Howdy blogaroos. Squirmy here. Do ya remember us? It’s been like a dog’s year since we last wrote. Somehow the Warden was less busy BEFORE she retired. Or so she claims.

So what’s new here at the asylum? Christmas and New Years came and went and so did Aunt Sue and Keith. Aunt Sue has actually been here twice since we last wrote – she’s a glutton for punishment. Besides being continually mauled by me and the Coyote, the Warden had her doing “projects” around the house. Like cleaning out the furnace room. That was precipitated because we’ve had multiple visits from the furnace guy this winter. First one zone in the house wasn’t heating. Then it happened again. And again. Then the furnace wouldn’t shut off so we felt like we were living on the surface of the sun. We’ve come to ignore the furnace guy when he comes in. Well – the Coyote has. I’d personally take his fingers off if he reached over the baby gate in the room where we are sequestered. He tried the old “I’ve got a treat routine” in a futile attempt to make friends with me. I grabbed the treat and continued to bark at him. He’s just not my favorite character.

As to the furnace room cleaning- it had become a repository for gift bags and wrapping paper. Collected over more than 20 years. We could have opened our own gift bag store. Seriously – it looked like the Dollar Store had exploded. Anyway- the two sisters sorted through the paper jungle – and the Warden agreed it was unlikely she would be gifting every single resident of Nova Scotia any time soon – so they were donated to a thrift store.

The snow is gone as I write, ALTHOUGH, the last remaining small pile in the Halifax area exists in our yard. It’s from the plow guy – and in a shady area – so it hadn’t melted yet. Every chance I get, I run to the top and roll down in sheer abandon- grabbing dirty mouthfuls as I go. Just like Frodo – rolling is my thing. I hate to see the white stuff gone.

The Warden, on the other paw, is thrilled she will no longer need to keep the Coyote on a 4 inch leash – in an ongoing effort to keep him from grabbing mouthfuls of the white stuff. We all know he pukes when he eats snow – but that doesn’t stop him from doing it.

The Coyote still very much has his ups and downs with eating. He’s pretty thin – but energetic and overall happy. His current taste buds favor this rolled dog food stuff – that likely isn’t the best for his kidney issues. BUT – he likes it. And eats it. So until he decides that is passé, the Warden will keep buying it. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

And as for yours truly – well I finally got the Warden trained well enough that I could take her in the obedience ring. We haven’t been in a real competition since we got my first Rally title back in 2022. Since then we’ve been concentrating on obedience. As you may recall, I DID have a little “issue” with acting as a Welcome Waggin Ambassador” during the long sit and down stays. What can I say? I’m a friendly guy. So although I knew all the exercises for Novice, the Warden didn’t trust me enough to enter me in a trial. But – in January, the CKC rules changed – and now sits and downs were to be on leash. No chance to be sociable any more. So the Warden planned to enter me in my first obedience trial. And juuuust before she did so, she entered me in a practice match. And lo and behold – I did the well known dog behavior of now not doing an exercise that I previously did pretty well. It’s called random training terrorization. Let the human think you know what to do. But pretend you’ve never done it in your life. Especially right before a trial. I started to back up on my stand stays – when the judge comes over to pet you. I had huge issues with that behavior two years ago – but we worked hard to “fix it.” And the Warden thought I had it. But nope. In the match I pretended I had never stood still and let another human touch me. I looked all wide eyed and backed up. The Warden was devastated. Here we were – less than 2 weeks to the trial – and spooky dog had returned. So we had to do boot camp stand stays. With TONS of treats for good behavior. I think I put on 5 lbs.

Anyway, we took the plunge two weekends ago – and entered two trials in one day. I wasn’t nervous – but I can’t say the same for the strange woman at the end of my leash. Holy chew toy. I could hear her heart pounding. So I had to listen to the judge’s instructions and do them while I guided the Warden around the ring. And I did a fine job – we had the highest score in our class. So we had one out of three necessary passes for my title. That afternoon we were in another trial. And thankfully after a few shots of alcohol at lunchtime, the Warden was much more calm. JUST KIDDING ABOUT THE ALCOHOL. I shouldn’t have joked about that. That’s how rumors get started. Besides, she had the alcohol in the morning.

What was nice about these trials was that Aunt Sue was visiting. She still can’t believe that the maniac she sees at home can be well-behaved in public. I’m a good actor.

With the Warden having gotten over the initial trial – and the fact that I stood for the Stand for Exam without moving, she was much more confident in the afternoon. I didn’t have to guide her around quite as much and she was more “in the zone”. So this time, our score was even better and we got another High in Class finish. PLUS – my score was so nice – it turned out to be the Highest in the Trial. So we got a ribbon bigger than me! The Warden was SO happy. She and Aunt Sue both got teary eyed. I just wanted some treats for my hard work. I couldn’t wait to get home to tell the Coyote. He just yawned.

Last weekend we entered two more trials to see if I could get that third leg I needed for my CD title. Our good luck charm (Aunt Sue) had returned home – so it was just me and the Warden going to the show on our own. Now one might THINK that after two good trials, the Warden would now be relaxed. Nah. THIS time she stressed because it was a male judge – and she wasn’t sure about the stand stay. Again. But here’s the thing – it’s all about how you approach me. If you’re too timid – I figure it out and figure there’s something to be afraid of. So I get worried. If you’re too pushy – like the furnace guy, I’m not all that enamored either. But this judge was very nice, confident and didn’t smell of furnace oil. So I didn’t budge on my stand. And I guided the Warden around the ring like it was nothing. We passed! And got another High in Class. And if that wasn’t enough – we ended up with a nice enough score to get another High in Trial! We were entered in another trial in the afternoon, but the Warden decided we should quit while we were ahead. We’re ALMOST ready to compete in the next level of obedience- but we need a bit more practice. The good news is no more stand stays at the next level. It’s fun stuff – like going over a jump to retrieve a dumbbell – and following signals to do things. My kind of fun.

Those are my big ribbons. And the other photo is of me guiding the Warden around the ring. I had to keep my eyes on her so she didn’t stray.

And not to be outdone- here’s a photo of the Coyote captured just yesterday- demonstrating HIS talent. Attempting to inconspicuously chew the carpet. Some things never change.

So what else is new? Oh. Oh. Oh. HOW could I forget to tell you this? Well – you know how we’ve been kinda off the radar. Not much news from us. Well. We can finally tell you. We won the lottery!!! $13 million! We had to get all our stuffed ducks in a row before we shared the news. It’s pretty exciting. We’ve decided to stay in our house, and the Warden says Ludwig still runs well – so no need for a new vehicle just yet. She bought us THE most expensive dog food on the planet, but the Coyote didn’t like it. So he’s back to the crappy rolled food while I eat the gourmet stuff. We did get new leashes and collars and I got a new pop up crate to use during training and at trials.

She bought herself a couple of new sweatshirts to wear during dog training and for our morning walks.

We will be getting some sheep for the Coyote – since they make him happy. She’s hired someone to cut some trees and landscape our property for the small barn for the sheep. Can’t WAIT to sample those tasty morsels those guys produce.

We’re also planning to add to our canine family. Another PON (my choice), an Irish Wolfhound (the Coyote’s choice – go figure), a Lab or two, a Glen of Imaal Terrier and a Bernese to round out the crowd. And do you know what else?!??????

I’m sure you’ve guessed! April Fools! Not sure if this was as good as Viktor’s April Fools stories about new feral kittens or the bear – but we wonder if MAYBE we got ya for a few seconds!

We hope all of you reading this are doing well – and that your spring flowers are blooming. Or, like here – starting to think about emerging. And as they do emerge here- we boys will be sure to water them.

OK. Time to go bug the Warden.

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