And then there were four

Last year, Alexey and I took Piper and Tang to dog days at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

We had the best time. 

So much so, we talked Alexey's wife, Tori, and her dog, Archie, into joining us the next dog days rolled around.

Another amazing day!

Last Friday, was another dog day, and once again, we expanded our pack.

If the fourth dog looks familiar, there's a reason...

That's Karin Hullatti's wonderful Cardigan, Cali, whose face was immortalized in the Dog and Pony Show logo.

Since it was Halloween weekend, Cali came dressed as a skeleton.

As always, our first stop was the penguin/hippopotamus complex. 

We arrived just in time to watch the hippos get their breakfast.

We watched them eat...

and go for a post meal dip.

This was, for me, the highlight of the day. It was so neat seeing them so close-up!

That's not to say the rest of the animals weren't amazing.

They absolutely were.

Dog days aren't just fun for the dogs and their people.

The zoo animals like them, too.

This orangutan was absolutely taken with our crew.

Everyone loves Archie!

As per usual, Tang was all about the skunks.

Cali was obsessed with the meerkats, 

and Piper liked anything she could stand on...

or in.

Of course, no trip to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is complete without spending time with its signature animals: the giraffes.

Unlike the hippos, they were not very hungry.

We were persistent...

and eventually, they ate all our lettuce.

Phew!

This was such a fun day!

There's a still a little more room in the car...

Who will we add to the zoo pack next?

Only time will tell!

Every year about this time

In regards to these life stages, there's no doubt as to my status. I am one hundred percent Team Getting Rid of Stuff.

That doesn't mean, however, that I'm not above a little bit of window shopping.

Last week, I received my holiday catalog from Breyer last week. 

I was too busy to appreciate it then, but today was quiet, and I was finally able to find some time to flip through the pages and dream.

As always, I tried to imagine which horses my younger self - the girl in the Wanting Stuff stage - would have obsessed over.

For sure, it would not have been these...

or these.

I always wanted my toys - my stuff - to be realistic.

I would have definitely wanted that pony!

Nowadays, my desires are more practical.

Comfy clothes? Yes, please.

I also enjoyed looking at the 2027 BreyerFest preview...

and this year's Christmas offerings.

I don't know if you had a hand in this one, Nichelle, but I hope so. Also, I miss you!

My accumulating days may be behind me, but I still enjoy my annual catalog. Thanks, Breyer!

Being Lee

Since I am currently unemployed, Lee asked me if I could fill in for him while we has out of town.

Of course, I said yes. Who wouldn't want to be Lee for a week?

I have spent five of the last eight days feeding and/or turning out Lee's crew, which consists of Ahji,

Alex,

Canela,

Emma,

Guaranteed,

Jiggs,

Joey,

Kafre,

Malik,

Merlin,

Princess,

Sunny...

and Texas.

Additionally, I've done turn outs for Luna...

and cared for Sage, who unfortunately, needed a lot more care than usual this week.

Girl, why?!?

I've had a lot of fun being Lee, and I've really enjoyed getting to know some of these horses better.

Lee will be back tomorrow. I guess that means I need to get back to job hunting!