I have to hand it to her. That breeder knew what she was doing.

She introduced us to "Pete" alone for a few minutes and he was very sociable...then she unleashed the rest of her brood upon us. Six in all, three adult females, two of Pete's sisters and Pete himself.

We were inundated with little shelties! Wheee!!

I...I've never seen a cuteness attack in progress, let alone been involved in one so cleverly devised. But, we were cuted into submission and finally put down a 50% deposit on little "Pete."

Melody did well also. She was naturally curious, and to our embarrassment chose to leave her "calling card" on the floor rug at the back door. :P We scooted her outside with the other five shelties and I watched on just to make sure she didn't get...overwhelmed. She handled herself magnificently, remained properly aloof, and eventually the shelties lost interest in her as she was not "playful." Poor Mel. If only she'd let herself be a dog. I wonder if she's a "Fleshy??"

So, at any rate, Sil and I spent two hours visiting the breeder and asking all sorts of questions and just getting to know "Pete," when his mother, grandmother, half-sister and sisters weren't pushing in for scritches and snuggles too. All her shelties have been "de-barked" which was very much a surprise to us, but even so, they've still got a strong bark. By the end of the evening, we were more than convinced that "Pete" would make a good addition to the family. On April 27th, we'll be picking him up and bringing him home with us.

Hopefully Sil will give a more comprehensive update. Until then...

FEAR THE CUTENESS!!
http://8.7.49.250/view/504553/

*Hugs*

Swift Fox

I guess I should provide a little explanation as to why the submission, "Inserting something witty here" was removed.

It was removed because the original artist of the background kindly asked me to remove the piece as the "contest" to place some witty text in the bubble provided, had concluded two days ago.

So I complied to her wishes and everything is hunky dorey.

Thanks to the couple of you who fav'ed it. *Hugs* Apologies to those of you who missed out.

Swift Fox

It was a busy weekend at the den this weekend.

On Thursday, over lunch, I took a moment to draft a floor plan of the computer room in our house and rearrange the room and furniture to create a new character and realization of the space into a library/study.

After some discussions with Sil regarding the new layout and the additional furnishings that would be required to create the new space, I made some changes to the layout on Friday. The final plan design layout of the 160 SF space can be seen here: http://8.7.49.250/view/494938/

So, spurred on by the excitement of the project before us, Sil and I ventured out to Ikea to look at the items called out on the plan to make sure they fit our vision of the space. We hashed over the pattern for the seat cushions for the Po`ang chair and ottoman, but for the most part, everything I envisioned and put down on the plan seemed to work fine. So, nearly $300 lighter, we picked up the table, ottoman, matching chair and ottoman cushions, floor and table lamps and headed for home with the prospect of tackling the computer room bright and early Saturday morning.

We did roll out of bed by 8am, and after a shower and breakfast we were ready to start working by 10. Four hours later, the old computer desk was cleaned off, half the bookshelves were bared of their books, several piles of catalogs, print-outs and paperwork were cleaned up, picked up or shred and we ran out of boxes. We’d also filled two 55 gallon garbage bags with trash and taken two carloads of paper recyclables down to the reclamation dumpster in that time.

So I ran down to work to scrounge up a half dozen more banker’s boxes while Sil finished up what she was working on and then made us both some lunch.

In two more hours, six all together, we were ready to move the bookshelves around and into the room and begin to create the new arrangement. Empty, everything was moved easily, and we found that my measurements on the two new bookshelves was off by a foot total which allowed us to place the 3 shelf bookcase just inside the doorway into the room from the house.

We also found more electric outlets. :) Those got one surge strip plugged into them so we could utilize the outlet again and spread the load on the room a bit better. The room was really beginning to take shape when we broke for dinner at 6pm.

Neither one of us was in the mood to cook, so we packed ourselves up and grabbed a quick bite to eat at Max & Ermas just up Rt 28. After a good meal we were refreshed and ready to put the new furniture together rather than empty boxes of books back onto the newly situated shelves. The furniture went together quickly and easily and soon the room was beginning to resemble the plan a little more. The color laser printer found it’s home on top of the cabinet on the computer desk which was yet another variation from the plan.

All that took about an hour so by 8pm we were arranging our wide array of fantasy and science fiction books up on the shelves. By 10pm there were four boxes left of stuff that came off of my computer desk, but which we could not put back because the computer desk itself was piled high with stuff that still needs to be looked through, put away or discarded. But we were both spent and decided to relax and take in the functionality of the new room.

Sil reclined on the Po`ang chair and put her feet up on the ottoman and read a book under the gentle light of the new floor lamp. I played catch up on e-mails and FA on the computer, getting used to the new work area from which I’ll be able to correspond with all of you as well as take care of my responsibilities as fire department secretary and coordinate furry activities locally and at the events we run and attend.

I’ll post some pictures of the finished room when we clean up the other quarter that still looks like a bomb went off in it. Overall, Sil and I are very pleased with the results and when our friends drop by, we hope they are too.

*Hugs*

Swift Fox

GO PITTSBURGH PENQUINS!!

"Two Wolves"

An old Cherokee chief is teaching his grandson about life:
"A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.”
"One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, self-doubt, and ego.”
"The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.”
"This same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old chief simply replied, "The one you feed."

My good friend and astounding furry artist Naryu is offering LJ icons and the resulting digital art for "blood money!"

Okay...well it's $11 to help her raise money for more blood tests. That's what I meant. :)

So...What are you still here for? Go! Buy! Bleeeeeed!!

http://naryu.livejournal.com/460147.html

*Hugs*

Swift Fox

Engineering, Construction and Technical Services Job Fair
Thursday, March 1, 2007 - 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

S/D Engineers, Inc. and our sister companies, Loftus Engineering, Core Technologies, S/E Technologies and Sargent Electric are looking for experienced, qualified personnel in a variety of positions, including:

Architects and Designers
Project Managers and Project Engineers
Engineers and Designers: Civil; Structural, Material Handling; Chemical; HVAC; Piping; Mechanical; Electrical; Power Systems; Control & Instrumentation
Process Engineers
Environmental-Air and Water System Engineers and Compliance Personnel
PLC and DCS Programmers
Project Control Analysts, Schedulers and Estimators
Construction Management Personnel
Electrical Construction Project Managers
Construction Safety Personnel

An Open House Job Fair will be held on Thursday, March 1, 2007 from 5PM until 7:30PM at the ENGINEERS SOCIETY OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA, 377 FOURTH AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15222.

Representatives from the above companies will be available to speak with candidates. Please bring your resume. If you are unable to attend the Job Fair, please forward a copy of your resume to: Human Resources, S/D Engineers, Inc., 2425 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. email: hr@sdengineers.com. No phone calls, please.

If you have interest in a specific area or company, please indicate that on your cover letter.

The Job Fair is directed towards experienced personnel. Students receiving their degree in 2007, and other applicants, are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter to the above address.

You know you want a Naryu LJ Icon like me! And what better time than now to get one of your own! My little arctic fox'sune sister is in need of a little cash flow to see the doctor. Won't you help her?

Here's the link: http://naryu.livejournal.com/436447.html

Well? What are you waiting for? Go! Go now!

*Hugs*

Swifty Fox

Last Friday I was able to take notveryathletic's tutorials on texturing and soft shading and apply them to this drawing. While the texturing didn't really come out well, the shading IMHO turned out nicely.

http://www.furaffinity.net/art/swif.....t_holidays.png

I used GIMP to make the drawing modifications. Very nice and powerful software for freeware and a good alternative to Photoshop if you can't get your paws on that.

Well, thanks for watchin!

*Hugs*

Swift Fox

There's no way to set it so my journal posts don't show up on the main page so I'm making a short post to it to take the place of the NSFW one that's been up there.

Thanks for looking!

Swift Fox

Suggestive Picture #5: �Going down on the pole.�

A young adult, male, cross fox firefighter is always flitting around the fire station when no one is looking. All firefighters love the thrill of sliding down the brass pole when the alarm sounds and our young fox takes an opportunity to do it in the buff. Naked but for his fire boots, he has thought ahead and lubed his erect member before he mounts the pole and slides down to the apparatus floor below. Friction is not your friend. Peeking over the edge of the hole is the head of the fire station�s year old Dalmatian pup.

This concept is perfect for a perspective view looking up at the fox from the apparatus room sliding down the brass pole. As mentioned above, he is wearing his black rubber fire boots, both legs are wrapped around the pole crossed at the shins, his thighs and knees grasping the pole. His paws grasp the pole and assist in controlling the speed of the descent the elbows tucked firmly against the sides of his body. His delighted face is looking down at the floor below, and the viewer, rising up to meet him. It�s a good opportunity for a nice sexy butt and soft fuzzy scrotum shot with perhaps a little bit of sheath and a hint of pink shaft beyond.

The character is Swift, an adult cross fox. He has a dark brown head of hair, cut to a neat and presentable length. That dark brown fur color extends from his nose, up his muzzle, over his forehead and down his back to the root of his tail. Another stripe of this dark brown fur runs across his shoulders wrapping a little over onto his slightly muscular upper arms. This makes the �Cross� that gives the cross fox his name. The brown blends into the normal tawney-orange typical of foxes. The sides of his muzzle are the same tawney-orange with long black whiskers as are his cheek ruffs. The underside of his muzzle is white, and that extends down the front of his neck, across his slightly built chest and stomach. His ears, arm and leg �socks� are also dark brown blending towards black.

The opening in the floor above is round. A old, white, coffered tin ceiling finishes the view of the ceiling above, see picture below. (If this makes no sense to you, ask me. )

Suggestive Picture #4: �It�s not the size of your tool; but what you do with it...�

A young adult, male, cross fox firefighter finds himself alone in the truck room and decides to see what other uses he can find for some of the tools carried on the fire apparatus. An obvious choice he pulls out an 8 foot long pike pole, strips off his duty uniform and does a little �pole dancing� to the music and settings pulled from his imagination. His only audience, the fire station�s year old Dalmatian pup, laying on his bedding of old fire coats, head up and looking on curiously.

I see this picture being a front view. The pike pole positioned in just a way to teasingly block the view of Swift�s erect shaft, though perhaps, based on the angle, a portion of his fuzzy sheath will be in view. The fox is striking a pose or as a snap shot mid dance. One leg will likely be in a high-knee march step, the paw and calf wrapped around the lower half of the pole. I suspect this leg will be in front of the pike pole. The other leg will be straight and supporting the body. The arm on the opposite side will be reaching up and the paw wrapped around the pike and hook of the pole while the other arm and paw are free to be where-ever to make a dynamic and exciting pose. The fox �s head will be tilted back, maybe tilted towards the viewer. His eyes are closed as the music and lights play across the inner eye of his imagination.

The character is Swift, an adult cross fox. He has a dark brown head of hair, cut to a neat and presentable length. That dark brown fur color extends from his nose, up his muzzle, over his forehead and down his back to the root of his tail. Another stripe of this dark brown fur runs across his shoulders wrapping a little over onto his slightly muscular upper arms. This makes the �Cross� that gives the cross fox his name. The brown blends into the normal tawney-orange typical of foxes. The sides of his muzzle are the same tawney-orange with long black whiskers as are his cheek ruffs. The underside of his muzzle is white, and that extends down the front of his neck, across his slightly built chest and stomach. His ears, arm and leg �socks� are also dark brown blending towards black.

The background is likely a concrete block wall. Along the floor may be a work bench, perhaps some rolls of hose stored vertically on a rack or stacked horizontally on the ground. Whatever it is it shouldn�t detract from the focus of the picture. (If this makes no sense to you, ask me.)

Suggestive Picture #3: �Asleep with a buddy.�

A young adult, male, cross fox firefighter is finally getting a chance to get a few hours of sleep in his bunk. Exhausted from a particularly stubborn structure fire, the fox showers, shuffles into his bunk room and doesn�t even bother to get re-dressed or pull down the blankets. While he�s asleep, the fire stations year old dalmatian fire dog, hops into the bed and lays beside the weary firefighter fox. The dog offers warmth, companionship, comfort and protection, while the fox dreams, from the day to day nightmares the fox has to face when the alarm bell rings.

The fox should be sleeping either on his stomach or partially on his side. The upper leg bent at an angle so as to hide the sheath. Perhaps a hint of the scrotum may be in view depending on the angle. The dalmatian should also be lying on its side, its back against the fox�s chest. The two canids are both asleep. Perhaps the fox may have put his arm over the year old dog�s shoulder in his sleep, cuddling it like a plush toy from his youth. While the fox should be drawn so as to look appealing, the scene shouldn�t convey any sexual undertones beside that.

The character is Swift, an adult cross fox. He has a dark brown head of hair, cut to a neat and presentable length. That dark brown fur color extends from his nose, up his muzzle, over his forehead and down his back to the root of his tail. Another stripe of this dark brown fur runs across his shoulders wrapping a little over onto his slightly muscular upper arms. This makes the �Cross� that gives the cross fox his name. The brown blends into the normal tawney-orange typical of foxes. The sides of his muzzle are the same tawney-orange with long black whiskers as are his cheek ruffs. The underside of his muzzle is white, and that extends down the front of his neck, across his slightly built chest and stomach. His ears, arm and leg �socks� are also dark brown blending towards black.

I�m not sure what features to add to identify the fox as a firefighter or the room as a fire station bunk room. The furniture should be utilitarian, functional and standardized looking. His boots and pants would probably be placed beside the bed, folded down and ready to put on at a moments notice. Perhaps a portable radio and/or an Essentials of Fire Fighting text book on the desk beside the bed or something. Maybe a uniform hat on top of the desk hutch and cabinet or a picture on the wall of a fire engine? (If this makes no sense to you, ask me.)

Suggestive Picture #2: �Hey! Come back here!�

A young adult, male, cross fox firefighter is pleasuring himself with his paw during some down time in his bunkroom when a scrappy little dalmatian puppy steals away with his boxers and disappears under the bed with them. This intrusion causes the fox to stop mid-paw, roll out of his bed, grab a firefighting flash light and peer under the bed to find the spotted miscreant and re-acquire his britches. Meanwhile, the spunky puppy has made its way back onto the bed where it looks over the edge at the fox, boxers still in its muzzle and tail wagging playfully.

This should be nice profile picture, looking at the right side of the fox, kneeling down so as to be looking under his bunk the beam of the flashlight illuminating the area under the bed. His boots and pants, normally set at the ready beside the bed, have been pulled away from the bed. They should be positioned, on their side, just right to hide his erect penis from view. The left paw should be bent forward holding the handle of the flashlight and scanning under the bed. The right paw is poised to lunge ahead to grab the miscreant puppy and his shorts. It�s a good opportunity for a nice sexy, raised in the air, butt shot.

The character is Swift, an adult cross fox. He has a dark brown head of hair, cut to a neat and presentable length. That dark brown fur color extends from his nose, up his muzzle, over his forehead and down his back to the root of his tail. Another stripe of this dark brown fur runs across his shoulders wrapping a little over onto his slightly muscular upper arms. This makes the �Cross� that gives the cross fox his name. The brown blends into the normal tawney-orange typical of foxes. The sides of his muzzle are the same tawney-orange with long black whiskers as are his cheek ruffs. The underside of his muzzle is white, and that extends down the front of his neck, across his slightly built chest and stomach. His ears, arm and leg �socks� are also dark brown blending towards black.

I�m not sure what features to add to identify the fox as a firefighter or the room as a fire station bunk room. The furniture should be utilitarian, functional and standardized looking. Perhaps a portable radio and/or an Essentials of Fire Fighting text book on the desk beside the bed or something. Maybe even a uniform hat on top of the desk hutch and cabinet or a picture on the wall of a fire engine? (If this makes no sense to you, ask me. )

Suggestive Picture #1: �Hitting the Plug�

A young adult, male, cross fox firefighter is always practicing for the real thing. He loves his job; Perhaps a little too much. This time he gets caught with his bunker pants down around his calves, just above his boots, getting ready to hit the fire hydrant with his hose. His fire coat and helmet are tossed haphazardly in a heap on the ground nearby, the fox is nearly naked. His long, engorged, reddish, shaft in paw, he looks over his shoulder in surprise as he�s illuminated by flood lights. The shadows of the other firefighters on his shift reaching like jeering fingers across the pavement towards him. He won�t soon be living this down.

This should be nice � back shot, looking at the left side of the fox, his right paw and penis should be hidden from view. It�s a good opportunity for a nice sexy butt shot with a hint of scrotum in view. The character is Swift, an adult cross fox. He has a dark brown head of hair, cut to a neat and presentable length. That dark brown fur color extends from his nose, up his muzzle, over his forehead and down his back to the root of his tail. Another stripe of this dark brown fur runs across his shoulders wrapping a little over onto his slightly muscular upper arms. This makes the �Cross� that gives the cross fox his name. The brown blends into the normal tawney-orange typical of foxes. The sides of his muzzle are the same tawney-orange with long black whiskers as are his cheek ruffs. The underside of his muzzle is white, and that extends down the front of his neck, across his slightly built chest and stomach. His ears, arm and leg �socks� are also dark brown blending towards black.

The fire coat and pants are a medium tan color with yellow reflective striping at the cuffs the pants and just above the lower hem and at the cuffs of the coat. The name �SWIFT FOX� is in matching yellow letters on the back of the fire coat just above the reflective striping. The helmet is a black, typical looking fire helmet. The boots are black with yellow across the toes. Red is typical for a fire hydrant, unless the color or location of the hydrant interferes or clashes with the focus of the commission. In that case color the barrel of the hydrant silver-gray and select a color for the top section and the caps. (If this makes no sense to you, ask me. )