My heart lives in Central Austin

I wanna be like Lee Mannix

Shit.... Lee Mannix..did you really have to die this week? I keep seeing your smile...and hearing the straight talk things you've said to me, and to hundreds of other folks.  I read the posts of your friends and clients and I realized another of the many reasons you are so loved.

I have dog stories...you have worked with all three of my mutts...and they are no different from the thousands posted here on the Lee Mannix Center for Canine Behavior fan page. No need to write about them... Talking to Kimberly Burgan, whom we both loved...who you LOVED SO WELL......it hit me as to EXACTLY what it is that endeared you to us all. 

You chose to be fully yourself....your unfiltered, smart ass, funny as hell, sly, prankster, laughing, crass,  boot-wearing-beer-drinking-copenhagen-dippin, smiling & magic with us all, self.  We love you so much...because you were able to do what the rest of us struggle with. You chose to live life exactly as you were....for the authenticity of it...and not the popularity.  Yet...you gained popularity and even more.  You earned massive love and respect...and a heart in the homes of thousands of dog- loving families. We love you so much, for not just what you did...but for who you were...because in our own little way..we long to be as brave as you were...and live this life TRULY being ourselves... exactly the way you did. 

I choose today, to be more of my true self...to be brave and live fully me...because you inspired me to do that. And...I will do it in my cowgirl boots more often! 

Love, 

Allison....and Hank (the dope)...and Daisy (the freak)...and Lulu (the little bitch)

I'll be at your party tomorrow...and I will wear my boots...and celebrate your fine ass and your magic spirit!

I'm one of THOSE people

Yep, I'm one of THOSE people: That woman that thinks her dogs are her kids. Well my dogs are part of my family. They are my pals and most faithful friends. All 3 of our pups live well in our house and fit in our lives...they are on our sofa's and our beds, go with us on rides, eat special food (when I'm the one shopping)....get walks (almost)daily.

I can't imagine not having dogs...THESE dogs in my life.
Hank is my autistic pup....one of 2 litters combined 17 dogs. He's rough and tough with other dogs, yet fears cats, beetles and remote controls. He has is AKC canine good citizen certificate and he has completed beginner, intermediate and advanced agility. His favorite is the tunnel...and he gets jealous if any other dogs are in HIS tunnel. Today...Hank is at the vet....having a little mass removed from his underside...and some of those floppy moles taken off. I want Hank to live forever.

Daisy Mae.... She was Billy's dog when we met. And as we were falling in love in 06...Daisy would ride with him to my house. Getting her in the car is never easy, but when he would say, "let's go to Allison's" up she'd jump. It wasn't easy for her to adjust to these new crazy pals, Hank and lulu...but she did. Daisy is the sweetest dog I've ever met. I swear she is related to my dog Chula that passed away in 01. I love that her tail actually wags. She can't cuddle very well, she just can't sit still...but she's a lover and everyone who meets her loves her. Even my non dog-person sister likes Daisy best. But don't tell her mutts that. Daisy is getting old...12 and her heart is enlarged. She's on meds that make her bad breath even worse. We're watching her little self...and praying for heath and longevity for our girl. I love her completely.

Lu-Lu...the Alpha dog...the boss of me and everyone else in the house. She is a big dog in a little dog body. By far the best cuddler of the bunch. Playful, bossy, demanding and while she never barks...she is certainly outspoken with her mannerisms. She lets me know when she needs attention with a hand/paw swipe or more kisses than I ever needed. I KNOW she will live forever....My favorite memory of her is when she was a puppy, she used to sleep with her tongue out all the time. She is allergic to bee stings...yet loves to eat bee's. It is funny to see her face all bumpy and swollen...and bendaryl is now stocked in large quantities at our house. Lulu reminds me of me. Such a boss sometimes...but also soft and loving.
Yep...I'm one of those dog people. Still have the dream of the dog farm...and it looks like my niece Fiona is following after me. :)

This is EXACTLY what I feel today!

and what I choose to feel EVERY day!

list from last weekend

Last weekend was my birthday, and after a weekend full of love and attention and friends and family, here is my gratitude list:

1. The RED HOT 37 was a blast- I love sharing laughter and my home with tons of friends.
2. The generosity of my friends who blessed me in many ways on Friday. 
3. Homemade Mac-&-Cheese from Mali and Bill Hanna
4. Waking up to a completely clean house despite the party....thanks, Bill! You are the best.
5. Sleeping most of the day on Saturday. 
6. Working out Saturday afternoon. 
7. Sleeping last Sunday morning. 
8. Kentucky Fried Chicken and Milkshake cake with the WHOLE Crow clan at Mom and Dad's house. 
9. Mom-Mom, Poppy, Meredith, Peter, Cameron, Courtney, Joel, Chandler, Fi, NM, BC, and Bill...I love you all and thank you for hanging out. 
10. Mike Flan---thanks for taking Bill and I to the fun celebrity thing Sunday night. It was way cool to meet those folks---and to see Office Space with so much fun energy!

I didn't take my camera to Mom and Dad's....but we did get a good shot from the RED HOT 37 of the 3 Crow Sisters. 

The Flanigin/Crow top 10 of 2008

1. Will and Manthie cuddle with the dogulars 
2. Hill Country Ride for Aids 2008
3. Hank, Daisy, and Lulu take over our bed AGAIN
4. Samantha is Diamond of the Week
5. Bill and Will at Will's Baptism
6. Allison and Bill hang with friends
7. Honeymoon in Tulum with Andy, Mark, Maggie, Todd, Malia & Jack
8. First dance at our May 3rd wedding
9. KW LTMC grand opening
& 
10. Our wedding at Town Lake Park with family and our closest friends

oh yeah....video baby.

ok so my friend Antonia from work did one of these videos with her daughter and posted it on facebook...said it was the BEST time with her daughter laughing. So I suggested it to Will and Samantha. Will, being 16 next week, was initially too cool...and Samantha was SO in. She actually showed up today after the weekend at her mom's asking to do this video TONIGHT! And so.....3 takes later, here is out goofy country video. We aren't very talented...but we did have a blast...even Will had to get in and participate. I cherish the fun we had working on this silly project and the laughs it brings as we watch our music video. As will says, GOOD TIMES!