Adopting Lulu: One year ago today

Today marks one year since I adopted Lulu. It feels like I've known her furever and yet it feels like just yesterday that she came home with a scraggly coat, skeletal little body, and a million rotten teeth. Understandably, she was frightened and sad and wasn't sure what kind of family she was being brought into. Luckily, for her (and for us) she fit right in and these days, you'd never guess she once suffered so much. She's a feisty 5lbs of pure delight. She loves chicken and egg more than she loves me and she loves teasing Djinn Djinn (who also loves teasing her).

The best little buddy

The other day I started realizing that something just wasn't right with Djinn Djinn. I took him to the Vet and it turns out he has some sort of infection. We're still in the process of having him thoroughly examined especially hoping that it won't turn out to be kidney stones or anything worse. The day I took him in, it was quite traumatic for him and at one point I even heard him yelp out in pain in the back room where the Vet was working on him. It made me feel horrible. But it would've made me feel even more horrible if I hadn't taken him to get checked out at all. Later that day, after the Vet visit, I came home and felt so scared and worried. I couldn't stop crying because I just wasn't sure (and am still not entirely sure) what is the exact problem. I won't know for sure until he gets his X-ray next week. I feel like everything is going to be okay because he is definitely showing signs of recovery. But I just can't imagine- well, I don't even want to think about it -but I can't imagine life without Djinn Djinn. He is the best little furry friend in the world. I can't even describe in comprehensible words how glad I am that he is in my life (I'm sure most of you with 4 legged pals know exactly what I mean). I know one day he won't be with me anymore (far far far away in the future) but he's still so young (he's only 5) and I am trying so hard to have him lead the healthiest life possible (minus a sneaky little chicken flavored treat here and there). Literally every chance I get I take time to love him even if it's just a quick little belly rub (even when he's been a sneaky little brat). I'll never be able to give enough love to my best little buddy.

November in the Sunlight

I have been wearing this shirt and cardigan combination more than a normal amount already even though both came into my possession not even a month ago. I found the black shirt with swans on it at Target in the CLEARANCE, it was an online order that had been returned. I just knew I couldn't leave without it. It seemed like it was going to fit super long at first but turns out it was just right especially when I tuck it in. I love the loose and comfy feel of it and even if it's not 100% cotton (or even 1% cotton, for that matter- my only regret), it's quickly become a favorite. I will definitely be wearing more shirts from now on- somehow, they make me feel more put together (11 year old me would hate the fact that I'm admitting this).

Djinn Djinn is also embracing the slight change in weather by wearing the sweater I got him last year from Dr. Foster and Smith. It fits his fat little belly just perfectly. If you look closely, you'll notice his leash has tiny little shamrocks on it. I got the leash in Killarney, Ireland. I was determined not to come home without a gift for him but it seemed to be a bit of a challenge to find gift shops that sold pet items. I found this leash literally the day before I had to leave and it was on clearance (clearance and sale items seem to follow me wherever I go but I'm definitely not complaining!) 

I got the blue flats at Penneys in Ireland (a store I had been wanting to visit because I've heard so much about it). It felt like a mix between Forever 21 and H&M. It was a nice store, probably not the best quality. I hope they don't bring one to the U.S. because that would take away the special-ness (that is a word in my vocabulary....), if that makes sense. I bought the flats as an emergency pair for a super, super good price (hello again, clearance) because my walking shoes got lost with my luggage and the Chelsea boots I had were starting to hate my feet.

Details: Cardigan- Forever 21//Shirt- Target//Jeans- Calvin Klein via thrift store//Belt- vintage//Shoes- Penneys (in Ireland)//Dog- Animal Shelter

Djinn Djinn, the model

Took Djinn Djinn on a little walk today to do an impromptu photo shoot because I have plans to enter his head shot in AAA's magazine photo contest. I haven't decided on a photo to enter yet but I've gotta say, the little guy is being a good sport about all this. He must've heard that the winning prize consists of dog treats.

DIY: a dog house for Djinn Djinn

I first saw THIS beautiful little Nantucket colonial-inspired dog house a few months ago floating around the web but had immediate sticker shock when I saw the price. I started brainstorming and with a little help from Pinterest, I became inspired to try to make a similar dog house with my own two hands. My dad also enjoys projects like this so I enlisted his help and in a matter of two days, we had completed the perfect little home for my rat terrier chihuahua Djinn Djinn. Below, is a picture of the dog house I loved so much but not enough to spend over $300 on!

I knew right away I didn't want a house made of wood because Djinn Djinn is an indoor dog and wood is just not really practical for inside (too heavy to move, might damage floors, etc...). I came across an empty cardboard toilet box (who knew a toilet box would be the ideal size for a dog house!?) and set to work creating a "masterpiece". I literally just used materials I had around the house and didn't need to buy a thing. Bonus: using the empty toilet box proved to be ideal because it has little built in handles which makes it super easy to move the dog house around when needed.

What I used:

Cardboard boxes of different sizes

Glue gun

Acrylic paint/Interior wall paint

Shelf liner paper with back adhesive (for the interior wallpaper)

Scraps of white cardboard (for window trimming)

If you're thinking of making a house for your pet, I'd encourage you to be creative and just make whatever shape of house you think your dog might like best (usually dogs like to be able to stand/or stretch out lying down so make sure it's nice and roomy and appropriate for the size of your dog). I originally intended to make one similar to the colonial dog house but it turned out more like one of those pretty little houses by the water in Amsterdam.

I measured everything as well as I could though not perfectly. I get a bit impatient trying to measure- it seems like the ruler always moves! I knew that Djinn Djinn wouldn't mind if a few of his windows were a little off. ;)

I definitely felt more rewarded after I completed this little project. Not only did I save a ton of money, I also got to customize it just the way I thought Djinn Djinn would be most comfortable. It was also super fun to make. I have plans to add a little chimney, as well.

Have you ever made a house for your pet?

Happy Birthday Djinn Djinn

This face. This little guy. This little 4-legged creature. I call him Djinn Djinn ("Jinn Jinn"). He also has many silly nicknames- I often lovingly refer to him as "Feet Ears" because like the name suggests, his ears tend to smell like feet (his feet, by the way, smell like corn chips). He has turned me into a crazy dog lady (I was terrified of dogs when I was younger) and today is his 5th birthday (approximate- we don't know the exact date). It feels like yesterday since I first adopted him but at the same time, I can't even imagine I ever lived life without him.

The photo above was taken the day we adopted him. He was 8 weeks old and slept and slept and slept. Whenever he was awake, he would always find a way to get into trouble. Not much has changed since then...

Djinn Djinn's first bath! He smelled like a little puppy (you know the smell?) straight from the Animal shelter so we decided to bathe him. He only weighed about 2lbs- we were sure he was going to grow up to be a chihuahua (even the Vet thought so)! I had plans to put him into a basket on my bike and ride around with him so he could happily enjoy the fresh air. He had other plans, though. Now, weighing in at 19lbs, it turns out he's a little too big to put into a bike basket. Plus, he's a grumpy old man who doesn't enjoy things that "normal" dogs do (i.e. walks, other dogs, dog kibble without fresh meat in it).

Obviously as a crazy dog lady, this post could easily turn into the length of War & Peace. But, I know, I know...ain't nobody got time for that. So to sum it up, I put together a few of my favorite photos of him in this collage. You can get a good feel for his personality in every one of these photos. 

Basically, I just wanted to tell the world how much I love my little buddy. I hope he has a great 5th birthday...but who am I kidding? EVERY DAY is his birthday...

P.S. STILL trying to figure out the HTML stuff so that I can change the ugly colors of the comment section on this blog. Thanks for being patient with me!

Girl and dog

I love my dog. And he loves me (mainly when I have meat in my hand but that's beside the point). I adopted him as a puppy from the local animal shelter 3 years ago, and my life has improved so much because of him. He is a rat terrier mix and his name is Djinn Djinn (pronounced Jinn Jinn), named after the little dog on I Dream of Jeannie. He is my little companion and although he acts more like a cat than a dog, he is the greatest. 

 

Sweater: Forever 21/Shorts: Kohl's/Tights: Marshalls/Shoes: Gap/Bag: Vintage

Before I got Djinn Djinn, I actually was afraid of dogs...but not anymore. He's helped me to realize how loving, gentle, and fun they can be. Because of him, I've become aware of the alarming number of homeless pets in this country and whenever I can, I try to help or inform others of how big this problem is. If we could all save just one animal, it would make a huge difference. And we don't have to save them by adopting them. We can volunteer our time at animal shelters, donate money, or, here's an option I absolutely love: Forever 21 currently has tops for sale and $1 of the purchase price is given to the ASPCA. You can find the tops here. So not only can you look stylish, but you're helping to make a difference in the life of a creature who has nothing but unconditional love to give. What's better than that? What do you think of dogs? Would you wear one of these tops?