Happy Easter blogaroos!!! Squirmy here to share the dreaded bunny ear photos.

The Warden kept waiting and waiting and WAITING for a sunny day to take the dreaded shots. And we’ve had nothing but rain all week. We are all getting moldy.

Yesterday, during a momentary break in the rain and mist, she figured it would be her only opportunity. She loaded her pockets with liver treats and took us outside.

It was windy. Very windy. So any props blew away. She decided it was futile to use them so she would JUST set us up for the shot. She had to first get us in position and then whip out the ears.

The instructions went something like this…”Frodo sit. Frodo sit. FRODO SIT. (The Boss is getting a bit hard of hearing in his seasoned age). FRODO SIT. Good boy. Elroy sit. Elroy sit. Good boy. Try to look happy. Wojtek sit. Wojtek sit. WOJTEK, FOR THE LOVE IF GOD, I HAVE SPENT THE COST OF A NEW CAR ON OBEDIENCE CLASSES FOR YOU – SO SIT!!! SIT!! SIIIIIIIIT!!!!WOJTEK SIT!!!! Frodo now you SIT!!! Elroy try to look like you are having fun…”

Yours truly refused to look happy in the 780 photos taken. Even the Coyote looked more engaged.

Of all the photos taken, these were my favorites…

In other news, the Warden has recovered from the plague and is back to her bouncy self. Maybe bouncy isn’t the right word… she’s back to her bowling ball self. Shes moving again – at her usual slow pace.

The Coyote has taken a complete turn since she was sick. He’s eating his meals. And blueberries. AND the morning slice of bread. We’re not questioning his motives – but just happy he has his appetite back!

Joanie was in town this weekend- so she stopped by on Friday for a visit. The Warden releases us in stages when she comes to visit. First to meet her is the Boss- who is allowed to run and greet her as she gets out of her car. He looks at her, stands back, barks and wags. He’s the best behaved.

Next out of the gate is the Coyote. He immediately sidles up next to her, waiting for ear scratches and hugs. And finally, yours truly is let out of my sequestration in the bedroom. I race like a rocket and promptly ricochet off her. Then, if she is overly happy to see me, I run around her in circles, attempting to bite her clothing. Or her hands. They are what I call “love nibbles.” But for some reason, they are not considered totally socially appropriate. Whatever. She’s used to me. We always love to see her.

We hope you have a Happy Easter – and canines – stay out of the chocolates!!!!! And get ready for Dyngus Day on Monday!!!!!

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

Yo. Blog people. Elroy here. Just popping in to say “hold the good wishes.” Well, I mean you can still send me good wishes for my vet visit – but it won’t be today. Unfortunately, Her Highness is under the weather – so we had to cancel my appointment. Yup – she’s been sick as a canine since Tuesday. In fact, I realized she was feeling badly, so to make her life a bit better, I actually ate 4 out of 5 of my meals the past two days. That’s a record lately.

She’s looking better today – and she almost sounds like herself – but she’s still not 100% and she didn’t want to pass on this bug to anyone at the vet clinic. So I’m scheduled for my drama adventure in 2 weeks.

In the meantime, we’re lounging around the house, trying to behave. Well- at least I am. On Tuesday morning when the bug hit her full on with stuffy nose, fever and all over body aches, it was everything she could do to take us on short walks. She fed us breakfast- and then blocked herself in the bedroom and collapsed on the bed. Much as she loves us, she didn’t want anyone jumping on her on the bed. I got the message. The mops? Not so much. After about an hour, the Imp started throwing around the food bowls. And the Boss started barking. On and off. On and off. Her Highness must have been feeling pretty gross because she let it go on for about 2 hours. Then she got up, picked up the bowls, and moved, with the Boss, into the DFZ – where she collapsed on the sofa until supper time.

Yesterday she spent less time in bed – but the sofa was still her location for the day. This morning it was pouring rain for our walks – and she was grateful that all of us “made our deposits” in record time. I’m starting to adopt the mop attitude about rain. It’s not nearly as much fun as I once thought it was.

So hold your “good vet results wishes” for two weeks. In the meantime, I’ll try to eat my meals and will also try to keep the mops under control. Now for THAT I could use prayers!!!

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

Howdy blogaroos! Squirmy here. Have ya missed us? We’ve been pretty quiet lately- and holy shamrock – we even missed the usual St. Patrick’s Day photo shoot – wearing oversized green bow ties and headbands with four leaf clovers. We’re getting really slack. The Warden said we’ll make up for it on Easter. Oh joy. Oh happiness. The Coyote got wind of her plan and decided to try and dig his way out of the yard. Probably would have been more effective if he dug the holes near the fence.

He clearly has energy to dig – and quite enjoys his daily walks. Unfortunately though, his appetite doesn’t match his energy level lately. He and the Warden are back to food wars again. One day he likes hamburger sprinkled on his food. The next day – nah. He is maintaining his weight – but likely because the Warden has to force feed him some days. Not fun. And after they get his meal down, he comes roaming around the kitchen to see what’s cooking. Yes – that’s AFTER he refused his meal.

He’s going to the vet on Thursday for his regular check up. The Warden figures she’ll leave him in the car, talk to the vet about how he’s doing, and then bring him in. One cannot talk to the vet when he’s there because he squeals incessantly from the minute he walks in the door. And it’s not like you can distract him with a treat. Say a prayer on Thursday that they both make it through the visit without their blood pressure readings going through the roof!!!

What else is new? Most of our snow is gone except for a few Larry piles. And the long range forecast looks like balmy, above freezing temperatures for the next while. I have to make sure I keep rolling whenever I can in the remaining piles as they get smaller and smaller.

The Warden’s favorite dog show- Crufts has come and gone. The big winner of Best in Show was a PON! Just kidding. But it WAS a dog from the Pastoral Group – which we call the Herding Group here in North America- and it’s the group that we PONs and Picards belong to. The dog that won was Viking, an Australian Shepherd and Reserve Best in Show was Zen, a Jack Russell Terrier from Japan. We were cheering for the Leonberger – because the father of that dog was bred here in Nova Scotia!!! So there was a “hometown” connection.

There are loads of Crufts videos on-line – but we wanted to share two of our favorites. The first is a dog who may be small in size – but he has the spirit of a king. Check him out:

https://youtu.be/A_11xyGMLts

There are loads of amazing agility, and flyball performances on-line, but personally, I like a dog who likes to do his own thing. This guy is supposed to be following a course in a sport called Hoopers. He decides to take a bit of a detour. Ya gotta love him!

https://youtu.be/bMZuex1j02Y

I’m still going to classes and matches, but no trials for me yet. Last weekend we went to a little practice class and the Warden figured out a way to make sure I don’t go “visiting” during the stay exercises. She tied me to one of the sandbags that holds the agility equipment. I didn’t even ATTEMPT to get up and move. Does she honestly think I didn’t realize I was tied up? Tsk. Tsk. Surely she knows I’m smarter than that. I never make a move if she’s 6-8 feet away, because although she’s no sprinter, she sure can make a BIG leap to grab me if she’s that close. But 20 feet away? To quote Mel Gibson – “FREEDOM!!!”

I joke – but it’s really not cool because, although I’m friendly, not every dog wants to entertain visitors. Plus more importantly, the Warden doesn’t want MY behavior to affect someone else. So for now she drags around sandbags. And we’ll keep working on it. Hey- I like the action stuff like heeling and retrieves and jumps. But stays are boring. Maybe I could wear ear pods and listen to some podcasts about making treats. Or something. No judge would notice ear pods under all my hair. Maybe that’s the next training step after the sandbags….

The Boss is doing well. He is even MORE fussy about puddles and wet conditions the older he gets- but give him a sunny day and he’s a happy camper.

So that’s our update for now. We’ll let you know how the Coyote aka Miracle Dog is doing after his vet visit. Paws crossed all is well. Or at very least stable.

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

Howdy blogaroos. Squirmy here. Counting the days to Spring. It’s coming – and we can even see grass now on our lawn. Mind you, it’s brown grass and it’s still surrounded by piles of yellow snow from Larry, the plow guy. Let me clarify that. Larry made the piles. Of snow. We provided the sunflower palette. But Spring IS coming!!

The Warden took me for a walk to the golf course today and even though most of the snow is gone, there are still some patches of white stuff. And every chance I get, I practice my drop and roll routine. Just like the Boss. We call our movements PON-lates. Get it? PON-lates! Like Pilates….Sometimes I kill myself.

On the flip side, the Coyote just dives to grab a mouthful of snow. He’d rather chew it than roll on it.

Well today was an anniversary of sorts. Six months to the day when the Coyote came pretty darn close to crossing that Rainbow Bridge. Like his front feet were on it. But the Warden yanked his leash back.

Over the past six months there were many a day when the Warden thought he was again taking the path to the Bridge. But thankfully there have been more good days than bad. Eating is STILL a challenge- but let’s face it – that’s nothing new. He continues to defy the odds….

The photo of him was taken the other night – he was sound asleep in all his scruffy glory. Dreaming of surfing. We are convinced he was a surfer dude in another life.

What else… Oh – this weekend the clocks spring ahead! So we lose an hour of sleep. I don’t care. Just means breakfast will come early. Works for me.

Ah yes springtime. Any poop that was hidden by leaves in the fall, will now be revealed. Surprise!! And wet ground provides for a magical mud mixture. It’s the Warden’s least favorite time of year. Although she DOES like the longer days.

It’s also the time of year when the bunnies turn back to their brown color. They turn white in the winter, but the Coyote and the Warden saw one this morning and he already had some brown patches on his coat. The Coyote just stood and stared at him and then looked at the Warden with an expression that said “well will ya look at that strange looking creature. What the heck is it?!” The bunny took off and the Coyote then watched a pile of snow and mud to see if IT would move. It didn’t.

Not much else new here. So we found a cute good news dog story for you. It’s about a chihuahua going postal. But not in a bad way. Check it out:

https://youtu.be/ot9Ndxp4eCA

Well, I’m writing this at night, for a change- and it’s almost time for our last walks of the day. The Warden got this great new headlamp from Sue – that is so bright it’s like we’re walking in the daytime. Better to see those bunnies in the dark.

Have a happy Michelangelo Day tomorrow-March 6. Michelangelo reportedly owned a Pomeranian. And the dog sat on a satin pillow watching as he painted the Sistine Chapel. (In case you ever get that question in Jeopardy.) So we like him because he was a pretty good artist and he obviously liked dogs. You can celebrate his birthday by painting a portrait of your dog. On your ceiling.

Clearly it’s time for bed…

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