When you can't do a thing about it

I got chewed out by a customer today. She was upset that she ordered December 22nd and did not receive her shipment by Christmas. Ok, first of all, we only guaranteed shipment on time for Christmas eve if the order was placed by December 21st 9am PST U.S.A priority mail only. Now this customer lives in Canada. She chose priority mail. It did ship THE DAY SHE PURCHASED it. We really worked our hind ends off to try to get everything to our customers for Christmas. But no one, and I mean no one, can guarantee delivery through customs in 2 days unless you are paying an arm and a leg. She chose Global Priority mail at checkout which clearly states a minimum of 7 business days. Then calls and screams at me to refund her shipping because it did not get there 2 days... Can I ever just have a happy day where customers stop and let me know what I am doing right? The answer is yes. Because one bad egg can spoil the whole bunch, I started a folder. I go to look at this folder when other customers make me feel bad. Here are a few I can share:
"I just received my very first order from you, and I had to go back for more! The shipment came very quickly and I just love the outfits! Now my little girl will be the best dressed Silky Terrier on the block! Thank you!"

-Phyllis Oliver


"Thanks very much for my coat which my Aunty sent me from you guys!
I love to be warm and as I have to watch turf hockey and ice hockey here in Queenstown, New Zealand I need a warm jacket.

Love Kiri
( Jack Russell / Bichon Frise cross)"


That is just two. Any of our customers out there? Please know we really work hard and really do care that you get what you want and deliver the method you choose at checkout. We don't make a profit off shipping. We give you 3 options. 1. first class mail (1 full week in U.S., 3 full weeks outside the U.S.) 2. Priority mail. 3 days in the U.S. (7 business days outside the U.S.) and 3. Fedex 2 day. They all vary in prices according to what THOSE companies charge.

There is my vent for the day. Please remember you can always get the best dog clothes on our site: www.purecountrypetboutique.com You will get customer service and we will try our best to keep you happy. We just can't hand deliver your package ourselves... if we could, we would.

A story about how friendship comes full circle.

10 years ago while finishing up my degree in Software Engineering at O.I.T (Oregon Institute of Technology); I was hired as a QA Engineer for Cadence Design systems. After a few months I worked my way up to Software Engineer on the installation team. It was here that I became great friends with a couple gals and one of them was Coppi. Coppi is just one of those people that you instantly love. Her personality, looks, charisma... everything draws you to her. Her laughter and smile made my day. When everything was work, work, work... Coppi was there to brighten my day. I think one thing about her that makes everyone LOVE her, is that she thinks no one likes her! I was floored when she told me that! Because I knew every single person LOVED her to death!





There are so many Cadence stories that have to do with Coppi, Me and Cindy. We were the power puff girls. We tortured our boss. From putting a horrible urinal biscuit in his office (I snuck in every morning and wet it with a spray bottle to make it smell extra strong… HI JIM! ) To filling his office with shopping bags and perfume samples, to putting the theme to Batman on his computer so that every time he got an email it played it full blast.. This was so fun when he had a meeting and we emailed him over and over. Again… HI JIM!! Even our Christmas decorating through the hallways during work hours. The list goes on and on. Bushwhackers, phone messages …hahahaha good times! I will write another blog about all the ways we tried to torture Jim, simply because he was a great boss that was so much fun to torture.




I remember one time I got super sick, I could not get a hold of anyone (mainly my husband), and Coppi left work, drove me all the way out to the doctor that was an hour away. She just is that way. She would give anything to help anyone. Coppi is in so many of my memories. When the planes hit the twin towers, Coppi called my desk ( I worked earlier hours). We went to the Britney spears concert, scrapbooked for hours, I layed out and swam at her pool while she sat under an umbrella fully dressed in a sweater and long pants.




A year passed and in 2003 is when I think the economy started to fall. We all sat by and watched as one by one our jobs were shipped overseas to India. Our team was the last to go, because we did after all write the install. I am not bashing outsourcing or Cadence or anything like that… that is a completely different story.




Coppi and I kept in touch. Through the years she always used to tell me I reminded her of her friend Devon. I am pretty sarcastic, and blunt. I am not for everyone that is for sure. I come across rougher than I am. I am actually a softy, but I don’t hold my tongue well and sarcasm is my thing. It is how I cope. So there I went all the time, saying something that probably wasn’t politically correct, Coppi would just laugh and say “Christi! You remind me so much of my friend Devon!”






After acquiring the love of my life; Peanut, a small, long haired Chihuahua, I embarked on a new venture. I had taken my little peanut to the vet. At the time she was only 2lbs and she shook all the time. The vet said these dogs that originated in Mexico really did need a second coat to help keep them warm. So I started looking for something small enough to fit her. Oh I found a few, but they were all over $50. For clothing the size of a hankercheif? I started sewing. While I knew I could just buy her a coat and be done with it, that stubborn part of me refused to pay that much. My Mom and a few of my friends mentioned that the coats were so cute, I should sell them. That was the beginning of Pure Country Pet Boutique. Where everything we make is under $20. Bringing quality affordable dog clothes to normal Americans. The business took off and I had the honor of having Coppi come work for me. She was great to have. made my day happy, always gave 110% at work and the best perk was that I got to see my friend.  She would stuff those little doggie clothes in order envelopes and even got an ab workout pressing dog shirts.






This brings us to now. Let’s fast forward to 2003 to 2009. After life’s circumstances played its toll on me and my family, I moved to where my heart called me. The sunshine! Southern California. Carlsbad to be exact. We moved the family and the business, and left all our loved ones in Oregon. I LOVE it here. But I had to leave everyone. My best friend Penny who would throw herself under a buss for me, and vice versa. My Daddy, my other close friends. I really miss my friends. Coppi is in Scappoose, Penny is in Sherwood… My close friends are in Oregon and while I knew I was where I needed to be, I really really miss my friends. While nothing fills the void of them, it would be really nice to have a girlfriend here. I have met many great gals. Gone to coffee, sat in the stands during games, even gone to a few homes for parties etc… it isn’t the same if you don’t have someone to talk to about more than the weather… Then the email came in. It was from Coppi.




Turns out she wanted to tell me that her friend Devon moved to San Marcos and she was not quite sure how far it was from me. “SHUT UP!” Ok so I already felt like I knew Devon. Since I had been called Devon for years. I live in Carlsbad, but my kids go to San Marcos High school. San Marco’s is at most 5 minutes from me (more like 3 minutes). Then I was told Devon had a son that was a senior at San Marcos. Turns out our kids were already friends! So I told Coppi “Can you please ask her if she is wanting to meet new friends?” This is how it started.




2 weeks ago I met Devon for coffee at starbucks. It is almost how it begins and how it ends… or continues. Devon is a breath of fresh air for me. A sister who I can call and ask for support or just say “I NEED GIRL TIME!” When I usually meet new people I have such a front. Like you gotta be someone else first, before you open up and share who you are. I think the Lord above was looking out for both of us. We are in the same spot in life. Have the same beliefs and both just looking for a friend to share with. Girls need girlfriends. I want to make it clear that nothing and no one ever replaces your loved ones. Your close friends. However I do believe God leaves certain spots in your heart open for new friends. Thank you Lord for my new friend Devon! Thank you Coppi for having enough trust in both Devon and I to introduce us without feeling threatened of our friendship with you. Thank you thank you. I know Devon will be a part of my life. I love her children, her family and I finally understand why for years coppi would say “Dev… I mean Christi!” Yeah, we are pretty close as far as personality, sarcasm, bluntness, that is the beauty of it.






I miss all of you in Oregon. All of you have your spots in my heart. There is no “replacing” here. I am just thankful to have met a girlfriend here that is eager to meet all of you and understands what it is like to miss a friend, or a family member. Moving to a new state can be scary and after living here over a year, I was beginning to wonder if I would be friends with anyone outside my daughters girlfriends and basketball team.






Thank you Devon for being you 100% of the time, and understanding what it is like to miss a loved one. Thank you Coppi for thinking I hated you at first and then building a lifelong friendship that is trusting enough to say “here is my best friend Devon, I hope you like her”. I love you Cop. 10 years now, I have known you for almost 10 full years! Some day you will live in Cali. I just know it! My secret plan is to get all of you here some day. Penny already is on to my scheme.

What's left of me...Taylor 2009

Did I mention my daughter (16) has been writing since she was 5? Writing music. Where did she get it? NOT FROM ME!
Ok, so this is my sappy Mom sharing moment.
Here are part of the lyrics to her song called "What's left of me" along with a very candid video with her making me swear she was NOT being shown... cuz God forbid a bad hair moment!
Written in honor of Tots.
I wish I had 1/10th her talent.
I might be an over eager Mom... but somehow I don't think so!



Lyrics... (well only 1/4 of the songs lyrics)

Thinkin’ about how you came in my life

There you were, unannounced, unexpected

Now I can’t seem to let you go

You make my day bright

And the stars shine

I used to be so down

Thought I’d never get back up

Used to be so tired

Thought id never wake up

Angel, you’re here now

You found me

What’s left of me

Angel, you heard me

I’m healed now

Watch me sing out

Ooooooooo…….

a little follow up

In memory of Mr. Berns, A.K.A. Bernard sir stinksalot. Rest in peace. We love you!

The joys of our pets

My daughter who is 16 recently lost her beloved kitty Mr. Berns. Mr. Berns a.k.a Bernard ended up with a horrible urinary tract infection. The infection got so bad that he had a huge blockage that in the long run ended up costing us $2,000 to change Bernard to Bernice. Which is the funny way of saying we had to cut everything off and make a new hole for him. This is my daughters child OK. For those of you that don't understand the bond between an animal and a person just won't get it. We had to pay for the surgery just as you would have to pay for it for a loved one. Bernie never recovered. He came home, wore the cone of shame and had all these medicines to take. He leaked everywhere all the time. It was horrible. It got so bad and the vet just told us to make sure he got his meds. Bernie got outside, and passed away. We knew he had died because he had to have his medicine to survive. But of course the wondering of where he actually ended up bothered me. Knowing he had passed was one thing, but knowing he went peacefully was another.

My daughter cried for 2 weeks straight. She kept saying she could not sleep, she needed someone to love and snuggle with. With Christmas approaching she said all she wanted was a puppy of her own, (Because I said no more cats). She has always wanted a Pomeranian. Us being chihuahua people I tried to talk her into a long haired chihuahua. I love to dress our chihuahuas up in dog clothes and can always use another model to love on. She insisted she wanted a Pom. I told her we could not afford one. They are usually close to $1,000!! No way. I don't spend $1,000 per kid on Christmas. Of course every once in a while I looked through available puppies, just to see if it was meant to be then we would find one that was affordable.

One afternoon after going to endless pet stores and rescue shelters with my daughter and coming out of there heartbroken for all the pets that needed homes my search led me to http://www.snowballsfamily.com They had rescued 2 poms from a pitbull ring and were FABULOUS people. We got Tots.


This is her Christmas present this year. This 3lb. dog of pure fluff has captured our hearts. She is so adorable and my daughter who still mourns for her Mr. Berns, is now smiling again and has hope. Tots did not replace her Mr. Berns. He is helping her heal and move forward.

1 week after Tots arrived, I was startled because I couldn't hear her. She is always running and prancing about our home, looking for the next thing to chew (our chihuahuas are not like this, they just sleep and love). So I called for her. We leave our back door open most all of the time, because in Southern California it stays in the 70s for the most part year round. Tots did not come. Our yard is fully fenced but after 30 minutes of me calling her, My heart sunk. Did she get out? She must have slid under the fence somehow. I proceeded to get my husband involved with the hunt. We moved all furniture, searched high and low but tots was GONE! I began to cry. I am not a cryer. I just could not bare to think of my daughters face. She would not handle this. I was already picturing years of therapy in the counselors office. I marched up and down our street. I knocked on doors, and tried to explain to everyone that if they see a huge cotton ball running around, it was our tots. I came home defeated. No one had seen her. Not one person. My husband proceeded to look out the 2nd story windows to see if maybe we could spot her, when he saw a little tiny bit of white fluff sticking out of our high ferns on the side of the house. He ran down the stairs and went to the side of the house. You know this side of the house.. the one no one uses. where the air conditioner is amongst other things. We have really high ferns planted there, you can't even walk through that area. Sure enough it was tots. There she lay... next to Mr. Berns body.

Now we have a lot of animals. Peanut, Cece, Maggie and Rudy... none of them found Mr. Berns. It almost seemed poetic. There sweet little tots lay, and she would not come, because she knew, she just knew we needed to find him. Lay him to rest. He was laying down, he had passed away, like we knew, but it was peaceful.

The next day of course was hard. Taylor sobbed and we all mourned the passing. But we now know that Mr. Berns crossed that rainbow bridge and is watching down on us. What a blessing this little white pom has been already. She gives us the gift of love, gave my daughter the gift of hope, and gave all of us closure.

Here is a picture of me, my daughter and our animals.

Peanut the wonder dog

It is the same old scenario at our house. The doorbell rings, or someone knocks on the door. Sending our animals into a barking frenzy. Peanut as always leading the pack as if to say "I get the first bite!" Now since we are constantly getting deliveries this poses quite a problem. I am always frantically running to try to pick Peanut up before someone opens the door, because she is almost impossible to catch once the door of death opens. There really is a very simple way to stop this outburst, if everyone who visited picked up a "How to enter the Silbaugh house" manual.
Rule #1 Peanut, leader chihuahua of the pack, usually the one dressed up in a pink doggie clothes outfit, must be acknowledged.
Rule #2 You must get down on your knee and talk in a high pitched voice telling her how beautiful she is.
Rule #3 You must gently extend your hand for her to sniff.
Once those 3 rules are followed, barking stops and life goes on. All the other dogs follow Peanut's lead. But, as you can already guess, there is no manual. So we go through this routing numerous times per day. SIGH. Oh sweet Peanut. No one understands you like I do.
~Christi
Owner of Pure Country Pet Boutique
The Best Dog Clothes

2 weeks until Christmas

2 weeks until Christmas! well just a little over 2 weeks Still plenty of time to get your special friend a gift! December 2009 There are 2 weeks left. It goes fast doesn't it? With everyone on your list, don't forget to get your baby something soft and cozy. Guaranteed delivery by Christmas if ordered by the 18th of December (U.S.) if you are outside the U.S. you must order by Dec 13th. Hurry while there is still time, we are just a click away! http://www.purecountrypetboutique.com All Coats on sale! Keep them warm all winter long! Learn More All Pajamas on sale! Cozy pajamas on Christmas morning. Learn More All Collars on sale! Perfect stocking stuffer! Learn More With everything on sale you cannot beat our prices, plus free shipping on all orders over $75! Dog clothes, pajamas, collars, coats, sweaters, shirts, shoes, jewelry, charms, everything you need for your dog. As always you can view everything we have on our site. Get them while you can, with the holidays these items are going fast! Please see our new photo contest below. Wishing you the very best Christmas, The PCPB Crew, Christi, Randy, Taylor, Jordan, Rudy, Maggie, Peanut, CeCe and Tots. email: support@purecountrypetboutique.com web: http://www.purecountrypetboutique.com We are working very hard to get out your shipments within 48 hours during the holiday season. **** NEXT PHOTO CONTEST RULES AND ENTRY GUIDELINES **** A Harness photo contest! All pictures considered must be a picture of your pet wearing one of Pure Country Pet Boutiques dog harnesses. Pictures must be submitted via email to photos@purecountry.net no later than December 15th Pictures must be a minimum of 600x600 dpi in .jpg or .bmp You may enter more than once but only 1 picture is submitted per outfit for voting. on December 16th all photos will be uploaded to the site and voting will begin. You will vote and winners will be announced January1st. Winner receives a $20 gift certificate. By submitting your picture to Pure Country Pet Boutique you are giving us permission to publish your photo. submit a picture of your baby wearing any of our Dog Harnesses