March 2016 – Page 2 – Viktorsviews. The Next Chapter.

Bunnies and other stuff

March 21, 2016Leave a Comment

Sunday was another yo-yo day. Paxton was not at all hungry and Frodo and I basically screamed when he wouldn’t eat. We wanted his leftovers. He eventually did eat some steak. And lots and lots of biscuits. My human thinks he just has an appetite for junk food. Today he will go to the Vet to see how they can make him better…..

Despite Paxton’s illness, he was quite happy to join Frodo and I on rabbi-lert. I sounded the alarm. I was the first one to spot Mr. Bunny in the back yard.

He’s still white from the winter – so he is hard to see. See if you can spot him.

No matter what colour he was, I could see him. And my human was afraid to even let me out on the deck – for fear I would leap off in hot pursuit. She’s starting to wonder if our Find the Bunny game with the stuffed rabbit is such a brilliant idea. Maybe not – but too late now.

We also got to play fetch with some of our guilt gifts. I was having a grand old time retrieving with my human – since I got to go first. In the meantime, Frodo was yelling at the top of his lungs in the house. So my human went to let him out. Well. I didn’t WANT Frodo playing too. So in protest, I took the toy and went to chew it. And THAT was the end of the fetch game.

On a final note today, I want you to know that my human is so grateful for all the people who have sent good wishes and prayers for Paxton. This internet world is an incredible place. And it kind of amazes my human that in this world of crazy political candidates, global warming, poverty, refugees, war and strife, a Polish Lowland Sheepdog in Nova Scotia, Canada can share his crazy antics, and people whom we have never met, are sharing in this difficult journey and sincerely hoping for a good outcome. We dogs know that humans ARE crazy – but underneath it all – they are very good. Very, very good. And that’s why we dogs keep them. Thank you for supporting my big brother. I hope I have good news about him tomorrow….

Until then- watch out for bunnies…..they are obviously getting ready for Easter!

Tag team

March 20, 2016Leave a Comment

Another yo-yo day. One minute Paxton seems perfectly normal, and the next, my human is whisking him off to the emergency clinic. They have now learned at the clinic that she is a truly neurotic human when it comes to us dogs. The bottom line – Paxton was having a good day – he went for a good walk, quickly ate ALL of his breakfast, and was in a good mood. My human went out for breakfast with an old friend and when they came back to the house, she thought Paxton’s colour was not good. So off they went to the clinic – only to find out he was NOT in distress. He came home and after some coaxing, ate most of his dinner. Frodo and I beg him to NOT finish so we can get the leftovers. Not much luck in the food department yesterday.

But we DID have some luck when Frodo and I went out for our morning walk. We ran into my old buddy, Jackson, and ended up going for a run with him and his human. Well, Frodo got to run. I was on a leash. Honestly, you THINK my human would just get over my previous escape acts. She actually DID let me off leash for about 6.4 minutes during which time, Frodo and I tried to tag team wrestle and herd poor Jackson. It’s funny – if either of us is alone with Jackson, we behave. But put us together and we try to annihilate the poor guy. I think he jumped in a couple of ponds just to get away from us. At one point, during my short reign of freedom, I ALMOST headed for the woods. At which point, Jackson’s human called me and I came back. For a treat of course. And then my human again incarcerated me. She was not in the mood to have a sick dog AND a runaway dog. So that was that.

Today my human will be home with us all day. I think it’s time to try out those guilt gifts! And it seems only fair that the youngest goes first. Doesn’t it?

Thanks again for those prayers for my big bro. Please keep them coming!

Have a happy Sunday!

Say a prayer…

March 18, 20161 Comment

Things in our house are difficult right now. Paxton is not well…It began when the dog sitter was here. Remember how he didn’t want to eat, unless she held the bowl for him? Well, I’m afraid it has continued…and my human is very concerned. He doesn’t want to eat at all. So my human took him to the Vet yesterday. And Paxton had blood work done. He is anemic. So when you have a Bernese Mountain Dog and you have anemia, in a dog who is refusing to eat…well the probable diagnosis is not good. My human keeps searching for some treatable causes for the anemia – but most sites lead to inevitable bad news. She has decided to stop searching the net. For now.

Paxton will be going for something called an ultrasound on Monday. Until then, Frodo and I are quite happy to eat anything Pax doesn’t want. But honestly? We have been very nice to him. We know he doesn’t feel well. And neither does our human…

I’ll try to write some other news between now and Monday, just to get my mind off my big brother. But he sure needs lots of good thoughts and prayers right now…

© Linda Wozniak

St. Paddy’s Day

March 17, 2016Leave a Comment

Happy St. Patrick’s Day. The day they say everyone is Irish. Unless you are a Polish Lowland Sheepdog. I’m always Polish.

So today will be a holiday for some, and in some places people will be drinking green beer. Humans are just so strange.

So in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, it seems we should take a minute to recognize the Irish Dog breeds. So here are a few trivia questions about the dogs of the Emerald Isle:

1. This is the tallest dog breed in the world. Although known as a gentle giant, this breed was once used as a war dog who dragged men off horseback or from chariots.

2. One of the oldest spaniels – this dog has a curly coat. They are fairly rare.

3. This member of the Sporting Group has a rich mahogany colored coat.

4. Thought to be among the oldest terriers, it is loyal, adaptable and spunky.

5. This medium sized terrier has a golden wheat colored coat. They are athletic dogs, and can be great family dogs.

6. This working terrier is a hardy tough dog, whose original job was to dig into burrows and hunt badgers. Unlike many other terriers, it is not considered to be a “barker.”

7. This athletic cobalt colored terrier was originally bred as a farm dog. They are energetic and athletic and make great pets.

8. This sporting dog is very old, even older than their mahogany cousin, yet nearly became extinct. It wasn’t until the 1970s that a strong effort was made to revive this breed.

And here are your answers:

1. Irish Wolfhound

2. Irish Water Spaniel

3. Irish Setter

4. Irish Terrier

5. Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier

6. Glen of Imaal Terrier

7. Kerry Blue Terrier

8. Irish Red and White Setter

How did you do? At one point, years ago, pre-PON, my human actually thought about getting a Glen of Imaal Terrier. When the breeder asked her what she wanted to do with the dog, my human mentioned obedience. The breeder said “get a different breed.” So THAT was that. I guess those Irish guys can be even more stubborn than us Polish guys!

Anyway, I hope you have a lucky, rainbow-filled, pot-of-gold kind of day! Sláinte!

Freedom of Information.

March 16, 2016Leave a Comment

March 16. So according to the crazy calendar, today is Freedom of Information Day. It’s a day that falls on the birthday of James Madison, the fourth President of the US, and father of the US constitution. He believed and supported openness in government – Freedom of Information. Clearly that was a LONG time ago.

According to my research, Jimmy himself had no dogs , just a parrot and a sheep. Interesting combo.

I won’t get into my thoughts about governments and openness. It’s a pretty technical subject, and really, I’m a dog – so what do I know about that stuff. But the idea of Freedom of Information does have its place in the dog world too. And it’s a sticky, touchy subject.

To ensure happy, healthy dogs, breeders need to be open when it comes to health issues. Some breeds have health registries – but those only work if people SUBMIT the information. And just knowing about a dog’s parents and grandparents and great-grandparents doesn’t really give us the picture of a dog’s health. One should look at everyone in the line – horizontally and vertically. My human has never been a breeder – and I need to emphasize that. It’s easy to give an opinion when you haven’t been doing something – and you’re just watching from the sidelines. But she has always wondered why breeders don’t charge a bit more for a puppy – which would be rebated when the humans do the health testing at a certain age. That way, the breeder can see how all the puppies are doing. I understand that some people may not be interested in this that kind of a commitment – and it’s easier said than done….but if you humans want to see us dogs stay healthy and live LONGER lives – then it’s up to YOU to make it happen. That’s just one idea….

Wow. How about THAT for a rant?! That’s what happens when your human is IMMERSED in dogs for four days.

On a different note, I ADORE the new bunny. This photo is of me with the old bunny and the new bunny. It was a bit of a challenge to get this photo! We played with him last night – and he is awesome. He even has a little squeaker – so my human can tell when I found him and I am in another room. I REALLY, REALLY like him. So much so that I don’t want to give him up. He is THE best toy ever. Although….I understand that there is ONE other guilt gift that has not yet been revealed! Speaking of Freedom of Information!!!! There is SOMETHING in a bag that my human put in the closet. She’s saving it for a special occasion. I think Wednesdays are special. Don’t you? I can’t IMAGINE what is it that bag….

She’s back

March 15, 2016Leave a Comment

Well my human has returned. She got in late last night. There was much leaping for joy when she arrived. When she came in, Frodo barked incessantly, telling her she should not have gone away without us. Paxton nearly knocked her over, trying to get as close to her as possible. And I went to look in the bags for the guilt gifts. And boy did we score. Some cool retrieving toys – which you know are for me since I’m the best retriever in this house. Then there were some dumb bells – which would obviously be for Frodo.

We got some new collars and leashes – but those are kind of like giving kids clothes for Christmas. I mean they are nice, but we don’t really care.

There are some new instruments of torture. Those we could do without.

Of course there were some special treats. Which won’t last long.

But the best gift – the little bunny. He even squeaks. I went out of my MIND when my human showed it to me. Now Paxton can slobber the big bunny all by himself, and Frodo avnd I can use the little bunny. I can’t WAIT to play with him.

The sitter said we were good overall. Except for Paxton. He insisted that she hold his food dish while he was eating. He wouldn’t eat if she didn’t hold the dish. Kind of like having a butler. But other than that, nobody destroyed anything, ate anything or disappeared.

Today my poor human has to go to work- and on top of that she has a bad cold. But she survived Crufts so we know she’ll survive this too!

Have a great day. I know we will!

Crufts 2016 comes to a close

March 14, 2016Leave a Comment

So my human survived the last day of Crufts. She thinks they could have a reality TV show – Survivor Crufts. You have to make it through 5 exhibition halls WITHOUT buying anything at the one million vendors, have to sit through at LEAST one breed judging that has more than 50 dogs – with extra points if you sit through ALL the Labradors, you must attend obedience trials for at least 20 dogs and you must stay until the whole program is done at the end of the night. Oh and you have to talk to people at 5 different Discover Dogs booths. And that’s just the first day.

Yesterday was the beauty pageant judging for Terriors ( also known in some households as Terriorists), and also the Hounds. My human didn’t watch any of the individual breed judging- but she stumbled through benching areas – and wormed her way through two halls. She was STILL looking for another grooming tool ( which she unfortunately found) and she bought a new dumbbell. That would be for Frodo – certainly not me or Pax!

Here are a few other photos she sent me:

A vacuum cleaner vendor. Seriously. He must have known my human was coming. He should have been set up across from the Bernese booth. My human liked the demo. Because we know she loves vacuums. The only problem would be carrying it on the plane…

She came across this booth with coats that absorb water after a bath. Which seems like. Good idea. If you HAVE to have a bath.

But this dog bag in which a wet or muddy dog is zipped up like a lunch in your knapsack – seems totally crazy. How long do you think it would take Frodo to rip his way out?! Seriously. Thankfully my human wasn’t swayed by the sales pitch.

She saw this very cool sheep toy. But she envisioned 5.8 seconds before the sheep would be an earless amputee.

She saw lots of dogs trying out dog beds and after four days, she tried them out herself.

She also saw a scent demonstration by some police dogs and they also did “attack work.” That’s what I call it. I think she should get one of those sleeves they use for bite work. I would love that.

She watched flyball. That would not be good for me. Dropping the ball and letting another dog get it? Never could happen. When it comes to retrieving , I don’t share.

She saw a demo by military working dogs. Those guys can climb an 8 foot wall. But so can Frodo. I’m enlisting him.

The heel work to music was cool. Too bad I try to bite my human when music comes on and she tries this with me. I get soooo excited. I wonder if there are dogs who do this without a partner?

Best in Show had all the pomp and celebratory feel as the Olympics. And the big winner was the Westie. I watched it on-line. I liked the choice!

So four days of beauty pageants, obedience, agility, fly ball competitions, demonstrations of all kinds and hundreds of ribbons awarded. But at the end of the day- this picture REALLY sums up the relationship we dogs have with humans. And we can’t wait for OURS to get home tonight:

A PONtastic day at Crufts

March 13, 2016Leave a Comment

So my human had another big day at Crufts yesterday. It has been a busy couple of days so far – and as predicted, her roommate collapsed and couldn’t even GO yesterday. My human wore her out.. But my human still kept going. She got up at the crack of dawn and headed to the train station:

She got to the Dog show and her first stop was caffeine. She was in line with 456 other people.

Her next stop – after coffee- was the Bernese ring. She ended up sitting next to and making friends with a lovely couple who won their class. The couple cried. My human cried. She hugged them. They hugged her. And they will probably never see each other again. But it was an amazing moment all around. Human’s are so strange….

Then my human faced the crowds. All to find a GROOMING tool for us. How CRAZY WAS that!? She faced crowds of thousands of people just to find another instrument of torture. Perfect.

Then came her chance to meet more PON people. Go figure. People would say “it’s Viktor’s human!” And get this – people gave her hugs and gifts and handshakes – all because of ME. She met so many wonderful PON people – but that makes sense. After all, we PONs would only OWN wonderful humans.

I’m a bit jealous about all the PONs she met and petted. Those guilt gifts had better be awesome.

Notice none of those dogs have my asymmetrical ear trimming styling? I need to start traveling more and offering my services to other PONs.

And then my human watched the PON beauty pageant. Here are a few photos:

And here is what happens to a judge when he judges us PONs. He is knocked over by our amazingness. If there is such a word.

And here are the winners of the boys and girls. The boy won the Best of Breed. Of course.

So you KNOW when my human gets home, she will insist on grooming us. With her newest instruments of torture. And she’ll stare at the show schedule and debate whether she should enter me. I have to keep trimming my legs. So she can’t enter me.

She stayed to watch the Working Group and the Holy Pastoral Group judging at the end of the day yesterday. When the Bernese didn’t make the cut, she fell asleep. She woke up to watch the Holy group and when the PON didn’t make the cut, she headed for the train. She collapsed when she got back to her hotel. I hope she will live through the last day of the show today. And heaven forbid she decides to do ANY more shopping at booths that sell grooming supplies…..

Have a wonderful Sunday. Our last day to torment our sitter! Our human gets home tomorrow night. I had better start behaving. Seriously. I WANT that bunny!!!!

More from Crufts

March 13, 2016Leave a Comment

Well. Another day at Crufts. And WHAT a day it was. According to my human – who Skyped with me last night. She sent me another set of photos. Most of which made me even more jealous – except for one…

First of all, she sent some photos showing some of the VERY stressed Gundogs she saw yesterday. Lots of hyper, agitated dogs. Here are a sample…

Looks like Crufts is lots of fun….

She also sent me some photos of an amazing drill team made up of Golden Retrievers and their humans. It reminded my human of the old days when she used to do Drill Team – with Paxton! But she said this group was REALLY good.

I’ve never done Drill Team. They stopped the Team when I came along. I call it coincidence. My human calls it fate. You see the one photo where ONE dog is doing something different from the rest of the group. That would have been me.

My human also spent some time in the Discover Dogs area – which is like our club’s Meet the Breed. Only 1000 times bigger because every breed is there. Of course she HAD to take a photo with our provincial namesake:

AND get THIS – she took pictures of and petted PONS. Totally not fair. She said one dog kept barking and his human said he just started doing that. Of course – he is just like Frodo. And now we understand why – my human brings out the barking badness in us dogs! It’s her fault! He are those dogs and their human:

The funniest part of Discover Dogs was when my human was looking for the Bernese. And it wasn’t hard to find them. All one had to do was look at the carpet in front of their display.

Do Bernese shed? Nah. My human pointed out it looks like our house. No wonder we go through vacuum cleaners like toilet paper.

Now here is a photo of a Spinone trying out a new indestructible dog bed.

Unless it was in our house…

My human also sent me some cruel photos:

She threatened to buy these swimming pools. Like Frodo and I would ever get in them:

And here is a photo of a PON in agility, I think:

He doesn’t look too successful.

My human also went to a dinner with PON people last night! She said there were people from all over – a wonderful bunch of PONettes. She said it was soooo nice to meet everyone and talk PON all night. She can’t wait to see the PONs in the beauty pageant today. They won’t probably be competing until the afternoon – but knowing her she’ll be there extra early to get a seat. Today is the Working group and the Pastoral group. I thought it sounded like some kind of religious group – my human explained it is the same as our Herding group. Heavens knows I would never be considered part of a saintly group!

And finally – here is THE best photo from yesterday. My human is SUCH a joker. I think she bought one of those bunnies for me!!!!!!! Or it is a very strange dog breed.

So we’ll see what photos she sends after today. I will definitely behave now that I know she bought the bunny. Or I hope she did….

Good luck to all the PONs and Bernese competing today! And remember – you are ALL winners. That’s my politically correct inspirational message for today.

Have a great one!

News from Crufts

March 10, 20161 Comment

Well my human texted me last night and told me ALL about her first day at Crufts. And I am so jealous Because she saw DOGS all day long. I should have been there. But…..she also did some shopping. Apparently a LOT of shopping. AND she took some photos. She told me what they were – but I mixed up the captions so I’m just making some of them up. So here we go…

Here is the entrance. My human and her friend got there just after the doors opened. She was so excited- it’s not even a great photo. But here ya go:

Here is the new furniture she is buying for us. Not:

Can you IMAGINE how long that would last in our house?!

I think she said this was a photo from the obedience ring. She said these dogs were very well behaved:

And this was a mean photo she sent. LOOK at the bunnies. Just look at them. She better have bought one:

And here is another obedience photo. Good luck Frodo. She’s been inspired. Again.

Here is her friend from Halifax who actually qualified with her dog in Bermuda. They get around. No big ribbons – but of course he’s a winner anyway,

And here’s what happens to dogs at the end of the day. They collapse.

Or was THAT the long stay in obedience? Beats me.

All I know is that my human met lots of people. Even on the train. Did I mention she likes to talk?! And you see those collapsed dogs? That’s supposedly what she looked like when she got back to the hotel. She stayed until the bitter end of the show – watching the Utility and Toy Group judging.

Today she is very excited because she will meet PON people! She is going to some kind of dinner. I just hope she doesn’t tell any bad stories about me.

And today the Gundogs are being judged. I never knew dogs could carry firearms. They must have to take some kind of course for it….

So here we are at home. Tormenting the sitter. But not too badly- as we HEAR there are some really good guilt gifts. But only for those of us who behave…

Have a good one. I know I will!