Howdy blogaroos! Squirmy here today and I’m here to tell you I’m a little bit miffed. I just saw this article:

https://people.com/pets/ohio-therapy-dog-wins-2022-cadbury-bunny-tryouts/?amp=true

So why didn’t I know about this tryout?! I mean I think my Easter photo from last year was a winner…

Surely I could have been the Cadbury Clucking Bunny. By the way, what exactly is a clucking bunny? Sounds clucking silly if you ask me. But I would have liked the $5000 prize. That would buy a whole lot of biscuits. And just imagine me in a commercial.

So I’m pretty unhappy about this. PLUS we saw the Warden come home from the Dollar Store the other day with a pretty big bag. It can’t be more ears – we have plenty. We’ll have to wait and see…

Meanwhile, yesterday yours truly showed the Warden juuuuuusssssst how determined I can be. I prefer the word “determined” rather than stubborn. We took a walk to the lake – Frodo was free, I was free with my giant bell and the Coyote was on leash. As we were headed for the house, we all came across a particularly aromatic poop that some animal left on the trail. When the Warden realized what we were dissecting with our noses, she said to “leave it.” The other guys carried on but yours truly wasn’t finished. At least in my mind. The Warden said more loudly (like I didn’t hear her the first time) “LEAVE it.” I walked forward about 3 feet and turned around to go back. The Warden said “ NO- LEAVE it!!” I went forward about 10 feet and turned to go back. “HEY. LEAVE it.” I proceeded forward about 10 feet again, circled in front of the Warden and headed back. “I MEAN IT – LEAVE IT!” Next, I went ahead of her and ran off into the woods on her right. She watched me as I circled back in the woods to go to the spot. “SERIOUSLY- I SEE YOU! LEAVE IT!!” Then I ran ahead of her, crossed in front of her and headed into the woods on her left. Again I tried to circle back. “I’M GOING TO PUT YOU ON A LEASH AND YOU’LL NEVER BE LET LOOSE AGAIN UNTIL YOU’RE 12! LEAVE IT RIGHT NOW!!!!” I tried at LEAST 6 times to get back to that poop. But I realized the Warden does pay attention on these walks. Plus that blasted cow bell gives me away. Hard to be sneaky when you sound like an old fashioned ice cream truck with every move you make. While she was opening the gate to let us into the yard, I decided to try one more time to run back. But she had her eye on me. “GET IN THIS YARD RIGHT THIS INSTANT OR I’LL LOCK YOU OUT AND YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO COME IN AND GET YOUR SUPPER.” Honestly- did she think I’d fall for that one? You KNOW she would never lock me out. But much as I KNEW she would never REALLY do it, who wants to take a slim chance when there’s food involved. I came in.

So that’s the news from here. Hope you have a clucking jolly Thursday- full of sunshine and good aromas.

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

Howdy doody Blogaroos. Squirmy here on another terrific Tuesday. Although we do have snow fluffies in the forecast this morning so it’s not totally terrific . Not lots of snow- and it probably won’t stay on the ground. But just enough to make the pond I’m digging in the yard kind of wet and mucky. The Warden was chatting with a friend on the phone last evening while I was out doing some preliminary site work. I came in and she looked at me and said “well don’t YOU look ragged! Look at your feet. And your face!” I just looked at her with my rugged excavator look and shook myself. I think I may be headed for the tub today.

Hey – guess WHAT?! You give up? Pretty exciting…. I got to sleep out of my crate on Sunday night!!! I was shocked when the Warden let me out. I think she just wanted to see what would happen. Initially I had two paws on her bed and kept licking her face. She told me to settle down. Then I tried to bite her toes through the comforter. She told me to lie down. When I started licking the Boss’s face she told me to stop it – and that it would be her last warning. I settled down after that. And I was good ALL night. Until 6AM. Then I felt it was time to get the day going. The Warden kept rolling away from me and burying her head in the pillow. It didn’t work. She tried the roll and ignore strategy for 15 minutes, and finally got up. The Boss just glared at her. He was NOT impressed that yours truly was free. He likes to be king of the bedroom. He sleeps wherever he likes. On the bed, next to the bed, jammed under the bedside table, by the window…. He was annoyed that I was free. So last night I was back in my cell. Like the Coyote. That dude used to be free, but he has no awareness of personal space – and he would practically push the Warden off the bed. That’s when he returned to the pony-sized den. Which be interestingly loves. When it’s getting close to bedtime, he stands and cries by the bedroom door to be let in. The bedroom door is usually closed during the day because yours truly LOVES to jump on the bed, grab a pillow and run. Another of my obsessions…

Otherwise things are quiet here. The bunnies are changing from white to brown again. I saw one on the golf course the other morning, and he wasn’t the least bit shy. Here’s a picture of us. You can see me pulling to greet him, and my stubbie tail was wagging in circles. Actually my whole butt was moving. I just wanted to play with Thumper. Sure I did….

Time to begin the morning sing-along!

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

Howdy blogaroos. Happy Sunday! Hope your weekend has been super and full of sunshine and treats. Or at least treats.

Today I am writing to share with you a confession. They say they confession is good for the soul, but I don’t know who they is. Anyway… this is a confession about my secret obsession. I feel it’s time to share this info – and to see if there are other dogs out there with this “problem.” Maybe we could form a support group.

It started…hmmm…I guess last year. Susan was visiting with Keith, as I recall, and we had gone up to the golf course one morning for a walk. I was off leash running through the woods on the sides of the fairway, and the Warden called me- because I was out of sight. I came running out of the woods – and Susan and the Warden looked at each other as I was running toward them and said “What’s that in his mouth?!” It was shocking pink in color. It was a golf ball. I dropped it at the Warden’s feet and because I did that, and didn’t attempt to chew it, the Warden quickly gave me a treat. And that’s when my obsession began…..little did she know that one treat would change our walks on the golf course forever…

Check

Out

This

Photo…..

Since that one incident, if I go to the golf course, and I’m let off leash – I am OBSESSED with running into the woods to find balls. I mean OBSESSED. This is the third time this box has been filled. The Warden gives the balls away. Right now, because the course isn’t open, I’m finding balls from last season- many of which are half buried in mud. But don’t worry- I have figured out how to dig them out. Sometimes the Warden won’t let me off leash – because she knows I won’t stop looking until I find one. Or two. Or ten. I wear my bell so although the Warden can’t see me, she can hear where I’m headed. If the bell stops ringing, I’m either digging or possibly eating bunny poo.

I think I could get a job working for some golfers who regularly put their balls in the woods. Canine caddy. That’s me!

So there. You have learned about my secret obsession. And you thought my specialty was ricocheting. The Warden said my obsession could be worse – I could be bringing back the bunny balls….

So – if you golf and happen to be in the neighborhood, stop in – I’ll fix ya up! Twelve balls for 6 biscuits. The Warden may give them away – but I do have a small stash to make myself some treats. Hey – it’s work finding those balls – and a guy has to make a living. Given my aptitude for using my nose to find balls, the Warden thinks maybe I should try some scentwork classes. What do you think?

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

Howdy blogaroos! Happy Friday! Although I’m not super happy because it’s supposed to rain today. Which means I can’t go up to the golf course to chase geese. Yup. The feathered poop machines are back. If there’s a big group of them, we stay back as they can be kinda cranky. But if there’s one or two – well let’s just say that they fly away from a shaggy shark and his human. And then the human walks along saying “leave it” about 50 times as we walk through the poop minefield. Those guys make a mess!

And speaking of a mess- I learned something yesterday. IF one disappears into the woods while on a walk and one returns with a brown, matted face, one gets an unplanned trip to the grooming torture palace tub. One would think a mucky brown face would simply result in a face wash- but no- yours truly got the WHOLE ENTIRE WASH JOB. The Warden wasn’t exactly sure what was on my face, but it appeared I had rubbed my face in SOME brown substance. I’m not saying what it was. The Warden was understandably not impressed. Meanwhile, the Boss and the Coyote just looked at me and rolled their eyes. Hey – at least I came when called. Look at the bright side. Even if the bright side was brown.

I have class today- and I’ve been doing my homework, but it’s anybody’s guess if it will show in class. My behavior is intermittent- just like reinforcement. Besides – the longer it takes to do something perfectly, the more training treats you get. I’m no fool.

We have no big plans for the weekend. At least I won’t be having a bath – I smell kinda like candy right now. Yup – a sweet scent for a sweet boy. Who would give anything to go back in the woods and find that brown stuff again.

Good thing I’m cute.

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

Howdy blogaroos. Squirmy here on another wonderful Wednesday.

Today is National Puppy Day. And we’re getting a new puppy!!! Just joking. Did you choke on your coffee? Yeah – the only puppy coming any time soon to this house would be stuffed. And we would promptly attempt to de-stuff him.

Anyway, in honor of National Puppy Day, we’re stealing a quiz from Viktor’s blog that was written like 6 years ago. You might remember it if you’re a long time reader. We didn’t. So we’re stealing it. See what you know about puppies:

1. Puppies can’t see, hear or smell when they are born. True or False

2. When a puppy is born, 60% of his time is spent sleeping and 40% is spent eating. True or False

3. Puppies are delivered about how many days after conception?

A) 22
B) 36
C) 63
D) 94

4.   A puppy’s first sense of smell begins at:

A)  1 week

B)  3 weeks

C)  6 weeks

D) 9 weeks

5.   Puppies can begin learning commands:

A) at 8 weeks

B) at 12 weeks

C) at 6 months

D) whenever they feel like learning

6. Most Dalmation puppies are born solid white, and their spots develop at around 10 days old. True or False

7. Puppies have 28 puppy teeth and adult dogs have 42 teeth. True or False

8.   What does socializing your puppy mean?

A) Teaching your puppy to greet people nicely

B) Making sure your puppy can tolerate large groups of people

C) Letting your puppy play with other dogs

D) Exposing your puppy to as many new people, animals and experiences as possible

9.   What is the primary reason why socializing is very important?

A) Preventing fears in adult dogs

B) Teaching a puppy how to greet people nicely

C)  Preventing a puppy from nipping and mouthing

D) Making the adult dog more intelligent

10. When do responsible breeders start socializing their puppies?

A) As soon as the puppies’ eyes open

B) At birth

C) As soon as the puppies start to walk

D) As soon as the puppies are weaned

11. At what age do many dog experts believe is the optimal age for a socialization program?

A)  2-8 weeks

 B) 24-32 weeks

 C) 16-24 weeks

D) 7-16 weeks

12.  According to dog behaviorist Dr. Ian Dunbar, how many different people should a puppy meet between the ages of 8 and 12 weeks?

A)  At least 100

B)  At least 50

C)  At least 1000

D) At least 25

Aren’t we puppies amazing?   Let’s see what you know about us:

1.    True

2.    False – we actually sleep 90% of the time and eat 10% of the time.  But I doubt that is true for PONs…we ALWAYS like to eat…

3.    C

4.    B

5.    A

6.    True

7.    True

8.    D

9.    A

10.  B

11.   D

12. A

Today is also Cuddly Kitten Day. And guess what? We’re not getting a kitten. The Warden is not caving on that one either. The woman has no sense of adventure. Not much else new here. The Boss had a horrible day yesterday. He was groomed. Not even the full meal deal- it was what the Warden calls a cursory brushing. She didn’t do his nails – the brushing was enough. He’s such a drama king. But he rebounds immediately when he is off the grooming table.

Well time to rock and roll. Speaking of rolling, here I am trying to enjoy the last of the snow pile. I’m looking a bit disheveled – because I didn’t get my grooming yesterday. Plus snow rolling will do that to you…

https://youtube.com/shorts/Rw8MSJBfC2I?feature=share

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

Yo. Blog readers. Elroy here for your reading entertainment today. The mops are busy rolling in the last of the snow piles that were left by Larry, the plow guy. All the other snow is GONE, but we still have a few dwindling piles on the sides of the driveway. So the mops dash out and roll on them. Even though it’s probably like rolling on a rock. Sometimes I don’t get them.

Otherwise, not a whole lot new here in the hood. LOTS of pheasants around, and the Boss put the scare to a bunch of them the other day. He went out the front door and took a beeline for them. Her Highness hadn’t checked before she opened the door. Yup – the head pheasant and his harem of six (yup six!) girls took to the skies. They make quite a racket when a big old mop comes charging at them. Needless to say, he didn’t catch any.

So check out this story about a dog who gets high. But thankfully not on drugs…

https://people.com/pets/penn-firefighters-try-to-save-dog-on-roof-false-alarm/?utm_source=emailshare&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email-share-article&utm_content=20220319

Why is it I can see the Imp doing something like that? I’m not so sure that’s a safe hobby. But then again, neither is ricocheting off humans….

So that’s it from here. But being the mellow guy that I am, I thought I’d close with this. As a little tribute to the dog in the story. Kind of a good mellow Monday tune. Enjoy.

https://youtu.be/fHzMeEf3rM0

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

Hey hey hey blogaroos. Squirmy here on a super Saturday. Particularly super because there is no snow in the forecast! Yippeeeeee. Back to longer walks!!!! The Warden got pretty lazy with us this icy winter. Some excuse about not falling on ice. Blah blah. But we’re feeling Spring in the air – so it will be good to get back to our regular routine of dragging her down the road. Yee haw.

The Warden saw something funny the other day, and I decided to share it with you. This was on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Jimmy has, I think a Golden Retriever- and is a dog fan. We like Jimmy. Anyway, he showcases talented dogs. The Warden said I would be just like the first guy, Tonka – even though we don’t resemble each other. She says we’re alike because when you THINK I know something, and you want to show someone what I can do, I don’t do it – like Tonka and his limbo trick. I don’t know what’s more entertaining- Tonka, or Jimmy who is laughing so hard. The Warden thought it was pretty funny too.

The three legged dog performed fine. I’m not sure it’s the BEST trick in the world, but at least he did it.

Now the Oreo guy – he looks as excited as the Coyote when you pull out a camera. The Coyote could probably do that trick. I mean he’s not fussy about food, and he definitely has the disgusted stare down perfectly. The Warden said she’d love to see a PON do this. Now THAT would be a trick. I’d show how with one turn of my head I could eat all of them. Which probably aren’t that good for dogs. Unless they are those fake Oreo dog biscuits Like they think we dogs don’t know the difference. Trust me. We do. Anyway – check out the performances:

https://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/video/whats-up-dog-limbo-walking-upright-and-balancing-oreos/353925877

I had class yesterday and all was going great until our teacher took us outside in a fenced area to do literally, 2 minutes of attention work. Well, I pulled a Tonka. Sure I can do certain things like heelwork and recalls and stays in a controlled, familiar environment- but outside, I barely knew my name. When I realized the Warden had treats, I was a BIT better. But holy macaroni- I have LOTS of work ahead of me!

OK. Time to get ready to take the Warden on a LONG walk. She needs it.

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

Hey blogaroos! Happy St. Paddy’s Day! You can bet your lucky charms the pubs in Halifax will be celebrating today. After the Great Pause, people are ready for some corned beef and green beer. The boys in this house would be just as happy to eat green grass, if we could find some.

The Warden didn’t even ATTEMPT to get a photo of the three of us wearing festive shamrocks. She did get some individual shots starting with yours truly. I’m adorable. What can I say?

And then there’s the Boss- who always looks good…

But then along comes the Coyote. First he looks like his bow tie is too tight…

Then he looks downright mad…

Here he’s kinda sneering…

And once the headgear is added…well it’s just pitiful…

That’s why we only had skimpy shamrock scarves for the group shot. Which I immediately pulled off. It was chaos. Here the Coyote was trying to hide behind me…

Looks like we all spotted a leprechaun. The Warden managed to get the Coyote to put his ears up by hurling toys over her shoulder. That was entertaining.

The Boss and the Warden were doing some “project” yesterday downstairs in the rec room. It wasn’t crafts – the Boss doesn’t do crafts. Anyway, it’s all secret – I have no idea what it’s all about. As soon as I know what’s happening, I’ll be sure to tell you. I’m not a good secret keeper.

Enjoy your St Patrick’s Day. Today everybody is Irish – even us Polish and French dogs. May you find the pot at the end of the rainbow and may it be filled with dog treats!

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

Anyway

Howdy doody blogaroos! Squirmy here on a terrific Tuesday. Just sitting here waiting for presents to appear. Why presents? Well hello – today is the birthday of Saint Nicholas! You know Saint Nick – the 4th century bishop of Myra. The guy whose “day” is December 5 or 6 – and who is associated with gift giving. Many think of him as the model for Santa Claus. Well – today is his birthday! So I think we should do gifts all over again. The date in December is when he died. And that’s fine – but hello – why can’t we also celebrate when he was born?! Makes perfect sense to me. Treats all around!

So Crufts 2022 is over for this year and Sunday ended with the grand finale – Best in Show. The last group (the Gundog group) was judged – and ta da- the winner of that group, Baxer, the Flat Coated Retriever went on to win the grand prize. The Warden was watching it on livestream, and while she thought all the dogs were lovely, she REALLY wanted Baxer. So she was cheering and clapping and all excited. Meanwhile, two of us were celebrating Best in Show by digging a new pond in the backyard – and rolling in it. Kind of our sentiments about beauty pageants.

Not much else here new. We play, we walk, we run, we train, we follow the Warden from room to room, we snuffle, we bark at birds, we bark at bunnies, we bark at nothing, we follow the Warden, we lick each other, we lick ourselves, we sometimes nap, we stare at the treat jar, we follow the Warden, we do inventory in the fridge, we bark at the vacuum, we attack the vacuum, we dig, we pace, we patrol the yard, we literally count the minutes until mealtime…..That’s a pretty typical day. I think we need some excitement around here. Hey – maybe Saint Nick could bring me a kitten. Wonder if it’s too late to ask.

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

Hey everybody. Busy Squirmy here. That’s me – always on the go. Always into something. That’s a photo of me before The Warden could catch me as I ran outside with the dog bed. Apparently you’re not supposed to take it outside. I did bring it back when she called me…

And I was about to take off with it again…but she said the magic word “biscuits” and I brought it back in. She put the bed away. Spoil sport.

Speaking of coming when called, did you know there are TWO dogs named Wojtek in this house?! Yup – two. Usually when my name is called, it’s because I’m “into something” – and if I come when called, I get a treat. So now, EVERY time I am called, the Boss automatically comes. Sometimes he comes before me. The other day, the Warden looked at him and said “When was your name changed to Wojtek?” He just tilted his head in that treat-deserving expression that works every time.

So yesterday it rained – before these photos were taken. It rained most of the day. Prompting the Warden to defrost some marrow bones to keep us from driving her mad. But we can only have them for like 25 minutes before she takes them away – and back in the freezer they go. Soupy poops in pouring rain with high winds would make for a real nightmare. Too much of a good thing can have a bad result….

We’ve still been watching bits and pieces of Crufts – but let’s face it – when it comes to the beauty pageant parts, we love the Pastoral Group the best. Oh – and Best in Show – which is today. But let’s review the other Group winners. In the Terrier Group, the number one dog was the Irish Terrier. Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. In the Hound Group, it was the Greyhound. That was quick.

In the Utility Group the winner was a Toy Poodle named Waffle. A delectable winner. And in the Toy Group, it was the Yorkshire Terrier. It’s kinda confusing. So a toy dog wins but he’s not in the Toy Group and a Terrier wins who isn’t in the Terrier Group. Don’t bother trying to explain it to me – I won’t listen. Anyway – congratulations to all the winners so far. Today the Gundog Group will be judged – and then it’s on to Best in Show. I can’t pick my favorite yet because I haven’t seen the last group winner yet. If you go by the bookies, the winner of the Terrier Group has the best odds of winning, followed by the winner of the Gundog Group and then the Toy Group. They say the winner of the Utility group has the worst odds – BUT now, given that it’s a Toy Poodle- personally I think the odds might have changed. I’m still betting on the PON. Even though he didn’t win the Group. It’s my money.

Here’s another fun video from Crufts this year. Well it’s fun for the dog. The human probably not so much. The Warden said this could be me….

https://youtu.be/u5yeLQQU0iM

Hey I hope you turned your clock forward last night, or you’re an hour behind everyone. Last night at 9PM, the Warden announced, “We are going to bed.” We all looked at her like she lost her mind. But we get a treat at bedtime, so nobody complained. As a result, we are all well rested and ready to rock and roll. Heck, I think sleep is overrated anyway.

Time to begin the morning choir fest.

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