a couple of awards and thanks

This post is long overdue. We've been in the process of moving, so I haven't had a chance to properly thank Jenna of Love is Being Owned by a Husky for bestowing me with two honors, the  Best Blog Around the World award and the Award of Excellence. 

Being recognized by a fellow blogger is a great feeling. Thank you, Jenna!

Please take a moment to check out Jenna's blog, Love is Being Owned by a Husky. Though she's pretty new to the blogging scene, she's already captured hearts and a huge following with her honest stories and wealth of information. She's become a huge supporter of the well minded blog, and we love her frequent visits. In a nutshell, she rocks. 

Thank you, Jenna, for your recognition! And congratulations on your achievements!

the versatile blogger award: we got it!

After looking longingly at others' Versatile Blogger Award badges, I was awarded one for my recent ThunderShirt posts, so kindly, by We Live in a Flat, one of my favorite dog blogs! We Live in a Flat follows the adventures of Donna, a rescued pup who lives in Singapore. Great writing and wonderful images...thank you, We Live in a Flat! I would like to nominate the following blogs for their excellency and appeal to, well, ME! Love and the Versatile Blogger Award, in no particular order and with no obligation, lest I irritate you, go to:

veggie 4 a year for luscious vegan recipes and activism, helping me though my own transition

No Dog About it Blog for insightful tips and sentiment

Adventures at Run a Muck Ranch for making me feel like my dog chaos could be worse with sweet, candid stories

The War in My Brain for bravery

Love and a Six-Foot Leash for gorgeous photos of gorgeous dogs and a wonderful parenting philosophy

Brie Brie Blooms for creativity

Pawsitively Pets for being so dedicated to all things animal

101 Books for being intelligent and keeping it real in a single bound

Oz the Terrier for informative cuteness

My Brown Newfies & Me for writing with true versatility about a seemingly narrow topic...I'm always coming back for more

Why We Love Green for great tips on how to go green while saving green

Sugar the Golden Retriever for awesome tips and insight...and who doesn't love a golden?

Jen Hatmaker for making me laugh harder than I can remember laughing in a long, long time. If you haven't read her viral post Worst End of School Year Mom Ever, you must. NOW.

Nature Moms Blog for great green mama info that I actually use

my.blind.world. for unflinching honesty

Should you accept your award (you are under NO obligation to do so), you're in for a bit of work, but it's not painful. Versatile Blogger award rules:

•  Thank the person who gave you this award.
•  Include a link to their blog.
•  Next, select 15 blogs/bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly. ( I would add, pick blogs or bloggers that are excellent!)
•  Nominate those 15 bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award — you might include a link to this site.
•  Finally, tell the person who nominated you 7 things about yourself.

Seven things about me...

• We have a sulcata tortoise. I just haven't blogged about him, yet.

• I have three tattoos. One for each of my kids.

• One of the main reasons I love being a pet sitter is that it keeps me from having too many animals, myself.

• Our dog, Kermit, who passed away almost two years ago, had Addison's Disease and seizures. I haven't blogged about him, yet, either.

• I have a scar on my right hand from a overly-boisterous game of fetch with a dog client. My hand went up and her fang came down. Accidental puncture all the way to the root of the tooth. This happened exactly on the one-year anniversary of breaking three fingers on my other hand.

• I kiss all animals on the lips.

• I don't really like listing "things" about myself.

Congratulations to the newest recipients of The Versatile Blogger award! I can't wait to read your posts.

pats on the head feel good

Wow! My first (of many, let's hope) blog award! What a wonderful feeling to be noticed by a fellow blogger. A big thank you to We Live in a Flat for awarding my post, i believe in leashes: my story, recognized in Positive reinforcement doesn't just apply to dealing with dogs, with The Best Moment Award! I received this major award (I'm waiting for my leg lamp in the mail) because We Live in a Flat was inspired by my telling of a life-changing moment. I always love when something good comes of something bad. I accept this award and am flattered to be recognized.

The Best Moment Award

‘Awarding the people who live in the moment. The noble who write and capture the best in life.  The bold who reminded us what really mattered – savoring the experience of quality time. (Please check out MomentMatters.com).

RULES: Winners re-post this completely with their acceptance speech. This could be written or video recorded. Winners have the privilege of awarding the next awardee’s! The re-post should include a NEW set of people/blogs worthy of the award; and winners notify them the great news.’

I am happy to be able to pass the torch along and award other fellow bloggers with the same honor:

For truly showing what it means to live in the moment and capture the best in life in a canine way, I honor The Lonely Dogs, Take my paw and dream with me. The photos on this blog are beyond inspiring. It was difficult to choose just one post, so please take the time to explore this blog about her "twenty-three incredible rescue dogs that share their lives with me in Mexico."

For making me laugh enough to share again and again, Sara Bran's Notes from the Edge Of Motherhood, Reward Stickers for Adults: Gummy Little Redeemers. Just delightful, and so true! I wish The Best Moment Award came with a sticker.

And for writing a story I've heard, done, told, and felt a million times in and entirely new way, Hey Ma, I'm Home: Don't Break the Pet. Brilliant.

As my predecessor did for me, I would like to add that you are receiving this award simply because your posts and your blogs inspired me. The award is non-obligatory, and you do not have to post it on your blog or pass it on if you do not wish to do so.

It's amazing what a simple pat on the head will do for a person, though. Those pups have it figured out.