Oh, how Memphis and Merlin loved to play as pups. Jamie and I were reminiscing about how our house at the time was like a huge puppy obstacle course. This photo was taken a short time after we got Merlin, so both dogs were about 4 or 5 months old. And they weighed 40-50 lbs (Merlin later grew to 80).They would wrestle anywhere they could (like on top of this chair) and there were endless games of keep away and chase in our house. I remember my mom visiting once and telling me that my dogs had way more energy than toddlers (and that's saying something) as she ducked out of the way of some serious tug-of-war in our kitchen.Today, whenever I've gotten sad about Merlin (which has been a lot), this happy playing is what I've tried to remember, and what I hope is happening in heaven up above.Many, many, many of you sent me wonderful comments or sweet emails or notes on facebook. Some of you even brought me flowers or mailed me cards that somehow already arrived today. You guys out there are the BEST. Seriously. I have been blown away by your kindness.Tomorrow things will return to a bit more normalcy around these parts, but today I wanted a little more of a happy Merlin post. So here you have it.Now go snuggle your animals.
Dear, sweet Magda.This girl is trying *so hard* to be good. She just has such a hard time lately because we seem to have visitors almost every other day, and many of them bring children, and none of them are at all interested in this here pup. Oh, some of the kids are interested in her, but also a little afraid (understandably) because of her excitable nature. And let's be clear, the adults are all here to see Ezra, mainly.Anyway, it leaves this poor pup locked out of many rooms, singing for some attention, and trying so hard to be well behaved.Because of this, I've been walking Mags for about an hour each day (whew!) and trying to love her up even more.Anyway, she hasn't gotten much play in our Mondays at the Madhouse lately, and I wanted to show you all that she still is burrowed deep in my heart (and probably in my hamper at the moment).For your internet share of the day, I want you all to read about 
Now if only I could get her to answer my email, eh? She'd be the perfect assistant!I had a client reach out this week who needed photos of a dog working at a computer. I was like, "Yeah! I can totally do that!" Then in the back of my mind, I'm like, "I should probably practice this and make sure I can really do that." You know that saying fake it until you make it? Yeah. I'm all about that.Anyway, so I set about spending 20 minutes with Magda yesterday to see if I could get her to look like she was working at the computer. Voila! It proved to be a nice test, and she loved working for the treats.For your internet share today, how about some 
I realized last night that I had not included any photos of the dogs in my Monday at the Madhouse entry, and that made me so sad! So today, while I stayed in by the fire nursing a sore throat, I decided to spend Ezra's naptimes shooting pictures of the pups. I can't neglect my original kids, now can I?You can tell one of them is a much larger ham for the camera than the other. Unsurprisingly.
Magda has been such a doll lately. She's not getting a ton of exercise, but I was able to steal away an hour for a long walk with her yesterday before the temperature got to the unbearable one degree that we had today. I mean, let's be clear, she's still got, um, "spirit" in the sense that I catch her with my memory cards in her mouth, pens between her paws on the couch and mouthing away on Ezra's new jumper. But on the flip side, she's super loving, nothing but snuggles and kisses for the baby, and she's taking loads of naps and not being super demanding (barky) with me during nap times. Which is key these days. I've even caught her licking Merlin.For your internet share of the day, how about 
Magda has many hiding spots around the house. Under the bed. Under dressers. Inside of closets (behind hanging pants). But this new one, next to the toilet, just started today. It's not very hidden, but I think she's too enamored by the heated bathroom floors to bother. I can't blame her. That extravagance is one of my best decisions to date.Oh, and what was she hiding from? The vacuum cleaner, of course.And for your "holy crap we are living in the future" share of the day, how about 
This girl, I tell you. She made me smile today. On the day when the kid would not be set down and screamed in my ear crying for 95% of the afternoon. Oh, he's fine now. Me? I'm heading out to dinner and DRINKS with a friend. Good luck my dear, sweet husband.
Yup, she got her cupcake. As I type this, she is hiding under the bed in my office from the vacuum cleaner. She's smart enough to pose like this, but not smart enough to realize the vacuum cleaner is not out to get her. Hilarious.And then after posing, as her reward, I let her eat the cake. I told her it was OK, but as you can see below, she was dubious.
And then she tasted it, and DOVE RIGHT IN.
For your internet share of the day, Burt Reynolds has apparently come on hard times and needs cash because