Monday Dog Blog: The End of Vacation

Happy Dogs!

Well, it's a wrap folks. Our six weeks here in glorious, friendly, relaxing Sunset Beach, NC is at it's end.

We've done a few things to top it off, including taking one last swim in the ocean.

Eau de Wet Chien

After watching my little brother go in the water, I got up my courage to go in too! And, boy was it ever fun! 

Look What I Did!

Mom and Mommy were so proud of me they were cheering and hip hip hooraying like crazy.

Usually I am the brave one, but when it came to going in the ocean my little brother was much more brave. I am glad I watched him show me what to do.

I Am So Brave!

I (Gershwin) was glad to get another chance at a dip in the ocean. Since my sister is always so brave, and I am not as brave, it is nice to have one thing that I can show her how to do. :)

A Treat?!

Boy, were we ever sandy and dirty after our day at the beach. We had to get baths.

So Much Good Stuff to Watch!

We have both really enjoyed hanging out on the patio just watching the world--the birds, the golfers, the golf balls, the golf carts, and the pretty pond out back. I (Tovah Rose) could just spend hours outside enjoying that view!

We LOVE LOVE LOVE to Snuggle in the Recliner

Mommy really needed a break from packing, and quite frankly, so did we. So, she settled into the recliner for some hand sewing. We were so so happy to snuggle.

Isn't Mommy Doing a Good Job on Her Sewing?

I (Tovah Rose) really wanted to help!

Sibling Love

Even though we fight a lot and I (Tovah Rose) am the ten pound alpha dog, I gotta admit I really do love my little brother. Sometimes I even willingly snuggle up to him!

Playing Nice

We have had a wonderful vacation. We couldn't ask for more! We get to be the center of attention 24/7! Mom and Mommy both snuggle with us a lot, they take us for rides, they feed us pup cakes, they take us for long walks and StRolls, they take us to the beach. Plus, we really really really love that everyone thinks we are so beautiful and that everyone wants to meet us! :) We love to be the center of attention.

Snuggle Time with Mom!

Yup, we're gonna miss this place. Sunset Beach is a part of our hearts now too, just as it is for Mom and Mommy. Yet we are ready for what awaits us at home--especially our favorite guy, Kierny, and our big fenced in yard! :)

Blessings,

Emily

Ibis and One Last Dinner Out

Libby, Me, Mom

Mom has gotten to know our neighbor, Libby, here at Sea Trail. We finally got to spend some time together all three of us tonight as we all get ready to bid farewell to Sunset Beach on Monday.

We so enjoyed our visit with her and hope our paths will cross again! I'm so glad I decided to knock on her door this afternoon and ask her to join us for dinner! It was a great break for all of us from packing!

I Love This Bridge!

We made a trip back to the same restaurant with went to with Cindy, Nick and Jake--because it's two minutes away and the food is great.

Raspberry Margarita!

I had my first ever margarita--a raspberry one! :) Last time, I had my first ever martini--key lime. Right now the martini wins for my favorite. This was my first venture outside of wine. 

Mom and I enjoyed the hush puppies, the whole bone in flounder, the smoked gouda grits, coleslaw and salad.

The Trees Look Like They Have SNOW In Them!

Today, as we were doing some organizing for the trip home--packing up the TV, preserving the sand dollars we found (or were given), etc. Mom spotted a sky FULL of white birds, which landed in the trees nearby.

Ibis

We jumped in the car and drove as close as we could to them, and found hundreds of Ibis birds just resting in the trees.

Ibis Everywhere

We are not sure if they are migrating through her or what, but the woman we spoke with said she had never seen such a sight.

The Creek (and Ibis) Behind Our Condo

It was beautiful, marvelous and incredible. A wonderful moment in the midst of packing to leave.

I love the nature here--the birds, the sand, the ocean, the shells, the ponds, the alligators. I love the friendly people we meet and all of the yummy seafood. 

I'll miss many things about this place and a part of my heart is now firmly rooted here.

But I'm also ready to head home. I'm ready for OUR home, my own bed, our own yard, the Spring that awaits us, and of course, the friends, family and boyfriend that await. 

Blessings,

Emily

Making New Friends: Cindy, Nick and Jake

Bridge to Sunset Beach Over the Intracoastal Waterway

Sunset Beach is a friendly place. Everyone says hello. Everyone smiles and waves. Lots and lots of people stop to pet the puppies. We've met a lot of people, but last year we met Cindy and Nick and really 'clicked' with them. I am sure we met them because of the puppies. :) We've kept in touch with them throughout the year and eagerly anticipated getting together with them again this year.

Jake, Nick, Cindy

Cindy and Nick were down for a visit to their condo last week. One night while Nick and their son Jake went to SC for the day, Cindy spent an evening at our condo having dinner and catching up for 2 1/2 hours! It was wonderful!

Then, last Friday we all went out to eat dinner at Twin Lakes Restaurant--where we had a beautiful view of the bridge, great food and a ton of laughter.

Mom and I Both Wearing Our New Jewelry!

Cindy said it feels like we've all known each other and been friends for a long time. And it does. We just really clicked with these folks and are excited to see them in the future--whether it is here at Sunset Beach, visiting them in Ohio, or them visiting us in Pennsylvania.

Bridge at Sunset

Thank you, Cindy, Nick and Jake, for the joyful night out and for so generously treating us to dinner.

We are so very happy we got to see you and to meet Jake!

Blessings,

Emily

Monday Dog Blog: One More Week!

Well, we sure can't believe we are getting ready to wrap up things here at the beach. Just one week left! 

We really love our outings to the beach. The ride in the car. The salty sea air. The long walks. The great treats we get when we arrive home. The attention and socializing at the beach.

We love it all!

But boy oh boy, are we ever pooped out when we get home.

Yesterday, we took a 3 mile walk on the beach. We were so tired we just couldn't keep our eyes open on the way home.

And I (Tovah Rose) couldn't even get up the energy to do my hair the next day. I was just so tired out!

Happy Monday!

Blessings,

Tovah Rose and Gershwin

Girl Time with Loralea!

One of the highlights of being at the beach for six weeks two years in a row has been being able to see Loralea two years in a row! 

I have written extensively on my blog about Loralea, so I'll keep this short.

I'll just say how ABSOLUTELY FANTABULOUS it was to see her for the day on Saturday.

Loralea arrived Saturday afternoon and left Sunday morning before I got up. She popped in my bedroom to say goodbye and give me a hug. We stayed up talking until midnight!

The time together always goes by too quickly, we feel like we never get enough time together, and we feel like we live to far apart, yet we are ever so grateful for these precious times together.

One of the cool things is that Loralea saw me exactly a year ago--when I had started to feel better--but was still much sicker than I am now. She just couldn't get over how much more mobile I am and how much better I am doing. She was so excited to see the change. It's also a good reminder to have someone else be able to see how profound the changes are and reflect them back to me.

Tovah did not want to peel herself away from Loralea during her whole visit! 

Last year, Loralea and I got a great beach day and outing. This time it rained all day, so we painted fingernails and toenails and talked and talked and talked and talked.

Loralea is one of my very favorite people in the whole world. She is one of the greatest gifts Davidson ever gave me.

I love you roomie!

Blessings,

Emily

Monday Dog Blog: Beachin' It

Hello everyone! Happy Monday from here at Sunset Beach, NC! We are happy to report that we had the best beach weather yet on Sunday!

As you can see, we are pretty tired out from all of that fresh salt sea air and sunshine.

It was warm enough today for us to go in the water!

Mommy was so so proud of me (Gershwin) for going in the water and braving the waves. I got soaking wet!

Tovah was being a girly girl and didn't have any interest in the water.

She missed out on a lot of fun!

After playing in the waves with Mommy, I made sure to get nice and sandy by digging around and putting my face in the sand!

It made me sneeze. Oops!

We hung out with Mommy, taking in the sites. We LOVE to meet all of the dogs on the beach. We also love to meet so many new people! Everybody fusses over us, tells us how pretty we are, asks what breed we are, and Mommy and Mom love to tell the story of how they got us and how wonderful we are. It's a great life to be at a beach with so many dog lovers!

We are always ready to go to the beach!

Most days have been very windy and cold. One day I (Tovah) had to wear my windbreaker because it was so chilly! 

The first three weeks we didn't have many beach days at all, but we have braved the weather whenever we can. I (Gershwin) am a big boy and didn't need a coat!

I'm the princess and I like to ride in the wheelchair with Mommy most days, but I have gotten better and better at learning to walk next to the wheelchair like my little brother does.

We just love our family StRolls on the beach! 

Last week, we tried to brave the weather but we got soaked in the rain.

I (Gershwin) was so tired out from all of that, I couldn't even keep my eyes open on the beach by the end of the walk.

We sleep very, very, very well after an afternoon at the beach!

Happy Monday from Us!

Blessings,

Tovah Rose and Gershwin