Introducing...Verd-Elmo!!!

With Halloween being around just around the corner, it is time to show off Verdell's 2007 costume.

Cutest Elmo I've ever seen...

Model Falls Through Hole on Runway

Okay, this is funny. Watch the "hole" thing, especially at the end when it is in slow motion.

Henry is in Rally Obedience!

Henry is taking his first Rally obedience course at Teamworks. Rally is a fun version of obedience training. Essentially you follow a course and its signs. So you could be asked to take a Left Turn, Sit, Down, Take a Right Turn, Speed Up, Slow Down, About Turn. It's a lot of heeling, but it is a more creative way to train.

Here is a clip of someone else completing a Rally course:



When we are further along I will post our own video!

Henry: All Grown Up (almost!)

I haven't posted any new pictures of Henry and since he is part giraffe, I thought we better take new picture before he is too big to see in the camera.

Baby Henry:




Giraffe or Henry?



Henry at almost 1 year!





Henry in Trouble

Verdell's 2006 Halloween Costume

Verdell was a big, bad dragon in 2006. My mom and I got his costume at Harris Teeter. In case you were wondering, Verdell wears a 2T in human clothes/costumes.

"Aw Mom, do I really have to?"



Relaxing...



Where is Verdell?



Stretching Dragon



Sleeping Dragon



Several side views:

Verdell's 2005 Halloween Costume

We recently purchased halloween costumes for each of our dogs.

Until the unveiling, I thought I would share Verdell's previous costumes.

In 2005, he was a Bumblebee, and a very cute one at that!

I tried to provide many different angles. Notice the stinger on the back of his costume and the antennas on the front. Verdell took a nap in this one, so we think he likes it okay!

Why Wachovia Stinks

Wachovia is the worst.

After having had an account at Wachovia for 10 years, I recently switched over to State Employee's Credit Union because they offer much higher interest rates and are not out to drain you with excessive fees.

So I forgot to change over my Rivals subscription and I overdrew by $9. They charged me $90 in overdraft fees! I'm sure they needed $90 to cover the $9.

So in all of this, they started sending letters to my mother, who initially had co-signed to the account. They threatened her credit and of course, additional fees. I never got a letter, though I have been getting statements for 10 years and my mother has never received one.

So I go in to close the account and they say they can't do it until the payment posts and I will have to come back in when it does. They also said I could use their crappy automated system to do it. Well, it's impossible. You can't get much more than your balance on it. She said the secret is to punch in zeros. Why is there a secret to an automated system? Isn't is supposed to be for our convenience? Why have a "secret"?

If you can join a credit union, do it! They have higher interest rates and lower fees and better customer service.

Verdell's First Freestyle Demo!

Verdell and I performed at the Dogtober Fest in Raleigh today. You can't see it as well as I would like, but if you look hard you will find us out there. Given the level of distraction, I thought he did well!

Julianne and Verdell's First Canine Freestyle!

Verdell and I have just finished our first Canine Freestyle course!

Below is our video: Enjoy!

SPCA Volunteers

Pete and I have been volunteering at the Wake County SPCA. The Curtis Dail Adoption Center is a state-of-the-art shelter. When most people think of going to an animal shelter, they imagine dogs in a sad state, constant barking, and in dark, dingy cages. Not at this SPCA!

You walk in the dog section and see four pods. There are four rooms in each pod and some hold three dogs, others just one. Each room has enough room for cages and playing. It is well lit and what you notice right away is that dogs are not barking their heads off. They are playing with each other, going on walks, being taken out for a potty break, or simply napping. In other words, the dogs are happy!

Every dog at the SPCA Curtis Dail Pet Adoption Center stays there until they are adopted. When you leave, you don't have to worry about the dogs being euthanized. You know that if they are not there the next time, they are in good homes.

We have been super impressed with the facility and the staff. Everything is on a schedule and the dogs go out seven times a day! They are well-socialized, as volunteers and staff pet and love on them every day.

We are Dog Referees. We take the dogs out, clean their room if necessary, and then play with them. It's a great job. Who doesn't want to cuddle and play with dogs?

Check out the facility and you will be blown away at the condition of the dogs and the environment they live in.