(From Laura) It’s time for PAWSH’s biggest giveaway ever! This one is a little more tricky, but I hope fun as well! You see although this is a blog about pets, it is also a blog about inspiration and making the small moments of life special. Our animal counterparts live in the present and by doing so automatically celebrate every moment of every day. They find happiness in just being near the ones they love and pleasure in the simple things, from paper bags to garden sprinklers.
I find inspiration in many things: art, design, architecture, literature, the look a parent gives their child, the smile a person gives their pet, just staring out of the window or going for a long bike ride. Over the years I have learned how to make myself slow down, take a breath and embrace the moment no matter what is happening. True, being perpetually busy is programmed into my genetic code, but I’ve realized that whenever things seem to start spiraling too quickly all I need to do is take a little break and delve into the things that inspire me and keep me anchored in the present.
Thus I am a huge advocate of the ‘lazy day.’ We all need one day, morning or afternoon a week to simply relax and reflect. A bit of ‘me time’. Some consecutive moments to take note of how lucky we are and connect with the things that inspire us most, whether it’s a person, place or thing.
That’s why our giveaway is this stylish Le Dauphin pet bed, valued at $500, from our wonderful friends at Une Vie de Chateau. It is my hope that seeing your dog or cat curled up in this exquisitely crafted piece of furniture will inspire you to also slow down and take stock of the many simple joys in life…like a good nap.
So to enter for this fabulous giveaway, the PAWSH team and I are asking three questions:
1) What is your idea of the perfect lazy day?
(My answer: Sitting under a large leafy tree with loved ones and a stack of magazines/books, a notebook and pen, drinking tea and eating chocolate, while watching Rory run around like a maniac.)
2) Where do you find your creative inspirations from?
(My answer: In so many things. Literature, design, my grandmother, the sound of laughter, long meandering bike rides, music, animals, photography, art…the list really goes on and on…)
3) Where is the funniest/most unusual place you have found your pet napping?
(My answer: I once came home to find Rory sleeping under the blankets in bed, like a person! When I flicked on the lights to wake her up she looked at me as though to say, “What? This is what you do?”)
Simply answer below by commenting on this post or leave us a message on our Facebook Page. The three responses that inspire us the most will then be announced and you, our lovely readers, will vote to decide the winner of this magnificent pet bed.
You have until May 30th 2011 to submit your answers! Hope you have fun with it and discover or rediscover your personal inspirations.
1)My Favorite lazy day is sitting on the patio with a magazine while Coco hangs out on her raised outdoor bed waiting for the squirrels to make an appearance.
2)I make dog treats so I find myself walking aroud Whole Foods and grourmet food stores for new dog treat ideas.
3) Coco enjoys cramming herself into the laundry basket and burring herself under the clothes. The first time she did it caused major panic when I could not find her. The new rule…. Check the laundry room first.
1) What is your idea of the perfect lazy day? Drinking coffee in the morning, on my back porch, with my sleepy puppy watching the birds.
2) Where do you find your creative inspirations from? My friends and family! They are all so creative!
3) Where is the funniest/most unusual place you have found your pet napping? On the arm of the sofa. Not on the sofa itself, but on the arm!
abigail.lee {at} gmail.com
1) What is your idea of the perfect lazy day?
I would have a deck that I could go sit on and enjoy watching my dogs in the yard and the birds at the feeder.
2) Where do you find your creative inspirations from?
Nature. I love looking at photos of different places in the world that haven’t been messed with by man.
3) Where is the funniest/most unusual place you have found your pet napping?
My dog, Ricochet, sleeps on the chair behind me when I am on the computer.
affurmation dot blog at gmail dot com
1) What is your idea of the perfect lazy day?
Laying in the pasture of my parent’s horse farm watching my favorite ponies graze – with my sidekick Ammo the Dachshund napping right there next to me. Talk about peaceful!
2) Where do you find your creative inspirations from?
I pull inspiration from any and everything. Reading Blogs, taking pictures, my dachshund’s cute little antics.
3) Where is the funniest/most unusual place you have found your pet napping?
My dachshund, ammo, will occasionally nap in the bath tub. Most of the time it’s a cue that a bubble bath would just be the perfect ending to his day. And yes, he thoroughly enjoys getting all sudsy!
1. My perfect lazy day usually starts around 9 or 10, after a nice long sleep. We have a stupidly comfy chaise lounge in the living room, so I would make a nice little breakfast of runny fried duck eggs over, preferably, ciabatta bread, eaten while watching a good show (Dr Who!!!!). Then maybe a relaxing walk with the dog, around downtown and maybe by the lake and to see the neighbors goat… Later we might have some friends over for drinks and, well, that’s about it!
2. I get a lot of it from other blogs, also from Etsy and just keeping my eyes open while out and about. You never know what you’re going to see :]
3. I fell asleep on my couch once (sitting up with my head on the back), waiting for my mom to come over fairly early on a Saturday. I woke up to find one of my cats in my lap and the other one sprawled across my shoulders. What bozos!
1. In my overstuffed chair with all my dogs around me just chillin.
2. I get my inspirations from bloggers, magazines, and junk shops.
3. One time I found one of my dogs in the back of my truck, which had a cap and a mattress for camping,on the mattress. He loved it back there.
1) What is your idea of the perfect lazy day?
At home on a cold, rainy day by the fireplace with a good book!
2) Where do you find your creative inspirations from?
Nature and my pets
(3) Where is the funniest/most unusual place you have found your pet napping?
In one of my small garden tool totes (thank goodness it was empty lol)
My idea of the perfect day starts with an elaborate and decadent breakfast – something involved like pecan french toast with caramelized bananas and fresh rootbeer syrup. After a relaxed breakfast, I love to meander our way to the dog park, stopping to shop and chat along the way. An indulgent, high calorie, high priced coffee in hand, I love to watch my dogs romp at the park, chasing and jumping and playing. After the park, we snuggle on the couch, reading our favourite blog, watching food tv and maybe dozing off into a mid afternoon nap. Well rested and relaxed, I’d while away the even hosting a BBQ for friends and relaxing under the starts as we celebrate that we can live the good life.
I’m inspired by the most ordinary things – the unexpected smile of a stranger, the way the sunlight hits a flower or the song of a bird. More than anything, I am inspired by people and the little everyday things they do to make the world brighter. Watching a child or a pup and the unabashed joy they approach life with inspires me to appreciate the simple joys in my life more.
My funny boys love to sleep in the oddest spots. It’s not uncommon to find Felix cuddled up in his toy box, snuggled amongst his stuffies. You’d almost miss him, if you didn’t know where to look. When my Koly wants a nap and his Mama, he snugles up behind me, on the back of the couch. He little body snuggled around my shoulds, his little head cuddle up to my neck, nuzzling me with his soft little snout. *pure joy*
1) My idea of a perfect day is riding our Harley in the Hogs for Dogs fundraiser that benefits a local no-kill humane society. We go with friends every year and its always a good time with laughter, and fun.
2)My inspiration comes from nature, which includes all the plants and creatures that live in it. I’m also inspired by people who overcome incredible odds to achieve their goals.
My dogs sleep in their beds, but Milele also loves to sleep in the shower where it is cool in the summer. I took of picture of her because it looks so funny.
1. On a rainy day, in my cozy bedroom, in my King size bed with Bravo on tv, my husband laying next to me surrounded by lots of toys and our four dogs.
2. All of my inspiration comes from the area in which I live (the Blue Ridge Mountains) and my farm and all the animals and creatures of Bluebird Farm.
3. My pughuahua Tallulah sleeps where ever my bathrob ends up so the funnest place was in the laundry basket.
Christina Lee – Salem Va
http://www.theworldaccordingtolexi.com
1) What is your idea of the perfect lazy day?
My idea of the perfect lazy day is sleeping in while cuddling up with my sweet puppy Claire. Then we would go to the park for a picnic with some friends and their dogs. We would end the afternoon with some fun down at the river – Claire loves to swim, splash around with other dogs, and fetch tennis balls. We would come home and I would order some pizza and watch a movie – Claire likes Marley&Me (she barks back at him when he barks) so we watch it even though it makes me cry!
2) My creative inspirations come from God, from Claire, from nature: the beach, the ocean, the sky, the stars. Photography, good books, movies. My family.
3) I once came home to find that Claire had managed to open the refrigerator and eat all of the leftovers inside. I found her with food all around her, passed out on the floor – half in the refrigerator and half out! It still makes me laugh :)
1. The perfect lazy day for me would be a beach with little tiny seashells. I love to look for the tiniest ones I can find. It’s amazing how small some of them are. I would take a stack of magazines, a giant jug o water and some succulent exotic fruit and nice cheese.
2. I find inspiration in nature, the perfect symmetry of a seashell, the soothing ripples of a pond interrupted, a leaf fluttering about in the wind.
3. The pets pretty much sleep where ever they want. The cat likes to sleep in our double tub, on the neck pillow that came unattached from the side. It’s quiet and cool and the dog can’t find him. A nice fuzzy pillow doesn’t hurt.
1. I’m always busy and experienced two perfect lazy days last week. Preparing for a festival on Saturday I had taken off Thursday and Friday from my full-time job. Each morning started with a cup of coffee on the back deck with Kirby and our foster dog, Gracie. Throughout the day I played on the computer, prepared and baked treats, and played with the dogs. It was just the three of us plus my two cats who would make an appearance now and then. I left the back door open so we could venture outside throughout the day to enjoy the beautiful weather. I never felt rushed and never even bothered to turn on the tv or radio. It was pure bliss.
2. I find inspiration in everything! A song, a photograph, nature, a feeling, an interaction, even a look on Kirby’s face.
3. Kirby always stays close so I think the funniest has to be on the nights after a really busy day for him. I’ll notice he’s missing and find him in my bed under the covers with his head on a pillow. When I walk in the room he just looks at me as if to say “I’m pooped”. I can’t resist tucking him in with a hug and kiss cos he is so darned cute! And yes, when he does this he is in bed for the night!
1. Lying on the couch with a good book, a couple of small furry bodies snuggled in with me….so relaxed until the sound of my snoring wakes me up. Read more and repeat until bed time.
2. Creative inspiration comes from my daughters – both very creative. They remind me to keep my mind young and not to always be the cranky old mom. When I get like that I need more of number 1 :) I love nature, water, slow walks in the forest….wait! My creativity is starting to sound like a singles ad! Time to stop.
3. I used to have a cat that LOVED to sleep in the (cold) frying pan! If you left it out on the stove he was in it. Of course his name was Tequila – could be that he’d had a bit. haha As for my dogs I often wake up and open my eyes to see them with their head beside mine on the pillow and blankets pulled up to their chin. Nice life if you can get it!
1) The perfect lazy day for me is spending the time with my dogs, Chutney & Atka on the beach near our home. There’s a huge log near a fort built by some kids a while ago. It’s a peaceful place. I take my book out there and have the dogs run about the beach.
2) Inspirations can be found anywhere, usually by talking to friends, engaging on Twitter, traveling, sometimes even my dogs give me great ideas with their sense of humour.
3) The funniest place I’ve seen my dogs sleep or nap would be outdoors. Once I found my Chocolate Lab waiting for my father at the gate, he was gone for one week on a camp trip. Chutney fell asleep inside his workshop. Right underneath my father’s bench. My SHepherd, Atka always tend to sleep on the hottest spot of our patio directly under the sun!
1) the perfect lazy day for me would be leaving my PJ’s on, having a totally free calendar with nowhere to go. Watching TV with my Sheltie at my feet and my kitty laying on my belly. Plenty of good food waiting to be eaten!
2) I find creative inspiration everywhere as well. It can be from a song that I heard, a line from a poem, a comment that a friend makes, a blog that might particularly touch me…catching my dog and cat in one of their many silly moments…you just have to be open to receive the little nudges to our creativity, they are there to be seen.
3) For my cat it would have to be IN OUR DOG’S CRATE….cody went through a spell where he would ONLY sleep in our dog’s crate…for our dog….it would be our front door. The front door doesn’t sound very amusing or unusual but we live in a condo on 2nd floor. Our Sheltie is obsessed with the Chihuahua that lives across the hall. Our dog waits his entire life away for the door across the hall to open (even for just 3 seconds). When it happens the Chihuahua (Chico) runs at our door…my Sheltie’s day is complete and the waiting starts all over again!
cgittleman at mi dot rr dot com
1. Taking a nice long walk with Elka and then lounging together on the couch while I read/tool around on the Internet. Nowhere to be, nothing owed to anybody.
2. I get a lot of inspiration for my blog, and other writing, from tactile memories, and also from Elka, the Doberman, of course! A certain smell, or quality of light, the velvety silk feeling of her coat, all inspire me.
3. I once found Elka napping in one of our easy chairs, which is not unusual; the funny thing was that she had taken a hooded sweatshirt from another room, placed it on the chair, and curled up to sleep on that!
1- Camping in a secluded wooded area with a private beach within walking distance.
A comfy beach chair and a good book, gentle breeze.
The dogs splashing around in the water.
2- Recently I am getting a lot of inspirational ideas from blogs but I still love magazines. I enjoy small town festivals and their handmade craft shows. Nature is always inspiring, so I love walks in our state parks.
3- I often find the cats curled up in the dogs food bowls napping. I’ve found them also sleeping on a pile of doghair from a grooming session. The funniest place I’ve found a Saint Bernard napping was inside a sleeping bag.
wismom works (at) gmail (dot) com
1. My idea of a perfect lazy day is one where Elka and I take a big long walk
in the morning and then sprawl out together on the couch while I read a book and tool around on the Internet.
2. My sources of inspiration tend to be a number of tactile memories coming together: warm sun, a smell, a certain quality of light, the silky-velvet feel of Elka’s coat.
3. I’ve found Elka napping in an easy chair, which in itself isn’t funny: the funny part is she had carried off a hooded sweatshirt from a different room, put it on the chair, and settled down to nap on top of it!
The bed is absolutely stunning! Gus loves to be elevated off the ground when he’s napping. :)
Although lazy days are few and very far between for us. Our idea of a perfect lazy day is our little family of three snuggling in bed, watching movies (or trashy reality tv).
Gus is normally our source for creative inspiration and the reason behind much of what we do!
Several years ago, while cleaning out our closet, Gus decided to settle into a plastic drawer for a snooze. Miraculously, he stayed put so I could snap a photo!
Wow, what an amazing giveaway!
1) What is your idea of the perfect lazy day?
The perfect lazy day, according to our blog, will come next week. We don’t wake up until 9am and go for Havi’s long walk along the East River so we can chat and Havi can play with the pigeons and other pups. Then we head over to Barking Dog, our favorite outdoor eating establishment where Havi is welcome. We spend the day in Central Park with a picnic and frisbee chase with Havi. We take the long walk home to meet our friends for a BBQ at out place, and then watch our favorite movies and fall asleep cuddling on the couch.
2. Easy to decide where we find our inspiration from! We moved into our first place around the same time we started our blog, and by following other blogs, especially people with pups, we made our perfect first home. So our answer is that our friends inspire us, the one’s who helped us blog about the right wall coverings, and the one’s who came over to help us paint.
3) Havi always sleeps at the foot of our bed. So when we woke up one night to see she wasn’t in our bed, or her bed, but in her roomie the 8pound chihuahua’s bed (Havi is a 55lb pittie) that was definitely the funniest place!