Greetings blog readers. Frodo here. On this miserable Monday. Well, I suppose the WHOLE day will not be miserable – as it should improve as the day goes on. But right now we are living with the after-effects of a rather large snowstorm that raged on through the night. Last night, when it came time for our last nightly pee, all of us basically christened an area not 6 feet from the front door. It was wild out. Snow. Wind. I believe it’s called winter.

Anyway, Her Highness had some medical appointment booked today at a hospital an hour from here. Needless to say, she had to cancel. We hope to be accessible to the outside world by March.

Interestingly, before the snowmageddon began, we had rather mild temperatures. And as a result, yours truly suffered from a horrible experience- one that will no doubt traumatize me for months, even years to come. I feel compelled to share this horrible story with you- as you do need to know what really goes on in our lives. Sometimes I think of putting an ad in the local paper for a new home. It all began during our morning constitutional…

I was walking with the Beatnik and Her Highness on our dead end road. Her Highness had announced that we would simply go up and down the road, as there had been rain, and mild temperatures- so we would stay on the road to avoid mud – which would be on the public walking trail.

As we were walking along, what should we come across but TWO people walking on our road. TWO people that we didn’t know. Well. As you might imagine, I, of course, needed to shout out my inquiry as to why they were walking on MY…OK our road. I did my very best CUJO impersonation- shouting and pulling with every fiber in my being. Her Highness had to hold tightly to me AND the Beatnik, whose intent was simply to say hello. Her Highness did the apologetic “He’s just saying hello,” line – meanwhile she was attempting to strangle me. We walked past them – but she knew that since we live on a dead end road, we would have to pass them again on our way home. She’s clever that way.

As a result, after she dragged us past the rather shocked looking walkers, she said “we’re taking the trail.” The trail – which is a public trail- basically loops back through the woods and comes back out on the road. By taking the trail, we could avoid the innocent walkers.

Now. There are three things in the world I detest. Actually, make that four: grooming, rain, puddles and mud. The latter three end up resulting in the first dislike. So. Imagine how HORRIFIED I was to go on the trail which not only was filled with puddles – but whatever area was not totally wet was covered in mud. Honestly, just recounting this story makes my blood run cold. All the while Her Highness, whose sneakers were becoming a lovely shade of brown, kept saying “Frodo this is your fault. You cannot act like Cujo. See. This is what happens when you act like Cujo. You have to walk through THIS.” Blah. Blah. Blah.

Honestly- that was the longest walk of my life. Ordinarily she lets me walk off leash, but she knew I would hightail it back to dry land – so she dragged me along with my tether. Meanwhile, the Beatnik happily bounced along – oblivious to the quagmires. Ah – to be so innocent. And to have a non-magnetic dirt absorbing coat. Lucky him.

By the time we came back out onto the road, I was exhausted from trying my best to avoid every swampy area. The image is just too much for me to recount any further. I definitely have PTME. Post traumatic mud encounter. It will take time to get over it. Thank goodness for the snow.

Today I doubt Her Highness will be able to go anywhere. Meaning we will get to play in the snowy yard. Oh joy. Oh happiness. I can hardly WAIT for the snowballs to stick to my legs, my stomach and my private areas.

Excuse me now while I go and look at bus tickets to Florida….

Have a good one. Peace and paws up. Stay safe.

Hey hey hey blogaroos. Squirmy Wormy here to tell you all about my latest adventures. And I’ve had a couple!!!!

Like yesterday! Guess who I met?! You’ll never guess. Yes you will because you looked at the photo! It’s Mini Elroy!!!! I got to meet Tupper and his big sister, Willow!!!!!!! We met up with them at a park!!!

Well. Let me tell you. When the two of them came up to me, I started shaking right down to my toes. I thought I was seeing things!!!! TWO Coyotes!!! At first, I was a bit tentative, and maybe even a bit scared. I kinda even did the PON snappy thing – which basically means – don’t get too close because I’m overwhelmed. Yeah well that lasted all of about 2 minutes and then I was fine. I mean how could anybody be scared of this face?!

So then we all went for a long walk. And of course had to take photos….

I like this one taken by Tupper’s human, Emma. I’m telling him how to counter surf….

The trails we went on were a bit wet and muddy. Somehow the Coyotes looked exactly the same at the end of the walk, but yours truly looked nothing like I did after my morning grooming. My Enforcer said I looked like a woodland stray. Note my rugged look on the photo on the bench…

I had a great time with the Coyotes. I hope we can get together again soon!

And guess what else? I’m a big boy now!!! No – I’m still not lifting my leg to pee. I bet that’s what some of you dog people immediately thought. Nope. Even better than being able to pee on the barbecue. I got to sleep out of my crate at night!!! Honestly, I thought it was a trick. The door was left open to my crate. I came out, and didn’t know where to go or what to do! My Enforcer even told me I could get on the bed. But she regretted that invitation when I tried to eat the pillows. And her toes under the covers. Personally, I found the bed too warm, so I opted for a comfy place on the floor. And I was good ALL night. But. As soon as I heard My Enforcer open her eyes in the morning (we dogs have supersonic hearing when it comes to humans waking up) I went and tried to help her get up faster by biting her. It worked!!!! She had to fend me off like a person swatting away hornets after they accidentally step on their nest. She got up super fast!!!!

So I’ve graduated to nighttime freedom. Although the crate wasn’t put away just yet. In case I do something to lose my probation. How likely is that? Don’t answer that….

Not sure what’s on the agenda today. But no matter what, I’ll find a way to make it fun!

Have a good one. Peace and paws up. Stay safe.

Yo. Blogees. Elroy here. Happy Thursday. Hope you’re having a great week. I’m having a pretty typical one. Walks, wandering around the yard, listening, guarding against squirrels, wrestling with the shark, eating if I feel like it, ignoring when I’m called – that kind of stuff. Anyway, today I get the opportunity to talk about February 4. And the big anniversary. Apparently on this day in 2004, some dude by the name of Mark Zuckerberg started some on-line thing called Facebook. Better known in our house as Wastebook. Because ooooo-eeeee, Her Highness can sure surpass the 58.5 average minutes that most two leggeds spend on the social media platform each day. Yup. She can be swept into the vortex of on-line drama and occasional bits of fake news, if she doesn’t watch herself. She’s also known to post many of our dreaded photos on the site- and we all know how much I love photographs to begin with, let alone the shots when we are forced to wear Dollar Store attire.

But like it or hate it – it looks like social media is here to stay. Now if you can get past the fake news, the conspiracy theories, the political quagmires – which are not limited to two-leggeds because we canines have our own political battlegrounds with debates about breeding, feeding, rescuing, training and showing – and, instead you get back to the original intent – which was to link people together- then it CAN be a good thing. Yeah yeah – there’s all kinds of marketing and mind control that goes on too – but be like me – ignore it. That’s my mantra. Ignore. Actually, I think there are other Picards who share my philosophy. We should start a Facebook group….but I digress.

Here’s the deal. At least the way I see it. If you’re reading this blog, there’s a good chance you are reading it through Facebook. That’s where it all began. And as a result of Facebook, Her Highness has met people all over the WORLD – who have dogs. And holy heck, she’s made some really good friends. Not to mention the fact that she has reconnected with friends from her youth back in Caesar’s time. Hey – some dude who took her to a dance when she was like in High School and then never danced with her all evening (we think his mother made him ask Her Highness) even recently asked to be her friend. Yup ya just never know who will turn up here. She also gets to stay connected with relatives and see what they are up to.

I mean where else can you go and pose a question like “What’s you favorite grooming tool?” And get 35 answers. Or you want a recipe to make treats for your Picky Picard – and you get so many responses you don’t know which one to try first. Got a hip X-ray that you’re wondering about? There’s a slew of experienced people out there who will give you an opinion before you get your official results. Hear about a new dog toy the someone else’s dog adores? The toy probably has a Facebook page. Not to mention the fact that every breed club probably has a Facebook page – so if you’re researching a breed – that can be a good starting point. Then there’s the Facebook pages for dog art. And dog food. And dog treats. And dog beer…

Speaking of food, what dog company has the most followers on Facebook? Purina. Like ‘em or hate ‘em- they’re big in social media.

And let’s not forget about pages like we have here – the Nova Scotia Lost Dog Network. One post to that site automatically gets hundreds of shares – and a dog that was actually lost not far from here was found because someone had seen the posting and recognized him.

We also know that in times of hardship, that social media can provide support in many ways. Knowing that people care when you experience a tragedy or loss, can sometimes provide the extra comfort that you need…

So social media CAN be a REALLY good thing. Honest. Enjoy the sharing part, the friendship part and follow pages that make you feel GOOD. As for the rest – repeat the Picard mantra: ignore, ignore, ignore…Especially ads for dog attire….

Have a good one. Peace and paws up. Stay safe.

Greetings blog readers. Frodo here on this the 2nd of February. The notable day in North America that honors an overgrown chipmunk and his ability to prognosticate the weather for the next 6 weeks. It’s truly remarkable, given that meteorologists agree that forecasts beyond 7-10 days are essentially useless. And yet the rodent is supposed to be able to predict 6 weeks in advance. Yes – we turn to the groundhog for his opinion as to whether or not to put the snowblower back in storage. Remind me again how humans are the brightest species…

There are several famous groundhogs across the US and Canada, and I am pleased to point out that the first one to make his prediction in North America each year is right here in Nova Scotia – Shubenacadie Sam. There is generally a great deal of fanfare when the rodent emerges from his den – with the audience including local dignitaries, a bagpiper and “the press” – who wait with bated breath to see what the groundhog will do. If it’s sunny, and he sees his shadow, he will reportedly be frightened and will return to his den – signaling 6 more weeks of winter. Therefore, should one wish for an early spring, one should hope for a miserable cloudy day on February 2. Last year the festivities needed to be cancelled due to a storm in the forecast. So one would assume that Sam did not see his shadow. Which would mean an early spring forecast. Ah. But no. The storm ended early, the rodent emerged, saw his shadow – and the plans for early garden planting went down the groundhog hole. Does anyone not see the irony in this whole story?

Anyway, due to COVID gathering restrictions, no large event is planned for Sam this year. It will be virtual. Likely an exciting viewing event. Yawn. We have snow and rain in the forecast today. So who knows WHAT will happen.

Meanwhile, the imp is back to full speed, annoying the heck out of all of us. For two weeks he was on a limited exercise regime. And just like a battery that can be recharged, he has returned to full capacity. I went for a walk with him yesterday morning- and Her Highness repeated “never again” throughout the constitutional. If he wasn’t pulling, he was jumping on yours truly tangling himself in both our leashes – or if he was free, he was dashing at turbo speed to find every sample of animal poop in a half kilometer radius. His 45 minutes of frenzied running and walking did little to tire him out. So when Wendy contacted Her Highness to see if they wanted to go for walk with Gena, the German Shepherd, Her Highness jumped at the chance to tire out the imp. They walked for almost TWO hours. Now one might think that would tire him out. Hardly. The battery charge went down minimally. When he got home, he decided it would be great fun to drag his puppy bed out the door, down the stairs and into the backyard in the snow. Her Highness had to go after him and play a tugging game to get the bed back. Clearly two hours wasn’t enough of a walk…This photo is blurry – but Her Highness was running to get the bed. Note that the Picard doesn’t quite know what to do with this new toy.

Ah yes. The joys of youth.

Heaven help us in entertaining the imp if it is raining today. Who knows WHAT we will do. One thing I do know for certain – today, I will also play the role of weather prognosticator along with the rodent. If I refuse to go out the front door, it is raining. And I guarantee you – my forecasting abilities are 100% accurate. Frodo. The Prognosticating PON. I like the ring of that….Wish us luck. All of us.

Have a good one. Peace and paws up. Stay safe.