Dog Mom – Page 9 – …on the B.L.

Christmas Tree Hunting

December 5, 2018June 23, 2019 RaeAnna

We had so much fun at High Star Christmas Tree Farm in Houston. Beau’s Jacket (sooo warm and a deal!) | My Shirt (perfect winter flannel) | My Jeans (I wear these all the time) | My Shoes (I love the sparkle!) | His Shirt (perfect flannel)

Christmas tree hunting is one of my favorite activities of the year. There were only a few years after college when I didn’t hunt for a tree because family I lived with had a fake tree *gasp*. Even in my college apartment, I cut down a tree every year.

As a kid, my family brought our dogs with every year it wasn’t too cold for them. They always had a blast running around the tree farm sniffing all the smells. My brother and I would run around pointing at our favorite trees. I have always loved the big fat ones. The fatter the better. One year in college, I found the fattest tree, and it was 12 feet tall. It was ginormous. And it didn’t fit in my tree stand. It ended up being one my favorite disasters, and my best friend and I still giggle about it!

The Christmas after Beau came home, it wasn’t even a question of if she would come with us or not. We didn’t know exactly how she would do riding on the trailer at the farm or with all the people around, but she was a dream. Beau is incredibly well behaved around all the people, loves sniffing the smells, and running between the trees as best she can on a leash. This year, she did even better on the trailer. I’m such a proud Mama!

This is our third Christmas in Houston. The first year, we found High Star Christmas Tree farm just North of the city. We love it. The prices are unbeatable. They’re very kind. And they’re dog friendly! We’ve gone every year! Beau has come with all of her years with us! So, two.

Beau helped pick out our tree. As best as she can…. She sniffed it and wagged her tail, so I’d say that’s a yes. I’m so picky about trees. I like them tall and fat, but we don’t have a ton of tree space in our apartment. It’s also important to find one that is green and doesn’t have too much dead stuff in the middle. It’s a process. When we arrived, we took the obligatory blogger pictures. Then we spent an hour roaming around looking for the perfect tree. Don’t go tree hunting with me unprepared for a bunch of walking and “hmm…,” *head tilt*, walk around, and “not quite.”

The tree is now up and decorated. I couldn’t be happier. I love sitting at home with a cup of cocoa enjoying all the lights! Beau cuddles have made my Christmas season a gazillion times better.

If you still need a tree, you can find more information about High Star Christmas Tree Farm here. They’re really wonderful. This is not sponsored at all. I genuinely love them!

*Style* We decided to be nerds and all wear matching shirts. Beau LOVES her jacket. It keeps her so warm. It is an absolute must in the cold weather for our furry friends. It’s a deal at Target under $10. My shirt is from Old Navy. Dylan’s shirt is from Target. I actually wear his when I want the over-sized look! My jeans are talls from Abercrombie, but they come in short and regular too. I wear them all the time. I’m absolutely in love with my shoes. They’re silver sparkles from Old Navy! I’m wearing a size 7.5, and they’re true to size.

Happy Wednesday! Love,
Beau, RaeAnna, & Dylan

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Beau’s jacket doesn’t actually fit that way. You couldn’t see the pattern when she wore it the right way, so it’s a bib.

Working From Home

November 28, 2018 RaeAnna

Beau staring down the mean camera! | Pajamas (I live in them) | The Nutcracker | Quilt | Throw | One Day in December | Alaskan Holiday | Christmas Camp | A Christmas Revelation | Mug

I’m a freelance literary translator, editor, and writer. People think it’s a glamorous job. It’s not, but I’m ok with that perception! In reality, it’s not even as pretty as the pictures, but they’re pretty accurate.

Beau is the best assistant and partner I could possibly ask for. When she came into my life, I was in pretty bad shape. My health wasn’t great, so working outside of my home was impossible. Even working from home was impossible some days. It became a blessing when Beau came home. She needed round the clock attention because she was in a rough spot emotionally, physically, and health wise. I was freelancing enough to get by.

After almost a year of being home with Beau, I started looking for more employment because money. I was lucky enough to find a consistent freelance project, which has allowed me to stay home with Beau. I am absolutely floored. I love being at home. I love spending my whole day with her. I love not wearing pants. I love not having to be up early in the morning or go to bed at a responsible time.

Protecting me from the demon camera! We set up the tripod and used a remote, so it was “acting of its own accord” in her eyes.

My office is my home. I work a ton. I mean a shit ton. Beau and I have a schedule, which we stick to it aggressively. We wake up whenever she wakes up. Around 9:30. Then we go outside, take a walk, make coffee, have breakfast, and settle into the couch. We work until dinner time, which is any time between 7:00 and 10:00. Beau goes has a run around fest around 11:30. She’s a night owl like her mom. Then the energy monster gives up, and the snoring ensues. I then work solo until 4:00 or 5:00 in the morning depending on when I pass out.

Usually, we work from the couch. In May, we invested in a king sized bed. I’m living in the lap of luxury, I’m aware. Now with a big enough bed to spread out, we work from there a lot more often. Especially when we’re feeling lazy or under the weather. I’m one of those people who actually makes the bed every day. I may not shower every day, but the bed is made with pillows and throws.

Beau is always by my side. Her face usually nestled into my thigh. When she gets antsy, she’ll paw my hand away from the laptop keys, so I can better pet her. Every few hours, we head out to our little dog park to run around and stretch our legs. She likes to run around and throw toys at me. I’m not kidding. She will literally throw toys at my computer. She’s even closed it once or twice. Most of the time. We just snuggle as I work. She likes to be as close to me as possible. Sometimes in my lap. Even if the whole couch is open, she wants to be squished in next to me. I love it.

I would get lonely at home all alone without her. I’ve always, always, always been a dog person. Honestly, being a stay-at-home dog mom is the best thing ever.

XOXO,
Beau + RaeAnna

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She is the most precious thing in the whole world! Happy Wednesday!!!

Blog + Dog

Packing Strategy

November 14, 2018 RaeAnna

Beau is not sure what is going on!!! Luggage || Pajamas

I love traveling. I adore it actually. Whenever I road trip, Beau comes with me because she can! It’s not so easy to take a sixty-ish pound furball of anxiety on an airplane; although, I would if I could.

In the short almost two years I’ve had Beau, she has been to more places than a lot of humans. To name a few, she’s seen Hollywood, Washington D.C., Chicago, Minnesota, Arkansas, and played in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf of Mexico. I am amazed at how well she does in the car. There has never been a bad car trip for us, so she continues to accompany me to all the fun places I go. She’s so spoiled.

This trip, Beau is at home. I flew, and she can’t come with. It’s a bummer because she loves playing with the horses we see in Minnesota. Although being a Texas pooch, she’s not too keen on the cold weather of the North.

Packing is the biggest challenge for us. The moment Beau sees a suitcases open on the bed, she knows things are happening. Anxiety starts to build. Pacing happens. The shakes ensue. Whining creeps into the apartments newly tense atmosphere. Laying on clothes is inevitable. At the worst of it, climbing into suitcases may occur. I end up taking a good amount of Beau-fur with me because of this tradition.

I have found a way to curb Beau’s anxiety as much as possible. She must not know I will be doing any packing until the very last minute, whether she is coming with or not. This usually means, I will start packing an hour before I need to leave, which is frustrating to my planning-obsessed-self. If I start any earlier than absolutely necessary, Beau will be too anxious to sleep, eat, or go potty. Not healthy.

I like to pack several days in advance. This way, I don’t over pack, under pack, or forget anything vital. It puts me at ease when everything is organized and dealt with. Ha! Not anymore! Dog mom life. Now it’s a hurry, hurry, hurry. Throw everything in as quickly as you can with lots of pauses to give love to the anxiety riddled pupper. It’s complete chaos, but it works for us, I mean, her.

Anyways, that’s a teeny amount of insight into what an ordeal it can be. I haven’t seen Beau in four days, and I miss her so, so, so, so much.

xoxo
Beau + RaeAnna

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Style

Books, Coffee, Dogs & Social Justice

November 9, 2018June 23, 2019 RaeAnna

Graphic Tee (it’s perfect) || Jeans (the best) || OTK Boots (a winter must) || Blazer (a staple) || Houndstooth Silk Scarf (who doesn’t love these)

I love fashion. I have always loved looking my best. When I was in 2nd grade, I was frequently called into the front office because my outfit was “adorable” and needed to be seen. I always dressed up in middle school, high school, college, and the corporate world. Now I work from home, so I don’t get dressed unless I have a pressing reason to go out into the world. As a blogger, I have a reason to look nice when I’m content creating.

I’m also a tall girl. I’m 5’10”, and that comes with its own shopping and dressing complications. Cute shirt… if I were four inches shorter. Awesome pants! Where’s the flood? Pretty dress: DO. NOT. BEND. OVER. The list goes on. Every once in awhile, I’ll be sharing my favorite outfits, which are tall girl friendly.

Since I started this blog (and long before in my personal life) people have been complimenting and asking where I get my clothes. I figure, I might as well start writing about! Maybe make a little money. Even when I’m not writing about fashion, I will be linking my outfits in all of my posts!

I’ve never been much of a t-shirt girl, but when I found this one on Amazon, I knew I needed it. It is very, very me! Books, Coffee, Dogs & Social Justice??? I mean how much more me can a piece of clothing get?!? You can buy it here. It’s less than $16!!! You probably need it too if you’re following along.

I love over-the-knee boots. I never owned a pair until last year. These black otk boots are so cute. They literally go with everything from jeans to skirts to dresses; you could probably pull an Ariana Grande and wear them with shorts. I’m not that confident. I got these on JustFab, and they are definitely worth it.

I love Express because their clothes range from classic to trendy, and they’re more likely to fit me than other retailers. I bought this great blazer there. I love pairing them with jeans, but it would also work great to the office or really any occasion. The jeans are from Abercrombie & Fitch. They’re high waisted and super skinny; more importantly, they’re super comfortable. I have worn them a ton and washed them almost just as many times. (Really, who washes jeans EVERY time?) They have held up so well!!! The houndstooth silk scarf in my hair is from Forever 21. It’s a fun little accent.

The highlight of this outfit is for sure the graphic tee. I loved strutting my stuff in this outfit. I was really comfortable, but felt like the bad-ass boss babe I am trying to be!

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Graphic Tee from Amazon.com
Jeans from Abercrombie & Fitch
Blazer from Express
Over-the-Knee Boots from JustFab.com
Houndstooth Silk Scarf from Forever 21

Blog + Dog

Closet Anxiety Attack

November 7, 2018 RaeAnna

Just so you know, these pictures were taken this morning. She was in a very good mood with a wagging tail and being bribed with treats. Lots of treats. I would never invade her privacy or exploit her during an anxiety attack. She’s very good at putting on the sad puppy eyes for treats; it’s a boxer trait.

Sometimes, the only place to go is the closet.

Beau is a rescue dog. Honestly, she is the best dog I have ever had, and there have been a more than a few. I brought her home almost two years ago. The first year was a little rough, but so worth it.

As a rescue, she has a lot of idiosyncrasies. With time, she has gotten more comfortable and less tightly wound. The evidence of her struggle during her formative years is always evident, though. The kitchen is a difficult place for her. Everything is terrifying. I love being in the kitchen, so we have bad days sometimes. Usually, she sits on the couch watching me or curled up on my feet on a comfy rug.

Last week, I was cooking dinner in the kitchen like I usually do. Beau was sitting next to me on her rug. Her back leaned up against my calf. I had one of the bottom kitchen cabinet doors open to grab a pan out; it was situated in front of my legs. The stove made a clicking noise every once in awhile, which is usual. This day, the clicking noise triggered something in Beau. I felt her start to shake. Her shaking became stronger over the next minute. She stood up and pushed her way between my legs crawling into the cabinet. I stopped everything I was doing to sit down next to her.

Giving the camera her signature side eye.

I put her sweater on her because it helps make her feel safe. I held onto her tight. Like in people, when there is weight pressed on her body, it help calms her anxiety. She likes to be in enclosed spaces where nothing can sneak up on her. As someone with PTSD, I understand this more than she knows.

She crawled out of the kitchen cabinet shaking violently and ran to the closet. She crawled as far into the corner as she could under all the clothes and on top of the shoes. Luckily, I managed to get the shoes out from under her. We sat there for twenty minutes. She shook and shook and shook. She cried. I held onto her. She was so scared. She even peed a little; it’s not abnormal during her severe anxiety attacks. It breaks my heart every time. She was curled into my body as far as she could. We both cried in our own ways. Her breathing started to quicken, and I had to help slow it down. Her shaking slowly eased up.

When she started to pace, I tried to find somewhere else we could sit down. She was not comfortable anywhere in the house. So we went outside. Beau needed to run the shakes off. So we ran and ran and ran around the apartment complex until her tail started to wag again.

Her anxiety attacks have become a rarity now. They happen every few months instead of every few days. They don’t usually last more than a few minutes, but this one was a particularly bad one and lasted over an hour. I still don’t know exactly why it happened because nothing was out of the norm.

Beau is such a sweetheart. She is the light of my life. Sometimes, all I can do is hold her and love her as she fights her own demons. As a rescue and a former abused animal, these things are part of our life.

xoxo,
Beau and RaeAnna

Blog + Dog, Style

A Ballerina Halloween

October 31, 2018June 23, 2019 RaeAnna

My pink, tulle skirt. || Beau’s pink, tulle skirt.

Halloween has never been a holiday I get really excited about. I’ve always viewed it as the gateway holiday to the real party.

Last year, Beau and I didn’t do anything because we were roadtripping to Washington D.C. Not this year! After starting Blog + Dog two weeks ago, I realized Halloween fell on a Wednesday. Brilliant!!! It was a sign we needed to celebrate. This year, we decided to be ballerinas!!! Mommy-daughter ballerinas. She took this costume to the next level of cuteness.

In a previous life, I was a ballerina. It has always been close to my heart even when I am out of shape, less flexible, and entirely unballerina-esque. Beau is the love of my life. I decided to combine the two into a matching costume!!!

Several months ago, I bought a pink tulle skirt because every self-respecting adult woman needs one. It makes me happy. I ordered mine through Amazon, and honestly it is the best $21.99 I have ever spent. It’s lined and comes with a sash, so I can wear it out without flashing anyone. All I had to do was order one for Beau! I headed over to Amazon for hers too. For a steal, I bought hers for $10.89 and had it within the week. Her’s is perfect because it isn’t lined, so she can walk and run freely. Although, I take it off, so she doesn’t pee on it. It’s so cute on her, and, oddly enough, she loves wearing clothes. It’s a children’s size. I cut about eight inches off one side, so she wouldn’t step on it. I used the tulle for a bow in my hair and around her neck. I grabbed an old pair of tights and leotard to complete my look!

One of my amazing friends is a photographer here in Houston; she did me a huge favor and took tons of amazing pictures of us. We took the pictures at The Boardwalk at Towne Lake in Cypress. We were on the dock with the lake and sunset in the background. Beau did such a good job being patient and posing. So many people stopped to watch and comment on how cute Beau looked in her tutu. Several asked if they could take pictures of her! I can’t blame them.

I had such a great time celebrating Halloween with my beautiful girl!!!

xoxo,
Beau and RaeAnna

xoxo, Beau and RaeAnna

xoxo,
Beau and RaeAnna