withdrawn dog. Betsy, is opened up more and more, she’s feeling comfortable enough to show off a fun and dorky personality. It’s amazing how a safe and secure environment can change an animal.

With a puppy though, especially one who’s been brought into the world well, loved and cared for, is just simply a little ball of joy. He hasn’t seen the hard things that can happen to a dog. He is open to all the love and just so trustworthy. This little fellow is SO affectionate. Kisses, kisses, let me climb all over you and give you even more kisses!

The other animals are doing well. Puppy came from a house full of cats, so he fell in love with Tonka and has been trying to play with him. Tonka is doing well, not quite used to the attention, but tries to play for a bit with him. I’m so glad Tonka is a cat that seems to love everyone.

Betsy snuck in to lay with him in the bathroom earlier tonight. She’s been ignoring him a little, but is showing interest. Frodo and him seem to be pretty good. Frodo pays him attention when it suits him, and has been wanting to play fetch more then usual. Though he decided to bring the toy over to puppy today. I think Frodo may find a tug-of-war buddy eventually.

So, any suggestions for names!?

Filed Under: Everyday, Personal · Tagged With: Betsy, Frodo, Puppy, Tonka

Into #thedarlingden

November 19, 2012 by Natalie · 4 Comments

Last week was the final move into the new place. I can understand why they say that moving is one of the most stressful times. I’ve been a mess of emotions. Our internet is taking longer to set up, thanks to poor service from Telstra. We rang up 10 days in advance as my Father and I both need the internet, and were assured it would be ready to go by the time we moved in. Except, they forgot to put through the order for the modem. So, fingers crossed we shall have it by weeks end. We had to go out and buy a wifi dongle.

My place is slowly coming more and more together. I still have 2 more walls to paint, but one needs to wait until after we’ve finished the renovations to my kitchen. I have learnt that I have SO MUCH stuff, and have been trying to cull some things. I’m a sentimental hoarder, if it has a strong memory attached to it, I don’t want to get rid of it.

The animals have settled in well, in fact, I think they all like this place better! They certainly don’t seem to miss the countless stairs of the old place and they’ve been enjoying exploring the backyard. I’ve found myself in the backyard often, while this house doesn’t have a pool, we seem to have an abundance of bird life. Cockatoos, Rainbow lorikeets and kookaburras are just a few of what i’ve spotted!

I can’t wait to get back online properly and fill you all in on everything & get back to regular posting. Until then, thank you for your patience!

Filed Under: Everyday · Tagged With: Betsy, Emily, Frodo, Home, House, The Darling Den, Tonka

Welcoming Betsy!

November 6, 2012 by Natalie · 21 Comments

I’d like to take a moment to introduce everyone to the newest member of our family, Betsy! My parents adopted their dog Emily nearly 3 years ago. She came to my parents scared, timid and in bad condition. She needed teeth removed, her coat tended too and a great deal of love. She was a breeder dog and once used up, was sent off for adoption. I’m so thankful my parents found her and nurtured her. Sadly, she isn’t the healthiest of dogs, like a lot of Cavis, she has heart problems.

Emily and Betsy, on Mums lap in the car on the way home.

Emily is a different dog around other Cavaliers, while she’s best mates with Frodo, she just lights up around the same breed. We suspect she wasn’t properly weaned off all her puppies, and after talking to the vet, my parents decided to look into getting a friend for her. So Mum and I set off looking at rescue sites for another Cavi. We found a cute little tri-colour boy who my Mum put in a form for, only to find he’d been adopted. Mum emailed back explaining the circumstances and about a week later was notified they would be getting in a new cavi soon. Skip forward another couple of weeks, and we put Emmy in the car and headed off for her to meet her possible new sister!

We took her home that day, and she’s been settling in the past few days. Like Emily, she’s very scared and timid. She doesn’t like being patted under the chin, she cowers so easily. I hate seeing animals so fearful. She’s also been de-barked. She’s getting along with the other animals. She loves cuddling up with Emily & tends to just ignore Tonka. She has growled a couple of times at Frodo, but we suspect it’s just due to him being male. She’s apparently a blue ribbon champion too!

Frodo, Emily & Betsy

It will be good for Emily too, because once I finally move into #thedarlingden, Frodo will be spending the majority of his time in with me. She now has a friend to keep her company and to mother.

We adopted Betsy from Save our Strays, and you find info on how to donate to them HERE.