Happy Holidays from Camilla and Darwin!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Finals are over, it's getting cold (REAL cold!) and the holidays are here! Things could not be better. I thought I'd post an small update on Darwin, and add our holiday cards for this year.

First off - I will make an admission. This semester I got super busy, and for the first time, Darwin became quite matted. I am usually very diligent about brushing him, so this is the first time he's been matted to this level. I feel terrible about it, and I really didn't even realize how matted he was for quite a while, I thought I was brushing him more regularly than I was. I think this was also agitated by his higher than usual licking and scratching. I sat down to give him a thorough brushing one day and realized that they were everywhere, and down to the skin. Rather than subject him to de-matting I decided to just shave it all off. We usually get Darwin cut short at this time anyways, but not so short!

The last photo before the shave down. Note the crusty beard. I don't miss that. 

To save money I did it myself... and to say I did a bad job would be an understatement. LOL. He is pretty patchy and uneven, but that is okay because he's mat free and his hair grows fast. :-) So far he's loving it, he usually does enjoy shave downs so this isn't a suprise. However, he's been snuggling a lot more because he's cold! We've had fun snuggling him up in blankets.

I do love to watch Darwin run when he's short, because it's so much easier to see his eyes and he just looks so happy! Well, sometimes. Other times he looks like a demononic beast. It kind of depends on the position of his ears. Ha ha. We went out to play in the snow to celebrate the end of finals (yay!!!) and Darwin loved it.

Here is Darwin's Christmas card to the DK-ers

And the card from Jacob, Darwin and I. We are kind of goofy people and we love LOTR and the Hobbit, so we couldn't resist. :-)

The front

The back

So overall, it's been great and we are excited for Christmas!

Darwin would like to add a shout out to JD here. Because he's cut so short we bought him his very own ugly Christmas sweater, and he is not pleased! He is hoping for some tips on avoiding this travesty. 

[DonMarie and Picco]

Love the sweater dood!  Should get matching sweater vests for the whole family :-)

[Camilla and Darwin]

He employed his right to peaceful protest today, by not looking at me no matter how much I squeaked and whistled and made kissy noises. Here is the sweater - I kind of want one for myself... hehe.

Thanks everyone, we are getting used to it - and there are things about Darwin being short that we always enjoy, like being able to see his expressions and him being more cuddly. :-)

Sheri, we both graduate in 2015. :-)

[Leslie and Halas]

Great pictures!  Darwin looks so different!  But still very handsome.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Great to see these wonderful pictures. Darwin looks marvelous long or short and those Christmas cards are terrific x

[DJ & Chance]

What a great blog! Love the photos and the Hobbit card is just the best. Congratulations on completing another semester and enjoy the holidays!

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Congratulations on your finals being done and over with!  Darwin is beautiful long or short hair and I love all these pictures Camilla.  The ones of him running are awesome to say the least!  Both of your Christmas cards are so "you" and "Darwin", love them:)  Have a very Merry Crhistmas and have a wonderful time with your family!

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

So glad you have some free time to enjoy! Love the photos of happy Darwin, he is so handsome no matter what coat length! Mine get their turn tomorrow! Both cards are so much fun! Enjoy every minute of this beautiful season!!

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks for the wonderful update.  Your pictures are beautiful and creative as usual.  Love the one with the icicles hanging from Darwin's chinny, chin, chin.  Looking forward to an ugly sweater pic.

[DonMarie and Picco]

Darwin, you are a totally different dog!  But still handsome. I didn't clip Picco that short this past summer, but yes, it is so much easier to take care of. But I love the thick shaggy coat which he'll keep and I continue to brush every other day....... till it gets hot again.

Love all your photos, so much fun to see.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Love the pictures! The short do and no brushing is really tempting but I just can't bring myself to do it. LOL, everyone and every doodle should have a really ugly Christmas sweater. They are the in thing right now and people actually throw parties where everyone has to wear an ugly Christmas sweater. Hope you have a great holiday.