Long time, no blog

We've had a busy summer so far and part of the reason for my delinquency in updating the blog is we've been busy with a new dog in our lives. 1 week after Sasha died, I was so lonely without a dog in the house, Mark agreed I could get a "foster dog" as long as it was small and easy.

Lucky for little Lily, I had met her over the weekend at an adoption event and knew she was as small and easy as they come. She's also completely spastic and full of energy and love, which is tiring, but she's got the most character and genuine happiness, she makes us smile throughout the day.

2 weeks after our "fostering" we decided Lily was ours forever and we decided to adopt her. She is odd looking by most people's description, but to me, of course, i think she's adorable.

She's part pug with some chihuahua and jack russell terrier mixed in i think. When I walk her, some people say she looks like a cat. I've also heard she looks like the dog from Men in Black and Mark said she looks like a shrunken head Beetlejuice. None of these very flattering comparisons.

She's about 1 year old and only weighs 7 pounds. No barking, doesn't really care about food and never wants to leave our side. Very un-beagle-like. But 's infinately happy, always wants to lick and cuddle and that fills my beagle void.

After 2 months with Lily in the family, a co-worker of mine came to work and told me about this little puppy Judy who needed a home.

She was part of a litter of pups, given to a family that didn't understand how much energy a puppy has.

So they gave the dog to my coworker hoping he could find it a home. He has a 10 yr old Pomeranian who didn't like the puppy after awhile, so now Judy is with us.

Lily and Judy play about 18 hours a day and miraculously Judy has managed to wear lily out. Hallellueha!

So, we'll foster Judy for a while, get her housetrained, vaccinated, trained on a leash and basically "adoption ready". She's about 4 months old and part King Charles Spaniel and lab or golden retreiver I think. She weighs 7 pounds which is same size as Lily. perfect playmates.

Hawaii
In addition to the dog days of our summer, we had some Hawaii days.

We went to Kauai with 19 members of the Peterson clan in early july for Mark's parent's 45th wedding anniversary and vow renewal ceremony on the beach. All 4 of the Peterson boys came with their families, plus Aunt Judy and 8 grandkids in total.

Many good times had by all. Mark and I managed to be awake for about 1/3 of them. The 18 hour time difference between Hong Kong and Hawaii, plus the 20 hour plane trip to get there, took a toll on our sleeping schedule. Plus the condo we stayed in was sooooo comfy, it made it so easy to just sleep and relax with American TV and my fav Safeway signature sub sandwiches while the rest of the family woke up each morning to watch the sun rise and then hit the beach. Ah well, we have beaches in Hong Kong to enjoy so I don't feel too sad for sleeping through that.

Here's some pics of the fam and activities that we did manage to join in.