Our New Kitchen

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The kitchen opens from the great room with double french doors.




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My office is located off from the kitchen.



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Butler's pantry is work in progress.
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A Happy Update from Hamlet (recent photos)

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Cotons playing in snow!

On left is Hamlet and on right side is Tango!

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Hamlet w/food bowl in kitchen
from Hamlet's mommy,

A Happy Update from Hamlet

Hamlet(left) with his brother,Mochi
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Hi Alex!
That was such a coincidence that you emailed me as my daughter and I were looking at Hamlet/Noah's baby pictures and video on your website. Hamlet is the best dog ever!!!!!!!!!! He still has that adorable personality and kind of talks to us...he's very verbal. He also has that same velvety fur that feels like silk.
It's been snowing a lot here and he adores running around in the snow and doesn't seem to mind the freezing cold weather.
Hamlet and Tango are best of friends now and play together all the time. Hamlet keeps Tango young and active. They both sleep on my bed with me. I'll send you some recent photos.
Hope you and your family had a happy holiday and wishing you a terrific new year.
xo
from Hamlet's human mom and sister,
Tango and Hamlet

a Coton, Mochi's Happy 2nd year old Birthday story

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My whole family took me to the dog beach for the first time! I had lots of fun playing with the other dogs and frolicking in the water. My human sister says she's gonna post pictures soon. However, I got so sandy afterwards that she had to give me a shower. Today I was groomed and beautiful for my birthday, and Mom bought me a big doggie cookie with yogurt and peanut butter chips! I also got 2 new toys and a new leash and collar. I miss you and the whole doggie family! -Mochi"

The whole family took me to the dog beach for the first time! I had lots of fun playing with the other dogs and frolicking in the water. Kacey says she's gonna post pictures soon. However, I got so sandy afterwards that Kacey had to give me a shower. Today I was groomed and beautiful for my birthday, and Mom bought me a big doggie cookie with yogurt and peanut butter chips! I also got 2 new toys and a new leash and collar. I miss you and the whole doggie family! -Mochi"

Happy 2nd year old Birthday to Sofie,Tiny Beau, Hamlet and Mochi!

Have many,many happy and healthy years ahead all of you with your loving families..
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Sofie's Happy 2nd year old birthday story




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Ahhhhhhh... She look so cute with that cut!
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"Sleepy Sofie"
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Hi Alex,

I'm sure you know that today is Sofie's 2nd Birthday. I can't believe she is 2 years old, she is still such a 'puppy at heart'. She still has a very easy going temperament, lifts her paw up when she wants to play, loves to go places, on walks, in the car and on trips. She's been to Lake Tahoe a few times this year, hiking in the summer and again at Thanksgiving when there was a ton of snow. She loves the snow! This year I got her a bigger jacket that kept her tummy dry and some boots so her feet wouldn't get cold when we went for walks.
Today we did some of Sofie's favorite things....went for a walk, chased and brought me her toys, cuddles and kisses, played and ran outside in the backyard with Bailey, and a nice nap on my lap while I was working at my computer. Not alot different than a normal day, but special because it's her day!

Here are some pictures that I took today. On the second one you can see that she still has some very light 'color' on her ears, and also on the top of her back. It's subtle and sometimes just looks like a shadow in photos, but it's very pretty. When I had her groomed I asked them not to cut the color from her ears, so they are long, but I think she looks cute. Her ears and her tail just float when she runs around.

from Sofie's mom

A Bright Coton Smile, "Isabelle".

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The smiles that brightens up my days!

Coton, Soft as Snow, Soft as Cloud,

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Feel her softness..

Touch her softness..

Different kinds of Fur Friends

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We had a short visit to one of my husband's college friend's time-share place near by the lake with our two boys. They also have two cute miniature Schnauzer dogs for themselves. Our boys wasn't too happy about how they were greeted(?) by chasing and barking at them from these Schnauzers. I can totally understand..

The one that looking at my Leo is "Shadow"who has milder temperament than the other one and he was actually very curious and wanted to know about Leo. Anyway, my Leo didn't seemed happy that he had to put up with these strange dogs(in his view) at their place.
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Leo and TinyBeau were not sure about our friend's miniature schnauzers.




They were very happy to hop in the car and back to our home from the tiring trip(in their views).
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While we were saying good-bye to our friends, the boys were falling a sleep already just like that in a sitting position. What a couple of cute Cotons!

the Precious Coton, "Sofie"

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I love Sofie's pretty big round eyes just like her mommy, Scarlet. Thanks for the recent updates and her photo for me as always. She is a precious darling girl!
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This is when she used to have a beautiful Tri-Colors that she was born with. Isn't it amazing the fact that Coton looses their colors they're born with?

My Selections to Bathe My Cotons

Many of you asked me that what do I use for bathe my Cotons. So, here are the lists that I made. This is the products that I found the best out of many so far to keep my Cotons coat for the best. I love Johnson and Johnson Head to Toe Baby Wash for as a second wash after initial wash(first shampoo, I shampoo twice). I am so thrilled about my find, Johnson & Johnson Head to Toe Baby Wash. Who said never use the human shampoo to the dog? My Cotons feel so soft and still moisturized after this shampoo. Also, I love the scent from this. I put my head on their body and sniff and sniff to savor their pleasant scent after bathe.
(I'm not a professional groomer and this is only based on my personal choices.)
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This is the order how I bathe my Cotons.


1. 50 to 1 Dog Gone Clean Concentrated Shampoo for first wash. I found this shampoo from my groomer and I really like this as a first shampoo to start.
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2. Johnson & Johnson Head to Toe Baby Wash for second wash.
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3. Pooch Bright Shampoo with Swiss Chamomile by Les Pooch once in a while for stained feet only. Do not use this their whole body or on their face or beard. I only use this very once in a while..
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4. IV San Bernard Conditioner White Musk. Or Plenish Conditioner by Best Shot. I currently using White Musk Conditioner that I like a lot.
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5. Plush Cotton Towels and Micro-fiber Towels. I put these in my dryer for a while when I am bathing them so it is nice and warm to wrap around their wet body.
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6. Hair Mist/grooming Spray. Isle of Dogs #62
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7. A mixture of natural pure boar bristle and nylon, Handy or Pocket size by Mason Pearson to dry their wet hair after bathe.
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8. Medium Bristle Brushes by Les Poochs for final dry and dematting.
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#005 Buttercomb 7 1/2" LONG TOOTH COMB and #006 Buttercomb 5" FACE/FEET by Chris Christensen Systems
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9. color latex bands & band removal scissors for their top knot by Lainee Limited

Essencial Recipe for the Life!

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we can remember all these wonderful words and apply to our life everyday?
(I apologize for not remember the source of this photo from Internet)