Love, Joleen Photography Blog

Pugs 'N Pals

Last night I remembered something from the Pug Meetup message boards; a local Pug rescue called Pugs 'N Pals. We contacted them about our situation and they have worked swiftly to help us. I really cannot say how relieved I feel for Peyton. This afternoon I picked her up from our vet here and took her to the animal

hospital the rescue uses. They have immediately begun treatment. This photo of my beautiful girl was taken en route. It was very hard to leave her again but I know in my heart of hearts that it was the responsible thing to do. Pugs 'N Pals will take care of her immediate needs and facilitate her adoption. The adoption process is thorough and there is no doubt in my mind that she will go to a loving family.

At the bottom of the website is a button/link to make a donation to Pugs 'N Pals. I would be ever so grateful to you if you could make a small donation on Peyton's behalf. Any denomination is accepted and appreciated. Thank you so much. xo.

And just like that...

It's gone to hell. This always seems to happen, doesn't it? Yesterday, approximately two hours into a four hour shift, Peyton trapped herself into the downstairs guest bathroom. Freaked out, bored, or both, she chewed through the [exposed] water hose to the sink. By the time I got home our new neighbor (moved in two weeks ago) alerted me to her garage (under my living room (I live in a townhouse)) where she had water damage to the ceiling and and all three walls. Completely panicked I ran upstairs to find that my bottom floor was flooded. Thankfully most of the floor is tile. The carpet in the living room was trashed. I called Alex who came home from work. We  boarded Peyton at her vet. We got the furniture up, purchased a wet/dry vac to get the excess water and rented a high power fan. This morning the home owner came and contractors have been here all day fixing both our water damage and the neighbors. For our home it means new carpet in the living room and baseboards on the entire floor. No idea what this means for us  financially but here, have a gander:

We've been planning for Peyton to go to a new home since we've had her back.. it was always supposed to be temporary. This morning I received a phone call from a technician at the vet who says that Peyton has a really bad ear infection in one ear from the water she was in when I found her yesterday. They've also found a lump under one of her nipples and are suggesting it be biopsied. I am really upset and don't know what to do. Of course I am worried for her. I am also pretty panicked about what this may mean for us financially. Part of our decision to find new homes for our dogs was financially based and this could possibly be very costly. My other concern is what to do.. with her.. I mean we probably can't place her in a home not knowing if somethings wrong with her and after this serious damage she's caused we can't keep her. She is being boarded for now but we can't board her for long and she can't come back here.

So, anyway, I really just wanted to share. I have had moments today of panic and being overwhelmed but for the most part we're just trying to deal with one thing at a time. To end on a happy reflection.. I went to a scrapbook crop/meetup on Sunday for a few hours. Here are a few layouts I created with photos from my recent trip to Georgia. You can click on the full layouts to see them larger. :) Hope your week has started off better than mine! ;) xo

The Return

When I was in Kansas last month I received a message from Peyton's new family that they needed to give her back. Apparently, even after a month, she was going through bad separation anxiety and barking through the night. She's been back with us for about a week and a half and so far, so good. I'm not really sure what the problem was there because she seems a lot mellower and we haven't had any problems with excessive barking. Since we've been back my work schedule has changed a bit so I've been able to spend more time with her and take her for walks regularly. We've talked about Peyton going to live with my FIL and fam..but everyone is still considering everything. I don't want to uproot her too much but it would be nice for her to be with family and great dog lovers/owners I know can properly care for her. I will keep you posted.

PS- I think this film was left in the car or something.. It came out really dark and grainy.. weird.

It's been a hard week

{click to enlarge}

I'm so sad. I'm overwhelmed. I'm stressed. I'm just heartbroken. I just want to fast forward a couple weeks. I want Christmas to be over. I don't feel like wrapping gifts or finishing addressing my cards. This week has been hard. Just one of those weeks where it's been one thing after another and has hit me from all directions. I didn't expect it to be so bad. From sick kids, to a flat tire, to a messy house, to a no-show model for a shoot, to Peyton leaving Tuesday and Spencer leaving today, to my parents and sisters not being here - I am just. Sad. I know it'll be ok. I know there have been good things too. I have plenty to look forward to in the coming days and weeks. I have a great husband and wonderful support system. I have my photography and my artwork. I have a lovely home. I'm relatively healthy. I have lots of really cute shoes. I get it. Life is good. My head knows that. I just need a couple days for my heart to catch up.

Spencer,

You were the best dog we could ever have. You were perfect for our family. Insanely laid back- content sleeping next to me or Alex all day as long as a part of you was touching a part of us. You are the world's biggest lap dog and weren't completely happy until you at least attempted to get on top of me. No other dog I know gives hugs, especially like you. You nuzzle your head in my neck and sling one arm (leg?) around me. We once fell asleep like this and boy did I wake up with a crick in the neck. There is no better hiking partner than you.. I'm not really sure what I'm going to do without you. You were so in tune with me. You could tell when I was upset and would do your best to console me. You are the most caring dog I've ever known. Thank you for an amazing 2+ years. We will miss you, always. All my love. PS - These are quite possibly my favorite photos of you, ever.

Dear Peyton

You turned one last Saturday. We went to the park and Alex took lots of photos of mama and her favorite girl. You were such a beautiful birthday girl! It was really cold but you were a trooper. Spencer was there for some Christmas family photos but was too cold so we took him home.

It was a bittersweet day for me. That day we met up with someone at the dog park who is going to be your new mama. You were cautious at first (good girl) but you warmed up. Alex and I have been torturing ourselves over the decision to find you and your brother new homes. We love you both so much- you're our babies. We are just so busy and there is no way around it. I can't afford to be home as often as I was before. I hate that we moved to this smaller place. We thought we could make it work but you've been without a yard and proper exercise- and I know that doesn't make for a happy dog. I am *so* incredibly sad.. it's gut wrenching and couldn't come at a worse time with our family moving but I know it's really the best thing. We will all be happier in the long run.

Tonight is your last night with us. I tried not to cry so much and be happy for you but this is really hard for me. Alex took me to dinner and a movie but it was a minor (though thoughtful) distraction. When we got home tonight it was all snuggles and playing on the bed (where you're normally not allowed). We played with your favorite toy- a fleece squeaky bone that I bought you when we first got you. You were quite the performer and snuggle bug. You definitely know how to make a mama feel loved.

The last ten months have brought us many changes and you've definitely tested my limits at times. You're still a total spaz and "little shit" but I'm going to choose to remember all the good memories I have of you and all the funny things you did. You've brought me so much joy and I just know you're going to do the same for your new family. Spencer will miss you tremendously as I'm sure you'll miss him.. but you're going to have a new brother, of the two-legged variety. Be nice to him. Be the special dog he remembers fondly from his childhood. I will miss you my sweet girl.

Love Always,
Your Mama

Happy Halloween

Have fun + Bee safe! ;)

Woof!

We went to a pug meetup in Orange today. Peyton loves riding in the car which is so great! I just love this car seat my mom passed down to us - Peyton can sit or lie down in it and it's lifted up so she can look out the window. :)

I liked the park we went to this time! It had two large fenced in areas for big and little dogs. I think Spencer would really enjoy this park as well. There were only a handful of pugs from our group there today but lots of other types of dogs which were fun to see. I really enjoy taking her to these get-togethers. She gets to run around and expend energy and socialize with friends her own size.

Muttropolis

I promise this blog is not going to become all about pugs ;) but I just wanted to show  you a few photos from tonight's Summer Pug Party at Muttropolis in Newport Beach. We heard about it through our Pug Meetup group.  Don't ask me how but of the 20+ pugs there I didn't get a good photo of a single one of 'em, including Peyton. Der. It was a super cute place and I think Peyton had a good time but it was really crowded and tough since she couldn't run around off leash. All and all it was nice to spend a little quality time with her before my weekend away. I am off to bed now because I have to be up at 5:00. That's 5:00 in the morning, folks. On Saturday. ;) I am going on a camping trip with the Outdoors Club and have really been looking forward to it. I just didn't realize what an early start I'd have to get but I'm sure it'll all be worth it. That, or I'll be sleeping the moment my tent is up. ;) Happy weekend, friends!

Pugs I Am COMPLETELY Smitten With

Ooooooyi, look at how cute these are! I purchased "Mimi" (the fawn) from an adorable shop on etsy called Cuore and the artist was kind enough to make a custom black pug for me. Best of all they don't bark. ;) I've had fun perusing the fabulous work of others and saving lots of favorites between updating Love, Joleen Studio. I have several projects in the works and plan to update the shop again very soon!

First "The Spaz" and Now "The Yapper"

Dear Peyton,

You are absolutely adorable, no question about it, but dang if you're not the most. annoying. dog. ever. Maybe it's just that you're still a puppy? Maybe it's a "pug thing"? Whatever it is, you are driving me bonkers. It can't be fun living in a small area of the house but when we let you roam you pee and poo every old place. You go for two walks a day which is more than most dogs can say but you still throw yourself at the front door to go out, out, out. The worst thing of all is that INCESECENT BARKING! OMG, we have a yapper!! The [psycho] neighbor loathes us and even though she's WAY extreme I can't say I blame her. My shoulders are nearly always tense. We've joined a pug meetup so you could make friends and you're so great in this atmosphere. I wish I knew what we could do to translate your good behavior here because I'm exhausted.