Happy Fourth!

July 4. It’s Independence Day in the United States. The Warden is both a Canadian AND a US citizen so we get to celebrate another national birthday. I’m also a dual – because I was born in New Jersey – so I’m in charge of the BBQ. Sure I am…

We have a bit of a confession. This blog post is partly a rerun. Given that we have literally written several thousand blog posts, we feel it’s ok sometimes to plagiarize our own work. So this 4th of July message is written by both me and Viktor…

So in honor of all things American – time to look at those dog breeds that came from the US. When we went to research this topic, we were surprised how many there were. But many of them we had never heard of. Like the Alaskan Klee Kai. It looks kind of like a Malamute or Siberian Husky. It’s in the Rare Breed Category. And there are others in that Rare Breed bunch – the Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog, the King Shepherd , Olde English Bulldogge, Shiloh Shepherd, and the Chinook to name a few.

Besides these lesser known breeds, there are lots of very familiar breeds who call the US their home – the Alaskan Malamute, American Staffordshire Terrier, the American Foxhound, American Water Spaniel, Boykin Spaniel, Australian Shepherd, Black and Tan Coonhound, Treeing Walker Coonhound, Bluetick Coonhound, Plott Hound, Redbone Coonhound, Boston Terrier, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, American Cocker Spaniel, and the American Eskimo Dog. Those Coonhound varieties really seem to be prevalent.

I think we need one – a raccoon keeps digging in our lawn. I bet if we had a coonhound, it woudn’t happen.

No doubt many of these breeds had ancestors in other countries – and they immigrated to America.  The US is a melting pot of people – and I’m sure the same is true with us canines!

We’re also sure we’re missing some breeds – forgive us if we’re missing your favorite.

We wonder if all these breeds like Apple Pie, grits, macaroni and cheese, Clam chowder, lobster rolls, Buffalo Wings, hotdogs, Philly Cheese Steaks, chocolate chip cookies and baked beans. Our guess is, they probably WOULD like most of those American dishes – but they probably shouldn’t eat many of them – without some unfortunate dietary upset.

And speaking of dietary issues – the Coyote seems to FINALLY be feeling back to normal. Well- as normal as a squeaky-for-no-reason sensitive, observant, unique, independent, Picard can be. Said the barky, observant, independent, sometimes stubborn PON.

Had a good session with the Borzoi babes this morning. Those chicks like treats and are excellent at nosing their way into training bags. Gotta love a nosy chick.

So have a fabulous day and Happy Independence Day to all my American friends and family. Have a hotdog on me!