PPP

First off.  Thank you for your notes, good wishes and prayers.   While I am not going to share the details of our request right now - this much I will tell you.  This is not about me.  I am doing well.  Overall.  I did have some additional seizure activity this month and my human was also extra concerned because some of my blood work came back wonky two weeks ago. But one ray of sunshine yesterday was a report from my Vet saying that the repeat blood work we did this week was great.  No problems.  So THAT was one reason to celebrate.  

We saw some other rays coming through the clouds yesterday - and they make you realize that even SMALL things can make challenging times so much better.  A kind word or gesture.  A message.  Just a smile.  Sometimes humans need to think about how a little "nice thing" can change someone's day.  

And then of course, if one is having a difficult time, focusing on or being grateful for GOOD things is important.  Like the PPPs. 

PPP stands for several good things in our house.  

For example, PPP can stand for Precocious PONs and Picard.  Yup that's us.  And we ARE a good thing.  Sometimes. 

Another thing is Picture Perfect Poop.  I've talked about this before.  People who are owned by dogs obsess about our poop.  When we go.  How we go.  And if a dog has been having issues, PPP can brighten a human's day.  Heck, even if a dog ISN'T having issues, humans are usually happy about PPP.  Seriously.  Hard to believe - but true.

And of course we have the other PPP- Painful Puparrazi Photos.  Especially during the holidays.  In our opinion, not so good - but humans seem to enjoy them, so we humor you - AND they brighten your day.

And lastly we have the Power of Positivity and Prayer.  This is a BIG one to focus on.  We saw it yesterday - and again thank you for it - so much.    You will never know how much it can mean to someone - and how it can help those clouds to part.

Have a great one.

Life is sometimes hard...

Sometimes life is hard.  Just plain old hard.  The skies look grey.  And dark.

But you know, if you fly in a plane above those clouds, the sun is shining...even if we can't see it from the ground.

Things are hard here right now.  And we need your good thoughts and prayers.

We'll share when we can...

Scrabble

On this day in 1971, the first British National Scrabble competition was staged in London. The game was actually invented  in the 1940's by Alfred Mosher Butts, an American architect, but it didn't really take off in popularity until the 1950's when Macy's department store began to stock the board game.  To help you play the game, I thought I would provide a few "dog" words for you - from 4 letters to 8 letters.  And of course, I will provide definitions - and my OWN interpretation to help you remember them!

Here we go.

dogy.  (n). A motherless calf in a herd of cattle.  Think of me herding.  Actually, don't think of me herding.  Because you may remember what happened when we tried me with sheep.  I sat suspended in the pen.  But one calf I could probably manage.  At least I could LOOK at him.

doggo.   (adv). remain motionless and quiet to escape detection.  This is what we do when we know we are about to be groomed.  We hide.  It doesn't usually work.  She always finds us....

dogged (adj).  having or showing tenacity and persistence.  This describes my constant attempts to get into the food bin in the garage... I am tenacious in my attempts.

doggery.  (n).  a place where liquor is sold; a saloon or bar. This is where my needs to go after a week with us....

dogeared  (adj).  a paper object with worn or battered edges.  Our newspaper often ends up dogeared after the FG carries it in.

There are LOTS more words containing the word dog - but I wanted to give just a few to get started.  And of course, given that this house is owned by two PONs and Picard - the PERFECT 8-letter word is SHEEPDOG - for at least 15points!

Have a good one!

Helen Keller...

It's June 27 - and it's also the birthday of Helen Keller.  In 1980, on the 100th anniversary of her birth, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed the day, Helen Keller Day - in honor of the famous American lecturer and activist for the disabled.  Helen was born with the ability to see and hear, but lost both senses to illness when she was 19 months old.  Helen met Alexander Graham Bell - who was working with deaf individuals at the time, and he suggested she work with a teacher by the name of Anne Sullivan.  Anne taught Helen to communicate though sign language - by spelling words in her hands.  The incredible story of their relationship and her ability to effectively communicate, despite the fact that she was blind and deaf, has been the subject of books, play and movies.

And while you may know those facts about her, what you may not know is that she had a special relationship with dogs!  She had a number of canine companions in her life and when she wrote about what she would do if she could suddenly see, she wrote the following:  “I should like to look into the loyal, trusting eyes of my dogs…whose warm, tender, and playful friendships are so comforting to me.”

The following link tells all about Helen and the dogs in her life.  I want to share it, as the photos are quite wonderful...
http://www.perkins.org/stories/helen-keller-a-life-with-dogs

It looks like Helen's dogs were quite well behaved. Note there are no PONs or Picards in the photos...

But speaking of good behavior... the FG is REALLY starting to become better behaved.  Remember how he used to drag my human down the street?  Well, not that he NEVER would do it - BUT now she just stops, he stops and comes back to her side and walks with her quite nicely.  IN FACT, at times he is almost TOO close.   He could make her walk into the ditch at the side of the road - he pushes her so much.  I mean he is walking like he is glued to her.  Again - I wonder who has trained who....

Anyway - it's Tuesday.  Have a good one!

Murder

So there was a murder committed in our garage on Saturday.  OK.  OK.  Not a REAL murder.  But it did sound like it.  Saturday was "grooming day" for all of us.  And let's just say that Einstein gets a BIT dramatic when brushing is involved.  And especially when his coat is - how do I say this - a bit "tangled".  Perhaps it is due to the foggy weather we have had lately.  While it does wonders for skin, it wreaks havoc with coats.  Top that off with the fact that the FG and I LOVE to lick Einstein's head and ears - and well, you end up with a very tangled dog.  And although my human TRIES to be gentle in detangling the mess, sometimes she does need to tug a bit.  And you would THINK she was pulling off his toenails!  Now I am really good - she can tug and brush and even work in "delicate" areas and I don't care.  She's doling out the treats every 15 seconds - so why complain?  But Einstein moans and pants and lets out the occasional yelp for good measure.  And of course, the instant she stops, he pops up like nothing ever happened.  I should add that grooming Einstein is a bit like the sport of calf roping.  First she has to catch him to get him to come in the grooming torture room aka garage.  Then she lifts him and places him on his side.  And he squirms to get up.  His squirming went on for about the first 20 minutes until my human had enough of the wrestling and firmly said "knock it off!!!!"  He stayed in place for the next 5 hours.  OK.  It wasn't 5 hours - probably closer to 2 hours.  And yes, he still got a break probably every minute or so with a treat.  She had done my grooming first - which lasted about an hour.  

And then the 2 hours with Einstein.  And finally 15 minutes with the FG.  That's ALL it takes with him.  Lucky guy. 

When she was done, she wanted to get a photo with all of us standing and looking wonderful.  Good luck with that.  She did manage to get Einstein and I - but there is NO way the three of us can stand together.  The best she could get was a sitting shot:

We'll see how long our coiffures last.  Actually, while my human was brushing the FG, I had already started touching up Einstein's hair the way I like it.  My human shouted "NOOOOOOOOO".  Sometimes she is just TOO serious....

Happy Monday!

The best gift...

June 25.  Exactly 6 months until Christmas.  Time to start my list.  And this year, there will be only one thing on the list.  Good health.  For all my family and friends.  Because IF you have that,  the rest of the "stuff" is gravy.  Sometimes we tend to forget about that.  If you wake up and you feel good, the day is yours to create.  OK.  So that's my list.  For now.  I might add a bone to the list, because the "good health" thing is a bit abstract for Santa to bring down the chimney.  And we don't want to take away the guy's job.

So let's review the past week.  I wrote about the alien tick - and to make matters worse, he had a roommate.  Which my human again discovered on the FG.  He was promptly removed, put in two plastic bags and placed in the garbage can outside which contains the bags of dog poop that are picked up by the garbage man.  The tick.  Not the FG.  My human was in SUCH a state when she found this one, she wasn't thinking straight.  She probably should have flushed him - like the last one - but she instead threw him outside.  OF COURSE, she later regretted her decision - but wasn't about to go searching for him through the other bags in that can.  And let's face it - he has probably been gassed to death in there.  Although I have heard that the buggers are pretty tough. 

I hate to write this - but I had another seizure this week.  But we are adjusting my medication again - and HOPEFULLY this will do it.  Like I said, don't take good health for granted....

And in lighter news - my human posted this video of the FG and Einstein. 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gdDKuk2lXI

As you can see - Einstein is a VERY patient dog.  But lest anyone THINK that he is being taken advantage of - TRUST me - HE IS THE BOSS.  Here is another SHORT example of their playing.  My human didn't include the part with them racing around the kitchen.  And attempting to hump each other...  While the first video may look like the FG is a bit pushy - you can clearly see that he DOES respect Einstein!  Einstein starts coughing part way through - because he has no doubt swallowed a fair bit of Picard hair at this point.  But the body postures really show that these two guys are pretty comfortable with each other. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf8Pihq_VZ8

I just watch the two of them and roll my eyes.

So that's the news from this front.  And remember - if you feel good today - make the MOST of this day that you have been given.  It's the best gift of all!

Picasso

On this day in 1901, a 19 year old young man by the name of Pablo Picasso had his first exhibition in Paris.  I must confess, I haven't ever been a HUGE fan of the artist - but after reading more about him, I think I may reconsider.  You see,  it has been said that Picasso had a number of passions in life - including his art,  his image, women AND dogs!  Who knew he was a big lover of canines?  He reportedly owned many different breeds and was said to always get a NEW breed because he wanted each dog to be an "individual" and he "didn't want to live with the ghosts of other dogs."  Interesting. Breeds he owned included terriers, poodles, afghans, a boxer, a German Shepherd and Dachshunds - including one named Lump.  Lump was featured in many of Picasso's paintings, and there is even a book about Picasso and Lump.  Apparently, Picasso "borrowed" dogs from friends - and then often kept them - that's how he got Lump.  If you Google "Picasso and Lump" - you can see many photos of the pair.  Many of his paintings featured other dogs as well.

So Picasso had lots of breeds - but no PON or Picard. Too bad for him. 

Well it's Saturday - time to get my human up and moving.  No point in wasting a perfectly good day off!  And all this talk of art - let's just SEE what I can create today.   Besides havoc.

Have a good one!

terriers, Poodles, a Boxer, Dachshunds, a German Shepherd, Afghan Hounds

terriers, Poodles, a Boxer, Dachshunds, a German Shepherd, Afghan Hounds

terriers, Poodles, a Boxer, Dachshunds, a German Shepherd, Afghan Hounds

Let it go...

According to the crazy calendar, today is Let It Go day.  I'm assuming it is a day to let small problems go - and to let bygones be bygones.  Humans DO tend to carry around "stuff" that they shouldn't - they really need to be more like us canines.

Now that's NOT to say that we dogs don't SOMETIMES carry a grudge - or act a bit cranky.  Some dogs ignore their human if the human was away on a trip - and the dog didn't get to go.  Usually we may be cranky for a day or so - but we then forget about it - and we basically let it go.  We may also be cranky if another dog gets an extra treat and we don't - that sometimes happens here.  We also may be cranky if one dog gets a longer walk.  But within minutes, we let it go.  And honestly, we don't think about it again.  We don't think "Hey last week HE got a longer walk."  And it's NOT like we don't remember things - we dogs have GREAT memories.  If we found a treat in a certain area- we'll go back to look there later.  We DO remember.  We just choose NOT to hold onto "stuff." Other than our bones...

But humans - well they have a hard time "letting go."  But really, if they DID, they would probably have fewer health problems - fewer headaches and stomach aches.  Bottom line, they just need to be a LOT more like us dogs.  Wag more.  Bark less. Roll in the freshly mowed grass.  Play ball...

So let it go today.  And have a good one!

Emergency training. Call 911....

Well here is an interesting tidbit in the world of dog news... It seems researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology Animal-computer Interaction Lab are working on ways to help us dogs call for help - in the event that our human needs assistance.  They are training canines to use dog-friendly touchscreens to dial 911.  They also have these cool high tech vests for dogs, equipped with sensors.  If there is an emergency the dog tugs a rope that is on his vest and it activates a sensor on the vest which communicates with a computer in the vest.  The computer will then either make a call, send a text or will even broadcast an audio message. 

This all sounds so exciting and progressive and such a cool technological advancement in canine communication.  What a far cry from Lassie running for help and barking when Timmy fell down the well. 

But seriously.  I can't EVER see it working for any of the dogs in THIS house.  I mean the FG would chew the tug with the sensor within 3 minutes.  And I can see Einstein smashing his face into a touchscreen and barking madly.  And he would no doubt figure out how to call numbers OTHER than 911.  I can see the phone bill now.  Not to mention accidental calls for help - which are CLEARLY dangerous, and which could probably result in some hefty fines. We love our human - but counting on us in an emergency...well...remember how Einstein and I  stood and stared at her when she broke her wrist a couple of years ago?  We obviously need more emergency training....and hopefuly we don't need it any time soon!

Have a good one.

The alien

June 21.  Well it is official.  The first day of summer and the longest day of the year.  And of course, it's National Daylight Appreciation Day.  Here in Nova Scotia, the sun will rise at 5:28 and set at 9:02.  Of course, it is light out even before 5:28.  That's why we continue to get my human up at 5AM.  No point in wasting a perfectly good day.

So yesterday we met an alien.  That's what I'm calling him.  And my human was totally, completely, thoroughly disgusted and grossed out...

She was petting the FG while she was eating her breakfast.  Breakfast is a one-handed meal - as her non-dominant hand is used to pet the FG.  He pokes her and puts his paw on her arm if she doesn't pet him.  As I have said - he has her VERY well trained.  So she was scratching his ears, and rubbing him under his chin and patting his head and she ran her hand down his side.  And she felt a lump.  A BIG lump.  So she got up and parted the hair on his ribs - and that's when she saw it.  The alien.  A TICK.  The size of an orange.  OK.  Not that big.  Maybe the size of a grape.  OK.  A blueberry.  But STILL - it was the biggest tick she has ever removed.  She whisked him onto the grooming/operating table in the garage and searched for the serious tick removal tool.  It looks like a pair of scissors and it has a magnifying glass on it.  She didn't need the magnifying glass - it was CLEAR what she was dealing with.  She got a hold of the alien and pulled him off.  Then what to do with him?  Last time she smashed a tick intruder into pulp - but this one was big - and she did NOT want to see what inside HIM.  So.  She flushed him.  She cleaned the area and put on some antibiotic cream.  The FG stood like a soldier - he was SO good.  She then took the dryer with the airplane motor - the one that blows enough air to send a chihuahua flying - and checked him all over for any relatives of the alien.  None. 

And in that momentary instant, my human was wishing for a cold snowy day - one without ticks.  But the thought quickly passed - and we'll take the long balmy days of summer. For at least a FEW weeks!

Happy summer!  Have a good one.

Recipes. SO easy. Even MY human could make them...

June 20.  And according to the crazy calendar, it is Plain Yogurt Day.  A day to celebrate plain yogurt.  With parties and parades.  Just kidding.  I don't KNOW of any yogurt parades...but maybe there IS one.  Somewhere.  Anyway, in honor of yogurt - here are links to four EASY recipes for frozen dog treats with plain yogurt.  They are SO easy, even MY human could make them.  Could being the operative word.  If she can find the time.  Maybe on the weekend....

http://irresistiblepets.net/2014/09/diy-frozen-apple-dog-treat-recipe/

http://thebark.com/content/simple-frozen-yogurt-treats

http://www.akc.org/kids-corner/games-activities/dog-crafts-recipes/frozen-pumpkin-dog-treats/

https://brucebradley.com/recipes/blueberry-banana-frozen-dog-treats/

If you try them and you like them - let me know - and spread the word.  If you don't like them, don't tell anyone I told you about them...

Have a good one!

In the movies

June 19.  And it's National Pets in Film Day.  There have been LOADS of films that have had dogs in strarring roles.  I DON'T THINK there has been a PON in a lead role- YET.  There is still time for me.  Mind you, I understand one has to be obedient to star in a movie.  So that could be a challenge.  So let's see how knowledgeable you are with regard to dogs in movies.  What dog breeds starred in the following films:

1.  Turner and Hooch
2. Marley and Me
3.  Lassie (now THAT'S an easy one!!!!)
4.  Beethoven
5.  Air Bud
6.  The Wizard of Oz
7.  The Artist
8.  Rin Tin Tin
9.  Hachi: A Dog's Tale
10. Because of Winn-Dixie
11.  Eight Below (TWO breeds in this film)
12.  The Shaggy Dog

So let's see how you did!
1.  Dogue de Bordeaux
2.  Labrador Retriever
3.  Rough collie
4.  Saint Bernard
5.  Golden Retriever
6.  Cairn terrier
7.  Jack Russell Terrier
8.  German Shepherd.
9.  Akita
10. Berger Picard!!!!
11.  Siberian huskies and malamutes
12.  Old English Sheepdog

The FG is feeling a bit smug as there has been a movie with a Picard.  Mind you - with stardom comes challenges too.  People see a breed and think "I need one of those" without learning about what the breed REALLY is like.  And then people SOME people start breeding them to fill the demand.  And that can cause all kinds of problems.  So PONs are probably better off NOT being in a movie.  Although - when people ask my human what Elroy is - she DOES refer to the movie sometimes.  When she isn't telling them that he is a coyote.

See you at the movies!  Save some popcorn for me.

Battle of the Poles

So my human and Einstein have a new little battle going on.  Well, it's not REALLY new - but I suppose I just haven't written about it in some time.  It's the morning bark-a-thon.  As we all know, Einstein LOVES to bark in the morning.  He barks out his commands for my human to take him out - and barks out his commands to feed him.  Quickly.  But now that summer has FINALLY arrived - and all the windows are open, my human is acutely aware that not EVERY neighbor within a 2 mile radius necessarily wants to hear him shouting out his commands.  So my human simply holds up the infamous squirt gun - and all is silent in the world.  When she takes us for our walk, he is completely quiet - unless of course he happens to see a neighbor walking down the road.  Or a rabbit.  Then he starts up.  But in general, our walk is totally quiet.

Then it's the FG's turn for his walk. And HERE is where the problem begins.  Because as soon as she walks out the door with the FG, Einstein begins his chorus.  She RACES back in and instructs him to "BE quiet."  Which he does.  Until she is 50 feet from the door.  And then he begins again.  So she RUNS back, throws open the door - and he stands there silently.  Yesterday she never heard him as she went all the way up the driveway and onto the road.  She thought he was content.  She walked the FG up and down the road - the walk lasted about 20 minutes.  As she started coming down the driveway, she heard it.  Yup.  The barking.  So she started running like a mad woman.  With the FG in hot pursuit.  And of COURSE, Einstein HEARD her coming - so he fell silent as she opened the door.  He just stared at my human.

Perhaps he is going to need something special to chew on while my human and the FG go out.  That MIGHT work - but I want whatever it is he gets.  So we need two of whatever chew item is decided.  I suggest a sirloin steak.  But I'm thinking that will probably NOT be an option.  Maybe a carrot.  Mind you, he can devour most things in 47.3 seconds - so not SURE that will work. So,  it's that - or a muzzle.  Nah - he'll figure out how to bark with a muzzle on.  The canine ventriloquist.  I can see it now...

One more day with company.  We got to meet the special guests yesterday - it was two of my human's cousins - from Detroit and Buffalo.  We were actually on good behavior when they came over.  We didn't jump on them or act all crazy..  OK, we did bark at first - but were then FINE.  The FG got a BIT crazy, but even he was not totally bad.  We wish they could stay longer - they go home today.  They seemed VERY nice.  They are "dog people" so how could they NOT be nice!

Have a good one.  You know we will!

MORE Viktionary

So the weather forecast is calling for a VERY rainy day.  Despite that, my human and the special visitors are heading out on the road to tour a bit of Nova Scotia.  Better them than us, we would rather not go out in the rain unless we absolutely have to. So because it's a busy day - time for some Viktionary terms. 

rePEEt   v.  to take turns with our canine friends and siblings in a friendly competition of who can pee on the same spot - last. 

shpanting v.  the action of shmearing your wet face in your human’s clean pants.  Elroy is AWESOME at doing this!!!

squeaquest    v.  to walk around the house squeaking as if we are asking for something.  Despite the fact that we have been walked, fed, have played ball for an hour and there is nothing physically wrong with us.  It is an excellent attention grabbing action.

strat-i-lie   v.   to strategically lie in a location that causes the most inconvenience for our human.  For example, in front of the sink when she is attempting to do the dishes, or in front of the stove when she is cooking.

supersonic auditory edible detection   n.  the ability to hear another dog eating a biscuit, no matter where we are in the house.  Which results in IMMEDIATE movement to that dog.  And the initiation of crumb radar.

surploop   n.  the extra or surplus pooping that we do two minutes after we initially poop – and our human has already tied a strong knot in the poop bag.

In this list, it is hard to pick a favorite.  The FG is THE king of shpanting.  He did it before my human left for work yesterday.  Honestly, she should wear a hazmat suit OVER her work clothing - until she gets out the door.  Once upon a time I used to think he was just a fashion critic, checking out what she is wearing.  Now I realize he just likes to shpant her.  Plain and simple.

My other favorite is surploop.  Einstein is a PRO at this one.  As SOON as he poops and my human has picked up the deposit, AND has tied the poop bag, he will walk a bit further - and poop again.  We really should have stock in those Dollar Store poop bags.  My human goes in and buys BOXES at a time.  And the clerks look at her like she must own a zoo.  And they're actually not far off!

Have a good one!

Veggies.....

June 16.  And according to the crazy calendar, it's Fresh Veggies day.  And don't we LOVE fresh veggies?  Well at least Einstein and I do.  The FG has a different procedure for eating veggies - take a carrot for example. The FG has to toss it, lick it, roll on hit, chew it, spit it, and finally eat it.  This holds true for almost all veggies.  There are LOTS of veggies that are good for us dogs - like carrots, celery, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, green beans,  peas and potatoes.  As with anything - we should probably eat veggies in moderation - because too much MIGHT upset our stomachs.  And there are some we should NEVER eat - like onions.  Tomatoes are OK - but the green parts of the plant CAN make us sick.  One source said that asparagus is OK, but too tough to be eaten raw.  Guess they never met the power chewers in THIS house.

And speaking of eating - the FG has a new habit.  He has TOTALLY trained my human. 
 He has started this new thing where he won't eat his supper.  He just stares at it.  Or lies down next to his food bowl.  So of COURSE, the first time he did this, my human tried to feed him by HAND.  So yup - you guessed it - he now will not eat his supper unless she feeds him. And then he eats the WHOLE thing!    He is really good at human training.

Well it's Friday and I understand my human and her mother and her sister have some company arriving this weekend.  They are not staying with us - I think they value their sleep.  But it still looks like we might have to be on good behavior.  We'll see....

Have a good one - and don't forget to eat your veggies!!!

Nature Photography Day

June 15.  I love this day.  It's Nature Photography Day.  As usual, most things in nature we dogs initially sniff and then often pee on.  At least the dogs in this house.  So my human again followed me around and took shots at my level to show a dog's eye view of nature.  She took the shots but I selected the subject matter.  She didn't attempt this with the FG because his shots would all be blurry.  He rarely stands still long enough to get a good photo.  The ONLY thing he REALLY examines outdoors for any length of time is a spot where Einstein or I peed.  He's a bit obsessed with that.  Which drives my human mad. And my human refused to take photos of dog pee.  Or poop.  Spoil sport.

So let's take a look at my nature shots...

I looked at dead leaves...which are good to pee in.

And birch bark...another good pee subject.

And then we have maple leaves.  The symbol of Canada.  It seems a bit disrespectful to pee on them.  But I did it any way.

Ferns...another good pee subject.

 Fir tree needles.  We have lots. To pee on.

The neighbor's spirea.  Which we are NOT allowed to pee on.

The rabbit.  OK, he's not real.  I couldn't get a photo of the REAL guy - I was too busy chasing him. And we also pee on this rabbit...

The lupines.  Which JUST opened.  My human has been dragging us away from them for weeks now.  So we wouldn't pee on them.  They grow wild in front of our property.

Rocks.  At the beach when we went on our holiday. We WANTED to pee on this.  But my human wouldn't let us.

The moon.  See it behind us?!  It's one of the few things, we can't pee on....

So those are my nature shots for this year.

So go out today and grab your camera or smart phone.  And take some photos of the wonderful world around us!! Just do it BEFORE your dog pees on it....

POTUS birthday

June 14.  And guess whose birthday it is?  Done other than the Donald. Nope - not Donald Duck.  Donald Trump.  POTUS.  He'll be 71 today.  

I swore I would never talk politics again after someone berated me for doing so in the past.  Seriously. A guy berated a DOG for voicing his political opinion.  I mean COME ON.   Isn't everyone entitled to an opinion?

I will NOT talk about mainstream media.  Or Russia.  Or investigations.  BUT I will point out a number of stories that indicated the Donald was going to get a dog.   I have read he was getting everything from a Border Collie to a Labradoodle.  I think it was fake news.   And it was probably started because the last 19 Presidents have owned dogs.  And if my resources are correct, 71% of all the Presidents have owned dogs.  Actually, the Donald is among a small group of Presidents who never owned ANY pet: he and James Polk.  Wait - Andrew Johnson was said to feed white mice he found in his bedroom.  So that's not exactly what I would call being a pet owner.  Oh and Martin Van Buren owned some tiger cubs given to him as a gift - and he later donated them to a zoo.  Another quasi pet person.  The Donald needs to think about this.  Maybe a dog WOULD be good for him!  Just don't pick me...

I want to be clear on something here - I'm not a Republican, Democrat, Green Party member, Liberal, Conservative, or Socialist.  I'm a Caninist.  I believe in equality for all dogs.  OK and cats too.  But not iguanas.   OK, OK, iguanas too.  I believe in equality for all.  All of us on this planet - humans, canines and even porcupines share two things in common.  We live.  And we die.  One of those we don't generally control - but the other - well it is up to us how we use our time.  Every day is a gift.  We can focus on the puddles after the rain- or jump over them and continue on our walk.  We can growl and snap at others - but it won't win us any friends.  We can hoard our treats - even though we have enough - or we can share them with others.  And in the end, it's all about how NICE we have been - and how we have treated others.  We dogs get it.  We may be naughty at times - but underneath it all - we are NICE. 

So although I am not a fan of the Donald, my birthday wish for him is the ability to think like a dog.  Be nice.  And learn to wag instead of growling and snapping.  Trust me - it will make your life, and the lives of MANY others, so much better as well.

Hiccups

I

June 13.  And on this day in 1922, some poor fella by the name of Charlie Osborne started doing something that would end in a "record' of sorts.  He began to hiccup.  And he didn't stop for 68 years! Can you imagine?!  I mean CAN you imagine?!  Poor guy.  Apparently he died 11 months after they stopped. 

We dogs can get hiccups, and puppies are often prone to them.  Hiccups are usually caused by eating too quickly or by being too hyperactive and energetic.  Barking can also cause hiccups - because if you're excited and barking, your breathing is affected.  Given these causes, Einstein should  have  chronic hiccups - he inhales his food and is always barking.  Another cause for hiccups is supposedly eating a food high in grain. 

To stop or prevent the hiccups, if your dog has then often, you should feed a low grain food and avoid foods that trigger hiccups.  Give your dog water - just like humans - to try and stop them.  Other suggestions include exercising your dog, to change his breathing pattern.  Take a walk or play fetch.  Another supposed cure is to feed him. Unless you what he eats triggers them - then I think you have a cycle going on!

None of us get hiccups very often.  In fact, I don't think I have ever heard the FG hiccup.  Maybe he's scared of me - so I frighten the hiccups out of him - like some humans try to do. I wonder how many different cures Charlie tried?!  And what finally caused them to stop.  Maybe he got a dog.  We can cure lots of human ailments.  Although sometimes we add to them...At least in this house!

Have a hiccup-free day!

We survived Darth Vader

Well we survived.  No one ran (or fell) off a cliff, Elroy behaved at Aunt Glenda's and my foot is feeling 1000% better.

On our last day - my human took us on another 5 AM hike - for probably 4 km.  And of course, the last of the obligatory photo shoots. This time she remembered to bring enough treats.

I must brag that on the way home, my behavior was again exemplary.  I went in my crate, and never made a peep.  That was in stark contrast to Einstein.  He continued to pant and squeak like he did on the way down.  And of course my human would worry that he needed to go out.  So she would pull over, get him out, and watch him trot around with NO need to pee or poop.  My human's mother  at one point was really wishing we had that  recording of rain. 

On the way home, we stopped to pick up the FG.  He was beside himself when he saw my human - and happily jumped in his crate.  But here was the challenge.  There was enough room for two crates in the vehicle.  And clearly the FG needs a crate.  And my human knows that I  would be happy to be in the FRONT seat, if allowed to do so - so there was no way I was going to be allowed to be free.  My human figured that since Einstein was not happy in the crate anyway, he would be the best dog to sit in the back with my human's mother... Well.  HOW do you spell fiasco?  If we thought the panting was bad before, while in his crate- he was nearly hyperventilating in the back seat.  My human thought SOMETHING must be wrong.  So yup - she pulled over again.  And again, he happily trotted around.  By this point there were three humans who were ready to tie him to the roof of the vehicle. Like something a politician would do - or like a scene from the movie "Vacation."  My human's sister and her mother traded places - so now her sister was in the back with Darth Vader.  He eventually settled down - only to rev up again when we were 15 minutes from home.  When we are at home, and Einstein is in a barking frenzy, all my human has to do is show him a squirt gun that she has.  She has only ever had to spray him once and now all she has to do is say "I'm getting the gun."  That generally makes him quiet.  So what did she say in the vehicle?  "I'm getting the gun."  Which was utterly ridiculous because she didn't even HAVE the gun.  He didn't give her a second look and continued his pant-squeak solo.  But you should have seen the looks on her mother's and sister's faces when she said it.  "It's a SQUIRT gun" she exclaimed.

We were ALL happy to get home - and within 2 minutes, we were all sound asleep.  Adventures sure make one tired.  But they are SO worth it!  Even with a panting dog...

Have a good one!

Vacation Day 2

It went by much too quickly - but our little vacation must come to an end today.  Not that my human didn't TRY to see if they could keep our accommodations for ONE more night - but sadly the place was booked.  Great for tourism, bad for us.

But we had a marvelous day yesterday.  It began at 5.  Yes - we got my human up and 5.  No point in missing a good vacation day.  So she took us out for a LONG walk.  She started to take us out on a trail and when we began, we saw a warning sign about coyotes.  So we didn't do that hike.  This is us with our sad faces.

Then of course, she had to take us around part of the resort instead.  And she made a BIG mistake - she didn't bring enough treats.  So while we did sit and stay, we don't look overjoyed in some of these shots.

The we drove all around the Cabot Trail and stopped numerous times for pee breaks.  And scenic photo shots.  She didn't attempt to get us in all the scenic shots - as some are taken in rather precarious locations - and she didn't REALLY want to be dragged over a cliff. 

As usual, the humans also did some "shopping" along the way - while we boys waited.  They went to craft stores, hooked rug shops...

AND my human almost bought this hat for herself - she figured it would be the perfect thing to get our attention when she is taking photos of us.  I say, stick to the treats.

Stay tuned tomorrow for more stories about our travels home... Did I ever mention we LOVE Cape Breton...and I'm wondering if we could do some tourism ads for them?  Hey wait a minute - I think we just did!

CAPE BRETON!!!!

So we loaded up the rental van and away we went!  Our destination?   Cape Breton and the world famous Cabot Trail.  We loved our trip there last year - and clearly my human loves it too.

The only problem with the trip so far - is that we had some rain.  Now it wasn't torrential downpours - just a shower here and there throughout the trip.  So the photo ops were put on hold. 

I must say, I was a brilliant traveler yesterday - once I was put in my crate, I never made a peep.  But Einstein - that's another story.  As we all know, he does NOT like to be sequestered.  He has been known to chew holes in chain link fences,  no baby gate can hold him back - he just chews his way through - and if he is actually placed in a room and my human is on the other side of the door, he makes a BIG fuss and squeaks and moans.  So imagine the indignation when he had to go in a CRATE on this journey.  He panted and squeaked for the first 40 minutes - so much that my human had to stop to take him out.  He was FINE - it's not like his bladder was about to explode- he just wanted out of the crate.  Ever see one of those cartoons where an animal spreads all four legs to avoid going through a door.  That was Einstein when he had to get back in.  But of course, my human won.  And the squeaking continued.  And then, suddenly it stopped.  Completely.  For a LONG time.  And then all the passengers realized when it stopped.  When the showers started, the squeaking stopped.  You see, although Einstein hates being crated, the other option would be to go out in the rain.  He HEARD the rain.  And we KNOW how much he loves rain.  I think my human needs to get a recording of rain to play whenever he has to travel in a crate...

We arrived at our cabin at the Keltic Lodge - and as you can see, we made ourselves right at home.  In this photo, my human's sister had just told Einstein that the couch did not have his name on it. 

All that time my human spent grooming us before the trip was clearly well spent.  We look a MESS.  I TOLD her not to bother grooming us....But did she listen???

Tomorrow we hit the trail again and the weather is calling for sunnier skies.  So we'll hopefully have some photos to share.  Last year, my human posted our photo to the Keltic Lodge FB page and THEY re-posted it.  So you KNOW my human will try to get some adorable shot to send in again.  Hope she brought some awesome treats...

Stay tuned!

ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!

ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   We are going on a ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!  My human, her sister and her mother are going SOMEWHERE in Nova Scotia and we PONs are going along too.  As you may recall, my human's mother was in the hospital back in April.  According to doctors, she is a sick lady - but according to her - she feels just fine.  So as long as she feels just fine, why not enjoy that time - and take a ROAD TRIP!!!!   And sometimes it pays to be a dog with special needs.  With my recent seizures, my human thought it best to take me along - and Einstein gets to come too.  And Elroy gets to enjoy time at Camp Glenda.  So this should be easy, right?!   But of COURSE, nothing is ever easy with me...

Yesterday morning as my human was getting ready for her last day at work for the week - since we leave TODAY - she noticed I was limping.  BADLY limping. I would not weight bear on my front leg.  AT ALL.  She tried to look at my paw and I pulled away - so she whisked me onto the grooming table aka surgical table.  I was NOT impressed - but I let her touch my paw.  And she felt something.  Something sharp.  She thought it was a thorn from one of the rose bushes - so she went to get pliers to pull it out.  WARNING: Stop here if you don't like gross stuff.  Anyway - it looked to be less than a 1/4 inch long.  But she pulled and was SHOCKED to pull out a one inch long PORCUPINE quill.  And right next to it was another.  JUST AS LONG.  No WONDER I was limping.  Mind you - I met Mr. Needles on Monday morning at 1 AM and up until yesterday morning I was NOT limping.  GO figure.  My human carefully checked to see if there were more - but she couldn't find any.  Still - she quickly made a Vet appointment for yesterday afternoon for me to be checked out - as the paw was red and had a bump where the needles came out.

Overall, I was pretty good at the Vet's.  OK - I did get a BIT dramatic, but it's not like they needed to sedate me!  The Vet didn't THINK I have any more quills - but it IS possible one is still in my paw.  Right now it is VERY sore - and it appears like there is some infection starting - perhaps due to my licking?  Anyway, I got some medication for my pain and for the infection.  I'm just happy to know I still get to go on this road trip!  Besides - my human's mother would have missed her favorite grand-dog if I didn't come.

Now.  I wonder where we are going...

Something happening

OK.  So SOMETHING is going on.  Last night, my human took the FG in the car.  AND HE DIDN'T RETURN!!!!   Now I was just starting to like the guy!!  My human returned  and looked at us and said he has gone to Aunt Glenda's for a few days.  SERIOUSLY?!  He gets to go to Camp Glenda with all her Bernese Mountain Dogs and horses, and cats and other wildlife?!   Who decided THIS plan?  Apparently he will be there until SUNDAY.  My human said the "socializing" will be good for him.  That's a bunch of bunny balls.  He's probably THE most sociable of all of us.  Look at how many neighbor's have almost had their teeth knocked out by Mr. Joyful-to-see-you.

And then, after she got back, she pulled out a SUITCASE.  Which is doubly odd.  Because IF she is going somewhere - AND we are having a dog sitter - why couldn't the FG stay here?????  OK - so admittedly if my human had to get a sitter for all THREE of us - she would likely have to pay danger pay - but come on - we did it last Fall.  Mind you....we never did hear from that sitter again.  She SAID she would send her calendar of when she is available...but mysteriously...she never got back to us....

So we'll just SEE what happens tomorrow...

$64000 Question

On this day in 1955, a game show debuted on American TV.  It was called the $64,000 Question. It was a trivia type game show where contestants chose a category and had to answer increasingly difficult questions.  As I understand it, if they missed a question, they lost what they had won until that point.  They started at $64 and the amounts increased with each question.  I guess there was some kind of scandal with the way questions were asked - and after several years on the air - and several spin off shows, it was finally cancelled.  The common phrase "Now that's the $64,000 question became a catch phrase for difficult situations and problems.

So let's play our own version - using the dollar values that they used - but before you start - there is NO real prize money if you get these correct.  Just sayin.  They will start easy and get more difficult...

$64  What breed of dog is Elroy?
a.  Great Pyrenese
b.  Irish Wolfhound
c.  Berger Picard
d.  Coyote

$128  What is the country of origin for the Australian Shepherd?
a.  USA
b.  New Zealand
c.  Australia
d.  Africa  

$256  This breed of dog is a large, water-loving dog who hails from Canada. His long, thick coat is black, brown, or black and white (which is called a Landseer).
a.  Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
b.  Newfoundland
c.  Mastiff
d.  Leonberger

$512   The treeing Walker coonhound is from the USA and its job is to chase prey up trees so human s can catch it.   It is tan and white in coloring with long floppy ears. But it's not the only type of coonhound; There are five other types of coonhound breed.  Which of the coonhounds listed below ISN'T an actual breed?

a.  Black and tan coonhound

b.  Redbone coonhound

c.  Golden coonhound

d.  Bluetick coonhound

$1000  Perhaps the most common genetic eye defect in dogs has the acronym PRA. What does this stand for?

 a.  Photo receptor anomaly

 b.  Peripheral retinal ablation

 c.  Progressive retinal atrophy

 d.  Pupillary reflex anomaly

$2000  Your dog was bitten on the pinna. What hurts? 
a.  tail
b.  leg
c.  nose
d.  ear 

  $4000  Found primarily in small breeds, but also in a few larger breeds such as the flat-coated retriever, this skeletal abnormality is also known as "slipping kneecaps."

  a. Elbow dysplasia

 b.  Patellar luxation

 c.  Osteomyelitis

 d.  Panosteitis

 

$8000  Today you and your dog participated in novice obedience. Your dog did really well and made it through all of the individual exercises, you came back for the sits and downs and your dog laid down during the sit. Do you still get a qualifying score?

a.    No

b.   Yes

c.   Yes, but it is a much lower score 
d.   Maybe



$16000  This amazing dog was originally created around the 1500s to hunt puffins in the tiny caves along the cliffs. Amazingly flexible, he can bend his head entirely backwards, touching the top of his head to his back. He also has at least six toes on each foot, and has the ability to close his ears to keep water out.
a.  Finnish Spitz

b.   Norwegian Lundehund

c.   Braque Dupy

d.  Wachtelhund

$32000  In 1925, which Siberian Husky traveled through -70 degree temperatures, near whiteout conditions, and gale force winds for 91 miles to relay serum for use in combating a diptheria epidemic in Nome, Alaska? 

a.  Alaska Slim.

b.  Togo

c.  Balto

d.  Moctoc

  $64000  Bamse, a Saint Bernard, served with the Free Norwegian Forces on the ship "Thorrud" stationed in Dundee and Montrose, Scotland during World War II and is noted for having performed which of the following deeds?

a.  Shoved a knife wielding assailant off a dock to save a fellow sailor.

b.  Spontaneously saved at least one sailor from drowning.   

c.  Traveled by bus on his own to neighboring towns to track down errant crew members.

d.  All of the above

And here we go - how far did you get?

$64 -c

$128 - a

$256 - b

$512 - c

$1000 - c

$2000 - d

$4000 - b

$8000 - a

$16000 - b

$32000 - b

$64000 - d

If you are ever looking for cool dog trivia - check out funtrivia.com and search for dogs.  There are LOADS of dog quizzes!!!

So what kind of mischief can we get into today...Now THAT'S the REAL $64000 Question!  

Have a good one.