New Year's Eve

Well it is New Year's Eve.  And like many in the world, we are QUITE happy that 2016 is coming to a close.   Now don't get me wrong - we ARE grateful for the fact that we have a roof over our heads, clean water to drink (although SOMEONE in this house is just as happy drinking out of puddles), we DO get food in our bowls every day (despite my complaints about portion size) and we have lots of toys to play with.  But it was a challenging year as well - besides the many human celebrities that passed away this year - the biggest grieving in our household came with the loss of my big furry buddy, Paxton.  We still miss him.  All the time....

We also had some terrible health problems this year - with my human's mother and with me...

But despite the hard parts - there were some wonderful things as well.  The most important being the arrival of Elroy!   It has taken me some time to get used to him - but he is definitely growing on me.  He is wild - but he provides a great deal of comic relief in this house!

I am grateful that people continue to read this crazy blog I write.  I don't think I missed many (if any) days this year and although there ARE days when I sometimes think that maybe I should take a break...I somehow have managed to write about something.  Let's face it - we three canines are a never-ending source of material!  While some might think we make up some of our stories - I assure you - our lives are better than a reality TV show.  This stuff is REAL - we couldn't make it all up!

Tonight my human and her mother will no doubt sit in front of the TV waiting to welcome in the New Year.  If they stay up that long. And we'll be right there with them - waiting to start a new chapter in our never boring canine lives.  A new year to chase bunnies.  A new year to play fetch.  A new year to train our human.  We have lots of work ahead of us.

Stay safe tonight - but have a glass of bubbly on me!  Cheers!

Happy birthday Mr. Kipling

Today is December 30 - and it's Rudyard Kipling's birthday!  Rudyard Kipling was a famous late-Victorian poet and author - who even won a Nobel prize for literature in 1907.  He was born in India, but lived in England and the US as well.  Now when you say the name Rudyard Kipling - many people think of one of his most famous works - The Jungle Book.  That title sounds like it could be  a book about our house.  We can be pretty wild animals.

While Mr. Kipling had countless poems, short stories, children's books and travel writings, what you may not know is that he also wrote about dogs!  He had a book called Collected Dog Stories - which was a group of stories he wrote about dogs throughout his career.  He even wrote several poems about dogs.  Here is one - but get out your tissues... 

The Power of the Dog

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart to a dog to tear.
When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair--
But ... you've given your heart to a dog to tear.


When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.


We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-term loan is as bad as a long--
So why in--Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Rudyard Kipling 

I had a hard time finding out what kind of dogs Mr. Kipling was owned by - but I did find one source that mentioned black Aberdeen terriers (Scottish terriers).  When you read his works, you can clearly see that he was a big fan of us canines.

As I started to write this blog, my human went into our "dog library" to see if we had Kipling's book.  Yup.  Of course, we do.  

And speaking of dog books, my human got a couple of new titles from Santa.  One of which is called How Smart is your Dog? by David Alderton.  Seriously?  A book to tell you what you already know?  Obviously, any dog who has his own blog HAS to be pretty brilliant.  Not to mention the fact that we herding breeds (PONs and Picards) have to be pretty smart to move around those sheep.  Mind you - Frodo and I don't particularly like sheep.  But we WOULD move them.  If we HAD to.  And with the FG, there is no question those sheep will be moved around.  And around.  And around.  And around....

Perhaps while my human is off (after she has taken us on 12 walks and has played fetch 43 times), she will sit down and read some of those dog books in our library.  Perhaps she should start with some of the obedience titles.  Nah.  I would prefer the one about biscuit recipes.

Have a good one!  And Happy birthday Mr. Kipling.

PONdini - and his cleaning service

Well, PONdini does it again.

The other night, my human had invited the "girls" from our road to the house to share in some Christmas sweets.  And some alcohol.  We knew something was up, because she had dusted and vacuumed - and we were effectively moved from room to room as she tackled each part of the house.  She decided that she would move the FG's pony sized crate into the garage - and then discovered that it is SO big it would require disassembling it to get it through the doorway.  So instead, she opened the deck doors and dragged it out there.  While we all raced around barking.  Which we did in each room she was cleaning.

While we are very friendly dogs, and DO enjoy a party, my human had decided that she was going to remove the unsightly gate from the entrance to the DFZ (the room with the large glass Christmas tree and the dog tree) - which meant we would NOT be in attendance at the soiree.  She fed us our supper, took us for walks - and then announced that we would all be staying in the large chain link dog run that is in the heated garage which is attached to the house.  Now the FG didn't care - he doesn't know much about parties, so he didn't know that we would be missing out on countless opportunities to steal food from the coffee table and the counters.  I knew what we would be missing, and was a a bit put out - but I knew it wasn't going to be late night as several of the party goers had to go to work the next day.  So I was fine with our temporary accommodations.  HOWEVER - Frodo was NOT happy.  And in case you don't know this - he does NOT like to be sequestered.  Any where.  Any time. And he WILL find a way out.

My human KNOWS that Frodo is an escape artist (I call him PONdini) so she closed the door to the run, put down the latch and then placed two EXTRA LARGE bins in front of the door.  AND a baby gate.  She stood back and admired her work, all the time Frodo was just watching. She went back in the house to finish her preparations.

My human was putting out the sweets before the guests arrived and she heard a noise in the garage.  She opened the garage door and looked at the run.  The EMPTY run.  SOMEONE had managed to push the latch up, open the door and push the gate and bins just enough to escape.  PONdini.  And two stooges followed right behind.  We were all in the garage - Frodo and I were trying to figure out how to get into the food bin and Elroy was doing a "pre-shredding" of the papers in the recycling bin.  While my human went to get Elroy, Frodo and I made a dash into the house and quickly ran into the DFZ to check out the snacks on the coffee table and to see if we needed to rearrange any of the ornaments on the trees.  My human ran after us and told us to get out of the room - which we did.  But TRY and get Frodo back in that run.  He KNEW she was going to fortify the prison.  She finally got him by the collar and led him back into the run.   This time, she put THREE gates in front of the door - attached by countless bungee cords.  And Frodo watched.  And every time she thought the fortification was secure, she looked at him, eyeing her handiwork and she went for more bungee cords.  Honestly, at this point Frodo KNEW even HE would not be able to get out - unless he climbed the chain link fence, but he knew that by just looking at the fence, he would freak out my human and that was almost as rewarding as actually escaping. 

After the guests left, and the DFZ was secured, we were released from our bondage.  We ran around checking to make sure there were no leftovers on the counters and performed our vacuum routine all around the house.  We are the after-party cleaning squad.  Hey - maybe we could get a job doing that!!!  Now there's a money making scheme!  We provide functional cleaning and we are oh-so-entertaining!  Gotta start working on my website.

Have a good one!

Happy birthday Mr. Wilson

December 28. And it's Woodrow Wilson's birthday.  Who is Woodrow Wilson?  He was the 28th President of the United States and he was in the White House from 1913-1921.  I don't actually know a LOT about him - but this much I found out - the important thing - like whether or not he had a dog.  Apparently during his early days as POTUS, he had a cat named Puffin and he ALSO had chickens, sheep and a Ram named Old Ike.  At the end of his term, he became owned by a Bull Terrier named Bruce.  He reportedly grew up with a Greyhound, named Mountain Boy, and one source said he also had an Airedale terrier name Davie in his pre-White House days.  So he did like dogs - but didn't have lots of them.  And no PON.  Or Picard.  There is a quote attributed to Wilson about dogs - and I think it is very true:  “If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience.”

I think I can add to his quote..
"because you have clearly not given the dog enough food in his bowl."
"because you have stopped throwing the toy after only 489 times."
"because you have not let the wet dog on the bed with you."
"because you have insisted on grooming him - when he is happy looking messy."

I won't make any comments about looking the current President-elect in the face...I'm trying hard to stay on the "nice"list.  Besides.  He doesn't even HAVE a dog...I'll just leave it at that...

We are excited because my human's mother is coming today to stay with us for a few days. She is very generous with bananas.  But we must be on our BEST behavior.  NO jumping.  I won't say her age - I just know it's like 86 plus one.  She's bringing her new iPad.  I'll make sure to download some dog apps for her.

Have a great Wednesday.  And happy birthday Mr. Wilson!

Fruitcakes....

Today is National Fruitcake Day.  And that's fitting because in the last 48 hours, we canines have been behaving nuttier than a fruitcake.

It started with the brotherly rumble on Christmas and has continued.  I think it is because Frodo was VERY jealous of the fact that yours truly got to go to the Christmas Eve festivities.  He has been cranky ever since.  He grumbles if anyone walks near him with one of the new antlers; he stole Elroy's cool new Jolly Ball and he doesn't even LIKE balls; he disappeared into the woods when we went for our Boxing Day run- barking and growling at something off in the woods - and I came back before HE did; and he was lying under the dining room table and when my human called him, he refused to come (he EVENTUALLY did).  So the "good dog" is being very naughty.

And then Elroy is more wild than ever - if that's even possible.  He went for HIS Boxing Day run and he was CRAZY.  Racing AT my human. Grabbing the leash and pulling.  Jumping and grabbing her arm - like some kind of schutzhund trained dog.  He DID come to find my human when she hid, once - but went so crazy when he found her that she didn't do THAT again.

Oh - and remember the indestructible dog bed that we got two years ago?  The raised one - made of steel.  OK - maybe not STEEL - but some kind of metal legs.  The one that even Paxton the destroyer didn't destroy.  The one with the COMFY, COZY fleece covering, that was attached to the legs with heavy elastic material.  Yeah, well the comfy, cozy fleece covering now has  holes in two corners - so the stuffing is coming out - AND one of the elastic bands has been chewed in two.  Guess who did that?  Jaws is at it again.  No rug or soft material item is safe in this house.  My human said she  is going to try and repair it.  This should be good....

It's hard to believe - but by comparison to the other two stooges, I have been the best behaved!!!!! I figured I had better end the year on a high note.

My human is off work until the New Year - so we will be sure to help her so she doesn't get bored.  Have a great day!!!

Smuggling. And Boxing.

Happy Boxing Day. The day when humans stand in line to get after-Christmas bargains and they can't return anything that didn't work out because it is now on sale and the stores won't allow returns and when they CAN make a return, the thing they wanted is now gone.  Good times.  Again - another reason I am happy I am a dog.

Mind you - here in Nova Scotia, all the stores are closed.  Yup.  It's like Christmas plus.  So you have to wait until the day AFTER Boxing Day to stand in line for the Boxing Day sales, etc. etc.  Go figure.  I'll give it a pass.  Besides, the pet store never puts the GOOD dog toys on sale anyway.

We had a wonderful Christmas.  AND I got to be part of a smuggling operation on Christmas Eve.  I felt like a spy...

On Christmas Eve, my human and her mother and sister were going to church at 4:00.  And then they were going to my human's mother's apartment for dinner.  Which is all well and good - EXCEPT, yours truly needs to take his medication at 7AM and 7PM each day.  I haven't talked about my health in quite a while - and I am happy to report, I have been seizure free for ALMOST 2 months!!  But I DO need to take my medication - which can be tricky at certain times.  So since they would be going to my human's mother's place around 5:30, and my human wasn't going to drive BACK to our house to give me my pills - they decided I could come along for the party!  HOWEVER - my human's mother's apartment doesn't allow pets...

When my human came to pick me up after church, it was raining out.  She told me I MUST poop and pee - IMMEDIATELY.  I figured something was happening, so I obliged - but of course, got wet in the process.  So my human brought me in, used the jet engine dryer to fluff me up, and adorned me with a festive collar and bow.  And we were off.

We parked in the underground parking and my human furtively glanced around as she went to get me out of the vehicle.  The coast was clear.  Check one.  So then we went to get in the elevator and we waited with baited breath when the doors opened.   EMPTY.  Check two.  I had no idea where I was going - all I knew was that I looked smashing and my human had a pocket full of treats in the event we ran into anyone.  We got off the elevator at the proper floor.  Again - no one waiting.  Check three.  Down the hall, and we were IN.  Phew.  Now to check the place out.  Hmmmm....look at those human snacks on the coffee table...they must be for me too.  Right?  Wrong.  My human kept a close eye on me - it would have kind of put a damper on things if I had decided to "mark" my arrival on this festive night somewhere in the apartment.  NOT that I do that EVER in the house - but she wasn't taking any chances.  She's been owned by lots of boy dogs...I wore a leash for the first part of the evening.

In Polish custom, humans share a wafer called Oplatek at the beginning of the Christmas eve meal.  Everyone shares with everyone else - and they wish each other health and good luck for the next year.  Yours truly even got a little piece.  Tasted like cardboard to me - but the thought is nice.  I behaved the rest of the evening and had a great time.  And no one saw me on the way OUT of the building either.  Mission accomplished.

On Christmas,  I was thrilled to see that Santa HAD left gifts for me after all!  Each of us got an elk antler (no wonder my human suggested I put that on the list - she must have spoken to Santa), I got two new retrieving toys, Frodo got a treat dispensing toy and Elroy got a new ball.  There was a moment of PONdemonium in the DFZ when we were crazily ripping wrapping paper - and Frodo and I got into a "tussle."  I think it was the excitement of the moment.  My human broke up the growling brothers - who make more noise than anything and promptly evicted us from the DFZ.  Party over.  Seriously, my human has no sense of adventure.  Admittedly we WERE rolling on the floor right in front of the giant tree with all the glass ornaments.  I'm not pointing paws - but he started it.  I think.  Actually - Frodo and I were just preparing for BOXING Day.  That's what WE thought it was all about.  Good thing Santa doesn't come back for presents.  Does he?

My human prepared a turkey dinner for her sister and mother and we dogs got some treats.  We WERE sequestered during the meal as SOME of us stare at diners, and it can become a bit annoying.  Actually - we ALL do it. But we did behave AFTER the meal.

Today the plan is for a long walk. And I'd like to try out my retrieving toys.  And then another walk.  Maybe a nap.  Another walk.  Maybe a round of "find the bunny."  You get the picture - a dog perfect day.

Have a good one - and no fighting at the Boxing Day sales.

Have a VERY Merry Christmas!

Wesolych Swiat from us PONs, Joyeux Noel from Elroy, and Merry Christmas from my human!!!  I was going to write it in all the languages  of my blog readers - but I figured I would miss somebody - so I'll stick to the languages we know in our house.  Mind you, my human's knowledge of Polish is fairly limited to greetings, food items, the words to Christmas carols, Happy Easter and a few words she probably shouldn't know!

I won't write much as I DID get some presents from Santa after all - and I cannot WAIT to open them! The photo you see is us waiting for the OK to dive into these gifts.

I wish all of you a wonderful day - with tail wags and virtual licks from me to you.

Oh - and tomorrow I'll tell you all about my Christmas Eve smuggling adventure.  Guess what my human was smuggling?  Me!!   Stay tuned!

Have a very Merry day!

Dear Santa. Part 5. Section B

Dear Santa.
I am sending this via e-mail as the chances of Canada Post delivering this on time NOW are about as good as the weather man forecasting the weather for 7 days from now.  Heck -24 hours from now.

So Santa, it's time for MY ask.  But you know, I have started thinking - what do I REALLY need?  I have a roof over my head.  I have food.  The portions are never quite big enough in MY mind - but my human feels they are ample.  

I suppose I could ask for some extra treats - I mean who doesn't like treats?  My human suggested I ask for antlers - not the horrid kind you have to wear from the Dollar Store, but the kind you chew.  Mind you, if given the chance - I WOULD chew those antlers from the Dollar store...

I have a bed.  Actually two.  The dog bed and the bed my human thinks is hers.  So I don't need one of those.

I'm not asking for clothing.  Kind of like a 3 year old asking for attire.   Just isn't high on the priority list.

Grooming supplies?  No thanks.  NO THANKS.

A puppy?  Got one of those this year.  Thanks.  He's pretty cool.  But don't tell him I said so - I don't want it to go to his head.

A goat?  Not happening.  So why bother asking.  The three of us and a goat?  My human would have to be committed.

Opposable thumbs like a monkey would be nice so I could help my human with housework.  On second thought - scrap that idea.

Night vision goggles so I could see those bunnies better in the dark?  Nah - I can smell them.

Actually Santa, I looked at my ask from last year...and I hate to be boring - but I think it bears repeating....Is it plagiarism if I steal my own words?

I am asking for something for every person (and dog) who is reading this blog.  I ask that they share the joy and happiness that Christmas is all about.  A smile, a handshake, a phone call, a hug – realizing that Christmas ISN’T about the presents – but about those moments that you share with others.  Human OR canine.  OK. Cats too.  And ferrets.  And rabbits.  But not snakes. OK. Snakes too.  But just for today. Even porcupines.  But just don't hug them.

Santa I ask for HEALTH, peace and happiness within the hearts of those reading this – even if just for a moment.   And that feeling of pure joy – that we dogs know ALL about.  That’s what I wish for.

 

So be careful in your ride tonight.  Buckle up.  Put on a helmet. Stay safe.

 

Happy birthday Jesus!   And Merry Christmas to all!!!

Sorry Clement Moore...

On this day in 1823, the famous poem, A Visit from Saint Nicholas was first published.  The poem, also known as The Night Before Christmas was written by Clement Moore.   I decided to take Clement's version - and modify it.  My apologies to Clement for my changes.  But I don't think he would REALLY mind.  This goes out to all those canines and their humans who read my blog - and my apologies in advance for the many names I am missing!!!!!  I KNOW there are others - and please know that I appreciate each and every one of you - but I wanted to post this before Easter!!!  Here goes:

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

3 canines were waiting for something other than a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,  

One had been chewed - so the toes were quite bare.  

Two dogs were nestled all snug in their human’s bed,

While visions of dog treats danced in their heads;  

And their human in her jammies, and Elroy in his crate,  

Were feeling rather stuffed from all the cookies they ate.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,  

We raced to the door to see what was the matter.

Then away to the window we flew like a flash,  

Barking and growling, a chair fell over with a crash.

The moon was shining on pile of snow

Because it was dark out, the yellow parts didn’t show,  

When, what to our wondering eyes should appear,

But a sleigh pulled by dogs, instead of reindeer,  

With a jolly old driver and those dogs, so lively and quick,  

We knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.  

As rapid as greyhounds – those happy dogs came,  

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

“Now, Meg, now Wookie! now Hally and Chimo!  

On Romi! on Zan! on Murray and Stacio!

Hurry Bisia, hurry Miri, hurry Sophie and Fudgee!

Quickly Taz, quickly Jackson, quickly Sherlock and Oly!

Wait Moo, wait Jack, wait Rigger and Milo!

Stay Wiggles, stay Nara, stay Edy and Solo!

Down Hattie, down Gidget, down Doman, and Fred!

Sit Nanny, sit Conner, sit Watson and Ed!

Come Sophie, come Thor, come Gatsby, and Beau!

Roll over Gipsy, roll over Dorey, roll over Kiszka and Flo!

Jump Maddie, jump Liam, jump Ares, and Tip!

Speak Romeo, speak Dudley, speak Logan and Jip!

Over the broad jump! Over the wall!  

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”  

So up to the house-top the happy dogs flew,  

With the sleigh full of Toys, and yummy biscuits too.  

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The barking and squeaking and each little woof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,  

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.  

He was dressed all in fake fur, from his head to his foot,  

And his clothes were all covered in dog hair and soot;

A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,

He looked a bit frightening and Frodo wanted to attack.  

But his eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!  

He looked very friendly, he wasn’t so scary!  

He looked at all 3 of us with a smile and held out a treat,

We happily took it – we’re always ready to eat!

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,  

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

We were all sitting patiently watching in awe,

Our tails wagged in unison as we each gave a paw.

And laying his finger aside of his nose,  

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;  

He jumped in his sleigh, after his dogs had a pee;

No one ran away – it was something to see.

And off into the sky the amazing dogs flew

Their driver trusted those canines – they knew what to do.

And I heard him exclaim as they drove out of sight,

“Merry Christmas - behave Viktor - and to all a good-night.”

A dog named Barney. And being naughty...

So I briefly mentioned Christmas movies the other day - and there is certainly NO shortage of them.  But I was curious about Christmas DOG movies.  How many would you guess?  5?  16?  27?   Well - this site shows that there are at LEAST 44!  http://www.imdb.com/list/ls063035576/  And we haven't even seen most of them!  Time for some binge watching over the holidays.  I think I'll start with #34.  Because the dog that appears to be the star looks PON-ish.  I'm pretty sure he's/she's a Bearded Collie - but still big and fuzzy.  And then there is #39.  A Benji story.  

My human's first dog (as an adult) was a dog named Barney.  And he looked a bit like Benji.  

Barney came from the dog pound.  The pound had nicknamed him  "the biter."  But my human was never one to back away from a challenge.  So she took "the biter" home.  And sure enough.  He bit her.  But they learned to live together, and with LOTS of training, Barney turned out to be a pretty good dog.  He DID have his naughty streaks, like the time he got into the garbage and took out the carcass of bones from a turkey, and hid it under the cushions in the living room sofa.  He was the kind of dog who didn't EAT things he found - he would just hide them.  For "later."  Barney lived to the grand old age of 17.5.  He and my human learned a lot from one another.

And speaking of naughty - GUESS who took off the other day?  Nope - not me.  Nope - not the FG.  It was VELCRO DOG.  And do you know why?  Retaliation for the Christmas bath.  Yup.  We were let out for a pee and TWO of us quickly obliged and raced back in the house.  But Velcro dog, who was all nice smelling and fluffy and clean - well he took off into the woods.  You could see the steam coming out of my human's ears.  He wasn't gone long - just long enough for her to go and put her coat on.  He came back with sticks in his coat - but luckily wasn't muddy.  He just smirked at my human as he waltzed past her when she opened the door.    Wonder if Santa saw that - he's probably pretty busy so Frodo may have gotten away with it.

Time to go and download some of those Christmas movies...  Let me know if you have a favorite.  Have a GREAT day!!!

Winter

December 21.  The first day of winter - and the longest NIGHT of the year.  Time for extra rounds of "find the bunny."

Now as we all know, some of us canines are better suited to cold temperatures during these winter months.  Dogs with longer coats don't seem to mind the cold  - but dogs like Italian Greyhounds and Dobermans may not exactly like the chilly temperatures.  They could definitely benefit from wearing a coat.  We have coats that we wear - more for rain than snow - although we do have the dreaded snowsuits to keep off the snowballs when the temperatures are right around freezing.  Actually, I don't mind mine - it's made of Gortex.  But Frodo is not so fond of his spandex version - although it DOES work!  If you look back at one of my old blogs - you can see our suits:  
http://viktorsviews.blogspot.ca/2014/11/vik-advisor-2.html

Anyway, with the start of winter - just for fun, here's a little quiz with the names of some dog breeds that are said to be well-suited for the cold.  I've scrambled their names...

1.  taika
2.  kalsana talemaum
3.  nerbsee tounmain god
4.  whoc whoc
5.  tearg neyrpese
6.  seenkdoh
7.  zavsuk
8.  fewnandlound
9.  tains nearbdr
10. beatnit  retreir

There are certainly lots of others - that's just a sampling.  How did you do?  Not sure?  The answers are below..

Well I had better get working on my letter.  Time is running out.  What's the deadline?   I'm assuming Santa will still have all my requests  available.  I'd hate to wake up Christmas morning and have an "Out of Stock" message left in my stocking....

Have a good one!


Answers:
1.  Atika
2.  Alaskan Malamute
3.  Bernese Mountain Dog
4.  Chow Chow
5.  Great Pyrenees
6.  Keeshond
7.  Kuvasz
8.  Newfoundland
9.  Saint Bernard
10. Tibetan Terrier

Raindrops on roses...

So I was the first victim of the Christmas bath.  And I must say, I did look stunning when it was all over.

 Mind you, within 24 hours I looked like my same old, scraggly self.  The only way to have us look so perfect for Christmas would be to give us a bath ON Christmas Day.  Like that would ever happen.

Next in line was the FG.  He looked just great when finished - pretty much the same as he always looks. 

So after the shampoo and blow dry and brushing, he of course IMMEDIATELY wanted to go out to pee in the snow.  So much for all that time spent drying him.  And THEN, the best - he had a big poop.  AND he had something he never gets.  A cling-on!  How great is THAT right after you have had a bath.  My human just moaned.  And took him back inside to "fix" the problem.

Two days later, Frodo had his bath.  It took that long for my human to get up the energy to do Mr Coat.  And of course, he looked fabulous in the end.

On Sunday night we were subjected to the annual sing along with Julie Andrews.  Yup - every year at Christmas, some TV station runs the movie, The Sound of Music - and we have to watch it.  And listen to my human sing the words to each and every single song.  She can even recite most of the dialogue.  Many years ago, legend has it, that she visited Salzburg, the home of The Sound of Music.  And she went on the The Sound of Music bus tour.  I pity those poor tourists on the bus with her...

There's another movie that we are waiting to see.  Based on the title, I think it must be ALL about dogs.  It's called It's a Wonderful Life. 

Time to finish my last minute Christmas preparations and finish my letter.  Have a happy Tuesday!

Dear Santa. Part 5. Section A.

Dear Santa.
Time is running out and you will soon be here.  We are almost ready for your arrival - my human has purchased the turkey and she just ordered some kind of fancy Yule Log from the bakery.  It's a bit of a tradition here.

In this section, I would like to outline my requests for everyone ELSE in the household.  I'll get to my personal requests in the end.  My human wanted to dictate the requests - including mine.  I think that it is interesting that when parents help their kids write their letters to you, parents suggest certain items.  And there seems to be a direct co-relation with what you bring.  You must work closely with parents...

Anyway - here are MY requests for everyone else:

Frodo:
1.  A recording contract.  Might as well put those vocal cords to good use.  He is particularly enjoying singing along with my human to Christmas carols.  Perhaps that could be his first album...
2.  A bungee cord cutter.  Would make it easier on his teeth.
3.  Ear muffs.  To protect his ears from all the licking that I do to them.  And actually, the FG does too.
4.  Tail protector.  To protect his tail from the FG.  I'm not sure what it would look like - maybe a sock-type thing.  You'll think of something.
5.  Treats.  He lives for them.
6.  A step stool so he wouldn't have to do a balancing act while trying to  counter surf.
7.  A bigger dinner dish.  For larger portions.

Elroy:
1.  Balls.  Lots and lots of balls.
2.  His own carpet.  So he can do whatever he wants with it - and he'll leave my human's carpet alone. (see my requests for my human).
3.  More chew toys.  Although his insatiable chewing has slowed down - he still does get spurts where the legs to the table look appetizing.  
4.  More treat dispensing toys.  He uses 6 different versions  but might as well add to his collection. 
5.  Boots.  That's a must.
6.  Treats.  It should be on every dog's list.
7.  Obedience classes.  No need to elaborate...

My human:
1.  Pharmaceuticals.  She needs them because of us... stomach medicine, migraine pills.  Might as well stock her up.  
2.  Alcohol.  Yes - we sometimes drive her to drink.  Wine is number one here.  
3.  A new carpet for the dining room.  The FG has created his own "hole" pattern by pulling out circular spots in various places.  Time for a new one.
4.  French doors to the DFZ.  So she can take down the unsightly gate and bungee cords.  It will be great fun to remove our olfactory art from the glass panes...
5.  GPS tracking collars for each of us.  So she can keep track of us whenever we go out.
6.  One of those poop vacuum things.  Or some other device.  So her fingers won't freeze.
7.  A tripod for her iPhone.  Since she takes SO many photos of us, she might as well try to get IN some of them with us.  Now wouldn't THAT be a circus...

In my last section, I'll outline my requests for ME....

Stay tuned....

Three Dog Night

HOLY MOLY it was cold here on Friday.  I mean REALLY cold. It was like -15 Celsius which is 5 Farenheit for my American friends.  With the wind chill it was like -100.  Ok maybe not THAT cold - but it was definitely a three dog night.  Ever hear that saying?  And no - I'm not referring to the rock band from the 60's and 70's.  I'm talking about an expression that is believed to have originated in either Australia or far north in North America. It refers to the fact that bushmen - or Aboriginal peoples would invite their dogs inside when it was cold - to keep the humans warm!  If it was cold, I guess it was a one dog night - but if it was REALLY cold, it was a three dog night.  The FG still sleeps in his crate at night - but Frodo and I were quite happy to cuddle with my human on HER bed that night. 

The FG LOVED the first big snowfall - which you saw in my photos.  But I'm here to tell you - he was not NEARLY as impressed when the temperatures dropped so low.  He walked in the snow and then just about fell over - his feet were so cold.  And he wasn't even out for 1.6 minutes!  He knew he had to poop - and his poop trail routine is hard to do when you are trying to walk crouched over with three legs.  He kept picking his paws up and stared at my human for help.  She just said "Buddy I can't do anything for you right now - just poop and get it over with."  Which he did and he raced inside.  I think the boy definitely needs some boots.  Now THAT will be fun to watch.  He looks like Bambi on ice all the time anyway - so add some boots...get that video camera ready!!!

One week to Christmas.  I have to finish my letter....have a great day!!!

He figured it out...

I can't believe it - but I saw it with my own eyes - so it's true.  The FG has figured out how to "find the bunny!!"  Well, it's not REALLY a bunny anymore - it's a simulated bunny.  Remember, I amputated the leg off the big bunny this summer.  And then my human had also bought us a small bunny when she was at Crufts.  Someone (who shall remain nameless) got just a LITTLE excited with that bunny and began to dissect his inner stuffing.  OK. I might as well confess - since Santa sees everything - so no point in telling a fib - it was me.  I get SO excited when I find the bunny and bring him back that I just can't contain myself.  And the surgical craving just overcomes me.  So we can no longer play with that bunny.  Until my human sews him up.  Like THAT will ever happen.

Anyway, while she was at Crufts she ALSO bought this REAL rabbit fur ball thing that has a rope attached.  It looks nothing like a bunny, but my human has now named it the "bunny" so who am I to complain.  I just like playing the game.

And I get to play first.  While the FG and Frodo are sequestered behind a gate in the front hall.  But they can watch me play.  My human makes us wait, while she goes to another room or even downstairs, and she hides the bunny.  We have to wait patiently because IF we cheat and start coming before we are called, she simply takes us back to the "starting place" and we begin all over again.  I'm pretty good - I don't usually cheat.  If she hides the bunny downstairs, she calls us to come down.  If the bunny is hidden somewhere on the main level, she comes back to us and tells us to "find the bunny."  While I am playing, Frodo and the FG are making an incredible racket.  Frodo is the ringleader - he barks and screams.  And now the FG follows along.  After I get my 10 bunny finds, then it is Frodo's turn - and my human puts me in the FG's crate.  Then it's my turn to scream bloody murder.  But we are all pretty clever with the screaming - we only do it when my human is out of sight.  As soon as she comes back, we are silent.  

After Frodo's 10 bunny finds, it was the FG's turn.  When he initially started playing this game a month or so ago, my human had to leash him to the crate while she went to "hide" the bunny (in plain sight in the other room) because he wouldn't sit and stay.  But now, not only does he stay when she hides the bunny on the main level, but he'll also stay when she goes downstairs!  AND he has figured out that he needs to use his nose to sniff out the bunny.  The neurons FINALLY fired and he has figured out the objective of the game.  And he consistently found the bunny. He still doesn't bring the bunny back - so my human has to follow him while he is searching, because when he finds the bunny he figures it is his to destroy.  I think he got that idea from me.

But it sure is fun to see him start "thinking" about things a bit more. He has also learned that if you sit and stare at my human while she is eating, she will use one hand to pet you.  BUT, if you get too pushy, then no pets.  We dogs really do learn from one another.

Now if I can just train him to open that biscuit jar - he's certainly tall enough...

Have a good one!!!

Picard goes crazy. And so does PON...

So I'm thinking that at the rate it is going, we are going to have a white Christmas.  We haven't actually had one the past few years, but it looks like Santa's sleigh will be put to good use.  And all of this snow has led to some serious "snow craziness."  Outside AND in.

So my human got home before dark yesterday - just after a bigger snowfall than had been foreguessed.  Let's face it, the weather people just guess.  Or so it seems.  I think they spin a wheel and whatever the arrow points to - that's what they pick.  Anyway, we got a lot more snow than anticipated.  But it did look lovely so you KNOW my human had to get some photos...

She took us out and we all went a bit crazy.  We ran like supper was being served. 

                                                   But the FG went crazy plus.  He raced. 

                                                                       He leaped. 

                                                    He buried his face in the snow.

                                                              And he raced more.

 

And Frodo and I just watched in awe...

 Here is a short sample of his snow zoomies.  It is very hard to catch him on video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyNxZdIeRGA

 

Occasionally he would stop - but NOT for long. 

So after we were all tired out - and beginning to collect snowballs because we weren't wearing our spandex suits or snow boots - my human put us all in the house.  While she went to take a few non-dog photos.  The nerve.

Frodo was particularly annoyed that we were inside while my human was outside.  And he decided to show how annoyed he was...

My human came in the house after about 10 minutes and looked at the water all over the floor from our melting snowballs.  And she looked at me.  And Frodo.  And she realized someone was missing.  She looked around and no FG.  He wasn't in the kitchen or dining room.  The gate was in front of the stairs, so he couldn't have gone down there.  He wasn't on the dog bed.  The other doors were closed...and then she looked into the DFZ.  The DFZ with the Christmas trees.  And the loads of GLASS decorations.  And there - standing in the middle of the DFZ was the FG.  She didn't know what to do.  It's kind of like coming across a bear in the woods.  You don't want to make any sudden moves - you want to move very slowly.  She carefully approached the gate - and that's when she spotted the evidence.  The bungee cord, which holds the gate in front of the DFZ, had been chewed in two.  We all know there is ONE dog in this house known for his bungee chewing abilities - Frodo.  Anyway, she just glared at Frodo who stared right back at her.  But she had to get the FG.  She slowly walked toward him - almost as if she wasn't even looking at him.  And then she make a lunge for his collar - and got him.  She peacefully removed him from the zone and went into the garage to get more bungee cords.  And she then held up the chewed cord, looked at Frodo and said "Who did this?"  As IF he was going to confess.  But we all know he did it.  Then again...did he??

NEVER a dull moment in THIS house.  Outside OR in!

Happy Friday!