December 21.  The first day of winter – and the longest NIGHT of the year.  Time for extra rounds of “find the bunny.”

Now as we all know, some of us canines are better suited to cold temperatures during these winter months.  Dogs with longer coats don’t seem to mind the cold  – but dogs like Italian Greyhounds and Dobermans may not exactly like the chilly temperatures.  They could definitely benefit from wearing a coat.  We have coats that we wear – more for rain than snow – although we do have the dreaded snowsuits to keep off the snowballs when the temperatures are right around freezing.  Actually, I don’t mind mine – it’s made of Gortex.  But Frodo is not so fond of his spandex version – although it DOES work!  If you look back at one of my old blogs – you can see our suits:  
http://viktorsviews.blogspot.ca/2014/11/vik-advisor-2.html

Anyway, with the start of winter – just for fun, here’s a little quiz with the names of some dog breeds that are said to be well-suited for the cold.  I’ve scrambled their names…

1.  taika
2.  kalsana talemaum
3.  nerbsee tounmain god
4.  whoc whoc
5.  tearg neyrpese
6.  seenkdoh
7.  zavsuk
8.  fewnandlound
9.  tains nearbdr
10. beatnit  retreir

There are certainly lots of others – that’s just a sampling.  How did you do?  Not sure?  The answers are below..

Well I had better get working on my letter.  Time is running out.  What’s the deadline?   I’m assuming Santa will still have all my requests  available.  I’d hate to wake up Christmas morning and have an “Out of Stock” message left in my stocking….

Have a good one!


Answers:
1.  Atika
2.  Alaskan Malamute
3.  Bernese Mountain Dog
4.  Chow Chow
5.  Great Pyrenees
6.  Keeshond
7.  Kuvasz
8.  Newfoundland
9.  Saint Bernard
10. Tibetan Terrier

So I was the first victim of the Christmas bath.  And I must say, I did look stunning when it was all over.

 Mind you, within 24 hours I looked like my same old, scraggly self.  The only way to have us look so perfect for Christmas would be to give us a bath ON Christmas Day.  Like that would ever happen.

Next in line was the FG.  He looked just great when finished – pretty much the same as he always looks. 

So after the shampoo and blow dry and brushing, he of course IMMEDIATELY wanted to go out to pee in the snow.  So much for all that time spent drying him.  And THEN, the best – he had a big poop.  AND he had something he never gets.  A cling-on!  How great is THAT right after you have had a bath.  My human just moaned.  And took him back inside to “fix” the problem.

Two days later, Frodo had his bath.  It took that long for my human to get up the energy to do Mr Coat.  And of course, he looked fabulous in the end.

On Sunday night we were subjected to the annual sing along with Julie Andrews.  Yup – every year at Christmas, some TV station runs the movie, The Sound of Music – and we have to watch it.  And listen to my human sing the words to each and every single song.  She can even recite most of the dialogue.  Many years ago, legend has it, that she visited Salzburg, the home of The Sound of Music.  And she went on the The Sound of Music bus tour.  I pity those poor tourists on the bus with her…

There’s another movie that we are waiting to see.  Based on the title, I think it must be ALL about dogs.  It’s called It’s a Wonderful Life. 

Time to finish my last minute Christmas preparations and finish my letter.  Have a happy Tuesday!

Dear Santa.
Time is running out and you will soon be here.  We are almost ready for your arrival – my human has purchased the turkey and she just ordered some kind of fancy Yule Log from the bakery.  It’s a bit of a tradition here.

In this section, I would like to outline my requests for everyone ELSE in the household.  I’ll get to my personal requests in the end.  My human wanted to dictate the requests – including mine.  I think that it is interesting that when parents help their kids write their letters to you, parents suggest certain items.  And there seems to be a direct co-relation with what you bring.  You must work closely with parents…

Anyway – here are MY requests for everyone else:

Frodo:
1.  A recording contract.  Might as well put those vocal cords to good use.  He is particularly enjoying singing along with my human to Christmas carols.  Perhaps that could be his first album…
2.  A bungee cord cutter.  Would make it easier on his teeth.
3.  Ear muffs.  To protect his ears from all the licking that I do to them.  And actually, the FG does too.
4.  Tail protector.  To protect his tail from the FG.  I’m not sure what it would look like – maybe a sock-type thing.  You’ll think of something.
5.  Treats.  He lives for them.
6.  A step stool so he wouldn’t have to do a balancing act while trying to  counter surf.
7.  A bigger dinner dish.  For larger portions.

Elroy:
1.  Balls.  Lots and lots of balls.
2.  His own carpet.  So he can do whatever he wants with it – and he’ll leave my human’s carpet alone. (see my requests for my human).
3.  More chew toys.  Although his insatiable chewing has slowed down – he still does get spurts where the legs to the table look appetizing.  
4.  More treat dispensing toys.  He uses 6 different versions  but might as well add to his collection. 
5.  Boots.  That’s a must.
6.  Treats.  It should be on every dog’s list.
7.  Obedience classes.  No need to elaborate…

My human:
1.  Pharmaceuticals.  She needs them because of us… stomach medicine, migraine pills.  Might as well stock her up.  
2.  Alcohol.  Yes – we sometimes drive her to drink.  Wine is number one here.  
3.  A new carpet for the dining room.  The FG has created his own “hole” pattern by pulling out circular spots in various places.  Time for a new one.
4.  French doors to the DFZ.  So she can take down the unsightly gate and bungee cords.  It will be great fun to remove our olfactory art from the glass panes…
5.  GPS tracking collars for each of us.  So she can keep track of us whenever we go out.
6.  One of those poop vacuum things.  Or some other device.  So her fingers won’t freeze.
7.  A tripod for her iPhone.  Since she takes SO many photos of us, she might as well try to get IN some of them with us.  Now wouldn’t THAT be a circus…

In my last section, I’ll outline my requests for ME….

Stay tuned….

HOLY MOLY it was cold here on Friday.  I mean REALLY cold. It was like -15 Celsius which is 5 Farenheit for my American friends.  With the wind chill it was like -100.  Ok maybe not THAT cold – but it was definitely a three dog night.  Ever hear that saying?  And no – I’m not referring to the rock band from the 60’s and 70’s.  I’m talking about an expression that is believed to have originated in either Australia or far north in North America. It refers to the fact that bushmen – or Aboriginal peoples would invite their dogs inside when it was cold – to keep the humans warm!  If it was cold, I guess it was a one dog night – but if it was REALLY cold, it was a three dog night.  The FG still sleeps in his crate at night – but Frodo and I were quite happy to cuddle with my human on HER bed that night. 

The FG LOVED the first big snowfall – which you saw in my photos.  But I’m here to tell you – he was not NEARLY as impressed when the temperatures dropped so low.  He walked in the snow and then just about fell over – his feet were so cold.  And he wasn’t even out for 1.6 minutes!  He knew he had to poop – and his poop trail routine is hard to do when you are trying to walk crouched over with three legs.  He kept picking his paws up and stared at my human for help.  She just said “Buddy I can’t do anything for you right now – just poop and get it over with.”  Which he did and he raced inside.  I think the boy definitely needs some boots.  Now THAT will be fun to watch.  He looks like Bambi on ice all the time anyway – so add some boots…get that video camera ready!!!

One week to Christmas.  I have to finish my letter….have a great day!!!

I can’t believe it – but I saw it with my own eyes – so it’s true.  The FG has figured out how to “find the bunny!!”  Well, it’s not REALLY a bunny anymore – it’s a simulated bunny.  Remember, I amputated the leg off the big bunny this summer.  And then my human had also bought us a small bunny when she was at Crufts.  Someone (who shall remain nameless) got just a LITTLE excited with that bunny and began to dissect his inner stuffing.  OK. I might as well confess – since Santa sees everything – so no point in telling a fib – it was me.  I get SO excited when I find the bunny and bring him back that I just can’t contain myself.  And the surgical craving just overcomes me.  So we can no longer play with that bunny.  Until my human sews him up.  Like THAT will ever happen.

Anyway, while she was at Crufts she ALSO bought this REAL rabbit fur ball thing that has a rope attached.  It looks nothing like a bunny, but my human has now named it the “bunny” so who am I to complain.  I just like playing the game.

And I get to play first.  While the FG and Frodo are sequestered behind a gate in the front hall.  But they can watch me play.  My human makes us wait, while she goes to another room or even downstairs, and she hides the bunny.  We have to wait patiently because IF we cheat and start coming before we are called, she simply takes us back to the “starting place” and we begin all over again.  I’m pretty good – I don’t usually cheat.  If she hides the bunny downstairs, she calls us to come down.  If the bunny is hidden somewhere on the main level, she comes back to us and tells us to “find the bunny.”  While I am playing, Frodo and the FG are making an incredible racket.  Frodo is the ringleader – he barks and screams.  And now the FG follows along.  After I get my 10 bunny finds, then it is Frodo’s turn – and my human puts me in the FG’s crate.  Then it’s my turn to scream bloody murder.  But we are all pretty clever with the screaming – we only do it when my human is out of sight.  As soon as she comes back, we are silent.  

After Frodo’s 10 bunny finds, it was the FG’s turn.  When he initially started playing this game a month or so ago, my human had to leash him to the crate while she went to “hide” the bunny (in plain sight in the other room) because he wouldn’t sit and stay.  But now, not only does he stay when she hides the bunny on the main level, but he’ll also stay when she goes downstairs!  AND he has figured out that he needs to use his nose to sniff out the bunny.  The neurons FINALLY fired and he has figured out the objective of the game.  And he consistently found the bunny. He still doesn’t bring the bunny back – so my human has to follow him while he is searching, because when he finds the bunny he figures it is his to destroy.  I think he got that idea from me.

But it sure is fun to see him start “thinking” about things a bit more. He has also learned that if you sit and stare at my human while she is eating, she will use one hand to pet you.  BUT, if you get too pushy, then no pets.  We dogs really do learn from one another.

Now if I can just train him to open that biscuit jar – he’s certainly tall enough…

Have a good one!!!

So I’m thinking that at the rate it is going, we are going to have a white Christmas.  We haven’t actually had one the past few years, but it looks like Santa’s sleigh will be put to good use.  And all of this snow has led to some serious “snow craziness.”  Outside AND in.

So my human got home before dark yesterday – just after a bigger snowfall than had been foreguessed.  Let’s face it, the weather people just guess.  Or so it seems.  I think they spin a wheel and whatever the arrow points to – that’s what they pick.  Anyway, we got a lot more snow than anticipated.  But it did look lovely so you KNOW my human had to get some photos…

She took us out and we all went a bit crazy.  We ran like supper was being served. 

                                                   But the FG went crazy plus.  He raced. 

                                                                       He leaped. 

                                                    He buried his face in the snow.

                                                              And he raced more.

 

So the other morning while my human was walking Frodo and I in the dark at 5:30 AM, in the cold, with her headlamp, wearing her giant mittens, and juggling both of our leashes, she started thinking that she needed an invention to solve a winter problem.  A winter dog walking problem.  More specifically, she wanted an invention that would keep her fingers from freezing off when she takes her giant mittens off to pick up our dog poop.  It’s quite the dilemma in the winter – especially if you have multiple dogs.  Who like to poop multiple times.  I call it surploop – n.  the extra or surplus pooping that we do two minutes after we initially poop – and our human has already tied a strong knot in the poop bag.  And of course, when we have a surploop, it requires opening another bag – and freezing ones fingers even more.  So she was thinking and thinking about this.  And then, as if the internet read her mind – the following video popped up in her newsfeed on Facebook.  Beware – it IS rather gross…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwk031vYhF8

But it’s brilliant!  And you never have to worry about cleaning the actual mechanism – as the bag covers the edges.  And lest anyone think this is a joke – here it is on Amazon!!!!

https://www.amazon.ca/Power-Shovel-Pet-Cleaner-VACPARTSTOGO/dp/B004OX5CAC
Now there DO appear to be a few glitches with the technology.  For example, the bags are rather pricey and are supposed to hold a weeks worth of poop.  Maybe for a chihuahua.  One bag would NOT cut it in THIS household.  Not to mention – where do you store the thing for a week when you are collecting your poop?  In your closet?  Ewwwwww.

The other issue would be carrying this thing down the road.  I mean our neighbors undoubtedly think my human is crazy enough to have the THREE of US – so imagine if they saw her carrying a vacuum cleaner?  For poop?

So there ARE some problems – but it certainly would solve the frozen finger dilemma.  I think I’ll put it on HER list for Santa.  Wonder how many of these he delivers….

We have TWO Picards.  Yup.  There’s Elroy aka the FG aka Jaws aka Astro.  This Picard is VERY sweet in the house.  He loves to give kisses.  He is quite happy if you pet him.  He sits and waits when his meals are being served.  He goes to bed in his crate every night and settles down right away.  He adores Frodo and is getting used to me, and my sometimes cranky behavior.  He’ll even share the bed with me.  He does have a tendency to jump on people.  And on the counter, but all in all he’s a pretty cool Picard.  And then there is the OTHER Picard.  The other Picard is the “outside” Picard.  The second Picard does not know his name.  He will not sit when asked to do so.  He pulls on his leash and tries to chew through it. He races through the woods with reckless abandon.  He bites Frodo’s tail and tries to bite mine – which is daring as my tail is SHORT.  He digs.  He pounces on the snow and buries his nose in it and searches under it – like he is looking for buried treasure.  This Picard does NOT like to have his photo taken and will look any other direction than at the camera. He doesn’t stand still for very long so ANY photo of him outdoors is a miracle.  And although he does NOT want to stay outside by himself, he doesn’t want to come indoors.  I think he would like all of us to live in a tent outside.  Good luck with that this winter Buddy.

The second Picard is a bit of a challenge – but the first one is not so much.  And you put the two of them together – and well I guess you have one perfectly typical Picard puppy.  Yup.  He’s just perfect… and he’s mine…

And I think I’ll keep him….

Dear Santa.
I had better finish my letter soon – as time is running out.  Before I do “the ask,” I have a few warnings for you.  I want your visit to our place to be as pleasant as possible – so I thought it important to mention the following:

1.  Our fireplace is propane.  So the pilot light is always on.  Be careful when you come down the chimney.  I’ll leave some band-aids out – just in case.
2.  We have a LOT of wildlife around us.  And some are more troublesome than others.  For example – the moles.  If your reindeer touch down in the backyard – tell them to watch out for holes.  And then there is the porcupine.  I haven’t seen him in a while – but you would NOT want your reindeer tangling with one.  In the event that happens, I will leave the number for the Animal Emergency Clinic.  Tell them I sent you.  And put the bill on my tab.
3.  Frodo will likely bark when you arrive.  Actually – Frodo WILL bark when you arrive.  Please don’t let that deter you. Just tell him “quiet.” It probably won’t work – but it’s worth a try.
4.  Elroy will likely jump on you when you arrive.  Actually – Elroy WILL jump on you when you arrive.  Tell him “off.”  It probably won’t work – but it’s worth a try.
5.  I’m not making any promises about leaving treats for you.  You know we will eat them.  And I suggest that IF you are bringing any edible gifts for US, that they be left somewhere out of reach.  Like on top of the fridge. Or in the garage.  But be sure the door is closed.

Those are the major warnings for now.  In my next segment, I’ll finally put in my requests…

To be continued….

Today is December 12.  It’s Edvard Munch’s birthday.  Edvard Munch was a famous Norwegian painter – who like many artists, led a rather tormented life.  He actually painted a few dog pictures, but is best known for his painting “The Scream.”  I have a new title for that painting.  “Linda when she tries to get a photo of Viktor, Frodo and Elroy – all together.”

So we had a little snow the other day.  And of course, my human THOUGHT it would be fun to get a Christmas picture of the three of us outside in the snow.  That alone is not a good idea since the FG is just getting used to this whole new snowy world.  No – she had to make it even MORE difficult.  She put these fuzzy collar things on each of us.  And of course, the FG had a slightly bigger version…

Keep in mind that getting him to sit still – outdoors in particular – is a BIG challenge.  And once he discovered his attire – that was IT.  He looked down – saw it, craned his neck to grab it, gave it a pull, and OFF he went.  There was NO catching him.  I mean NO catching him.  Even I tried to grab the now soggy red attire as he raced past.  It was IMPOSSIBLE.  So my human had another plan.  AFTER she eventually caught him.  She put him in the house.  Then she set Frodo and I up in position. And she told us to stay.  Which we did!  She had those liver treats again.  Then she went inside and got the FG.  She kept repeating “Just be calm.  Just be calm.”  And she put his attire on.  Again.  And repeated “Just be calm.”  And she gave him liver treats. And he was watching her. And sitting when she asked.  While Frodo and I were patiently waiting in position outside.  Trust me – those liver treats are worth it. So he was calm.  And walking nicely (now on a leash) to the door.  And wearing his attire.  And as soon as his foot hit the ground outside the house, his brain again exploded.  He had NO interest in sitting for a photo.  But this time, he couldn’t run away – as he was on a leash.  So she attempted to get him to sit next to Frodo and I who were STILL in position.  By now she was plying all of us with liver treats – rewards for Frodo and I for staying – and as a bribe to get  the FG to sit.  Every time my human would step back to take the photo, he would stand up.  The photo you see was caught just after he stood up for the 45th time.  If we look serious – it’s because we WERE.

But in the end, she DID get ONE shot that was card worthy.  She’ll post it soon.

She also DID get photos of Frodo and I alone which turned out well.  

Who would have EVER dreamed that I would be well behaved?  At least for photos.  I’m figuring this may get me back on the “Nice” list. Speaking of which – I MUST finish my letter to Santa…