tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43399097314771347712024-03-21T20:04:01.698-07:00PetwriterDeb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-73577350766864589842012-04-12T17:02:00.003-07:002012-04-12T17:12:58.607-07:00Outdoors and onwards<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfk-gxjdivBQCrvGPg4V1Vn2ctvno46qjmZaBEZ1cZpB4ryRD5ecFEnTrSZsc9UcPumYHlO-3qUSCq5M0j0GP_6eGZEo4SMsrD7QF_A1Z0ZIoSH44GQwyFuHH62qhnmafd9p_1rn2BbQ5/s1600/IMG_1822%25232.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730671413887058370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfk-gxjdivBQCrvGPg4V1Vn2ctvno46qjmZaBEZ1cZpB4ryRD5ecFEnTrSZsc9UcPumYHlO-3qUSCq5M0j0GP_6eGZEo4SMsrD7QF_A1Z0ZIoSH44GQwyFuHH62qhnmafd9p_1rn2BbQ5/s320/IMG_1822%25232.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXIFXrmQH5cuHDm8GmGMJ0DyciQqKo1vgC-NyyrvDP737sZI-lnCjKByxKXMdwFpGKb5VvL1UNhnYG7-45azz3Xqf5ThVeDxg8lWYg_k5nSm9OkV4CEMZWmmYefkNXwGSKtDuOy9MDFDt/s1600/IMG_1812%25232.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730671402587920322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXIFXrmQH5cuHDm8GmGMJ0DyciQqKo1vgC-NyyrvDP737sZI-lnCjKByxKXMdwFpGKb5VvL1UNhnYG7-45azz3Xqf5ThVeDxg8lWYg_k5nSm9OkV4CEMZWmmYefkNXwGSKtDuOy9MDFDt/s320/IMG_1812%25232.jpg" /></a><br /><div>The Magnificent 7 are now going outside a couple of times every day. Not for long as it is still cool and has rained a bit but enough to march to the end of the big fenced yard and back. They are excellent pups! They often pee and poop while outside, run and get tired. They are learning to beware of people's feet - OK, my feet anyway :). </div><div> </div><div>The pups come to "pup, pup", a clap or a whistle. They follow but they also like to explore. The girls were more photogenic when I finally remembered the camera. </div><div> </div><div>Inside, they are in the big puppy play area during the day and move into the whelping box/expen area at night. I added a helium balloon to the pen yesterday. At first they all gazed up in awe - should have had the camera then! Now they ignore it. </div><div> </div><div>We are way beyond the "7 surfaces" for them to walk on so that is good. On "7 things to eat off" we are at about 5. Actually if you count eating off each other since they are messy, I suppose we are at 6 :)</div><div> </div><div>Ears are up and staying up on Pink and Orange. Green generally has one ear up and the other boys are working on their ears. </div><div> </div><div>I now serve two meals daily plus they are still nursing. They all drink water from the bowls in their pen too. </div><div> </div><div>Kate has been taking them for car rides on the weeknd so they are learning about that too. </div><div> </div><div>They had more visitors today - Nathalie and Pam stopped by and got to play with them. Doris and Kathy were here the other night. My sister Chris comes tomorrow for a day so we should have fun. </div></div>Deb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-82855030752825073362012-04-06T14:11:00.003-07:002012-04-06T14:57:37.431-07:00Adolescent and adult dogs on tap<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KubZ8cP6rLugJ1Ub1IJu4N_9JxsVUYqWL4sqjNaSY5vBM5U1fvXFFexhgeMZ3RxS6XxhWeH-WGJElNkq26hfA6NgiHjhOjdT1jXnNUxbWNmEyalsrudsg9BO7CQDe8w1seOi3SYg3tcg/s1600/IMG_1384.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728410213664704882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KubZ8cP6rLugJ1Ub1IJu4N_9JxsVUYqWL4sqjNaSY5vBM5U1fvXFFexhgeMZ3RxS6XxhWeH-WGJElNkq26hfA6NgiHjhOjdT1jXnNUxbWNmEyalsrudsg9BO7CQDe8w1seOi3SYg3tcg/s320/IMG_1384.JPG" /></a><br /><div>On a break from puppy musings, let me discuss adolescent dogs and adult dogs. Seven month old Babe is quite a delight. She is the biggest counter surfer I have ever owned despite being fairly small but otherwise generally a "good girl". One hopes of course that the adult dogs will influence a pup, show her how to be a great dog, etc. And not that the pup will teach them some "new tricks". </div><div> </div><div>So yesterday, I was working on an article on deadline. Babe was lying by the gate to the study most of the time. (The dogs are shut out of there now due to Queezle and the puppies). Occasionally I would see her get up and then hear her dropping and playing with her Planet Dog Glow Ball. All is good. </div><div> </div><div>Then I started getting a weird smell. I thought it might be the printer having a burnout since it has been acting up so I turned that off. Nope, I can still smell it. As I head into the kitchen, the smell gets quite strong. And in the living room, on a dog bed is a 16 oz bottle of wild salmon oil, basically oozing a few last drops onto the bed. Oh, and the carpet has a strong "eau de fish" too.</div><div> </div><div>Hokey has horrible fish breath, Babe a bit and Dani a little. Baloo the Aussie appears to be innocent. I have to leave in about 20 minutes for a vet cont ed mtg. Chuck is heading home to cover. The house smells like a fish market at the end of a long week. </div><div> </div><div>So, do I mention we had our honey moon on the coast of Maine? Do I pretend nothing is amiss since he tends to have a lousy sense of smell? I basically simply said, "They spilled a little fish oil - no big deal." </div><div> </div><div>I fly to my meeting which is a dinner meeting. The friend sitting next to me says "You know, I don't know why but I really feel like having fish tonight". Yup, kept my mouth shut!</div><div> </div><div>Oh yeah, pup teaching others bad habits!</div>Deb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-41445578171851539572012-04-04T18:14:00.002-07:002012-04-04T18:22:21.463-07:00Supper time!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixt-K3DEsLNpc9OiJQFRKsOWA_NPTtIHHkVAENUXQbh5jOovsZgjA1OssreNgNKMcHxLtHV7JGvAFRXpRWAMSAQp-CGoAMpsI1DfxffhJh2O2Tv1Ukha4OsQMWImaE-5Di_7dR4UgM4TGX/s1600/IMG_1783%25232.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727720808102003602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixt-K3DEsLNpc9OiJQFRKsOWA_NPTtIHHkVAENUXQbh5jOovsZgjA1OssreNgNKMcHxLtHV7JGvAFRXpRWAMSAQp-CGoAMpsI1DfxffhJh2O2Tv1Ukha4OsQMWImaE-5Di_7dR4UgM4TGX/s320/IMG_1783%25232.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPJL53cqgyFHnsm0XENI62IkXorDAybeXaqymFXvnVHQQonuNwuU58lPjA4lAfakekOu4sr5G84Te0ceFnxfkrdwvWzniP6jCBeTi5By0i_IrFXKFT02CoDW_tRPWYHyhP8Y_Sc3lcJNM/s1600/IMG_1782%25232.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727720805814407026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPJL53cqgyFHnsm0XENI62IkXorDAybeXaqymFXvnVHQQonuNwuU58lPjA4lAfakekOu4sr5G84Te0ceFnxfkrdwvWzniP6jCBeTi5By0i_IrFXKFT02CoDW_tRPWYHyhP8Y_Sc3lcJNM/s320/IMG_1782%25232.jpg" /></a><br /><div>The Magnificent 7 as I call them (my husband says the 7 Deadly Sins though he claims we only seem to have Wrath and Gluttony), are trying a bunch of new things.</div><div> </div><div>The last couple of days I have given them plastic bottles they like to shove around. They also got some toilet paper rolls - empty of course! I don't want to start a confetti business :)</div><div> </div><div>We also started them on some "real food" Turkey baby food and yogurt were first on the menu. That went over splendidly. Then I had some soft bananas, so I added that into the mix. Their breath was lovely after that. Currently they get 2 meals a day plus access to Queezle 24/7.</div><div> </div><div>The three smallest pups eat in one area - each with their own bowl. The four bigger pups eat together from the muffin tin - each one gets a corner spot. All the pups are eager eaters!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div></div>Deb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-10441403733891138292012-03-29T12:06:00.002-07:002012-03-29T12:15:27.401-07:00Driving me crazy!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrB1GkwkdWO0aCo8_TzBK9jj-QDiiCWnXgyp0myM6KszTA8Kr7I-Uowk8HBuc7QlgrfSEDdY-tojFdn8sfjDmc4XexseW_gQ5cztTjzWAm5u8gd1tAfpOsivec4gTgn4KFft2s_hKBdN7_/s1600/IMG_1747%25232.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725399755723514146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrB1GkwkdWO0aCo8_TzBK9jj-QDiiCWnXgyp0myM6KszTA8Kr7I-Uowk8HBuc7QlgrfSEDdY-tojFdn8sfjDmc4XexseW_gQ5cztTjzWAm5u8gd1tAfpOsivec4gTgn4KFft2s_hKBdN7_/s320/IMG_1747%25232.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAUb00bvBVURD847KlD1ygVecR0zaiFPDwbnijW-gp11b7OZYlRMW2E2s-q8DeTtTfEoJZpZYFubC-Nzn5dv9FoUkUytrWG5PlmWLiV6xZQclFZyrZSsvG74_sOwRyhTibpSlfJ8w1gWd/s1600/IMG_1744%25232.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725399751023174066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAUb00bvBVURD847KlD1ygVecR0zaiFPDwbnijW-gp11b7OZYlRMW2E2s-q8DeTtTfEoJZpZYFubC-Nzn5dv9FoUkUytrWG5PlmWLiV6xZQclFZyrZSsvG74_sOwRyhTibpSlfJ8w1gWd/s320/IMG_1744%25232.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Yup, they are officially driving me crazy! At least this am I got to wake the pups up instead of vice versa as I had to leave early to take Babe to the shows. As it turns out, we all should have slept in. </div><div>Still, it was gratifying to shake them awake :0</div><div> </div><div>Green Boy decided to show off his driving skills with the little beeping bus we have used for a rally distraction. Hopefully I have the right puppy - both Green and Blue were nude this am, so I quick slipped collars back on them. Luckily Kate has a code to tell who is who!</div><div> </div><div>They are starting to play with toys as well as each other. They also play wrestle and fight - sounding quite violent at times. </div><div> </div><div>The boom box appears to be ill so the pups are currently listening to "Puppy Sounds" by Dean Lake via my new laptop. Many thanks to Tom who guided me long distance over the phone on using it. Who knew a laptop would have something called a touch pad?! For those concerned about the puppies' classical training, Dean Lake is a bassoonist so that ought to count for something. </div><div> </div><div>Off to fix Queezle's 3 pm feeding - darn, already 12 minutes late!</div></div>Deb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-84388191616117181322012-03-28T16:37:00.002-07:002012-03-28T16:42:59.449-07:00Boxed!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcsSLhsLpAjdUmXgvew1Y3CHcRAuO9tf7o2mQJk0eeZjhsMcnHXBiMEx0CGTum-SDTPnRgaXydMl1zkyz8zgnDtTAtPU0lA-M5qcsww2NfgRK9Cf7jK1Z9aHOXhTE_fD2gNH9fChwoo8D/s1600/IMG_1734%25232.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725097643447507938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcsSLhsLpAjdUmXgvew1Y3CHcRAuO9tf7o2mQJk0eeZjhsMcnHXBiMEx0CGTum-SDTPnRgaXydMl1zkyz8zgnDtTAtPU0lA-M5qcsww2NfgRK9Cf7jK1Z9aHOXhTE_fD2gNH9fChwoo8D/s320/IMG_1734%25232.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I decided to give the little angels a box or two today. So I added an empty cat food box (held cans) and an Amazon.com box. At first just the girls were checking things out. Like true shoppers, they went right for the Amazon box :)</div><div>Later, the boys woke up and they thought the Amazon box was more interesting too. I really need a bigger box or two for more fun. </div><div>I got this fun photo of Pink Girl sleeping on Queezle's head. I would feel sorry for Queezle except she sleeps on MY head part of the time at night!</div><div>Up to laundry load #5 today. I will have to give in and go to papers eventually but I hate the thought of newsprint on the pups. Hopefully the washer and dryer hold up. </div><div>I made them listen to corny dog songs again as payback for the 2:30 am ruckus last night :)</div>Deb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-80916302833895082392012-03-27T15:41:00.002-07:002012-03-27T15:52:15.636-07:00Belated update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZjUIOLVCU6vNI22l_iQwqoHi37R3jgl1F08VF1JuwQpNhMxRz4Sa8lNrRSm9_8BsgFcZykBuTR3y-dIC8TREMwu5M_U2Jp1WZSYOzwiXBSR6axuPWLtDkSDmwZa73kVilPE5QU5AeyDu/s1600/IMG_1722.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724713479124930834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZjUIOLVCU6vNI22l_iQwqoHi37R3jgl1F08VF1JuwQpNhMxRz4Sa8lNrRSm9_8BsgFcZykBuTR3y-dIC8TREMwu5M_U2Jp1WZSYOzwiXBSR6axuPWLtDkSDmwZa73kVilPE5QU5AeyDu/s320/IMG_1722.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Kate was home last week due to spring break and enjoyed spending almost 24/7 with the College pups. She is now back to Cornell and the pups are left with me.</div><div> </div><div>They are growing like weeds - with most of them over 4 lbs now. They growl, bark, howl, wrestle and play. They also got Queezle's interior decorator gene as they are constantly tugging and rearranging the blankets!</div><div> </div><div>I started playing the tapes for them. They have heard "obedience trial sounds" and "agility trial sounds". Currently they are listening to a set of somewhat corny "dog songs" like "How Much is That Doggie in the Window" and "Walking the Dog". </div><div> </div><div>They had fun playing with a paper bag and none of them were bothered by the crackling noises. Now if they could just give up the late night parties!</div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"></span> </div>Deb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-67013748821777824952012-03-17T15:50:00.003-07:002012-03-17T15:56:15.073-07:00St. Patrick's Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ezuofIHKSDvn5djUHBQ7S03AZ5TM4dQYLZsOuH4HcRsatGgdMxxJyiw8HtjJg9tRnKWmGrtr4uOeHcV9rt-D4issHKYYoLggB-gqkQAG-rxBLi6KuLsUvmCLq721p2E-q-Y2nrFqI51p/s1600/IMG_1721.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721003526268441010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ezuofIHKSDvn5djUHBQ7S03AZ5TM4dQYLZsOuH4HcRsatGgdMxxJyiw8HtjJg9tRnKWmGrtr4uOeHcV9rt-D4issHKYYoLggB-gqkQAG-rxBLi6KuLsUvmCLq721p2E-q-Y2nrFqI51p/s320/IMG_1721.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iR3564_adSJCpcBQq6QYFPGfqOVqnfo1eXyG1KaN1WZ0wQRPlqfJKZ3jkOGaS4aXUIIvI4DXqfDpG-CxcrNw5j3S8lYb6yJJOsf3kFUAGQl4SuMfTNOchOXPsmSQCCtTZbjlxfP8x-Jt/s1600/IMG_1712.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721003522642613298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iR3564_adSJCpcBQq6QYFPGfqOVqnfo1eXyG1KaN1WZ0wQRPlqfJKZ3jkOGaS4aXUIIvI4DXqfDpG-CxcrNw5j3S8lYb6yJJOsf3kFUAGQl4SuMfTNOchOXPsmSQCCtTZbjlxfP8x-Jt/s320/IMG_1712.JPG" /></a><br /><div><br />The College Litter had a relatively uneventful St. Patrick's Day. Queezl enjoyed a spin around the yard enjoying the sun. She hopes her glasses kept her identity safe from any lingering paparazzi. She would hate to have any photos of her in her post pregnancy/nursing figure to appear in the dog show magazines!</div><div> </div><div>Black Boy agreed to pose for the hat photo. Basically he was in the biggest milk induced torpor so we figured he would hold still. </div><div> </div><div>Yellow Boy was caught having gone "over the wall" and heading for the study to start his own Facebook page this am while I got Queezle fresh water. </div><div> </div><div>Green Boy wanted to celebrate the day by joining the Irish tenors. Alas, he is currently an upstate NY soprano - off key at that!</div></div>Deb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-16492799433558606412012-03-16T04:29:00.003-07:002012-03-16T04:38:59.008-07:00Scrap March 15!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoCqDW48BBmrUEy1QSBYZQzugBxjI9DrZO6NKB0-4LpJ09nvoGuLYElqRi2TdXbCOb3G84vVG-oIJx43bOL2CsN0hQj88qvIHTR8Gh2ZuZK-p0DMQy7mjWf-xD_gjVRWcSRmvU6QU2rbv/s1600/IMG_1696.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720458033981609874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoCqDW48BBmrUEy1QSBYZQzugBxjI9DrZO6NKB0-4LpJ09nvoGuLYElqRi2TdXbCOb3G84vVG-oIJx43bOL2CsN0hQj88qvIHTR8Gh2ZuZK-p0DMQy7mjWf-xD_gjVRWcSRmvU6QU2rbv/s320/IMG_1696.JPG" /></a><br /><div>First, let me say that *I* am a die hard morning person. I would prefer to sleep until 6 am but I can handle 5 am. Not 1 am or 3 am so much. When Kate came up with the college theme for this litter I should have nixed her right away. They truly do "come to life at night". </div><div> </div><div>So at 1 am yesterday, they were partying wildly inches from my head and calling out for more drinks in the whelping box. Meanwhile Tom's Australian Shepherd, Baloo, was fussing. With good reason - he had liquid diarrhea in the laundry room. Cleaned that up, got room service back on track and back to bed. Unfortunately it all repeated at 3 am, including the diarrhea. This time, gave Baloo some metronidazole. Luckily all fine until 6 am. </div><div> </div><div>The day went well - Queezle ate her meals, fed the savages, Baloo stopped the diarrhea. Then at 5 pm, Queezle barely went at her meal. Quick check - temp 104, 3rd gland on the right felt warm and a bit firm. Her glands had been normal at morning check. So off to the repro vet. I haven't done much repro over the years and with Kate on a bus heading to Minnesota with the pep band for the women's hockey tournament I did not want it all on my head!</div><div> </div><div>Literally 1/4 of that one gland has mastitis. The repro clinic had never seen a case of mastitis caught so early. So now add compressing that gland and gently hand stripping it, giving Queezle antibiotics, and giving the puppies probiotic as they can still nurse to my day. Luckily Queezle ate at 10 pm and temp is normal this morning. Plus today IS a new day!!</div>Deb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-71195050523242685782012-03-16T04:15:00.002-07:002012-03-16T04:29:46.154-07:00Scrap March 15!Deb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-10563540106581352572012-03-13T14:19:00.002-07:002012-03-13T14:28:52.441-07:00Wild times continue<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtsH8kJgN2G9341RvN7g_V1FdgO_kjIOvVxQAFbvRsKG6zwmF8qCBlRwOolPmeNYvTSm3JKFhubxUtq1GQ32c6LFC1eMv_ZaYR-Rpn2Ml1zH1Z6MykHalr2DzF3NxIxYzBHR4ZY-Efa0G/s1600/IMG_1693.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719496652693318258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtsH8kJgN2G9341RvN7g_V1FdgO_kjIOvVxQAFbvRsKG6zwmF8qCBlRwOolPmeNYvTSm3JKFhubxUtq1GQ32c6LFC1eMv_ZaYR-Rpn2Ml1zH1Z6MykHalr2DzF3NxIxYzBHR4ZY-Efa0G/s320/IMG_1693.JPG" /></a><br /><div>The College Litter continues on the "party hearty "theme. Today, not only did White Boy once again go the nudist route, he convinced Orange Girl to join him. Blue Boy decided just to let it all show in a full frontal photo - though he does retain his rickrack throughout. </div><div> </div><div>Meanwhile, sports training is under way. It is difficult to tell which sport the team will concentrate on. From the body blocks and shoves (especially at chow times) hockey could be on the line. An occasional competitor will head out for marathon running, circling the whelping box at speed. Track relay events have also been observed, with individuals doing a lap, then shoving a littermate off on a lap. Hopefully mountain and rock climbing will wait at least a week. </div><div> </div><div>Dam Queezle is outdoing herself with her "timing" ability. It will be interesting to see if her puppies inherit that gene. At 10:45 am, demonstrating no problem adjusting to the time change, Queezle starts pushing to get her duck egg and cheese omelet delivered. The plan is for the omelet to appear at 11 am and so far, the chef is holding firm despite entreaties and threats. The same goes for the 3pm yogurt and kibble mini meal. </div>Deb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-82519713925725456642012-03-09T09:55:00.002-08:002012-03-09T10:01:33.609-08:00One week!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSGuLLwhPe2a_enOl2PNvQeAu00G_emU-9dZvX7Uz10Pibi5gii9Z0kJzLJW4n-O-40AdB6WE0WwrmtS4Rt1Dkcgr6WsT_fNrwXvR_IE9M1lmRtG94X_7hyuzRlerGqJebMActnPQY548/s1600/IMG_1660.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717959015425408322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSGuLLwhPe2a_enOl2PNvQeAu00G_emU-9dZvX7Uz10Pibi5gii9Z0kJzLJW4n-O-40AdB6WE0WwrmtS4Rt1Dkcgr6WsT_fNrwXvR_IE9M1lmRtG94X_7hyuzRlerGqJebMActnPQY548/s320/IMG_1660.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSufxYtfmtEzPV1PiHMnoU9HRZwFc9aJQwuIBmn5JI8lSIizYYf174pU9wqKuivmSK_LXNyI1SHM63Z2-Q9oUsw2bC429m8rjlsat75cAlIU1aQnVyyTeIpLzPEYfeXnOfEP9DSLjwEQXU/s1600/IMG_1664.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717959011180936514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSufxYtfmtEzPV1PiHMnoU9HRZwFc9aJQwuIBmn5JI8lSIizYYf174pU9wqKuivmSK_LXNyI1SHM63Z2-Q9oUsw2bC429m8rjlsat75cAlIU1aQnVyyTeIpLzPEYfeXnOfEP9DSLjwEQXU/s320/IMG_1664.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Well, so far we have all survived the first week of the College Litter. I am developing some serious concerns however.</div><div>We have two days of warm weather and the partying has taken over. There are now TWO resident nudists- Green Boy and White Boy! Furthermore, the wild partying - drinking to excess, loud noises, etc at 1 to 3 am is almost unacceptable. And yes, I have witnessed this all first hand sleeping next to the whelping box. </div><div>I suppose you could say the pups are taking the college theme to the extreme, but I never partied that hard through 8 years at Cornell!</div><div>I am quite sure this wild party gene does NOT come from the Chateau Blanc side. That means we must blame the Anduin faction. I sincerely hope they take this into consideration in future breedings :)</div></div>Deb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-45468379206231532872012-03-08T08:31:00.002-08:002012-03-08T08:36:22.247-08:00Thursday am update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1FVtoUvuONMZ8gVIz4uaau6-wVUsQMdLAeoNZXNn3ZnIDv4bEUuBSQsWdEU7sUscaVuTYyShbqYvBqzadHEec42jMavAmGXrPj0ZC3WsKC1JCLWly2QvXrn5TpTk380Ue6u8R2Cwp9ph/s1600/IMG_1657.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717565963291745186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1FVtoUvuONMZ8gVIz4uaau6-wVUsQMdLAeoNZXNn3ZnIDv4bEUuBSQsWdEU7sUscaVuTYyShbqYvBqzadHEec42jMavAmGXrPj0ZC3WsKC1JCLWly2QvXrn5TpTk380Ue6u8R2Cwp9ph/s320/IMG_1657.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Closing in on the one week mark for the pups - they were born last Friday night starting at about 7:30 or so - Kate has the times somewhere. </div><div> </div><div>This morning's color scheme for the whelping box is plaid. Apparently Queezle likes this better than the stark white modern look. </div><div> </div><div>I will put a plug in here for the pads we use. I got them from a company in<br />Wisconsin. <a href="http://www.odcmerchandise.com/">http://www.odcmerchandise.com/</a> is the<br />site. They have a workshop for people with disabilities and recycle hospital<br />pads. The pads are great - easy to wash and dry. I don't like using newspaper<br />until the pups are older and messier. I don't want newsprint on them and I don't<br />want Queezle licking it all off. Prices are amazing - shipping is often the<br />biggest cost but you could combine an order with a friend. </div><div> </div><div>Now, a tad scarey - a couple of the pups are actually standing - very wobbly but<br />up on all four legs. I believe that is about a week ahead of time! Look out<br />world - the college kids are going to be ready to rock and roll.</div>Deb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-34427895509876317212012-03-07T06:58:00.006-08:002012-03-07T07:09:42.207-08:00Puppy adventures continue<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ag_amBj-QYPfRIdCvlF9txCNSVzeRRD4EcxI-r9YUYS1lHXUKcE8tQ8ilZTf_vrCs7FHcK7vqG4zSNGBVqWhD3NmwFfe2Rn1NpwRqDA_y2ryRs5juGkeTt69o9kCY_puO1wUsrStdN6G/s1600/IMG_1644.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717171909729684866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ag_amBj-QYPfRIdCvlF9txCNSVzeRRD4EcxI-r9YUYS1lHXUKcE8tQ8ilZTf_vrCs7FHcK7vqG4zSNGBVqWhD3NmwFfe2Rn1NpwRqDA_y2ryRs5juGkeTt69o9kCY_puO1wUsrStdN6G/s320/IMG_1644.JPG" /></a><br />The pups all handled dew claw removal just fine. A couple of them had rear dew claws as well. Yes, I know some people advocate leaving them on but having HAD to remove many an injured dew claw over the years and having treated many a dog with an ingrown dew claw, we elected to remove them.<br />My dog Beep was sort of a control study on dew claws and agility injuries. He had one front dew claw (grew back) and one front leg without one. No change in arthritis, etc.<br /><br />It is probably good that I have not figured out how to do a puppy webcam, though it might be funny. First, Deb lets Queezle outside. Then Deb moves puppies into a box, takes out dirty blankets and arranges new, lovely clean blankets. Puppies are artistically replaced in whelping box. Today on nice white blankets. Deb lets Queezle in. Queezle waits until Deb leaves and then starts yanking up blankets, scuffing them and totally rearranging them. Some times she creates a pile and other times, she simply shifts them all.<br /><br />Green Boy has totally decided to go with the nude look. His ribbon keeps slipping off. So until I get some new ribbon and have Kate to help, he will be the resident nudist. What really confuses me is that at one point yesterday, White Boy had both his white rickrack AND the green ribbon on!<br /><br />For some reason almost every time I check on the gang, six pups are readily seen but the 7th one is hidden - either behind Queezle, under the railing or hidden under a blanket. It varies who chooses to hide but drives me crazy!<br /><br />The pups are actually starting to stand already which I think is early. Very active!Deb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-2642228870676424382012-03-05T04:59:00.002-08:002012-03-05T05:11:48.848-08:00The College 7 are here!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuO5sfb8bfxUbauRbAvHhAMjT-Z-I1o1vuCQJARE8cl8tT1okw2OldVVwR3UUoQY9N-3RgfpbK3pXpuYpIVWMvAoojyTyQodOpFn1Q9lDRUTUmig4dOjorOuJUgQMk4oxHT6PZjDaT-nE/s1600/IMG_1607.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuO5sfb8bfxUbauRbAvHhAMjT-Z-I1o1vuCQJARE8cl8tT1okw2OldVVwR3UUoQY9N-3RgfpbK3pXpuYpIVWMvAoojyTyQodOpFn1Q9lDRUTUmig4dOjorOuJUgQMk4oxHT6PZjDaT-nE/s320/IMG_1607.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716400016353904562" /></a><br />Friday night (classic for a college themed litter!) Queezle delivered 7 beautiful Belgian Tervuren puppies - 5 boys and 2 girls. <br /><br />And no, I don't want to hear about how I am depriving some shelter dog of a home. We had more homes than puppies and all of the people work with rescue and help their local shelters. However, their personal choice for a canine companion is a well bred Terv. Health clearances, temperament,structure and working ability all checked in parents. End of lecture!<br /><br />The pups are noisy, active, and did I say, beautiful? Kate came home Thursday night so she was here for the whelping but back at Cornell now until next weekend. I am doing my best on the home front.<br />I am no Martha Stewart but I thought the blankets were arranged quite nicely. Symmetrical, sort of color coded even, pulled flat. Pink water bucket hanging for Queezle and nice red heat lamp over one corner. No - in total disgust, Queezle comes in and causes a mini tsunami. She roils up blankets, tumbling puppies heads over tails. Good thing they roll well at this age!<br /><br />Then we have the interactions with my husband. "You aren't washing puppy blankets in with our clothes are you?" (Note that at this stage Queezle is doing 99.9% of the clean up so the blankets aren't very dirty.) "Of course not!" Because, actually, I am washing some of our clothes in with the puppy blankets - it is all a matter of semantics. <br /><br />"Smells good in here. Is that our breakfast?" Well no, actually it is a fresh duck egg and cheese omelet for Queezle for her late morning meal - "elevenses" for you Hobbit fans. The other dogs will all get a bit too but the humans are on their own!Deb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-63987798160015265652012-02-21T13:54:00.000-08:002012-02-21T13:55:51.943-08:00Westminster MusingsIt has been a week now since BIS judge Cindy Vogels pointed to the Peke, Malachi, for Best in Show at Westminster. Her decision is still being second guessed (and probably will be until next year’s BIS winner). <br /><br />This got me thinking about being Westminster’s BIS judge – not on my bucket list thank you! It is an all expenses paid trip to NYC and a great excuse for buying a new outfit. Sadly, I believe the BIS judge gets sequestered and misses out on all the fun pre Westminster events plus of course the two days of judging. That lowers the fun of the trip a bit. Fifteen or thirty minutes of fame depending on the TV schedule and how judging has progressed will be yours. And bragging rights for the rest of your life. <br /><br />But what about the pressures on you, Westminster and dog showing in general? <br /><br />By choosing a dog to the extreme edge of dogdom, PETA and HSUS are undoubtedly crowing about a perfect storm of PR. “How unhealthy, how deformed are purebred dogs!”, they will cry. Of course, if the Irish Setter had been chosen, PETA, along with some shelters and rescue groups, would have ads showing fifteen dead mixed breeds offset by 15 Irish Setter puppies. The fact that PETA has filled a dumpster or two with perfectly healthy, adoptable dogs will not be mentioned. Puppy millers are thrilled that Pekes are a small breed that can easily be stacked four cages high in the back barn, but a bit worried about whether or not their Peke stock can free whelp. Should any of those things matter? <br /><br />I have to say, we have been crated near Malachi and his human at various shows, and it is clear that Mr. Fitzpatrick is dedicated to his dogs. Their welfare comes first. His dogs are always well cared for, exquisitely groomed and kept comfortable no matter what the situation. Animal welfare doesn’t have a leg to stand on if they choose to complain about the care of this dog. <br /><br />Do show records matter? After all, the top dog for 2011 never made it out of the breed and some other favorites also dropped out along the way. (Let me add, a friend knowledgeable in the way of Spaniels who was at Westminster said the black Cocker who is spectacular at his best, simply wasn’t at his best on that day and the judge was correct, as well as courageous, to put the other dog up. Perhaps he was a bit exhausted from his heavy show schedule or simply having an “off” day. We have “off” days, so why shouldn’t our dogs?) <br /><br />Still, show superintendents, handlers and magazine advertising managers all hope that show records do count as it justifies their existence. While the BIS judge may not know until he/she walks into the ring which dogs will be there, realistically any judge who has made it to the level of BIS at Westminster will undoubtedly recognize the dogs and their handlers. The judge probably knows registered and call names, maybe even the pedigree and whether or not the handler’s wife just had a baby girl or boy. At the highest levels, the dog show world is a small village. So, as the judge, do you reward the dog who has promoted our sport heavily all year round? Or go with the upset who catches your eye?<br /><br />Going along with the “small village” concept, I suspect the BIS judge also knows which dogs are going to retire from Westminster, whose owner is ill and who has made it to this point in previous years without snagging the top prize. Should any of that matter? Does it matter?<br /><br />And what do you do if you walk out into the ring as BIS judge and NONE of the dogs are your favorites? They may be excellent examples of their breeds but what if you happen to dislike all seven breeds represented in your ring? That could be tough. As the consummate professional, you do simply “suck it up” and of course “the show will go on”, but how depressing would that be? <br /><br />As I said, being BIS judge at Westminster is not on my bucket list and I admire those who do step up to the task. But why would a woman who runs marathons, choose a Pekingese?Deb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-35655023586740792572012-02-14T07:49:00.000-08:002012-02-14T08:05:56.911-08:00Catching up and jumping into controversy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59m30M2ohQwJBF6oejMXmC4Jfx7Boh_OP_4DK8nTQaH8LybFA6lXqrDx1Cf_vnIP5mRNpIQHDGxCIOW8GttCF5NYIMsDKHv_DtcirUDQrgJDbFbvPPhNCMhdqetBWl9A3cbjh0KS_5jF2/s1600/IMG_0970.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59m30M2ohQwJBF6oejMXmC4Jfx7Boh_OP_4DK8nTQaH8LybFA6lXqrDx1Cf_vnIP5mRNpIQHDGxCIOW8GttCF5NYIMsDKHv_DtcirUDQrgJDbFbvPPhNCMhdqetBWl9A3cbjh0KS_5jF2/s320/IMG_0970.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709023205745017090" /></a><br />I am WAY behind in oh, so many things and will strive to catch up, but figured better to jump in with controversy than be left totally behind. <br /><br />Westminster dropped Pedigree and signed up Purina for their TV coverage ads. Why? They have been quite open about their reasons - Pedigree insisted on concentrating on mixed breeds and stressing shelter adoptions. Westminster's entire reason for existing is to promote wellbred purebred dogs - from reputable breeders and with excellent breed standard representation. When you see a Chihuahua on Westminster, you KNOW it is a Chihuahua. <br /><br />Westminster does not hate mixed breeds or hate shelter adoptions. Simply, their "product" if you will, is purebred dogs. So why have advertising that represents someone else's ideal? Would you expect Ford to run ads featuring Toyotas? <br /><br />Westminster has done a great deal to promote dogs, all dogs. The "Angel on a Leash" therapy dog group that David Frei works with encourages any and all dogs. Many of the fund raisers support causes that will help all dogs. Education is worked into the broadcasts and mixed breed owners would benefit from learning about the "dogs behind their dog". <br /><br />Many shelters have discovered themselves that showing photos of dirty, crowded, starving dogs does not help adoptions. When people see clean, obviously happy dogs, they think what a great addition a dog would be for their family. <br /><br />Yes, there are those who are attracted to the idea of rescuing an injured or abused dog, but motives are sometimes suspect in those cases. Shelters have to carefully screen adopters who are only interested in the dog who made headlines for his sad situation. While some are truly good hearted people, some simply want to be able to say that they "rescued" the dog in the paper. Fifteen minutes or less of fame and a dog who isn't truly loved or wanted. <br /><br />Before I am jumped on with both feet, note that *I* have worked at a shelter, have adopted a dog from a shelter, have helped with rescues and yes, heaven forbid, I choose for the most part to own purebred dogs - from reputable breeders.Deb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-60638670790872611092011-06-17T06:33:00.000-07:002011-06-17T06:34:08.607-07:00GraduationsTonight my son Tom will graduate as co-valedictorian from Westmoreland. A high school graduation is similar to the graduation our dogs get from their basic obedience class. Whether the class is from our local Pet SMART, Mohawk Valley Dog Training Club, Syracuse Obedience Training Club or one of the other local training classes, graduation marks both a beginning and an end. <br /><br />The end of class means that you and your dog have worked together to learn certain basic obedience commands and exercises. Hopefully you have developed a good working relationship and strengthened the bond between you. Training will need reinforcement however. You need to keep up with your commands, provide rewards and practice - even if you only mix the obedience into your daily life. In fact, mixing obedience into daily life is the ideal way to use your training. <br /><br />My son will use math, English and science in his engineering courses at Cornell. Your dog will use sit, down and come in his daily interactions with the family - sit to have his leash put on, a down stay at dinner time, etc. <br /><br />Graduation can also be a beginning. For the high school students it is a move to college, a job or perhaps the military. For your dog, it may be a decision to move on to a dog sport. Agility might be appealing or perhaps your dog loves to heel so upper levels of obedience call to you as a team. The basics you learned in your early training classes provide the foundation for almost every dog sport you might choose to try. If you and your dog dont' enjoy a certain dog sport, try another one. There are many options available to you in central NY. <br /><br />May your dog class graduations lead to wonderful opportunities!Deb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-64970290896191600752011-02-03T16:41:00.001-08:002011-02-03T16:45:26.356-08:00OK, enough with the snow!Some light fluffy snow, even a foot or so, would have been fine. Instead we got heavy, wet snow and then a crust of ice and sleet. This has made for treacherous walking for humans and dogs. Flash the Corgi tries to simply follow the rest of us, but we have steps, not a path which makes it hard for her at 13. I just carry her to the snow blown areas.<br /><br />The ducks simply stay in - no complaints from them!<br />The sheep, goat, mini horse and donkeys use the paths broken by the horses. And Tom and I shove our way through drifts to the manure pile.<br /><br />I do love snow and hope to cross country ski tomorrow but I think I could manage with quite a bit less :).Deb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-61772247324078428642011-01-16T11:37:00.000-08:002011-01-16T11:50:48.220-08:00Hunkering down in snow and coldWe have had at least some new snow daily for days now - none of the big storms that hit the East Coast made it as far inland as us, but we probably have a foot or so accumulated by now. This has made for rough times for some of our animals, especially when coupled with wind and/or cold temperatures.<br /><br />The ducks are basically staying inside. I am not sure they could walk at all in snow up to their chins! They get warm water in their bucket plus plenty <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">of</span> food and hay to eat and nest in. The ducks seem happy.<br /><br />The sheep, along with Zoom the goat aren't so thrilled with everything. While they also get warm water, they end up outside for about 8 hours every day. There is hay outside and more hay when they come in, but particularly the older sheep "ladies" - Klara and her younger sister Mrs. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tommel</span> - would probably be happy simply staying inside. I need to start cutting up apple for all of them at night.<br /><br />The donkeys, Sugar and daughter Spice have mixed feelings. They like going out but figure an hour might be plenty of time. All of the equines have been getting apple or carrots every day along with their hay plus warm water so they are happy about that. Sugar, Spice and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Frodo</span> the mini horse do not get any grain. They stay round just on hay.<br /><br />The horses are all "seniors" and they get grain plus hay inside and out as well as their apples or carrots plus an arthritis supplement. They are the main group that truly wants to go outside very day.<br /><br />Fire (short for Firecracker - he was born on the 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> of July) pretty much lives in his bed on top of the heated water pump area in the winter. He hops down to eat or eliminate, then back up. He is almost round enough to dribble now and truly looks like a big basketball!<br /><br />Well, off to the barn - I suspect everyone wants in early today with the cold and the blowing snow!<br />Deb E<br /><br />I LOVE to help with barn chores! I like it best in warm weather when I get to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">move</span> my ducks around. Sometimes I move the sheep around for Deb too - not always when or where she wants, but they need work too. Plus I love going in the haymow - I am so cool because I can hop right up on the hay mow floor (probably about 4 feet straight up). Plus I run through the fields looking for bunnies, mice, wild strawberries, all kinds of neat things! I can hear mice and voles under the snow in the winter and sometimes I pounce to catch them. Not too successful, but I keep trying.<br />HokeyDeb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-89257079996202161922011-01-11T13:04:00.000-08:002011-01-11T13:17:19.150-08:00Obedience on the flyI had Hokey entered in Wild Card Utility obedience both days at the Syracuse trials. We had a lot of fun and for a dog who has not had much formal utility training he did quite well. I do see some things we will have to work on :)<br /><br />On the Directed Retrieve for the gloves, Hokey ran right out to the correct glove, then turned, smiled at me and downed with the glove between his front legs. A perfect tracking article indication! So we need to add the retrieve to that!<br /><br />Then on scent articles, I chose to only have him do leather. He ran right out and indicated the correct article - interesting since he had never worked a pile but on his own decided to choose the article that smelled the most like me. Again, he wasn't sure about the retrieving.<br /><br />Still, we are on our way and will now actually start training for utility!<br /><br />Hokey's sister, Tiara, did a stunning job in Excellent B Rally both days - earning a 1st and a 2nd in very big and tough classes.<br /><br />Tia, Kate's little Aussie, held it together and managed to squeak out her first CDX leg. Six dogs qualified that day, so no placement but she is "on the scoreboard" now!We decided that Kate has finally earned a CDX herself - she put one CDX leg each on her Corgi Flash, on Hokey and now on Tia!<br />Deb E<br /><br />From Hokey:<br />Man, they have some really stupid rules. Why doesn't the person come pick up the glove or the article after the brilliant dog locates it? Why should the canine half of the team have to do ALL the work?<br /><br />Tia was a bit insufferable on the way home. A lousy little green flat ribbon - big deal! *I* got better scores for my CDX legs AND I got placements!! At least Deb had the good sense to realize the Queezle and I at least deserved to split a cheeseburger on the way home - no double though.<br /><br />I am going to train like crazy and show that stupid Aussie how a REAL dog does REAL obedience like Utility!Deb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-89355779929525271182011-01-07T03:54:00.000-08:002011-01-07T04:00:59.649-08:00Where's the snow?Remember the old Wendy's commercials with the old lady crying, "Where's the beef?" Well, here I am asking, "Where's the snow?" We were supposed to get a big storm and I admit, I was hoping Tom would get a snow day. We were probably two of the few people hoping for the storm. Actually, lots of local students were doing snow dances I bet!<br /><br />It looks like the snow may show up later so there might be early dismissal.<br /><br />Of course, I then want it over and cleaned up by tomorrow so we can go to the SOTC obedience trials. Here in upstate NY, 8 to 10 inches could and would be dealt with easily.<br /><br />I love a blizzard as long as the power stays on. We don't have a fireplace or woodstove so if the power goes out we get chilly fast. And the loss of running water is a hardship caring for the animals. Still, if the house stays warm, it is nice to snuggle on the loveseat with one or two dogs, a good book and hot chocolate.<br /><br />Housework should never be done on big storm days. After all, you would hate to have the power go out when you were halfway through vacuuming a room :).<br />Deb EDeb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-49953301720869535772011-01-04T14:53:00.000-08:002011-01-04T15:07:29.946-08:00Habits and patterns<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQ7ON8ulhf3MdZsyPD0k_sQdlEdjzB6QyjXN45W6KCL-raNe_oNkxYEht9BSOgiJctrgWwICdtkEinng6zzd0W85CaKS6sj6IkWGli9nerNOLmZ1ZYrxj2W6lfucbTQEYQbfOlbQzXoTD/s1600/herdinghorsesfrisbee+004.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558470973622255410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQ7ON8ulhf3MdZsyPD0k_sQdlEdjzB6QyjXN45W6KCL-raNe_oNkxYEht9BSOgiJctrgWwICdtkEinng6zzd0W85CaKS6sj6IkWGli9nerNOLmZ1ZYrxj2W6lfucbTQEYQbfOlbQzXoTD/s320/herdinghorsesfrisbee+004.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I think of all of our animals, the sheep and ducks may be the most set in their ways. We are shifting the sheep to a new stall to make it easier to clean in the winter - actually shifting half the sheep. The group generally separates out into two groups - one group of 3 sheep plus Zoom the goat and the other group with 5 sheep - when they come into the barn. </div><br /><div>So the goal tonight was to move the group of 5 to the new stall. Easier said than done!</div><br /><div>At first, we had Queezle down with us, though she was in the milk house most of the time. Queezle is not an ideal stock dog, as opposed to Hokey. The sheep don't trust her and the fact that she was in the barn, made them hesitant to split into their usual groups. It was not pretty.</div><br /><div>Then Kate suggested we simply put them all back out, shut the door and go up to the house to feed all the dogs. We then came back down dogless and were able to separate them fairly well - though Abbie slipped into the 5 sheep group so we ended up with 3 and 6. Still not bad and now there is a group in the new big stall. </div><br /><div>Sheep are characterized as being stupid, but when it comes to things that affect their survival, they are quite smart. They are excellent at reading the intentions of dogs and humans. Tomorrow I will use Hokey to help me - they trust him and work well with him. </div><div>Note, the lovely photo was taken in warm weather - we currently have snow and ice :)</div>Deb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-1595627496948099312011-01-02T11:15:00.001-08:002011-01-02T11:25:04.864-08:00Hokey starts the New Year off right!I convinced Deb to let me do the first post of this year. *I* have always known I was destined for great things but now everyone seems to agree with me!<br /><br />I also know that some dogs don't get along with their siblings/littermates but I like mine - maybe partly because I don't see them all that much so they don't get a chance to bug me. I do see my sister T quite often and she is golden because she has given me some really cute toys over the years - my fox wubba and my Wally whale for example.<br /><br />However Sister Poppin, way down in North Carolina, is my favorite sibling right at this minute. Deb was going through mail and there was a really nice card from Nancy and Poppin congratulating me on my CT. But the best part of all is that in the card was MY VERY OWN ARCH CARD for McDonald's!!!!! So I can buy my own double cheeseburgers!!!<br /><br />Of course, I am limited by not driving (at least the car type of driving - I have started driving sheep and ducks) and Deb says a steady diet of double cheesburgers is not real healthy, but still. WOW!!! I bet I am the only Terv, maybe even the only dog!!, with an ARCH card :))<br />Hokey, never shy, never modest<br />PS I am not sharing with the other dogs of my family (the ones I live with) though I might share with Deb! Unless Dani threatens me in which case I will share with her.Deb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-11560911248404074422010-12-19T15:11:00.000-08:002010-12-19T15:20:23.656-08:00Still smiling!Both Hokey and I are still smiling! I am still so in awe of his ability. What a dog! Of course, he doesn't get to brag too much here or Flash and Dani flatten him.<br /><br />We have been lucky to share congratulations from so many wonderful friends. That makes our accomplishment even better. Best of all, we have heard from others with cancer challenged dogs who are heartened by our success. Of course, there are no guarantees and we have no idea how long <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hokey's</span> remission will last but I continue to do his supplements, special diet, etc and we will keep working.<br />We have quite a bit of snow so we are mostly working in the barn aisle, doing some utility obedience. I need to figure out a good way to work the ducks despite the snow. Haven't come up with that yet.<br /><br />And we just ordered some custom bumper stickers - Canine Cancer Survivors Can Do! in bright green. Definitely one will go on my minivan :)<br />Deb E<br /><br /><br />Oh yeah, steak for THREE nights in a row!! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Whoohee</span>!! And other dogs got a piece each but *I* got lots of pieces.<br /><br />I am back to work - learning utility which should be a snap for me since I am so brilliant but it may take a while to get Deb proofed. She seems to think I should hand her these white gloves when we both know the correct article indication is to lie down or sit by the glove. I love to run out and grab it, then shake it and bring it back to her and drop it. I mean, what more could you want?<br /><br />And I keep warning those ducks that I plan to work their fluffy little butts off this winter. Deb and I will figure out a way to keep them in shape!<br />Yeah, life is good - just like those t shirts!<br />HokeyDeb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339909731477134771.post-65888374038206830192010-12-15T04:35:00.000-08:002010-12-15T05:09:01.432-08:00My version of our track - by Hokey<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnZUhz_UmWoK2akB64RTOis5fnZXhxLbvIEvVV1RoCutimxhSkOEMg8vn5xJR2vsz0UAQtIDFjh8rU9cNP2WLW14HkC_LbCLAlfYjHhC2txbAFb6pXU_da-AsbUqOHSI-y8M9wUjNpwge/s1600/10-13-08rallybksitstanddwnwalkaround+083.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550894815893991602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnZUhz_UmWoK2akB64RTOis5fnZXhxLbvIEvVV1RoCutimxhSkOEMg8vn5xJR2vsz0UAQtIDFjh8rU9cNP2WLW14HkC_LbCLAlfYjHhC2txbAFb6pXU_da-AsbUqOHSI-y8M9wUjNpwge/s320/10-13-08rallybksitstanddwnwalkaround+083.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Whoa, yah! Deb didn't give ME a chance to post yesterday. I think you all need the real version of our track.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I was pysched - so psyched I was whining when Deb was putting the harness on me - bright neon green I might add and I look quite dashing in it! Plus festive for the season you know.</div><br /><div>Forget the stupid sugar plums - I had visions of double cheeseburgers dancing through MY head! Deb had been stuffing green Xmas tree Peeps into her - guess she felt she might need a sugar high. She did tell me that I would get chicken RIGHT after the track but might have to wait until the drive home for my cheeseburger. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I was very glad to have that nice woman for my tracklayer. She has great scent :). Off we went, flying down the field, then up the hill. I am not at all sure why they felt the track should go under this creepy tree and right next to a big telephone pole on its side. That looked like the kind of place where my brother wolves might be hiding. Never fear though - Hokey's great nose could handle taking the turn a touch early. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I admit I had a lapse then - I saw a bright white thing and figured it might be an article, so we went off to check that off. No dice, nothing that easy! I put the old snoz back to work and lo and behold, we found a dark sock! Cool - one article out of the way. Of course Deb had no idea we, I mean I, had already handled one set of cross tracks. Ha, they couldn't fool me!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Now we trucked down a hill through some brush with nasty prickers - I really hate prickers! Blew through the other cross tracks too - do they think we are stupid? If they couldn't fool me the first time, why even try again?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>What is this?! My track now went through this huge river! I am guessing a mile wide and probably about that deep. I don't mind baths or working in the rain (and it was raining) but putting my feet into water? UGH!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Still, double cheeseburger on my mind, so through the creek we went. Then I took us down this path in the woods. I find paths in woods to be hard to work, so I am glad we had practiced at the Westmo Town Park. Those cinder paths are tough!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>And what should my competent nose find but a purple tie! Hmmm, guess we know why it became a tracking article - a bit bright for average the suit and tie crowd. By now I swear I could almost smell my cheeseburgers!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We went a looong way in the woods, then hit a field and I KNEW to turn left! Yes, back to the creek. This is where Deb almost blew it big time. All that work and now she hesitates to follow me down to the creek again?!!! This is the dog who HATES water, so if I say it goes there and *I* am willing to cross it again - what is HER problem?!!! She is even wearing our good luck shirt - the bright green one from Beauty of the Beasts that says Trust me.... I am the One with the Nose. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So I humor her - checking out the edge of the field thoroughly. Kind of interesting - different big mushrooms, including a bright orange one, some neat trash. Finally I am running out of options, so I insist we really need to cross the creek, finish this thing and let the judges move on to the next dog. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Deb follows me!!! Hallelujah!!! Across the creek we go and then there is ice. I really don't like walking across pure ice, so I kind of hop up onto the jump there. Got stuck with my line for a second but Deb's good old opposable thumbs helped us out there. I hopped back down to the path where it was mud now and WOW - WHAT IS THIS???!!! I snuffle, verify twice, turn to smile at Deb and sit - right there, even in the cold mud!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My glove - a sort of ratty small brown one but still, the glove of my tracklayer. Deb checks, she screams, everybody screams, I leap up and get mud on Deb, they all cry a bit and then, finally we head to the car for my chicken (cheeseburgers yet to come!)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Back at the car, Deb dried me thoroughly and stuffed me with rotisserie chicken. Good stuff - you can get it at most grocery stores cheaper than buying and cooking your own chicken - strip off the meat and save it for your dog. I could write a cookbook!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Anyway, I LOVE to be dried and rubbed with towels. Just feels good, you know? We had to wait a bit for my beautiful green and blue rosette but then we were on the road, heading for McD's for my double cheeseburger!!! And steak the last two nights too!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I am really rubbing this into Queezle's face. She thinks she is so hot being a top breed dog - well, that is nothing but looks. If I hadn't had a problem with a bit of equipment I could have been a breed CH too. But a CT is even better because *I* had to earn it!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Deb says no way we retire - she has promised me we will keep working. Doing some duck stuff - I am an awesome duck dog if I say so myself! - , maybe some utility obedience, more ASCA tracking and herding, yeah, lots to do, more cheeseburgers to earn!</div>Deb Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314167299131475082noreply@blogger.com4