dogzoomies

Monday, October 19, 2009

Now you see it...now you don't!

Bye swimming pool. You were good to us but the time has come.

On Day 2 of pool demolition, I let the dogs into the backyard to inspect the "new" space. Well, at first they inspected the perimeter of the now gone pool. Then it hit them that they can RUN into that space! Dogzoomies!

Then the rain came.

And it didn't stop for 3 days. So it's a little bit... muddy out there. A lot muddy. The work will resume on the yard after things get a chance to dry out of bit (grading, topsoil, seed, fertilize and straw). Even though Ben gives me sad puppy eyes to go play in the mud (he LOVES mud) I can't bring myself to let him have at it. He's okay, no worries, all the gazillion extra leash walks make up for it.

So for now, we will dream of the "new" space. And cross all our fingers and paws that we get some grass to grow back there before winter rears so we're not looking at mud the entire winter.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

If this doesn't give you the puppy fever... nothing will.

Last week we returned from a week of Camp at Glen Highland Farm... 40 serious dog-lovin' folks and their dogs getting a dose of the countryside while engaging in a plethora of canine sports and invigorating lectures on dog behavior (Leslie McDevitt of Control Unleashed, gave 2 fascinating lecture/demos), canine nutrition and alternative health.

Whilst at Camp, we came across an 8-week old bundle of border collie puppy deliciousness. Skeeter, also affectionately known as "The Puppy." The Puppy was an owner surrender to Glen Highland Farm's Border Collie Rescue – playful 8-week old purebred BC + resident senior Chihuahua - do not a great combo make. So Puppy was looking for a new home. And boy was everyone (including me) going gaga over this one. Chubby wiggly smiley. Puppy had definite plans for his next home and in short order he picked his new person. Puppy, who couldn't sit still for a second suddenly was focused and calm when he made his choice. For the rest of the week he followed his new person and his new packmate, a BC Aussie cross, like they had been together for years. It was a really cool thing to witness. When the fit is right... the fit is right. For a young pup he sure knew what he wanted, as did his new person, who had arrived to the Farm looking to add to the family.

I was high with puppy fever and smitten, as a lot of folk would be. But we knew Puppy was not for us. Heck we weren't even 'looking' and I would not be amongst those who acquire a pup or dog or any animal on a whim because it was "sooooo cute", without a second thought of the commitment and responsibility that comes along with it.

That chubby wiggly smiley puppy face. I have photos of The Puppy face. And that is all fine by me. And Ben and Molly second that.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

A Study in Contrasts

With those differences... there's a bit of this:

and this:
But not to worry. Even though they playfight with a super gnarly teeth display, there's plenty of this (which by the way, is a 2x daily ritual of Ben - to clean Moll's face and ears... quite... ummm... thoroughly):

and this:

Oh these two... they've had years and years to know eachother and worked out any issues a loong time ago. At the end of the day, these guys are pretty much "nose to nose" on things. :)