FALL 2018 RECAP – TOP 10 MOMENTS
This fall sure has been busy!! It's been hard to keep up on everything going on. It's felt like winter for a while now, but winter just officially started a few days ago. Here is a recap of what we were up to this fall season:
1 - Barktoberfest
Barktoberfest is a local doggie festival we went to in early fall. It was still hot outside and a beautiful sunny day. There were many tents and food trucks. Tickets had to be purchased ahead of time, to be used at food trucks and drink stands. We bought a few tickets and headed on our way.
We were first greeted with a kissing booth. Dog kisses for 5 cents!
We walked by the food trucks but passed on getting anything. We got to the tents and tried to stop be each booth. I tried to talk with the people running the booths, which wasn’t an easy task with a 60 lb dog in a one hand and 4 year old in my other hand. I did the best I could, while at least grabbing business cards and other literature offered, to check back later with potential vendors. We were there for fun – but I was also networking and trying to find vendors to offer their awesome products in our online store. One of the first booths we stopped at sold hankerchiefs and Parker insisted on getting one for Jazmine. I let her pick out whichever one she wanted and she went with super hero, BATMAN!!
It was super hot and Jazmine was getting thirsty. Their were plenty of doggie water bowls set out, but with the dog flu running rampant, I was trying to keep her from drinking out of those bowls. I hadn't thought ahead, so I didn’t bring our travel bowls. But…right after the bandana tent we found another vendor who was giving out free travel bowls!! We were able to get one and fill it up with water. Jazzy was refreshed.
We continued through out the park, checking out many of the tents. We talked with many vendors and received a lot of product samples. There was much people and pet watching to do. My daughter had noticed a very large playground on our way in, that I promised we could visit if she was good at the fair. I found a picnic table to chill at, in the shade for Jazzy. Jazmine and I were able to cool down and relax while Parker burned off the rest of her energy.
2 – Maddies Birthday
Maddies birthday was September 30. She turned 11. We celebrated with singing her happy birthday and some ice cream. Only the humans had ice cream – because dairy isn’t good for cats. I tried to take some photos….you can see how cooperative the kitties were….
3 – Taking walks, smelling flowers
We love taking our walks all year round. Jazmine, being the husky dog she is, appreciates the cooler weather. As I’ve gotten older, with each passing year, I have more and more appreciation for the changing of colors. I do enjoy taking the time, to look at each tree and marvel at the bright reds, oranges and yellows of the leaves. It’s a great way to reset my mind and relax. Jazmine needs the stimulation and exercise as well. Here she is stopping to smell my fall asters after taking a walk and stirring up all the dogs of the neighborhood.
4 – Cider Mill
Living in the mid west, one of the greatest fall ventures is going to the CIDAR MILL!!! Some cidar mills accepts dogs – some do not. Obviously we prefer the ones that accepts dogs.
We picked a really nice day to go , with the sun shining and warm enough to sometimes take off your jacket. Everyone had the same idea as we did – a great day for the cidar mill. The place was packed and we parked far away.
The line to get donuts had to have been an hour….or 2 …wait. My husband and I had never seen anything like it - we've been going to this cider mill all our lives. My husband is amazing and happened to remember “the other” line that many people don’t think about. There was about 5 people ahead of us and we had donuts and cidar in about 10 minutes..
We crossed the street…maneuvering through many other people and dogs and went over to the water side, where a river runs. We ate our cider and donuts. Checked out the river. Enjoyed the fall weather. Then we were on our way back to our car. Another great family Sunday in the books!!
5 – Raking Leaves
When the leaves fall, they must be raked up. We spent the day as a family outside in the backyard, leaf blowing and raking. Jazmine loves any outdoor activity. Here she is, hanging out with with us and Micah dog from next door. Isn't he a handsome fella???
6 – Novi Pet Expo
The Novi Pet Expo was similar to Barktoberfest but about 10 times larger….or more!! Jazmine and I went on a Saturday that was much colder than Barktoberfest. Turns out there were several shows going on and the parking lot was so full. I took a bit to find a parking spot, but once we did, we were on our way. Jazmine’s excitement level was high after seeing all the dogs in the parking lot.
Getting in to the expo was quite chaotic. I’m grateful I brought Jazmine’s pet records inside with me. We came in a random door and ended up doing everything backwards.
After paying for admission, I found out I was supposed to register Jazmine. So, I went to that area and there was a long line. No biggie – but before getting in line, I started going through my paperwork, so I wouldn’t be that idiot fumbling up at the check in table. Some random “check in” lady came to me, calling to check me in, asking, more like demanding, for Jazmine’s vet paperwork.
I’m standing there with this 60 lb bouncing dog, trying to not drop all this paperwork and trying to explain to this lady that I’m looking for her paperwork, how she had just been to the vet for a UTI, so I had to sort through and find it. This woman is going on and on about she didn’t need that paperwork, just needed her shot info and I’m trying not to get annoyed, because, yeah, I know that. I was just trying to explain why I didn’t have it at my fingertips….and that’s why I’m on the sideline!! I’m not even in line. A great reminder to myself of why I like dogs more than people….like stop complicating things lady!!
I was glad when I finally found the paperwork and was able to move on. Getting in to the expo was still an ordeal with people and dogs everywhere – and some dogs were being not so friendly. So I was trying to hang back and be cautious….
Once inside – I was completely overwhelmed. It was SO BIG. There were people and dogs everywhere. Even Jazmine seemed to be a bit stressed out by the environment at first with all of the commotion. I took her to the side to just people watch for a few moments and calm down. Although we were there for fun, my main intention was networking and finding awesome products and companies to bring into our online store.
Many of the vendor booths turned out to be rescue groups, with animals to rescue. It was fun to look at. Jazmine got to sniff at some friends and I had to stop her from scaring some kitties and even bunnies (Oh, Jazmine loves a good bunny scent!!)
Vendors were less generous with samples here than at Barktoberfest. And frankly I didn’t want to buy much. I was there to grab some business cards and move on. Companies who give samples are more remembered than those who don’t. (I’ve learned the from 20 years at my day job) We did get Jazmine some of these fun decorated doggie bones…because I’m a sucker for treats. Once we went through all the booths, I was ready to get out of there. It was so, so busy and I only have enough energy for that. We did stop for some nachos, I was starving. We ate next to 2 malamutes who were just gigantic!! And big balls of fluff! Then we checked out and went home. Jazmine was exhausted after the days events!
Jazzy's First Puppacino
I love the Starbucks Salted Carmel Mocha – which is only available in the fall. But I had never about the puppacino until a friend on facebook posted a photo giving one to his dogs. “What is THIS??” I thought. “Jazmine must have one!!” Shortly after seeing that post, we had to take a trip to the vet. Jazzy was such a good girl during what was probably an unpleasant experience for her, I decided she needed a rewarding treat. I normally reward these experiences with a small cone of ice cream, but today I remembered the puppacino.
8 – Lots and Lots of Shedding
Jazmine generally sheds greatly in the early summer months. May – the beginning of July. I’m often brushing her outside with sometimes fireworks going off and her running to the door, to go inside. She did not have a big shed at the beginning of the summer season this year (2018), but fall began, that is when her tufts started falling out. She always makes me giggle during this time - How can I take her seriously when she looks scraggly? Her hind quarters has clumps that you can lightly pull on and they come right out. I have to brush her repeatedly, daily, and the amount I brush out can make a new dog, each time!! Jazmine is worth every strand of fur.
9 – Opening Rescue Tales Store
Jazmine generally sheds greatly in the early summer months. May – the beginning of July. I’m often brushing her outside with sometimes fireworks going off and her running to the door, to go inside. She did not have a big shed at the beginning of the summer season this year (2018), but fall began, that is when her tufts started falling out. She always makes me giggle during this time - How can I take her seriously when she looks scraggly? Her hind quarters has clumps that you can lightly pull on and they come right out. I have to brush her repeatedly, daily, and the amount I brush out can make a new dog, each time!! Jazmine is worth every strand of fur.
We are a business and my dream and plan is to make it a full time business. But the mission of our business is to give back. We want to help and save animals. We want to help those that love animals and their pets. One way we plan to do that is to donate a portion of our proceeds to local rescues, shelters or even local people in need who sometimes fall on hard times and need help with a bag of food from here to there. We’re figuring out all the ways on a day to day basis.
Our intent is to be transparent so you can expect to see some announcements of where these proceeds are going. There are many organizations our there pretending to care about animals and pocketing funds without actually helping. We will never be that organization. Please help us help others by reading and commenting on our posts, checking out our store, liking and sharing our Facebook page and following us on Instagram. We thank you for your support!!!
10 – Modeling Collars
With opening our Rescue Tales store comes finding and marketing new and exciting products for your furbaby. Naturally, Jazmine would be one to model off our new line of the Very Vintage dog collars. This made the cut because the irony makes me giggle. Jazmine is supposed to be modeling the Ribbon Candy Christmas collar – but she is so fluffy that you can barely see the collar. This “modeling shoot” was fun for us both.