Sammy Seal

Sammy, Sammy, Sammy....he's just dissected the stuffed dog and is laying on the innards looking just a little bit guilty! But I took a movie of it and I'm just here to say, he had such a good time doing it! Sammy comes with his brother Jimmy for Doggy Day Care. He loves the back yard squirrels and barking up the tree, cat food and attention! He and his brother Jimmy take good care of each other, but Sammy hogs all the attention. He's a man that knows what he wants and gets it. They do NOT like snow, being native to LA and just recently transplanted to Baltimore. And I love them....

National Building Museum

If you haven't been here yet and you're at all interested in the built environment, you're missing out.This unique museum offers unpredictable, beautifully curated exhibits in a soaring space within an historic building originally designed for the dispensation of the Civil War Pension fund. In addition there is an expansive museum store with an impressive collection of architecture related books and just plain great design stuff! For example, currently there is a show chronicling the advent and maturing of car culture, using models, drawings, photos and especially memorabilia of early parking garage design including some fantastical unbuilt designs, some artful designs and finally a vertical pez like design for the dispensation of Zip Cars in Japan. Visit www.nbm.org for information on current exhibits and activities.

The Smithsonian Craft Show will be in the this Grand Hall, too, at the end of April. This is an extraordinary show, smaller and more exclusive than the February ACC show at the Convention Center in Baltimore with some of the finest crafts people doing work in the United States today.

Visiting the Finnish Embassy In DC

 

A late start and traffic caused us to miss our scheduled tour...but we toured ourselves through the Finnish Embassy built with the materials representative of this Scandinavian country: Light woods, steel cables, green glass, vertical vistas, curving, open stairs and a grid of light of that extends from the front entry drive through the building and out into the woods behind it. In the exhibition space there was a fascinating exhibit on the Kavella (sp?), a dark, Finnish story of creation that directly influenced the writing of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. The building...and it's people (all predictably blonde and beautiful) were a departure from the pomp and formality of DC's Embassy row. 

On May 8, Saturday, there will be an European Union Embassy Open House from 10-5 with shuttles running between Embassies...just in case you're interested!

Happy Dog Clipper

Clipper is just a happy dog that throws himself fully into everything he does....like chasing a stick or a ball. However, he doesn't like thunderstorms one bit and needs some extra attention when they come around. Visit anytime Clipper!

Mud season is upon us.....

Dirty dog Hayden, how muddy can you get? There's some swine genes in this dog, 'cuz he LOVES rolling in the mud! But he's a very happy dog, exhausted and rinsed and asleep on the only light colored upholstery we own...of course!

National Professional Pet Sitters Week

Everyone's got their day, at least their birthday anyway! Well I've gained a new week for myself! I think I'll send myself some flowers with a note that says; "Dear Shelly, So glad you found me. It's been a match made in heaven! All my love, the Profession of Pet Sitting." They might even be really nice flowers! Seriously, though,  I am grateful to spend time with the animals that are in my care because invariably they are honest, generous and loving clients that usually even pay on time! What more could you ask?

Callie

 

I walk Callie everyday. She is a smart 90 lb. female lab that I call the warrior princess for obvious reasons. She is that dog that ALWAYS puts a smile on my face because she greets me with such joy. She can jump straight up off the ground repeatedly when she's excited to see you, which is a feat for a dog this size! I walk her off leash in beautiful, safe and sanctioned neighborhood park along a stream. This makes for a great walk for both of us, but it's important to me that she comes when I call her. She is very bright and can be will fill and uninterested in listening when she's onto a scent.  We've worked on teaching each other the best way to communicate. Over time, we've developed effective listening skills based on give and take... I give her some extra space when she's really engaged and she listens when I do call...at which time she knows I always take a bone from my  pocket. Love you, Callie!

Do you moo?

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If you don't know moo.com...you should. For printing business cards, mini business cards, postcards, invitations and greeting cards, they can't be beat. Not cheap...but oh so pretty. You choose from their designs which are commissioned from edgy European graphic designer, hot photographers or even writers. Or you can upload your own images and do some artsy cropping.  The site makes it easy and the results are nothing short of amazing! And the printing is high quality. Check it out.

Jimmy Newton

 

Known as Jimmy, Jim Jim, Jammy, Jiminy Cricket, Newton and Jimmy Newton, he's a shy little rescue dog that got really lucky when his mom picked him! Shy really isn't the word, more like timid and afraid. I hate to imagine what made him that way, but he's sure got a good home now! He looks a lot like a long hair chihuahua except for his droopy ears and at 4 years old weighs not much more than 10 pounds. He's got a brother, kind of a corgi mix, that's just the opposite, an outgoing attention grabber...but I  haven't gotten a good photo of him yet because he never sits still (or when he's resting, I don't have my camera available). Jimmy will shy away from everyone and everything...until you sit down on the sofa... then he's in your lap in an instant. He craves affection and is a really dear dog that wouldn't hurt a flea. Jimmy visits us for doggie day care and daily walks with his brother, Sammy, known collectively as Simmy and Jammy at our house!

Center Stage Auction This Sunday on WBAL

This Sunday on WBAL radio, from 8am until midnight, the Center Stage Auction will be happening to raise money for this incredible Baltimore institution. You can bid on lots of exceptional offering including services (like pet sitting), jewelry (like beach stones), gift certificates, vacations and other great stuff at potentially reduced prices! I have donated two days of In Home Boarding and the necklace, bracelet and earring set shown above. Check out their website for a listing by category or by the time it will be auctioned on the radio. Some items can be bid on directly on the site and there are lots of photos, just click on the camera icon to the left of the item or go to the websites by clicking on the business name. There are sooooo many great items, I just know there are going to be some great bargains!

New Pet Sitting Website

 

I've just launched my new website for Daly Pet Care.  Please stop by to check it out and leave me a comment. I would love some honest constructive criticism on the site...really. I asked my sister to review it and she "mentioned" it would be nice if I put my phone number! What was I thinking??? Sometimes it's the most obvious things we forget! Anyway, for those of you that don't know, I offer pet visits in your home while you're away, daily dog walking and In Home Boarding where we welcome your dogs into our home for an extended stay/vacation. I gotta tell ya...I am really loving my pet business! I have worked mostly with dogs, although I love cats and other animals, but the daily walks with my beloved dogs have not only been great fun but good for my blood pressure, (which wasn't particularly bad, but now it's 111/64!) my head (all that wonderful outdoor time) and I just know it will eventually get around to my waistline!

New Works

Some new items just posted on esty. The small cylinders are cores from my grommet necklace. Personally, I am really loving the pins. They are fun to make and striking. This one has a cubic zirconium mounted on it and the dangling stone moves freely. The base stone is actually made with polymer clay , which works especially well for this application because it is light weight and I could easily make the back flat so that it lays very nicely.

Smokey

Meet Smokey. Smokey is a 17 year old long haired miniature dachshund who weighs in at about 9 lbs. Even though he only seems to visually distinguish darks and lights, he gets around unfamiliar territory well with his sense of smell. He's deaf and arthritic and has no teeth but he is intrepid and gets what he needs when he needs it...like going out for a pee or snuggling up at night with my husband or son...he much prefers them to me! He loves turkey and cheese and the highlight of his day is his ball of cream cheese filled with his meds...yum! And he sleeps a lot...so would I if I were his age! Smokey visits us while his much loved Mom and Dad spend time in Arizona. You go, Smokey!

Pete

Meet Pete...named for Peter the Great! He visits us from Silver Spring when his mom travels. Chester is a 7 year old beauty of an English Springer Spaniel. He is has those winsome eyes and a joyful energy that puts a smile on our face just about all the time. And oh those curls and feathers! There's nothing like a good walk with lots of sniffing for him...but ask him to settle and he's down 'til you're up! And he looks sooo good on our bed!

Nellie

Meet Nellie. She is a bundle of adorable. Just looking at her makes me want hold her! She is a 11 lb. miniature poodle rescued from a puppy mill by her Mama. She has a little separation anxiety but it's easy to take her with you most places. She visits us when her mom and dad are out of town. She is smart and sweet and can jump into your lap from 4 feet away and land so lightly, you're stunned! Put her on the bed and she turns it on...jumping, racing, playing...oh how we love her! The only thing about Nellie... is saying goodbye!

Chester

 

Meet Chester the English Springer Spaniel. He is 15, arthritic and his faculties are limited. But he still loves food and to go for a good walk. He also likes to eat poop! He is sweet and usually gentle, except when it comes to a good bone or a sore joint. I don't blame him a bit. Chester was one of my first dogs....sweet Chester!

Blizzard Number 2

 

There used to be a fence there...and a street and cars! The ice age seems to be arriving in Baltimore.

Static...Electricity?

How can electricity be static? Must have missed that day in science class. I know that I've been static since Christmas, which of course has nothing to do with electricity. I'm feeling "back" today, if not quite dynamic, even though it's nine degrees outside with 6 inches of snow on the ground. I'm back in the studio, uncovering my work bench...and I'll go from there. It feels like I've been away from "making" for a long time. My dogs and my family have kept me plenty busy, but now's the time to get back to work. Yes, I've convinced myself, today's the day!