Sleeping Dogs Studio

…I LOVE DOGS!  (Click below to see more…)

Dog and Dolphin

I have continued to try and get photos of the mass of hummingbirds at our feeders to show you that I’m not making it up.  Turns out, however, that now that we’re (just barely!) into September, the hummingbird season is coming to an end.

Our local paper talked recently about how many long-time feeders of the species marked this year as an extra-special one.  Some were putting out two gallons of feed every morning to keep up with the demand.  They estimated that they had 50 hummingbirds at a time at their six feeders…

This is NOT my feeder, but a close facsimile!

 Wow!  That kind of makes my ten at a time sound like the minor leagues!

It appears that for whatever reason – perhaps the dry, hot weather? – there have been more hummingbirds in general this summer…just as there have been more butterflies.

Which for some country dwellers has led to an astronomical amount of sugar used – a couple in a neighboring county have consumed over 150 pounds of sugar this year in their hummingbird nectar preparations.

I'm trying this next year...

 Maybe I should be grateful to have just ten…I’m not sure I could afford more! 

One of the things I like about living where we do is the number of people who are pet-lovers here, and the great ways they have found to have fun with them.

Our local paper highlighted an annual event coming up this week, known as “Drool in the Pool”.  After one of the local pools closes for the year to “humans”, it always opens for at least one evening of play just for the dogs of the town.  And they have FUN!

• biggest splash
• dog/owner look-alike
• pet tricks 
• cutest dog (how on EARTH do they pick that one?!?  Aren’t they all cute?!)

Trophies are then given to the winners of each contest and a grand prize winner will receive a year’s supply of dog food from PMI nutrition and a doggy glamour shot from Puparazzi here in town.

“Dogs must be at least 6 months of age, and their owners much show written proof from a veterinarian that their dog has a current rabies vaccination,” a statement about the upcoming event clarified. “Dogs without written proof, or with only a rabies vaccination tag, will not be allowed into the event.”

And yes, there will be lifeguards on duty.  You can pick them out by their bright red shirts with “Dog Guard” in large letters on the back.

“The fun doesn’t end with Drool in the Pool,” the statement continued. “Friday, Sept. 3, the movie ‘Hotel for Dogs’ will show on the big screen in Bryan Park at 9 p.m., with free admission for everyone, human and canine.”

For those of you who live in Bloomington, Drool in the Pool will take place at Bryan Park Pool on Weds. and Thurs. of this week from 5 – 8 p.m.

Now that our Artfire shop is up and running, I’ve done the same with our Etsy site.  Thus, you can once again shop for Sleeping Dogs Studio items at   http://www.etsy.com/shop/sleepingdogsstudio.  Bear with me as I add more products over the next several days! 

At our customers’ requests, I have included a few coordinated sets of earring holders, frames and boxes – by purchasing these, you can save over buying these items individually.  While the pieces are not identical, they provide a set of items that look great together!

Haiku Coordinated Set

Check out Etsy’s store to see more!

School is back in session, and senior year soccer is underway.  And my son is in his element – he loves this game.

They play again tomorrow night…so my husband and I will be there in our Cougar maroon and gold cheering them on. 

What could be better than seeing someone you love do something they enjoy so much?