Max the Bichorkie « Craving Chocolate and Lazy Days

Ever since finding out we were pregnant Adam and I have wanted to take a babymoon. You know, a last chance trip before Felix makes his grand entrance. We talked about a few things but in the end decided to go to Disneyland! (Surprising huh!? he he)

We flew out on Sunday morning bright and early and arrived in California at 8:00 am. We picked up our rental car…a sporty little Dodge Charger…and headed straight to the hotel to drop it off. We went straight to Disneyland! Adam started the day off with Indiana Jones because it only had a 15 minute wait. I didn’t go, for safety reasons. Then we headed over to Pirates of the Caribbean, typically the first one of the trip.

It was so fun to be in the park with my hubby. We went on ride together and I waited for him on the bigger rides that I couldn’t go on. We ate until we were stuffed. We had churros, Mickey Bars, funnel cakes, ice cream, ice cream sandwiches, pretzels…the works!!

That afternoon we met up with Acting Up, SCERA’s youth theater, and attended their awards ceremony. They were in Disneyland for a competition….which is mostly the reason why this babymoon could happen. Adam really wanted to go and support the kids…I just talked him into making a day of it babymoon time

After some more Disney time we went to Acting Up’s fireside in Garden Grove. They did a great job. There were a lot of people there and the message was wonderful!

The next day we hit the park just as it opened and played with the Acting UP chaperones while the kids were in a workshop. After their workshop we played with them. Well mostly Adam did. You know teens, they only want to go on the “big” rides. Since I couldn’t do those I just sat and waited patiently. I know some of you might think “How boring”….not in Disneyland though. People watching is spectacular in Disneyland–plus my feet could use a rest!

We flew home with the kids that night. It was a short trip but it sure was fun to get one more trip in, just hubby and I. Next time we go there we will have a little guy to teach the Disney ways to. OOOO! That will be soooo fun!!!

While we were gone Max went and stayed at my mother-in-laws. Max and Marley love to play together! They play tag and chase each other around all day long when they play together. We picked Max up and brought her home. Check her out after 8 hours of sleep….still pooped!

So sweet! I sure love that little girl!

Crissa February 19, 2012 Life, Max the Bichorkie, Pregnancy No Comments

Lately I have snapped a few pictures of a tired little puppy and they are too cute not to share. Max is such a cute little cuddler that if anyone is sleeping she wants to be right there with them. Love this dog!!

Sleeping on her back

After a play date with Marley

Sleeping in bed with dad

Taking a nap with dad at the cabin

Taking a nap with Jen at the cabin

"I'm trying to catch some z's mom!"

So tired she can sleep sitting up

Crissa October 9, 2011 Max the Bichorkie 1 Comment

Max has been such a terrorist lately. She has been finding anything little thing she can get her paws on and tearing it up. If there is a bag of anything sitting on the ground she is in it and trying to find something to get.

Yesterday Max got into my purse and got a cough drop. She had menthol fresh breath and suddenly her cough was gone

Most of the time what she tears up is nothing…just a mess. Here is a picture from when she got into a shoe box that needed to be thrown away. She got the shoe insert out.

Terrorist right!? Just you wait!

Then other night I woke up to a strange noise. I grab my cell phone for some light and look what I saw!!

Max was CHEWING on the bed and SCRATCHING it. WTH Max! Did you think that there was something in there? You would think it would have given her a splinter in her tongue. Well, all I can say is thank goodness I don’t have one of these upholstered headboards!!

Crissa November 30, 2010 Max the Bichorkie 1 Comment

Here are a few things I forgot to post! These are just some fun things I recently did.

September 29–I went to Park City with Adam and the SCERA gang for their annual retreat. It was fun! Just a day in the sun riding the lift, Alpine Slide, and Alpine Coaster.

October 9–My parents came out for the BYU Homecoming game. It was so much fun to spend time with the whole family!! Plus BYU won..FINALLY!

Look at those delicious Cougar Tails!! 2 feet of maple donut amazingness. Good thing our diets start tomorrow Look at the lady behind us. She is mad she didn’t get one.

October 29/ 30/ 31--Halloween! This year I went as Minnie Mouse! The oh so amazing Camille designed and made my dress. She is freakin’ awesome with a sewing machine!! Thanks Camille!!!

When I showed up at the SCERA for their potluck Halloween lunch, much to my surprise, Adam dressed up. Look at how perfect he looked!!

You know Max couldn’t be left out. She wanted to dress up as a cheerleader. Isn’t she the cutest cheerleader ever!?

Catching up is always fun!

Crissa November 24, 2010 Family, Life, Max the Bichorkie No Comments

Introducing, the Robertson Family’s first Christmas card:

Isn’t it the cutest thing!? I love it…classy yet fun! Look, Max is even smiling!

Cardstore.com is a great site to go to for all your personalized photo cards, invitations, and gift tag needs. Their website is easy to use and helps you create unique items quickly. Pick a product, pick a design, personalize and WA-LAH! Besides being super simple, you don’t have to order in bulk! Just order what you need.

They can make it even easier for you….after you proof them, they can stamp, address, and send them out if you want. Could Christmas cards get any easier!!?? Just think what else you could save time with by using Cardstore.com…send out baby announcements, wedding thank yous, birthday invitations, oh my!

Cardstore.com’s latest and greatest include:

CUSTOM GIFT TAGS:These small business card-sized tags can be customized with a variety of designs, with and without photos. Start at $15 for a set of 25 (can go as low as $7.50 for a set of 25).

THINK PINK CARD COLLECTION:This collection of 70+ cards feature several holiday “pink” card designs that will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Notecards and general friendship cards also available.

EMBELLISHED CARD KITS:Cardstore has partnered with leading stamping manufacturer Hero Arts to create these DIY card kits that combine the time-saving elements of digital photo card creation with the personal, hand-crafted touch of dimensional embellishments and stamping. Dozens of designs are available along with a range of coordinating embellishment packs.

2010 HOLIDAY CARDS: Cardstore.com has hundreds of new holiday photo cards, party invitations, and holiday thank you notes from the stationery industry’s top designers. Cards come in a range of sizes, from folded notecards to glossy postcards, and start as low as $0.79 each.

PHOTO NOTEBOOKS Perfect stocking stuffers for kids and adults alike, these notebooks are personalized with a favorite photo and message. These are the only custom photo notebooks to feature photo options on the back, scratch-resistant cardboard covers and durable stainless steel wire-o binding. Priced from $15 to $18.

Aren’t their products so fun!? The quality is outstanding!! I will definitely be using Cardstore.com for future needs.

Try them out! You will love them too. In fact, here is a discount code to use for your Christmas cards: MERRY15 for 15% off Holiday Cards. Expires 12/31/10.

Cardstore.com also keeps you from screwing up by providing you resources for holiday card etiquette, photo taking tips and stationery design trends.

Cardstore.com loves Craving Chocolate and Lazy Day readers so much that they are giving one lucky winner…

a set of 25 personalized gift tags!!

These little beauties will take your Christmas gifts to the next level. They can even be used as gift enclosures or as party favors tags.

Here is how to win…leave a comment for each eligible entry (example: I am a follower #2):

1 entry–MANDATORY–Leave your first name and initial of last name.

1 entry–Answer: Do you send out Christmas cards with or without a letter updating friends and family members about your families latest news?

2 entries–Follow Craving Chocolate and Lazy Days via Google Friend Connect

2 entries–Go to Cardstore.com and tell me one item you would love to personalize

3 entries–Sign up to receive my newletters

5 entries–Make a purchase from Cardstore.com and tell me what you ordered.

5 entries–Email me with your favorite holiday recipe (crissa17@hotmail.com) I will use these throughout the holiday season to post here on my blog. 2 extra entries if you include a picture!!

That’s 21 possible entries!!

You have until November 29th @ noon MST to enter the giveaway. All giveaways are open to USA only. Winners will be chosen by random.org and will be contacted by email after the giveaways close. The winner will then have 24 hours to claim their giveaway by email. If the winner does not claim their prize within a 24 hour period, a new winner will be chosen. All entries received after the cutoff time will be deleted prior to choosing a winner. If the comment left does not follow all the rules, they will not qualify for the giveaway. Opinions expressed in this post are strictly my own. I was not paid for this post. Thank you Cardstore.com and Family Review Network for providing me with this product to review and giveaway!!

Crissa November 19, 2010 Giveaway, Max the Bichorkie 95 Comments

Max is one pampered pooch. Does that surprise anyone? However, ever since her surgery she hasn’t been able to participate in the full on pampering.

REWIND:
One day I noticed that Max was not putting weight on one of her legs. I decided that rather than freaking out like I did before I would give it a few days and she if she gets any better. After about a week she was still not putting weight on her foot.

I took her in to see the doc. After a few x-rays Max was diagnosed with legg perthes. Legg perthes is a disease where there is not enough circulation to the ball and socket in her hip joint. Due to the lack of circulation the bone begins to disintegrate into the body. The doc said she would need a surgery. The surgery would cut the ball of the bone and scar tissue would form to act as a new ball. Max was put on anti-inflammatories to see if they would help rather than just jumping into a surgery.

During the waiting period I took Max into another vet for a second opinion. After looking at the x-rays she thought it was the same diagnosis, leg perthes. But, to be sure, she sent the x-rays off to an orthopedic surgeon. He looked at them and said it was legg perthes and that she would need surgery. He even said that he thought it could happen to the other leg and somewhere down the road she would need surgery on the other leg. WHAT!! So I held my breath and asked how much it would cost for one leg….$1,000!!! Talk about a punch to the gut.

Two weeks later I took Max back in to the original vet. He x-rayed her again. This time when he looked at the x-rays he said, “Huh! Looks like she actually broke her leg.”

That is when we found out Max would need the same surgery she would if she had legg perthes. BOOO! However, the doc did quote us more than half less than the orthopedic surgeon!! That was the only good news we had…if you consider paying $425 good news.

We love our little baby so we sucked it up and did the surgery.

After her surgery I felt bad putting her back into her little kennel….thank goodness for Pets by CSN.

CSN Stores gave me $55 to spend at any of their 200+ stores! I chose to go shopping at PetsByCSN to find something to spoil Max with.

Look what I picked out:

Max got a new kennel!! See, every morning we put Max in her kennel when we go to work. I didn’t want to put her and her little leg in a tiny little kennel. Look at the difference in sizes between old and new.

It is like moving from a twin to a California king! Max loves it. There is plenty of room for her to lay down, stand up, turn around, and even walk around. Now I don’t feel so bad leaving her home for 8 hours 5 times a week. Isn’t it luxurious?!

The Midwest Pets Life Stages Fold and Carry Double-door Dog Crate comes in different sizes so you can get the best size for your baby. There are two doors…one in the front and one on the side. That makes it a perfect fit for any house. It ranges in price from $32.95-$112.95, depending on the size of kennel you need. Max got a medium (30″ L x 21″ W x 24″ H) It even has a divider so two dogs can be in the same kennel but with separate spaces…or just a smaller space for one puppy.

Besides size, my favorite part about this kennel is it folds flat and has removable handles. This came in really handy when we had a baby sitter for Max while we went to Disneyland. We folded it flat and carried it out to the sitters car for quick and easy transportation.

{All opinions are 100% mine. I was not compensated for this review. Thank you CSN for providing Max was a great new kennel. She loves it!!}

Crissa October 31, 2010 Max the Bichorkie, Reviews No Comments

When I was given the chance to review Teddy’s Pride Oral Care I was excited. Teddy’s Pride is a probiotic designed to improve the oral care of cats and dogs. All you do is sprinkle it on your pet’s food once a day! This will help give them fresher breath and cleaner, whiter teeth. Supposedly (and I say supposedly because I don’t know from firsthand experience) it doesn’t have a taste. There isn’t an odor either! It doesn’t even change the texture of your animal’s food. A little jar of it last 60 days so not only is it simple to use, it is affordable!

Teddy’s Pride is backed by 25 years of research, is completely natural, made in the USA, and uses only the highest quality ingredients.

I sprinkled this on Max’s food she was a little hesitant to eat it. It turned her kibble white…not that she can tell. She is a pretty picky eater though so I left it in her bowl to let her warm up to it. She eventually ate her food…after a day and a half. Picky little girl! There was, however, a bunch of powder left at the bottom of the bowl. She wasn’t licking it out like she was her painkiller so I just rinsed out what was left. Perhaps a full scoop is too much for a little puppy’s 2/3 cup of kibble a day.

Luckily for us, Max doesn’t have too bad of puppy breath. It only is a little stinky after she eats puppy pepperoni. Due to the pickiness of Max I decided to discontinue the use of this product. I am, however, giving it to Max’s cousin (my MIL’s dog) Marley. Marley is a chocolate lab with some pretty rank breath. She is a spoiled dog but not really a pampered dog…so it is about time right!?

Marley is the type of dog that thinks she is a tiny little kitty. She lies on the back of the couch, sits on your lap, and wants to cuddle with you wherever you are lying. When you are watching tv, she will climb up on to the back of the couch and put her head on your shoulder…and breathe right in your face.

I can hardly wait to give this product to Marley. She isn’t a picky eater like Max and needs it much much more.

Oragenics, the makers of Teddy’s Pride, is offering a $5 discount/free shipping with the coupon code: TED10
The coupon can be used on their site, www.TeddysPride.com, at check-out and can be used by U.S. residents only. The offer is good through November 30.

They also have Facebook where they’re running a contest — email them through their Facebook page telling them something cute about your pet to enter to win a year’s supply of Teddy’s Pride. The deadline for entry is Friday, October 29 at midnight (Pacific time) and the winner will be announced on Monday, November 1.

Now….

I am going to hold a short giveaway!! Teddy’s Pride is going to give one of you a 60 day supply of their Oral Care!! This is a $25 value.

Here is how to enter:
1st Entry–MANDATORY–Follow Craving Chocolate and Lazy Days via Google Friend Connect
3 Entries–Sign up to receive my newsletter
5 Entries--Make a purchase from Teddy’s Pride

You have until October 29th @ noon MST to enter the giveaway. All giveaways are open to USA only. Winners will be chosen by random.org and will be contacted by email after the giveaways close. The winner will then have 24 hours to claim their giveaway by email. If the winner does not claim their prize within a 24 hour period, a new winner will be chosen. All entries received after the cutoff time will be deleted prior to choosing a winner. If the comment left does not follow all the rules, they will not qualify for the giveaway. Opinions expressed in this post are strictly my own. I was not paid for this post. Thank you Teddy’s Pride and Family Review Network for providing me with this product to review and giveaway!!

Crissa October 26, 2010 Giveaway, Max the Bichorkie 1 Comment

Today I am at the cabin and finally have a chance to breathe. There is nothing like not having any responsibilities and just enjoying some time off in the fall leaves. So I am catching up on blogging. There is a lot to tell…I feel like I haven’t had the chance to just blog like I used to all summer long.

On July 23rd I joined my family for a day at the lake.

Max even came and wore her bathing suit.

We played on the “beach”, my nieces and nephews play Pretty Pretty Princess with Josh,

we went tubbing,

and I attempted to water ski. That didn’t work. The dead fish scared me and I wasn’t strong enough to get up. I have only got up wake boarding once, at Lake Powell, and have never had luck again. BUMMER!

The next day we went to the 24th of July parade. Max loved it…as seen by barking at EVERY horse walking by. Tell me how embarrassing that was to try to keep her from barking when the parade paused with all the horses in front of us.

That night we all went to the Emerson Drive concert at the SCERA. It was great!

Look how cute my mom was wearing a cowboy hat!

I love when my parents come out to visit! Sure wish they would just move out to Utah.

Next up…Girls Camp! Throughout all my teenage years I never once attended a full year of Girls Camp. Frankly, I was petrified. I had no clue what to expect. Oddly enough…it was so much fun, despite it raining each day.

I love working with the Young Women. They are such great girls!

We spent every night around the camp fire. We sang songs, we laughed, we cooked, we cried…

We even had girl day! We did facials, made a wedding dress from tissue paper, and painted our nails. Hey! Camping isn’t too bad!

The best thing that came out of it is watching the girls become better friends.

July was a great month…it is always nice to think back at all the fun and memories we make.

Crissa September 30, 2010 Family, Max the Bichorkie, Memories, Random Mumblings No Comments

After work yesterday I came home to the loudest yelping I have ever heard from Max. I walked into the kitchen, thinking Max was just overly excited to see me, and saw my little puppy hanging from the exercise pen by her paw! Her little feet couldn’t touch the ground….she was literally hanging by a paw.

I ran over to her to release her paw and quickly scooped her up. She continued to yelp which slowly turned into a whimper. Her paw was just dangling limp from her leg. I called Adam at work and asked if I needed to run her to the vet. After determining that she wouldn’t put any weight on it and would only stand as a tripod dog, I rushed over to the vet.

When I went in they acted a little put out that I had come in 45 minutes before closing time and without an appointment. Luckily the doctor agreed to see Max, under the condition that once 6:00 came I would have to take her to the pet emergency room. DIVA PET DR’s!!

She looked at Max and noticed blood and swelling. However when she put Max on the floor Max started to put a little weight on her foot. The doctor asked if I wanted x-rays (it is a common thing that small dogs break their toes) or just an anti-inflammatory shot. I went with the shot and figured if Max was still limping the next day I would bring her back in.

On the way home look at how sad Max was.

She just cuddled up on my shoulder and put her head next to mine. Poor little girl.

Luckily a few hours of resting, Max was back to normal and running around with a rabid bunny.

Just for future reference, the vet charges WAY MORE for unscheduled appointments. Let your dogs “walk it off.” The cost of overreacting cost $72!!

Crissa June 17, 2010 Max the Bichorkie No Comments

Last week we took Max to get a bath and her hair trimmed. She has had really itchy and flaky skin so I thought I would try taking her to get an oatmeal shampoo before taking drastic steps and having her tested for allergies. I called the groomers and explained that she was itchy and I would like a good shampoo used on her. I also said that she didn’t really need a hair cut but maybe just a booty shave and eye trim. Dogs gets their booties shaved so they can potty and not do this:

Well when my husband took Max to the groomers I called to tell him I wanted bows in her ears. (Adam hates bows in her ears so I knew he wouldn’t ask for them ) I told him about the booty shave and eye trim. A body trim was included in the price so we decided she could get a little trim . I was thinking with scissors….well…they used the clippers and gave her a nice hair cut. Look at our little girl.

P1020777

She looks so skinny and little. So much for the fluffy puppy we were taking in for a little trim. Oh well! She is still cute and the cut will be nice for summer. Notice the little bow! (You can only see one because her other is is flopped back.) Cutie huh!? Yeah well Max had them out 15 minutes after we got home. Boooo!

As soon as we got home guess what Max did!? She ran right to the litter box, put all four feet in, and went pee pee. HOORAY! (If you don’t know what I am talking about, read THIS.)

Then look what she did next…

P1020785

By George! I think she’s got it!

Well…she has the poo poo part 100% at least. She goes to the litter box 95% of the time. She puts all four feet in 20% of the time. I just don’t get why she doesn’t go all the way in no matter business she is doing. DIVA!

Hey! Anything is better than on the rug, couch, bed, floor, pillow…wherever else a dog could think of going. I guess I can’t complain too loudly.

Also last week, we decided to teach her to sleep in her exercise pen rather than in our bed. You see, because we are gone during the day she sleeps a lot. Then when we get home she has too much energy and doesn’t want to settle down. She was walking all over the bed, licking our faces, biting and pulling our hair, and digging at the covers all while we are trying to sleep.

One night at 2 AM I had had enough. I just wanted to sleep. We put her in her exercise pen (the original place we tried to have her sleep until she wouldn’t stop barking and we gave in and let her sleep with us). She barked and cried for hours. We wanted to go in to the kitchen and get her just so she would stop and we could try to get some sleep. We knew though if we did she would think it is okay to bark because she would eventually get her way. So, we sucked it up, forfeited our sleep, and just let her bark. She barked for five hours….and then it was time to “wake up” to go to work.

We tried it again the next night. This time we started with her in her exercise pen. FIVE AND A HALF HOURS later, she finally stopped barking and went to sleep. She woke up a half an hour later, barked some more, and then went to sleep.

Here is the good news! Now we can put her in her exercise pen at night and she won’t bark. She just lays down and goes right to bed. We have even brought her to bed a few times. She comes in and lays right down. GLORIOUS!

We ARE the master’s of the pack…not Max! {insert evil laugh}

Crissa June 10, 2010 Max the Bichorkie, Random Mumblings No Comments