New Substance Found in Tainted Pet Foods...

For those looking for information concerning Friday's announcement, I have associated links here.

Pet Food Recall... The Latest Information...

This blog is not an information blog. However, in light of the recent panic concerning the health of millions of pets I have included this post for those who are interested as well as for those who have concerns about their pet's food.

In the links below you will find the latest information concerning the Menu Foods Income Fund pet food recall. The links are listed in chronological order as the events of the recall unfolded with the first link being the very first post.



Pet Food Recall...

Still Looking for Answers on the 2007 Pet Food Recall...

Menu Foods Pet Food Recall Update

Menu Foods Posts FAQ's Page...

Valentine's Day...

Valentine's Day is a special celebration that recognizes the ones we love.

On February 14th, take the time to show your loved ones that they are important to you.



Roses are the traditional flower that is used in expressing your love on Valentine's Day.

Everyone will enjoy this beautiful photograph that my son took of a miniature rose.


His picture has been digitally altered to now resemble a magnificent painting!



These designs can be found on t-shirts, coffee mugs, teddy bears, and cards!





You can use a permanent marker and write on this design.

A perfect gift for your children to give to their grandparents!


Make your gift a personalized keepsake that holds memories that will last years after all the chocolates are gone!



Send a Valentine's Day wish to your grandchildren, parents, or a sweetheart!

Stop by our online store to see a vast array of original photographs and designs.

From calendars to mousepads, greeting cards to Christmas ornaments, you will find that special and rare gift that you're looking for!

Shop at dogscatskidslife!

Breaking News...

Norma the English Bulldog was in Monday's Daily Oklahoman!

All of this notoriety hasn't gone to her head...

Not one bit.


However, her "agent" has gone a little overboard.


*cough*




Norma has her very own personal business cards!

The Moo cards from Great Britain came in...

Aren't they neat?





However, Norma doesn't have a mantle to put all of her stuff on.

Yet...


But she does already have an avid fan!

It seems that Linda in Norman is already collecting "Norma the English Bulldog" memorabilia.

*smile*



later...

I'm Thinking of Hawaii`

I'm Thinking of Hawaii`
Originally uploaded by itsmetj.

A window into my mind...

I have created a new series in my online store.

If you like original and unique designs, then you'll love this series!

Once again, thank you for shopping at dogscatskidslife!

A Window View of the Texas Hill Country

A Window View of the Texas Hill Country
Originally uploaded by itsmetj.

A window into my mind...

I have created a new series in my online store.

If you like original and unique designs, then you'll love this series!

Once again, thank you for shopping at dogscatskidslife!

White Hawaiian Flower Thank You Cards...

White Hawaiian Flower
Originally uploaded by itsmetj.

I have added thank you cards to my online store!

Each of my "Thank You" designs is also available on a white teddy bear.

You can now say thank you in two ways!

I hope you enjoy my new designs.

Elegant Black and White Thank You Cards...

Parker Black and White Thank You
Originally uploaded by itsmetj.

I have added thank you cards to my online store!

Each of my "Thank You" designs is also available on a white teddy bear.

You can now say thank you in two ways!

I hope you enjoy my new designs.

Thank You from the Bottom of My Heart...

I just wanted to let you guys know how much I appreciate your support at my little online store.

I wanted to thank you and wish you a Happy New Year and pray that you have a wonderful 2007!


Top Three 2006 Designs at dogscatskidslife's Online Shop



Roy
Originally uploaded by itsmetj.

#3

Norma Celebrates Christmas
Originally uploaded by itsmetj.

#2

Veterinary Support Staff
Originally uploaded by itsmetj.

#1

I'm really enjoying my little online store, and it is becoming quite the compliment to my new hobby of photography.

Thank you again and...

God Bless!

~Merry Christmas~

We will be going to my parent's for Christmas.


I do not have much in the way of money...

But I do have a big God.


And His Gifts are worth much more than any earthly gift could ever be.


So the gifts that I have to offer to you are....

My hopes...

My dreams...

And my prayers...

For you.


I pray that everyone has a wonderful Christmas.

That all your travels are pleasant and safe.


I pray for you and your family's good health...

For joy...

And peace in your home.


I pray that your faith grows...

And that your trust in God strengthens.

That your hope is restored...

And that your vision for your life is clear.


I pray that you are blessed...

In your home...

And your endeavors.


I pray that you recognize the blessings that you have...

And that they are multiplied.


Thank you Lord for all that you have given me.

Please give me the wisdom to use it wisely.


God Bless.

Today's (e)Mail Bag...

Norma Celebrates Christmas
Originally uploaded by itsmetj.

Hey guys...

Sorry to be so short on the posts here lately.


I've been busy with painting in the house, the kids, and work.


By the way...

I haven't gotten very far with the painting. Not like I had hoped to by this point at least.

Norma Celebrates Christmas
Originally uploaded by itsmetj.

Tomorrow we all three have a dentist appointment, so there goes some more time.

At a place I really don't like to be.

Don't get me wrong...

Our dentist is great.

I just don't like what he does for a living...

Especially with me in the chair.

Norma says to "Let it snow!"
Originally uploaded by itsmetj.

I have some great and fun news to share with you guys!

I have received a very special e-mail today!

Norma Can't Wait Until December 25th!
Originally uploaded by itsmetj.

A few months ago a client/friend of mine told me about a Christmas photo contest. She told me that I should enter the Christmas pictures that I had taken of my pets.

Gloria Duchin, Inc., was holding a contest to see who their ~spokespet~ would be for their special 2007 pet Christmas ornament. This special ornament would help be a fund raiser for the ASPCA.

I entered pictures that I had taken of Oliver the Cat, Norma the English Bulldog, and Timmy the Chihuahua.

Well today...

I got an e-mail from Gloria Duchin, Inc., that states:

We finalized our voting, and everyone unanimously decided that she is the most adorable dog. Please give her our congratulations!

Can you believe it?!


Wow!

Double WOW!


So, I thought that I would share the "fun and great" news with all of you guys! Norma will be the Gloria Duchin, Inc., spokespet! The company will also have Norma's very own web page to help promote the ornament. When they put it up I'll let you all know!

Norma Says, "bah humbug".
Originally uploaded by itsmetj.

(BTW... I don't get any money from this thing, but I do get two of the special pewter ornaments with Norma's picture on it and $100 will be donated in Norma's name to the ASPCA.)

So...

I really need to get to bed now.

You guys have a great Wednesday and hopefully I'll be catching you back here...

later....

Boo the Rat Terrier...

Boo the Rat Terrier...
Originally uploaded by itsmetj.

I want to take a moment to thank all of those who have purchased items from our little online store.

The response has been amazing, and I want to thank everyone personally for your purchases!

My son Parker took this candid snapshot of Boo. What is really neat about this photo is that you can see Parker's reflection in her eyes. Cool, huh?!

Boo lives at my mom and dad's in the Texas Hill Country. She is considered a "varmint dog", and as such, she is expected to protect the premises from numerous "critters". From raccoons to opossums, Boo is ever vigilant and protects the smaller farm animals from those pesky varmints.

You can find pictures like Boo's on mugs, t-shirts, ornaments, greeting cards, and many other items as well.

Shop at dogscatskidslife!

Veterinary Medicine "Is my bag"...

Veterinary Medicine "Is my bag"...
Originally uploaded by itsmetj.

The one common thread that you will find among those who work in the field of veterinary medicine is the love of their jobs.

A dedicated group of individuals, the people who make up the veterinary community are a unique blend of dedicated lay persons and professsionals.

Support your veterinary hospital or clinic staff...

Shop at dogscatskidslife!

Recognize the Veterinary Technician You Know...

Recognize the Veterinary Technician You Know...
Originally uploaded by itsmetj.

Veterinary technicians and assistants are a unique group of individuals.

Capable of multi-tasking, they perform many duties in one day that only a few learn how to do in a lifetime.

From taking radiographs, assisting in surgery, and critical care nursing, veterinary technicians are some of the most skilled professionals you will find anywhere today.

This design is in honor of the extraordinary abilities that these individuals possess.

Show your support...

Shop at dogscatskidslife!

Veterinary Support Staff...

Veterinary Support Staff
Originally uploaded by itsmetj.

Many people do not realize how important the supporting staff of a veterinary facility are.

From the front desk to the kennels, these dedicated staff members are a necessary and vital component to the everyday functions of a veterinary hospital or clinic.

Show your support for the veterinary community!

Shop at dogscatskidslife!

Dreaming of Waikiki Beach...

The tiki torches are lit and are dancing in the twilight.

As the sun fades on another day of paradise, the clouds roll in from the mountains.


Send a special greeting to someone you know.

Something unique and original...

A one of a kind card that can't be found anywhere else.


Find this design and many others at my CafePress online store.

Where you will find original photographs that were taken by me or my children.

Use the greeting cards as stationery, or give them as gifts.

You will find t-shirts, mugs, calendars, magnets, and much much more.


Thank you to those who have already purchased items.

Your patronage is greatly appreciated!!

Messages of Faith...

First of all, I would like to thank all of you who have ordered greeting cards, ornaments, and gifts from my CafePress store. I really appreciate your purchases!

More importantly, I'm ecstatic that you like our photographs!


I have added another addition to the faith section of my online store. You will find this design on greeting cards, postcards, mugs, and calendars.

Make a gift basket and give them as gifts!

The best thing about it all is that you won't find our designs anywhere else.

Making them rare and unusual indeed!

Get Yourself a Tote Bag Too...

It takes a whole lot of people to run a veterinary clinic or hospital.

Personnel at the front desk, technicians and assistants to assist in the diagnostics and the nursing care of your pets, and staff for the kennels and upkeep of the facilities...

There's a common thread among all of these folks.

They all love animals and veterinary medicine.


You can find this logo on tote bags, coffee mugs, t-shirts, and even postage stamps!


Why don't you remember your favorite veterinary staff member this holiday season, and give them a gift that you know they will love?


And don't forget the doctor! I know your veterinarian would love to have some postage stamps!


You can find this design and many others at my online store.


From greeting cards to posters...

Flowers to rainbows...

I'm sure that you'll find something that you, or someone you know, will enjoy!


I want to thank my customers who have already purchased items from my online store.

Thank you for your patronage!

How About a Coffee Mug...

Veterinary assistants and technicians have many talents and work in multiple areas of the hospital. From the front desk to the kennels, these veterinary support staff carry a lot of the work load in the veterinary facilities of today.

Most of these individuals have very good skills, from placing IV catheters to nursing care, they can do just about anything that their veterinarian asks them to do.

Some veterinarians refer to their crackerjack employees as "Super Techs".

Multi-tasking go-getters, the veterinary technician meets the challenges that their day brings them.

And conquers them too!

The picture you see above has been added to my online store.

You can find it proudly displayed on coffee mugs and t-shirts, and it's even on a t-shirt for dogs!



Once again, if there's something that you would like to have...

But you don't see it in my store...

Please leave a comment and I'll do my best to get it for you!


I also want to thank my customers who currently buy products from my store.

Your patronage is greatly appreciated!

Beauty Queen...

Norma the English Bulldog wants to be a beauty queen!


She's a little shy folks...



But she is all dressed up and ready to go to her big event!


Who will be the lucky guy that will sweep her off her feet?



Norma has a sparkling tiara with matching earrings, a faux fur pink stole with a satin bow...

And her high heels are at the door ready to be slipped onto her dainty little feet.


It just goes to show that with the right make-up and accessories...

Anybody can become a fairy tale princess.

Just hope that you don't fall asleep while you're waiting for the man of your dreams.



You might not hear the doorbell ring!




Norma the Beauty Queen Series will be added to my online store where her gorgeous likeness will adorn greeting cards and gift items.


So what do you guys think?


Isn't Norma hilarious?

Fall is in the Air...

Here's Norma the English Bulldog.

She's one of our family pets, just like Timmy the Chihuahua.


Norma is photogenic in her own 'sort of way'.


I have several pictures of her on t-shirts, cards, and magnets.

They're all at my online store on CafePress.

I have been quite pleased with the quality of the items that I have ordered. The t-shirts are made by Hanes and the magnets are sharp looking and are really, really strong too!

The cards are made from a very nice cardstock and the coffee mugs are heavy.

Like I've said before...

I'm not a professional photographer.

But I like to think that I have some very unique and interesting photographs that everyone can enjoy.



Check out the variety of photos that I have available at my online store. I'm certain that you will find something that you like.

I also have a large selection of cards that are blank on the inside that you can use for stationery too!


Thank you for visiting and please remember to...

Shop at dogscatskidslife!

A Little Bit About Me...

This is Timmy the Chihuahua and he is one of our family pets.

These are some of the pictures that I took of him for my Thanksgiving and Fall greeting cards.

I am not a professional photographer.

And I have never taken any photography classes of any kind.

In fact, until recently, I have never taken many pictures at all during the course of my lifetime.

I am a single mother and our budget has always been what some would call as "tight".

So I considered taking pictures a luxury. It becomes quite expensive to buy film and then to have it developed and printed. Taking pictures was reserved mostly for holidays and special occasions. I never ever had the extra money to go and just take pictures for the fun of it.

Especially when there was a good chance that the photographs weren't going to be that good in the first place!



A couple of years ago my kids gave me a small digital camera as a gift for both Mother's Day and my birthday.

It's one of those "point and shoot" cameras and the kids got it on sale for just under $100. A 2.0 mega pixel Fujifilm FinePix A205.

Once I was able to pry the camera out of my son's hands, I started taking a few pictures here and there. I realized that I could take photographs for virtually "nothing" save the cost of a couple of rechargeable batteries.

I also was able to delete any "unsatisfactory" photographs without feeling the pain of my hard earned money going down the drain!

I began to have fun with posting photographs on my blog.

After a while, I started getting a few comments here and there on how nice my pictures were.

With that bit of encouragement, I then began practicing taking photographs in earnest and have since learned that I really do enjoy it.



If you're looking for photographs that have been "photoshopped", or pictures that have been dramatically digitally altered...

Well, you aren't going to find that here. For one, my computer is older and I'm still using Windows 98. So I don't have that kind of technology to work with.

And I don't own a tripod either. All of my pictures are taken "free-handed". Is that a correct photographical term?

I find it a challenge to take photographs that don't need any sort of digital enhancement other than a little cropping here or there. But even at that, I'm working on taking pictures that don't need to be cropped at all.

So that's the short version of how I started taking photographs. Like I said, I've only been doing this a couple of years and I still have to get my son to work the camera settings for me sometimes!

If you find something that you like here...

Please feel free to visit my online store!

You can see more photographs on my home page if you aren't there already.

I have cards that are blank on the inside so you can use them as stationery. And you can get t-shirts too!

There are photos of Norma our English Bulldog. Some are scenic and others are of Boer goats. I also have photographs of flowers from my flower bed here at home. There is quite a variety to choose from.

All the pictures at my store were either taken by my children or me with our little point and shoot camera.

I hope you like them enough to take something home with you!

Thank you for stopping by!

Timmy the Chihuahua Ponders Farming

Timmy the Chihuahua is our family pet. He likes people and loves children. Timmy has gone with me to talk to elementary school children about basic pet care.


When we finish our little talk we stand at the door while the children file out the door. The kids always want to pet him when they leave.


But watch out!

Timmy has the fastest tongue in the west, and if you get too close...

He'll land you a great big "wet one" right on your face!

Timmy the Chihuahua is dressed up for fall.

Doesn't he look adorable in his red bandana and cowboy hat?

Timmy's photographs are on greeting cards, t-shirts, and mugs.

You can find him at my online store!

I hope that you enjoy Timmy as much as my family does.

He is really a sweet little dog.

Greeting Cards...You Add the Message...

Do you have a lot to say, but just need the right picture to go with it?

I have several greeting cards available that are blank on the inside...


They're just waiting for your special touch!


For instance...

The picture is of a young Boer billie goat.

First of all, how many people would be expecting to get a card from you that has a billie goat on the front of it?

None you say?

It's a surprise that will bring a smile to their faces when they see that goat on the front of the card.

On the inside, write your special message and they'll remember it for a lifetime!


Unusual photographs...

All beautiful in their own unique way.


Shop at dogscatskidslife to send your special person that unique card!

A card that has never been seen before!

Christmas Card Verses...

At dogscatskidslife's online store you will find cute gifts and cards for Christmas.

With Timmy the Chihuahua, Norma the English Bulldog, and Oliver the cat gracing the fronts of the Christmas cards...

How could any card be any more adorable!


Make sure you browse all the sections in my online store. There you will find mugs, magnets, t-shirts, and much more.

There are also blank greeting cards so that you can write your own personalized notes.


My Christmas cards all have verses on the inside.

Below I have placed three of the verses that I have written.

These verses can be found inside of my Christmas cards that are in my online store.



#1.

A new season is upon us
Full of holiday cheer.

Greetings to you
And to all you hold dear.

Sending well wishes
And blessings your way…

May you and yours
Enjoy a blessed Christmas Day!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

#2.

Sleigh bells and baubles
Puppies and kittens…

White Christmas snow scenes
Warm fuzzy mittens…

Scents from the kitchen
Family and Friends…

Merry Christmas,
Happy New Year…

Well wishes we send!

#3.

Christmas brings many things to our minds…
Happiness, love, a friend that is kind.

Joy, peace, good will unto men…
Gifts, good deeds, family and friends.

With all that surrounds us...
Duties and stress.

You’re such a great part of my Christmas…
I’m so very blessed.


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

As always, if you see something that you like, but it isn't on a product that you want...

Just leave me a comment and I will do my best to get it for you!

Meet Oliver the Cat...

As requested by Lea, here are pictures of Oliver the Cat.

Oliver is a very friendly and sociable guy who follows me all around my yard. I can't hardly work in my flower beds for him bothering me all the time.

He is 11 years old. I think. Time gets away from me. Oliver could be 12, but I can't remember for sure.

If you'll notice he has a bobbed tail. Shortly after we moved to the house that we are in, he came home with his tail de-gloved. All of his hide had been stripped off and nothing but bone was showing. So I had to take him in to work to have his tail amputated.

We had moved here from the "country" and Oliver had never lived in the city before. There's no telling what had happened to him exactly, but ever since that day Oliver has stayed close to home.

Degloving injuries to cat tails is a fairly common occurrence.

Have you ever heard of the old saying, "He's as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs"?

Well Oliver certainly doesn't have to worry about rocking chairs any more.




When I was taking pictures of Norma and Timmy, he was right there with me being nosey.

So after I finished taking Timmy's angel pictures I took a few of Oliver.




What do you guys think?

Do you think I should keep him in my online store?


later...


Christmas Angel Series

Lots of Christmas Cards to Choose From

Getting Ready for Christmas

Timmy's Birthday Cards