Shoshi Lives for the Summer

Why is that?

Well, when the pool is open the ducks come and Shoshi thinks she chases the ducks away.

It's a great job for her. She doesn't realize that if any of us get close enough they fly away.

But it's the Shoshi's job and all dawgs needs roles and jobs, at least I think so.

It builds self esteem and it gives them a purpose.

All we have to do is say 'duck, Shoshi' and it doesn't matter what bird, she gets excited, runs after them and stands on her back legs as if she conquered the world.

She gets WAY frustrated if they go to the middle of the pool to say nah, nah, nah so the pack gets that and they too start barking at them in the pool and off they fly away.

Still, Shoshi thinks she did it herself and she prances around all excited as if she won the lottery.

It's moments like this that make me ever so happy as Shoshi knows she counts and she is a productive being in this world. All it takes is something so very simple.

We all need to count!

Finally Sun

 Now that we have sun, are we going to swim?

With pups and mom being alone, I bet you not though she does have that swimming suit on.

I could use a swim. How about you?

Green Feet

We had family show up to help me weed so I got the front mowed, Nathan did the back and then I helped weed but I am fading very fast - silly me but it does look better. Nathan is out helping now as I type and will go lay down as I need it unfortunately.

I haven't groomed the dawgs yet but Spicy found fresh mowed lawn too delightful to skip so she is prancing around with green feet.

Daddy is saying, will it disappear before she shows this week? Well maybe so, maybe not. hahahahaha

Don't you think the judges should accept a dawg natural enjoying life? I do but it won't happen.

Puppy Snuggles

I am bringing up this photo from quite sometime ago. These are Wasabi's pups. Other than it is cold in the environment, I was looking past notes I make and noticing just how striking her pups look in snow.

It's easier when it is not snowing as pups can only go out for short spurts when old enough when it is cold but there is nothing like pups jumping in and out of snow.

Pups born in winter look for a patch of snow to go on and are confused as to where that white stuff went when spring melt comes. They make the transition just fine but you do notice the confusion.

Pups born in warmer times look for that grass and aren't too sure about this white stuff where some just think it's the best thing ever.

Personally, I hate shovelling but a white draping of snow is quite pleasing with black and white pups scrambling through the drifts.

That's my memory moment.... sorry... but we are doing well. I have Abigail left to groom and Wasabi is stylin.

Moms are now relaxed enough to feed and come out of the whelping box and peer in allowing them to stay cool but be attentive. First time mothers rarely leave even though they are just there. Relaxed is a 'good' thing.

Weeds, Weeds Everywhere

Got any idea how to get rid of weeds fast between the stones? Please send tips this way. The dawgs are our priority and that means the weeds due to the rain may be 2 feet high soon. HELP

Risa doesn't mind. She figures its natural - yeah right.

But with all this rain and pups no swimming for the dawgs. They say this is summer?

This year will be known as the Canada Post no mail year and the rainiest year. Rather drab and here they swore it would be the hottest one yet.

Shoshi still hates the wet grass and oh yeah we need the grass to dry so it can be mowed. Does it ever end? How do we handle it with Shoshi? We pick her up and put her in the middle making her deal. But Mommy it tickles my tummy!

Where's the Treat?

The dawgs look forward to getting groomed - seriously. They don't run away. They stand in line and say 'my turn'. Why?

Well most of it is conditioning. Another part is the yummy treat at the end. It also must be that nice head massage I give.

I can't imagine if they were giving me a hard time how I would feel about long hair. But even if you like short hair, it makes sense to condition the dogs.

Sometimes, if they are really feisty or they scream to get you to stop, yes they can and will try anything especially if it works, it pays to persist and hold them in place and just do it. I wait till they actually relax before I let them go.

None of my dogs need a noose and they will all lay on their back to allow me to do their tummies. It's simply conditioning in a positive way and one day they actually will look forward to it. Can you imagine that? I am so glad that mine do.

PS: Truffie we are still working on doing 'on his back' but that will come. He's no longer complaining with the daily combing and brushing. Progress!

What Can I Say?

Not much. I am fading but I did play retrieve. I did groom. The son walked the dogs and each time I had to nap they all surrounded me and slept with me. That was heaven.

It was rather funny when Gidget slept on my head.

If you are going to be sick, do it surrounded by dawgs.

Sparky, Abigail's Son

Sparky practices higher learning. He has an ipad, he's seen often checking out dawg books.

He is in the know.

Sparky lives in Montreal and he has a wonderful personality.

It was a delight to see him. We are hoping to see him at the picnic.

Sophie and the Stairs

This was taken a bit ago and with so much going on, I keep forgetting to share but I thought it was way cute.

It's part 1 and part 2 of the stairs with Sophie.

Check out Part 1 here.

Check out Part 2 here.

Sending out a big hug to Sophie and her mom. You are doing so well with her. Congrats!!

Secrets and Adventures

Well, Wasabi is going to have puppies any day and she is usually the one that teaches Spice all sorts of fun things like going under the deck, behind the pool house and lounging in the garden where no one can see us.

Fiona decided that this was mighty fun and has taken it to a new level. Mommy was out watering the plants this morning with the hose and Fiona and Spice was under the deck drinking the run off.

How did I know? You could see it through the cracks, mouths wide open letting it fall in. When they came up and out, their faces was SOAKEN wet.

Then they proceeded to run their wet faces all over the cedars. Where was the camera? Well, in the house of course. You can't click and water plants at the same time, at least yet.

Daddy was bringing that human son to the airport as he is going to Israel for a year to go to school so he missed the fun.

The human son that helps out with the pups and dawgs is still here and is now adjusting his schedule to be up all night and sleep all day. Why? Well that way someone is on watch during the night and someone is on watch during the day. This way until the pups are old enough to go upstairs without mom, someone is here for them 24/7.

It's a lot of work but worth it.

With Wasabi out of commision, Fiona has taken over the job of mentor. Oh my!

What is THAT

Spicy had fun with the grandkids using their kick boards. She didn't quite know how to deal with all the commotion but it was good for her.

She loved the playing but those shots of water from those water guns?

Mom, please why did you get them THOSE?

I swear Spicy wanted to use a kick board herself and would have if she could have figured out how to.

It was a long day. It's not over yet but I wish it was. We all could fall fast asleep, if allowed.

Good News!

Sometimes when we go to the vets all we hear is negative stuff just sitting in the office listening. There are life cycles that we go through and we know them well.

When our vet looked at Terra's digital image of her growth she went oh oh do not feed her as we will be operating tomorrow.

So off to the vet we went.

But when she got there and they looked they went oh, it's not as bad as I thought. It needs to be removed but we can do that with a local and it's not the 'c' word. Okay, relief. Terra is a great dawg and that would be a tough one.

So that went without a hitch and all the way home she kept vomiting. Oh, is that fun to cleanup.

But she is okay but when she got home she took that back leg and placed it where it shouldn't go and blood started pouring. I do love dawgs. They are like kids.

She still has her stitches in, miracle that this is but now she has a t-shirt on and socks.

Spicy thinks this is rather comical. I can understand why.

But at least she is well.

Thank you for the well wishes. They worked.

I am not sure how I would have handled a problem with Terra and puppies coming. What a ride that would be.

Any tips on keeping the socks on while we sleep?

A Day of Visitors

 Eugenia came over with Teaka and Dash to hang out with ours, get the duo tuckered out and enjoy watching.

Thing is we had Kona and Ty earlier so Spice was tired, Truffie was tired and the humans are tired.

WE also found out that Terra most likely has an ulcerative tumour. So no food after 6 pm as she may be getting operated on tomorrow when the gals are getting x-rays. So stressed is the operative word and one gets tired when they are stressed, I suppose.

We will know more tomorrow.

We really enjoyed Eugenia and her duo. I have to resize the photos but it won't be till tomorrow.

Reality is I should be getting ready for the vets tonight but I won't. I will rush around like a mad person tomorrow early. I hope I don't forget anything.

Photos of Dash and Teaka tomorrow.

Happy Gal

When it comes to having Truffie in her life, Fiona is a happy, happy gal. She's never had a pup hang out for longer and she rather likes it.

On the otherhand, Spice is jealous. Mom, he's JUST a boy. You know what they say about BOYS... okay I like them too.

Fiona continues to teach, to play and to protect Truff.

It's amazing to watch.

I find dawg relationships fascinating and they do have them.

Pool Time

Oh the weeds are growing around the pool again and the Kat is back to jumping in the pool.

In and out, in and out he goes over and over again.

He seems to be able to tread water for a long time. Hurry up Daddy, are you coming in?

Ignore those dawgie groupies, it's all about ME!

This week will be great as warmth is supposedly here to stay all week.

Forget About It!

She wants to give me a bath...save me. hahahahaha

Fiona just stands there but you can tell by her body that the bath is not the highlight of her day but she does cooperate as she knows it gets her a treat when she does. The key to baths is to make them fun. For each dog it is different. You have to find what relaxes or distracts them.

It's worth the effort and while you are training you can use a tether. It helps to free your hands and keeps them still. It's a conditioning mechanism of sorts. They are cheap but worth every penny.

Washing Time This Week

It's been a long day and I still didn't get to the photos from Woofstock. This sense of urgency to get the garden done before pups arrive has the pressure on bigtime.

I also have to wash everyone this week.

I am tired. The garden seems to be too much but we got the pond done, the two water pots done, the side garden started and oh plants planted and more.

The dawgs watched and watched and I swear they were shaking their heads. The rain is coming or so it threatens. No pool time this weekend.

Messy Gal

Spice reminds me of her mother, Wasabi. Where are those EYES?

Do you know how many people stopped to take photos of her? It was funny and about the 10th time I asked, why?

Well, they said look at her. She's so cute and she looks like she enjoys life unlike those dawgs all dressed up with perfect hair all over here. Was that a compliment or not? hahaha

I guess it's the Shaggy dawg syndrome. It is a cute factor, I suppose but could us humans get away with that? Well, I try. :-)

I did groom her before we left. I also did the same for Truffie. He looked groomed, she didn't. Oh well and then someone said you must have got up way early to groom your dawgs and I said not today. I actually groomed them when I came home. What a slacker I am and some days I say - day off.

I got photos from Woofstock - not many that were great - some decent but we were too busy spending time not clicking and cuddling and enjoying. That's the issue with being the photo-op capture and click person. I won't get to them today but I promise I will.

Today I want to take a nap, snuggle with the dawgs and relax without having to do. Tomorrow is another day.

Wet Feet Syndrome

Each day that human gets the hose out and waters the plants that she has and even waters the pots that haven't been planted yet. What a silly human.

I like to follow her around and get my feet wet. Then I like to run in the mud just so I can watch her wash the kitchen floor.

She's learned a trick. She closes the French doors to the kitchen so I only track mud into one room. Now that's not fun.

Don't you think she needs to laugh at such stuff? Oh, it looks like she tries but after the 5th day in a row of me doing it, (she's slow) she learns a new trick.

She expects ME to learn a trick instantly but her it takes 5 days.

Humans... can't take them anywhere!

Blurry but Memorable

 I took a photo a few days back of a couple of our visitors. It came out blurry but I wanted to share it with you as it shows when the humans and dawgs come to visit, there is real fun in sitting, watching and clicking.

If you haven't caught the bug of using a camera, you should. It's a way of really looking back in years to come and saying do you remember...

By the way, Gidget did make it over Sparky many times over back and forth and he loved the game. I did too.

The Havanese are ever so creative in the way they interact. It's amazing to catch them in the act.