My paternal grandparents raised 9 kids in a 3-bedroom (sorta), 2-story row house in Kensington. No dog. I’ll get to that.
My grandmother’s kitchen was a wonder. The refrigerator and a long picnic-style table with a vinyl cloth took up one side of the room, everything else the other. She always had a fresh gigantic pot of iced tea on the stove, into which you dipped a jelly jar (really who needs pitchers and glasses?) and she dished-out Sloppy Joes by the dozens with her eyes practically closed, and with the efficiency that only a grandmother who doesn’t want to be late for her card game, and still needs to pull the pins out of her curls before she leaves possesses.
At the very end of that kitchen, next to the door to the ‘yard’ (a stockpile of I can’t even tell you what), was a wooden chachka hanging on the wall. It was a dog house, with hooks, and 11 dogs, each named after one of my grandparent’s or one of the 9 kids. And I promise you, someone was always in it. Just for fun, I just searched for one to provide a visual, and yup, you too can still own this treasure. OMG. I can’t even. OK. Well, there’s that.
It’s that side of my family genes that blessed me with my sense of humor and appreciation for a nice, strong sarcastic battle of the wits. And for a laid-back, joie de vivre personality 99% of the time. But man oh man, strike us the wrong way, and yikes! Which…well, sometimes lands me in the proverbial doghouse.
Do you ever feel like you’re in the Dog House? Don’t worry, you’re in good company. We all do. I actually consider it my second home at times. And we all find a way out of it eventually. Personally, I like to just pretend it’s a vacation of sorts, to reflect on how I got there, to learn from it, and enjoy it in the moment as a respite from always being on good behavior. Who can always be on good behavior, right? And you know who, other than kids, makes me feel the most love and the most understood when the rest of the world kinda doesn’t get me at all? My dog friends.
There’s Emma the (world’s best behaved, biggest) Chocolate Lab. And Ella, the (tiniest, sweetest, most kissy) Pit. And Bob. Little Bob, who just likes to share a comfy seat. And Tessa, who loved me like I needed love the other day, just cuddled on the floor, taking a rare break from her incessant wish to fetch the tennis ball. And of course, there’s Elzie. I know that she does this for a handful of other people, but when she does it with me, I feel so special; every single time I walk in the door she just attacks me with love. Genuinely, knock-me-to-the-floor, climb-on-top-of-me, lick-my-whole-face doggie love. And honestly, while not everyone would, I just love it so freaking much!
I don’t think I’ve ever met a dog I don’t love, but those are my five dog besties. From them I receive unconditional love, and so today, I’m rounding up some of our (me and my five dog besties) favorite things, other than just the people they love and food. Because sometimes, when you are in the Dog House, well, that’s just what’s on your mind: fitting out the best dog house ever.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
Favorite Dog Toys
Favorite Dog Hydration Stations and Food Bowls
Favorite Dog Beds (other than Mommy’s)
We can all learn a lot from the animals that love us. I’m so thankful for my dog friends. They just get the unconditional love thing. Thank you Elzie! (And Emma, Ella, Bob, and Tessa!) xoxo, A
P.S. For more Home inspiration, follow us on Pinterest and on the ‘grams at @themomedit.home, xo
Can you share info on the rug in your photos? Does it hold up well to animals (of both the dog and human child variety)? Thanks!
https://rstyle.me/n/dajr37b9n77
Yes! I was thinking the same exact thing. Our dog is past the puppy accident phase and our living room area rug needs a refresh!
https://rstyle.me/n/dajr37b9n77
Amy and KT, I just replied to you both with the link to the rug…which…luckily…happens to be on sale! The one Elzie and I are laying and playing on happens to be relatively new, but it’s in a high traffic area, in a mighty social people house, with Elzie and her many dog friends who visit often too, and it seems to be holding up really well. It’s new, but not brand new, it’s had some time to log some traffic and still looks great.
The pile is enough to be comfy, but not so much to worry about, and the weave is strong, without being rough. Friedman Moore just did a renovation of that kitchen and great room and nailed it as always, and they never cut corners. That rug was their select and it’s kinda just perfect. xoxo A
I think the best English version is Tchotchke, which is Yiddish for knickknack.
I love that translation too! And I love that Yiddish often gives us a few choices for English translation! You say Tchotchke, I say shotshke, tshatshke, tchachke, tchotchka, tchatchka, chachke, tsotchke, chotski, chochke, tsatske, tshatshke…and that’s not even all of them! I love words. Just wait…we’ll work them all in. It’ll be my word challenge for 2019: use all the English Translations of צ׳אצ׳קע. People who know me, have often heard these words: “that’s a dust bunny waiting to happen.” They drive me nuts. My kids, LOVE them. And so I’m off to reorganize the shelves full of them so that we can actually clean their rooms. xoxo A