The other day, I took advantage of the nice weather and did some outside chores. It was also a good day for the dogs to play outside. I spent a bit of time working around the big play yard where we mutually enjoyed each other's company.
Phoebe has always been a bit of a diva, not joining in with the pack when they are let out to play. Now that she is a senior, she is a bit more aloof, avoiding the rough housing and mad racing about the yard. She also likes to sleep more, finding quiet corners for her naps.
I was installing an additional bolt on the big, wooden doors of the play yard. All the dogs, except Phoebe, were watching me, jockeying for better positions near the wire fencing. Phoebe was sleeping, very hard, outstretched in a shady corner away from us. As I was finishing up with the bolt, I heard a "fwop, fwop, fwop". Looking up, I saw a huge black vulture rising up from the ground, near where Phoebe was asleep. It must have thought Phoebe was a potential meal! The noise of the vulture taking flight woke Phoebe up, and she had the most surprised look on her face when she saw the big bird! One of those times I wished I had a camera!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
An Afternoon Out for Treasure
Treasure has been entered in her first show. She's been a homebody for a few weeks so we thought it would be good for her to meet new people and experience new things before the show. We took her to Casanel Vineyards for a fun, relaxing afternoon. Treasure met lots of new people, a couple of other dogs and had a snack of bread crusts and cheese rinds. She even seemed to enjoy the musician that was playing when we first arrived!
 |
| Relaxing on the Patio |
 |
| Hoping there is something left to share! |
 |
| Walking home |
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Too Smart!
September was a very busy month for us, with all the preparations for our son's wedding. The blog has been neglected and the dogs must have felt very neglected! With wedding showers, rehearsal dinner plans and many, many days of rain, the collies had to spend much of the month in the kennel, with few opportunities to play in the big yards.
Bijou especially wanted to do something different and took advantage of my distracted mind the day of the rehearsal dinner. I forgot to lock her gate after breakfast and as is her habit, she tried the latch late in the day. I heard quite a bit of barking but thought the dogs were upset with the squirrels, which are coming into the kennels now to get the fallen black walnuts. Lauren was in "tattling" mode as I took the stack of dinner bowls out. I didn't pay much attention to her, as, like usual, I was on a tight schedule and had just enough time to feed the dogs and get ready for dinner. When I tried to open the kennel door, two things quickly registered--Bijou and Gemma were staring at me through the glass and the door was locked! When they jumped up to grab the supply of poop bags--which were shredded and thrown about--they must have hit the door knob and turned it into the locking position. The back door won't stay closed on windy days and I usually use the dead bolt on it. Just to be sure, I ran around the kennel and tried the door--yep, it was locked, too. No choice but to put the bowls down and crawl through one of the dogs' kennel doors. I thought Phoebe and Claire would be the least likely to hassle me as I tried this, but just to be sure, I gave them their dinners. The other 9 pairs of eyes looking at me as I crawled through the door was a mix of surprise and delight. The younger ones thought this was a great new game and looked at their doors, as if someone would be crawling into their kennels, too!
The unexpected change in their routine didn't damper their appetites and once Bijou and Gemma were back in their kennel and everyone fed, I quickly got back to mother of the groom mode. I had a funny story to tell at the wonderful rehearsal dinner and beautiful wedding!
Bijou especially wanted to do something different and took advantage of my distracted mind the day of the rehearsal dinner. I forgot to lock her gate after breakfast and as is her habit, she tried the latch late in the day. I heard quite a bit of barking but thought the dogs were upset with the squirrels, which are coming into the kennels now to get the fallen black walnuts. Lauren was in "tattling" mode as I took the stack of dinner bowls out. I didn't pay much attention to her, as, like usual, I was on a tight schedule and had just enough time to feed the dogs and get ready for dinner. When I tried to open the kennel door, two things quickly registered--Bijou and Gemma were staring at me through the glass and the door was locked! When they jumped up to grab the supply of poop bags--which were shredded and thrown about--they must have hit the door knob and turned it into the locking position. The back door won't stay closed on windy days and I usually use the dead bolt on it. Just to be sure, I ran around the kennel and tried the door--yep, it was locked, too. No choice but to put the bowls down and crawl through one of the dogs' kennel doors. I thought Phoebe and Claire would be the least likely to hassle me as I tried this, but just to be sure, I gave them their dinners. The other 9 pairs of eyes looking at me as I crawled through the door was a mix of surprise and delight. The younger ones thought this was a great new game and looked at their doors, as if someone would be crawling into their kennels, too!
The unexpected change in their routine didn't damper their appetites and once Bijou and Gemma were back in their kennel and everyone fed, I quickly got back to mother of the groom mode. I had a funny story to tell at the wonderful rehearsal dinner and beautiful wedding!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Storm Prep
Fortunately, it looks like Hurricane Irene will not affect our area that much. Still, we should be getting some heavy rains today and high winds. Our trees have been stressed so much this summer with several severe storms that it doesn't take much now to lose limbs plus we've had some problems with water running through the kennel after a hard rain since we had trees taken down last fall. I decided to try to correct the water problems before the week-ends rains and see if I could find a temporary fix. I think ultimately we will need to take down the fencing, grade the property and replace the runs. In anticipation of this costly endeavor, I'm scrimping and saving!
In the meantime, I spent a morning this past week moving gravel, not a favorite activity, but a good workout! The dogs have run off the grass in the play yard across from the west side of the kennel so I started to spread the gravel there. I put more gravel in Jackson's kennel and attempted to pack it down. The ground is hard as rock, so that wasn't very successful.
My one theory as to why we've had so much water in the kennel since last fall is that the trees, though mainly dead, had had enough leaves that with the limbs provided enough diffusion of the falling rain during heavy storms. I remembered yesterday that we had a kennel sun shade in the shed. I spread that across the tops of two of the runs that had the biggest trees. I'm hoping it will provide some of the diffusion that the trees did.
What a difficult task to do alone! Jackson was rather scared of the cover so he stayed inside, making his run almost easy to manage. Phoebe, Claire and Lauren were so happy that I was inside their run that they were underfoot, trying to get my attention, knocking into me as they pushed against each other to get to me. Ref and Treasure thought they were getting a great, new toy! As I was trying to tie the cover onto their kennel fence, they were trying to pull the end down into their yard and nipping my fingers as they tried to catch the string I was using. I had my doubts my work would last long, but the cover is still there today! The dogs ignore it and the girls seem to like the extra shade.
Now we just wait to see what the weather will do. So, pass on through, Irene!
In the meantime, I spent a morning this past week moving gravel, not a favorite activity, but a good workout! The dogs have run off the grass in the play yard across from the west side of the kennel so I started to spread the gravel there. I put more gravel in Jackson's kennel and attempted to pack it down. The ground is hard as rock, so that wasn't very successful.
My one theory as to why we've had so much water in the kennel since last fall is that the trees, though mainly dead, had had enough leaves that with the limbs provided enough diffusion of the falling rain during heavy storms. I remembered yesterday that we had a kennel sun shade in the shed. I spread that across the tops of two of the runs that had the biggest trees. I'm hoping it will provide some of the diffusion that the trees did.
What a difficult task to do alone! Jackson was rather scared of the cover so he stayed inside, making his run almost easy to manage. Phoebe, Claire and Lauren were so happy that I was inside their run that they were underfoot, trying to get my attention, knocking into me as they pushed against each other to get to me. Ref and Treasure thought they were getting a great, new toy! As I was trying to tie the cover onto their kennel fence, they were trying to pull the end down into their yard and nipping my fingers as they tried to catch the string I was using. I had my doubts my work would last long, but the cover is still there today! The dogs ignore it and the girls seem to like the extra shade.
Now we just wait to see what the weather will do. So, pass on through, Irene!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
I MEAN IT!
Poor Jackson has had a rather rough month. His kennel mate, Dixie, came into season in early July, which necessitated changing rooming assignments. Jackson was by himself for a little bit, then Gemma moved in with him. He had to get used to a new roomie, at the same time figure out all those wonderful smells in the other kennels as all the girls have taken turns coming into season. His 13 month old body (and brain!) must have lots of conflicting urges. Sometimes when I'm in his kennel, he just jumps up against me, wraps his paws around my waist and buries his head in my chest!
Gemma is now showing signs of coming into heat and has a great reluctance to share a kennel with Jackson. This morning, I switched Gemma and Dixie, now that her season is finished. Dixie was so happy to be back in her kennel! She can watch the house easier (a favorite pastime of all the dogs) and can relax on her favorite tree stump. I don't know why that is her favorite bed, although it does give her a good view of the house, but it was the first place she went.
Dixie was not so happy to have Jackson's welcome home. He can be quite over-enthusiastic under normal circumstances, but after being apart, he pestered her unmercifully. Dixie generally enjoys being kenneled with Jackson, but has no patience when he bothers her. She barely gave him a warning growl before snapping at him when he jumped on her. Undaunted, Jackson went to her other side and tried again. Again, she snapped at him, then used her body to shove him away. He bothered her so much that Dixie gave up her place on her stump and went inside. Jackson tried to follow her and Dixie just exploded. I heard a ruckus and then it looked like she bodily threw Jackson out the door! After that, he must have decided that she was serious. It's been quiet the rest of the morning!
Gemma is now showing signs of coming into heat and has a great reluctance to share a kennel with Jackson. This morning, I switched Gemma and Dixie, now that her season is finished. Dixie was so happy to be back in her kennel! She can watch the house easier (a favorite pastime of all the dogs) and can relax on her favorite tree stump. I don't know why that is her favorite bed, although it does give her a good view of the house, but it was the first place she went.
Dixie was not so happy to have Jackson's welcome home. He can be quite over-enthusiastic under normal circumstances, but after being apart, he pestered her unmercifully. Dixie generally enjoys being kenneled with Jackson, but has no patience when he bothers her. She barely gave him a warning growl before snapping at him when he jumped on her. Undaunted, Jackson went to her other side and tried again. Again, she snapped at him, then used her body to shove him away. He bothered her so much that Dixie gave up her place on her stump and went inside. Jackson tried to follow her and Dixie just exploded. I heard a ruckus and then it looked like she bodily threw Jackson out the door! After that, he must have decided that she was serious. It's been quiet the rest of the morning!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Misbehavin'
Treasure is the most confident and self assured puppy I have ever seen! Unlike Dixie (aka "the Bad Baby") who always tested limits and pushed boundaries, Treasure just does what she wants until told otherwise. She's also a smart girl so generally only has to be told "no" once to respect the rules. She'll have a puzzled look on her face, wondering why she can't continue her chosen behavior, but always respects the boundaries placed before her.
But, oh, the things Treasure tries! She's been chastised by her kennel mates, her uncle, her grandmother and myself. She takes toys, eats out of others' bowls, torments someone to play with her or refuses to join in group games. The other day Treasure ignored the established fetch rules that Dixie has when we play and grabbed her by the ear. Dixie gave her a snap and a verbal thrashing so Treasure didn't do that again but did keep trying to get the toy until Dixie corrected her again.
Treasure also has a fascination with my hair and clothes. She'll grab my ponytail, try to chew on my hair when it's loose or if it's tucked up in a cap, try to grab the bill. She was especially curious about the drawstring on my shorts the other day. Quietly, she began to chew on the end while I was busy giving her a back scratch. I didn't realize what she was up to until she tried to dash off with the string in her mouth, practically jerking me off my feet! She also surprised me another morning when she nipped me in the backside as I was collecting food bowls. I jumped around to see Treasure looking innocent, with a "oh, that's not an acceptable game"? expression on her face. Gibson, who now watches and imitates the behavior of the other dogs, had a grin on his face that clearly said "I didn't know we could do that"! I had to quickly squelch that notion!
But, oh, the things Treasure tries! She's been chastised by her kennel mates, her uncle, her grandmother and myself. She takes toys, eats out of others' bowls, torments someone to play with her or refuses to join in group games. The other day Treasure ignored the established fetch rules that Dixie has when we play and grabbed her by the ear. Dixie gave her a snap and a verbal thrashing so Treasure didn't do that again but did keep trying to get the toy until Dixie corrected her again.
Treasure also has a fascination with my hair and clothes. She'll grab my ponytail, try to chew on my hair when it's loose or if it's tucked up in a cap, try to grab the bill. She was especially curious about the drawstring on my shorts the other day. Quietly, she began to chew on the end while I was busy giving her a back scratch. I didn't realize what she was up to until she tried to dash off with the string in her mouth, practically jerking me off my feet! She also surprised me another morning when she nipped me in the backside as I was collecting food bowls. I jumped around to see Treasure looking innocent, with a "oh, that's not an acceptable game"? expression on her face. Gibson, who now watches and imitates the behavior of the other dogs, had a grin on his face that clearly said "I didn't know we could do that"! I had to quickly squelch that notion!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
I'm in Trouble
My husband is in love. It's my own fault, really. I frequently have this girl in our home, working on some beauty issues--hair, nails, etc. I didn't notice David's interest until I suggested we take her with us to Gibson's last agility session. They were shameless! And right in front of me! I didn't realize she was such a hussy until I saw her wiggle her cute backside as she locked eyes with David. They made a beeline for each other! Since that night, she's all he talks about. He wants to take her with us to any activity we've done lately. Last night he started talking about her career and how great she'll be. So, it looks like I need to face reality--and take Bijou off the Available page on the website.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)