PUPPY'S READING LIST + OUR BORDER COLLIES

 

If you have a dog(s), then you'll totally understand why this stamp set called to me.  I happen to share my home with two Border Collies, and I swear they read books like the pup on the card.  Actually, I think they could write books!  If you don't know anything about Border Collies, let me just tell you that they are highly intelligent . . . intelligent to the point that they literally STUDY you and your habits and learn what actions normally precede other actions.  They don't have to be in the same room with you or within sight of you to know what you are going to do next.  Seriously . . . a simple human sigh tells them a lot. They are always listening for and predicting your next move.  They have a tendency to demand your attention, and your vocabulary quickly becomes their understood vocabulary.  We have to spell certain words so our boys won't know what we're talking about, and that's challenging when the spelling of a word can sound similar to the actual word, such as t-r-e-a-t.  Just go to Pinterest and search "border collie" to get an idea of what these precious fur babies are like.  They may have four legs, a tail, and shed like crazy, but they're much like living (and communicating) with a small human.  Such impressive creatures!  

So yes, this "Puppy's Reading List" stamp set by Newton's Nook Designs grabbed my attention.  Sometime last year, I think.  I had never used the set but came across it while looking for something else and decided that it was time to make a card.

I used alcohol markers to color the pup and his books, but I didn't dare try to make him black and white like my fur boys.  I rarely use a black marker and, truth be told, it scares me to think of making a mess with the darkest of dark colors.  I've never consciously thought of that until now.

My cardstock colors are Stampin' Up!'s Calypso Coral, Old Olive, and Coastal Cabana.

The book title was heat-embossed, which I think turned out to be a really nice touch.  You can see that better in the above photo.

For a little extra interest, I stamped "paws & reflect" on scrap cardstock and punched it with a 1.25" circle punch.  This was adhered to a 1-3/8" punched circle from Old Olive cardstock--after cutting a straight edge from the right side of both punched circles.

What better way to end this post than with a picture of the boys.

Jack (2-1/2 y/o) is on the left.  He's the sweetest little cuddler.  He's also the one you need to watch because he gets into stuff.  You know how some families have that child who's bound to end up in the ER a time or two?  Well, that's our Jack.  He's a smart little guy, and he takes many cues from Ramsour.  Sometimes he likes to take toys and attention from Ram, too.  Both of our boys were bred for agility, and that's easy to tell with Jack.  We often call him Jumpin' Jack for a reason.  It's so funny to watch him catch frisbees.  He jumps prematurely all the time, often hopping across the yard.  Just when you think he's totally missed it, he'll swing around and catch it.  You can throw a ball that will practically land in his mouth, but he's gotta jump to catch it.  There's got to be a jump!  LOL

Ramsour (7-1/2 y/o) is pictured on the right.  He's classic, textbook Border Collie.  Even though he was bred for agility, the herding instinct runs deep within him.  Sometimes I feel that we are remiss by not providing him a pasture of rolling hills and a flock of sheep.  He's a VERY quick learner, eager to "go to work", and an excellent communicator.  He's perfect and so easy in many ways; however, we're the only people that he likes--and he reserves the right to revoke that "like" on occasion.  Ram is sometimes too intelligent for his own good and/or contentment.  You can't mention "meds" or he will literally tiptoe away to a hiding spot.  And he's too clever for you to sneak meds into his food.  He'll eat everything but the medicine.  LOL  My husband has to make a concoction of scrambled eggs, peanut butter, bacon, treats, and regular butter just to get the monthly meds in this guy.  He's probably about got that figured out, so I'm not sure what the next method of delivery will be.  LOL

These two boys are a lot of work, but we love them so much.