The loves of my life... WHY WE RESCUE.

The Why We Rescue Purina crew (Theron Humphrey, Maddie the coonhound & Garrett Cornelison)
paid us a visit recently, and chose Frankie as the "Wisconsin rescue dog" for their on-going series.

In crafting the visual story... they shot an entire series on the loves of my life:
David.
Charlie.
And Frankie.
In the background that has become the love our collection family life: Wanda.

Why We Rescue is a yearlong story-telling documentary that is traversing across all 50 states highlighting how pets transform our lives for the better. This project is an opportunity to share everyday stories on how those pets can open our homes and hearts to the world. Along the way we are telling one shelter/rescue pet story in each state. Click on your state for an opportunity to share your story.

They stayed with us for a few days, shot an amazing editorial series, did some interviews-- and Frankie- our rescue mutt / our assistant camp counselor / first child... now gets to share his story of finding his forever family with the world.

Hear the whole story here;

And-- a few shots from their collection from the camp stay:

Northwestern cutlery- old school chicago grinders

Hidden under the train tracks in the meat packing district is a little shop that's been sharpening knives for decades. 

David was a kid in a candy store.

Charlie was a toddler in a knife shop.

(So we didn't stay long)

but long enough to find:

They have new old stock items, 

stock that hasnt changed in design in a hundred years,

an ancient stone and water grinder.

Original signage, a wall of lodge cast iron skillets

and walls and walls of knives.

ranging from $4.00 to $2500.00

Northwestern Cutlery = amazingness.

TODAY IS DAVIDS BIRTHDAY.

for the rest of us, it's valentines day.

he is at home with the charliegirl- and im stuck on the other side of the world working.

because we wont get to spend the Valentines day or his birthday together- i wanted to give him a shout out post

if you see him today, please try not to make fun of him too much that his wife had to blab this all over the internet (Im sure he will be a little shy about it) but it had to be done

TOP TEN REASONS DAVID IS LOVED

1. he is the best dad in the universe as we know it. (or at least the charlie, frankie and my universe).

2. resourceful. he can change your carburator, fix a flat and run a dumptruck.

(although i give him lots of grief for his ebay motors addiction, the fact that he is a country boy at heart is one of my biggest reasons to love him)

3. he is pretty smart. (and wont get a big head when someone tells him so).

4. extremely humble (see rationale for number 3). 

5. patient. nobody else in the world with put up with me. i am still amazed at his capacity for this.

6. he is as handsome today as when we met. (he will be embarrassed that i posted these photos, but what the hell- you only turn 45 once)

7. he insists on learning something from everyone- and admires those who know a trade that he doesn't. (mechanics, like my dad. builders- like my brother in laws, lineman, like my brother... anyone from the dumptruck driver to the hog factory workers fascinate him. he respects everyone and makes an attempt to learn from their individual passions and expertise, whatever they may be)

8. he is compassionate beyond words. he loves his mom. and tells her so all the time. always feeds the random stray dogs, even the scary ones who look like they want to bite your face off.

9. he is relentlessly optimistic.  

10. he is the best possible husband in the world for all of these reasons, and too many more to list.


happy birthday tater.
charlie and i are very lucky girls