Won't be the Same

Halloween just won't be the same this year without our first little girl dressed in costume.  We still miss our Vivi.  

Halloween 2009

Halloween 2010

:-) :-(

12 Months of Evelina :: In Pictures

You know I couldn't let Evelina's 1st Birthday milestone pass by without a video in pictures, so without further ado, 12 Months of Evelina, in pictures (and yes, I know she isn't a boy, I just fell in love with the song). 

PS: Sorry it is so long. I honestly think I took more photos of her in the past year then have been taken of me in my entire life. I need to get better about using the Flip video camera.

Sad News

Yesterday, we were notified that Violet suffered a spinning episode and overheated on Monday.  After using many methods to cool her down to allow her to relax without success, Violet's foster mother brought her to the vet.  They gave her a shot of Valium, but unfortunately it did not help.  At that time, the incredibly tough decision was made to euthanize her. Our poor, helpless, sweet Violet is gone. 

The heartbreak that Chris and I are feeling is immeasurable.  We thought we were making the best decision for Violet by surrendering her to a reputable Pug rescue organization, that another home would be a better fit for her, and that she would have more fun and be a happier Pug.  We are extremely saddened to know that she spent her last week and a half of life in a strange new environment without the people she was comfortable with and those that she loved in her own way...and especially with people that loved her as much as we did. We had the utmost confidence that Violet's foster family would tend to her needs just as we did, if not better, but we were let down.  We feel a tremendous about of guilt that we caused this to happen, but we know we made the right decision at the time and we need to continue to believe that, despite this worst-case scenario actually occurring.  We aren't naive to the fact that Violet had a neurological condition but her episodes were manageable and it shouldn't have come to this.

Violet's foster mom arranged a private cremation for her.  Despite the sadness we are feeling, we are happy to know that she will be right where she belongs.  Back to her forever home on BHL.  

Violet "Pugsley Magoo" Ciano : March 13, 2009 - April 11, 2011

If there is a doggie heaven, Violet most certainly passed through the pearly gates.  She is there participating in her favorite activities, snoozing in her comfy bed and receiving belly rubs as often as she'd like, with the occasional game of fetch. Now that's a good life.  

Violet, you will never be forgotten.  We love and miss you.  

xo 

E and V || Being Nice

I definitely believe that pets play a part in teaching children how to be caring and gentle.  I'm hoping that Violet taught Lina just a little bit about how she should be kind to fuzzy, cute creatures.  They are just too cute.  :-(

Violet's Foster Home

This coming Saturday, Violet will be joining a foster family in Cumberland, Rhode Island, who we came in contact with via the Pug Rescue League of New England (PRoNE).  They have a wonderful program that allows you to surrender a Pug in a very humane way.  Violet will go into foster care where the family will get to know everything there is to know about her (we've told them everything but they still need to experience it) before she is put up for adoption.  Any applicants who wish to adopt her will be screened by the foster family to ensure they can take care of all of her needs.  If there is ever a time when the adoptive family can no longer care for Violet, she will be returned to the foster family.  If Violet does not get adopted, her foster family will keep her.  

Violet's foster family is a married couple, the wife being a stay at home mom (older kids, not infants), who has 2 other adult male Pugs, Willow and Oliver.  Chris has spoken to Violet's foster mom and she seems like a very nice person and from the sounds of it, she understands what she is getting herself into!!  

While Violet is with her foster family, we will be able to receive updates and pictures if we wish. When she is adopted, we will only be told that a family has adopted her, but we will not know any other details, where the new family lives, if they have other dogs, children, etc.   

All Chris and I hope for is that Violet is placed in a loving home with family and possibly other dogs around, since we know how much she hates to be alone.  We hope that her new forever family cares for her just as well, if not better, then we have, and is very patient with her.  She is such a sweet, well-behaved Pug once you get beyond her quirks.

The Time Has Come

It is with great sadness that we must say goodbye to the sweetest Pug, our first child, Violet.  I still remember the excitement Chris and I felt when we made the decision to get a Pug and all of the planning and preparation that took place days (okay, maybe months) before Violet's arrival.  Never did we imagine that she would be so challenging, and that even with her challenges, we would love her like the true family member that she has become.   

Chris and I have struggled with the idea of sending Violet to a new home for some time.  It wasn't a decision that came easily for either of us, but we had to put our best interests first.  Having a "special needs" Pug really has put a strain on our freedom, and with our newest family addition needing lots of attention, giving equal amounts (or more) attention to Violet was getting increasingly difficult for us.  Not to mention the doggie daycare fees!!  

We feel a huge sense of guilt knowing that we took on the responsibility of caring for a dog and now we have to give her up because we just don't have the time to commit to her. We feel guilty that we are going to uproot her life and that the routine Violet has grown accustom too and needs, is going to completely change.  A new home, new people, new dog friends.  The comfort that we could easily provide to her because we are her favorite people will not be available for her.  But, just like we will need to adapt, she will need to adapt to her new life.  It is just heartbreaking to even think about. 

Even with all of Violet's crazy antics and idiosyncrasies, we are going to miss her terribly.  I can't imagine life without her, seeing her cute face each day, giving her endless belly rubs, cuddling with her, seeing her legs go crazy after she hasn't seen us all day, getting chin kisses...she has such bad aim, watching her run around having fun...even if we would have to hold her for an hour afterward to calm her down.  I will particularly miss the way Evelina lights up each time Violet is around.  It is sad to think that she won't be apart of Evelina's life and they won't grow up together, something we were really looking forward too. 

Violet has been part of our family for a little shy of 2 years and I can't remember life before her.  Adjusting to life as a new family of 3 will take some time, but even though we may get used to it, we will always miss our sweet Violet.  

....snow....

Yowza, what a Winter!!

More snow is forecast to arrive on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week and I'm not really sure where in the heck it will be moved too.  I wouldn't be surprised if our deck collapsed from the weight of it all...not really, but we must keep a look out above as we walk out onto said deck.  We have a constant fear that a lethal icicle will smash down on us each time we bring Violet out to do her biz.  

Here are some images from last week's storm that dropped another foot on Wednesday night.  

It wouldn't be a snowy day without snowflake jammies!!

WTF?!?!

First Snow of 20-11

Another whammy. This nor'easter dumped over a foot and a half of heavy white stuff.  Attempting to work from home with a 7 month old who only likes to take 2 hours (on a good day) maximum of naps a day, is pointless. Plus, who wants to work when they can spend extra quality time with their little one? 

What's going on out there Papa?

Seriously, must you take my picture right now?  Can't you tell, I am freezing!!  Where's my bed?

Violet Cuteness of the Week

Last week Violet came home from daycare with a new Idle Dog hoodie.  Since the temperatures have been on the cooler side over the past few weeks, she has been shaking after going outside. Poor little thing.  This hoodie has definitely kept her a little more toasty.  Another bonus?  Since the majority of her fur is covered, we get less on us when we pick her up. 

Violet Cuteness of the Week

Every evening during dinner time, Violet spies on Chris and I as we dine at the breakfast bar.  She is just waiting for the moment we finish up so that she can be fed her dinner.  She is definitely smarter than we give her credit for, and very well behaved I might add (ha!) ;-)

E and V

Over the past couple of weeks, Evelina has started to show some interest in Violet. She stares are her more frequently, will watch her run around and when Violet is within arms reach, Lina will reach out and grab her...her face, the extra skin under her chin, her legs.  It is very cute.  Violet doesn't make Lina smile or laugh yet but I'm sure once she figures out how crazy Violet is, she won't be able to contain herself.  On this particular day, Violet decided she wanted to bark at Lina, who ignored her for a brief second.  Oh, such a needy pooch. 

1st Halloween

We had a fun Halloween at the Ciano household.  Even though we didn't go trick or treating it was a treat to just see Evelina and Violet in their ladybug costumes.  We attended a Halloween party at Lina's daycare, carved pumpkins, ate too much candy and watched "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown".  Halloween has never been my favorite holiday but I'm certain in the years to come, I will begin to enjoy it more and more through the eyes of our little one(s).  

Violet Cuteness of the Week

This is video of Violet on the treadmill at her daycare.  I love how her little ears flop.  So cute. 

Oh, Happy Day

One year ago today 2 little lines appeared that would change the course of our lives.  This most wonderful year has been full of anticipation, excitement and fear with the arrival of our precious, sweet and beautiful daughter. We can't wait for the next year, and the next, and the next.....

Violet Cuteness of the Week

Could somebody please fetch me my toy??  Pretty please??

Mesmerized

The other day when Lina was enjoying some play gym fun time, Violet became mesmerized by the music and movement of the toys.  I am just waiting for the day that she actually goes for one. I still don't think she understands who this little person is and what she is doing in our house.  One thing she does know?  She LOVES licking the little human's head and sniffing her feet!! 

Violet Cuteness of the Week

Violet hanging out with Violet!!

Violet Cuteness of the Week

Last week Violet was playing with a new puppy friend at daycare and got a corneal scratch.  Our dog is THE BEST customer at the Ashland Animal Hospital that's for certain.  Her eye will be okay but while it healed she had to wear an Elizabethan collar.  She is already cute but adding the collar made her even more pathetically cute.  


Click Here for video Violet attempting to sleep with the collar on.  Make sure you put the volume up to hear her funny snores.  Gotta love Pugs!!

Seriously...

We have the strangest dog!!

Nap Time

Late afternoon nap time at 19 BHL