Magellan's 2nd Birthday Party

Last weekend, I had such a great surprise. It was a birthday party for me! I went to Lazie's in August and thought it was so fun, but I really got to have one on my own. It was extra special because we invited Brooke and she came! It was so good to see her, and she fit right in as usual. Mom and Dad especially invited a lot of pointers so that I would feel right at home. 22 people and 12 dogs helped share the day with me.

The photos highlight me and Brooke, me and my friend Misty waiting for more doggie cake, me waiting for more cake, and Jack, our friend, mingling with the people on the deck. Those labs are such people kiss ups! I mean there are squirrel and cat sniffs to explore in the yard!

Magelli

Massive stick play

Gerald, our neighbor who I totally love, decided to rent a cherry picker for a week to trim up his Live Oak trees, and he let us borrow it for a morning to trim our tree in the front. Dad used it to get me the greatest sticks ever! They came crashing down on the driveway for me to pick up, growl at, and swing around. Because Dad focused on dead stuff that had a lot of moss balls, they were pretty easy for me to pick up and play with. Man, that was fun!

Your pal,

Lazarus

Magellan's October thoughts

Hi Magellan here to tell you about stuff that has been happening around here. Well, our puppy, Cicero, is doing well and we are becoming good friends. We like to play tug and jump around. Moses sometimes gets jealous, but Laz doesn't really care much for the pup. Cicero even gets along well with Grace-- so that makes me the odd one out. Grace has been hanging some in her room, but a lot outside since the weather has improved. We were happy that we had some visitors last weekend. It was our grandparents we saw in New Mexico. We watched some football, and then we cooked s'mores on the deck. I love s'mores except we get ones without chocolate. We've been busy, but we're doing well.

Happy travels,

Magellan

P.S. Make sure to check the video of Cicero eating at the bottom. Such a puppy!

A Wild Weekend

Hi. Moses here, and I want to let you all know about the wild weekend we had. Mom and Dad came home a lot later than normal on Thursday and the rolled in with these three puppies that looked a lot like me! I had no idea what was going on. I guess they are puppies that are in our rescue organization. Anyway, we had a fun day on Friday as people came over to see the pups, and we also got to run around at Hunter and Lila's house which was super fun! Then, Brooke and one puppy went with Mom and Dad Friday night, and neither came back. Dad told me that Brookie was adopted by a super family in San Marcos and we might see her at the dog park and other places! Brooke is going to like being the big girl in a one dog family. She won't get pushed around by Laz anymore. I heard the pup just got picked up by another foster family. Then, Saturday morning, we went to meet a fun lady in a parking lot and sent along another puppy to San Antonio. Then, me, Laz, and the one remaining pup went to Petsmart!

Dad and Mom watched some lame football game, Trojans this, genius that! Anyway, we still have one puppy here. It is a male and me, Laz, and Magellan are teaching him to be a tough guy-- with a soft side. I'd say that he and Magelli are official buds, but he slept with me a little last night. I don't discriminate when it comes to sharing heat! Laz is showing him what it is to be an alpha male. He is stern but caring. I love my pack even though it is in flux. I guess that's life as a pack involved with a rescue organization. Here are some photos of the puppy. I am in one!

Sniff ya later,

Mosi

S'mores on the deck

Last night we had s'mores. I had never had them before. I was very tired because I escaped our yard twice by jumping the fence, and then I got to run around at Hunter and Lila's house in the afternoon (they have 12 acres). I very much enjoyed the s'mores and hope they are a fairly regular pack-tvity. Brooke was very interested. We think that was the first time she had ever seen a fire! She is so funny! My 2nd birthday is coming soon in November!

Magellan

Visitors

Well, we've seen 2 things this week that we haven't seen in quite a while. The first is rain. We finally had a little rain, and all of God's creating is soaking up the moisture and giving thanks. Especially happy about the rain is our Crepe Myrtle tree in the front.

Also, Jack is staying with us this week. He is our good friend and we are happy he is here. Magellan and Brooke especially enjoy his company. He seems to be having fun too, as his tail is wagging in the helicopter like manner of a happy dog. Evidence of this is also on Brooke's blog!

Although 5 dogs and a cat in the house is... busy... we are having fun!

-Julie

SQUIRREL!!!

It is fast, but watch for Magellan's leap from the middle of the walkway to the middle of the grass!!!
How DARE a squirrel try to enter our yard?

Our Famous NFL Picks, 2009

AFC East

Julie: New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins

Kevin: New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills



AFC North

Julie: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens

Kevin: Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals



AFC South

Julie: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars

Kevin: Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars



AFC West

Julie: San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders

Kevin: San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos




NFC East

Julie: New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Vicks

Kevin: New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys



NFC North

Julie: Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings

Kevin: Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions



NFC South

Julie: New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Bucs, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers

Kevin: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Bucs



NFC West

Julie: Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers

Kevin: Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams



Super Bowl

Julie: Green Bay Packers over Houston Texans

Kevin: Green Bay Packers over New England Patriots

Brooke as a Fashion Designer

So Kevin and I decided to have a night out before the semester began, so we went to the Round Rock Express baseball game (AAA). We left the dogs alone for about 5 hours to get to the game, have dinner, and watch the game. I asked Kevin to bring me some shorts so I could be a bit more comfy during the game, and he mistakenly left my closet open. His closet is always open, and he did not think a thing of it. Brooke, on the other hand, noticed something out of the ordinary and began exploring the closet that is usually off limits! She cannot reach the clothing on hangers or stacked on the shelves, but she did explore things on the floor. She sniffed around and found my green heels that are new and really have been seldomly worn. She even pulled them out of the shoebox to explore the footwear with her teeth. She made her fashion changes, and obviously decided they should have at least one peep-toe. She was so excited about this artistic and spatial freedom, that she also left two little yellow puddles. Ahhh, the joys of having a puppy in the house!

Julie

The Pointers Hit the Town

So, Mom got a call about a party on Saturday night. It was in Seguin, and it was a benefit for the Guadalupe County Animal Shelter. There was a band, named Milkbone that was really good and we got to see our trainer, Hepzibah, and Joy who works at Thunderpaws Canine Solutions. I was the clear choice to bring to this event, and because there was a band, Lazarus probably wouldn't have liked the loud music so Magellan came along. (Brooke is still working on her leash training and was immediately eliminated)

I was trying to show Magellan how to act cool. He did alright, but the kid has a lot to learn. Dad did pretty well, but Mom was a total goof as usual. She and Laz make a great pet partner pair! lol

Keepin' it real,

Mosi

Trip to Piedras Negras

On Saturday August 8, Julie and I went on a mission/ relief trip to Piedras Negras, Coahuila, on the south bank of the Rio Grande across from Eagle Pass, Texas. Our goals were twofold: to gather information for the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas on how local churches can help the Iglesia Angilcana El Buen Pastor, and to give out food in four of Piedras Negras' poorest neighborhoods. We went with Steve and Betty Roederer from the Diocese of West Texas, and Billy Hausser from St. Luke's Episcopal who already has a relationship with the Buen Pastor congregation.

We left San Marcos at 6:30 to rendezvous in San Antonio at 7:30. We arrived in Eagle Pass at about 10:00 AM and changed vehicles to cross the border. When we arrived at El Buen Pastor, we were greeted by Padre Miguel who explained his church and their mission focus which is to show love, and share the gospel message with the poorest people in Piedras Negras. As the photos show, these are shanty towns along the railroad right-of-way with little more than tar paper for walls and holey metal roofs. These are the neighborhoods where we distributed one pound sacks of beans and gave the children pencils.

We also visited the Casa Bethesda which is an orphanage for children with significant disabilities. This private facility, houses about 20 people aged 9 months through about 55 years old because many of the residents have been disowned or have no family to transition them into society, and they are not forced out of this facility. While many of the children are mute or have significant learning and physical disabilities, the smiles we saw here were often more numerous than in the poor neighborhoods where our sacks of beans were intended to help these people make it through the weekend.

Another big focus of El Buen Pastor is youth education. We sat in on part of a bible study that a subgroup of the church's youth participated. No matter the economic situation, the El Buen buildings were a safe haven where youth could relax and have a good time. Meals are often provided with Christian Education events and are likely the only hot meals with meat many of the children receive in a week.

Keep these people and this church in your thoughts and prayers. While the resources are limited, the Spirit is working in this place and bringing love, hope, and opportunities to people who seek and find in this place. Expect to see more updates on this blog as Julie and I plan to return with others to learn the story of this place. This church truly reflects the unselfish teachings of Christ as their church slogan is to come and worship; leave ready to serve.

Kevin and Julie

Lazarus Birthday #5

I want to report that I had a marvelous birthday party last night. There were 21 people and 14 dogs at the event and I want to send out a blog shout out to all the pups in attendance: Lazarus, Moses, Magellan, Brooke, Annie, Jack, LeRoy, Lola, Candi, Daisy, Neeve, Dawson, Daisy, and Pumpi! I had so much fun playing with all the other dogs, eating cake, and visiting with the guests. Before my party, we went on our bi-weekly visit to the nursing home, and I was sereneded with Happy Birthday by the folks in the Memory Care Unit. Most everyone remembered that song, and I LOVED IT!

I was very tired today, but I did go for a walk, and I am looking forward to going to the Lake with Mom, Dad, and their new canoe. I also am eager to have Dad take me to Chick-fil-A on Monday so I can use my $5 gift card grandma sent from Florida. The photos show some play in the yard and the dog cake being cut.

Your pal,

Lazarus

Our trip to Ruidoso, NM

This summer has been characterized locally by record heat and drought. Because of the relentless heat, we decided to take a trip to the mountains in New Mexico to cool off. We chose Ruidoso because it was not as far as Taos or Santa Fe. Laz and Magellan really liked the crisp mornings and cool breezes. Moses and Brooke were a bit chilly, but liked being along for the ride. Grace stayed home as she prefers not to travel.

Julie's parents also joined us as we rented a cabin. The dogs loved having more people around to pet them, lavish attention on them, and share ice cream cones. Magellan ran around the cabin neighborhood a lot. Brooke made friends up the hill with two other dogs. Moses brought his brand of security to the neighborhood woofing at strange noises, and Laz was good old Laz-- happy, good, and funny!

On our last full day, we took a 8 mile hike in BLM land near Fort Stanton. It was pinon juniper country so it had limited shade but it was not too hot. Magellan ran off for a while, but as a thunderstorm approached and a roaring thunder clapped, he met up with us as a pack of coyotes howled in the distance. Brooke kept up well with the group, but is still tired from the journey. Moses had a good time and proved what excellent shape he is in. He needed the least amount of water and kept a sound and wise pace. We were so proud of Laz for not being too scared of the thunder. We did not get very wet, and we plowed on and finished the hike in about 2.5 hours. We came accross some beautiful bluebirds, one rattlesnake, some baby horny toads sunning themselves, and a ground squirrel that Moses chased up a tree.

The three photos are of: Moses at his lookout post with two lieutenants, Moses with Julie's parents, and Julie and Laz on the trail in the BLM land.

Kevin

Magellan's Musings

Hi everyone! I'm Magellan, and I want to write about how I am fitting in with my new family. I really like it, and I love getting two regular meals per day! Like Lazie and Mosi, I have my bowl raised off the ground. I got a little spaghetti in with my kibble in this photo.

Laz and Mosi like to play baseball in the backyard and run after the ball after it is hit? They seem to like it, but I don't get it? I like chasing the ball a time or two, but I prefer looking in all the trees to see if a cat, squirrel, or bird happens to show themselves. I have entertained other people at the dog park with my ability to jump around the trunk of a tree trying to get squirrels.

I also like the furniture in my new home. Sometimes I sneak up on my Mom and Dad's bed and take a nap. I usually sleep in my crate at night, but the bed is fine for my naps. I also am enjoying the sofas and playing on them. I can leap from one to another and like to show off my athletic talents while playing and wrestling with Moses and Wiggles. Even Laz has played with me a time or two! Anyway, I wanted to let you know how well I like my new home.

MAGELLAN

Best 4th of July EVER!!!

If you have followed this blog, you will see that I do not like loud noises-- especially fireworks! I usually hide in the bathroom and have an awful night on the 4th of July. However, this year was great because we live in a city that had an "official" fireworks display far enough that I did not hear anything. Plus, Mom and Dad knew when the display would begin and end, and during that time, we all had a sing-a-long and danced to different music on the stereo. Our new speakers really helped. We listened to the whole CD soundtrack to "A Mighty Wind", heard selections from the Bee Gees, Everclear, Bruce Springsteen, and The Mamas and Papas. It was so fun that I never even went into the bathroom at all! Moses and Magellan sat by Mom and loved her singing. Brooke sat on the sofa and chewed a bone. I mainly followed Dad around and played some indoor fetch, tug, and other horseplay. Thanks to all my friends and neighbors who refrained from having personal firework shows, and this is definately a positive outcome of our local severe drought.

Your pal,

Lazarus