Wordless Wednesday

Havi all tired out after a late night playdate with her BFF Jax!

Weekly Feature: Love Letters from a Dogwalker

Havi and her walker...its really just a love affair...

O man. She was extra excited to see me today coming out of her crate. I tried to have her sit and stay after I opened the door but she zoomed right out. It was a struggle getting her harness on because instead of roly-poly, I got a face kiss attack!

I was singing a Havi Christmassong on the way to the park and she kept looking up at me from the corner of her eye like 'cut it out, dude'.

Unfortunately no one was there when we got there so I played fetch with myself while she followed alongside and then we drank some smartwater and waited a few minutes for a pal.

Archie showed up and since they've had some issues in the past the owner was a little timid today. So instead of risking setting her up for failure we headed out for a very brisk long stroll around the neighborhood.

To everyone's surprise and joy we ran into Kellie on her way to her next pup! Havi was thrilled!! We even got to walk a few blocks on 3rd avenue with her :)

She was so good with her sits at corners I couldn't resist kneeling down everytime and molesting her with hugs and kisses!

That is quite the afternoon delight I pulled out of the freezer for her lucky girl! Turned on the light and her bowls are in the sink.

Have a great weekend!
Hx

Monthly Feature: Big Dog, Small Budget

We started this Monthly Feature to explain how we live with a big dog on a small budget.  Many people wrote they don't or can't even imagine how much they spend per month.  The simple fact is that we live loan to loan so we have to really contemplate the value of each $ spent.  Additionally, we thought that by sharing the various sites and coupons we use, we may give others good ideas.  Alternatively, if we're spending too much money - we were hoping you would share some good ideas!

So here is our November round-up!  

3 Dog Walking Sessions with RuffCity DogWalkers - $70 

(Her Thanksgiving walk was only 30 minutes, which is $15, with a $5 holiday cost)

Pet Dental Toothpaste from Amazon Prime - $5.43

12 Months of FrontLine from PetSupplies.com - $137.88

800 Poop Bags from Amazon - $1.49 

(The original cost of the poop bags was $26.49, but Law Student participated in a focus group at school and received a $25 Amazon gift card)

November Total: $239.79

June: $149.31

July: $111.99

August: $193.22

September: $182.83

October: $198.63

November: $239.79

YTD: $1075.77

This month was definitely more expensive than most.  This is mostly due to the cost of FrontLine.  However, the FrontLine and poop bags last one full year.  Luckily, we saved some money with only three walks and that Amazon gift card!

Any tips on ways to save?!

PS We are going to start responding to blog comments...you guys always say such helpful things!

Havi's Hanukkah List

Havi joined in on a family tradition this Thanksgiving....writing down her Hanukkah list!  We got Havi for Hanukkah last year (not really, her impromptu adoption coincided with the holiday and our expenditure of $3,000 to make her sick shelter pup self all better).  We decided last year as well as this year that taking care of Havi's medical and life costs throughout the year would be the Two Grads presents to each other.  We celebrate the holiday with traditional customs and one yummy night out (we'll blog about the customs and fab dinner later).  


We decided to do a fun holiday present series and we wanted to list some things the Two Grads and their Pittie are wishing for this holiday season.  With this list we were hoping to give you some ideas, you can give us some ideas, and maybe even ways to save on these wishes.  We will also be doing a volunteer for the holidays post!

Without further adieu, Havi's Hanukkah Happy Holiday list!

1. The pink gingham martingdale collar from Sirius Republic.  (She specified the pink, she has this complex where people think shes a boy.)

Specifically, this one with the words "Peace, Love, Pitbull" sewn on!  So cute!  Its amazing!  Havi already has a GREAT collar from winning Sarge's Peeps on Parade, but another one could never hurt.  Additionally, if she let us know that if we enter RPHD08 in the rescue code box, a percentage goes to Handsome Dan's Rescue!


It gets cold for a pup in this huge city.  Havi has told us many times that she needs some winter items...  


2. She's super jealous of her doppleganger Miss Crazy Maisie's sweater from Our Waldo Bungie.

this picture is reprinted with permission of Maisie's agent

3. She also hinted that a winter jacket would be a great addition to her ensemble.  Anyone have any ideas or recommendations?!


4. A new dog bed wouldn't hurt.  Her current one is from HomeGoods and is a nice grey bed that matches the rest of the room for $20 that she got as a present from her grandparents.  She mentioned shed like one for the bedroom, for when we push her off the bed!


What does your pup want this Holiday Season?  Have any recommendations for us or ways to save?


Be sure to check out Two Pitties in the City for their list today on what to have in a home when you bring home your first dog!  Also, A&A Friese have some great information on winter dog-gear, and they're Alaskan experts!

Cyber Monday Two Grads Style!

Hey Everyone!  Happy Cyber Monday.  This week we plan on sharing our holiday present wish lists, and Havi's budget.  But today, we thought we'd share some fun ways we saved this weekend!

We frequently chat about how much we LOVE Fresh Direct, and use them to spend only $60 a week (with a DeliveryPass) on groceries, and eating out once a week (with about 3 CostCo trips per year).  Well, this week as a thank you they sent us a bag of Pop Chips.  Yum!  Has anyone ever gotten anything yummy from Fresh Direct?  What's your grocery savings tips?

Our favorite thing to do is to go to the movies, especially because we have a huge AMC theater two blocks away!  Well, this weekend we saw the Muppets, it was sold out for a 8:50 showing with all adults!    It was so funny and truly great for all ages.  We decided to purchase an AMC Stubs card for $6.  With it, we get free upgrades on all food and beverages, free online purchases, and $10 back for every $100 spent.  (And with tickets at $13.00 lately, thats easy to reach.)  It even takes the tickets we purchase through deal sites like Groupon and LivingSocial.  See any fun movies lately?

We also both received iphones lately, any fun apps to share?!  Any fun holiday money saving tips?!

Weekly Feature: Love Letters from a Dogwalker

We spent the day in NJ yesterday, and RuffCity Dogwalking came through and visited Havi!  We felt that 11 people and 3 dogs was just too many animals to throw Havi in the mix.  But it seems like Havi had a great time with their new walker, Caroline!

Hi!

So happy to meet the cutest Pitty girl ever!  I think I'm in love...

She was super excited when I picked her up and it took me a few minutes to get her calmed down and leashed.

We headed out and she went both 1 & 2 pretty much right away.  We walked around the neighborhood and she enjoyed sniffing around and peed a couple more times.  Got stubborn when we would see another dog, but I got her to move on pretty quickly.

Came home and gave her some spring water and her peanut butter Kong and she was in heaven!  Crated her back up and we said our goodbyes.  Hope to see this princess again!  Happy Thanksgiving!  :)

Caroline

PS - used the last poop bag FYI!
PPS - left her light on :)


Did you see our thankful post?  And our NYC Thanksgiving pic?  How was your Thanksgiving?!

Happy Thanksgiving from NYC

Two Peas in a Pod are Thankful For...

It seems to be the theme this week to list the things you are thankful for...so here we go!

Two Grad Students on DS's 26th Birthday at Sammy's Roumanian

-Havi. In exactly one week it will be a year that Havi's awesome foster parents emailed us the below photo of Havi.  Having never had a dog (forget about a rescue or a pitbull) I saw the picture and just knew, and we submitted the application the next day.  Havi has brought so much extra love not only into our home, but our relationship.  She taught us more responsibility, budgeting, care, compassion, and forgiveness than we would have learned in a lifetime.  Overwhelmingly, I am also thankful for NYC being so supportive of pitbulls (free spay, neuter, vaccinations!)

Vintage Havi!

-Our apartment.  Picking, renting, and decorating our first home together is an awe-inspiring experience.  There is something unique about coming home to something that is "your" home, that you built together.

Home

-Our parents.  Its rare that two people have two sets of parents that are so encouraging.  Our parents are not only our role models, but good friends.  They are supportive of our career goals, our relationship with each other, and our newest recipes.  We are truly lucky.

-Our friends.  We're insanely blessed to have friends that have become our family.  Our childhood friends moved with us into NYC, and the bonds you have with someone who has seen and let you grow into an adult is outstanding.

-Our goals.  We both sunk a lot of debt into attending graduate school.  Sometimes the lack of funds, lack of time, and lack of patience is overwhelming.  But most of the time, its amazing to know you're good at something, and that people will benefit from your skill.

-Our health.  When I was little my mom would say this and I would think only parents would say that-what a grown up thing to be thankful for!  Now I realize, your health is paramount.  We are lucky to not only have health insurance, but supportive and skilled doctors/pharmacists.

and now some silly thankfullness:

-Law Student's Dunkin Donuts Sleeve.  How great?!  Keeps my fingers warm and the drink doesn't drip.  Why didn't I think of this?!

-Our new iPhones and Kindles.  This past year DS's parents got our iPhones and LS's parents got our Kindles.  I know, I know we're all too dependent on technology.  But the phone makes life infinitely easier, and DS loves the games Doodle Jump and Words with Friends.  The Kindle allows us to read more easily because its so light to travel with!  (Will I make it to my goal of 26 books by December 31?!) Oh, also - DVR, WHY DID I NOT INVENT THIS?!

-Smelly cinnamon pinecones from Bed Bath & Beyond.  We both love the smell of cinnamon? and pinecones are so autumnal! What's better?!

-Warm showers.  Bad day, overtired - no better cure! Whenever I was sick, my dad would tell me to take a shower.  To this day, the power of a warm shower is overwhelming.

10. My indoor/outdoor rug.  Living with a pup that throws up every once in a while, its great to have an easy to clean rug (its the little things in life...)

Home Decorator's!

-We have to say it, the blog world.  Its so fun to put our thoughts and pictures down in this online journal.  But its even more amazing for the support and love we receive over the Internet daily.

-Greasy food. I refuse to explain further.

-The belief that people are truly good at heart.

-Season tickets to see the Devils and the Islanders (are we the only hockey fans left?!)

-The ability to budget successfully with helps from blogs, books, Amazon Prime, Etsy, and FreshDirect.


What are you thankful for?!
Like lists?!  Stay tuned Friday for our Holiday Present List!

Wordless Wenesday

Two pups are better than one!

The Crate's Triumphant Return

When we learned that we had been approved as Havi's parents, we learned she was crate trained (gotta love awesome foster parents).  DS ran to order a crate on Amazon.  We measured Havi, and waited two nerve-wracking days for the crate to come.  (During those two days we just left Havi alone in our room for short periods of time and hoped for the best.  Eek!)  When we received the crate it was definitely way too big, but came at a great price, and Havi loved it!

She needed the crate because we didn't know her well enough to give her free reign of our bedroom, and at the time we lived with a chihuahua who wasn't such a big fan of Havi.

this is vintage Havi.  so small!

When we moved into our own place in April, the crate came as well.  Soon enough, we weaned her off the crate.  Not because she didn't like it, but because it took up so much space in our small apartment!
For six months we were in the green, Havi seemed to like the freedom, and we liked that the big metal box wasn't next to our bed.

Then, about a month ago, Havi ate DS's guitar books that were on our coffee table, the next week she ate a throw pillow, then all my birthday cards off the wall!  I decided she was definitely anxious about something, and we needed the structure back. (To be fair Havi has eaten an wooden ornament, 2 shoes,  and some of her blankets over the course of her year with me.)  DS begged me to wait one more week.  Well, we did.

Then we came home Friday night to this:

not so happy

That is the middle back cushion of my gorgeous couch.  (Luckily, she ate only the zipper, so a quick sew will fix it and no one will be the wiser).

Last night, we brought out the crate, lined it with a comfy towel (little nervous she'll eat a blanket), and placed her dinner inside.  At first she just laid outside the crate, then she slowly went in to eat and lay down.  And when I woke up this morning, there she was hanging out!  I am not nervous that a crate is a punishment or not a cage, I really am not one of those dog parents.

This is really just me trying to show the relative size of the crate, yepp I am INSIDE it!

hm, so I have to go inside to get that bowl?!

one tired pup

But I have some questions:

Why do you think Havi decided to be destructive all of the sudden?!
Did we reintroduce the crate the right way?
Are supposed to always feed her in the crate?
How long can we leave her in the crate for?