Our favorite girl is back on the blog today, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the last day of September.
Wait, the last day of September?!
That snuck by so quickly, didn’t it? but here we are, getting ready to say hello to October tomorrow. I hope you’re holding a pumpkin spice latte right now (or almond milk dark chocolate, half sweet – new obsession – or PUMPKIN CHAI SHAKE WITH TAPIOCA PEARLS – other new obsession) because looking at pictures of Sage in the all her fall glory is just not the same without it.
Is fall just so magical where you live? I mean, I don’t want to be a show off, but I feel a burden to help you vicariously experience fall at its best. Fall in Minnesota is just textbook. Total and utter perfection. Just this week, a handful of trees on our block started to turn caramely-gold and fire-red, and in my mind, the whole neighborhood smells like the White Barn Candle Company at the mall. In reality, it smells like good, clean earth and the occasional woodsy smoke from a bonfire. Which, come to think of it, might even be better. You listening, WBCC?
These days, we wake up to chilly, sunny mornings and a layer of frost on the grass which always makes me think of walking to elementary school in little red frost-protecting boots as a kid (yes, I’m 80). It’s already at the point where you probably need at least a light jacket if not maybe a hat and a to-go mug of hot chocolate in hand when you go outside, and – get this – the sun has started setting as early as 7pm. Never mind the fact that it will be 6pm and then 5pm and then 4pm before we know it – for now, it’s deliciously cozy and it begs for fires, soups, and This Is Us marathons.
And by marathons, I mean just watching one episode at a time because it’s still airing, live, real time. You guys, I haven’t watched a TV show air in real time like this in at least 500 years and I forgot how very painful it is. WHY DO THEY MAKE YOU WAIT. Mandy Moore just totally killed me at the end of episode two and I will literally be thinking about her and the moon necklace every waking second until next Tuesday night.
But Sage.
Being that she’s a Minnesota girl through and through, she embraces fall with a full doggie heart.
FALL FASHION
One of Sage’s favorite things about fall is definitely the outfits. She has a furry hooded sweater that she adores (and by adores, I mean tolerates because she’s literally the nicest dog ever) and that we make her wear for about 15 minutes every year to get a few cute pictures.
She just went to the groomer, so as you can see, she is rocking out those end-of-September vibes with a nice blue glittery bandana which requires that we give her the nickname: The Bandana Bandit. Obviously, you guys. We couldn’t not.
Last year, Sage dressed up as a ghost for Halloween, and there is a 99% chance that we will repeat that costume this year because I literally cannot think of a time when I laughed so hard at her cuteness. There were tears. There was rolling on the floor. It was my best Halloween to date.
Do your dogs celebrate Halloween? Please tell me everything.
BACK TO SCHOOL
With Back to School season in full swing, Sage has started something new and exciting this fall called SOCIALIZATION CLASSES. That’s right – we’ve made the official jump. We are those people. Every Thursday, she and all the other socially awkward dogs gather at a little dog school training center with their owners to get tips on how to be normal and nice. (Of course, Sage – and the other dogs – are VERY nice already and we love them all very much, but she could really use some pointers for keeping her cool around strangers, knocks at the door, and people moving in any way, shape, or form within 100 yards of her.)
Bjork and I didn’t know how she would respond, being her usual nervous, anti-social, hair-standing-up-on-end self, but you guys, she is Loving it. With a capital L. The mass amount of hot dog niblets that she gets every night at class definitely doesn’t hurt the cause.
Not only does Sage love it, but we humans are learning so much. It’s a classic rehabilitate-the-dog, train-the-people scenario – we went in thinking that we need to get her some help, and then learned that a lot of her weirdness has to do with how we’re taking care of her. Doh. Since class started four weeks ago, we (the three of us) have learned a new, more relaxed way of leash walking, growl/bark reduction strategies, and general obedience techniques that help her realize – We’ve got this one, bb girl. No need to stress out about people walking by or the neighbors coming home or the mailman – again – at the same time every day. You’re safe and we’ve got this one.
TRAVEL
Last year, we took Sage on a fall vacation (like, a legit vacation where we stayed in a dog-friendly hotel and everything) and it was life. We probably won’t get a chance to do that this year since our Europe adventure in November does not include a dog-friendly itinerary, but I don’t think our good girl minds too much. She will get to spend some time at her favorite Dog Camp – aka my parents’ house – eating too many treats and taking long naps on a new-to-her couch (um, Mom, we sent you those dates, right?).
She’s a comfy homebody at heart, and besides, when we already have the best fall weather around and all the people we love near us, every day feels like just a little bit of a vacation. ♡
Hope you all are loving fall as much as we are. Here are some pictures of Sage in September!
Sage loves Jenna! 👇🏼
Excuse us while we have a Vogue moment.
And a GQ moment.
Thanks for loving Sage right along with us, guys! Have the best fall weekend ever tucking in with your fur babies (or real babies) (or food babies). Youdabest.
MORE SAGE PICTURES AND POSTS:
Sage In June
Sage In February
Sage In October
Sage In August
Sage In May
Oh, I love Sage updates! She is sooo cute and seems so sweet. She very much reminds me of my dog (in looks and in the way you describe her personality).
Aww, Sage says hello to your pup, Renee! Thanks for the comment!
Okay, I’m kind of obsessed with your dog. He’s so cute! These pics are adorable.
Fall is magical where I live too. It’s been rather gloomy in Chicago lately, so I’ve definitely been feeling the fall vibe.
By the way, I’m hosting a blogger linkup on my blog today. I’d love for you to come share a post!
Style by Joules</
Thanks Joules! We love her!
she’s such a sweetheart! i, too, am obsessing with this is us this fall. holy man, every single episode is #emotionz! it’s my new fave! 🙂 happy october!
I’m watching it with Bjork, but I kind of secretly want to watch it alone so I can just bawl in privacy. FEELSSSSS
Love these pictures Lindsay! What camera lens do you use in these / recommend for more everyday family photos like these? Thank you!
Hey Mary! I used the 50mm 1.4 lens – that is my favorite lens for on-the-go photos like this! 🙂
First and foremost, Sage is adorable and her little personality comes so alive when you talk about her. <3
And, secondly, I'm going to be the girl that asks where you got your sweater. I'm never that girl but that sweater is amazing, straight up. Thanks! 🙂
Thanks Megan! I’m so glad you asked because I LOVE THIS SWEATER. It’s like a sweater-jacket that you can wear inside or outside and it fits like a dream. It’s from Athleta – it’s called the Chill Factor sweater – and sadly I don’t think they sell it anymore! 😭 but they have tons of sweater-jackets every season that have similar material (some blend of stretch, cotton, etc.). AND they have a policy that you can wear it, take tags off, wash it and work out in it, and if you don’t like how it fits, you can bring it back for a refund, anytime, no questions asked. Amazing. It’s one of my favorite stores because of that. Hope that helps at least point you in the right direction!
I am also glad she asked! 🙂
I am loving that sweater too! So don’t worry, you’re not the only one Megan 🙂
I was thinking the same thing about the sweater! I know I’m suppose to be paying attention to your baby Sage, but I too was curious about your sweater, so cute (and for the record, so is Sage!)
just cant get over how much those eyes and sweet face remind me of my childhood pup “brandi” she was a sweetie and was SO loving…I imagine Sage’s temperament is very much the same. glad your little family of three is getting all trained 😉
Aw, thanks Brittany. She’s a shy, cuddly, sweet, LOVEY LOVE girl.
Oh, man, you make me want to move back to Minnesota. Leave sunny, brown, SoCal for crisp autumn… but then there’s that pesky winter to follow.
Our now 10 year old furry girl, Rogue Anna Marie, went to a 5-week board and train school back when she was about 2. To celebrate her graduation, we took her on a vacation to the Washington coast. Best vacation ever!
Never tire of looking at Sage.
That is so sweet! You are our kindred spirit. Vacation goals! 🙂
As a former Minnesotan (born and raised in Duluth, St. Olaf for college, Mpls for my first “real” job…), I so “get” your love of fall there! enjoy. I landed at your site/community through love of all things food-stuff. But what a treat to read your journeys with sweet Sage. I’m just back at my desk from my Friday volunteering at our local SPCA, walking and simply being with heart-breakingly wonderful canine persons. Thanks for adopting! Cheers ~
Aww, that’s so awesome. Thanks for volunteering! And thanks for the comment Kristin!
Cutest post ever! Love seeing pics of Sage.
Thanks Kelly!
Oh My Gosh Sage is so darn CUTE. I wish I can just see her right now. She’s like Heaven 😍😇🐕
A loving dog always makes you wonder what the heck you ever did before you got her, right?
lol – we say that ALL THE TIME. 🙂
Sage is adorable. Great pictures!
I’ve got the dates on my calendar. 😊
Yes, I have the dates on my calendar. 😊
Aww she’s such a sweetie. Some pups just seem to belong in fall
What is an almond milk dark chocolate, half sweet? Is it a Starbucks beverage? Is it coffee, or hot chocolate? It sounds intriguing, but I wanted to know what it is before trying to order it. Thanks. And Sage is adorable!
Hi Sarah! It’s actually a hot chocolate made with almond milk and half the chocolate from Caribou. 🙂
Dogs are just so awesome and Sage looks like she fits right in the awesomeness spectrum. Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing. We adopted our little Maya last October. She’s a corgi golden mix and such a love. My daughters made an Instagram account just for her! You can see her here: @oh_maya_gosh_
Sage posts always make me want a dog. Gaw! A good thing just don’t tell my husband yet.
I guess I’ll be “that girl” too, but would you mind sharing the brand of your glasses? So close to what I’m going for!
Hi Meredith! Lindsay’s glasses are DKNY 4641. Hope that helps! 🙂
I love Sage posts <3
I love how much you love your dog. 🙂 And the pictures and the captions–it all made me smile.
I did dress up my dogs, and my niece, and wrote a post about it. I linked it! Lots of pics of scarecrows and superdogs. 🙂 Happy Halloween!
Thank you for choosing to adopt and for loving Sage! <3