'Twas the night before Christmas...

.. Just heading up to bed and caught a glimpse of the Blues laying on the sofa in the living room waiting for Santa Paws...

2016 Blue Picardy Calendar - UPDATE!!

We just wanted to thank everyone for the orders to date.  This is a great calendar and all of our toiling and hair-pulling and expletives has finally paid off!

..but boy, has it been exhausting..

At this point, we need to mention that mailing/shipping delays WILL OCCUR.  As much as we would like to promise delivery BEFORE Christmas, we can make no promises.  Our postal systems will do our best - heck, at least USPS delivers on Saturdays!

Anyways, thank you for your patience - and for those that haven't yet ordered.... we will continue to fill orders into early January 2016.

As this is a limited-run edition, 2016 calendars will no longer be available after January 8, 2016. 

Suede Announces the 2016 Blue Picardy Calendar!!!

...He's not on the cover, but he is still pleased with the result 

We are very, very pleased to finally announce the 2016 Blue Picardy Calendar!!

Perfect for gift-giving, this 8.5" x 11" calendar is spiral-bound and printed in full color.  We kept the traditional calendar format from previous calendar versions, so lots of space for writing those important dates.  Both US and CDN holidays are included.

For 2016, our cover model is "Truman", Suede's brother.  This is Truman's first cover and boy is he a handsome Blue! Once again, we received quite a few submissions from all corners of Canada and the USA.  To everyone that submitted a photo, as always a great big "Thank you".  Without all of you, our little calendar really wouldn't be possible.  So we always try to include as many photos as possible.

Something that has also changed for this year is an increase in postage.  Thanks again to our friends at Canada Post and USPS.  Unfortunately, as our shipping/mailing costs rise, so does the price of the calendars.  We are really trying to keep our prices as low as possible, but the shipping costs are just BRUTAL!!  

Individual calendars are priced at just $15.00 (for Canadian orders) and $20.00 (for US orders). Price includes shipping.  

Ordering is quick, easy and secure using the handy PayPal links below.  For those that would like to continue to pay via cheque, please send an email to zoeandcoullah@gmail.com.  

**Please email us if you would like to order over 5 calendars.  A discounted rate will be applied.

We know we are late this year, but will try our best to get calendars out in time for the holidays!



For all Canadian Orders: Please send me: 1 calendar $15.00 CAD 2 calendars $25.00 CAD 3 calendars $35.00 CAD 4 calendars $45.00 CAD 5 calendars $55.00 CAD

For all US or International Orders: Please send me: 1 calendar $20.00 USD 2 calendars $30.00 USD 3 calendars $45.00 USD 4 calendars $55.00 USD 5 calendars $60.00 USD

 

Where the heck is that calendar???

Very good question!

Due to some 'technical issues', we are very, very late with the 2016 calendar this year. Our sincere apologies.  We have full intentions of cranking the calendar out, but our first priority has to be quality.

We have received some amazing photos this year thanks to everyone so its very important to do justice to them and deliver a great 2016 calendar with all of our beautiful Blues. 

For the 2016 edition, we will be returning to the 8.5" x 11" format, with cerlox binding - so smaller than 2015.  As always, there will be plenty of space for writing in those important dates.

Order information will be posted here by the end of this week.  Thanks to everyone for their patience, we appreciate it big time!

Wow! Long time no post!!!

So much to post!  So behind... where to start??  2015 Picardy Picnic?  June's Adventures?  Dapper at the Dog Show?  How about this.........

2016 Blue Picardy Club Calendars!!!

Yes!!  It's (past) that magical time of year when we begin putting the calendars together.  So... please send us your photos!  As always, please avoid phone shots.  They just plain don't work!   For those of you at the 2015 Picnic... we may have a shot to send your way... just let me know.  However, your own photos are always best - you know your Blues way better than we do! 

So get those cameras working!!

Please send your favourite photos to: zoeandcoullah@gmail.com

Coullah and Dax are waiting for your photos!!

June: The Blue Nomad

As Coullah spends her days in and around home in Hamilton, her sister June has become quite the traveller.  From North Carolina to New Mexico and beyond, June and her humans have been experiencing some of the most gorgeous countryside that the US has to offer.  Over the next few posts, I'll be featuring just a few of June's adventures.  A big thanks to Erika for sharing... xo

In the meantime, I couldn't resist sharing this video.  Here is June running through a field of Blue Bonnets in Austin, TX.  A Blue in blue bonnets.....

 

The 'Right' Coast

In July we travelled out to Nova Scotia for 7 amazing days in July.  Kypros and I both fell in love with the Province and plan on returning for an extended stay.  From Lunenburg to Brier Island... to the place we called home, Broad Cove.  It was a wonderful week. 

Although we didn't take Zoë and Coullah, we were still in the company of two fine Blues:  3 month old Schooner and 14 year old Quinn.  Here are just a couple photos of the boys:

Very Handsome!

 Broad Cove Ocean Stroll

 

Schooner

On a personal note:  Again, thank you so much for your travel tips, hospitality, ... and above everything else, your friendship.  We truly enjoyed our time in the Cove and are looking forward to spending a lot more time on the Southshore!   

To everyone else:  If you find yourself on the Lighthouse Route, please do visit  Best Coast Coffee Gallery,  located in beautiful downtown Broad Cove, Nova Scotia.  You will not be disappointed! 

 

Did we hear what we think we heard??

 

 

 

 

It's time for the BRIGHTHOPE PICARDY PICNIC!!
Date:  SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 5TH
Time:  11am until all the Blues are tired. 
LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED by our gracious hosts, Vicki and Dave Duncan 

Check back here for any updates. If planning on attending, please contact Brighthope or let Zoë and Coullah (and Dax) know.

Happy Canada Day!!

Coullah wants to send out Birthday wishes....



Happy 5th Birthday, June!!!!



It's a VERY special day!!



Every dog has her day and today is yours!!
Happy 5th Birthday, Coullah!!  xoxo

 

Happy Father's Day

"If you don't own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life" (Roger Caras).

Bird TV

Q:  What keeps Zoë and Coullah entertained these days?



A:  Robins!!



 Although Zoë enjoys 'bird watching', its really Coullah that finds it most enthralling...

I spot some hatchlings!

Just having a rest in the shade...

 

Worth a new post for sure!!

Happy 6th Birthday, Zoë!!

Brighthope Nola's New Life: Zoë





I know there havn't been too many posts as of late, but I would be THE worst doggie momma EVER if I didn't get this VIP post out. 

Six years ago we were blessed with Puppy #2 aka "The Puppy with the Black Eye" aka "The Last Puppy".  All those early sleepless nights that come with new puppyhood (Thinking of you Wendy and Tony!!).... but, at then end of the day (or night as the case might be!) its well worth it.  Zoë has matured into a wonderful, beautiful, gentle dog.  She is well loved and well liked by people and other dogs alike.  We have had her in our life since she was around 10 weeks old and can't imagine life without her.  We love you dear girl!!  Happy Birthday!!

What a pretty girl!!!!

Look at those beautiful eyes!!

There's never enough snow for Zoë

With more on the way today, Zoë couldn't be happier.  She runs out and plops herself down in a drift and sticks her entire face in for the full snow experience.

The other night, we had a hard time keeping her inside.  All she wanted to do is relax on the deck as the snow came down.  She was most definitely in her element.  When you add her favourite chewie... wow!  ... it must have seemed like heaven..



"You want me to come in??"

"There's nothing like a frosty chewie"

Our beautiful snow dog

 

Zoë.....

....tell us how you really feel..

What did Zoë think about Coullah's movie debut??

..looks like it won a Razzie!!

 

Coming to a theatre near you!!!

Coullah stars in the latest thriller:
Attack of the Abominable Snow Blue!!!

Zoë....so photogenic!!

Here she is relaxing with a little piece of Canada..

 

Coullah's snowy adventure.. what's with that tongue?

For some reason, Coullah likes exploring the snow with her tongue.  It seems out of character for her, as she's usually such a serious little dog.  But... there is something about a snowy day that brings out the clown in her.  Here's a just a few shots from yesterday:



Look at all that snow!

Let's grab a flake or two...

Not bad...

Wait!  What's that????

Wood!!  Best move it before Zoë finds it!!



That tasted terrible!!!

That's it!  I'm comin' in!!  Sofa time!!

 

Snow day for Zoë

We haven't had a very snowy winter and that has been a huge disappointment to Zoë and .. but only mildly annoying for Coullah.

Finally, yesterday we got dumped on - not as much as our East coast friends, but we did get lots of the fluffy stuff.   Zoë was in and out of the house all day yesterday.  She just loves sitting in piles of snow, eating it, sleeping in it...playing in it... she can't get enough.  I think she must be part Husky.  Here are some pictures from yesterday:

Bird???

 

 

Just relaxing

 

 



Classic Zoë

Tomorrow's post:  Coullah's snow romp

Goodbye to Storm

I don't know how many of Zoë and Coullah's friends read my 'Check these out' blogs.  If you do, you'll find an absolutely wonderful Blog, "The Dogs View" by Storm.  It was something that I stumbled upon a couple of years ago and I've been following it ever since. 

Storm passed on January 16, 2015 at the ripe old age of 14.  My heart goes out to Lesli, his loyal human companion and best friend a dog could have.

Please, if you have the time, have a read.  It really is quite symbolic of the love we have for our dear dogs.



"The answer to the mystery of existence is the love you shared sometimes so imperfectly, and when the loss wakes you to the deeper beauty of it, to the sanctity of it, you can't get off your knees not by the weight of the loss but by gratitude for what preceded the loss"
from Bliss to you: Trixie's Guide to a Happy Life, by Trixie Koontz as told to Dean Koontz.