Update: Name Change

OK, A name change was in order for Kagura...Katie and her were getting confused..too many Ka sounds. So now meet Tora Kagura Newton. Yeh, moved Kagura to her middle name,  easier for them to differentiate.

 

 Tora works well for her. In Japanese it means Tiger. Since she is Tiger Brindle in color, it seems appropriate. AND she likes it.

 Something else she likes is tug-o-war!

She always wins, then destroys her enemy.

No Bella, you're safe. You're not her enemy ;)

A pooped Tora, tongue and all sticking out her mouth

Katie sitting patiently waiting to get her photo taken too! LOL

Funny how Tora didn't make it on this list....



A Long Over Do Introduction

A NEW Family Member....

C finished his 2nd part of his 2nd Nuclear Stress Test a few weeks ago. (It turned out something minor, whew!). 

 Afterwards we stopped at Stanislaus County Animal Shelter just to look...been stopping off and on at local shelters for the past few weeks. C has been looking for a pal and waiting for that magical connection which he found today. .



 She's a mellow 3 yr old Staffordshire mix and is getting along well with Katie and Bella and so far the cats too. She is a little too interested in Tilly, so Tilly will have to stay in her cage for awhile.



She was all Cody's decision, but I screamed inside when he decided on her! She reminds me so much of Cyndar, who I still miss terribly. Yes, I know it's because she is brindle like Cyndar, but some of her personality is similar too.

Cody named her Kagura.

She and Bella have become pals too.

She weighed in at 44 pounds at our Vet's office.

Just right.



She has fit in well with our watch dog team.

Katie - 12 lbs.

Bella - 22 lbs.

Kagura -44 lbs. 

Bella keeping M company while icing her sprained ankle.



The Great Backyard Bird Count Starts Feb. 14!

"Everyone’s favorite midwinter bird count is happening this February 14–17, and for the second year in a row it’s open to anyone, anywhere in the world. The Great Backyard Bird Count is a free event now in its 17th year, and by participating you're helping give scientists their biggest, broadest single-moment snapshot of bird populations. Last year nearly 138,000 people participated, counting 33.4 million birds and 4,258 species. A newly redesigned website is full of great features like a gorgeous display for your photo submissions, how-to materials, data exploration tools, and tricky bird ID help (our blog has more on what's new). Come count with us."

The Great Backyard Bird Count accepts entries from anywhere in the world—like this Cuban Emerald photographed by Harold Davis.

''Which Species Is This?

Here’s a bird with a familiar shape but an unusual size–it's not much bigger than a sparrow. These softly colored, gray-and-dun birds walk on short legs or burst into flight to reveal bright wings. Their hollow, whistled cooing carries across the dusty open country of the southernmost U.S. They may be unfamiliar to folks in the rest of North America, but take a close look and we're sure you'll find some common ground. Do you know this species? Check your guess and learn more.

Puzzled? Try Our Free Bird ID App. Our Merlin app asks you five simple questions and then suggests the most likely birds based on where you are. Try it with this photo if you like—let’s say you saw it near Orlando, Florida, just this morning. Pull up the app and enter what you see—how does Merlin do? See Merlin in the App Store. (Android version coming soon.) ''

Black-capped Chickadee by Mike Wisnicki via Birdshare.

Let's Go Shopping!

Now Open!

DragonflyTreasure

♥♥♥

New Dial Vitamin Boost Body Wash Review & #Giveaway

We always used Dial Soap when I was growing up.

That was one brand Mom always stuck to.

I can still see and smell that wondrous golden bar in the bathtub....

Did you know that Dial soap has been in business for 65 years?

They've come a LONG way from that one and only bar of Dial soap!

Dial now has 10 bar soaps, 15 body washes and 17 hand washes.

Dial has come a long way to aid us in protecting our skin.



Who doesn't love a long hot shower during the winter months? Well, I do! It feels so good to have the shower drench you in hot water.

Only problem for me (and probably for you too) is that Old Man Winter loves to dry out my skin with his cold weather. A hot shower in our hard water sure doesn't help to soften my skin either..

Enter New Dial Vitamin Boost Body Wash that is lotion infused and contains a moisturizing Vitamin Complex that helps draw vitamins and moisture directly into your skin!

Nutrition for your skin :)

This Lotion Infused formula contains Vitamin B which is a natural humectant that helps to draw in moisture to help keep your skin hydrated. How cool is that? Seems I'm always in a hurry (what is it about us Mom's anyway?), this saves time from having to layer on the lotion.  Which I seem to have a tendency to not do :( 

 New Dial Vitamin Boost Body Wash has a nice thick lather, not puny like some other body washes I've tried.

The fragrance is lovely, relaxing yet gives me the boost to get through the rest of the evening and keep me awake until bedtime ;).

I've received compliments from my family thinking I've put some fragrance on after my shower.

I was really surprised how healthy my skin felt after using New Dial Vitamin Boost Body Wash. So soft and not itchy from being dry, a very BIG plus in my book!

So do you feel lucky?

Would you like to try a bottle for yourself?

I have 2 coupons to giveaway for a free bottle of New Dial Vitamin Boost Body Wash to two lucky winners.

Fill out the entry form below to enter.

There is still time to enter the 20 Team Mule Borax Sweepstakes for $500!

Simply click on the link on the right side of my blog and follow directions.

Check out my other contests/giveaways too!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

"The Dial Brand provided me with a sample of Dial Vitamin Boost Body Wash in exchange for a product review. However, all the opinions expressed here are my own"

Winners!

Congratulations for winning a coupon for a FREE bottle of Purex Mountain Breeze Detergent 

Winners!

Erica Chao

 Amy Orvin

Send me your address so I can get your coupon out to you ASAP!

Baby, It's Cold Outsiade!

While most of the country is experiencing Winter, we are having.....I'm not sure what to call it. It gets into the high 20's to low 30's during the night giving us a heavy frost come morning. In the afternoon the temperature has risen into the high 60's to low 70's! 

Needless to say some of us are feeling the 

cold nights more than others.

Wearing her sweater, Bella can't seem to curl up tight 

enough to get warm. 

She looks like an Armadillo!

Katie doesn't need any outer wear. I guess her fur is thick and just long enough to keep her warm as long as she has a blanket to snuggle into.

And I do mean into!

Bella's sweater wasn't working so well. 

She still would shake during the night.  

We happened to find a doggie Snuggie that fit perfectly.

Warm at last!

You'd think they'd snuggle together to keep each other warm.

But not these two 

Wake up Bella, it's morning!

But there is a ray of sunshine coming through the window!

It feels warm!

Guess she's sleeping in this morning.....

*~*Sweet Dreams Bella *~*