(Please excuse the mess in my room and the weird noise my brother makes at the end of the video...)
Showing posts with label velma kelly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label velma kelly. Show all posts
Friday, February 13, 2009
It's a proud day in a mother's life...
When her daughter fetches her first ball! For some reason, Velma likes fetching stuffed animals and other soft toys but not balls. Not until the other day that is :) Soon she'll be a ball-fetching pro! Luckily my brother, who always has his camera handy, caught it on video :)
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
A New Addition to Our Family
Meet Ruby, our new kitten :) On Monday night (the 26th) on our way home from running some errands, my brother and I noticed this little baby on the street (she actually crossed right in front of me as I was driving and I managed to stop just in time to avoid hitting her!) I screeched to a very sudden, abrupt stop sending all our purchased goods that were in the back seat flying forward. I pulled over and asked my brother to get out of the car to look and listen for any signs of a mom and/or littermates. Nothing :( It seemed she was all alone and very scared. He scooped her up and got back into the car with her. We brought her home and set up a comfy place where she could hang out until we got her checked out by the vet. We gave her some food from our other kitty (Midnight, a beautiful, 18-year-old domestic shorthair) and she quickly devoured it. Yesterday, we took her to the vet to have her cleaned up and on the road to recovery. She has some pretty nasty wounds on her legs and chest as if she was attacked by another animal while she was out on her own. We purchased the appropriate medications for her (apparently her wounds were infected and she had a slight fever) and already she is doing SO MUCH better!! She is starting to act like a normal, happy, playful, and snuggly kitten, not the poor frightened little baby we picked up just two nights ago. Ruby has now officially been introduced to my baby, Velma and my brother's other cat, Midnight. I think it will take some time for Midnight to get used to her; right now she only sniffs her and walks away. However, Ruby LOVES Velma (smart kitty, hehe)!! 
She follows her around and purrs loudly as she rubs her tiny little body all over Velma. Velma tolerates her for the most part, she just gets a little annoyed with her following her around so much :) I'm sure soon they'll get along just fine, as do Midnight and her.
She follows her around and purrs loudly as she rubs her tiny little body all over Velma. Velma tolerates her for the most part, she just gets a little annoyed with her following her around so much :) I'm sure soon they'll get along just fine, as do Midnight and her.We looked at the pros and cons of keeping her and debated whether we should or not. I decided to let my brother keep her. After all, I think she might have been a gift to him from our mom who passed away exactly one year before we found this kitty (January 26, 2008). My mom knew how much my brother loves cats and how much he wanted a kitten, I guess she decided to send her little boy a gift on this very sad and hard date. Of course, picking out a name was easy: Ruby, our mom's name :)
Friday, January 9, 2009
Please be a responsible pet owner!
I came across this online the other night and it broke my heart because I know it is so true, so I decided to share with all of you. People need to understand that pets are NOT disposable and that along with the cuteness comes responsibility and a great deal of commitment. If they are not ready to take that on, they are not ready to have a pet:
Letters to a Dog
-- By, Carolyn MacMullin
January 6
Dear Dog, I saw you today for the first time, just a couple houses from my own the school bus stopped to let out your kids, and your mom opened the front door to let you run out and greet them. You are a wiggly, bouncy, and happy little puppy with a full belly and a shiny coat. Your kids grabbed you up, hugged you, held you and toted you inside. Your tail was wagging the entire time. I thought to my self, how sweet, what a way to end a long hard day. I spoke to your mom this evening and she said that they got you from the Animal Shelter, and the kids named you Lucky.
March 10
Dear Lucky, I saw you today as I always do on my way home from work. You were already outside to greet the kids today, which seemed a little odd. The little girl got off the bus and shooed you away, she appeared to not want you jumping on her. The boy got off the bus and gave you a quick playful pat on the head, then smelled his hand and brushed you aside. You looked confused and sad, as you went to lie by the porch. You curled up in a tight ball on the cold ground and let out a huge sigh. My heart felt heavy that day.
March 21
Dear Lucky, I saw you today, I was headed home and the kids got off the bus, walked to the house, and you ran out as far as you could on your heavy chain to let them know you were there. The little girl ignored you, the little boy told you to be quiet, when you barked for his attention. My neighbor commented that they needed to do something with your barking because you keep them up at night. You had a bucket of water and a bowl of food, a relatively nice dog-house, but your eyes were sad and empty. I shook my head and let out a huge sigh.
April 30
Dear Lucky, I worried for you today. You look thin, your chain heavy on your neck, your coat is dirty and falling out, you don't get up to do much anymore. Your bucket is turned over, and I have not seen your food bowl for a few days now. I spoke to the neighbor and asked about you. He said you still bark at night and he saw the man of the house throw something at you the other day as he scolded you. I shook my head in despair as I went back into my house.
June 4
Dear Lucky, My heart sank today, I was headed home and you weren't in your yard. A large part of me hoped you got away, another large part of me was frightened at all the other possibilities. I asked my neighbor about you, and he said your family went on vacation and sent you back to the Animal Shelter. I shook my head and cried for you as I went into my house.
June 5
Dear Dog, I went to the shelter today, I found you huddled in the back of a cage that had a bucket, a bowl of food, and a blanket for you to lie on. You looked up at me as if you knew me, and my heart broke as I read your card, they did not even care enough to give them your name and the card simply said, male, neutered retriever mix. Owners did not want. I cried when a gentleman from the kennel said, "That's a sad one there. He came from here you know, last Christmas. Guess they just got tired of him. He's too frightened, no one will adopt him." I went to the counter and told them I would be back tomorrow and please don't do anything just yet. They all kind of nodded like they heard that one before.
June 6
Dear Dog, I brought you home today. You were scared and untrusting, but a small part of you somewhere allowed you to wag the tip of your tail when I told you that you were a good boy and that I loved you. I gave you a new name, " Happy", because you aren't and I hope that someday you will be. You had an accident on the floor, and when I came back to clean it up with paper towel you slunk down and whimpered as if the hand was coming for you. I tried to choke back the tears when I thought of what you must have gone through in the past six months. I reached out and patted you and your eyes closed and your body went limp at such a gentle gesture. "We're going to be alright," I told you. I showed you your food and you ate voraciously, and you marveled at the treats and toys I got for you.
December 25
Dear Happy, Good morning my best friend! You woke me, as always, popping out from under the covers on your side of the bed, licking my face to tell me it was time for our walk. We went through the living room and you sniffed what Santa left for us. I hugged you and said, " Last year you were a Christmas gift, now this year, these are all yours!" Your coat is shiny, your belly always full, and even though we found out at your first vet visit you had heartworms, you are healthy now. As we went out for our walk, we saw your old family in the front yard, they look at you each time as if they recognize you in a way, but you don't give them a second glance. --- Then I believe both our hearts stopped as we saw the children emerge from the yard holding a small playful puppy. "Isn't she just precious? We got her from the animal shelter. Hope this one works out, the other dog we got from there was so much trouble." I sighed and refrained from pointing out that you were not the trouble. You looked up at me as if to say, " Thank you mom." I kneeled down and whispered in your sweet ear, " No, it is I who thank you."
January 6
Dear Dog, I saw you today for the first time, just a couple houses from my own the school bus stopped to let out your kids, and your mom opened the front door to let you run out and greet them. You are a wiggly, bouncy, and happy little puppy with a full belly and a shiny coat. Your kids grabbed you up, hugged you, held you and toted you inside. Your tail was wagging the entire time. I thought to my self, how sweet, what a way to end a long hard day. I spoke to your mom this evening and she said that they got you from the Animal Shelter, and the kids named you Lucky.
March 10
Dear Lucky, I saw you today as I always do on my way home from work. You were already outside to greet the kids today, which seemed a little odd. The little girl got off the bus and shooed you away, she appeared to not want you jumping on her. The boy got off the bus and gave you a quick playful pat on the head, then smelled his hand and brushed you aside. You looked confused and sad, as you went to lie by the porch. You curled up in a tight ball on the cold ground and let out a huge sigh. My heart felt heavy that day.
March 21
Dear Lucky, I saw you today, I was headed home and the kids got off the bus, walked to the house, and you ran out as far as you could on your heavy chain to let them know you were there. The little girl ignored you, the little boy told you to be quiet, when you barked for his attention. My neighbor commented that they needed to do something with your barking because you keep them up at night. You had a bucket of water and a bowl of food, a relatively nice dog-house, but your eyes were sad and empty. I shook my head and let out a huge sigh.
April 30
Dear Lucky, I worried for you today. You look thin, your chain heavy on your neck, your coat is dirty and falling out, you don't get up to do much anymore. Your bucket is turned over, and I have not seen your food bowl for a few days now. I spoke to the neighbor and asked about you. He said you still bark at night and he saw the man of the house throw something at you the other day as he scolded you. I shook my head in despair as I went back into my house.
June 4
Dear Lucky, My heart sank today, I was headed home and you weren't in your yard. A large part of me hoped you got away, another large part of me was frightened at all the other possibilities. I asked my neighbor about you, and he said your family went on vacation and sent you back to the Animal Shelter. I shook my head and cried for you as I went into my house.
June 5
Dear Dog, I went to the shelter today, I found you huddled in the back of a cage that had a bucket, a bowl of food, and a blanket for you to lie on. You looked up at me as if you knew me, and my heart broke as I read your card, they did not even care enough to give them your name and the card simply said, male, neutered retriever mix. Owners did not want. I cried when a gentleman from the kennel said, "That's a sad one there. He came from here you know, last Christmas. Guess they just got tired of him. He's too frightened, no one will adopt him." I went to the counter and told them I would be back tomorrow and please don't do anything just yet. They all kind of nodded like they heard that one before.
June 6
Dear Dog, I brought you home today. You were scared and untrusting, but a small part of you somewhere allowed you to wag the tip of your tail when I told you that you were a good boy and that I loved you. I gave you a new name, " Happy", because you aren't and I hope that someday you will be. You had an accident on the floor, and when I came back to clean it up with paper towel you slunk down and whimpered as if the hand was coming for you. I tried to choke back the tears when I thought of what you must have gone through in the past six months. I reached out and patted you and your eyes closed and your body went limp at such a gentle gesture. "We're going to be alright," I told you. I showed you your food and you ate voraciously, and you marveled at the treats and toys I got for you.
December 25
Dear Happy, Good morning my best friend! You woke me, as always, popping out from under the covers on your side of the bed, licking my face to tell me it was time for our walk. We went through the living room and you sniffed what Santa left for us. I hugged you and said, " Last year you were a Christmas gift, now this year, these are all yours!" Your coat is shiny, your belly always full, and even though we found out at your first vet visit you had heartworms, you are healthy now. As we went out for our walk, we saw your old family in the front yard, they look at you each time as if they recognize you in a way, but you don't give them a second glance. --- Then I believe both our hearts stopped as we saw the children emerge from the yard holding a small playful puppy. "Isn't she just precious? We got her from the animal shelter. Hope this one works out, the other dog we got from there was so much trouble." I sighed and refrained from pointing out that you were not the trouble. You looked up at me as if to say, " Thank you mom." I kneeled down and whispered in your sweet ear, " No, it is I who thank you."
I am sorry if this is a sad story, but unfortunately not all Christmas Puppies and Kitties have such happy endings, and thankfully some don't have such sad stories. The moral of this tale? Whether you get a pet from a shelter, a pet store, a breeder, or a private litter, this animal, is a living and feeling being, who will depend on you for everything. He will need love, patience, and kindness, as he is taught manners and housebreaking. There are no bad pets, just those who need a good foundation to start off life. A pet is for life, and a pet is family.
That's my baby, Velma, with my little brother, Sandro, by the way :)
Friday, December 5, 2008
A dog's (and dog-lover's) paradise
If you live in the San Francisco bay area, you have to check this place out. I had been hearing a lot about Point Isabel Park and what a great place it is to take your dogs, so I decided to take Velma there on our day off. I expected it to be the typical dog park: moderately-sized, some well-behaved and some out of control dogs running around, poop laying around creating a "watch your every step" situation, but still a pretty cool place to hang out. I was very pleasantly surprised by what we found when we arrived!
First of all, this place is huge! Over 23 acres for your pooch's off-leash pleasure. It's also amazingly clean for a dog park; the owners (in my experience) were all super responsible in keeping the place clean as well as very nice. Mutt Mitts does a great job of providing clean up bags and they are readily available throughout. The energy of the dogs is a very good one (again, simply speaking from my experience). All the dogs were calm, polite, and under their owner's control--that was Velma's favorite part as she is not very tolerant of pushy dogs ;) This place offers everything for your pups to have a great time: plenty of space to run around, bay water to swim in, Mudpuppy's (self-wash, store, and cafe) and beautiful views. I'm not saying it's the prettiest place we've ever been to but it definitely has its charm. 
If you're looking for a place to hang out with your best pal, relax, grab a casual bite to eat and have a simple but pleasant day, I highly recommend Point Isabel. I know my baby and I will definitely be back!
First of all, this place is huge! Over 23 acres for your pooch's off-leash pleasure. It's also amazingly clean for a dog park; the owners (in my experience) were all super responsible in keeping the place clean as well as very nice. Mutt Mitts does a great job of providing clean up bags and they are readily available throughout. The energy of the dogs is a very good one (again, simply speaking from my experience). All the dogs were calm, polite, and under their owner's control--that was Velma's favorite part as she is not very tolerant of pushy dogs ;) This place offers everything for your pups to have a great time: plenty of space to run around, bay water to swim in, Mudpuppy's (self-wash, store, and cafe) and beautiful views. I'm not saying it's the prettiest place we've ever been to but it definitely has its charm. 
If you're looking for a place to hang out with your best pal, relax, grab a casual bite to eat and have a simple but pleasant day, I highly recommend Point Isabel. I know my baby and I will definitely be back!
Friday, March 7, 2008
O the perks...
As you may or may not already know, I am Leo, the owner of the clothing line for dogs, 1+1=ONE. I am also the mommy of my precious baby, the love of my life, my gorgeous angel, little furbaby, our inspiration and top model, Miss Velma Kelly. Since I've had Velma, (since May 18th, 2006) she has not left my side for more than a couple hours at a time and has grown to be one of the most important things to me, both business-wise and personally. She meets clients with me, poses for our website (http://www.designsbyone.etsy.com/) , acts as my live model when we go meet shop owners (and possible consignment partners), cooperates during fit checks, and sports our newest items being released at the time (sometimes she gets them a season ahead!). However, it's not all work and no play for us; there are many perks to having her. I have a travel companion, someone to always make me smile, and a cute face with me at all times that draws TONS of positive attention. When we go to different cities, tourists ask to take pictures of her, when I meet new people, she acts as an ice breaker, and my absolute favorite, she puts BIG smiles on people's faces. I love walking down the street and giving a lonely old lady a reason to smile, I love walking into shops and seeing snobby, sour-faced women change dramatically, and I ADORE having little kids' faces light up and run over exclaiming "Can I pet your puppy?!". Some people ask me, "Why do you spoil her so much? She's just a dog!", but to me, she is so much more than that, and besides she deserves to be spoiled for all her hard work! I've met so many people, conversed with lovely strangers, and had some hilarious experiences all because of her. I once had a little girl come up to us and ask, "What's his name?". I replied, "HER name is Velma", and she asks "Can I pet her?", obviously I said, "Of course!". Then she said, "How old is she?"; my reply, "She's about five years old", her next question: "Does she like to play?", my answer, "Sometimes". Then the little girl stayed quiet, petting and smiling at Velma with an inquisitive (and perfectly adorable) expression on her face. She opens her mouth and exclaims "Is she a boy?". Priceless...
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