Small Dogs vs. Big Dogs, The truth as told by Natasha

We take Niko and Mary Jane on a 'special walk' once a month where we go to this dog/horse trail here. Usually I don't pay much attention to the other dogs we run into, but today I noticed literally every other dog there was a "big dog" and for SOME STUPID REASON I felt a little self conscious over our adorable little pups. I think it's mainly because I have talked to SO many people before that make fun of tiny breed pups (shamefully- I used to be one of them.)

When I was a kid we only had big dogs, I mean; not huge. We had a Red Healer named Honey and she was one of my best friends. When Brandon and I were dating and talking about the possibility of Marriage I told him I refused to have little pups. I am a 'big dog' type of gal, and I wouldn't settle for anything less. About a year into our marriage we decided to go to an adoption fair, I remember telling Brandon "We are not going to get a dog today." As soon as we walked up to the dogs I saw the big dogs and neither of us felt like they were 'our dog' when we saw Niko, a tiny Chihuahua half Terrier we knew he was our pup. So there we were, planning on not getting a dog (let alone, a tiny dog) and we were now headed home with one.

After having Niko bug for a good little while I realized tiny dogs are seriously cool. Surprisingly, I love my tiny Niko just as much as I love Honey. Niko definitely needed a friend, and we found this gorgeous German Shepard at another adoption fair and I LOVED her, we had to stop and honestly think about our already forever friend at home. Niko is GREAT with dogs if he's gotten to know them for a good period of time. He's even BETTER with smaller breeds. My heart broke a little when we realized the German Shepard wasn't the right choice for that moment.

A few months later we found Mary Jane, a runt of the litter Pug, and she's amazing I can't imagine NOT having MJ and Niko bug. They are our pups and we could never replace them.

I get it, big breeds have some enduring qualities. They can be great guard dogs, hunting partners, outdoor pups and adventure dogs. However- Small dogs have their positives as well. Now that I have my two small breeds I am a firm believer that a dog is a dog no matter the shape, or size. A dog will love you unconditionally no matter what.


I hear people all the time that say what I used to "I would NEVER own a small dog." Well, I am here to say: Keep an open heart and mind to all/any dog. Because... You never know what fury friend is just waiting for you to give them a chance to love them forever.

Also, I HATE HATE HATE it when people say "I want a real dog, a small dog is not a real dog." Let me ask, Then what is a small dog? Some mutant alien? SMH.
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PS, in no way am I closed off to big dogs either. When we have an actual home we want a big dog, but as for now I am PERFECTLY content with my micro sized doggies.

Artsy Fartsy - Twin Time ♀

Sometimes Natalia and I just need twin time, and usually when twin time happens it involves all sorts of fun stuff. Sometimes we watch Anime, talk all night, listen to music or when I really get the photography itch we'll take artsy photos of one another so I can get practice in. It's always the funniest/funnest things ever because even though our photos are full of serious pouts we are most likely dying of laughter the ENTIRE time. Natalia is basically my muse when it comes to photography, and she never complains about my work... She is my biggest fan. So if I'm ever in need of a model that I know wont be eh hem' "a pain in my rear end" I know to go straight to my Turkey. Here's a few shots we got of one another. ♥ Enjoy! 

What can we say? It's the generation of selfies. LIVE. IT. UP.

NATASHA
(Natalia took my photos, I edited them)

NATALIA
(I took Tals photos, She edited them)

My Edit.

My Edit. 

Pups and Adoption ☃

Why you should always consider adoption before buying a brand new puppy, and why to not feel bad for getting a brand new puppy.

First off, there's MANY reasons to adopt rather than buy. CLICK HERE for the top 5.
A lot of people don't want to adopt a pet because they're worried they will have attitude problems, or wont adjust to their family.
Most the time these animals were paid for as puppys, kittens or babies and are later sent to a shelter for many reasons. I personally believe there is no real excuse to buy a pet just to later discard it.
Now- with that said, there are certain situations I guess that occur where you have no other choice. Fine, just let me ask you to take into consideration before adopting, or buying a pet that you think long and hard about your future and whether or not a pet will be able to follow you into that future.

Brandon and I finally came to the decision that we wanted a furry friend. We decided we wanted to adopt our first pup to save a life.
Yes, a good amount of the animals sent to shelters end up getting euthanized. People don't like to think of the negative outcome when it comes to sending their pup to a shelter. Everyone likes to believe their loved one will get adopted, unfortunately that is not the case.
For more information CLICK HERE
We knew we wanted a dog that seemed lonely, and just waiting to be taken to their new home.
At the PetCo. down the street we heard of an adoption fair going on there. We packed up the car and I remember looking at Brandon and specifically saying "You know we might not get a dog here, so don't get your hopes up." (I think he knew he'd end up with a pup that day ha ha) As soon as we walked up to the caged chihuahuas we saw Niko sitting alone with his head down. As soon as I put my hand on his whispy head to pet him I knew he was the dog for us. We took him on a walk and quickly realized we'd be in for a treat. He was HYPER, and a little crazy. Still, we took him home with us.

Niko- Let's get to know Niko bug now. He has separation anxiety with Brandon He is technically Brandons dog, but I love him so much too. As soon as Brandon walks out the door he sits his bum right in front of that door until B comes home. (Or he'll just sleep) I realized he needed something to keep his anxiety off his mind. That's when we decided to get MaryJane, but right now we are talking about Niko. He is a hyper little guy and know's he has a bark and is not afraid to use it! He loves to play fetch, tug of war and any game that includes socks. He definitely has a sock fetish. He grabs all of our rolled up socks, takes them to a secret hide out and smooths them out on the carpet nice and neat. We like to joke that we'll train him to fold our socks since he loves them so much. He is potty trained and when he receives a treat he knows how to spin, sit and shake.
When it's tub time for Niko he all of a sudden becomes so melancholy, right after being taken out of the tub and dried off is when he's at his most hyper state. It's hilarious to watch! He's a begger BIG TIME anytime there's any type of food in your hands he will put his two front paws on your legs and stretch on them just so you know he's there, he will then proceed to stare with his amazing brown eyes until you can't handle it anymore, and give into his sweet face.

Niko has an old soul. He is only 3, but when I look into his eyes I see a soul 100 years older than that. His soul reminds me of my Grandpa Ernst's. It's so sincere and protective. He is OVER protective when it comes to his MJ, and Brandon. He has a beautiful aura around him and I can see it most when he's fast asleep.

The REAL reason you should consider adoption first is because your new family member is in need of your help, and love more than ever.

I would not have this incredible soul if we had not thought to adopt first.

The first moment we met Niko at PetCo

 With all of that said above. Here's why you should buy a brand new puppy without feeling too bad.
When it came to Niko needing a friend Brandon said this next pup would be mine. I told him the types of dogs I was mainly interested in. We'd look all over the place at adoption fairs, online adoption... I just could not find MY pup. One day Brandon decided to just give in and look on KSL for puppies. We came across MJ's picture. She was the last in her litter and was not selling. One of her sibling scratched her eye. If a dogs eye gets scratched (especially a breed with bulging eyes) you need to take them into a vet ASAP other wise they could get an infection, or worse... Need their eye removed completely. My heart sank and looking at this little puppies face I knew she was my MaryJane that we had been looking for. She had not been taken in for her eye and I just remember hoping and praying that when we got her she would not need eye removal surgery. We got her in and LUCKILY she just had infection. We had to use eye drops 3 times a day for a week. Her poor left eye will forever be scarred and achy due to never being taken in the moment it happened. I know for a fact I saved this little girl pup. I know that if we had not paid for her she would have been sent to a shelter, or worse. That's why I do not feel bad for one bit for buying a brand new puppy.

So why should you not feel bad? Because chances are, had you not gotten your brand new puppy they very well, most likely would have handed up at a shelter sooner or later due to un educated owners who no longer have the time for their *Now adult puppy.

Get to know MaryJane.

MaryJane is my (as colten would say) pugley pug. She is the sweetest little thing. When I very first held her she looked up at me and kissed my face. She is FULL of energy. I think her very favorite activity is pushing poor Niko bugs buttons. She LOVES to play with Niko. So far her potty training has been a breeze. She snores, and snorts and sighs. The cutest thing ever is when she yawns because she makes this little high pitched squeel. It is to DIE FOR! I love everything about my little MJ. I am still trying to decode her soul and aura I think it'll start to show more the older she gets. When she's sleepy she lets me hold her like a little baby and I can't help but feel so overwhelmingly grateful for her in my life.

I used to make fun of people who got really attached to dogs, but I can no longer make fun of them. I guess you never know what it's really like until you have a dog of your very own. I love my pups and I don't care who makes fun of me for it. I know they can never fill the space of a child, but they sure are a good second place winner in my book! 

PS EVERYONE READING THIS SHOULD CHECK OUT NKUT

OREGON - PORTLAND ♥❀

OREGON
I got to spend the last 10 days babysitting my niece and nephew in Oregon, and we had the time of our lives!
Oregon was so much fun. The atmosphere is a lot like Utah, but so different at the same time.  People here truly enjoy the nature around them, and take each day as a new adventure. This post you will see lots of greenery, yoga, children, and just having fun! I will try to share a short description of each group of photos. Enjoy! 

JAPANESE GARDENS
The Japanese gardens were so fantastic! Some day I hope to come back by myself and enjoy the beauty, sit quietly, and meditate. However having children around and feeling their energy is equally enjoyable. Children have a way of looking at things differently than adults. We love to site see and enjoy the surroundings while children like to play in the surroundings having these two with me was so much fun, and reminded me so much of when I was a kid simply enjoying life and being wild! 

Sissy getting excited on the bus

Zen garden, easily my favorite part of the gardens. You truly feel calm here. 

Little bit of namaste 

Second Zen garden WOW

Sissy throwing a fit HA HA HA

NAMASTE 

For some reason  I could not get my lens to focus on the waterfall, ha ha look closely and it was focused on a spider. Cool with me! 

A little bit of Karate too, or... Mind control maybe? ;)

BLANKET FORT AND RELAY RACES
When the kids would get hyper I'd create little relay races and have them race one another. It was sooo much fun, and seemed to make them MORE hyper rather than tucker them out, but that was okay with me their laughter was plenty. 

One of the races was running around the inside of the house and then crawling under our blanket fort.

CHILDREN AT PLAY

While being busy full of new adventures I did get my lazy time. The kids would play with their friends for HOURS and be 100% content. I didn't complain of course. 

neighbor friend on his bigwheel ♥

I caught the kids playing 'city' in the garage (aka house) it was SO CUTE!

YOGA and BEING GOOFY 

While Lukey (Luke) was out playing with friends I taught Sissy (Emery) Some Yoga moves, and she quickly became OBSESSED lol. She even got Lukey hooked once he got home. Every night before bedtime the kids would plead to do Yoga first. So we would. 

While mommies gone you can get away with playing with the sink water.

annndd some more yoga!

Ha ha ha I have NO idea what she's doing, I'm guessing MORE mind control ha!

Teddy bear handstands! - Luke

Emery

SAUVIE ISLAND

Sauvie Island was fun enough, and this was the day Brandon got to join the fun for a couple of days. It was sure great for me and the kids to have him there. I finally braved my 80's full suit which I think was the most terrifying thing I'd done on the trip considering I only see this style of swimsuit on stick thin models, but needles to say I didn't care about any stares! WOOH! 

HEADED TO PORTLAND, AND VOODOO DOUGHNUTS

Portland is gorgeous! I know there are a LOT of pictures, but still not enough in my taste. I wish I would've taken photos of peoples style! It was so much fun, people wear what ever they want, and NO ONE bats an eye. Here in Utah you wear something the slightest bit strange and everyone glares. It was a very GOOD change. Wish Portland was right here in Utah. 

Voodoo doughnuts I guess is a great deal here, and people come from all over to eat these doughnuts, and I had no idea? It was fun standing in line for me it gave us time to connect with the atmosphere and energy of Portland, even if everyone else in line was complaining of the heat, and how long it was. 

Eating at Mai Phai Thai- it was DELICIOUS

The minimalism to most of the buildings was killing me! Automatic inspo! 

Line for Voodoo

At least she seems happy too. 

You can't go there and not get the anatomy shaped doughnut, and bacon strip doughnut!

Keep Portland weird, because it wouldn't be as magical if it wasn't!

Minimalism in Oregon? 
Wish I had my camera at the time, but we passed the most incredible homes that were simplistic, minimal, and gorgeous. Oregon fed my minimalism wants, and I cannot wait to someday use my artistic mind to build our own minimalist home. Thank you Oregon for inspiring! 

TUBBY TIME 

LOL Lukey baptizing Barbie. Tee hee.

The end of a wonderful trip

Oregon was so wonderful, but I was sure grateful to get home to my handsome man. Oh and these outrageously gorgeous storms going on here in Utah. WOWZA!