on AN UPDATE FROM HENRY & LAYLA

Hello internets, Henry Elliot here. Thought I'd give you a little catch up since it's been awhile since I posted and--
AND LAYLA JUNE. Layla June here. Layla. Layyyyyla. Did you see my dress? Go see dress. GO! Layla dress. Ruffles. Rufffffles. Ruff-ruff-ruffles.
Yes, ahem, Layla is here, too.
LAYLA. Layyylaa.
Yes, we all know your name, thank you. Now. Moving on. For the past few weeks, something very exciting has happened in our world, as we--
Is it my poop? Layla make poop!
No, Layla, it's not your poop. Seriously? I'm trying to make a blog post here. Anyway, the exciting news is that we have been back with our mommy full time.
MOMMY!
Yes, she's your mommy, too, though lord knows why that is..
WHAT you say? You say hurtful thing to Layla? I poop on you.
Moving right along, we have indeed been back with our mommy and it's been very exciting. Lots of time in the park and visiting the touristy places, taking in the sights, and so on. We've slept in the big bed each night, and mommy doesn't mind that we leave her approxamately two inches of space along the edge of the bed. She likes snuggling with us, so we try to sleep as close as possible.
Layla sleep on her head.
Yes, Layla likes to sleep on her head, while I enjoy just a bit more space. Perhaps a paw placed gently on her face. I'm considerate like that. Aside from the big bed, we enjoy the big park, and we do not enjoy the big trucks. Did you hear that, city? No more big trucks.
Henry scaredy-cat.
What was that?
No, nothing, go on.
Anyway, yes, it's been lovely. Things have been going smoothly, you know, except for the big trucks and when Layla throws up in the bed, and eats things on the street she shouldn't be eating--
CHICKEN. LAYLA LOVE CHICKEN.
Sigh. No but really, does anyone want a little Chihuahua mix? She's tiny, you wouldn't notice--
YOU try to sell Layla?! You try to rid life of a Layla?! Brother. You pay for this. You sleep with one eye open. You never see it coming! Layla NINJA! You insult Chihuahua, you must pay.
Okay, internet, well it looks like we're just about done here. Please do feel free to send treats to me. Er, us. To us. Have a nice day and--
TREATS! I hear TREATS!
Henry Elliot, over and out.

on THREE YEARS WITH HENRY ELLIOT

On July 27, 2010, Henry Elliot Raleigh Alexander Anderson made his way into my life and picked me to be his mommy. This past Saturday, we celebrated three years together with a little outing to PetSmart. His sissy came, too, and he graciously allowed her to share in his day (as he was raised very well by his momma and is a polite and loving little bear). Check his face below, I just die.

Henry and Layla each picked out a toy. Hedgehogs for everyone! A tug-o-war style guy for Hens-El and a little pink one for La. Both mega-squeakers and good to toss.

Above: Henry: "Mom, this is the best day ever!" Layla: "I judge you."

Sleepiest bear in the world.

I don't know if you guys have caught on yet, but I love this tiny man with my entire heart. I still remember sitting with him on my dining room floor on that first day, how scared and small he was, and his foster mom asked if I was interested in keeping him or not. I immediately felt horrified that she even asked - this was my dog, my Henry. I just knew it. There's a bumper sticked commonly spotted on many a suburban vehicle, that reads: Who Rescued Who? (do note: I totally want one of these) and it couldn't be more true about my Hen. He saved me, he taught me what unconditional love looks like, what it feels like, and what matters.

Hen has taught me, you know, an exceptional amount of things. But this year, with the addition of Layla June, he's taken it up to a whole new level. Here's a few of the lessons baby bear has given me recently:

1. The people who love us are always there waiting for us. We can't be separated (truly separated) from those that share our hearts. Therefore distance ain't nothin but a different time zone.
2. We don't know what's coming next, but we can choose how we handle it. When I came home with La, Hen basically tried to eat her. He pouted and was hurt, but then.. he changed his mind. Decided to be friends. This past week, they attempted playing together (I cried). If my baby dog can choose the higher road, then I can, too.
3. Show your affection. Hen has taken to resting his head on my hand as he falls asleep. This gentle action makes my heart fill up and burst with love.
4. Treats are important. Have them often.
5. Fresh air is nearly always the answer. Leaping and playing in grass will also aid you in any decision making.
6. You have to play. You just have to. Daily. Often. Silliness and play time are clutch.
7. Get vocal about the people you love. This boy basically screams at the top of his lungs every time I come through the door. I could be gone 5 minutes or 5 days, and it's a freaking party up in here.
8. Sharing is cool, but sometimes you need to whine or gripe about someone trying to take your toys. Let it out, and then try to practice sharing again.
9. Naps. Naps, my friend. Very important. Fluff your blankets and pillows around a bit, too.
10. Words aren't as needed as we think. Henry tells me exactly what's up with his eyes, body, and actions.
11. Rejoice. Dance. Leap. Wave your front paws (arms) around wildly. Smile as wide and as big as you can. Show joy with your entire body. Wiggle. Shake your tail. Kiss the people you love. Roll around on your back. Stretch. Wear your love all over your body.

This is the story of how we came to be & this is what I wrote on our one-year of togetherness.
(Important to note that those years were really rough, and I was not in a great place. You'll catch on as you read some of the snark and hurt laced between those words.)

He is still, by far, the number one best decision I've ever made. He is my best friend, and I'm so proud to see him interacting with other doggies and people, and to see how much he's grown. The best lesson of all that he taught me, is that we all truly just need love and to know we are wanted, and trust that we belong. Those things heal us and shape us into our bravest, best selves.
Oh little bear, I love you so.

ON Dollars For Doggies LAST DAY TO ENTER!

UPDATE: I am now officially OVER my $1,000 goal!!! Which only proves to me that you all are insane, and insanely generous. My heart is so full, and you've made my birthday amazing.

If you donated already and haven't entered the giveaway, please do so! You've got through the end of today, May 20th. If you don't know how to use rafflecopter, email me or comment and I'll help!

Donations are able to be accepted through midnight tonight and a winner will be announced tomorrow! THANK YOU!! xo

Last year, for my birthday, I asked friends & family to donate to an animal rescue instead of buying me any presents. The result? $600 and my best birthday yet. This year, I'm sweetening the deal with an amazing GIVEAWAY and by reaching out to the incredibly supportive blog community to see if we can beat last year's total for two amazing dog rescues. Without further ado, I present to you...

With these kindhearted bloggers...

Ten Feet Off Beale / Katilda / Head Over Heels 

Let Me See You Sparkle / Of Corgis & Cocktails / Bubby & Bean

Heather Hearts / Walking In Memphis In High Heels

And these generous businesses...

Ziva Mind / Viesso

All to benefit two incredible rescues:

Second Chance Rescue NYC / Dogs Without Borders

Here's what you'll be entered to WIN:

a dog print from Bubby & Bean // gorgeous teal triangle earrings from Katilda

beautiful lavender earrings from Walkin' In Memphis In High Heels // custom hoop art from Ten Feet Off Beale

$25 Sephora gift card from Heather Hearts // $25 Starbucks gift card from KerryingOn (that's me!)

custom blog header and social media icons designed by Of Corgis & Cocktails

$25 Etsy shop credit from Let Me See You Sparkle

$20 Etsy shop credit from Head Over Heels

the stunning Muuto Flow Jug, generously donated by Viesso

and.. a FULL Scholarship to ZivaMind, generously offered by Ziva Meditation!

To Enter, please make sure you complete your donation here.

The minimum donation requirement is $1 but if you can give more,

the dogs and rescue folks would surely appreciate it :)

The giveaway will run through the end of the day (11:59 pm EST) of May 20th, 2013.

THANK YOU so much to the generous bloggers and companies for their support,

and Thank YOU for donating & Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ON Mornings With Lady & Afternoons With Henry

Lady is soft and gentle, like the morning. She rises slowly, the way the sun pours into the world, eases into the day, takes her time coming into focus. She can linger in bed for hours, wants to be held, and snuggle, moves delicately, walks with a dainty attitude, and is so very much a girl.

Henry is a burst of energy, like an inviting afternoon. He is tugging, moving toward something, running, playing, chasing down whatever catches his eye. He finds every possible patch of mud and jumps in it. He wants to explore, have his own space, while checking that I'm nearby, testing limits, and is so very much a boy.

My furry babies still can't be in the same room yet. Well, they can, but it's tough times. But I have faith that it will happen soon. A mother always knows. Until then, it's time with each of them, and loving them for their own unique ways. My morning girl, and my afternoon boy, and my heart bursting with love.

ON Those Funny Furry Friends

sometimes HennyBear & I facetime. my face in the upper left pic says it all.

& sometimes LaLa 'helps' me with work. by sleeping on me while I write.

oh those little lovebugs! I adore them both so much.

ON walks with Lady

On walks with Lady, we take in the California sunshine & warmth on our faces.

We say hello to the ducks in the lake and farewell to the sun as it slowly goes to bed.

We laugh at the palm trees, because aren't palm trees so silly? We examine each flower.

We see the runners running and think 'that looks nice, maybe we should go.. nahhh'.

We find ourselves smiling a lot, for no reason except, of course, the reason is everything.

On walks with Lady, we take our time and slow down and take it all in.

p.s. a friendly reminder that Lady is my foster dog & is up for adoption through Dogs Without Borders :)

ON woah, woah, woah, she's a LADY!

 

This is Lady.

She's my foster pup.

Lady is around 2 or 3 and hasn't had the easiest life thus far.

But now she's with me and I'll be dammed if her life is anything but comfortable from here on out.

To begin with: soft blankets! All day, every day. The girl loves to snuggle.

I've never seen a dog fully burrow into a blanket! She also sleeps under the blanket in bed.

She is feisty, funny, excellent on her leash, and an incredibly calm, easygoing dog.

The more of her personality that she lets out, the more I love her.

Lady needs a home in the Los Angeles area.

If you or anyone you know could provide her the loving, amazing, permanent family

that she needs, reach out to me or Dogs Without Borders.

p.s. fostering a dog is an amazing experience.

fostering a rescue dog in your home means that another one can be safely pulled from a local kill shelter and placed into a no-kill rescue group. it is selfless and takes responsibility and the ability to kiss them goodbye when they find their fur-ever family, but it is unbelievably rewarding, and a great way to try having a pup. and.. it's FREE. 

find out how you can foster a dog from your local rescue groups! or email me :)

ON a sunday in california

oh hello, internet.

it's been a minute.

i haven't posted a new blog in a week. a week!

can you imagine the horror? you all must have been desperate for updates.

wondering to yourself 'WHAT is that kerry person up to?'

i'm here to tell you the wait is over. i have returned!

oh man, i crack myself up. now let's get to it, shall we?

this past sunday, after church, we wandered around beverly hills. that sentence alone blows my mind.

the sun was all sorts of out and shiny. actually, i had no idea how these pictures would turn out.

mainly because i could not see. in other obvious news: my hair is long. seriously long.

i'll bet now you recall why you are a reader of such a wonderful blog.

truth be told, i was stressing out pretty hard, despite what that bright smile shows.

i was all up in my head about some decisions that have been weighing on me.

but then, something kicked in later on that day and i remembered this truth: there's no point in worrying.

there just isn't. we can plan and plot and make pro/con lists (just me? you do this too, right?)

but in the end, whatever is will be. whatever our gut told us at first is what we'll end up doing.

we are always where we are meant to be, doing what we are meant to be doing.

plus, later during the day i went to play with puppies at an adoption event.

and as we all know, pups are the best for reminding us about what really matters.

sunday's are the best, aren't they?

nice to be back, friends. xo